When oil prices began plummeting around a year and a half ago, the U.S. energy sector struggled. Big energy companies like Noble Energy (-33.5% over the last year) and British Petroleum (-28.32%) have been hit hard, bleeding profits from every orifice.

Surprisingly, ExxonMobil (XOM), the largest of them all, has been more nimble and proactive in responding to the suffocating external pressures. The company’s latest earnings report shows that while it’s feeling the effects of the current situation in the oil market, it’s still able to beat Wall Street’s expectations. The highlights:

In good shape

All things considered, Exxon is doing an amazing job reacting to the headwinds that are taking out its competitors. Over the last year, for example, its stock is down only 15%, which isn’t bad considering the state of the industry.

Consider also that the company has still managed to generate $2.78 billion in earnings on the quarter in the current situation, especially when several of its competitors are posting losses or paltry gains. Furthermore, Exxon had $38.6 billion in cash and investments at the end of Q3, putting it in an enviable position to do what it needs to not just endure this storm, but weather it healthily.

Downgrade looming

Despite all that, Standard & Poor’s has put the energy giant on credit watch. While that’s not a downgrade in and of itself, it’s a warning. Other energy companies, including Chevron, Apache, Continental Resources, Devon Energy, EOG Resources, Hess, Hunt Oil, Marathon Oil, Murphy Oil, and Southwestern Energy all received downgrades by the rating company.