What are the three main financial and strategic challenges facing Occidental's new CEO Richard Jackson?

Richard Jackson faces three core challenges: (1) lifting Occidental's lagging stock price, which fell 26% under his predecessor Vicki Hollub while peers like ConocoPhillips and Chevron delivered strong returns; (2) reducing the company's long-term debt from $15.2 billion toward a near-term target of $10 billion; and (3) managing the substantial financial burden of Berkshire Hathaway's preferred stake—including an 8% annual dividend that costs hundreds of millions yearly and is criticized as disproportionately favorable to Berkshire versus other shareholders.

Why does some investors believe Occidental may need to be acquired—or acquire others—rather than remain independent?

Some investors, including Bill Smead of Smead Capital Management, argue Occidental must either make more acquisitions to 'beef up the oil in the tank' or be acquired itself, because its current scale and capital structure—burdened by $15.2 billion in debt and a $51 billion market cap—leave it vulnerable amid an industry-wide wave of mega-mergers aimed at consolidation and cost reduction; the view is that without significant growth in reserves or scale, Occidental is unlikely to sustain independence long term.

Occidental's New CEO Tested by Debt, Lagging Stock Price and Big Dividend Payments to Berkshire

Jun 29, 2026

Occidental Petroleum's new CEO Richard Jackson prioritizes debt reduction and shareholder returns amid heavy dividend obligations to Berkshire Hathaway. Analysts suggest the company needs acquisitions or a buyer to compete in the consolidating oil industry.

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Occidental's New CEO Tested by Debt, Lagging Stock Price and Big Dividend Payments to Berkshire

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