Short Interest in BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) Grows By 71.7%

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 11,309,909 shares, a growth of 71.7% from the December 15th total of 6,585,455 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 7,944,827 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 7,944,827 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

BP Trading Down 1.9%

Shares of BP stock traded down $0.69 during trading on Thursday, hitting $35.13. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 10,716,279 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,622,082. The stock has a market cap of $91.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.32. BP has a 52 week low of $25.22 and a 52 week high of $37.64. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $35.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $34.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

BP (NYSE:BP) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.13. BP had a return on equity of 9.07% and a net margin of 0.79%.The firm had revenue of $48.42 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $43.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.83 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that BP will post 3.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BP Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $0.4992 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.7%. This is an increase from BP’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. BP’s payout ratio is currently 341.38%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen raised BP from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $51.00 price objective on shares of BP in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of BP in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Scotiabank restated an “outperform” rating on shares of BP in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $38.00 price objective on shares of BP and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $42.71.

BP News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting BP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: BP reported progress cutting its debt pile, a balance‑sheet improvement that reduces financial risk and supports the dividend/capital allocation outlook. BP rises after making progress cutting hefty debt pile
• Positive Sentiment: BP formed a 50/50 JV (Etlas) with Corteva to scale oilseed feedstock for SAF and renewable diesel — a concrete industrial step to secure low‑carbon fuel inputs that can support future renewable fuels volumes and margins. BP & CTVA Partner to Form Etlas JV for Biofuel Feedstock Supply
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts note BP is among integrated majors likely to be more resilient if oil prices soften — a thematic view that supports relative defensiveness but is not an immediate catalyst. Weak Oil Prices Loom: 3 Integrated Energy Stocks That Could Hold Up
• Neutral Sentiment: BP has been a trending stock among retail/investor attention — heightened interest can increase volatility around news but isn’t directional by itself. BP p.l.c. (BP) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It
• Negative Sentiment: BP warned of weak oil‑trading results and will book $4–$5 billion of impairments largely tied to its energy transition/low‑carbon assets — a large one‑off charge that reduces reported earnings and raises questions on the near‑term returns of the renewables push. BP flags $4 billion-$5 billion in energy transition impairments, weak oil trading
• Negative Sentiment: Citi warns the fourth‑quarter trading statement implies near‑term earnings headwinds despite balance‑sheet improvements — suggesting analysts may cut near‑term EPS and that guidance uncertainty could pressure the multiple. BP faces near-term earnings headwinds – Citi
• Negative Sentiment: Investor activism: climate‑focused shareholders and some investors are pushing BP to clarify value creation under scenarios of declining oil demand — added governance and strategy pressure that can weigh on sentiment around transition plans. Climate activist shareholder group pushes BP, Shell on plans for declining oil demand

Institutional Trading of BP

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BP. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS lifted its stake in shares of BP by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS now owns 485,409 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $14,528,000 after purchasing an additional 7,645 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC lifted its stake in BP by 4.3% in the second quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 465,269 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $13,926,000 after buying an additional 19,279 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BP by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 370,300 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $12,761,000 after buying an additional 11,150 shares in the last quarter. Bollard Group LLC grew its position in shares of BP by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bollard Group LLC now owns 337,724 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $10,108,000 after buying an additional 37,974 shares during the period. Finally, Altrius Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of BP by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 278,305 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $9,590,000 after acquiring an additional 1,669 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.01% of the company’s stock.

About BP

BP plc is a British multinational integrated energy company headquartered in London. Originating in the early 20th century as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, BP has grown into one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, operating across exploration and production, refining and marketing, trading, and a range of low-carbon businesses.

The company’s core activities include upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream and trading operations, and downstream refining, marketing and supply of fuels, lubricants and petrochemicals.