Market Movers: The Best and Worst Stocks of the Week

Posted on by The INO.com Team

After finishing last week at record highs, stocks mostly closed higher on July 8, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite reaching new record closes, as investors look ahead to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony and fresh inflation data due Thursday.

Let’s examine the top-performing and worst-performing stocks of the week and what influenced their movements.

Top Performers

Macy’s, Inc. (M)

c shares climbed around 10% on Friday, buoyed by news of a potential acquisition. An investor group aiming to purchase Macy’s recently increased its bid following previous unsuccessful offers. The Wall Street Journal reported that Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management have reportedly raised their buyout offer for Macy’s by about $300 million to $6.90 billion.

The new proposal offers $24.80 per share for the Macy’s stock they do not already own, an increase from the $24 per share offer made in March. Earlier, Arkhouse, which has a 4.4% stake in the department store chain, had raised the offer price to $24 per share from $21.

In April, Macy’s appointed two new independent directors, Richard Clark and Richard L. Markee, to its board selected by the activist investment firms. These two board members are currently heading a committee to explore a potential sale that would privatize the retailer.

The heightened interest and increased bid offer by an activist investor group to purchase the retailer have significantly boosted investor confidence in Macy’s lately, driving up the stock price. M’s stock has soared more than 5% over the past five days.

Koss Corporation (KOSS)

Koss Corporation’s (KOSS) shares surged more than 25% on Friday. Moreover, the stock has been up around 79% over the past five days and has gained nearly 144% over the past month. This significant spike in KOSS’ shares can be attributed to continued retail investor interest.

With a market cap of $99.46 million, Koss Corporation is known for its high-fidelity headphones, wireless Bluetooth® speakers, computer headsets, and related accessories. The headphone maker was among the stocks lifted in the recent meme-stock frenzy fueled by the return of meme-stock influencer Keith Gill, also known as “Roaring Kitty,” to social media.

Several Reddit and X users speculated that a post by Gill signaled his interest in the company. Some followers of Keith Gill pointed to cryptic images he posted in May featuring a microphone against the backdrop of the U.S. flag. The image was displayed as an emoji that scrolled across the end of a video, sparking enhanced social media speculation.

However, some Reddit users remained skeptical, noting that the U.S. flag emoticon featured a microphone, not headphones.

“There are absolutely no fundamental reasons why this company might be worth four times what it was at the beginning of the week,” stated Steve Sosnick, market strategist at Interactive Brokers, at the end of last week.

Sharps Technology, Inc. (STSS)

Sharps Technology, Inc. (STSS) saw its shares surge by about 11% on Friday. Last Wednesday, STSS, a prominent medical device and pharmaceutical packaging company, announced two purchase orders for approximately 1 million SecureGard ultra-low waste smart safety syringes produced at its manufacturing facility in Hungary. This positive development has sparked investor interest, leading to a notable increase in the stock price.

Sharps Technology aims to establish a long-term, strategic partnership with the customer, a leading Swiss-based global provider of cosmetic, dental, and ophthalmic injectable therapies. The first shipment of 100,000 syringes is set for the third week of July, with additional deliveries planned throughout the rest of 2024.

The initial orders for the 1mL SecureGard syringes mark the first step in a collaboration that will leverage Sharps’ innovative technology, comprehensive drug delivery solutions, and development expertise to support the customer’s expanding product offerings.

Due to rapid market growth amid the growing need for innovative injection solutions and the impact of the tariffs, recalls, and quality issues with Chinese-supplied syringes, STSS is witnessing increasing interest levels and potential demand for its high-quality, innovative safety syringe products. High product demand is expected to boost the company’s growth and profitability.

Worst Performers

NIO Inc. (NIO)

NIO Inc.’s (NIO) shares fell by nearly 6% on Friday after its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Steven Wei Feng, resigned effective July 5, 2024. The announcement of Feng’s departure from NIO for personal and family reasons has raised concerns among investors about the company’s financial stability and leadership continuity, leading to a decline in the stock price.

Feng will be succeeded by insider Stanley Yu Qu, who joined the China-based electric automaker in October 2016 and earlier served as a Senior Vice President of Finance.

