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OPEC Gears Up for Vienna Face-Off: 5 Oil Stocks to Bet On
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Will crude prices continue to rally? The consensus decision from tomorrow’s 174th OPEC meet in Vienna, Austria, will probably answer this million-dollar question.
Most of the analysts opine that Saudi Arabia and Russia will consider increasing oil production as the global crude supply may shrink due to disruptions in Iran and Venezuela. The bottleneck in Permian pipelines is going to mar U.S. oil output and might also propel Saudis to pump more oil.
However, few analysts believe that the leading crude exporters could fail to reach an agreement as some OPEC members are not willing to put relaxation on the existing production curb accord.
Irrespective of the two probable outcomes, the long-term crude market fundamentals are likely to remain strong. In other words, even if the cartel members opt for more production, the energy market will not witness oil oversupply. Hence, the probability of a fall in crude prices is less.
OPEC Gets Ready for Vienna Meet
On Jun 22, OPEC and non-OPEC players will decide on the relaxation or the extension of the existing production cut deal — first signed in 2016. For 18 months, the members of the cartel and few non-members, including Russia, managed to eradicate roughly 1.8 million barrels of crude volumes from the market on a daily basis.
Following strong compliance with the production curb deal, the crude exporters successfully mitigated the supply glut concern. This led to the partial recovery of WTI oil price, which fell drastically to less than $27 per barrel in February 2016 from more than $100 in mid-2014.
Possible Outcomes
Relax Output-Curb Deal
Many analysts are convinced that the cartel and non-members will opt to ease the existing limit on crude volume. In fact, Saudi Arabia is striving to convince other oil exporters to produce more of the commodity. Russia is also willing to put a relaxation on the existing accord for the second half of 2018.
On May 8, President Trump nixed the Iran nuclear deal, putting a lot on the line. This could possibly lower the country’s crude export. Also, Venezuela, touted to be among the biggest oil producers in Latin America, has been witnessing a steep decline in crude production. In 2017, Venezuela reported the lowest oil production in a decade. Following the disruptions in global crude supply, Brent crude crossed the $80 psychological mark in May after three and half years.
Eventually, to stop crude prices from surging further and offset oil supply worries, Saudi Arabia and Russia are considering increasing oil output.
Failure to Reach Agreement
Most of the crude exporters in the cartel, like Iran and Iraq, are losing their capability to pump more oil. Instead, they are inclining toward expensive crude for maximizing revenues. Countries like Angola, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria and Venezuela are also witnessing lower crude production volumes.
On the flip side, only a few OPEC members like UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia can boost oil output. Hence, it is quite natural that Iran, Iraq and Venezuela will not agree with these countries on relaxation of the existing output cut accord.
Different opinions among the cartel members can make it hard for the leading crude exporters to finalize an agreement. In fact, Bijan Zanganeh — oil minister of Iran — announced that "Every decision in OPEC needs unanimity, and I don't believe in this meeting we can reach agreement."
Crude Market Fundamentals Will Stay Strong
Per analysts of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM - Free Report) and Credit Suisse Group AG , Saudi-led OPEC and Russia will collectively boost daily global oil supply by 300,000-800,000 barrels. In this backdrop, the oil exporters are not going to breach the existing accord, considering that OPEC members have been producing 800,000 barrels of less oil volumes than the existing quota, per media reports.
Additionally, the global demand for crude is likely to grow 1.4 million barrels per day through 2018, claimed the International Energy Agency.
Oil Stocks to Buy
The global crude demand picture looks encouraging. Also, Saudis and Russia are not expected to flood the oil market, while Iran and Venezuela are likely to disrupt the worldwide crude supply.
Overall, favorable demand and supply fundamentals will continue to back the rally in oil prices. Given that the fate of upstream energy players is positively correlated with the price of the commodity, picking oil stocks seems to be a smart option at this moment. However, selecting profitable stocks may be a daunting task.
This is where our VGM Score comes in handy. Here, V stands for Value, G for Growth, and M for Momentum, and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
We have narrowed down our search to the following stocks based on a solid Zacks Rank and VGM Score.
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, Devon Energy Corporation (DVN - Free Report) has a strong footprint in oil-rich U.S. resources comprising Eagle Ford, Delaware Basin (the sub-basin of Permian), Rockies and the STACK play. Moreover, the company has exposure to Eastern Alberta’s heavy oil projects.
With a VGM Score of B, the company is likely to witness year-over-year earnings growth of 160.3% in 2018. Presently, the company sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR - Free Report) , headquartered in El Dorado, AR, is an oil and gas explorer focusing on plays spread across the world.
The Zacks #1 Ranked stock beat the consensus mark in the last four quarters, with an average of 102.5%. Murphy has a VGM Score of B and is expected to post year-over-year earnings growth of 1,215.4% in 2018.
Based in Houston, TX, Talos Energy Inc (TALO - Free Report) is an oil and gas explorer with strong focus on the Gulf of Mexico.
The Zacks #1 Ranked company surpassed the consensus mark in three of the past four quarters, with an average positive earnings surprise of 153.1%. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of B.
Apache Corporation (APA - Free Report) , based in Houston, TX, is also an upstream energy player involved in exploration and production activities.
The firm carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A. Apache managed to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last three quarters, with an average positive earnings surprise of 86.7%.
Headquartered in Frisco, TX, Comstock Resources, Inc (CRK - Free Report) is among the leading oil and gas production players in the domestic market.
