Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) and ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson (L) attend at the ceremony of the signing of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil in the Black Sea port of Tuapse back in June 2012. A joint venture with Rosneft has been on hold because of sanctions against Russia. (Photo by MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/AFP/Getty Images)
President-elect Donald Trump wants him. But many Russia-phobic Republicans and arguably not a single Democratic in the Senate will vote for Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State.
Tillerson announced his retirement Wednesday as CEO of Exxon after 41 years at the oil giant following Trump’s nominating him to replace John Kerry at the State Department. Tillerson brings years of experience in dealing with foreign leaders in oil rich nations, including unsavory ones in the Middle East. But of most concern is likely to be Tillerson’s relationship with Vladimir Putin. Exxon has a $720 million joint venture with Rosneft, run by Putin’s friend Igor Sechin. That deal has been put on ice since the White House sanctioned Russian oil and gas companies in July 2014.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Whiting Petroleum Corporation(WLL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Lisa Levin]
In trading on Wednesday, energy shares fell by 0.76 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Whiting Petroleum Corp (NYSE: WLL), down 6 percent, and Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZN) down 7 percent.
- [By Lisa Levin]
In trading on Friday, energy shares fell 0.62 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (NYSE: TOO), down 9 percent, and Whiting Petroleum Corp (NYSE: WLL), down 7 percent.
- [By Jon C. Ogg]
Whiting Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: WLL) saw its shares rocket up by 30.2% to $12.21 on 79.5 million shares on Wednesday. That represents almost 4 times normal trading volume. Whiting Petroleum has a total market cap of $3.5 billion. The company has a consensus analyst price target of $11.39 and a 52-week trading range of $3.35 to $16.62.
- [By Lisa Levin]
In trading on Monday, energy shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.67 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Whiting Petroleum Corp (NYSE: WLL), down 5 percent, and Gulfport Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: GPOR) down 6 percent.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Whiting Petroleum (WLL) has gained 2.9% to $8.30 after reporting a smaller-than-expected loss.
Weight Watchers International (WTW) has jumped 7.9% to $21.75 after hiring HSN’sMindy Grossman as its new CEO.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Halliburton Company(HAL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Halliburton (HAL) : “I liked Halliburton’s analyst day, but I think Schlumberger (SLB) is even better.”
Noble Energy (NBL) : “Noble’s good. It’s a very well-run, conservative company. It should do well in this environment.”
- [By Wayne Duggan]
Instead, Genargo prefers oil services stocks with the most exposure to the U.S market. Loop names Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) as its top large-cap stock pick and Oil States International, Inc. (NYSE: OIS), Newpark Resources Inc (NYSE: NR) and Superior Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: SPN) as its top small- and mid-cap stocks.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Halliburton (HAL) has gotten beaten up this year…and even today’s earnings beat doesn’t capable of reversing its fortunes.
Getty Images
Halliburton reported a profit of 4 cents, beating forecasts for 3 cents, on sales of $4.28 billion, narrowly edging expectations for $4.27 billion. Halliburton’s shares were trading higher before the market opened, but have declined have declined 0.3% to $46.90 at 1:56 p.m. today.
Evercore ISI’s James West sees a “margin explosion” coming for Halliburton during the second half of the year, while comparing the oil-services giant to LeBron:
With the start of the year already regarded as a transition period, we view the companys decision to sacrifice near term margins in order to accelerate long-term profitability and revenue growth as a defensive, yet calculated, and preemptive maneuver. Execution does remain a risk but naysayers seem to utter similar indecencies about LeBron James each year as the playoffs arrive. You dont doubt the king, and HAL is the clear market leader when it comes to NAM completions, in our view. The change in HALs reporting format makes syncing HALs commentary with its financials more difficult, but NAM comprised 68% and 61% of C&P revenues in 2014 and 2015, respectively (71% and 21% of EBIT). As such, the broader segment should be a good proxy for the region. Abatement of cost inflation, or at least a deceleration as we progress beyond the first step-change in activity of the cycle should serve as an additional tailwind for margins. The most likely benefit will come from proppant costs as sand mines resume processing finer mesh grades following the winter hiatus. Additional frac capacity is being reactivated at leading edge prices, evidenced by the fact that incremental margins improved throughout the first quarter, and the company continues to repair legacy contracts and commitments. The improvement of the broader po
- [By Jayson Derrick]
Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) is a top energy pick for four reasons: 1) the company’s significant leverage to the U.S. onshore market, 2) potential for incremental margin growth, 3) expectations for positive earnings revision and 4) strong balance sheet and a “well respected” management team.
