Danske Bank A S Grows Stock Position in ConocoPhillips $COP

Danske Bank A S grew its holdings in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) by 30.7% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 24,243 shares of the energy producer’s stock after buying an additional 5,700 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S’s holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $2,269,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of COP. Mutual Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips by 9.3% during the fourth quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 20,682 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $1,936,000 after acquiring an additional 1,752 shares in the last quarter. Uptick Partners LLC boosted its stake in ConocoPhillips by 18.9% in the 4th quarter. Uptick Partners LLC now owns 2,755 shares of the energy producer’s stock worth $258,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. Secured Retirement Advisors LLC boosted its stake in ConocoPhillips by 13.7% in the 4th quarter. Secured Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 3,130 shares of the energy producer’s stock worth $293,000 after purchasing an additional 377 shares in the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its position in ConocoPhillips by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 12,949 shares of the energy producer’s stock worth $1,212,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Activest Wealth Management grew its position in ConocoPhillips by 114.2% during the 4th quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 741 shares of the energy producer’s stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 395 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.36% of the company’s stock.

ConocoPhillips Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:COP opened at $123.32 on Wednesday. ConocoPhillips has a twelve month low of $84.28 and a twelve month high of $135.87. The company’s 50 day moving average is $122.43 and its 200 day moving average is $104.69. 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 company has a market cap of $150.24 billion, a PE ratio of 20.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.14.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The energy producer reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $15.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.62 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.09 EPS. ConocoPhillips’s quarterly revenue was down 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that ConocoPhillips will post 9.47 EPS for the current year.

ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Key ConocoPhillips News

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on COP. Capital One Financial raised their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $116.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 26th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of ConocoPhillips from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 7th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on ConocoPhillips from $108.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Scotiabank raised their target price on ConocoPhillips from $100.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on ConocoPhillips from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, ConocoPhillips presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $133.04.

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.