XPeng Inc. (XPEV)

XPeng Inc.’s (XPEV) shares slumped around 7% on Friday. In addition, its shares are down more than 5% over the past five days. On July 1, XPEV, a pioneer in the premium smart electric vehicle market, released its vehicle delivery results for June and the first half of 2024.

XPEV delivered 10,668 Smart EVs last month, up 24% year-over-year and an increase of 5% from May. With XPENG X9’s deliveries of 1,687 units in June, nearly 13,143 units have been sold just half a year after its launch, maintaining its impressive streak as the top seller in both the all-electric MPV and three-row model segments in China. Overall, the company delivered 52,028 Smart EVs during the first half of 2024, up 26% from the year-ago period.

However, Xpeng’s delivery numbers did not meet market expectations, leading to a negative response from investors. This underperformance has resulted in a decrease in XPEV’s stock price, reflecting concerns about the company’s growth and competitive position in the electric vehicle market.

Eshallgo Inc. (EHGO)

Eshallgo Inc. (EHGO) experienced an approximately 12% drop in its share price on Friday. Moreover, the stock has plunged more than 35% over the past five days. On July 3, EHGO, a leading office solution provider based in China, announced the closing of its initial public offering (IPO) of 1,250,000 Class A ordinary shares at a public offering price of $4 per Class A ordinary share. 

The company received aggregate gross proceeds of $5 million from the offering. Additionally, Eshallgo granted the underwriters of the offering an option to purchase up to an additional 187,500 Class A ordinary shares at the public offering price, minus underwriting discounts and commissions. This option is exercisable within 45 days from the date of the underwriting agreement.

However, the significant decline in share price post-IPO suggests that the market is less optimistic about EHGO’s prospects, causing investors to sell off their shares.

Amazon's Reinvestment Strategy: A Double-Edged Sword for Investors?

Posted on by The INO.com Team

With a market capitalization of $2.08 trillion, Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) is one of the most valuable companies on the Nasdaq. The e-commerce giant commands a premium valuation due to its consistent sales growth. However, it often appears significantly overvalued when analyzed through traditionally earnings-based valuation methods.

AMZN’s strategy has long been characterized by its aggressive reinvestment of the majority of its profits back into the business. This approach has played a pivotal role in Amazon’s rapid expansion while minimizing its tax burden. Yet, it also poses unique challenges when evaluating the company’s true worth.

Thus, it’s essential to consider several alternative valuation metrics to gauge the difference between market valuation and AMZN’s business fundamentals accurately.

Traditional Valuation Metrics: Beyond the P/E Ratio

Conventional valuation metrics like the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio often fall short when evaluating AMZN due to its reinvestment strategy. As of July 5, the company’s forward non-GAAP P/E multiple is 44.01. Net income-based metrics such as P/E can be misleading as they don’t fully capture the company’s growth potential or the value created by its reinvested profits.

So, investors have turned to the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, which is a company’s market value compared to its revenue, as a more reliable indicator.

Operating Income and Margin: A Clearer Picture

A more effective way to value Amazon is by looking at its P/S ratio within the context of its operating income and operating margin. These metrics provide a clearer view of the company’s profitability. AMZN’s trailing-12-month (TTM) operating income is approximately $100 billion, with its operating margin at a 10-year high. This improvement is primarily attributed to AWS’ growth and a rebound in its North America and International segments.

One scenario is paying a 3.26 P/S ratio for a business with high revenue growth but low-profit margins. However, paying the same ratio for a company that is not only increasing its revenue but also improving its profit margins is entirely different, making AMZN an attractive investment opportunity.

The Bull Case for Amazon

Undoubtedly, AMZN’s reinvestment strategy presents a double-edged sword for investors. On one hand, it has fueled tremendous growth and innovation, positioning the company at the forefront of several high-growth industries. On the other hand, it complicates traditional valuation methods, potentially leading to misinterpretations of the company’s financial health.

Despite these challenges, the bull case for Amazon remains strong. The company’s P/S ratio is close to its five-year average of 3.02, but the quality of its business is considerably improving. Amazon is growing its top line and expanding its margins, suggesting a path toward consistent profitability.

