We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Here's Why Hold Strategy is Apt for Hess (HES) Stock Right Now
Read MoreHide Full Article
Hess Corporation (HES - Free Report) has gained 19.9% in the past year against the 2.7% decline of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.
The company, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the prior four quarters, the average surprise being 6.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s delve into the factors behind the stock’s price appreciation.
What’s Favoring the Stock?
The West Texas Intermediate crude price has touched the $66-per-barrel mark, highlighting a handsome commodity pricing environment. Being one of the largest deepwater Gulf of Mexico producers, Hess is well-positioned to capitalize on the improving crude price.
Hess made multiple oil discoveries at the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where discoveries are lining up one after another. The company recently made an oil discovery at the Fangtooth SE-1 well, which will add to the block’s recoverable resource estimate of more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The discovery has the potential to support future oil development on the Stabroek Block.
For 2023, Hess expects net production (excluding Libya) of 355,000-365,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d), indicating an increase from 344,000 Boe/d reported in 2022. Coupled with higher oil prices, increased production will boost the company’s bottom line.
Hess recently announced a regular quarterly dividend of 43.75 cents per share, payable to holders of record at the close of business on Mar 13, 2023. The figure reflects a roughly 17% increase over the fourth-quarter 2022 dividend. This reflects the company’s strong commitment to returning capital to its shareholders.
Hess expects operating cash flow to expand, seeing a compound annual growth rate of 25% through 2027. This increases the probability of future dividend hikes, thereby illustrating Hess’ robust and stable business growth.
Numerous factors are aiding the stock price surge for HES and are creating more room for upside. Hess is expecting significant free cash flow growth in the coming years, which will get allocated toward reducing debt load and returning capital to shareholders.
Risks
One factor that can offset the positives to some extent is Hess’ aggressive capital spending budget, which remains a headwind for the company. For 2023, the company expects to incur capital and exploratory expenditure of $3.7 billion. This suggests a 32% hike from last year’s reported figure.
Sunoco LP’s (SUN - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2022 earnings of 42 cents per unit missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 77 cents. Weak quarterly earnings resulted from the higher total cost of sales and operating expenses.
Sunoco has witnessed upward estimate revisions for 2023 earnings in the past 30 days. For 2023, Sunoco expects adjusted EBITDA of $850-$900 million.
RPC Inc.’s (RES - Free Report) adjusted earnings of 41 cents per share in the fourth quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents. The strong quarterly results were backed by higher activity levels in all the service lines and rising equipment utilization.
As of Dec 31, RPC had cash and cash equivalents of $126.4 million, up sequentially from $73.2 million. Nonetheless, the company managed to maintain a debt-free balance sheet.
Valero Energy Corporation’s (VLO - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $8.45 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.45 per share. The strong quarterly results were driven by increased refinery throughput volumes and a higher refining margin.
Valero can benefit from the Gulf Coast export volumes as fuel demand recovery gets support from Asia economies. The Gulf Coast contributed 59.4% to the total throughput volume in the fourth quarter of 2022.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Here's Why Hold Strategy is Apt for Hess (HES) Stock Right Now
Hess Corporation (HES - Free Report) has gained 19.9% in the past year against the 2.7% decline of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.
The company, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the prior four quarters, the average surprise being 6.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s delve into the factors behind the stock’s price appreciation.
What’s Favoring the Stock?
The West Texas Intermediate crude price has touched the $66-per-barrel mark, highlighting a handsome commodity pricing environment. Being one of the largest deepwater Gulf of Mexico producers, Hess is well-positioned to capitalize on the improving crude price.
Hess made multiple oil discoveries at the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where discoveries are lining up one after another. The company recently made an oil discovery at the Fangtooth SE-1 well, which will add to the block’s recoverable resource estimate of more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The discovery has the potential to support future oil development on the Stabroek Block.
For 2023, Hess expects net production (excluding Libya) of 355,000-365,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d), indicating an increase from 344,000 Boe/d reported in 2022. Coupled with higher oil prices, increased production will boost the company’s bottom line.
Hess recently announced a regular quarterly dividend of 43.75 cents per share, payable to holders of record at the close of business on Mar 13, 2023. The figure reflects a roughly 17% increase over the fourth-quarter 2022 dividend. This reflects the company’s strong commitment to returning capital to its shareholders.
Hess expects operating cash flow to expand, seeing a compound annual growth rate of 25% through 2027. This increases the probability of future dividend hikes, thereby illustrating Hess’ robust and stable business growth.
Numerous factors are aiding the stock price surge for HES and are creating more room for upside. Hess is expecting significant free cash flow growth in the coming years, which will get allocated toward reducing debt load and returning capital to shareholders.
Risks
One factor that can offset the positives to some extent is Hess’ aggressive capital spending budget, which remains a headwind for the company. For 2023, the company expects to incur capital and exploratory expenditure of $3.7 billion. This suggests a 32% hike from last year’s reported figure.
Key Picks
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at the following companies that presently flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Sunoco LP’s (SUN - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2022 earnings of 42 cents per unit missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 77 cents. Weak quarterly earnings resulted from the higher total cost of sales and operating expenses.
Sunoco has witnessed upward estimate revisions for 2023 earnings in the past 30 days. For 2023, Sunoco expects adjusted EBITDA of $850-$900 million.
RPC Inc.’s (RES - Free Report) adjusted earnings of 41 cents per share in the fourth quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents. The strong quarterly results were backed by higher activity levels in all the service lines and rising equipment utilization.
As of Dec 31, RPC had cash and cash equivalents of $126.4 million, up sequentially from $73.2 million. Nonetheless, the company managed to maintain a debt-free balance sheet.
Valero Energy Corporation’s (VLO - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $8.45 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.45 per share. The strong quarterly results were driven by increased refinery throughput volumes and a higher refining margin.
Valero can benefit from the Gulf Coast export volumes as fuel demand recovery gets support from Asia economies. The Gulf Coast contributed 59.4% to the total throughput volume in the fourth quarter of 2022.