BMO Capital Cuts Murphy Oil (MUR) Price Target to $35, Cites Softer 2026 Production Outlook

Core Viewpoint - Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR) has been recognized among the Dividend Champions, Contenders, and Challengers List, indicating its strong dividend yield potential [1] Financial Performance - BMO Capital has reduced its price target for Murphy Oil to $35 from $37, maintaining a Market Perform rating, citing a softer production outlook for 2026 due to pressures from Montney royalties and the Gulf of America [2] - In the Q4 2025 earnings call, the President and CEO reported that production exceeded guidance for both the quarter and the full year, attributed to strong onshore wells and high uptime at offshore assets [3] - Lease operating expenses decreased by approximately 20% year-over-year, and capital spending was below guidance, reflecting efficiency gains in the Eagle Ford Shale program [4] Exploration and Development - The exploration quarter was described as uneven but overall positive, with successful results from the Hai Su Vang appraisal in the Golden Sea Lion field and oil discoveries from exploration wells in the Gulf of America, although the Civette well in Côte d'Ivoire did not yield commercial hydrocarbons [5] - In Vietnam, the appraisal well encountered about 429 feet of net oil pay without reaching the oil-water contact, suggesting that the resource potential could exceed the initial estimate of 170 million barrels of oil equivalent [6] Company Overview - Murphy Oil Corporation is a global exploration and production company with a diverse portfolio of onshore and offshore assets, focusing on crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids primarily in the U.S. and Canada, while its exploration efforts target select regions worldwide [7]