BP p.l.c. provides carbon products and services. The company operates through Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Oil Production & Operations, and Customers & Products segments. It engages in the production of natural gas, and integrated gas and power; trading of gas; operation of onshore and offshore wind power, as well as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage facilities; trading and marketing of renewable and non-renewable power; and production of crude oil. In addition, the company involved in convenience and retail fuel, EV charging, Castrol lubricant, aviation, B2B, and midstream businesses; refining and oil trading; and bioenergy business. The company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

BP looks like a large and liquid energy business, but the fundamental picture does not justify an aggressive re-rating. On valuation multiples, the company looks inexpensive on P/S and P/FCF, and slightly cheaper than the industry on P/B, which supports the valuation; however, P/E is noticeably above the median, limiting re-rating potential. The trend in P/S and P/FCF is generally stable, but P/E remains volatile, which usually indicates earnings sensitivity to the cycle and one-off effects. Profitability is weaker than the industry across almost all key metrics: ROE, ROA, ROI, and return on tangible equity are significantly below the median, while net profit margin remains very thin. At the same time, operating margin and gross margin are improving year by year, suggesting a gradual recovery in business quality, but the level is still insufficient for a premium valuation. Leverage is moderate, but debt/equity is above the industry benchmark, and long-term debt remains substantial, so the balance sheet cannot be called risk-free. Liquidity is acceptable: the current ratio is around normal, the quick ratio is slightly below it, and cash on hand is high, which reduces short-term risks. Revenue, gross profit, EBITDA, and operating income look strong in absolute terms and are improving compared with weaker periods, supporting business resilience. Net income and EPS are positive and better than the industry median, but their quality is still not high enough to justify meaningful upside in the valuation. Dividend yield has declined compared with last year, so the dividend argument for a re-rating is weaker now than before. Overall, the shares look fairly valued with a slight bias toward caution: strong cash flow and revenue metrics are offset by weak returns on capital and an imperfect debt structure. For an investor, this is not a story of rapid multiple expansion, but rather of moderate returns supported by scale, cash flow, and cyclical recovery.

GBPU-12.26

EGBP-12.26

BP p.l.c.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Быки резко укрепили уверенность в своих позициях.

Strong index, significantly up. Bulls sharply strengthened confidence in their positions.

Слабый индекс, незначительно упал. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Weak index, slightly down. The market does not support the bulls.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Приток средств в лонги резко увеличился и находится на высоком уровне.

Strong index, significantly up. The inflow of funds into longs has increased sharply and is at a high level.

BP looks inexpensive on sales and FCF, but weak return on capital, a high P/E, and moderate debt limit re-rating potential.

BP p.l.c. BP has outlined its expectations for the third quarter of 2026, highlighting substantial balance-sheet improvement and a stronger refining environment. The update points to improving financial flexibility ahead of the company's third-quarter 2026 earnings release.
Debt Reduction Likely to Strengthen BP’s Financial Position
BP expects third-quarter net debt of $13.5-$14.5 billion, down sharply from $22.3 billion at the end of the second quarter. Management forecasts a $9-$10 billion decline in the combined total of net debt, hybrid securities, leases and Gulf of America settlement liabilities. This reduction enhances the company's financial flexibility and supports its ability to manage obligations while funding priority investments.
Refining Margins Provide a Major Tailwind for BP
BP expects stronger realized refining margins to add $1.9-$2.1 billion to its products segment performance compared to the second quarter. The company's refining indicator margin averaged $46.7 per barrel, up from $29.6 in the preceding period. These conditions strengthen the downstream business’ earnings outlook, despite expected throughput declining to 1.375-1.405 million barrels per day following the Gelsenkirchen divestment.
Gas Business Offers Additional Earnings Support for BP
The gas and low-carbon energy segment is expected to benefit from a $100-$300 million improvement in realizations compared with the previous quarter. Management anticipates significantly stronger gas marketing and trading results. These factors provide another source of earnings support as BP navigates changing commodity markets.
BP’s Upstream Volumes Remain Resilient
BP projects reported third-quarter upstream production of 2.190-2.240 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (MMBoe/d) compared with 2.201 MMBoe/d in the second quarter of 2026. The recovery from seasonal maintenance is expected to support production, partially offsetting the impact of reduced equity interests in Latin America and ongoing Middle East disruptions. Higher gas production helps offset softer oil production and lower operating volumes.
Lower Oil Prices Present an Offset for BP
Brent crude averaged $96.99 per barrel during the third quarter, down from $103.85 in the second quarter of 2026. BP expects this environment and changes in non-Henry Hub natural gas markers to weigh on oil production and operations realizations by $200-$400 million. The customer's business faces weaker fuel margins and higher base oil costs, underscoring the need for diversified earnings streams.
BP’s Investment Outlook Remains Balanced
Despite the positive outlook, BP's anticipated post-tax impairment charges of $3-$4.5 billion, primarily associated with its transition businesses, warrant investor attention. Although these charges are excluded from underlying replacement cost profit, they highlight challenges related to asset valuation.
However, stronger refining margins, improved gas trading performance and significant debt reduction are expected to strengthen BP's financial position and enhance its investment appeal. The upcoming third-quarter 2026 results and December strategy update will offer further insights into the company's growth prospects and capital allocation priorities.
BP’s Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
BP currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Other top-ranked stocks in the energy sector include Shell plc SHEL, Chevron Corporation CVX and Eni S.p.A. E. SHEL, CVX and E currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Like BP, Shell, Chevron and Eni operate across the upstream and downstream segments of the energy industry, making their business model sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices.
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BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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BP Unveils Q3'26 Outlook With Lower Debt & Stronger Refining Margins

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 6 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks and ETFs featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Palantir Technologies PLTR, BP BP and Quanta Services PWR
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Borrowing Costs at Two-Decade Highs: Global Week Ahead
What happens across this Global Week Ahead?
Global markets are starting to wake up to the reality of:
Borrowing costs at two-decade highs
Oil above $100 a barrel, and
Central bank rate hikes
These are heaping pressure on governments, investors and households, and eroding some of the AI-driven enthusiasm in equities.
Add to that:
Political turmoil in France
Rising government bond yields and FX volatility
A cloudy policy rate outlook, and
A major election in Brazil
There is plenty of room for surprises across this week.
Next are Reuters’ five world market themes, re-ordered for equity traders—
(1) Major FX trading pairs are breaking out of their summer hibernation.
Currency markets are breaking out of their summer hibernation, with the U.S. dollar set to gain and the euro set to struggle.
The dollar index, which tracks the U.S. currency against six others, is up for a third straight week, at its highest in 18 months, confounding bets that 2025's weakness would continue.
Helping are surging growth, high U.S. yields and elevated oil and gas prices — beneficial for an energy exporter, policy permitting.
The negatives elsewhere are as important; there are reasons to worry for the pound and yen, but the euro stands out.
Heavily indebted Eurozone bond markets, such as France, are blowing up, energy costs will weigh on growth, and the combination could limit rate rises.
Not surprisingly, the euro has fallen below $1.13 for the first time since May 2025, while volatility and bets on a steeper decline have picked up.
But in a sign of broader weakness, it has also fallen on the pound, the yen and the Swiss franc.
(2) September U.S. FOMC meeting minutes come out.
Investors will seek clues next week about the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates on the heels of the U.S. central bank's first rate hike in three years.
Minutes will be released on Wednesday that cover the Fed's meeting last month, when it raised rates for the first time since 2023 and suggested more monetary tightening would come before the year is out.
Fed Fund futures heading into the week suggested markets were leaning toward an expectation that the Fed would raise again at the next meeting in October, but such bets have cooled.
Data showed inflation rose less than expected in August, while New York Fed President John Williams said on Tuesday that the central bank had time to weigh economic data before deciding when to hike rates again.
(3) In Europe, watch France’s minority government and rising French bond yields.
France's beleaguered minority government has presented its 2027 budget bill, which could result in perhaps weeks of wrangling over spending cuts in a deeply divided parliament, just as opposition parties harden their positions before next year's presidential election.
The tension is palpable.
France's 10-year bond yield, trading near 5%, has hit its highest level since 2002.
On the streets, strikes by students and public sector workers against planned budget cuts aimed at easing pressure on public finances are gaining momentum.
France's debt as a share of economic output is at a record high of almost 120%. It plans to sell a record €340 billion in bonds next year.
With an election looming, market pain is getting worse. The Bank of France chief says the country cannot count on the ECB to fix France's debt problems.
That does not mean the ECB is not watching closely.
(4) On Thursday, two key macro readings land — from Japan.
Two key readouts on Thursday will offer a glimpse into how Japan Inc. is coping with the energy shock from the Middle East conflict and a weak yen.
First up is the Reuters Tankan, which mirrors the Bank of Japan's gauge of corporate sentiment and follows its July-September survey showing manufacturers more resilient than non-manufacturers.
The data will offer another clue on whether the BOJ will proceed with a back-to-back interest rate hike this month following September's 25-basis-point increase.
