April 3 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) signaled on

Thursday that higher crude oil and natural gas prices as well as

stronger oil refining margins will help lift its first-quarter

earnings by about $900 million compared to the previous quarter.

The largest U.S. oil major gets the bulk of its operating profit

from producing oil and gas, and its earnings snapshot is closely

watched for clues on how the broader industry will fare when

companies begin reporting quarterly results in a few weeks.

Benchmark Brent crude prices averaged $74.98 a

barrel during the first quarter, up 1.3% from the prior quarter

but down 9% from a year ago. U.S. natural gas prices rose

30% compared to the fourth quarter due to higher demand from a

cold winter in the U.S.

The company indicated in an SEC filing that stronger oil

refining margins will also help boost earnings by $300 million

to $700 million compared to the fourth quarter.

Analysts expect Exxon to post an adjusted profit of $1.70

per share in the first quarter, according to estimates compiled

by LSEG, up from $1.67 per share in the fourth quarter.

Exxon said it would release its first-quarter earnings results

on May 2.

The earnings snapshot covers a tumultuous first quarter in which

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration announced and then

walked back tariffs on energy imports from Canada and Mexico.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries also said

in March it would begin increasing oil output for the first time

since 2022.

Exxon reported $7.39 billion in earnings in the fourth

quarter and $8.22 billion in earnings during the first quarter

of last year.

Shares of Exxon rose marginally in extended trading, having

closed 5.3% lower tracking sharp declines in crude prices after

OPEC+ agreed to a surprise increase in output a day after Trump

announced sweeping new import tariffs.