Group 1: Market Overview - The beginning of 2026 is an opportune time for portfolio review and adjustments to enhance returns, influenced by factors such as AI sector optimism, Federal Reserve monetary policy, geopolitical concerns, and tariffs [1] - Retail investors face challenges in interpreting market signals and achieving solid returns amid these conditions [1] Group 2: Broker Recommendations - Following brokers' recommendations can simplify investment decisions, with stocks like TripAdvisor Inc. (TRIP), Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), and J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) highlighted as potential investments [2] - Brokers develop informed views on companies through direct engagement with management, analysis of public disclosures, and participation in earnings calls, providing context for stock performance [3] Group 3: Stock Upgrades and Performance - Broker upgrades are often based on new, potentially non-public information, and can indicate a potential inflection point in stock performance [4] - A broker upgrade is one of many factors to consider for long-term returns, which should also include business quality, valuation, industry dynamics, and investor risk tolerance [5] Group 4: Stock Screening Strategy - A screening strategy identifies stocks with broker rating upgrades of 1% or more in the past four weeks, priced above $5, and with an average 20-day volume greater than 100,000 [6] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) have a proven success record, and those with a VGM Score of A or B combined with a Zacks Rank 1 or 2 show the best upside potential [7] Group 5: Company-Specific Insights - TripAdvisor (TRIP) is expected to see a 35.1% year-over-year earnings increase in 2026, with a 4.8% upward revision in broker ratings [8][9] - Marathon Petroleum (MPC) is projected to experience a 38.7% earnings surge in 2026, supported by a 5% increase in broker ratings [9][10] - J.B. Hunt Transport (JBHT) anticipates an 18.2% rise in earnings for 2026, with a 4% broker rating upgrade [9][12]

Core Viewpoint - Shell plc projects an increase in oil and gas production for Q4 2025, despite a significant downturn in oil trading performance due to fluctuating crude oil prices and market dynamics [1][4]. Production Outlook - Shell expects Q4 upstream production to be between 1.84 million and 1.94 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), a slight increase from 1.83 million boe/d in Q3 2025, attributed to the Adura JV [2][9]. - The increase in production is part of Shell's strategy to strengthen its market position, driven by new projects, improved output from existing fields, and investments in advanced drilling technologies [3]. Trading Performance - Shell warns of a significant decline in oil trading performance for Q4, with results expected to be "significantly lower" than the previous quarter due to a steep drop in crude oil prices [4][5]. - The trading division has historically contributed significantly to earnings, but the recent price volatility has pressured margins [5]. Marketing Earnings Challenges - The marketing division faces headwinds in Q4, with adjusted earnings under pressure from seasonal factors and a non-cash deferred tax adjustment [6][7]. - Seasonal impacts, such as colder temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, are likely to reduce demand for certain energy products [6]. Chemical Sub-Segment Losses - Shell's chemicals sub-segment is expected to incur considerable losses in Q4, with adjusted earnings projected to be below break-even due to volatile raw material costs and lower industrial demand [10][11]. - The ongoing global economic slowdown and increased competition are compounding challenges for the chemicals division [11]. Strategic Developments - The completion of the Canadian oil sands swap will reduce oil sands production to approximately 20,000 boe/d in Q4, aligning Shell's portfolio with long-term sustainability goals [12][13]. - This strategic shift reflects Shell's commitment to transitioning away from higher-carbon projects towards lower-carbon energy solutions [13]. Conclusion - Shell's Q4 2025 outlook indicates mixed performance, with higher upstream production offset by challenges in oil trading and chemicals divisions, highlighting the volatility of the energy market [14].

The share price of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) surged by 8.13% between December 30, 2025, and January 6, 2026, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Gained the Most This Week. Valero Energy (VLO) Jumps Following Trump's Blitz in Venezuela Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) is the world’s premier independent petroleum refiner and a leading producer of low-carbon transportation fuels. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) received a boost following the US blitz in Venezuela, which ended with t ...

【DT新材料】 获悉，根据了解，在2019年之前 委内瑞拉 石油在中国的石油进口总量中占比曾超过5%。 从2020年- 2023年期间，因委内瑞拉石油出口 受美国制裁，中国尚未进口委内瑞拉石油。 在最近两年2024年-2025年， 中国进口委内瑞拉石油占总进口量的比重已 不足1% 。 根据中国海关数据，2024年和2025年前11个月，中国从委内瑞拉进口的石油分别为149.83万吨和34.17万吨，占中国同期进口石油总量的比重分别 为 0.27%和0.07%。 这一比例虽然不算高，但在中国庞大的原油进口规模中，仍具有一定补充与结构性调整意义。 这主要是委内瑞拉生产的原油多为重质高硫原油，这种油有独特的属性： 密度大、黏度高：含有较高硫分、重金属及胶质，需特定炼油设备加工；加工价 值高：价格相对低廉，但经过深加工可生产多种高附加值化工产品。 这类原油是国内许多地方炼厂（如东明石化等）以及具备深加工能力的一体化企业（如中海油、广东石化）的重要低成本原料。 经过特定的焦化、裂解等工艺，这种"重油"能被转化为高附加值的化工产品： 3.市场波动加剧: 相关化工品（如丙烯、沥青、部分高端树脂原料）的市场价格波动性可能短期 ...

