Core Viewpoint - Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) is currently trading at a premium compared to the industry average, indicating a marginal overvaluation [1][4]. Financial Metrics - OXY's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA is 4.99X, while the industry average is 4.76X [1]. - Hess Corporation (HES) is trading at an EV/EBITDA of 7.41X, also at a premium compared to its industry [5]. - OXY shares gained 10.3% last month, outperforming the industry's rally of 8.4% [5]. Competitive Advantage - Occidental operates as a low-cost operator with high-quality assets globally, providing a competitive edge over peers [2][14]. - The company has made significant capital investments, over $7 billion in 2024, and plans to invest between $7.2 billion and $7.4 billion in 2025, which is substantially higher than Hess Corporation's planned $4.5 billion investment [14]. Production and Strategic Initiatives - The acquisition of CrownRock assets has boosted OXY's production volumes and reduced well operating costs [10][15]. - For 2025, total production is anticipated to range between 1,390 and 1,440 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (Mboe/d), with the Permian region contributing approximately 760–786 Mboe/d [12]. - International production for 2025 is projected to fall between 226 and 236 Mboe/d [13]. Earnings Performance - OXY has surpassed earnings estimates in each of the last four reported quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 24.34% [16]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OXY's 2025 and 2026 earnings per share has decreased by 30.06% and 29.06%, respectively, in the past 60 days [19]. Return on Equity - OXY's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 16.89%, slightly lower than the industry average of 16.6% [21].

Core Viewpoint - CICC maintains its adjusted EBITDA forecast for Wynn Macau (01128) for 2025 and 2026, with the current stock price corresponding to 8.0 times the 2025 EV/EBITDA. The firm maintains an outperform rating and a target price of HKD 6.90, implying a 26% upside from the current stock price [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Wynn Macau reported Q1 2025 results with net revenue of USD 866 million, a year-on-year decline of 13% and a quarter-on-quarter decline of 7%, recovering to 69% of Q1 2019 levels [2]. - Adjusted property EBITDA for Q1 2025 was USD 252 million, down 26% year-on-year and 14% quarter-on-quarter, recovering to 65% of Q1 2019 levels, and falling short of Bloomberg's consensus estimate of USD 274 million [2]. Group 2: Management Insights - Management indicated that tariff policies may impact and delay capital expenditure plans for U.S. operations, but expect no effect on capital and operational expenditures in Macau [3]. - In April 2025, the mid-market betting volume remained stable compared to the same period in 2024, with direct VIP turnover showing year-on-year growth [3]. - The management emphasized that high-end mid-market business is the core development area for the Macau gaming industry, despite a highly competitive marketing rebate environment [3]. - The Wynn Palace's culinary landmark "Fleur" officially opened in May 2025, and the average fixed operating cost for Q1 2025 was USD 2.64 million, expected to maintain this level throughout the year [3]. - During the May Day Golden Week in 2025, mid-market betting volume increased compared to the same period in 2024, with hotel occupancy reaching 100% [3].

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley has included Yum China Holdings Inc. (YUMC.N) in its Top Pick list, indicating a positive outlook for the company [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Targets - The company reiterated its target for a 4%-6% year-over-year growth in system sales by 2025 [2]. - The net new store target for 2025 remains at 1,600-1,800, with an acceleration in store expansion expected in the second half of the year [3]. - Same-store sales growth (SSSG) is expected to fluctuate quarterly, with a focus on increasing customer traffic, while average transaction value (TA) is under pressure [3]. Group 2: Recent Developments - Overall sales momentum during April and the Labor Day holiday met company expectations [4]. - The impact of aggressive promotions from delivery platforms on the delivery business is considered limited, with a focus on retaining core customers through its own super app [4]. - KFC reported a 4% decline in average transaction value in Q1 2025, attributed to a higher proportion of lower-value delivery orders and an increase in KCOFFEE and breakfast orders [4]. - Pizza Hut (PH) will continue to focus on low-price strategies to attract demand, with long-term improvements expected in restaurant profit margins [4]. Group 3: Valuation and Market Position - The valuation method suggests a target EV/EBITDA multiple of 10x for 2025, based on a 30% premium relative to the average EV/EBITDA of the Chinese consumer sector since Yum China's IPO in 2016 [5]. - Current expected EV/EBITDA for the consumer sector in 2025 is 8.5x, which is deemed reasonable due to the company's superior performance in cost savings and efficiency [5]. - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $16.54 billion, with a price target set at $57.00 [6].

