Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

> while Exxon is in a fragmented, heavily regulated industry

You seem to imply the assumption that the regulations in the energy industry don't benefit ExxonMobil.




Exxon has run, on average, an 8.6% margin over the last 4 years (FY 2010-2013) [1]. Google runs at double that. This implies (though does not prove) that Google has more leverage in its market than does Exxon.

Do some government policies benefit Exxon? Likely. Does every government tax and regulate Exxon at the maximally efficient rate? No. But that is a far cry from saying Exxon would be worse off if, globally, resource-related regulation was pared back.

[1] https://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3AXOM&fstype=ii&ei=QDv...


If you have examples of that I'd be interested in hearing them. Otherwise the refutation is not really useful.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2025 batch! Applications are open till May 13

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: