ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) Raised to “Strong-Buy” at Zacks Research

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report released on Tuesday, Zacks reports.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on COP. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 17th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of ConocoPhillips from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 29th. Seaport Research Partners initiated coverage on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research note on Thursday, September 3rd. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Freedom Capital upgraded ConocoPhillips from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on ConocoPhillips from $159.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, ConocoPhillips has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $143.29.

ConocoPhillips Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of ConocoPhillips stock opened at $129.85 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $156.00 billion, a PE ratio of 17.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.24. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $129.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $121.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.54. ConocoPhillips has a 52-week low of $85.57 and a 52-week high of $141.62.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The energy producer reported $3.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.90 by $0.34. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 14.22% and a return on equity of 14.72%. The company had revenue of $19.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.79 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.42 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 32.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 10.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at ConocoPhillips

In related news, SVP Andrew Lundquist sold 9,487 shares of ConocoPhillips stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The stock was 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 approximately $1,296,493.95. This trade represents a 49.72% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ConocoPhillips

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of COP. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 151.0% in the 1st quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 241 shares of the energy producer’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Ballast Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Evergreen Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips in the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Allied Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.36% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about ConocoPhillips

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

• Positive Sentiment: ConocoPhillips signed a 20-year agreement to purchase 1 million tons of LNG annually from Venture Global beginning in 2030. The deal expands COP’s long-term natural-gas exposure and could strengthen future cash-flow visibility, although the benefits are several years away. ConocoPhillips Could Be 11% Undervalued Following New 20 Year LNG Deal
• Positive Sentiment: COP is reportedly reviewing the sale of its Norway business and the UK Teesside asset for approximately $7 billion. A transaction could improve capital flexibility, simplify the portfolio and potentially support shareholder returns. ConocoPhillips Reviews Norway Business and UK Teesside Asset Divestment
• Positive Sentiment: Mizuho reiterated a Buy rating and set a $146 NAV-based price target, citing near-term earnings strength and longer-term LNG-driven cash-flow potential. The target implies meaningful upside from the stock’s recent level. Mizuho Reiterates Buy on ConocoPhillips With $146 Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: ConocoPhillips’ chairman said the oil-price floor could rise toward $70 per barrel, a constructive view for upstream producers such as COP if sustained. Oil Price Floor Likely Rising to $70 per Barrel
• Neutral Sentiment: Research reports comparing COP with Cactus and Calumet focus on relative valuation and sector performance rather than announcing a new fundamental development. COP’s strong year-to-date performance may limit the immediate impact of these reports.
• Neutral Sentiment: Management said greater political stability and fair fiscal terms would be needed to attract investors back to Venezuela and Russia, highlighting potential longer-term opportunities but no immediate earnings catalyst. Stability and Fair Fiscal Terms Needed for Investors to Return

About ConocoPhillips

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

The company has a diversified portfolio of assets in major producing regions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway and Qatar. Its U.S. operations include oil and gas developments in Alaska and the Lower 48 states, while its international portfolio includes conventional and offshore projects.