Core Viewpoint - Hess Midstream LP has filed its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, with the SEC, highlighting its financial performance and operational updates [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Hess Midstream is a fee-based, growth-oriented midstream company that owns, operates, develops, and acquires a diverse set of midstream assets [2]. - The company provides services primarily to Chevron and its subsidiaries, as well as third-party customers [2]. - Hess Midstream's assets include oil, gas, and produced water handling facilities, mainly located in the Bakken and Three Forks Shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota [2]. Group 2: Financial Reporting - The annual report on Form 10-K includes complete audited financial statements of Hess Midstream [1]. - Shareholders can request printed copies of the annual report free of charge by contacting Investor Relations [1].

Core Insights - Chevron experienced a transformational year in 2022, achieving record production levels and completing the acquisition of Hess, which contributed to a 35% increase in adjusted free cash flow despite a 15% decline in oil prices [1][2][5] - The company returned a record $27 billion to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases [1] Production and Growth - Chevron initiated several major growth projects, including Ballymore and Whale in the Gulf of Mexico, and completed its Future Growth Project in Kazakhstan [4] - The company expects to increase its output by 7% to 10% in 2023, building on a production level of 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the previous year [5] - Chevron aims to achieve $3 billion to $4 billion in structural cost savings by the end of 2023 [5] Free Cash Flow Expectations - The combination of increased production and reduced costs positions Chevron to reach a free cash flow inflection point in 2023, with the potential to generate an additional $12.5 billion in free cash flow at an average oil price of $70 per barrel [6] Market Catalysts - Chevron's strong execution sets the stage for robust production and free cash flow growth in 2026, particularly if oil prices exceed $70 [7] - Geopolitical tensions, such as those between the U.S. and Iran, could serve as catalysts for rising oil prices [7] Venezuela Operations - Chevron has significant operations in Venezuela and has increased production by over 200,000 barrels per day in recent years, with potential for a further 50% increase in the next 18 to 24 months [8] - Positive developments in Venezuela could enhance Chevron's stock price [8]

Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Conditions - Chevron's shares increased by 16.1% in January, outperforming the S&P 500's 1.4% rise [1] - Oil prices rebounded in January, with WTI rising by 14% and Brent by 16%, marking the first monthly gain in six months [1][2] Group 2: Supply Concerns and Geopolitical Factors - Supply concerns, particularly related to Venezuela and tensions with Iran, were significant factors driving oil prices higher [2] - The capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could impact oil flows due to the country's substantial oil reserves [2] Group 3: Chevron's Operational Strength - Chevron has operated in Venezuela for over 100 years and could play a role in rebuilding the country's oil infrastructure [3] - The company reported strong fourth-quarter financial results, despite a decline in earnings compared to 2024 due to lower oil prices [4][5] Group 4: Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns - Chevron returned $27.1 billion to shareholders through dividends and repurchases last year, and increased its dividend by 4% at the start of this year, marking 39 consecutive years of dividend growth [6] - The company achieved record production volumes and significant free cash flow growth, aided by its acquisition of Hess and expansion projects [5][6] Group 5: Growth Strategy and Diversification - Chevron made meaningful progress on its growth strategy, including the completion of the Hess acquisition and the initiation of several expansion projects [7] - The company is diversifying beyond oil and gas, with initiatives such as the Geismar renewable diesel plant and entry into the U.S. lithium sector [7]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in Hess Midstream LP (HESM) should closely monitor the stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the high implied volatility of the Feb. 2, 2026 $43 Put option [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectations for future price movements, with high levels suggesting anticipation of significant price changes or upcoming events that could lead to a rally or sell-off [2] - Options traders often seek high implied volatility options to sell premium, aiming to benefit from the decay of the option's value if the underlying stock does not move as much as expected [4] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Hess Midstream currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) in the Energy and Pipeline - Master Limited Partnerships industry, which is in the top 39% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, two analysts have raised their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while none have lowered them, resulting in a slight decrease in the Zacks Consensus Estimate from 68 cents to 65 cents per share [3]