Group 1: Stock Performance - ConocoPhillips (COP) shares fell 10.23% to close at $95.25, nearing a 52-week low of $86.81, with trading volume at 13,869,000 shares, significantly higher than previous days [1] Group 2: Acquisition and Upstream Presence - The acquisition of Marathon Oil has strengthened COP's upstream presence in the Lower 48, enhancing scale, production capacity, and operational efficiencies [3] Group 3: Reserve Replacement and Capital Efficiency - COP achieved a reserve replacement rate of 244% last year, with an organic reserve replacement of 123%, indicating strong performance in discoveries and drilling [5] - The company focuses capital projects in key regions like Permian, Eagle Ford, and Bakken, which have short payback periods and high margins [7] Group 4: Dividend Yield and Shareholder Returns - COP offers a dividend yield of 3.28%, higher than the industry composite yield of 2.4%, and comparable to EOG's 3.25% but lower than Chevron's 4.4% [8] Group 5: Valuation Metrics - COP is considered relatively undervalued, trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 5.19x, below the industry average of 11.24x and lower than CVX and EOG [11] Group 6: Market Context and Recommendations - Despite the stock price decline, it is suggested not to sell COP shares immediately, as the company is currently undervalued and should be monitored until uncertainties subside [13][14]

Chevron Corporation (CVX) has had a good year so far, hitting a 52-week high of $168.96 on March 26. The stock has climbed 16.3% year to date, outperforming rival ExxonMobil’s (XOM) 10.6% gain. This impressive run has been driven by strong production growth, attractive shareholder returns and a competitive valuation. However, headwinds such as legal hurdles surrounding its Hess Corporation (HES) acquisition, asset sale risks and Venezuela challenges raise the question: Has Chevron’s stock run its course, or ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Hold" rating for China Tower Corporation with a target price raised to HKD 13.7, reflecting an increase in valuation from 3.1x to 4.0x based on the 2025 fiscal year EV/EBITDA [1][7][3]. Core Views - China Tower's fiscal year 2024 performance met expectations, with revenue increasing by 4.0% year-on-year to RMB 97.8 billion, and net profit rising by 10.0% to RMB 10.7 billion, slightly above internal forecasts but below Bloomberg consensus [1][2]. - The traditional tower business, accounting for 77% of revenue, saw a modest growth of 0.9%, while the indoor distribution and two wings businesses experienced double-digit growth, achieving RMB 84 billion (up 18%) and RMB 134 billion (up 16%) respectively [1][2]. - The company announced a share consolidation to optimize its capital structure and enhance shareholder value [1]. Financial Summary - Revenue projections for FY25E are set at RMB 101.8 billion, with a growth rate of 4.1% [2][10]. - EBITDA is expected to reach RMB 69.1 billion in FY25E, reflecting a 3.7% increase [2][10]. - Net profit is forecasted to grow by 13.0% to RMB 12.1 billion in FY25E, with earnings per share projected at RMB 0.69 [2][10]. - The company plans to maintain a dividend of RMB 0.42 per share for FY24, indicating a payout ratio of 76% [7][1]. Shareholder Structure - Major shareholders include Citigroup with 9.0% and GIC with 7.0% [4]. Stock Performance - The current stock price is HKD 12.24, with a potential upside of 11.9% to the target price [3]. - The stock has shown a 26.2% absolute return over the past six months [5]. Business Segments - The traditional tower business is expected to face continued pressure due to low single-digit growth forecasts for domestic telecom operators, while the indoor distribution and two wings businesses are anticipated to maintain double-digit growth rates [7][1]. - The indoor distribution business is projected to grow by 14.0% and 11.6% in FY25E and FY26E respectively, driven by market opportunities [7]. - The two wings business, particularly the Tower Intelligence segment, is expected to see significant revenue growth due to projects related to national disaster warning and agricultural protection [7].

