Core Viewpoint - Occidental Petroleum is positioning itself as a leader in the decarbonization movement while diversifying its revenue streams to mitigate oil price volatility [2][3]. Group 1: Carbon Capture Initiatives - Occidental's carbon capture ambitions began in 2019 through a partnership with Carbon Engineering, supported by Bill Gates [2]. - The company plans to invest up to $1 billion in its first large-scale direct air capture (DAC) plant, STRATOS, located in Texas's Permian Basin [2][3]. - In 2023, Occidental acquired Carbon Engineering for $1.1 billion, securing DAC technology ownership [3]. Group 2: 1PointFive Subsidiary - Occidental formed a subsidiary, 1PointFive, to pre-sell carbon credits, aiming to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050 [4]. - 1PointFive has already secured a deal with Airbus to sell 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide removal credits after STRATOS launches [4]. Group 3: STRATOS Plant and Future Plans - STRATOS is set to launch in mid-2025 with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons, requiring significant infrastructure [5]. - The carbon credits generated can be valued between $500 to $1,100 per metric ton, providing various monetization options [6]. Group 4: Revenue Potential and Partnerships - 1PointFive has struck significant carbon credit deals, including a 10-year agreement with Amazon for 250,000 metric tons [7]. - A deal with Microsoft for 500,000 metric tons over six years could generate between $250 million and $500 million, depending on the price per ton [8]. - If Occidental successfully opens 100 more DAC plants by 2035, the revenue potential could reach billions [8].

Group 1: Investment Strategy - Warren Buffett plans to hold eight stocks "indefinitely" and has recently increased his stakes in six of these companies [1][5] - Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is valued at $285 billion, and Buffett is constantly looking for good deals within this portfolio [4][6] Group 2: Key Holdings - Two of the indefinite holdings are Coca-Cola and American Express, which have been held since 1988 and 1991 respectively [6][7] - Buffett has added to his position in Occidental Petroleum, spending approximately $35.7 million to acquire over 763,000 additional shares [9] Group 3: Oil Market Insights - Buffett's significant investment in Occidental Petroleum, totaling $12.7 billion in common stock and over $8 billion in preferred stock, indicates confidence in the stability or increase of crude oil prices [10] - The bullish outlook for oil is attributed to reduced capital spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it challenging to ramp up production to meet rising demand [11] Group 4: Japanese Trading Houses - Buffett has identified five Japanese trading houses—Mitsubishi, Itochu, Mitsui, Sumitomo, and Marubeni—as indefinite holdings, increasing stakes in all by more than one percentage point [14][15] - These trading houses are integral to Japan's economy, involved in diverse sectors such as energy, food resources, and healthcare, which mitigates risks from industry-specific downturns [16][17] Group 5: Valuation and Market Conditions - The current stock market is considered historically expensive, with the S&P 500's Shiller P/E ratio at 35.28, significantly above its 154-year average of 17.22 [19] - In contrast, the trailing-12-month P/E ratios for the Japanese trading houses range from 9 to 12, presenting attractive valuation opportunities amid a pricey market [20]

Occidental Petroleum’s (OXY) share price has dropped 25.2% in the trailing 12 months, wider compared with its industry’s decline of 15.7%. In the same period, the Zacks Oil & Energy sector has declined 0.9%.OXY’s exposure to fluctuating commodity prices remains a concern. As of Dec. 31, 2024, there were no active commodity hedges in place, so if the commodity prices drop substantially, it can adversely impact Occidental’s performance.Price Performance (One Year)Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchShould ...

