ConocoPhillips’ (COP) “Underperform” Rating Reiterated at Bank of America

Bank of America restated their underperform rating on shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) in a report published on Friday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a $102.00 price objective on the energy producer’s stock.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on COP. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their target price on ConocoPhillips from $116.00 to $98.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Wolfe Research cut their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $126.00 to $122.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Johnson Rice downgraded shares of ConocoPhillips from an “accumulate” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $108.00 to $105.00 in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Friday, October 17th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $100.00 target price on the stock. Seventeen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $110.83.

ConocoPhillips Price Performance

Shares of COP stock opened at $98.18 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $92.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $92.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.32. ConocoPhillips has a 52-week low of $79.88 and a 52-week high of $106.20. The stock has a market cap of $121.32 billion, a PE ratio of 13.89, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.32.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy producer reported $1.61 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.20. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 14.25% and a return on equity of 13.64%. The company had revenue of $15.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.51 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.78 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 EPS for the current year.

ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a $0.84 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $3.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. This is a positive change from ConocoPhillips’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. ConocoPhillips’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.52%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director William H. Mcraven purchased 5,768 shares of ConocoPhillips stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $86.68 per share, with a total value of $499,970.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 5,768 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $499,970.24. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ryan Michael Lance sold 500,708 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total value of $46,315,490.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 325,972 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $30,152,410. This represents a 60.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ConocoPhillips

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Louisbourg Investments Inc. raised its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Louisbourg Investments Inc. now owns 50,143 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $4,694,000 after purchasing an additional 1,501 shares during the period. Oregon Pacific Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in ConocoPhillips by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Oregon Pacific Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,414 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $226,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc raised its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 665,669 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $62,313,000 after acquiring an additional 10,544 shares during the period. Dorato Capital Management acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the fourth quarter worth approximately $329,000. Finally, Earned Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the fourth quarter worth approximately $298,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.36% of the company’s stock.

ConocoPhillips News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Confirmed gas discovery in Australia’s Otway Basin adds to reserves and strengthens ConocoPhillips’ natural‑gas growth optionality — supports longer‑term production and value of downstream/ LNG optionality. ConocoPhillips Confirms Second Gas Discovery in Australia’s Otway Basin ConocoPhillips Australia discovers additional gas in Otway basin Charlemont Trend
• Neutral Sentiment: International oil companies are lobbying for Venezuelan law changes to allow freer exports of oil they produce — could expand export volumes for majors if enacted, but outcomes and timing remain uncertain for ConocoPhillips. International oil companies push for quick reforms in Venezuela to give them control over oil exports
• Neutral Sentiment: Wolfe Research trimmed its price target (126→122) but kept an outperform rating — a modest sign of caution but still indicates upside versus the current price. Wolfe adjusts price target on ConocoPhillips to $122 from $126, maintains outperform rating
• Negative Sentiment: Bank of America reiterated an underperform stance (framed as a “sell equivalent”), citing relatively high oil breakevens for ConocoPhillips and preferring other names — this analyst view is pressuring sentiment. ConocoPhillips cut to sell equivalent at BofA on high oil breakeven; Ovintiv top oil pick
• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan and other outlets published lower price targets (JPMorgan to $98; reports of a $6 reduction elsewhere), and MarketWatch highlighted COP’s recent underperformance vs. peers — multiple PT cuts and comparative underperformance are amplifying downside pressure. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Lowers ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) Price Target to $98.00 ConocoPhillips (COP) Price Target Lowered by $6 ConocoPhillips stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry commentators continue to favor select midstream/refining/shipping names over majors in the near term, signaling rotation risk for large oil producers like COP even if fundamentals remain intact. Don’t Trade the Venezuela Headlines. Why We’re Skipping Oil Majors to Zero In on These Energy Stocks Instead.

About ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is a Houston-based international energy company focused on exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Formed in 2002 through the merger of Conoco Inc and Phillips Petroleum Company, the firm operates as an independent upstream company that explores for, develops and produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids across a portfolio of global assets.

The company’s activities span conventional and unconventional resources and include onshore and offshore operations in multiple regions around the world.