Core Viewpoint - Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is currently viewed as expensive relative to its peers and the broader industry, trading at a 9.78x trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA compared to the industry average of 5.87x and BP at 3.33x and Chevron at 9.52x [1][8]. Group 1: Valuation and Market Confidence - The premium valuation of XOM indicates strong market confidence in its future prospects, necessitating a thorough evaluation of its fundamentals and growth potential to determine if the valuation is justified [3]. Group 2: Upstream Assets and Production Outlook - XOM has significant upstream assets in the Permian Basin and offshore Guyana, utilizing lightweight proppant technology to enhance well recoveries by up to 20% [4]. - The company has made several discoveries in Guyana, contributing to a solid production outlook, with low breakeven costs allowing continued operations even in low crude price environments [5]. - ExxonMobil projects total production from upstream operations to reach 5.5 million oil equivalent barrels per day by the end of the decade, with 65% of this volume coming from its key assets [6]. Group 3: Refining Operations and Capital Strategy - XOM's refining operations provide resilience during periods of low oil prices, with significant improvements in margins and throughput expected in 2025 [7]. - The company maintains a conservative capital spending strategy while enhancing productivity, anticipating improved earnings and cash flows without increasing capital expenditures [9]. Group 4: Financial Returns and Shareholder Value - By the end of the decade, XOM expects its return on capital employed (ROCE) to exceed 17%, and it is the second-largest dividend payer in the S&P 500, having increased dividends for over four decades [10]. - The company has an aggressive share buyback program, reflecting its commitment to returning capital to shareholders [10]. Group 5: Stock Performance and Market Risks - Over the past year, XOM's stock has increased by 41.2%, outperforming the industry's composite growth of 26.5% and the growth of BP and Chevron [12]. - However, XOM's earnings are heavily reliant on upstream operations, making it vulnerable to commodity price volatility, with expectations of declining oil prices this year potentially impacting its business [16].

Group 1: NBCC (India) Ltd - NBCC (India) Ltd secured two significant contracts in Odisha totaling ₹134.05 crore, excluding GST [1] - The first contract is for construction, repair, and renovation under PM-USHA at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, valued at ₹45.87 crore [1] - The second contract involves civil works implementation for the Godabarisha Mishra Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya Scheme, valued at ₹88.18 crore [1] Group 2: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) - ONGC signed Joint Venture Agreements with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. to subscribe to equity shares in two joint venture entities, Bharat Ethane One IFSC Pvt Ltd and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC Pvt Ltd [2] - ONGC will subscribe to 200,000 equity shares at ₹100 per share in each joint venture, resulting in a 50% equity stake in both entities [2] Group 3: Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) - SAIL reported a 37% year-on-year growth in sales, reaching 2.1 million tonnes in December 2025, compared to 1.5 million tonnes in December 2024 [3] - This performance marks the best ever showing for the month of December, with significant inventory reduction and a strong focus on customer deliveries [3]

Market Overview - Despite markets hovering near all-time highs, there is a shift from exuberance to cautious optimism, influenced by weak U.S. employment numbers and the potential economic impact of a federal government shutdown [1] - The market has not seen a 10% correction in over six months, leading investors to brace for a potential drawdown instead of a year-end rally [2] Value Stocks - Investors sitting on significant unrealized gains may consider reallocating to value stocks to minimize losses and generate income through dividends [2] - Five value stocks with a market cap of $3 billion or higher and a Benzinga Edge Value score of at least 90 are highlighted for portfolio protection in volatile environments [3] Sasol Ltd. - Sasol Ltd. has a Benzinga Edge Value Score of 99.66, with a market cap of $3.94 billion, trading at 10 times earnings, a P/B value of 0.4, and a P/S ratio of 0.27, indicating it is undervalued compared to U.S. and emerging market peers [4] - The stock has shown volatility but has evidence of upward momentum, with key technical levels to watch for a potential breakout [6] Gerdau SA - Gerdau has a Benzinga Edge Value Score of 97.67, with a market cap of $7 billion, trading at 8 times forward earnings, a P/B value of 0.70, and a P/S ratio of 0.37, along with a 3.27% dividend [7] - The stock has been trending higher since a Golden Cross in August, currently over 10% above its 50-day SMA, indicating bullish momentum [9] Ecopetrol SA - Ecopetrol has a Benzinga Edge Value Score of 97.47, with a market cap of $19 billion and annual sales exceeding $30 billion, showing a nearly 20% increase year-to-date [10] - The stock's fundamentals and technical trends are favorable, with a P/E ratio of 6.55 and a P/S ratio of 0.64, and bullish momentum is building [12] Seaboard Corp. - Seaboard has a Benzinga Edge Value Score of 94.03, with a market cap of $3.5 billion and annual sales over $9 billion, trading at 9 times earnings, a P/S ratio of 0.36, and a P/B ratio of 0.71 [13] - Recent signals indicate a revival in bullish momentum, with a significant rally taking the share price above the 50-day SMA [15] Fluor Corp. - Fluor has a Benzinga Edge Value Score of 91.46, with a market cap of $7 billion and annual sales exceeding $16 billion, trading at just 2 times earnings and a P/S ratio of 0.47 [16] - The stock has seen a 15% increase in the last three months, breaking above its 50- and 200-day SMAs, indicating a potential momentum reversal [18]

Core Insights - Evolution Petroleum (EPM) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.02 per share, unchanged from the same quarter last year, with revenues forecasted at $21.7 million, reflecting a 0.9% year-over-year decline [1] Earnings Projections - There has been a 50% downward revision in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days, indicating a significant reassessment by analysts [2] - Changes in earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price movements [3] Key Metrics - Analysts estimate 'Total Oil and gas production per day' at 7,277 barrels of oil equivalent, down from 7,478 barrels in the same quarter last year [5] - The 'Average sales price - Natural gas liquids' is projected at $22.93, compared to $25.43 in the same quarter last year [5] - The 'Average sales price - Crude oil' is expected to be $60.14, down from $72.24 in the same quarter last year [6] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Evolution Petroleum shares have declined by 9.7%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has increased by 1.3% [6] - With a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), EPM is anticipated to underperform the overall market in the near future [6]

Core Insights - Investor sentiment is currently bullish due to strong third-quarter earnings, despite concerns over a government shutdown and economic data blackout [1] - The Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates in response to a deteriorating labor market, creating challenges for retail investors in stock selection [1] Investment Recommendations - Stocks such as Newmont Corporation (NEM), Commercial Metals Company (CMC), and Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE) are highlighted as potential investment opportunities [2] - Broker recommendations can provide valuable insights, but should not be the sole basis for investment decisions [4] Stock Performance and Projections - Newmont Corporation is expected to see a 60.1% year-over-year increase in earnings for 2025, with a 4.8% upward revision in broker ratings [7] - Commercial Metals Company is projected to experience a 67.4% increase in earnings for fiscal 2026, with an 8.3% upward revision in broker ratings [9] - Cenovus Energy is forecasted to have a 10.7% rise in earnings for 2025, with a 6.3% upward revision in broker ratings [10] Screening Strategy - A screening strategy is proposed to identify potential winners, focusing on stocks with broker rating upgrades of 1% or more, trading above $5, and an average 20-day volume greater than 100,000 [5] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A or B are suggested for better upside potential [6]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts expect Occidental Petroleum (OXY) to report quarterly earnings of $0.73 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 12.3%, with revenues projected at $7.15 billion, up 18.9% from the previous year [1] Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 28.1% lower over the last 30 days, indicating a reevaluation of initial estimates by analysts [1][2] Revenue Projections - Analysts forecast 'Net sales- Oil and gas' to reach $5.71 billion, suggesting a year-over-year change of +16.3% [3] - 'Net sales- Chemical' is expected to be $1.24 billion, indicating a +4.5% change from the year-ago quarter [4] - 'Net sales- Midstream & marketing' is projected at $429.84 million, reflecting a significant year-over-year change of +334.2% [4] Segment Revenue Estimates - 'Revenue- Oil - United States' is expected to reach $3.92 billion, a +17.1% change from the previous year [5] - 'Revenue- NGL - United States' is projected at $545.18 million, indicating a +31.1% year-over-year change [5] - 'Revenue- GAS - United States' is estimated at $376.86 million, reflecting a substantial +101.5% increase from the prior year [5] Production Volumes - 'Worldwide Sales - Total Continuing Operations Production Per Day' is expected to reach 1,395.28 million barrels of oil equivalent, up from 1,172 million barrels of oil equivalent in the same quarter last year [6] - 'Net Production Volumes Per Day By Commodity - Natural Gas - Total Worldwide' is estimated at 2,237.96 million cubic feet, compared to 1,796 million cubic feet reported in the same quarter last year [7] - 'Net Production Volumes Per Day By Commodity - Oil - Total Worldwide' is projected at 706.54 million barrels, up from 593 million barrels in the same quarter last year [9] Pricing Estimates - 'Average Realized Prices - NGLs - Total Worldwide' is expected to be $24.09 per barrel of oil equivalent, compared to $22.14 per barrel of oil equivalent in the same quarter last year [8] Market Performance - Shares of Occidental have shown a return of +0.2% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has changed by +11.5% [10]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts forecast Occidental Petroleum (OXY) will report quarterly earnings of $0.73 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 12.3%, with anticipated revenues of $7.15 billion, an increase of 18.9% compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 29.6% lower over the last 30 days, indicating a collective reevaluation by analysts [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, with empirical studies showing a strong relationship between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Revenue Forecasts - Analysts estimate 'Net sales - Oil and gas' at $5.71 billion, a year-over-year change of +16.3% [5]. - 'Net sales - Chemical' is forecasted to reach $1.24 billion, indicating a +4.5% change year-over-year [5]. - 'Net sales - Midstream & marketing' is expected to be $429.84 million, suggesting a significant change of +334.2% year-over-year [5]. Income and Revenue Breakdown - 'Interest, dividends and other income' is estimated at $38.00 million, reflecting a +5.6% change from the prior year [6]. - 'Revenue - Oil - United States' is projected to reach $3.92 billion, indicating a +17.1% year-over-year change [6]. - 'Revenue - NGL - United States' is expected to be $545.18 million, a +31.1% change from the previous year [7]. - 'Revenue - GAS - United States' is forecasted at $376.86 million, reflecting a substantial +101.5% year-over-year change [7]. - The average prediction for 'Revenue - Oil & Gas - United States' stands at $4.84 billion, indicating a +22.4% change from the prior year [7]. Production Estimates - Analysts project 'Worldwide Sales - Total Continuing Operations Production Per Day' to reach 1,395.28 million barrels of oil equivalent, compared to 1,172 million barrels of oil equivalent a year ago [8]. - 'Net Production Volumes Per Day By Commodity - Natural Gas - Total Worldwide' is expected to be 2,237.96 million cubic feet, up from 1,796 million cubic feet in the same quarter last year [9]. - 'Net Production Volumes Per Day By Commodity - Oil - Total Worldwide' is estimated at 706.54 million barrels of oil, compared to 593 million barrels in the same quarter of the previous year [10]. - The 'Average Realized Prices - NGLs - Total Worldwide' is projected to reach $24.09 per barrel of oil equivalent, up from $22.14 per barrel a year ago [10].