ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) Receives Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Key Points

• ConocoPhillips received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from 27 brokerages (16 buys, 2 strong buys, 8 holds, 1 sell) with an average 12‑month price target of $133.04.
• The company posted a Q1 earnings beat—EPS $1.89 vs. $1.72 expected—and revenue of $15.76B (down 6.1% YoY but slightly above estimates), and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.84 (annualized $3.36, ~2.7% yield; ex‑div May 11).
• Insiders have sold heavily recently (CEO sold 506,800 shares; ~734,891 insider shares sold in the last 90 days, ~$93.3M), and some analysts warn valuation may be stretched after a large YTD rally, which could limit near‑term upside.

Shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" by the twenty-seven brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $133.04.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on COP. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on ConocoPhillips from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $100.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Bank of America restated an "underperform" rating and issued a $102.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Wolfe Research upped their price target on ConocoPhillips from $138.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on ConocoPhillips from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th.

ConocoPhillips Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE COP opened at $123.32 on Wednesday. ConocoPhillips has a 12-month low of $84.28 and a 12-month high of $135.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The stock has a market cap of $150.24 billion, a PE ratio of 20.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.14. The company has a 50-day moving average of $122.43 and a 200 day moving average of $104.69.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The energy producer reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.17. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 12.10% and a return on equity of 11.39%. The business had revenue of $15.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $15.62 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.09 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 9.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.84 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 11th. This represents a $3.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. ConocoPhillips's payout ratio is presently 57.05%.

ConocoPhillips News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 earnings beat — ConocoPhillips reported adjusted Q1 profits above estimates, which underpins the company's near‑term cash flow strength and supports dividend/capital return expectations. ConocoPhillips Beats Profit Estimates for Q1
• Positive Sentiment: Sahtu fracking approval — Canadian regulators cleared an expansion of fracking activity in the Sahtu region, giving COP a permit to grow production optionality in a North American basin. This is a project‑level positive for future volumes and reserve development. ConocoPhillips gets OK to expand Sahtu fracking
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades & technical setup — Several outlets note upward revisions to analysts' earnings estimates and a bullish "hammer" technical pattern that investors cite as a buy‑the‑dip opportunity. That supports shorter‑term demand for the shares. Here's Why ConocoPhillips (COP) Is a Great 'Buy the Bottom' Stock Now
• Positive Sentiment: Sector momentum & coverage — Energy sector strength and coverage/mentions from commentators (including Cramer) have kept investor interest elevated, which can amplify moves in COP alongside peers. Sector Update: Energy Stocks Higher Monday Afternoon
• Neutral Sentiment: Dividend/diversified themes — Coverage highlighting energy dividend momentum references COP among large producers; helpful context but not a near‑term catalyst by itself. ConocoPhillips, TC Energy results highlight energy dividend momentum
• Neutral Sentiment: Geopolitical/asset optionality — Broader industry interest in re‑engaging with Venezuela is noted; this is a long‑horizon factor that could offer optional upside but carries political and execution risk. Suddenly U.S. Oil Giants Are Taking Another Look at ‘Uninvestable’ Venezuela
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation/price‑target caution — Some analysts and outlets argue COP is a "hold" after a large YTD run (and a ~46% rise in prior coverage), noting consensus price targets may lag the rally and limit near‑term upside. That tempering view is likely pressuring the stock today. Despite Soaring 46%, ConocoPhillips Is a Hold as Price Target Trails

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other ConocoPhillips news, CEO Ryan Michael Lance sold 506,800 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.26, for a total value of $64,495,368.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 6,835 shares in the company, valued at approximately $869,822.10. The trade was a 98.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Andrew D. Lundquist sold 34,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.68, for a total transaction of $4,128,960.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 17,469 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,090,689.92. This represents a 66.39% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 734,891 shares of company stock worth $93,345,692. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ConocoPhillips

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Evergreen Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Strive Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund purchased a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. 82.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ConocoPhillips Company Profile

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.

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