ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the sixteen analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $143.24.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Mizuho reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $139.00 price target (up from $132.00) on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Susquehanna increased their price target on ConocoPhillips from $133.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Monday. Piper Sandler increased their price target on ConocoPhillips from $145.00 to $157.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. Barclays initiated coverage on ConocoPhillips in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $158.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $138.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th.

ConocoPhillips Stock Performance

NYSE COP opened at $129.33 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $152.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $120.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $117.31. ConocoPhillips has a twelve month low of $95.70 and a twelve month high of $135.18.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The energy producer reported $2.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.32. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 22.08% and a net margin of 18.71%. The firm had revenue of $15.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.71 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 9.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 19th were issued a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.41%. This is an increase from ConocoPhillips’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. ConocoPhillips’s dividend payout ratio is presently 25.61%.

Insider Transactions at ConocoPhillips

In other news, VP Christopher P. Delk sold 8,505 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.06, for a total value of $953,070.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Christopher P. Delk sold 8,505 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.06, for a total value of $953,070.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Heather G. Hrap sold 4,548 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.55, for a total value of $502,781.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 2,654 shares in the company, valued at $293,399.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 700,775 shares of company stock worth $87,615,169. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of COP. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new position in ConocoPhillips during the 3rd quarter worth $71,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. bought a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. Pure Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 33.6% during the 3rd quarter. Pure Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,793 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $335,000 after acquiring an additional 703 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 15.2% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 7,956 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $979,000 after acquiring an additional 1,048 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D Orazio & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the 3rd quarter valued at $213,000. 82.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects.