Core Insights - Inflation remained elevated in January, with consumer price growth exceeding the Federal Reserve's target rate, raising affordability concerns among policymakers [1] CPI Data Summary - The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% month-over-month in January and 2.4% year-over-year, down from 2.7% in December [2] - Core prices, excluding volatile items like gasoline and food, increased by 0.3% from the previous month and slowed to 2.5% year-over-year from 2.6% last month, aligning with economists' expectations [3] Data Collection Impact - Inflation data from December 2025 to April 2026 will be influenced by data collection interruptions due to a 43-day government shutdown [4] - The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) utilized a carry-forward methodology to compensate for missing data, which may introduce a downward bias in inflation data until fresh data is available in spring [5] Cost of Living Breakdown - High inflation has significantly impacted U.S. households, particularly lower-income Americans who spend a larger portion of their income on necessities [6] - Food prices increased by 0.2% in January and are 2.9% higher year-over-year, with the food at home index up 2.1% and food away from home index up 4% [7] - Energy prices decreased by 1.5% month-over-month and are down 0.1% year-over-year, with gasoline prices falling 3.2% for the month and 7.5% year-over-year [9] - Housing prices rose 0.2% in January and are up 3% annually, with the shelter index being the largest contributor to the overall CPI increase [10] Sector-Specific Price Changes - Transportation services costs increased by 1.4% in January and are 1.3% higher than a year ago, with airline fares jumping 6.5% for the month [11] - Medical care costs rose by 0.3% in January and have increased by 3.9% over the past year [11]

href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260212952861/en/Murphy-USA-Inc.-Announces- Dividend"English](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260212952861/en/Murphy-USA-Inc.- Announces-Dividend)---### ContactsInvestor Contact: Christian Pikul – Vice President of Investor Relations and FP&A [Christian.Pikul@murphyusa.com]Ash Aulds – Director of Investor Relations and FP&A [Ash.Aulds@murphyusa.com]More News From Murphy USA Inc.Get RSS Feed## Murphy USA Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results and 2026 ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining & Marketing industry faces significant challenges due to margin volatility and rising operational costs, yet it has outperformed the broader energy sector and S&P 500 over the past year, presenting selective investment opportunities in companies like Phillips 66, Marathon Petroleum, and Valero Energy [1][10]. Industry Overview - The industry includes companies that refine petroleum products and non-energy materials, with profitability heavily influenced by refining margins, inventory levels, and demand patterns [2]. - Refining margins are volatile and affected by various factors including crude prices, product demand, and regional capacity utilization [2]. Trends Defining the Industry's Future - Margin volatility and demand uncertainty are persistent risks, with crack spreads subject to rapid changes due to external factors like weather and refinery operations [3]. - Operational flexibility and strong export linkages are crucial for managing volatility, allowing refiners to optimize yields and respond to market demands effectively [4]. - Rising costs and regulatory pressures pose challenges, with maintenance and compliance expenses increasing, which can compress margins and create operational risks [5]. Industry Rank and Outlook - The industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 197, placing it in the bottom 19% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating a bearish outlook [7]. - Analysts have revised earnings estimates downward, with a 17.5% decrease in the industry's earnings estimate for 2026 over the past year [8]. Performance Metrics - The industry has increased by 24.7% over the past year, outperforming the broader energy sector's 17% increase and the S&P 500's 16.8% gain [10]. - The current EV/EBITDA ratio for the industry is 5.05X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 17.20X and the sector's 6.07X [13]. Company Highlights - **Phillips 66**: A major independent refiner with a refining capacity of nearly 2 million barrels per day, expected EPS growth rate of 25%, and shares have gained 21.6% in a year [16][17]. - **Marathon Petroleum**: A significant independent refiner with access to lower-cost crude, expected EPS growth of 18.8%, and shares have increased by 31.5% in a year [19][20]. - **Valero Energy**: Operates 15 refineries with a throughput of about 3.2 million barrels per day, expected EPS growth of 15.7%, and shares have risen by 47.1% in a year [21][22].

