Dividends are not just about attractive yields — they're about resilience. A sustainable payout requires more than high returns; it demands a robust financial foundation that can weather challenging times. Central to this is a company's net debt, calculated as total debt minus cash, which serves as a critical indicator of financial strength. Between the two energy giants, Chevron carries a significantly higher net debt of $21.1 billion compared to ExxonMobil's $9.9 billion. This disparity highlights ExxonMobil's comparatively stronger balance sheet, positioning it to better sustain its dividend payouts even in adverse market conditions.