Chevron Corp CVX and Exxon Mobil Corp XOM are gearing up to report first-quarter earnings on Friday morning – and let's just say neither has been lighting up the charts lately.With both stocks stuck in the red this year and crude oil prices trading sideways, investors are wondering: is this just a detour, or are we watching a slow-motion stall?Chart created using Benzinga ProChevron enters the earnings ring bruised – down nearly 20% in just a month and down 7.46% year to date. Wall Street expects earnings p ...

Core Viewpoint - Dividend investors should consider energy companies for high yields, as they provide essential services and have a history of increasing dividends [1][8] Group 1: Black Hills - Black Hills (BKH) serves approximately 1.35 million customers across several states and offers a 4.5% dividend yield, having increased its dividend for 55 consecutive years [2][3] - The company's customer growth rate is nearly three times that of the U.S. population growth, supported by a $4.7 billion capital investment budget [3] - Management anticipates earnings growth of 4% to 6% year-over-year, which should support continued dividend increases [3] Group 2: Chevron - Chevron (CVX) provides a 4.9% dividend yield and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years, outperforming the average energy stock yield of 3.1% [4][5] - The company's diversified business model includes upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, which helps mitigate the volatility of oil prices [5] - Chevron maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.15%, allowing flexibility to manage debt regardless of oil price fluctuations [5] Group 3: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) operates a significant midstream business in North America, focusing on pipelines and storage, with a distribution yield of 6.8% [6][7] - The company has increased its distribution for 26 consecutive years, supported by a $7.6 billion capital investment plan [7] - Distributable cash flow covered the distribution by 1.7 times in 2024, providing a buffer against potential downturns [7]

I last analyzed Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX ) more than a month ago on 3-13-2025. That article , under the title of "Why I Prefer Chevron Over Energy Transfer" rated As you can tell, our core style is to provide actionable and unambiguous ideas from our independent research. If your share this investment style, check out Envision Early Retirement. It provides at least 1x in-depth articles per week on such ideas.We have helped our members not only to beat S&P 500 but also avoid heavy drawdowns despite the ...

Wall Street analysts forecast that Chevron (CVX) will report quarterly earnings of $2.30 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year decline of 21.5%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $47.85 billion, exhibiting a decline of 1.8% compared to the year-ago quarter.Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 14.4% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projection ...

Image Source: Zacks Energy supermajor Chevron Corporation (CVX) is slated to release its first-quarter 2025 results on May 2, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter's earnings per share (EPS) and revenues is pegged at $2.30 per share and $47.9 billion, respectively. The earnings estimates for the to-be-reported quarter have been revised downward by 7.6% over the past 30 days. The bottom-line projection indicates a decline of 21.5% from the year-ago reported number. T ...

Core Viewpoint - The five major oil companies are facing significant financial challenges due to prolonged low international oil prices, geopolitical conflicts, and pressures from energy transition, leading to a cumulative profit decline exceeding $90 billion over three years [1][3]. Financial Performance - The profits of the five major oil companies peaked at approximately $280 billion in 2022 but fell by 23% to $215 billion in 2023, with a further projected decline of 15% to $183 billion in 2024 [3]. - The Brent crude oil price is expected to drop to an average of $81 per barrel in 2024, with predictions of further declines in 2025 as global oil supply increases [3][7]. - In Q1 2025, profits are anticipated to decrease by 18%, with Brent crude prices dipping below $60 per barrel, representing a decline of over 25% compared to the previous year [3]. Dividend and Share Buyback Concerns - Investors are increasingly worried about the sustainability of high dividends and share buybacks, with warnings that companies like Shell and BP may need to cut dividends if oil prices remain below $60 per barrel [4]. - Shell's share buyback program for Q1 2025 has been reduced by 30%, and BP has suspended its buyback plans for the remainder of 2025 [4]. Credit Rating Risks - Moody's has placed Chevron and TotalEnergies on a "negative watch" list due to concerns that low oil prices may lead to increased debt levels [5]. Company Strategies - In response to financial pressures, companies are implementing cost-cutting measures, restructuring, and transitioning to renewable energy [6]. - ExxonMobil plans to reduce operating costs by 12% by 2025, while TotalEnergies is laying off 5% of its workforce [6]. - Shell aims to increase its renewable energy capacity target from 120 GW to 200 GW by 2030, and BP has partnered with Microsoft to supply 100% renewable energy to its data centers over the next decade [6]. Industry Outlook - The oil industry is expected to face ongoing challenges in the short term, with low oil prices likely becoming the norm and demand growth stagnating [7]. - Morgan Stanley predicts that Brent crude prices may stabilize between $65 and $70 per barrel in the second half of 2025, a 15% decrease from 2024 [7]. - Despite short-term pressures, some analysts remain optimistic about the potential for oil companies to transition into renewable energy and carbon capture sectors, which could provide new growth opportunities [7].

