ConocoPhillips

📰 Zacks.com features four stocks this week: TD SYNNEX, Petrobras, Venture Global, and ConocoPhillips.

💻 TD SYNNEX (SNX) is a global IT distributor benefiting from digital transformation, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity demand.

⛽ Petrobras (PBR) is the largest integrated energy firm in Brazil with operations spanning exploration, refining, and transportation.

🌊 Venture Global (VG) is a cost-efficient LNG provider developing five projects along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

🔥 ConocoPhillips (COP) is a top-tier global explorer and producer of oil and natural gas based in Houston.

📉 All four stocks are highlighted as undervalued PEG stocks with strong earnings growth outlooks suitable for value investors.

📊 TD SYNNEX holds a Zacks Rank #1, a Value Score of B, and an expected five-year growth rate of 12.6%.

🚀 Petrobras carries a Zacks Rank #1, a Value Score of A, and boasts an impressive five-year expected growth rate of 33.8%.

💨 Venture Global has a Zacks Rank #2, a Value Score of A, and a long-term expected growth rate of 10.4%.

📈 ConocoPhillips holds a Zacks Rank #1, a Value Score of B, and shows a five-year historical growth rate of 16.3%.

⚠️ The article warns that simple value metrics like P/E can lead to "value traps" if persistent problems are not identified.

🧮 The PEG ratio is recommended as a better metric that factors in earnings growth potential alongside valuation.

📅 The analysis notes that PEG ratios may not account for changing growth rates, such as high short-term growth followed by lower long-term sustainability.

🏆 Since 2000, Zacks' top stock-picking strategies have significantly outperformed the S&P average annual gain of +7.7%.

❗ Past performance is not guaranteed to indicate future results, and investing involves the potential for loss.

🔗 Readers are directed to visit Zacks.com for more detailed information on these live stock picks.

⚖️ Disclosure indicates that Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities that may trade in these securities.

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📈 Stock futures edged higher on Friday as core retail inflation data for March came in cooler than expected.

🏢 Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) and Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BRK.B) are listed as the first two stocks to watch.

🤖 Intel Corporation (INTC) is highlighted as one of the four key equities investors should monitor today.

📱 Meta Platforms (META) is identified as another major technology stock on the analyst's watchlist for Friday.

🛢️ ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) tops the energy sector list for Friday's trading focus following inflation news.

📅 The article was published by Seeking Alpha editor Sinchita Mitra on April 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET.

ConocoPhillips (COP) will release its Q1 2026 earnings on Thursday, April 30, before the market opens.

Analysts expect diluted EPS of $1.63 for the quarter, down 22% from the year-ago figure of $2.09.

For fiscal 2026, projected EPS stands at $7.09, representing a 15.1% increase from $6.16 in fiscal 2025.

Stock performance over the past 52 weeks shows COP up 37.9%, outpacing the S&P 500 but trailing XLE.

Recent Q4 2025 results showed revenue at $1.4 billion, down from $2.3 billion, with adjusted EPS of $1.02 missing estimates.

Analyst sentiment is mixed, with a "Moderate Buy" average rating and 16 out of 29 analysts recommending "Strong Buy."

The average analyst price target is $132.82, suggesting 4% upside from current share levels.

Piper Sandler raised its price target to $154, citing potential supply tightening due to the US/Iran conflict.

Bank of America increased its price recommendation to $120 while maintaining an "Underperform" rating due to Strait of Hormuz tensions.

Barclays analyst Betty Jiang raised the price objective to $128, highlighting underappreciated cash flow benefits from higher oil prices.

The company targets output of 2.23–2.26 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026.

Operations include exploration and production across Alaska, Lower 48 states, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Analysts project a rise in cash flow support for the E&P sector due to potential war-related supply impacts.

Recent price target increases reflect revised oil price forecasts driven by geopolitical tensions.

Market expectations suggest near-term volatility but durable benefits from inflation and conflict-driven supply constraints.

📈 ConocoPhillips shares surged 16.3% in March, outperforming the S&P 500's 5% decline.

💰 Brent crude prices jumped 43% to nearly $104 per barrel while WTI rose 51%.

⚔️ Rising oil prices were driven primarily by conflict between Iran and Israel impacting global energy supply.

🛢️ Iranian attacks closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, which previously handled 20% of global daily oil flow.

💥 Iran damaged QatarEnergy LNG facilities, knocking 17% of production offline for three to five years.