Later that day, the operator of the global Uniqlo clothing chain, Fast Retailing, reports annual results.
It serves as a bellwether for consumer spending in Japan and China.
While analysts expect another solid performance, investors will focus on its guidance and the impacts of rising energy costs and the weak yen on margins.
(5) On Sunday, Brazil held a national election.
Brazil went to the polls on Sunday in a vote that will show whether Latin America's biggest economy joins the rightward political shift seen across much of the region, or carves its own path.
Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was expected to ‌clinch a narrow lead in the first round. His challenger was Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, whose coup conviction after the 2022 election remains a rallying point for conservatives at home and abroad.
However, after voting, Flávio Bolsonaro is now the favorite to become Brazil’s next president after defying polls to take a commanding lead in the first round of voting in Sunday’s elections, heralding the prospect of a major political shake-up in Latin America’s largest country.
Bolsonaro, won 47 per cent of the vote compared with 45.2 per cent for leftwing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with almost all the ballots counted.
The two will contest a run-off on October 25th.
For investors, the stakes are high. Brazil's elevated interest rates have made the real a carry-trade darling, but they are also squeezing households and businesses and fueling concerns over growth.
Whoever wins, the next president inherits a fiscal headache and markets remain wary that either camp can put Brazil's rising debt burden on a more sustainable path.
Zacks #1 Rank (STRONG BUY) Stocks
Next, I picked three “hot” Zacks #1 (STRONG BUY) large-cap stocks.
(1) Palantir Technologies: This is a $190 a share tech growth stock, with a market cap of $456.7B
It is found in the Zacks Internet Software industry. The stock holds a Zacks Value score of F, a Zacks Growth score of B, and a Zacks Momentum score of C.
F12M P/E: 118.2.
Palantir Technologies builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community principally in the United States.
Palantir Technologies is based in Denver, Colorado.
(2) BP: This is a $44.50 a share oil & gas stock, with a market cap of $116.6B
It is found in Zacks Oil & Gas — Integrated International industry. The stock holds a Zacks Value score of A, a Zacks Growth score of B, and a Zacks Momentum score of B.
F12M P/E: 6.4.
BP has come a long way since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill incident in 2010, which followed the explosion on the British energy giant's Deepwater Horizon rig.
To combat its huge litigation expenses that stemmed from the disaster, the company embarked on a massive asset divestment program and relied significantly on debt capital. BP successfully settled all litigation with the relatively insignificant cash outlays remaining.
BP has been banking on its strong portfolio of upstream projects.
BP is also on track to capitalize on the global economy's transition to lower carbon fuels. The company has been investing in renewable energy business with a plan to ramp up capital spending for non-oil and gas business. In fact, BP has plans of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
Its reportable segments now are: Oil Production & Operations, Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Customers & Products and Rosneft.
It entered a non-binding MOU with Eni to combine their upstream portfolios into a joint venture in Angola.
(3) Quanta Services: This is a $663 a share Industrials stock, with a market cap of $99.6B
It is found in the Zacks Engineering – R&D Services industry. The stock holds a Zacks Value score of F, a Zacks Growth score of A, and a Zacks Momentum score of C.
F12M P/E: 39.7.
Quanta is a leading national provider of specialty contracting services, and one of the largest contractors serving the transmission and distribution sector of the North American electric utility industry.
Quanta has operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and other selected international markets.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Palantir Technologies, BP and Quanta