Industry Overview - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining & Marketing industry includes companies that sell refined petroleum products and non-energy materials, and some operate terminals and transportation services [3] - The primary activity involves buying crude and processing it into various refined products, with refining margins being highly volatile and influenced by inventory levels, demand, imports, and capacity utilization [4] Current Challenges - The industry faces challenges from volatile crude prices, regulatory pressures, and rising operational costs, with seasonal Q4 refining margin weakness and global supply additions potentially impacting profitability [5][6] - Increasing operational costs from store expansions and wage pressures are significant concerns for downstream operators, necessitating careful cost management [7] Long-term Growth Potential - Despite current challenges, the industry is positioned for long-term growth due to strong global demand for refined products, with refining utilization rates remaining high [6] - Companies with integrated refining systems can leverage geographic diversification and operational efficiencies to maximize margins, while investments in refinery optimization and sustainability initiatives provide competitive advantages [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining & Marketing industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Oil - Energy Sector and the S&P 500, declining by 10.7% over the past year, while the sector increased by 3.3% and the S&P 500 gained 17.2% [12] - The industry's Zacks Industry Rank is 198, placing it in the bottom 20% of 246 Zacks industries, indicating a bearish outlook [8][10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 3.64X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 17.27X and slightly below the sector's 4.21X [14] - Over the past five years, the industry's EV/EBITDA has ranged from a high of 6.96X to a low of 1.80X, with a median of 3.63X [14] Key Companies - **Phillips 66**: Operates 13 refineries with a total capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day, with a market capitalization of $51 billion and a projected earnings growth of 7.8% for 2025 [15][16] - **Marathon Petroleum**: A leading independent refiner with a market capitalization of $45.6 billion, known for its strong cash flow generation and shareholder returns [17][18] - **Valero Energy**: The largest independent refiner in the U.S. with a refining capacity of 3.2 million barrels per day, has a market capitalization of $19.5 billion [19] - **Galp Energia**: A Portuguese integrated energy firm with a market capitalization of $11.4 billion, operates two refineries in Portugal and has a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 51.2% [20]

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining & Marketing industry is currently facing challenges such as volatile crude prices, regulatory pressures, and rising operational costs, but it holds long-term growth potential due to strong demand for refined products and strategic investments in optimization and sustainability [1][4]. Industry Overview - The industry comprises companies that sell refined petroleum products and non-energy materials, with primary activities involving the processing of crude and other feedstocks into various refined products. Refining margins are highly volatile and influenced by factors such as inventory levels, demand, imports, and capacity utilization [2]. Trends Defining the Industry's Future - The industry is experiencing pressure on margins due to fluctuating crude prices, regulatory challenges, and seasonal weakness in refining margins. Geopolitical risks and rising operational costs are additional factors impacting profitability [3]. - Despite these challenges, the industry is well-positioned for long-term growth driven by strong global demand for refined products and operational efficiencies [4]. Cost Dynamics - Increasing operational costs from store expansions and wage pressures are affecting financial performance. Competitive pricing in non-fuel categories and slower recovery in discretionary spending further complicate the market landscape [5]. Industry Performance - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining & Marketing industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Oil - Energy Sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, with a decline of 10.7% compared to a 3.3% increase in the sector and a 17.2% gain in the S&P 500 [10]. Current Valuation - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 3.64X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 17.27X and slightly below the sector's 4.21X. Over the past five years, the industry's EV/EBITDA has ranged from 1.80X to 6.96X, with a median of 3.63X [13]. Company Highlights - **Phillips 66**: A leading refiner with a refining capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day, expected to see 7.8% earnings growth in 2025 [15][16]. - **Marathon Petroleum**: An independent refiner with access to lower-cost crude, has a market capitalization of $45.6 billion and has consistently beaten earnings estimates [18][19]. - **Valero Energy**: The largest independent refiner in the U.S. with a capacity of 3.2 million barrels per day, has a strong earnings performance record [21]. - **Galp Energia**: A Portuguese integrated energy firm with a refining capacity in Portugal, has shown a 51.2% average earnings surprise over the past four quarters [22].