ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) Stock Has Average Target Price of $145.00

Shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-eight research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $145.00.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on ConocoPhillips in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. They set a “hold” rating and a $148.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $157.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research report on Tuesday, October 20th. Zacks Research raised shares of ConocoPhillips from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Seaport Research Partners assumed coverage on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research report on Thursday, September 3rd. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Finally, Freedom Capital raised shares of ConocoPhillips from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 10th.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Andrew Lundquist sold 9,487 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.15, for a total transaction of $1,282,168.05. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 9,593 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,296,493.95. The trade was a 49.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ConocoPhillips

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in ConocoPhillips by 151.0% during the first quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 241 shares of the energy producer’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Allied Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the second quarter worth about $32,000. William Mack & Associates Inc. purchased a new position in ConocoPhillips during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Evergreen Advisors LLC purchased a new position in ConocoPhillips during the first quarter worth about $36,000. 82.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

ConocoPhillips News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher oil prices—Brent crude was reported near $104 per barrel—are improving the earnings outlook for ConocoPhillips and other exploration and production companies. Analysts also see favorable indicators for a potential third-quarter earnings beat. ConocoPhillips to Report Q3 Earnings: What’s in the Cards?
• Positive Sentiment: ConocoPhillips is being highlighted as a relatively low-beta energy stock that may appeal to investors seeking resilience during market volatility. Its upstream portfolio, growth prospects and investment program are supporting the constructive view. Stay Ahead of Market Uncertainty With BP, XOM, COP and E
• Neutral Sentiment: Several valuation-focused reports describe COP as a strong value stock and emphasize its powerful multiyear performance, while noting that investors must determine whether current earnings can justify the elevated share price. ConocoPhillips Stock Stays Hard To Call On Strong Q2 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Piper Sandler initiated coverage on ConocoPhillips, potentially increasing analyst attention, although the available report does not provide a rating or price target. Piper Sandler Initiates Coverage on ConocoPhillips
• Negative Sentiment: Technical analysts warn that COP may be overbought after its strong gains, with a relative-strength reading above 70. That raises the risk of profit-taking or a pullback if oil prices or earnings disappoint. Top 3 Energy Stocks You May Want To Dump In Q4
• Negative Sentiment: Reported job cuts in Alberta add a near-term reputational and operational concern, while comparisons with Chevron and EOG Resources highlight uncertainty over how well ConocoPhillips’ dividend would hold up during a major oil-price downturn. ConocoPhillips Cuts Alberta Jobs

ConocoPhillips Stock Up 2.7%

COP stock opened at $154.10 on Wednesday. ConocoPhillips has a 52 week low of $85.57 and a 52 week high of $154.28. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $136.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $121.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market cap of $185.13 billion, a PE ratio of 20.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.24.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The energy producer reported $3.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.90 by $0.34. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 14.22% and a return on equity of 14.72%. The firm had revenue of $19.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.79 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.42 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 32.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that ConocoPhillips will post 11.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 17th were paid a $0.84 dividend. This represents a $3.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 17th. ConocoPhillips’s payout ratio is 44.44%.

About ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is an independent exploration and production company engaged in finding, developing and producing oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Unlike integrated energy companies, it primarily focuses on upstream activities rather than operating large refining or retail fuel businesses.

The company’s portfolio includes conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas assets, liquefied natural gas-related interests, oil sands operations and other energy resources.