1 Top Oil Stock to Buy and Hold Through the End of the Decade

Group 1: Industry Overview - Oil continues to play a fundamental role in the global energy landscape, with BP estimating that global oil demand will grow through 2030 due to relaxed carbon emission curbs [1] - The Trump administration's support for domestic energy is expected to continue, particularly with rising energy demands for data centers, which will likely increase natural gas requirements [2] Group 2: Company Profile - ConocoPhillips - ConocoPhillips is one of the world's largest exploration and production companies, operating primarily in oil-rich regions of the southern United States, including the Delaware, Eagle Ford, and Midland basins [4] - The company expanded its operations by acquiring Marathon Oil in late 2024 [4] Group 3: Financial Performance and Projections - ConocoPhillips generated $7.3 billion in free cash flow in 2025, with management projecting an increase of $1 billion annually for 2026, 2027, and 2028, and a potential surge of $4 billion in 2029 when a major project in Alaska begins production [5] - Overall, company-wide cash flow could double by the end of the decade [5] Group 4: Shareholder Returns - ConocoPhillips is expected to return significant cash to shareholders, although the amount available for dividends and share repurchases is heavily influenced by market prices for oil and gas [6] - Management's cash flow projections are based on an average WTI crude oil price of $70 per barrel, with current prices around $63, indicating that lower prices would jeopardize cash flow, while higher prices could provide upside [7]