The refining sector has had a strong start to the year, and Valero Energy (VLO) has been among the leaders in this space. The shares in Valero Energy climbed to new 52-week highs in early January after yet another quarter in which the company performed well in terms of refining margin and cash returns. Analysts are also re-evaluating the entire downstream petroleum industry in light of shifting geopolitics, which are holding back supplies of heavy crude oils. Venezuela’s oil industry has re-entered the s ...

Company Overview - Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) is a diversified downstream energy company specializing in petroleum refining, asphalt, renewable fuels, and logistics [2]. Price Target and Analyst Rating - Mizuho raised its price target on Delek US Holdings from $45 to $51, indicating a significant upside potential of over 72% from the current share price [2]. - Mizuho maintained its 'Outperform' rating on DK shares [2]. Financial Performance - Delek US Holdings has surpassed estimates in each of its three quarters so far in FY 2025 [5]. - The company recently raised its EBITDA guidance to $500-$520 million for the year [5]. - The share price of DK has soared by over 60% since the beginning of 2025 [5]. Market Context - The energy sector experienced a challenging year in 2025, primarily due to oversupply in gas storage and the oil market, which drove prices to a multi-year low [3]. - Mizuho recommends reallocating risk toward oil exploration and production (E&P) with a selective bias toward gas stocks, driven by high demand from rising LNG exports and record power demand [4].

Group 1: Company Highlights - McGraw Hill, Inc. (MH) has seen a 43% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, focusing on education solutions for preK-12, higher education, and professional learning [1] - Macy's (M) has experienced a 9.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, operating as an omnichannel retail organization [2] - Valero Energy (VLO), the largest independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products, has seen a 9.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, with a refining capacity of 3.1 million barrels per day [3] - Bunge Global SA (BG) has experienced a 4.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, operating as an integrated global agribusiness and food company [4] - Science Applications International (SAIC) has seen a 2.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, providing information technology and professional services primarily to the U.S. government [4]

Company Overview - PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF) is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants, and other petroleum products in the United States [2]. Recent Stock Performance - The share price of PBF Energy fell by 16.19% between December 10 and December 17, 2025, making it one of the Energy Stocks that lost the most during that week [1]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - On December 8, Wolfe Research analyst Doug Leggate downgraded PBF Energy from 'Peer Perform' to 'Underperform', setting a price target of $23 due to a tactical underweight in the US refining sector and declining West Coast margins [3]. - Conversely, on December 12, Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar upgraded the stock from 'Underperform' to 'Neutral', raising the price target from $31 to $38, indicating an upside potential of almost 43% from the current share price at that time [5]. Industry Challenges - The broader US refining sector is expected to face headwinds, including lower distillate cracks due to robust European inventories and potential risks associated with a Ukraine-Russia peace deal, which could lead to lower global crude prices [4].

Core Insights - HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE:DINO) is expanding its operations through the acquisition of Industrial Oils Unlimited (IOU) for $38 million, which includes approximately $15 million in working capital, with an expected 2027 EBITDA multiple of about 3.5x after synergies are considered [2][3] - The acquisition of IOU is anticipated to enhance HF Sinclair's position as an innovator in the lubricants and specialty fluids market [3] - HF Sinclair has outlined a capital spending plan of $775 million for the upcoming year, which is about 11% lower than the current year's expected spending, primarily due to reduced maintenance needs [4] - For 2026, HF Sinclair plans to allocate around $225 million to its refining segment, slightly below the projected $240 million for the current year [5] Financial Overview - The acquisition price for IOU is set at $38 million, with a significant portion allocated to working capital [2] - The expected EBITDA multiple for the acquisition is approximately 3.5x for 2027, indicating a potentially favorable valuation [2] - The reduction in capital spending reflects a shift in maintenance needs, with turnaround and catalyst costs projected to decrease from $410 million in 2025 to $325 million in 2026 [4]

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks that Outperform the S&P 500. Barclays Points to Midstream Stability in Marathon Petroleum (MPC) Price Target Hike   Barclays l‍ifte⁠d i‌ts price target​ o‌n Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) to $202 from $1​94 on November 17 whi‍le reitera‌ting an Overweight stance. The fi​rm updated its estimate‍s after incorporati​ng the late‍s‌t commoditie⁠s dat⁠a. Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) had releas‌ed​ its⁠ ...