- [By Matthew DiLallo]
Following a series of M&A announcements in the oilfield-services sector since the onset of the oil market downturn, French oil-field service company Technip and U.S. oilfield equipment company FMC Technologies (NYSE:FTI) hooked up in an all-stock deal valuing the combined company at $13 billion. Shareholders of each company will own 50% of the combined entity, to be named TechnipFMC, which implies a roughly $6.5 billion acquisition valuation for each entity. The transaction, which should close early next year, will “combine Technip’s innovative systems and solutions, state-of-the-art assets, engineering strengths, and project management capabilities with FMC Technologies’ leading technology, manufacturing, and service capabilities.” Further, it should save $400 million in annual costs by 2019. Moreover, it will enable the combined company to compete better against larger oil-field service rivals Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI), Halliburton (NYSE:HAL), and Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB), which have all gained strength during the downturn either through M&A activities or cost savings initiatives.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) reported better-than-expected earnings for its first quarter on Monday.
Halliburton posted adjusted earnings of $0.04 per share in the quarter on revenue of $4.28 billion; Analysts were expecting the company to earn $0.03 per share on revenue of $4.26 billion.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: ConocoPhillips(COP)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
In the Lightning Round, Cramer was bullish on Salesforce.com (CRM) , Paccar (PCAR) , Cummins (CMI) , ConocoPhillips (COP) , Adobe Systems (ADBE) , Annaly Capital (NLY) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) .
- [By Chris Dier-Scalise]
Among the brands being sold were Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA) and Ford Motor Company(NYSE: F), which both paid out dividends in December. The financial and oil sectors also experienced a sell-off to finish 2016. Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFC) and Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C) were net sold as each reached new year-to-date highs and investors unloaded ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) as their prices normalized with the rise in the price of oil.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
ConocoPhillips (COP) was upgraded to hold at TheStreet Ratings. You can view the full analysis from the report here: COP.
Urban Outfitters (URBN) was downgraded to market perform at William Blair. Continued comp-store sales pressure is pushing out the timeline for a potential recovery, Blair said.
- [By Matthew DiLallo]
Oil exploration is a risky business. Not only does it cost a lot of money, but the odds of drilling a dry hole are very high. Just ask ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), which recorded $432 million of deepwater dry hole costs last year. It’s a problem the company is working to address by stepping away from deepwater exploration so that it can deliver steadier returns for investors.
- [By Chris Lange]
The number of ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) shares short increased to 15.87 million from the previous level of 13.22 million. Shares were trading at $44.10, within a 52-week range of $38.19 to $53.17.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Apache Corporation(APA)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Chris Lange]
The S&P 500 stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Tuesday was Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA) which traded down over 7% at $42.51. The stocks 52-week range is $38.14 to $69.00. Volume was over 14 million versus the daily average of 3.4 million shares.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Cramer and the Action Alerts PLUS team say they still believe in their embattled Permian names, Cimarex (XEC) and Apache (APA) , both of which have benefited from a slow rotation in recent weeks. These names can produce and profit here. Schlumberger (SLB) remains best in class and Magellan Midstream Partners just might be the best way to play oil given that the pipelines will be needed to transport the new wave of oil able to be drawn out of the ground from increasingly efficient American producers. Get in on the discussion by getting a free trial subscription to Action Alerts PLUS.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Cramer and Jack Mohr think Apache’s (APA) management has positioned the company for growth through both innovation and efficiency. Read what they are telling their investment club members with a free subscription to Action Alerts PLUS.
- [By Lee Jackson]
These companies also reported insider buying last week: Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA), Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL), Revlon Inc. (NYSE: REV), Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (NYSE: VRX) and U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE: X).