For the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, Amazon’s net sales increased 13% year-over-year to $143.30 billion. Notably, the company’s Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leader in cloud infrastructure, segment sales rose 17% year-over-year to $25 billion. AWS contributed over 61% of AMZN’s operating income in the quarter. AWS’ operating income grew faster than AWS’ sales, indicating that margins are improving.

According to HG Insights, AWS captured around 50.1% of the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) market share among the ten leading providers.

Amazon’s International segment sales grew 10% from the prior year’s quarter, and the North America segment increased 12%. The company’s operating income was $15.30 billion, up 218.8% year-over-year. Its net income came in at $10.40 billion for the first quarter, or $0.98 per share, compared to $3.20 billion, or $0.31 per share, in the same quarter of 2023.

Furthermore, AMZN’s operating cash flow was $99.10 billion for the trailing twelve months versus $54.30 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2023. Its free cash flow increased to an inflow of $50.10 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with an outflow of $3.30 billion ended March 31, 2023.

“It was a good start to the year across the business, and you can see that in both our customer experience improvements and financial results,” said Andy Jassy, Amazon President and CEO.

“The combination of companies renewing their infrastructure modernization efforts and the appeal of AWS’s AI capabilities is reaccelerating AWS’s growth rate (now at a $100 billion annual revenue run rate); our Stores business continues to expand selection, provide everyday low prices, and accelerate delivery speed (setting another record on speed for Prime customers in Q1) while lowering our cost to serve; and, our Advertising efforts continue to benefit from the growth of our Stores and Prime Video businesses,” Jassy added.

Looking forward, analysts expect Amazon’s revenue and EPS for the fiscal year (ending December 2024) to increase 11.1% and 56.7% year-over-year to $638.80 billion and $4.54, respectively. The company’s revenue and EPS for the fiscal year 2025 are expected to grow 11.2% and 26% from the prior year to $710.20 billion and $5.73, respectively.

Bottom Line

AMZN’s stock has had a record-breaking year, joining the $2 trillion club in June. The stock has surged nearly 37% over the past six months and more than 53% over the past year. While Amazon’s valuation may seem high at first glance, its improved business fundamentals and growth prospects justify the current stock price.

By continuously reinvesting profits back into its business, Amazon has managed to stay at the forefront of e-commerce and cloud computing, driving rapid expansion and innovation. While the company’s reinvestment strategy has undeniably been a catalyst for its success, it requires investors to adopt a more sophisticated approach to valuation, considering metrics beyond traditional net income-based ones.

By focusing on the P/S ratio within the context of operating income and margin, investors can gain a better understanding of the company’s financial trajectory and growth potential. Thus, while complicating traditional valuation methods, Amazon’s reinvestment strategy has laid the foundation for continued success and makes the company an attractive investment opportunity in the long term.

Disney’s $60 Billion Bet: Will Theme Park Expansion Drive Stock Growth?

Posted on by The INO.com Team

The Walt Disney Company (DIS) plans to invest $60 billion in theme parks and cruises over the next ten years, marking a transformative chapter for the entertainment giant. However, the question looms: Will this massive outlay drive stock growth and solidify Disney’s financial health, or does it present a high-stakes gamble fraught with potential pitfalls?

Financial Health and Stock Performance: Analyzing the Impact

Disney’s theme parks have emerged as a robust profit engine in recent years. The entertainment segment, which includes parks, cruise ships, and consumer products, contributed 60% of the company’s operating income in the most recent quarter, up from 30% a decade ago. The parks have become a crucial buffer against the challenges faced by Disney’s traditional television and video streaming business.

The new $60 billion investment plan on theme parks reflects Disney’s commitment to further capitalizing on this profitability. By enhancing attractions and increasing cruise line capacity, Disney aims to drive higher guest attendance, extended stays, and greater spending per visitor. These factors collectively contribute to revenue growth, which could bolster stock performance in the long run.

Long-Term Benefits and Risks

The capital infusion will lead to new and upgraded attractions, potentially increasing visitor satisfaction and drawing larger crowds. These investments will build upon recent attractions such as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, inspired by Disney’s animated film The Princess and the Frog; the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster; and Tron Lightcycle/Run.

Moreover, upgraded parks and expanded cruise lines will likely generate more revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and food services. This expanded capacity can lead to improved financial performance and, consequently, stock growth for Disney.