💸 ConocoPhillips generated $7.3 billion in free cash flow last year on average prices of $69 Brent and $65 WTI.

📈 The company expects an additional $1 billion in free cash flow this year driven by lower capital spending.

⚡ Every $1 increase in Brent price adds $65 million to $75 million to annual ConocoPhillips cash flow.

⚡ Every $1 increase in WTI price adds $140 million to $150 million to annual ConocoPhillips cash flow.

🤝 ConocoPhillips is a partner with QatarEnergy on three LNG projects, disrupting current exports and delaying new construction.

📈 Shares are up about 40% year-to-date with prices above $110 a barrel that could top $150 without a ceasefire.

🚀 The company expects to more than double free cash flow by 2029 assuming oil averages $70 per barrel.

✅ Analysts suggest the stock remains a buy due to near-term upside from high prices and long-term growth potential.

📉 However, The Motley Fool's Stock Advisor did not include ConocoPhillips in its top 10 stocks for now.

🧐 Matt DiLallo has disclosed positions in ConocoPhillips while The Motley Fool recommends the company.

📅 Then-U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin purchased shares of four companies—Chevron, ConocoPhillips, RTX, and Caterpillar—on Dec. 29, 2025.

⚠️ The purchases occurred five days before the U.S. launched its military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, 2026.

📈 All four companies are expected to gain financially from regime change in Venezuela, including reconstruction opportunities and asset recovery.

💼 Mullin sits on the Senate Armed Forces Committee, giving him access to sensitive national security information during the buildup to the operation.

🗣️ Quiver Quantitative first reported the trades on X on Jan. 19, 2026, after verifying that each transaction was between $15,000 and $50,000.

🔄 The claim circulated widely on social media following Mullin's Senate confirmation hearing for DHS secretary on March 18, 2026.

✅ Snopes confirmed that the trade claims are accurate, with Capitol Trades data verifying the dates and investment ranges.

📉 Chevron was the only major U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela at the time of the strike.

⚖️ ConocoPhillips had previously been awaiting a $9 billion compensation award from Venezuela for asset seizure back in 2007.

🏗️ Caterpillar stocks rose as investors anticipated reconstruction needs in Venezuela following the regime change.

🛠️ RTX, formerly Raytheon, stands to benefit as a defense contractor in the aftermath of military operations.

📉 Previous trade records show Mullin had bought shares in each of these companies as early as Sept. 13, 2023.

❓ No response has been received from the former senator regarding what he knew about the trades at the time.

🔎 The article notes that information may not always match the original article due to AI-generated key takeaways by Yahoo Scout.

⛽ CEO Ryan Lance appeared on CNBC's 'Power Lunch' to discuss the impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

🇮🇷 The interview focused specifically on how the war in Iran is affecting ConocoPhillips operations.

📉 Discussion covered the longer-term implications for the global energy supply chain stability.

📉 Oil prices, specifically West Texas Intermediate, have dropped from a peak of $98 to around $88, raising concerns that ConocoPhillips (COP) stock may also be nearing a near-term peak.

📈 COP stock has risen for three weeks following the start of war in Iran, closing at $127.19 on March 23.

💰 Analyst price targets for COP have increased to an average of $123.67 according to Yahoo! Finance, though AnaChart.com shows a higher target of $149.88 from 18 analysts.

🧾 A previous covered call strategy suggested on March 2 was profitable, with strike prices now in-the-money but generating capital gains and premiums totaling approximately $3.50 per share.

📝 One recommended strategy is to sell April 24 out-of-the-money call options at the $136.00 strike price for a midpoint premium of $2.20.

💡 Selling this covered call would yield an income of 1.73% over one month, with total potential returns reaching 8.66% if the stock rises to $136.00.

🎯 An alternative is to sell April 24 out-of-the-money put options at a $120.00 strike price for a premium of $2.33, offering a yield of 1.94%.

🛡️ Selling OTM puts provides a breakeven point around $117.67, allowing investors to buy shares at a lower price even if the stock falls below current levels.

🔄 Experienced investors can hedge their positions by combining short calls and short puts to create an income buffer that acts as insurance against downside or upside moves.

⚠️ For new investors, buying COP shares at today's price is required before selling options to establish a "covered" position for call selling strategies.

📅 The article was written by Mark R. Hake, CFA, who disclosed no positions in the mentioned securities as of the publication date.

⚖️ All data presented is for informational purposes and references alternative investment plays available on Barchart.com.