Core Viewpoint - Chevron reported strong fourth-quarter earnings and significant production growth, emphasizing a shift towards free cash flow growth and strategic acquisitions to enhance its upstream portfolio [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter earnings reached $2.8 billion, or $1.39 per share, with adjusted earnings of $3.0 billion, or $1.52 per share, impacted by pension curtailment costs of $128 million and negative foreign currency effects of $130 million [1]. - Operating cash flow for Q4 was $10.8 billion, contributing to an adjusted free cash flow of approximately $20 billion for the year, with record cash returned to shareholders, including $3 billion in buybacks during the quarter [4][6]. - The company announced a 4% increase in the quarterly dividend, marking it as a top financial priority, with over $100 billion returned in dividends and buybacks over the last four years [7]. Production and Growth Strategy - Chevron achieved record global and U.S. production in 2025, reaching approximately 1,000,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the Permian, with a target of 300,000 boe/d in the Gulf of Mexico by 2026 [2][5]. - The company completed the Future Growth Project at Tengiz, adding 260,000 barrels of oil per day, and initiated major projects such as Ballymore and Whale in the Gulf of Mexico [2][5]. - Chevron's production in Venezuela has increased by over 200,000 barrels per day since 2022, with potential for an additional 50% increase pending U.S. approvals [3][8][9]. Cost Management and Efficiency - Chevron's cost reduction program exceeded expectations, delivering $1.5 billion in 2025 and targeting $3 billion–$4 billion in savings by the end of 2026, with over 60% of savings expected from durable efficiency gains [16]. - The company is optimizing cash generation and capital efficiency in the Permian, maintaining production at roughly 1 million barrels per day [16]. Future Outlook - Looking ahead to 2026, Chevron expects continued production growth driven by project ramp-ups and efficiency improvements, with a projected year-over-year increase of 7%–10% in production, excluding asset sales [15]. - The company is also focusing on expanding its Eastern Mediterranean gas projects, with significant capacity increases anticipated by the end of the decade [11][12].

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting a trend towards diversification in investment portfolios [1] Group 1: Investment Focus - The company has diversified its investments across various sectors including banking, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels, indicating a strategic approach to portfolio management [1] - The entry into the US market in 2020 reflects a growing interest in international investments, particularly in sectors like banks, hotels, and logistics [1] Group 2: Market Trends - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 has influenced investment strategies, leading to a shift from traditional savings methods to stock market investments [1] - The trend of using analyses from platforms like Seeking Alpha for comparative insights between different markets suggests a growing reliance on data-driven investment decisions [1]

Core Viewpoint - Despite the rise of renewable energy, oil and gas remain essential for global energy needs, with Chevron being a favored dividend stock in the industry due to its attractive yield of approximately 4.1% [1]. Group 1: Oil Prices and Financial Impact - Energy prices, particularly oil, have been declining since early 2022, with Brent crude oil prices dropping from $120 per barrel to $65, leading to reduced revenue and profits for Chevron and similar companies [2]. - The unpredictability of oil prices raises concerns about future revenue, but Chevron's strong dividend history provides some reassurance [3]. Group 2: Chevron's Dividend Stability - Chevron has a long-standing record of increasing its dividend for 37 consecutive years, showcasing its ability to manage through the volatile energy sector [5]. - The company's size and diverse operations contribute to its stability, as its refining business can become more profitable when upstream prices fall, mitigating financial strain [6]. Group 3: Financial Health and Cash Flow - Chevron holds a strong AA credit rating and has nearly $8 billion in cash reserves, allowing it to manage financial challenges effectively [7]. - The company generates sufficient free cash flow to cover its dividend payments with approximately 20% remaining for other uses, indicating a solid financial position despite declining oil prices [7]. Group 4: Future Growth Plans - Chevron recently completed a $55 billion acquisition of Hess, enhancing its asset portfolio in the Stabroek Block, a significant oil discovery [8]. - The company aims to increase production output by 2% to 3% annually through 2030, projecting an annualized free cash flow growth of 10% during the same period, with the ability to sustain capital expenditures and dividends even at Brent crude prices of $50 per barrel [9].