With intensified competition in central Florida from rival Universal Studios, which plans to open Epic Universe the following year and other emerging attractions, Disney’s investments could help maintain its market leadership and appeal, safeguarding its share of the theme park revenue.

However, potential pitfalls, including economic downturns or shifting consumer preferences, could impact the company’s financial health and stock performance. Generally, large-scale investments are vulnerable to economic shifts. An economic downturn could reduce consumer spending on leisure and travel, impacting theme parks’ attendance and profitability.

Changes in consumer tastes and expectations might also impact the success of new attractions. If DIS’ investments do not align with evolving customer preferences, the anticipated returns could fall short. Further, the maintenance and operational costs associated with new attractions and expanded facilities could strain Disney’s finances if not matched by proportional increases in revenue.

Thus, the timing of Disney’s massive investment in its theme parks is crucial. Economic indicators, such as consumer spending trends and global economic stability, will influence the success of these investments. If economic conditions deteriorate, DIS might face challenges in achieving its financial targets. Conversely, Disney’s investments could yield substantial returns if the economy remains robust or improves.

Additionally, macroeconomic factors such as inflation and interest rates could affect financing costs and operational expenses. Disney’s ability to navigate these challenges while maintaining its investment plans will be a critical factor in determining the success of this expansion strategy.

Bottom Line

Disney’s $60 billion investment in its theme parks and cruises represents a bold strategy and a high-risk venture. On one hand, it aligns with a long-term vision of growth and innovation, enhancing the company’s competitive positioning. The parks have historically been a vital revenue source, and expanding them can be seen as a strategic move to ensure sustained profitability.

On the other hand, the substantial capital required for such projects introduces enhanced financial risk, particularly if macroeconomic conditions become unfavorable. With the global economy facing uncertainties, including inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions, the timing of Disney’s investment might be seen as a gamble. The success of this strategy depends heavily on DIS’ ability to effectively execute its plans and adapt to changing economic conditions or consumer preferences.

Therefore, investors should weigh the potential for growth against the inherent risks, keeping a close eye on both economic trends and Disney’s operational performance.

How Administrative Errors at Boeing (BA) Could Cost Investors

Posted on by The INO.com Team

The shocking incident earlier this year involving the Boeing 737 Max has placed The Boeing Company (BA) in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. On January 5, the door plug of a commercial Boeing 737 Max 9 for Alaska Airlines blew off mid-air, revealing serious lapses in Boeing’s quality control and safety protocols.

This incident, traced back to a simple yet critical paperwork error, highlighted the potential dangers of administrative oversights in aviation manufacturing. Moreover, it interrupted Boeing’s progress in recovering from two deadly crashes of Max jets in 2018 and 2019. These crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which claimed about 346 lives, are now back in the spotlight as well.

Detailed Analysis of the January 5th Accident

An Alaska Airlines flight operating a Boeing 737 Max 9 experienced a significant safety breach when a door plug came off 10 minutes after the flight took off from Portland, Oregon, on its way to Ontario, California. The root cause of this alarming event was a lack of paperwork. Evidence shows four bolts that hold the door plug in place were not installed before the plane left the factory in October, as the workers did not receive the necessary work order.

This administrative error, though seemingly minor, had the potential to endanger the lives of all passengers and crew on board, but luckily, the incident wasn’t fatal.

The door plug incident highlights significant issues with the quality of work along the Boeing assembly lines. These problems have drawn the attention of multiple federal investigations and whistleblower revelations, and have contributed to delays in jet deliveries, causing widespread disruptions for airlines and passengers worldwide.

Elizabeth Lund, BA’s Senior Vice President of Quality, addressed this issue at a press conference and admitted that the absence of paperwork led to administrative oversight. “The fact that one employee could not fill out one piece of paperwork in this condition and could result in an accident was shocking to all of us,” Lund stated.

The lack of paperwork was not new information, as it had been previously disclosed in testimony before the US Senate Commerce Committee by the head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). After the aircraft company “blatantly violated NTSB investigative regulations,” the agency issued a series of sanctions against Boeing.

So, Boeing’s disclosure of the information led to further complications with the NTSB, resulting in a reprimand and potential criminal probe referral to the Department of Justice.