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Cramer and the AAP team say news and caution are weighing on energy and health-care sectors. Find out what they’re telling their investment club members about Apache (APA) , Cimarex (XEC) , Arconic (ARNC) and Allergan (AGN) with a free trial subscription to Action Alerts PLUS.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Encana Corporation(ECA)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Money Morning News Team]
Canada-based Encana Corp. (NYSE: ECA) was the eighth top oil company stock in 2016, with a 131% gain over the year. ECA and its subsidiaries focus on developing, exploring, producing, and marketing natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and oil in North America.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Encana Corp. (NYSE: ECA) is rated Buy with an unchanged price target of $16. The EPS estimate for 2017 was lowered from $0.42 to $0.34, and the 2018 estimate was also lowered, from $1.47 to $1.28. The shares ended the weekat $11.44, in a 52-week range of $4.90 to $13.85. The consensus 12-month price target is $14.95.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
In the Lightning Round, Cramer was bullish on Vodafone Group (VOD) , Schlumberger (SLB) , Encana (ECA) , Arconic (ARNC) and AdvanSix (ASIX) .
Cramer was bearish on U.S. Silica Holdings (SLCA) .
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Talisman Energy Inc.(TLM)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Jayson Derrick]
On the other hand, the analysts are Underweight on Eni SpA (ADR) (NYSE: E), Repsol Oil & Gas Canada Inc (USA) (NYSE: TLM) and OMV AG given their asset bases, which offer an inferior risk to reward profile and limited differentiation in cost reductions.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: ONEOK Partners L.P.(OKS)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Matthew DiLallo]
Energy infrastructure companies ONEOK (NYSE:OKE) and TransCanada (NYSE:TRP) are both emerging from the energy market downturn as stronger entities. Each made smart acquisitions, with TransCanada buying U.S. gas pipeline company Columbia Pipeline Group, while ONEOK is in the process of gobbling up its MLP,ONEOK Partners (NYSE:OKS). While these deals enhanced the growth profiles of both companies, TransCanada still stands out as the better buy for long-term income investors. Here’s why.
- [By Garrett Cook]
Citi maintains Buy ratings on Targa Resources (NYSE: TRGP), ONEOK (NYSE: OKE) and Oneok Partners (NYSE: OKS) citing the companies stories around natural gas liquids (NGLs).
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Magellan Midstream Partners L.P.(MMP)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any ways to make money with oil. Cramer said that the biggest winners from the Trump trade are the oil pipelines and MLPs, like Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP) , an Action Alerts PLUS holding. Cramer said deregulation will mean all of the pipeline companies will be able to make more money, and faster, than anyone expected.
- [By Matthew DiLallo]
For perspective, two of the highest rated MLPs by credit rating agencies are Magellan Midstream Partners (NYSE:MMP) and Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:EPD). Recently, their leverage ratios were 3.5 times and 4.4 times, respectively. While both Magellan Midstream and Enterprise Products have seen their leverage ratios creep higher in recent quarters due to the oil market downturn and growth spending, neither is a concern.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
In the Lightning Round, Cramer was bullish on Treehouse Foods (THS) , TG Therapeutics (TGTX) , Kinder Morgan (KMI) , Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP) , Chesapeake Energy (CHK) and Arconic (ARNC) .
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Cramer and the AAP team view the strength of corporations as most important in proving that stocks can handle current valuations. Find out what they’re telling their investment club members about Arconic (ARNC) , Apple (AAPL) and Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP) . Get a free trial subscription to Action Alerts PLUS.
- [By Dustin Parrett]
Magellan Midstream Partners (NYSE: MMP) is a $17.56 billion company that transports and distributes petroleum. MMP is shaping up to be one of the best 2017 oil stocks.
- [By WWW.MONEYSHOW.COM]
My more conservative income recommendation from a year ago, Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP), rose by 13% while yielding over 4%.
