BP (LON:BP) Stock Rating Upgraded by UBS Group

Key Points

• UBS upgraded BP to a "Buy", citing the new CEO as a potential catalyst; six analysts now rate Buy and three Hold, producing an average "Moderate Buy" consensus and an average target price of GBX 559.
• BP reported an exceptional quarter for oil trading as geopolitical volatility boosted trading gains, prompting Goldman Sachs to raise its price target to GBX 650.
• Analysts warn a recent rise in debt could delay a return to share buybacks and temper shareholder returns despite trading tailwinds; the stock trades near its 52‑week high (~GBX 562) with a market cap of about £109.4bn.

BP (LON:BP - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at UBS Group to a "buy" rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,MarketScreener reports.

BP has been the topic of several other reports. Barclays reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of BP in a research report on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of BP in a research report on Thursday, March 26th. Berenberg Bank reissued a "buy" rating on shares of BP in a research report on Thursday, April 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "hold" rating and set a GBX 650 price target on shares of BP in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating on shares of BP in a report on Tuesday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of GBX 559.

BP Trading Down 0.5%

LON BP opened at GBX 562.10 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 136.71. BP has a 1-year low of GBX 379.70 and a 1-year high of GBX 562.30. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is GBX 522.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 469.08. The company has a market capitalization of £109.40 billion, a PE ratio of 41.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.06.

Insider Buying and Selling at BP

In related news, insider Carol Howle bought 65 shares of BP stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 478 per share, for a total transaction of £310.70. Over the last quarter, insiders purchased 142 shares of company stock valued at $70,530. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Trending Headlines about BP

Here are the key news stories impacting BP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs kept a Buy rating and raised its price target to GBX 650, citing solid trading and resilient cash generation as reasons to expect continued outperformance. BP: Solid Trading Performance and Resilient Cash Generation Underpinning a Sustained Buy Rating
• Positive Sentiment: UBS upgraded BP to Buy as the new CEO takes over, framing leadership change as a potential catalyst for strategic progress and re-rating. BP raised to Buy at UBS as new CEO takes over 'at critical turning pont'
• Positive Sentiment: Barclays reaffirmed its Buy rating, supporting upside expectations from trading and operational execution. Barclays Reaffirms Buy Rating for BP LON: BP
• Positive Sentiment: BP reported an “exceptional” quarter for oil trading as geopolitical-driven volatility (Iran war) pushed trading gains — a near-term earnings tailwind. BP hails ‘exceptional’ quarter for oil traders as Iran war stokes volatility
• Positive Sentiment: Minor insider buy reported (Kate Thomson purchased 5 shares), a small supportive signal but immaterial to fundamentals. LON:BP Insider Transaction
• Neutral Sentiment: FT/Reuters report the new CEO plans to simplify BP into two units (upstream/downstream) and overhaul the executive ranks — strategic change that can unlock value but creates execution risk and transition noise. BP's new CEO to simplify company structure into upstream, downstream units
• Neutral Sentiment: TD Cowen maintained a Hold (PT GBX 570), noting near-term trading tailwinds but medium-term commodity and earnings uncertainty — a cautious view that tempers enthusiasm. BP: Near-Term Trading Tailwinds but Medium-Term Commodity and Earnings Uncertainty Justify Hold
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan and Jefferies reaffirmed Neutral/Hold ratings (Jefferies' PT noted at GBX 650 in some reports), indicating a split of opinion among brokers. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Reaffirms Neutral Rating for BP LON: BP
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts flagged a recent rise in debt that may delay or reduce the likelihood of a return to share buybacks, limiting shareholder returns despite stronger trading profits. BP's debt boost could dash hopes of return to share buybacks, analyst says

BP Company Profile

BP p.l.c. provides carbon products and services. The company operates through Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Oil Production & Operations, and Customers & Products segments. It engages in the production of natural gas, and integrated gas and power; trading of gas; operation of onshore and offshore wind power, as well as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage facilities; trading and marketing of renewable and non-renewable power; and production of crude oil. In addition, the company involved in convenience and retail fuel, EV charging, Castrol lubricant, aviation, B2B, and midstream businesses; refining and oil trading; and bioenergy business.

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