Financing Highlights - Gold X2 Mining Inc. has announced a non-brokered strategic investment package totaling $115,898,301, which includes 75,659,611 charity flow-through common shares priced at $1.233 each and 23,800,000 units priced at $0.95 each [2][5][8] - The proceeds from the charity flow-through shares will be used for exploration and resource expansion at the Moss Gold Project, with specific tax benefits for initial holders [6][7] - AngloGold Ashanti will acquire approximately 9.9% of the issued common shares through this offering, while Hess Capital will invest in units that include common shares and purchase warrants [8][11] Board of Directors Update - Tom Obradovich has been appointed as Chair of the Board, bringing significant experience from previous successful projects [3][12] - Brett Richards has retired from the Board, having played a key role in the company's formation and growth [3][13] Strategic Partnerships - The company welcomes AngloGold Ashanti and Hess Capital as strategic shareholders, aiming to develop the Moss Gold Project into a major gold producing asset in Canada [4][5] - An investor rights agreement will be established with AngloGold Ashanti, granting them participation rights in future equity financings and the formation of a joint technical committee for project development [9] Project Development - The Moss Gold Project has a mineral resource estimate of 2.458 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 4.209 million ounces of inferred gold resources, with a preliminary economic assessment suggesting strong production potential [15][16] - The company has invested over $100 million and completed approximately 100,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, indicating a commitment to advancing this asset [15]

Economic Relations - China has imposed an immediate ban on the export of dual-use items to Japan and is considering stricter controls on rare earth elements, a move seen as retaliation against Japan's comments on Taiwan [2][8] - Japanese manufacturers, especially in the electric vehicle and defense sectors, are highly vulnerable due to their reliance on China for heavy rare earths, with potential losses estimated at ¥660 billion ($4.2 billion) for a three-month disruption and ¥2.6 trillion ($16.4 billion) for a year-long restriction [3][8] Market Performance - Chinese equity markets have started 2026 with strong momentum, as the Shanghai Composite Index surged 1.40% to close at 4,023.42 points, marking its highest level in nearly a decade [4][8] - The rally is primarily driven by technology sectors, with semiconductors up 5.60% and AI stocks gaining between 3.20% and 3.7%, with analysts predicting further growth of 10-20% for Chinese equities in the coming years [5][8] Energy Sector Developments - Chevron and Quantum Energy Partners are among the bidders for Lukoil's international assets, valued at approximately $22 billion, as Lukoil divests under U.S. sanctions [6][8] Regulatory Challenges - Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, has been fined €120 million by the European Commission for multiple breaches of the Digital Services Act, marking a significant regulatory challenge [7][8]

Core Insights - The S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average reached record highs in 2025, while the energy sector only gained 4.4% and consumer staples lost 1.2% compared to a 16.4% increase in the S&P 500 [1][2]. Chevron - Chevron is focusing on disciplined capital management and rewarding shareholders, particularly through its acquisition of Hess, which has valuable assets in the Bakken Basin and offshore Guyana [4]. - For 2026, Chevron anticipates capital expenditures (capex) between $18 billion and $19 billion, with over half allocated to U.S. projects, including $6 billion in the Permian, DJ, and Bakken basins, and $7 billion in offshore investments [5]. - The company's strategy of emphasizing international upstream production alongside onshore U.S. production may lead to lower production costs and higher margins [6]. - Chevron has effectively reduced costs, allowing it to sustain operating expenses, long-term investments, and capital plans, including dividends and stock repurchases, even at lower oil prices, with a breakeven point below $50 per barrel of Brent Crude oil through 2030 [7]. - With a 4.5% dividend yield and a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.2, Chevron is positioned as a strong buy for value and income investors in 2026, having increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years [8]. Kinder Morgan - Kinder Morgan, a midstream company, plays a crucial role in the energy sector by investing in and maintaining infrastructure assets such as pipelines and terminals, which are essential for transporting, storing, and processing hydrocarbons [11]. - The company is expected to benefit from growing U.S. energy consumption and exports, positioning it favorably in the current market environment [10]. Kimberly-Clark - Despite poor recent results, Kimberly-Clark's stock is considered undervalued and presents an attractive investment opportunity [10].