Should You Buy Occidental Petroleum While It's Trading Below $45?

Company Overview - Occidental Petroleum (OXY) has a market cap of approximately $40 billion, which is significantly smaller than industry leader ExxonMobil, valued at around $440 billion [2][4]. - The company is focused on growth and aims to compete with larger integrated energy companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron [3][9]. Recent Developments - Occidental's growth strategy has primarily involved acquisitions, starting with the purchase of Anadarko Petroleum in 2019, which was financed through significant debt [4][5]. - Following the Anadarko acquisition, Occidental's debt-to-equity ratio increased to nearly 2x but has since improved to around 0.7x, indicating better financial management [5][6]. Financial Performance - The company has cut its dividend since the Anadarko deal, and the current dividend yield is lower than before, reflecting a shift in focus towards growth rather than reliable dividends [7][10]. - Occidental's financial performance is heavily influenced by the volatile prices of oil and natural gas, similar to other companies in the sector [9][12]. Investment Considerations - Investing in Occidental is considered riskier compared to larger companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron, which offer more stable dividends [10][11]. - Warren Buffett's investment in both Occidental and Chevron suggests a strategy of balancing risk and potential growth in the energy sector [11].