The PR Team’s Struggle in Managing Continuous Crises

Boeing’s PR team has faced immense challenges in managing the fallout from continuous crises. The January 5th incident required immediate crisis management to mitigate further damage. However, their efforts were complicated by a subsequent reprimand from the NTSB for allegedly violating investigative protocols by sharing information prematurely.

BA acknowledged Lund’s recent remarks were a mistake. “We deeply regret that some of our comments, intended to make clear our responsibility in the accident and explain the actions we are taking, overstepped the NTSB’s role as the source of investigative information,” Boeing’s Kowal stated.

The strained relationship with regulatory bodies exacerbates the difficulty for Boeing’s PR team, which must now balance transparency with compliance while managing public perception and investor confidence.

Potential Financial and Reputational Damage

Administrative errors like the one seen on January 5 involving the Boeing 737 Max 9 can lead to significant financial and reputational damage. For BA, the immediate financial impact includes potential fines, legal fees, and the cost of corrective measures.

However, the long-term consequences can be even more damaging. Repeated safety issues erode trust in the brand, leading to a loss of customer confidence and potentially impacting future sales. Airlines may reconsider placing orders with Boeing and opt for competitors that are perceived as more reliable.

Investors are particularly sensitive to such risks. Boeing’s stock price is closely tied to its reputation for safety and reliability. Continued administrative errors and poor crisis management can enhance stock price volatility, affecting investor returns. The market tends to react negatively to news of safety breaches and regulatory reprimands, as seen in the aftermath of the door plug incident.

BA’s stock has plunged more than 24% over the past six months and nearly 29% year-to-date.

Bleak First-Quarter 2024 Results

BA faces increased scrutiny over the safety of its planes. As it deals with quality crises from the January 5th flight, Boeing reported a massive $355 million net loss for the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024. The company brought in revenue of $16.57 billion, a 7.5% year-over-year decline.

During the quarter, Boeing posted a 36% year-over-year decrease in commercial plane deliveries. This resulted in cash flow from operations dropping to negative $3.36 billion and non-GAAP free cash flow falling to negative $3.90 billion.

“Our first quarter results reflect the immediate actions we've taken to slow down 737 production to drive improvements in quality,” commented Dave Calhoun, Boeing’s President and CEO. “We will take the time necessary to strengthen our quality and safety management systems and this work will position us for a stronger and more stable future.”

“Near term, yes, we are in a tough moment,” Calhoun told its employees. “Lower deliveries can be difficult for our customers and for our financials. But safety and quality must and will come above all else.”

Wall Street also appears bearish about the aviation giant’s growth prospects. Analysts expect BA’s revenue for the second quarter (ended June 2024) to decrease 10.4% year-over-year to $17.71 billion. The company is projected to post a loss per share of $1.14 for the same period.

Bottom Line

The January 5th incident involving the Boeing 737 Max 9 has renewed scrutiny of air travel and Boeing’s planes. This incident highlighted a long series of safety and manufacturing issues accumulated for Boeing over the years, including two deadly crashes involving Max jets. These lapses pose serious safety risks and jeopardize the company’s reputation and financial stability.

Boeing’s repeated safety failures could have significant implications for Boeing’s future orders and stock performance. If the aviation giant cannot address these systemic issues and improve its crisis management strategies, it risks losing market share to competitors like Airbus SE (EADSY).

Investors must closely monitor BA’s response to these ongoing challenges. Effective and transparent communication, coupled with improvements in operational processes, will be crucial in restoring investor confidence. Boeing must also work to repair its relationship with regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with all investigative protocols to avoid future reprimands and potential criminal investigations.

In conclusion, administrative errors at Boeing, exemplified by the January 5th incident, highlight the critical need for robust quality control and effective crisis management. The financial and reputational damage from such errors can considerably impact investor confidence. As Boeing navigates this problematic landscape, its ability to restore trust and demonstrate operational excellence will be vital to securing its future in the competitive aerospace industry.

Oil Stocks on the Rise: Pro-Oil Stance from Trump Boosts Sector

Posted on by The INO.com Team

The recent presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump has stirred significant movements in the equity markets, especially within the energy sector. Biden’s shaky performance drove sentiment around Trump’s odds of securing a second term in the White House, propelling stocks of private prisons, credit card companies, and health insurance firms.

