ConocoPhillips $COP Shares Acquired by Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) by 2.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 549,141 shares of the energy producer’s stock after buying an additional 10,824 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $57,089,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in ConocoPhillips by 151.0% during the first quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 241 shares of the energy producer’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the period. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Ballast Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Evergreen Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips during the first quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Allied Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.36% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at ConocoPhillips

In related news, SVP Andrew D. Lundquist sold 9,487 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.15, for a total value of $1,282,168.05. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 9,593 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,296,493.95. This trade represents a 49.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

COP has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $130.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Weiss Ratings raised ConocoPhillips from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on ConocoPhillips from $160.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Capital One Financial lowered their price target on ConocoPhillips from $156.00 to $154.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on ConocoPhillips from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $140.29.

Key Stories Impacting ConocoPhillips

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Momentum and analyst confidence remain strong. ConocoPhillips reached a new 52-week high, and Wall Street analysts continue to maintain a bullish outlook after the stock outperformed the Dow over the past year. ConocoPhillips stock hits 52-week high Is ConocoPhillips Stock Outperforming the Dow?
• Positive Sentiment: Recent operating performance provides support. ConocoPhillips recently reported quarterly EPS of $3.24, above the $2.90 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 32.4% year over year. Analysts cited COP as one of the better-positioned companies in a challenging energy industry. The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights ConocoPhillips Can These 3 U.S. Integrated Energy Stocks Overcome Industry Headwinds?
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term resource and international growth opportunities remain in focus. CEO Ryan Lance is leading a National Petroleum Council effort to improve assessment and development of U.S. subsurface energy and storage resources. Separately, Iraq is discussing oil and gas development with ConocoPhillips and BP. ConocoPhillips backs national push to secure subsurface resources Iraq discusses oil and gas development with BP and ConocoPhillips
• Neutral Sentiment: Venezuela could create a future investment avenue, but timing and execution are uncertain. The U.S. deal seeks to attract investment in Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves, potentially benefiting major producers over the long term. However, infrastructure constraints mean additional supply may not reach markets soon, and ConocoPhillips has not committed to accelerated investment.
• Negative Sentiment: Political pressure and potential supply growth could weigh on industry economics. President Trump is pressuring refiners and distributors to lower gasoline prices, which could constrain energy-sector margins. Reports also cite red flags surrounding the Venezuela arrangement, including government involvement and uncertainty over the proposed venture. If Venezuela production eventually rises materially, increased global supply could pressure crude prices and COP’s upstream earnings. Trump’s oil deal with Venezuela raises red flags

ConocoPhillips Stock Performance

COP opened at $135.94 on Wednesday. ConocoPhillips has a twelve month low of $85.57 and a twelve month high of $136.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $163.31 billion, a PE ratio of 17.98, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $118.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.98.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The energy producer reported $3.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.90 by $0.34. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 14.22% and a return on equity of 14.72%. The company had revenue of $19.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.79 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.42 EPS. ConocoPhillips’s quarterly revenue was up 32.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that ConocoPhillips will post 10.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th were given a $0.84 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 17th. This represents a $3.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. ConocoPhillips’s dividend payout ratio is 44.44%.

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.