Core Insights - Dividend-paying energy stocks are attractive for income-seeking investors due to their stable cash flow and disciplined capital management, which allows for consistent dividend payments [1] ExxonMobil - ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 43 consecutive years, showcasing its strong position in the oil and gas industry through an integrated business model that includes exploration, production, and refining [2][4] - The company maintains a solid balance sheet and a break-even price that provides flexibility amid commodity cycle fluctuations, with a target to lower its break-even cost to $35 per barrel by 2027 and $30 per barrel by 2030 [3] - Over the past five years, ExxonMobil has achieved a return on capital employed of 11%, outperforming its closest peer by 2% [3] Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer operates over 140,000 miles of pipeline, serving as a key transporter of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids [5] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for natural gas, particularly from utilities and technology companies, with over 105,000 miles of natural gas pipelines and 236 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage [6] - Energy Transfer's integration of its natural gas network with major hyperscalers positions it favorably for long-term growth as energy demand rises [6]

Company Overview - HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE:DINO) is a U.S.-based petroleum refiner focusing on products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and related offerings [2]. Analyst Insights - Morgan Stanley analyst Joe Laetsch raised the price target for HF Sinclair Corporation to $61 from $60, maintaining an Overweight rating, noting that refining stocks have increased about 10% year-to-date due to wider light and heavy crude differentials linked to recent events in Venezuela [3]. - The firm's Q1 EPS estimates for large-cap refiners are approximately 5% to 10% below consensus on average, as part of Morgan Stanley's Q4 preview for the sector, while maintaining a positive long-term outlook on refining despite rating the industry In-Line due to valuations [4]. Acquisition Details - On December 8, HF Sinclair Corporation announced that one of its subsidiaries signed a definitive agreement to acquire Industrial Oils Unlimited for $38 million, which includes around $15 million of working capital, implying an EBITDA multiple of about 3.5x once synergies are included based on expectations for 2027 [5]. - The acquisition of IOU, known for its value-added service model and customized solutions, is expected to enhance HF Sinclair's position in lubricants and specialty fluids, with management viewing the transaction as a step toward expanding its role as an innovator in that market [6].

Company Overview - Star Group, L.P. is a leading home energy distributor and services provider, specializing in the sale of home heating products and services to residential and commercial customers [3] - The company is recognized as the nation's largest retail distributor of home heating oil based on sales volume, serving customers primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. regions [3] Upcoming Financial Results - Star Group will release its fiscal 2026 first quarter results after the close of trading on February 4, 2026 [1] - A webcast and conference call will be hosted by the management team on February 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review the results for the three months ended December 31, 2025 [1][2] Contact Information - For investor relations, Star Group can be contacted at 203/328-7310, and Chris Witty from Darrow Associates, Inc. is available at 646/438-9385 or via email at cwitty@darrowir.com [5]

Core Viewpoint - Suncor Energy Inc. is expected to report its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on February 3, 2026, with earnings estimated at 77 cents per share and revenues at $8.5 billion [1]. Group 1: Q3 Performance and Historical Context - In the third quarter, Suncor Energy's earnings per share were $1.07, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents, driven by strong production growth in its upstream segment [2]. - The company's operating revenues for Q3 were $9.2 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.1% [2]. - Suncor has consistently beaten consensus estimates in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 10.6% [3]. Group 2: Q4 Earnings Estimates and Trends - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings has been revised upward by 7% in the last 30 days, although it indicates a 13.5% year-over-year decrease [3]. - The revenue estimate for Q4 suggests a decline of 5.1% compared to the previous year [3]. Group 3: Operational Insights - Suncor operates in three main segments: Oil Sands, Exploration and Production, and Refining and Marketing, which collectively contribute to its crude oil and natural gas production and product sales [4]. - The company reported record operational performance in 2025, achieving its Investor Day performance targets a year ahead of schedule, which positions it favorably for the upcoming quarter [5]. Group 4: External Factors and Challenges - Despite strong operational execution, Suncor's near-term performance may be affected by external pressures such as weaker crude prices and currency headwinds from a stronger Canadian dollar, which could compress realized pricing and margins [6]. - The Zacks model indicates that Suncor does not conclusively predict an earnings beat this time, with an Earnings ESP of -4.78% [7][8].

Company Overview - HF Sinclair Corporation is a leading independent energy company focused on the production and marketing of refined petroleum products and renewables, leveraging a diversified portfolio of refineries and established distribution channels to maintain a strong market presence in key U.S. regions [8] - The company generates revenue through the sale of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels, and specialty chemicals, as well as through transportation, storage, and licensing of the Sinclair brand, serving wholesale fuel distributors, independent Sinclair-branded stations, and industrial customers primarily in the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and Plains regions [9] Financial Performance - As of January 21, HF Sinclair shares were priced at $50.03, reflecting a 44.8% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's approximately 14% gain during the same period [4] - The company reported a total revenue of $26.90 billion and a net income of $393.49 million, with a dividend yield of 4% [5] Recent Developments - DDD Partners reduced its stake in HF Sinclair by selling 125,198 shares in the fourth quarter, with an estimated transaction value of $6.45 million based on quarterly average pricing [2][3] - Following the sale, DDD Partners' quarter-end position in HF Sinclair declined by $8.37 million, which includes both the effects of share sales and changes in the stock's price, leaving them with 290,951 shares worth $13.41 million, representing 0.85% of their 13F reportable assets [6]

Core Insights - The energy industry is facing high uncertainty with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices trading below $60 per barrel, significantly lower than a year ago. However, Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is positioned to benefit from the current crude pricing environment [1][2]. Company Overview - Valero Energy is a leading refining company with a processing capacity of 3.2 million barrels of oil daily, allowing it to purchase oil at lower costs and produce end products like gasoline and distillates [2]. - The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) anticipates that crude prices will remain soft, with global oil inventories expected to continue increasing [2]. Price Projections - EIA projects the average spot price for WTI in 2026 to be $52.21 per barrel, down from $65.40 per barrel in 2025, which is favorable for Valero's refining margins [3]. Competitor Analysis - Other refiners like Phillips 66 (PSX) and Par Pacific Holdings Inc. (PARR) are also expected to benefit from low oil prices, with refining operations contributing significantly to PSX's earnings [4]. - Par Pacific, with a capacity of 219,000 barrels daily, has a cost advantage due to its exposure to cheaper Canadian heavy oil [5]. Valuation and Performance - Valero's shares have increased by 38.1% over the past year, outperforming the industry composite stocks, which rose by 20.1% [6][7]. - The current enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio for VLO is 9.01X, higher than the industry average of 4.64X [9]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VLO's 2026 earnings has seen upward revisions, indicating positive sentiment regarding future performance [11]. - Current earnings estimates for VLO are as follows: $3.05 for the current quarter, $1.97 for the next quarter, $9.93 for the current year, and $11.97 for the next year [12].

Group 1 - Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is recognized as one of the 11 Best Energy Stocks to Buy for Dividends in 2026 [1] - JPMorgan has resumed coverage of Chevron with an 'Overweight' rating and a price target of $176, indicating an upside of over 6% from current levels [2][3] - Following the Hess merger, Chevron is seen as being in an attractive phase of its investment cycle, with a structural cost savings program expected to deliver $3 billion-$4 billion in annual run-rate savings by 2026 [3] Group 2 - Chevron is exploring opportunities in the AI sector, specifically in talks to provide natural gas-fired power to a data center, leveraging its domestic production capacity of over 3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd) [4] - A final investment decision for the data center project is anticipated in the first half of the year, with the first power delivery expected by 2027-28 [4] - JPMorgan's analyst estimates that the data center project could yield mid-teens unlevered returns on capital [4]