Exxon Mobil Corp, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, on Monday reported the highest quarterly profit in its history, driven by lofty crude oil and natural gas prices. Net income in the fourth quarter rose to $8.42 billion, or $1.30 a share, from $6.65 billion, or $1.01 a share, a year earlier. Analysts' average earnings forecast was $1.05 a share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Revenues shot up to $83.36 billion from $65.95 billion a year earlier. Surging demand from growing Asian giants India and China, sent oil prices soaring to record levels in the quarter.

Copyright Reuters, 2005