Group 1: Company Strategy and Financials - BP has initiated its divestment strategy by selling a majority stake in its Castrol business to Stonepeak Partners for $10.1 billion, expecting to net about $6 billion in cash from the transaction while retaining a minority stake [1][2] - The company aims to unload businesses worth over $20 billion in the coming years as part of its turnaround strategy, which is intended to simplify operations and improve performance [2][3] - BP's recent management change, appointing Meg O'Neill as CEO, is part of this strategy, replacing Murray Aunchincloss, whose previous efforts received mixed reviews from investors [3][4] - In the third quarter, BP reported a replacement cost profit of $2.2 billion and an operating cash flow of $7.8 billion, with plans to reduce net debt to between $14 billion and $18 billion by the end of 2027 [4] Group 2: Market Performance and Technical Analysis - BP's share price has decreased by 10% from its peak in November, currently trading at 427p, amid declining energy prices, with Brent and WTI down by 25% from their highs this year [1][5] - The stock has shown signs of bearish trends, having formed a double-top pattern and moving below key technical indicators, including the 100-day Exponential Moving Average and the 61.8 Fibonacci Retracement level [8][9] - The next key support level for BP's stock price is at the 50% Fibonacci Retracement level of 393p, while a rise above 435p would invalidate the bearish outlook [9]
BP share price forecast as it sells Castrol to Stonepeak Partners