Exxon Mobil, Chevron To Report As Oil Prices Slide. Are Buyback Cuts On The Table?

U.S. oil prices dipped to their lowest level in more than four years early Thursday, focusing attention of first-quarter earnings reports due from Chevron (CVX) and Exxon Mobil (XOM) Friday morning. Analysts already expect another substantial profit decline for the U.S. supermajors. More than the top and bottom line numbers, investors will arguably be more interested in buybacks, any commentary…