Market Overview - US stock index futures are all down before the market opens, with Dow futures down 0.06%, S&P 500 futures down 0.12%, and Nasdaq futures down 0.07% [1] - Major European indices show positive performance, with Germany's DAX up 0.52%, UK's FTSE 100 up 0.11%, France's CAC40 up 0.72%, and the Euro Stoxx 50 up 0.50% [2][3] - WTI crude oil is down 0.33% at $62.81 per barrel, while Brent crude oil is down 0.36% at $65.56 per barrel [3][4] Economic Data and Corporate Earnings - The upcoming week is significant for economic data and corporate earnings, with the April non-farm payroll report and Q1 inflation data being key focuses [5] - 180 S&P 500 companies are set to report quarterly earnings, with major companies like Apple, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Eli Lilly, Meta, Microsoft, and Chevron in the spotlight [5] Corporate Actions - Spirit AeroSystems has reached an agreement with Airbus for the acquisition of certain assets, with Boeing repurchasing its previously divested business for $4.7 billion in stock [8] - Merck has announced a $3.9 billion acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics to enhance its oncology drug portfolio, with the deal valued at approximately $3.4 billion in enterprise value [9] - Amazon has seen prices of nearly 1,000 products rise by an average of 30% due to the impact of tariffs, affecting various categories from electronics to clothing [10] Earnings Forecast - Upcoming earnings reports include companies such as NXP Semiconductors, AstraZeneca, BP, Novartis, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Coca-Cola, Pfizer, UPS, General Motors, Daqo New Energy, and JinkoSolar [11]

Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway portfolio includes several high-yield dividend stocks, with Chevron being highlighted as the best choice for investors currently due to its strong dividend yield and solid business fundamentals [1][8]. Group 1: High-Yield Dividend Stocks in Berkshire Hathaway - Berkshire Hathaway owns 44 stocks, with 9 of them (approximately 20%) offering forward dividend yields of at least 2.58%, which is double the yield of the S&P 500 [3]. - Coca-Cola is the largest stake in Berkshire's portfolio, with a forward dividend yield of 2.8% and 63 consecutive years of dividend increases, making it a Dividend King [4]. - Bank of America, the third largest position, offers a forward dividend yield of 2.62%, while other financial stocks like Ally Financial, Citigroup, and Jefferies Financial have yields of 3.61%, 3.29%, and 3.45% respectively [5]. - Kraft Heinz, in which Berkshire owns 27.3%, has a forward dividend yield of 5.41%, and Sirius XM Holdings, another favorite, offers a yield of 5.06% [6]. Group 2: Chevron as the Best High-Yield Stock - Chevron has a forward dividend yield of 4.92%, making it the third highest-paying dividend stock in Buffett's portfolio, and it has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years [8]. - The company's shares trade at 14.5 times forward earnings, which is reasonable compared to other Buffett stocks, and it generated nearly $17.7 billion in earnings last year with free cash flow of $15 billion [9]. - Chevron is committed to stock buybacks, which will depend on oil prices, and it expects to continue repurchasing shares even with oil priced at $50 per barrel [10]. - The long-term demand for oil and gas is expected to remain strong, and Chevron is investing in renewable fuels, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies to position itself for the future [11]. Group 3: Short-Term Considerations - In the near term, Chevron may face challenges due to potential economic downturns influenced by tariffs, which could negatively impact oil and gas demand [12]. - Despite short-term risks, the long-term outlook for Chevron is positive, with expectations for continued dividend growth [13].

Core Viewpoint - Many stocks are presenting generational buying opportunities, with specific metrics indicating value and potential catalysts for growth [1][2]. Group 1: Chevron Corporation (CVX) - Chevron's stock has been stagnant over the past three years, trading down approximately 4% [3]. - Analysts have a consensus price target of $165.71 for Chevron, indicating a potential 21% upside from its current trading price, which is near its 52-week low [7]. - The company is expected to generate up to $8 billion in free cash flow by 2025 and is finalizing a merger with Hess Co. [6]. - Chevron has a dividend yield of 5%, with an annual payout of $6.84 per share, marking the 38th consecutive year of dividend increases [7]. Group 2: United Parcel Service (UPS) - UPS stock is currently at a 5-year low, impacted by reduced spending from low- and middle-income consumers [8][9]. - Analysts have a consensus Hold rating on UPS, with a price target of $128.74, suggesting a 31.8% upside [9]. - The company is implementing an initiative called "Efficiency Reimagined" to increase profitability amid expected revenue losses from its largest customer [9]. - UPS offers a dividend yield of 6.63%, with an annual payout of $6.56 per share [9]. Group 3: Campbell's Company (CPB) - Campbell's stock is trading at 5-year lows, with a forward P/E ratio of around 12x and a dividend yield of 4.25% [11][13]. - The company faces challenges due to potential tariffs on imported vegetables, which could impact its operations [11]. - Analysts have expressed concerns about an "anemic" growth environment, making it difficult for Campbell's to pass on price increases [12]. - Despite five Sell ratings, the stock may have already priced in much of the negative news, presenting a potential reward for investors [13].

Group 1: W.P. Carey - W.P. Carey has reset its dividend in 2024 after exiting the office sector, which constituted about 16% of its rents, but this strategic move has strengthened the business focus on warehouse, industrial, and retail properties [2] - Following the dividend reset, W.P. Carey resumed its quarterly dividend increases, indicating operational strength [2][3] - The company is expected to benefit from new asset acquisitions made in 2024, with positive impacts anticipated on revenue and earnings starting in 2025, and it currently offers a 5.8% dividend yield, significantly above the average REIT yield of 4% [3] Group 2: Chevron - Chevron is facing challenges due to its attempt to acquire Hess, complicated by Hess' partnerships and political issues related to its dealings with Venezuela, resulting in a stock yield of 5% compared to 3.8% for ExxonMobil [4][5] - Despite these challenges, Chevron has a strong track record of increasing its dividend for 38 consecutive years and maintains a solid balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.15x, allowing it to navigate current market volatility [5] Group 3: PepsiCo - PepsiCo's growth has slowed post-pandemic as it can no longer implement significant price increases, compounded by weakness in the salty snack category and pressure from health trends, yet it maintains a historically high yield of around 3.8% [6] - As a Dividend King, PepsiCo has increased its dividend annually for over five decades and is actively acquiring brands like Siete and Poppi to position itself for future growth [7]