SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSEARCA:XOP)

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (NYSEARCA:XOP) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Investors purchased 34,637 put options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 159% compared to the average volume of 13,389 put options.

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:XOP traded up $3.39 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $133.14. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 3,038,450 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,667,240. The stock has a market cap of $1.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.28 and a beta of 0.95. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $129.84 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $129.19. SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF has a twelve month low of $99.01 and a twelve month high of $146.56.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Canoe Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF during the third quarter worth about $593,000. Allianz SE grew its stake in SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF by 33.5% during the 2nd quarter. Allianz SE now owns 51,025 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,419,000 after purchasing an additional 12,800 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB purchased a new stake in SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its position in shares of SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF by 31.0% in the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 9,558 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,202,000 after purchasing an additional 2,262 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in shares of SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF by 759.5% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 636 shares of the company’s stock valued at $80,000 after buying an additional 562 shares during the last quarter.

Key SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF News

Here are the key news stories impacting SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF this week:

• Positive Sentiment: OPEC’s outlook shows continued oil-demand growth into 2027, supporting longer‑term fundamentals for E&P names that XOP holds. OPEC’s First Look at 2027 Signals Steady Oil-Demand Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Citi raised its near‑term Brent forecast to ~$70/bbl, citing rising geopolitical risk and a higher risk premium — a bullish input for oil producers in XOP. Rising geopolitical risks point to higher crude prices – oil analyst
• Positive Sentiment: Russian output fell ~0.7% in 2025, tightening global supply slightly and supporting producer economics. Russian oil output edges down 0.7% in 2025, OPEC data shows
• Positive Sentiment: U.S. policy and sanctions moves are disrupting flows (and boosting risk premia) — pressure on Middle East and Venezuelan supply prospects is pro‑price for E&P exposure. Venezuelan oil exports to China set to drop as US blockade limits cargoes
• Positive Sentiment: Heightened Iran/Middle East tensions and reported tanker attacks are adding a risk premium to crude that benefits E&P profitability. Oil prices gain on Iran supply disruption concerns
• Neutral Sentiment: OPEC’s report also signals a close balance between supply and demand in 2026 — supportive for prices but not an immediate catalyst. In first look at 2027, OPEC forecasts ongoing oil demand growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical/forecast pieces show crude testing longer moving averages — momentum could drive short-term moves either way for XOP. Crude Oil Price Forecast: Double Bottom Breakout Signals Trend Reversal
• Negative Sentiment: Unusual options activity: traders bought 34,637 XOP put contracts (up ~159% vs. average), indicating hedging or bearish positioning that can pressure the ETF if sentiment shifts.
• Negative Sentiment: U.S. crude inventories rose ~3.4M barrels last week, a near‑term supply overhang that can cap oil prices and dent E&P margins. U.S. Crude Oil Stockpiles Post Weekly Increase
• Negative Sentiment: Venezuelan shipments restarting and more cargoes entering U.S. markets could increase near‑term supply and widen WTI discounts, a headwind for some U.S. producers in XOP. At least two supertankers depart Venezuelan waters carrying oil
• Negative Sentiment: Sector sentiment dented by major producers flagging weak trading and impairment risks, which can weigh on peer valuations inside XOP. BP flags $4 billion-$5 billion in energy transition impairments, weak oil trading
• Negative Sentiment: Operational shifts such as Exxon preparing a refinery to run Venezuelan crude could mute some U.S. producer benefit from higher benchmark prices. Exxon Baton Rouge refinery preparing to run Venezuelan oil

About SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible the total return performance of the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index. The S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index represents the oil and gas exploration and production sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Markets Index. The S&P TMI tracks all the United States common stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) National Market and NASDAQ Small Cap exchanges.