This Zacks #2 Ranked firm currently has a VGM Score of A. We are expecting the firm to post year-over-year earnings growth of 110.3% in 2018.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
Image: Bigstock
OPEC Gears Up for Vienna Face-Off: 5 Oil Stocks to Bet On
Will crude prices continue to rally? The consensus decision from tomorrow’s 174th OPEC meet in Vienna, Austria, will probably answer this million-dollar question.
Most of the analysts opine that Saudi Arabia and Russia will consider increasing oil production as the global crude supply may shrink due to disruptions in Iran and Venezuela. The bottleneck in Permian pipelines is going to mar U.S. oil output and might also propel Saudis to pump more oil.
However, few analysts believe that the leading crude exporters could fail to reach an agreement as some OPEC members are not willing to put relaxation on the existing production curb accord.
Irrespective of the two probable outcomes, the long-term crude market fundamentals are likely to remain strong. In other words, even if the cartel members opt for more production, the energy market will not witness oil oversupply. Hence, the probability of a fall in crude prices is less.
OPEC Gets Ready for Vienna Meet
On Jun 22, OPEC and non-OPEC players will decide on the relaxation or the extension of the existing production cut deal — first signed in 2016. For 18 months, the members of the cartel and few non-members, including Russia, managed to eradicate roughly 1.8 million barrels of crude volumes from the market on a daily basis.
Following strong compliance with the production curb deal, the crude exporters successfully mitigated the supply glut concern. This led to the partial recovery of WTI oil price, which fell drastically to less than $27 per barrel in February 2016 from more than $100 in mid-2014.
Possible Outcomes
Relax Output-Curb Deal
Many analysts are convinced that the cartel and non-members will opt to ease the existing limit on crude volume. In fact, Saudi Arabia is striving to convince other oil exporters to produce more of the commodity. Russia is also willing to put a relaxation on the existing accord for the second half of 2018.
On May 8, President Trump nixed the Iran nuclear deal, putting a lot on the line. This could possibly lower the country’s crude export. Also, Venezuela, touted to be among the biggest oil producers in Latin America, has been witnessing a steep decline in crude production. In 2017, Venezuela reported the lowest oil production in a decade. Following the disruptions in global crude supply, Brent crude crossed the $80 psychological mark in May after three and half years.
Eventually, to stop crude prices from surging further and offset oil supply worries, Saudi Arabia and Russia are considering increasing oil output.
Failure to Reach Agreement
Most of the crude exporters in the cartel, like Iran and Iraq, are losing their capability to pump more oil. Instead, they are inclining toward expensive crude for maximizing revenues. Countries like Angola, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria and Venezuela are also witnessing lower crude production volumes.
On the flip side, only a few OPEC members like UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia can boost oil output. Hence, it is quite natural that Iran, Iraq and Venezuela will not agree with these countries on relaxation of the existing output cut accord.
Different opinions among the cartel members can make it hard for the leading crude exporters to finalize an agreement. In fact, Bijan Zanganeh — oil minister of Iran — announced that "Every decision in OPEC needs unanimity, and I don't believe in this meeting we can reach agreement."
Crude Market Fundamentals Will Stay Strong
Per analysts of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM - Free Report) and Credit Suisse Group AG , Saudi-led OPEC and Russia will collectively boost daily global oil supply by 300,000-800,000 barrels. In this backdrop, the oil exporters are not going to breach the existing accord, considering that OPEC members have been producing 800,000 barrels of less oil volumes than the existing quota, per media reports.
Additionally, the global demand for crude is likely to grow 1.4 million barrels per day through 2018, claimed the International Energy Agency.
Oil Stocks to Buy
The global crude demand picture looks encouraging. Also, Saudis and Russia are not expected to flood the oil market, while Iran and Venezuela are likely to disrupt the worldwide crude supply.
Overall, favorable demand and supply fundamentals will continue to back the rally in oil prices. Given that the fate of upstream energy players is positively correlated with the price of the commodity, picking oil stocks seems to be a smart option at this moment. However, selecting profitable stocks may be a daunting task.
This is where our VGM Score comes in handy. Here, V stands for Value, G for Growth, and M for Momentum, and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
We have narrowed down our search to the following stocks based on a solid Zacks Rank and VGM Score.
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, Devon Energy Corporation (DVN - Free Report) has a strong footprint in oil-rich U.S. resources comprising Eagle Ford, Delaware Basin (the sub-basin of Permian), Rockies and the STACK play. Moreover, the company has exposure to Eastern Alberta’s heavy oil projects.
With a VGM Score of B, the company is likely to witness year-over-year earnings growth of 160.3% in 2018. Presently, the company sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR - Free Report) , headquartered in El Dorado, AR, is an oil and gas explorer focusing on plays spread across the world.
The Zacks #1 Ranked stock beat the consensus mark in the last four quarters, with an average of 102.5%. Murphy has a VGM Score of B and is expected to post year-over-year earnings growth of 1,215.4% in 2018.
Based in Houston, TX, Talos Energy Inc (TALO - Free Report) is an oil and gas explorer with strong focus on the Gulf of Mexico.
The Zacks #1 Ranked company surpassed the consensus mark in three of the past four quarters, with an average positive earnings surprise of 153.1%. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of B.
Apache Corporation (APA - Free Report) , based in Houston, TX, is also an upstream energy player involved in exploration and production activities.
The firm carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A. Apache managed to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last three quarters, with an average positive earnings surprise of 86.7%.
Headquartered in Frisco, TX, Comstock Resources, Inc (CRK - Free Report) is among the leading oil and gas production players in the domestic market.
This Zacks #2 Ranked firm currently has a VGM Score of A. We are expecting the firm to post year-over-year earnings growth of 110.3% in 2018.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
It's not the one you think.
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