We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Even with the fluctuating and uncertain conditions in the energy market, upstream companies are experiencing substantial gains from favorable oil prices. Furthermore, integrated energy firms' midstream segments continue to perform well, thanks to consistent revenues from fees associated with pipeline and storage facilities. This strong performance enhances the outlook for Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry.
Leading contenders in the industry poised to capitalize on this favorable business environment include ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Marathon Oil Corp..
About the Industry
The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry comprises companies primarily involved in upstream and midstream energy businesses. The upstream operations entail oil and natural gas exploration and production in the prolific shale plays of the United States. The integrated energy companies are also engaged in midstream businesses through gathering and processing facilities along with transportation pipeline networks and storage sites.
Overall, the upstream business is positively correlated to oil and gas prices. The produced commodity volumes are transported through midstream assets, generating stable fee-based revenues. The integrated energy players in the United States also have access to downstream operations wherein the transported oil volumes are converted to finished products, comprising gasoline, natural gas liquids and diesel, through refining activities.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Industry
High Oil Prices: The price of West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude is approaching the $80-per-barrel mark, which is extremely favorable for exploration and production activities. Brent price is also handsome, trading at more than the $80 per barrel mark. Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the WTI and Brent spot average prices will be $82.03 per barrel and $83.88, respectively, in 2024, suggesting that the upstream business environment will continue to favor integrated players.
Stable Fee-Based Revenues: Integrated companies' midstream businesses are relatively less exposed to the volatility in commodity prices. This is because pipeline and storage assets are usually booked by shippers for the long term, securing stable fee-based revenues.
Strong Focus on Lowering Emissions: Integrated players in the industry, with operations spreading across the United States and abroad, have recognized climate change as a serious risk that needs to be addressed. The companies are now focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and flaring rates.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bullish Outlook
The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry is a 15-stock group within the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #101, which places it in the top 40% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider, let's take a look at the industry's recent stock market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Lags S&P 500 & Sector
The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year.
The industry has jumped 1.8% over this period compared with the broader sector's growth of 11.4% and the S&P 500's surge of 24.8%.
Industry's Current Valuation
Since oil and gas companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the EV/EBITDA (Enterprise Value/ Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. This is because the valuation metric takes into account not just equity but also the level of debt.
On the basis of the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, the industry is currently trading at 5.04X, lower than the S&P 500's 19.69X. It is, however, higher than the sector's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 3.21X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 13.72X and as low as 3.32X, with a median of 5.14X.
3 US Integrated Oil Stocks Moving Ahead of the Pack
ConocoPhillips has achieved a promising production outlook by leveraging its extensive drilling inventory and diversified upstream assets. Compared to composite stocks belonging to the industry, the leading upstream energy company has considerably lower exposure to debt capital. This reflects that the company, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), is better positioned to rely on its strong balance sheet to withstand any adverse business scenario.
Marathon Oil is a leading exploration and production player, having a strong footprint in prolific resources like Eagle Ford, Bakken, STACK and SCOOP in Oklahoma, and the Permian. The #3 Ranked company is thus well-positioned to capitalize on the high commodity pricing environment. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Investors are optimistic about oil prices and Occidental Petroleum's strong presence in the upstream sector. OXY, with a Zacks Rank of 3, is actively addressing its substantial debt burden, having reduced it from $47.6 billion in long-term debt as of the third quarter of 2019 to $18.5 billion by the first quarter of 2024.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It's a little-known chemical company that's up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum and Marathon Oil
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 2, 2024 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses ConocoPhillips (COP - Free Report) , Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY - Free Report) and Marathon Oil Corp. (MRO - Free Report)
Industry: U.S. Oil & Gas - Integrated
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2314008/3-stocks-to-watch-from-the-solid-integrated-us-energy-industry
Even with the fluctuating and uncertain conditions in the energy market, upstream companies are experiencing substantial gains from favorable oil prices. Furthermore, integrated energy firms' midstream segments continue to perform well, thanks to consistent revenues from fees associated with pipeline and storage facilities. This strong performance enhances the outlook for Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry.
Leading contenders in the industry poised to capitalize on this favorable business environment include ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Marathon Oil Corp..
About the Industry
The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry comprises companies primarily involved in upstream and midstream energy businesses. The upstream operations entail oil and natural gas exploration and production in the prolific shale plays of the United States. The integrated energy companies are also engaged in midstream businesses through gathering and processing facilities along with transportation pipeline networks and storage sites.
Overall, the upstream business is positively correlated to oil and gas prices. The produced commodity volumes are transported through midstream assets, generating stable fee-based revenues. The integrated energy players in the United States also have access to downstream operations wherein the transported oil volumes are converted to finished products, comprising gasoline, natural gas liquids and diesel, through refining activities.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Industry
High Oil Prices: The price of West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude is approaching the $80-per-barrel mark, which is extremely favorable for exploration and production activities. Brent price is also handsome, trading at more than the $80 per barrel mark. Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the WTI and Brent spot average prices will be $82.03 per barrel and $83.88, respectively, in 2024, suggesting that the upstream business environment will continue to favor integrated players.
Stable Fee-Based Revenues: Integrated companies' midstream businesses are relatively less exposed to the volatility in commodity prices. This is because pipeline and storage assets are usually booked by shippers for the long term, securing stable fee-based revenues.
Strong Focus on Lowering Emissions: Integrated players in the industry, with operations spreading across the United States and abroad, have recognized climate change as a serious risk that needs to be addressed. The companies are now focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and flaring rates.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bullish Outlook
The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry is a 15-stock group within the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #101, which places it in the top 40% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider, let's take a look at the industry's recent stock market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Lags S&P 500 & Sector
The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year.
The industry has jumped 1.8% over this period compared with the broader sector's growth of 11.4% and the S&P 500's surge of 24.8%.
Industry's Current Valuation
Since oil and gas companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the EV/EBITDA (Enterprise Value/ Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. This is because the valuation metric takes into account not just equity but also the level of debt.
On the basis of the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, the industry is currently trading at 5.04X, lower than the S&P 500's 19.69X. It is, however, higher than the sector's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 3.21X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 13.72X and as low as 3.32X, with a median of 5.14X.
3 US Integrated Oil Stocks Moving Ahead of the Pack
ConocoPhillips has achieved a promising production outlook by leveraging its extensive drilling inventory and diversified upstream assets. Compared to composite stocks belonging to the industry, the leading upstream energy company has considerably lower exposure to debt capital. This reflects that the company, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), is better positioned to rely on its strong balance sheet to withstand any adverse business scenario.
Marathon Oil is a leading exploration and production player, having a strong footprint in prolific resources like Eagle Ford, Bakken, STACK and SCOOP in Oklahoma, and the Permian. The #3 Ranked company is thus well-positioned to capitalize on the high commodity pricing environment. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Investors are optimistic about oil prices and Occidental Petroleum's strong presence in the upstream sector. OXY, with a Zacks Rank of 3, is actively addressing its substantial debt burden, having reduced it from $47.6 billion in long-term debt as of the third quarter of 2019 to $18.5 billion by the first quarter of 2024.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It's a little-known chemical company that's up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.