Why ConocoPhillips Is One of the Top Oil Stocks to Buy After Venezuela

Group 1: Market Reaction to Venezuela Events - The U.S. military's capture of President Nicolas Maduro and President Trump's announcement regarding U.S. control over Venezuela's oil reserves led to a surge in oil stocks, indicating renewed investment opportunities in the sector [1] - Oil prices initially dropped to $56 per barrel but rebounded due to expectations of increased inventory from Venezuela's Orinoco Belt, reflecting ample global supplies [2] Group 2: Company-Specific Impacts - Chevron emerged as a significant gainer due to its large-scale operations in Venezuela, being the only major U.S. firm still active in the country [2] - Marathon Petroleum is expected to benefit from refining Venezuela's heavy crude at its Gulf Coast facilities, indicating a positive outlook for the company [2] - ConocoPhillips holds a unique position to profit from the reopening of Venezuela, leveraging past arbitration awards and expertise in heavy oil extraction [2] Group 3: ConocoPhillips Financial Performance - In 2025, ConocoPhillips stock declined by 5.6%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 16.4% gain, amid fluctuating oil prices and broader energy sector pressures [6] - The company's forward price-to-sales ratio is approximately 2x, which is below the industry average of 2.15x and aligns with its historical five-year average, indicating fair valuation relative to peers [6] - ConocoPhillips is positioned as a solid hold in a volatile sector, reflecting efficient operations and growth potential without excessive premiums [6]