Key Points
BP has reportedly walked away from a deal to buy Devon Energy's Eagle Ford Shale assets, after expressing initial interest.
Devon Energy is being pressured by activist investor TOMS Capital to divest assets or sell itself.
BP has been reducing debt and making divestitures of its own in recent months.
Ultimately, BP may have decided that U.S. shale assets could be overpriced due to the war in Iran.
Energy investors were abuzz with this week's news that activist investors in Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) might push the company to sell off some of its assets, or even the entire company.
That buzz got even louder when BP (NYSE: BP) was rumored to be a potential buyer for one of Devon's shale assets.
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But today, in a move that sent Devon's shares downward, Reuters reported that BP apparently walked away from the deal. Here's what investors need to know.
Image source: Getty Images.
Devon faces sudden pressure to sell
TOMS Capital Investment Management, an activist hedge fund led by billionaire Noam Gottesman, took a sizable share in Devon at some point over the last three months. It now says it's one of the company's top-5 shareholders.
Since then, TOMS Capital has been pressuring Devon to either sell some of its assets or sell the entire company. In a letter to management earlier this month that was revealed on Wednesday, TOMS Capital suggested that Devon's recent merger with Coterra Energy resulted in a bloated, overly complex portfolio.
Pre-merger Devon already owned several assets in the Delaware Basin – a subsection of the Permian Basin in West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Coterra Energy brought additional Delaware Basin assets into the portfolio. The combined company now also operates in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale, South Texas' Eagle Ford Shale, Oklahoma's Anadarko Basin, the Williston Basin of North Dakota, and the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. That's a lot.
The TOMS Capital letter argues that such a fragmented portfolio has led Devon to trade at a valuation discount relative to its peers. Another of Devon's major investors, investment firm Kimmeridge, has expressed similar sentiments and publicly urged management to streamline the portfolio. However, Kimmeridge has stopped short of asking Devon to sell itself in its entirety, which TOMS Capital thinks is a viable alternative.
BP didn't close the deal
BP has had a turbulent recent history. It has had five CEOs since 2020.
Meg O'Neill, who stepped into the role in April, has refocused the business on oil and gas rather than green energy. During her tenure, BP has reportedly "entered the data room" for a handful of shale assets up for sale. Reportedly, Devon's Eagle Ford shale holdings were among them.
"Entering the data room" means officially expressing interest in buying an asset. While it doesn't require any commitment from the prospective buyer, it gives them access to confidential information about the asset so they can better evaluate the pros and cons of the deal.
Analysts at TPH Research suggested on Wednesday that Devon's Eagle Ford assets could be worth about $4.5 billion. But today, Reuters reported that BP had decided to walk away from the deal, citing confidential sources. When asked to comment, BP didn't confirm or deny the report, but issued a general statement alluding to its "commitment to maintaining capital discipline."
Here's what that means for Devon and for BP.
U.S. shale sales are tricky right now
BP already owns some U.S. shale assets in the Eagle Ford Shale and the nearby Permian and Haynesville Basins. While buying nearby Devon assets would make strategic sense, BP seems more focused on reducing debt and making its own divestments. But its comment about capital discipline suggests it was also concerned about overpaying.
U.S. shale is a valuable asset right now. It's located far from the turmoil of the Middle East, yet still benefits from current high global oil prices. But because it's unclear how long the war in Iran will last, it's impossible to know how long that elevated value will persist.
O'Neill may be reluctant to buy U.S. shale assets right now, knowing that if the war ends soon and global oil prices drop, the assets may drop sharply in value. In that case, she could be seen as having begun her tenure by overpaying for a middling asset, even as the company is actively trying to cut dead weight.
Devon losing a potential buyer suggests the company may have an unexpectedly difficult time meeting TOMS Capital's divestiture demands. After news broke of the failed deal today, Devon's stock slumped to close down 3.6%, while BP's stock was down 0.4% for the day.
It's a good reminder for investors to base their evaluation of a company on its current situation rather than on unverified rumors about a potential asset purchase or sale.
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BP Walked Away From a Potential $4.5 Billion Bet on Devon Energy's Eagle Ford Shale. Here's What It Means for BP and DVN Stock.

