Exxon Mobil likes staid and steady

On a day when oil prices jumped because of falling U.S. inventories, Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Lee Raymond said the oil giant would continue to plan for the long haul rather that reacting to such short-term price shifts

The company’s $25 billion profit in 2004 supports the steady, albeit staid, approach, Raymond told investors at the company’s annual shareholders meeting Wednesday.