ENERGY

Mobil to Take Large 4th-Quarter Charge: Mobil Corp. said it will take a non-cash charge of $250 million to earnings because of “the recent dramatic decline in worldwide crude oil prices.” In a news release, the company said the charge covers excess of inventory book value over current market values, reflecting the decline in crude and product prices since 1982, when Mobil adopted last in/first out accounting in its international marketing and refining operations.