Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 15,409,222 shares, a decline of 19.5% from the February 12th total of 19,141,818 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 10,432,999 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days. Currently, 2.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 2.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 10,432,999 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded Devon Energy from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $44.00 to $41.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Mizuho set a $51.00 price objective on shares of Devon Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Wolfe Research lifted their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $58.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $48.85.

Devon Energy News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Devon Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Piper Sandler raised its price target to $67 and upgraded Devon to “overweight,” signaling sizable analyst upside vs. the current share level — a catalyst that can attract funds and buy-side interest. Piper Sandler price target raise
• Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer publicly praised Devon’s “great natural gas portfolio,” reinforcing a positive retail/investor narrative that the company is well positioned if gas tightness or price strength emerges. Media endorsements like this can boost retail flows. Jim Cramer on Devon Energy
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually large call-option volume (roughly 99k calls traded) indicates speculative or hedged bullish positioning by options traders, which often precedes increased directional conviction or volatility in the underlying shares. Options activity report
• Positive Sentiment: Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a renewed crude rally have lifted oil and gas prices, improving near‑term revenue visibility for pure‑play producers like Devon. Higher commodity realizations are directly positive for earnings and cash flow. Middle East tensions lift oil
• Neutral Sentiment: S&P 500 futures and macro moves (reports referencing $100 oil expectations) are giving energy names a lift, but broader market direction will determine whether gains persist or reverse. S&P and oil story
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces note Devon has recently underperformed some energy peers despite analyst optimism; that mixed view can limit momentum until earnings or clearer commodity direction arrives. Underperforming sector note
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks highlighted that Devon gained while the market dipped, suggesting relative strength today but not necessarily a durable trend without follow‑through. Zacks market note
• Negative Sentiment: Analysis cautioning that U.S. supply dynamics could blunt the financial upside from crude rallies serves as a reminder Devon’s upside may be capped if global price moves prove short‑lived or if domestic production offsets gains. Fool caution on upside

Devon Energy Price Performance

Devon Energy stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $46.27. 11,960,813 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,825,161. The company has a market capitalization of $28.69 billion, a PE ratio of 11.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 0.56. The business has a fifty day moving average of $41.29 and a 200 day moving average of $37.24. Devon Energy has a 1-year low of $25.89 and a 1-year high of $46.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The energy company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.01. Devon Energy had a net margin of 15.37% and a return on equity of 16.28%. The company had revenue of $17.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.67 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.10 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Devon Energy will post 4.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Devon Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. Devon Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.02%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Caldwell Trust Co bought a new position in Devon Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. PFS Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Devon Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in Devon Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Devon Energy by 61.6% during the 3rd quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC now owns 808 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.72% of the company’s stock.

Devon Energy Company Profile

Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company focuses on the exploration, development, production and marketing of hydrocarbons, including crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. Devon operates as an upstream energy company that acquires, evaluates and develops onshore resource plays using a combination of drilling, completion and production optimization techniques.

Core business activities include identifying and developing energy reserves, operating well programs and managing reservoir performance to generate production and cash flow.