However, the most notable surge has been in oil stocks, reflecting Trump’s pro-oil policies and the market’s anticipation of potential benefits under his presidency.

Trump’s Pro-Oil Policies: A Catalyst for Growth

Trump’s administration has consistently advocated for deregulation and expansion of oil drilling activities, and a second term could amplify these policies. Last month, Donald Trump told Senate Republicans he would restart oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if re-elected. This promise is seen as a green light for increased oil production, potentially boosting the profitability and growth of oil companies.

Moreover, Trump offered to roll back environmental regulations, hasten permitting and leasing approvals, and enhance tax benefits that the energy industry enjoys if top U.S. oil executives agreed to donate $1 billion for his White House re-election. Lower regulatory hurdles could lead to cost reductions for oil companies, making exploration and drilling more economically viable.

In the wake of the debate, energy stocks emerged as some of the best performers of the S&P 500 index despite a slight dip in Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate prices. Baker Hughes Co. (BKR) led the sector’s rally, with Valero Energy Corporation (VLO), Phillips 66 (PSX), Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP), and Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) following suit.

This recent surge is primarily driven by the market’s reaction to Trump’s potential White House re-election, which is perceived to favor the oil and gas industry significantly.

Top Beneficiaries of Pro-Oil Stance From Trump

Phillips 66 (PSX)

Valued at a market cap of $59.51 billion, Phillips 66 (PSX) is a global energy manufacturing and logistics company. It operates in four segments: Midstream; Chemicals; Refining; and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The company’s diversified operations could benefit from reduced regulatory pressures and expansion of oil drilling activities supported by Trump’s pro-oil policies.

On May 21, Phillips 66 agreed to acquire Pinnacle Midland Parent LLC from Energy Spectrum Capital in a strategic move to expand its natural gas gathering and processing footprint in the Midland Basin. Pinnacle’s assets encompass the newly built Dos Picos natural gas gathering and processing system: a 220 MMcf/d gas processing plant, 80 miles of gathering pipeline, and 50,000 dedicated acres through high-quality producers in one of PSX’s focus basins. 

Mark Lashier, Chairman and CEO of Phillips 66, said, “Pinnacle is a bolt-on asset that advances our wellhead-to-market strategy and complements our diversified and integrated asset portfolio. Further, this transaction aligns with our long-term objectives to build out our natural gas liquids value chain, be disciplined with our capital allocation and create sustainable value for our shareholders.”

Also, in April, PSX’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $1.15 per share, representing a rise of 10%. The dividend was paid on June 3, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the business close on May 20, 2024. The dividend increase demonstrates the company’s confidence in its growing mid-cycle cash flow generation and disciplined capital allocation strategy, which includes maintaining a secure and competitive dividend.

Since its establishment in 2012, Phillips 66 has consistently increased its dividend, resulting in a CAGR of 16%. Moreover, the company is well-poised to continue delivering substantial shareholder value by executing its strategic priorities, including returning $13-$15 billion to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases from July 2022 to the year-end 2024.

For the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, PSX reported revenue of $36.44 billion, beating analysts’ estimate of $33.56 billion. Its adjusted earnings were $822 million, or $1.90 per share, respectively. During the quarter, refining operated at 92% crude utilization. As of March 31, 2024, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.60 billion and $3.50 billion of committed capacity available under its credit facility.

Further, Phillips 66, through the successful execution of its strategic priorities, remains committed to increasing mid-cycle adjusted EBITDA to $14 billion by 2025 and returning more than 50% of operating cash flow to shareholders.

PSX’s stock is up around 5% year-to-date and has gained more than 45% over the past year.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY)

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) also stands to gain significantly from Trump’s pro-oil stance. OXY is a leading energy company with assets mainly in the U.S., the Middle East, and North Africa. The company’s extensive operations in the Permian and DJ basins and offshore Gulf of Mexico, coupled with potential regulatory rollbacks, could enhance its production capabilities.

Over the past six months, shares of OXY have surged more than 3% and approximately 46% over the past year. Moreover, the stock has already shown positive movement following the presidential debate, reflecting investor optimism.