Following last year’s excellent results, Magellan Midstream remains my Top Pick for income investors for the coming year.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Range Resources Corporation(RRC)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Paul Ausick]
Range Resources Corp. (NYSE: RRC) is rated Buy with a lowered price target of $43. The 2017 EPS estimate has been lowered from $0.85 to $0.68, and the 2018 estimate waslowered from $1.60 to $1.52. Shares closed at $27.34 on Friday, in a 52-week range of $27.07 to $46.96, and the consensus price target is $46.42. Range Resources is a Jefferies Franchise Pick.
- [By Matthew DiLallo]
According to a report by PLS, producers spent more than $23 billion locking up prime positions in the Permian Basin and another $7 billion on Mid-Continent acreage acquisitions. However, most of those were smaller deals, with the top transaction weighing in at $2.5 billion. Meanwhile, the Ark-La-Tex region near the Gulf Coast quietly tied for the second hottest M&A geography in the country, largely because of Range Resources (NYSE:RRC) acquisition of Memorial Resource Development. Range Resources paid $4.2 billion, which includes the assumption of debt, to gain a leading position in the Lower Cotton Valley region of Northern Louisiana. Not only is the play saturated with natural gas, but it’s also near the Gulf Coast, which is expected to see increased demand from new petrochemical and industrial complexes as well as LNG export facilities. In other words, Range Resources made a big bet on higher gas prices along the Gulf Coast.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Range Resources (RRC) was upgraded to outperform at BMO. $44 price target The valuation is more attractive, as business fundamentals are improving, BMO said.
Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Transocean Inc.(RIG)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Teresa Rivas]
Transocean (RIG) is rising Thursday afternoon, thanks to an upbeat fourth quarter.
Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
The oilfield services company said it earned 63 cents a share (a figure that excludes $13 million in net unfavorable items), well ahead of the nickel a share in earnings analysts expected. Revenue fell 47.4% year over year to $974 million, also above the $806 million consensus estimate. Transocean said its contract backlog was $11.3 billion as of its February fleet status report. Raymond Jamess Praveen Narra and J. Marshall Adkins reiterated an Underperform rating on the stock following the report. They praised the companys ongoing cost controls and strong revenue efficiency, which they expect to continue. But still arent ready to recommend the stock amid a difficult macro backdrop. More detail from their note:
Transocean continued to minimize costs and maximize efficiency amid a challenging offshore environment, reporting 4Q16 adjusted EBITDA of $414 million, higher than our estimate of $363 million and consensus of $394 million. The beat was driven by lower than expected costs of $344 million (adjusting for favorable litigation), which came in ~12% lower than our estimate of $385 million and guidance of guidance of $375-385 million. Total revenue efficiency came in at 100.3%, as it was boosted by bonus incentives and possibly effective results from the new contracting model, particularly in the high-spec jackup market. The beat to our estimates was also driven by higher than anticipated revenues, which came in at $805 million, above our estimate of $788 million, but below the consensus estimate of $812 million. We note, our adjusted revenue excludes $169 million in early termination fees during the quarter.
The shares are up 6.6% to $14.16 in recent trading, although theyre down 4% year to date.
- [By Chris Lange]
The S&P 500 stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Thursday was Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) which traded down over 7% at $9.68. The stocks 52-week range is $8.68 to $16.66. Volume was about 19 million versus the daily average of 12.1 million shares.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Noble have jumped 12% to $7.41 at 2:58 a.m. today, and it’s success has helped boost offshore drillers across the board. Transocean (RIG) has advanced 1.6% to $13.41, Ensco (ESV) has gained 5.8% to $10.73, and Diamond Offshore Drilling (DO) has risen 4.5% to $17.43.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) dropped about 6.3% Wednesday to post a new 52-week low of $8.68 after closing Tuesday at $9.26. The 52-week high is $6.96. Volume rose to about 50% more than the daily average of about 12 million shares. The company had no specific news, but consolidation in the offshore drilling business is not a positive for Transocean or any other driller still standing by itself.
- [By Todd Shriber, ETF Professor]
None of SQZZ's equity positions account for more than 1.9 percent of the new ETF's weight. Those positions include Dow component General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), Sprint Corp (NYSE: S), Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) and Transocean LTD (NYSE: RIG).
