In an amazing performance, Exxon Mobil had the most profitable year in U.S. history. They reported that fourth quarter profits rose 27 percent to a record $10.7 billion.

Income soared to $1.71 a share from $8.42 billion, or $1.44 a share, the year before, the Irving, Texas-based company said today in an announcement.

Bloomberg reports that "Revenue rose 20 percent to $99.7 billion as rising demand and hurricanes lifted prices for oil, natural gas and gasoline. Full-year revenue was $371 billion, pushing Exxon Mobil past Wal-Mart Stores Inc. as the largest U.S. company by sales. The average U.S. profit on refining crude into gasoline and other fuels widened to a record of almost $11 per barrel processed."

Exxon shares rose $1.87 to $63.16 in morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

Quarterly revenue ballooned to $99.66 billion from $83.37 billion a year ago but came in shy of the $100.72 billion Exxon posted in the third quarter, which was the first time a U.S. public company generated more than $100 billion in sales in a single quarter.

To put that into perspective, Exxon's revenue for the year exceeded Saudi Arabia's estimated 2005 gross domestic product of $340.5 billion, according to statistics maintained by the Central Intelligence Agency

By segment, earnings from downstream operations, or refining and marketing, were $2.39 billion for the quarter, up $46 million from the previous year's fourth quarter. Earnings from U.S. upstream operations were $1.8 billion -- a $403 million increase from last year. Earnings from Exxon's chemical business were down $413 million to $835 million.

All in all, it was an extraordinary year for the company. Exxon Chairman Rex Tillerson had this to say in response to the numbers: "We recognize that consumers worldwide want and need reliable supplies of affordable energy -- to fuel their vehicles, light and heat their homes and run their businesses. Our strong financial results will continue to allow us to make significant, long-term investments required to do our part in meeting the world's energy needs."