ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) Issues Earnings Results

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The energy producer reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.23 by ($0.21), Briefing.com reports. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 14.25% and a return on equity of 13.64%. The company had revenue of $13.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.35 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.98 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from ConocoPhillips’ conference call:

• ConocoPhillips said it delivered a strong 2025, outperforming guidance on CapEx, operating costs, and production, and successfully integrated Marathon Oil—doubling synergy capture and realizing about $1 billion of one‑time benefits while still driving pro forma production growth.
• For 2026 management is targeting a combined ~$1 billion reduction in CapEx and operating costs, guiding to roughly $12B CapEx and $10.2B OpEx with modest production growth (2.23–2.26 mmboe/d) while continuing to return ~45% of CFO and grow the base dividend.
• Major projects and LNG progress underpin the multi‑year cash plan—LNG offtake has grown to ~10 mtpa, projects are >80% complete with NFS expected to start in H2 and Willow ~50% complete (first oil early 2029), supporting management’s target of a $7 billion free cash flow inflection by 2029.
• The company emphasized a strong liquidity and capital returns profile—cash and short‑term investments of $7.4B (plus $1.1B long‑term liquid investments), nearly $2B net‑debt reduction in 2025, $3B+ of asset sales toward a $5B divestiture target, and $9B returned to shareholders in 2025.
• Near‑term risks remain as pre‑productive CapEx (notably Willow) keeps current pre‑dividend free cash flow breakeven in the mid‑$40s (management expects it to fall to the low‑$30s by 2030), and Q1 2026 production guidance incorporates estimated weather‑related downtime from Winter Storm Fern.

ConocoPhillips Trading Down 2.5%

Shares of COP traded down $2.67 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $104.92. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 5,849,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,179,881. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $95.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $93.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. ConocoPhillips has a 52 week low of $79.88 and a 52 week high of $108.44. The stock has a market cap of $129.66 billion, a PE ratio of 14.86 and a beta of 0.32.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on COP shares. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on ConocoPhillips from $110.00 to $105.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of ConocoPhillips from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on ConocoPhillips from $115.00 to $109.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on ConocoPhillips from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $110.96.

ConocoPhillips News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Marathon deal and investor interest may support longer‑term upside — some market commentary argues the Marathon acquisition changes ConocoPhillips’ scale and cash‑flow profile, attracting “smart money” despite the Q4 miss. Why Smart Money Is Piling Into COP After Earnings Miss
• Positive Sentiment: Technicals and ratings were supportive prior to earnings — COP hit a 52‑week high and received an RS rating upgrade, indicating prior momentum and relative strength among peers. Is Wall Street Bullish or Bearish on ConocoPhillips Stock?
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusual options activity suggests elevated short‑term trading interest, which can amplify moves but doesn’t signal directionality by itself. Looking At ConocoPhillips’s Recent Unusual Options Activity
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro data (a bump in jobless claims) is part of the broader earnings morning; macro volatility can influence oil demand/prices but was not the primary catalyst for COP’s move. Jobless Claims Pop Up a Bit, Major Morning for Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 earnings miss: COP reported $1.02 EPS vs. estimates (consensus cited between ~$1.11 and $1.23) and revenue below some forecasts — analysts and outlets point to weaker realized oil prices as the main drag. ConocoPhillips misses quarterly profit estimates on weaker oil prices
• Negative Sentiment: Market writeups emphasize the EPS/revenue shortfall and the year‑over‑year EPS decline (from prior year), framing the report as disappointing and prompting near‑term selling pressure. Why Is ConocoPhillips Stock Falling Today?

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director William H. Mcraven purchased 5,768 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $86.68 per share, with a total value of $499,970.24. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 5,768 shares in the company, valued at $499,970.24. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ryan Michael Lance sold 500,708 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total value of $46,315,490.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 325,972 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $30,152,410. This represents a 60.57% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.24% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ConocoPhillips

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Centaurus Financial Inc. grew its stake in ConocoPhillips by 29.9% during the third quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 7,503 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $710,000 after acquiring an additional 1,725 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,754,000. Greenline Partners LLC lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Greenline Partners LLC now owns 45,025 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $4,259,000 after buying an additional 1,784 shares in the last quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. raised its position in ConocoPhillips by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 7,118 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $673,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Abel Hall LLC increased its position in ConocoPhillips by 7.2% during the 3rd quarter. Abel Hall LLC now owns 3,108 shares of the energy producer’s stock valued at $294,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the period. 82.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.