First Financial Bank Trust Division Buys 36,661 Shares of ConocoPhillips $COP

First Financial Bank Trust Division increased its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) by 744.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 41,583 shares of the energy producer’s stock after acquiring an additional 36,661 shares during the period. First Financial Bank Trust Division’s holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $5,204,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips by 151.0% in the 1st quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 241 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Allied Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Evergreen Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the first quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Ballast Advisors LLC acquired a new position in ConocoPhillips during the first quarter worth $36,000. 82.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Andrew Lundquist sold 9,487 shares of ConocoPhillips stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.15, for a total transaction 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. The trade was a 49.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $155.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Raymond James Financial restated an “underperform” rating and set a $168.00 price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research note on Monday, August 24th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of ConocoPhillips from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $144.00 to $138.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, Argus raised their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $136.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, ConocoPhillips currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $141.24.

ConocoPhillips News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Long-term LNG agreement: ConocoPhillips will purchase 1 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas from Venture Global for 20 years beginning in 2030. The agreement strengthens COP’s access to future LNG supplies and supports its global natural-gas strategy, although the financial impact is several years away. ConocoPhillips signs 20-year LNG deal with Venture Global
• Neutral Sentiment: Possible North Sea asset sale: COP is evaluating an unsolicited offer for its Norway business and UK Teesside asset. A sale could unlock cash and streamline the portfolio, but no transaction has been agreed, and the valuation and use of proceeds remain unknown. ConocoPhillips explores sale of Norway business and UK Teesside asset
• Neutral Sentiment: Potential Alaska energy tailwind: A reported $200 billion U.S.-South Korea investment arrangement involving an Alaska natural-gas pipeline and nuclear projects could benefit companies positioned in the region, including ConocoPhillips. However, the company’s direct role and timing have not been confirmed, making the near-term stock impact speculative. South Korea Set to Invest $200 Billion in the U.S.
• Negative Sentiment: Energy-sector pressure: Broad energy stocks declined in premarket trading, creating a negative commodity-sector backdrop for COP and potentially limiting gains despite the company-specific LNG announcement. Sector Update: Energy Stocks Fall Premarket Thursday

ConocoPhillips Stock Performance

COP traded up $1.82 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $126.97. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 6,069,611 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,204,200. The company’s 50-day moving average is $128.02 and its 200-day moving average is $121.73. ConocoPhillips has a 52 week low of $85.57 and a 52 week high of $141.62. The firm has a market cap of $152.53 billion, a PE ratio of 16.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.54.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The energy producer reported $3.24 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $19.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.79 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.42 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 32.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that ConocoPhillips will post 10.54 EPS for the current year.

ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th were paid a dividend of $0.84 per share. This represents a $3.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 17th. ConocoPhillips’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.44%.

ConocoPhillips Profile

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is an independent exploration and production company engaged in finding, developing and producing crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and liquefied natural gas. Unlike integrated energy companies, ConocoPhillips focuses primarily on upstream activities rather than refining and retail fuel operations.

The company has a diversified portfolio of assets in major producing regions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway and Qatar. Its U.S. operations include oil and gas developments in Alaska and the Lower 48 states, while its international portfolio includes conventional and offshore projects.