Core Viewpoint - Despite Warren Buffett's confidence in Occidental Petroleum, the company's stock has been struggling, leading to questions about its future performance and investment potential [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Occidental Petroleum's stock price has declined, closing at $47.94 on March 21, 2025, which is down more than 3% year-to-date and approximately 21% below Buffett's initial entry price of $60 [2]. - The company has failed to deliver expected returns compared to sector peers, raising concerns about whether Buffett's investment is a misstep or if patience is required [3]. Group 2: Financial Fundamentals - Occidental achieved a $4.5 billion debt repayment target seven months ahead of schedule in Q4 2024, following a $12 billion acquisition of CrownRock in 2023 [4]. - The company reported $3.1 billion in cash flow and $1.4 billion in free cash flow for the same quarter, alongside divesting upstream assets for $1.2 billion, which strengthened its balance sheet [6]. - Total proved reserves increased to 4.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) from 4 billion the previous year, with a reserves replacement rate of 230% in 2024 [7]. Group 3: Dividend and Investment Appeal - Occidental announced a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.24 per share, payable on April 15, 2025, appealing to income-focused investors [8]. - The company's investment in direct-air-capture technology enhances its position in carbon reduction, exemplified by a deal with Microsoft for removal credits [9]. Group 4: Analyst Perspectives - Raymond James downgraded Occidental from "Strong Buy" to "Outperform" and lowered its price target to $64, citing weaker oil prices and recent stock performance [11]. - Wall Street analysts project a 21% upside for OXY stock over the next 12 months, with an average price target of $58 and a 'Hold' rating [11]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Despite short-term struggles, the fundamentals suggest a solid chance for Occidental's stock to rally, with Buffett's continued confidence indicating potential for a rebound in 2025 [12].

Core Viewpoint - Occidental Petroleum (OXY) shares have decreased by approximately 5.9% since the last earnings report, although this performance has outpaced the S&P 500 [1] Estimates Movement - Consensus estimates for Occidental have trended downward over the past month, with a shift of -23.19% [2] VGM Scores - Occidental currently holds an average Growth Score of C, a Momentum Score of F, and a Value Score of B, placing it in the top 40% for the value investment strategy. The aggregate VGM Score is C [3] Outlook - The overall trend of estimates for Occidental indicates a downward shift, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [4] Industry Performance - Occidental is part of the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States industry. ConocoPhillips (COP), a peer in the same industry, has seen a gain of 1.8% over the past month. ConocoPhillips reported revenues of $14.74 billion for the last quarter, reflecting a year-over-year decline of -3.7% [5] - ConocoPhillips is expected to report earnings of $2.04 per share for the current quarter, indicating a year-over-year increase of +0.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ConocoPhillips has changed by -1% over the last 30 days, also holding a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of C [6]

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has increased its stake in Occidental Petroleum, purchasing 763,017 shares at approximately $35.7 million, raising its ownership to about 28.3% [3][4]. Group 1: Investment Logic - The investment logic for both Occidental Petroleum and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) is similar, as both companies benefit from higher oil prices [8][39]. - The demand for oil is expected to rise over the next five years, despite the ongoing energy transition, as oil is still needed in various sectors, including chemicals [10][11]. - Both companies offer attractive dividends, with CNOOC's dividend yield around 6% for 2023, although its payout ratio can fluctuate [41][42]. Group 2: Company Comparison - Occidental Petroleum's revenue structure shows that oil and gas operations account for $21.284 billion, or 75.32% of total revenue, while CNOOC's oil and gas sales represent 78.70% of its revenue [17][20]. - Occidental Petroleum has grown its production primarily through acquisitions, while CNOOC relies on organic growth from its exploration and production activities [24][28]. - CNOOC has a lower cost per barrel at $28 compared to Occidental Petroleum's $36.88, providing it with a competitive advantage [32][33]. Group 3: Growth and Stability - CNOOC has maintained a stable growth trajectory, with proven reserves increasing by 12.6% domestically and 4.0% internationally since 2019 [29]. - The reserve replacement ratio for CNOOC is 182%, indicating a strong ability to replace production with new reserves [30]. - The cost structure of CNOOC allows it to remain profitable even when oil prices are low, enhancing its resilience compared to competitors [35][36].

Group 1: Company Overview - Occidental Petroleum is experiencing stock price fluctuations, with shares near 52-week lows as crude oil prices have dropped over 11% since the start of 2025 [1] - Berkshire Hathaway has increased its stake in Occidental to $29 billion, making it the largest shareholder with over 28% ownership [3][4] - The company has a current stock price of $47.22, with a dividend yield of 2.03% and a P/E ratio of 19.36 [3] Group 2: Recent Acquisitions and Financials - Occidental completed a $12 billion acquisition of CrownRock, increasing its domestic well inventory from 50% to 80% and adding 1,700 new well locations [5][6] - The acquisition resulted in an additional production of 170,000 barrels of oil per day, although it also incurred $9.1 billion in new debt [6] - The company has improved its average well breakeven costs by 6% and reduced drilling and completion costs by 12% compared to 2023 levels [12] Group 3: Carbon Capture Initiatives - Occidental is a leader in carbon capture, with a $1.1 billion acquisition of Carbon Engineering, which supports its Stratos Direct Air Capture plant [7][8] - The company plans to establish 100 additional DAC plants by 2035, generating revenue through the sale of carbon credits [9][10] - Occidental has a carbon credit deal with Microsoft, further enhancing its revenue potential from carbon capture initiatives [11]

