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Why Is Phillips 66 (PSX) Up 23.9% Since Last Earnings Report?

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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) . Shares have added about 23.9% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

But investors have to be wondering, will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Phillips 66 due for a pullback? Well, first let's take a quick look at its latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Phillips 66 before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

Phillips 66 Q2 Earnings Top Estimates on Higher Realized Refining Margins

Phillips 66 reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $9.41 per share, up 295.4% from $2.38 per share a year ago. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.68 by 22.5%.

Total revenues and other income increased 56.2% to $52.04 billion from $33.52 billion a year earlier. The top line surpassed the consensus estimate of $36.17 billion by 43.9%.

The strong quarterly results were driven by higher refining margins. The refining system achieved 96% crude capacity utilization and a clean product yield of 86%.

Refining Profit Surges on Wider Margins

Refining adjusted pre-tax income jumped to $3.09 billion from $392 million in the year-ago quarter. The segment benefited from stronger market crack spreads, favorable mark-to-market impacts and solid operating performance across the refining system.

Worldwide realized refining margins increased to $24.08 per barrel from $11.25 per barrel a year earlier. Total processed inputs averaged 2.05 million barrels per day (MMBbl/d), while turnaround expenses increased to $123 million from $53 million in the prior-year quarter. Refining adjusted EBITDA totaled $3.31 billion.

Phillips 66 Midstream Sets Volume Records

Midstream adjusted pre-tax income increased 7.4% to $785 million. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA reached $1.05 billion, driven by higher margins and volumes following the absence of disruptions caused by Winter Storm Fern in the prior quarter.

Natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline throughput to market averaged 943,000 barrels per day (Bbl/d), while fractionation volumes reached a record 1.02 MMBbl/d. Phillips 66 achieved record liquefied petroleum gas export volumes and brought the 220-million-cubic-feet-per-day (MMcf/d) Dos Picos II gas plant to full production.

Chemicals Results Improve on Pricing

Chemicals adjusted pre-tax income rose sharply to $404 million from $20 million in the prior-year quarter. The improvement primarily reflected stronger margins across Chevron Phillips Chemical Company’s olefins and polyolefins operations.

Global olefins and polyolefins capacity utilization was 91% compared with 92% a year ago. The ethylene-to-high-density-polyethylene chain cash margin increased to 43.6 cents per pound from 7.4 cents per pound, providing a significant earnings tailwind despite slightly lower utilization. Chemicals adjusted EBITDA was $528 million.

Marketing and Renewables Rebound

Marketing and Specialties generated adjusted pre-tax income of $514 million compared with $660 million a year earlier.

Renewable Fuels posted pre-tax income of $544 million, reversing a loss of $133 million in the year-ago period. Higher regulatory-credit pricing, increased production and favorable mark-to-market impacts supported the turnaround. Renewable fuel production increased to 53,000 Bbl/d from 40,000 Bbl/d a year ago.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

Phillips 66 generated $7.26 billion of operating cash flow. Excluding working-capital movements, operating cash flow totaled $4.32 billion. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $5.89 billion from $2.50 billion a year earlier.

As of June 30, 2026, Phillips 66 had total debt of $20.6 billion and net debt of $16.47 billion. Quarter-end liquidity included $4.10 billion of cash and $6.40 billion of committed credit capacity.

Phillips 66 Advances Growth & Shareholder Returns

PSX returned $887 million to shareholders during the quarter. This included $508 million in dividends and $379 million in share repurchases. Capital expenditures and investments totaled $726 million, comprising $469 million of growth spending and $257 million of sustaining capital.

The company announced plans to construct the 300 MMcf/d Zeus Gas Plant in the Permian Basin and a 100,000 Bbl/d Coastal Bend NGL fractionator in Corpus Christi. CPChem also continued advancing the Golden Triangle Polymers and Ras Laffan Polymers projects, with full operations expected in 2027.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

It turns out, estimates review have trended upward during the past month.

The consensus estimate has shifted 8.99% due to these changes.

VGM Scores

At this time, Phillips 66 has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook

Estimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, Phillips 66 has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry Player

Phillips 66 is part of the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry. Over the past month, Par Petroleum (PARR - Free Report) , a stock from the same industry, has gained 18.9%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended June 2026 more than a month ago.

Par Petroleum reported revenues of $2.97 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +56.8%. EPS of $10.10 for the same period compares with $1.54 a year ago.

For the current quarter, Par Petroleum is expected to post earnings of $4.84 per share, indicating a change of -18.7% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -9.5% over the last 30 days.

Par Petroleum has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of A.

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