Last month, OXY and BHE Renewables, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, formed a joint venture for the demonstration and deployment of TerraLithium’s Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and associated technologies to extract and commercially produce high-purity lithium compounds from geothermal brine.

By utilizing Occidental’s expertise in managing and processing brine within its oil & gas and chemicals businesses, combined with BHE Renewables’ extensive knowledge in geothermal operations, OXY is exceptionally equipped to advance a more sustainable method of lithium production.

During the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, OXY posted an adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $604 million, or $0.63 per share. Notably, midstream and marketing surpassed guidance for pre-tax income by nearly $100 million. Also, OxyChem exceeded guidance with a pre-tax income of $260 million.

In addition, Occidental’s total production was $1,172 Mboed near the mid-point of its guidance. Solid operational performance drove cash flow from operations of $2 billion and cash flow from operations before working capital of $2.3 billion.

“Operational excellence is fundamental to everything we do at Occidental, and our teams delivered at a high level across all segments during the first quarter of 2024,” stated OXY’s President and Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub. “We are executing in all areas of our diversified portfolio and positioned for free cash flow growth.”

Analysts expect OXY’s revenue and EPS for the second quarter (ended June 2024) to increase 3.5% and 26.4% year-over-year to $6.97 billion and $0.82, respectively. Also, the company has topped the consensus EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.

Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP)

With a $29.62 billion market cap, Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP) is a prominent provider of midstream services. The company primarily engages in the gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and selling of natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating, and purchasing and selling natural gas liquids (NGLs) and NGL products, like services to LPG exporters; and gathering, terminaling, and purchasing and selling crude oil.

TRGP, with its focus on natural gas and NGLs, stands to benefit from the Trump administration’s favoring fossil fuels. TRGP’s stock has soared more than 14% over the past month and around 52% over the past six months. Moreover, the stock is up nearly 72% over the past year.

Targa recently began operations at its new 120 MBbl/d Train 9 fractionator in Mont Belvieu, TX. Further, construction continues on Targa’s 275 MMcf/d Greenwood II plant in Permian Midland and its 230 MMcf/d Roadrunner II and 275 MMcf/d Bull Moose plants in Permian Delaware. In the Logistics and Transportation (L&T) segment, construction continues on Targa’s 120 MBbl/d Train 10 fractionator in Mont Belvieu, its Daytona NGL Pipeline.

In May, TRGP, to increase production and meet the rising infrastructure needs of customers, announced the construction of a new 275 MMcf/d cryogenic natural gas processing plant in Permian Midland (Pembrook II plant) and the construction of a new 150 MBbl/d fractionator in Mont Belvieu (Train 11).

Moreover, in April, Targa Resources’ Board of Directors declared an increase to its quarterly cash dividend to $0.75 per share, or $3 per share annually, for the first quarter of 2024. This dividend represents a 50% rise from the dividend declared in the first quarter of 2023. The dividend increase indicates the company’s solid financial health and confidence in its continued growth.

In the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, TRGP’s revenues increased 1% year-over-year to $4.56 billion. Its adjusted operating margin grew 3% from the prior year’s quarter to $622.10 million. Its NGL pipeline transportation volumes were $717.80 million, up 34% year-over-year.

Additionally, the company’s adjusted EBITDA rose 2.7% from the year-ago value to $966.20 million. Its adjusted cash flow from operations was $738.40 million for the quarter.

Street expects TRGP’s revenue for the fiscal year (ending December 2024) to increase 22.9% year-over-year to $19.74 billion. The consensus EPS estimate of $5.36 for the current year indicates an improvement of 46.4% year-over-year.

Bottom Line

The recent debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump has underscored the potential for significant market shifts based on political outcomes, particularly within the energy sector. With Trump’s pro-oil policies gaining renewed attention, companies like Phillips 66, Occidental Petroleum, and Targa Resources are well-positioned to capitalize on a supportive regulatory environment and expansion of drilling activities.

As the election approaches, the energy sector’s trajectory will likely remain closely tied to political developments. Investors should remain vigilant and consider the implications of potential policy changes on their portfolios. The solid financial performance and strategic initiatives of PSX, OXY, and TRGP, combined with the potential regulatory shifts under the Trump administration, could drive growth and deliver significant shareholder value in the upcoming years.