Market Overview - The S&P 500 index has experienced a decline after peaking on February 19, 2025, despite a 1.2% increase in the first two months of the year [1] Energy Sector Insights - Energy prices have decreased over the past year, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil down 14.3%, presenting an opportunity for investors to consider energy stocks [2] - The current market conditions are favorable for patient investors seeking passive income through energy stocks [2] Company Analysis: Occidental Petroleum - Occidental Petroleum's stock has declined by 22.7%, yet the company achieved a record in U.S. oil production in 2024, bolstered by strong performance in various basins [4][5] - The company has improved its financial position by repaying $4.5 billion in near-term debt ahead of schedule [5] - With a stronger balance sheet and portfolio, Occidental Petroleum is well-positioned to navigate the downturn in energy prices [6] Company Analysis: ConocoPhillips - ConocoPhillips has seen a stock decline of 19.2% but remains an attractive high-yield stock with a price-to-operating cash flow ratio of 5.2, below its five-year average of 6.2 [7] - The company completed a $22.5 billion acquisition of Marathon Oil, adding over 2 billion barrels of low-cost resources and expected synergies exceeding $1 billion in 2025 [8] - ConocoPhillips increased its reserves to 7.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) by the end of 2024, up from 6.8 billion BOE in 2023 [9] - The company maintains a conservative approach to shareholder returns, committing to return at least 30% of operating cash flow, with 45% returned in 2024 [10] Company Analysis: Devon Energy - Devon Energy's stock has dropped by 23.2%, but the company reported record oil production of 398,000 barrels per day in Q4 2024, contributing to a total of 737,000 BOE daily [11][12] - The company generated $3 billion in free cash flow in 2024, allowing for $2 billion in shareholder returns and $472 million in debt repayment [13] - Devon Energy has shifted focus towards share buybacks rather than substantial variable dividends, while still planning to return up to 70% of free cash flow to shareholders in the future [14][15] Investment Strategy - The decline in energy prices presents a cyclical opportunity for investors to acquire leading energy stocks at discounted prices [16] - Conservative investors may consider Occidental Petroleum and ConocoPhillips, while those seeking growth potential should look at Devon Energy [17]

The still-young year of 2025 hasn't been all that kind to oil stocks, many of which are trading down since New Year's Day. One of these laggards has been sector mainstay Occidental Petroleum (OXY -1.18%), despite the company's convincing bottom-line beat in its most recent earnings report.Recently, one analyst tracking the stock downgraded his recommendation on Occidental and cut his price target. Yet his previous take was so bullish, he still feels the shares have significant upside.Still a bull, despite t ...

Group 1: Market Trends and Predictions - The energy sector is expected to see significant growth, with Occidental Petroleum forecasted to have a 12-month stock price of $60.86, representing a 28.85% upside based on 21 analyst ratings [4] - The manufacturing PMI index indicates a two-month expansion in the U.S. manufacturing sector, suggesting potential momentum for oil demand [5] - Both the U.S. and China are positioned to increase oil demand, which could negatively impact put option buyers unless they hedge their positions [6] Group 2: Institutional Investments - Institutional investors, such as the Vanguard Group, have increased their holdings in Transocean Ltd., now owning 9.0% of the company, valued at approximately $295.5 million [8] - Bank of America has boosted its metals & mining ETF holdings by 24.4%, now holding a stake worth $139.5 million, or 7.2% ownership in the fund [12] Group 3: Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings - There is a prevailing bullish sentiment among Wall Street analysts regarding the basic materials sector, which may lead to increased confidence if put option traders are forced to close their positions [13] - Barrick Gold Corp. has approved a significant stock buyback, reflecting management's confidence in the company's sales and earnings amidst a strong gold market [10]