Exothermic reaction is where there is release of energy during a reaction
The enthalpy of exothermic reaction is negative
The relation between energy of products, reactants and enthalpy of reaction is
Enthalpy of reaction =
sum of enthalpy of formation of products - sum of enthalpy of formation of reactants
As enthalpy of reaction is negative, it means the enthalpy of products is less than the enthalpy of reactants
so answer is
In an exothermic reaction the energy of the product is less than the energy of the reactants.