Unusual Activity in Occidental Petroleum Call Options - A Signal Investors Expect a Dividend Hike
OXYOXY(US:OXY) Yahoo Finance·2025-12-31 18:30

Core Viewpoint - Occidental Petroleum Corp (OXY) is expected to raise its dividend, which could lead to a significant increase in its stock price, potentially reaching $50 per share [1][5][6]. Trading Activity - On December 30, 2025, OXY stock closed at $41.46, with a notable increase in trading volume for the $43.00 call option expiring on January 16, 2026, reaching almost 39,000 contracts, which is over 130 times the previous outstanding contracts at that exercise price [3][4]. - The premium for these call options was 46 cents, representing a 1.1% increase over the trading price of $41.46 [3]. Investor Sentiment - The high volume of call options indicates strong investor belief that OXY stock could exceed $42.00 in the near term, with a breakeven point calculated at $41.92 [4]. Dividend Implications - If OXY raises its annual dividend per share from $0.96 to $1.00, the dividend yield would be 2.41% at the current stock price [5]. - Historically, OXY has had lower dividend yields, averaging 1.16% over the past five years, with a conservative estimate suggesting a market valuation based on a 2.0% yield [6]. Target Price Calculation - Based on a projected dividend of $1.00 and a 2.0% yield, the target price for OXY stock is calculated to be $50.00, indicating a potential upside of 20.6% from the current price of $41.46 [6][7].