ConocoPhillips COP peaked last week after fourth-quarter earnings exceeded Street estimates. The strong performance was enough to get Goldman Sachs back on board with the stock.
The Analyst
Analyst Neil Mehta upgraded ConocoPhillips from Neutral to Buy and increased the price target from $76 to $82.
The Thesis
Mehta sees an attractive entry point given the stock’s recent pullback and promising opportunities for fundamental growth.
By his estimates, ConocoPhillips could benefit from improved long-term differentials internationally and a decline in operating costs.
“Among the U.S. majors, we believe ConocoPhillips is exemplary of a company exhibiting capital discipline,” the analyst said.
“Particularly as we see a weakening of the commodity price environment in 2019 ($63/bbl Brent) versus 2018 ($71/bbl), we view favorably companies that are able to maintain flat-to-lower budgets while maintaining a level of baseline growth.”
Goldman Sachs raised its cash-flow estimates for 2019 through 2022 by an average of 8 percent.
Mehta forecast improving returns on capital that could even exceed the rates of leaders like Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM. Additionally, the analyst anticipates higher oil volumes in Alaska, the continental U.S. and Asia.
“We believe long-term growth opportunities are underappreciated, including Alaska, Australia and Qatar."
Price Action
ConocoPhillips shares were up 0.73 percent at $69.18 at the time of publication Monday.
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