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 23, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses ExxonMobil Holdings Corp. XOM, Chevron Corp. CVX, BP plc BP and Eni SpA E.
Industry: Integrated Oil & Gas - International
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2993795/4-integrated-energy-stocks-to-benefit-from-industry-tailwinds
The crude pricing environment is highly promising for the integrated energy company's exploration and production operations. The integrated players also have a stable midstream business that generates cashflows during all the business cycles, thereby making the prospects of the Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry encouraging.
Due to their integrated business model, ExxonMobil Holdings Corp., Chevron Corp., BP plc and Eni SpA are well-positioned to make the most of the promising business environment.
About the Industry
The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry covers companies primarily involved in upstream, midstream and downstream operations. These companies have upstream businesses in the United States (including prolific shale plays and the deepwater Gulf of Mexico), Asia, South America, Africa, Australia and Europe. Midstream operations of energy companies entail transporting oil, natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products. In downstream businesses, the firms buy raw crude to produce refined petroleum products.
The companies' downstream activities involve chemical businesses that manufacture raw materials for making plastics. The integrated players are now gradually focusing on renewables, leading to the energy transition. The firms aim to lower emissions from operations and cut the carbon intensity of the products sold.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Industry
Favorable Oil Prices to Aid Cash Flows: West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude is hovering around the $90 per barrel mark. The oil price is significantly higher than the break-even prices of key resources in the United States, which is still promising for the exploration and production business of integrated players in the industry.
Sturdy Midstream Demand: With the possibility of upstream activities remaining advantageous, thanks to handsome commodity prices, oil and gas production is expected to stay healthy. This will likely boost the demand for pipeline and storage assets since more commodities will need to be transported and stored. Importantly, the midstream business has lower exposure to commodity price volatility since shippers generally book pipeline assets for the long term, thereby generating stable fee-based revenues.
Business Diversification: International integrated energy companies are gradually investing in the renewable business. Thus, by diversifying operations, companies will be able to capitalize on the mounting demand for cleaner energy.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bullish Prospects
The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry is part of the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank #77, which places it in the top 31% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to bet on or keep an eye on, let's take a look at the industry's recent stock market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Outperforms the S&P 500 & Sector
The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry has outperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector over the past year.
The industry has rallied 43.3% over this period compared with the S&P 500's surge of 15.8% and the broader sector's improvement of 31.6%.
Industry's Current Valuation
Since oil and gas companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) ratio. This is because the valuation metric takes not just equity into account but also the level of debt.
On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA, the industry is currently trading at 5.88X, lower than the S&P 500's 17.76X. It is also below the sector's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 5.97X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 7.43X and as low as 2.71X, with a median of 4.21X.
4 Integrated International Stocks to Gain
Eni expects its oil and gas production to grow about 4% annually through 2030, driven by new projects across Asia, Latin America and Africa. The company also has more projects lined up that can support growth beyond 2030. Eni currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
BP is an integrated energy giant and is well-positioned to capitalize on oil prices, which are still promising, through its upstream operations. Increasing global demand for LNG will continue to support natural gas. Therefore, BP, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), is well-positioned to benefit from the rising demand for clean energy. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
With upstream businesses contributing the most to its earnings, ExxonMobil's business outlook seems promising, thanks to handsome oil prices. Investors should also keep in mind that #3 Ranked XOM, has a strong balance sheet, on which it could rely during an unfavorable business environment. The debt to capitalization of ExxonMobil is at 13.73%, lower than the 36.4% of the industry's composite stocks. Coming to the integrated energy giant's dividend commitment story, over the past 43 years, ExxonMobil has been rewarding its shareholders with annual dividend hikes at an average rate of 5.8%.
Chevron is an integrated energy giant with a stable business model. In the Permian, the most prolific basin in the United States, CVX, with a Zacks Rank of 3, has a strong footprint. Also, the company has a strong balance sheet with significantly lower debt capital exposure than the industry's composite stocks.
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Media Contact
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800-767-3771 ext. 9339
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and Eni SpA

The crude pricing environment is highly promising for the integrated energy company’s exploration and production operations. The integrated players also have a stable midstream business that generates cashflows during all the business cycles, thereby making the prospects of the Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry encouraging.
Due to their integrated business model, ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation XOM, Chevron Corporation CVX, BP plc BP and Eni SpA E are well-positioned to make the most of the promising business environment.
About the Industry
The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry covers companies primarily involved in upstream, midstream and downstream operations. These companies have upstream businesses in the United States (including prolific shale plays and the deepwater Gulf of Mexico), Asia, South America, Africa, Australia and Europe. Midstream operations of energy companies entail transporting oil, natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products. In downstream businesses, the firms buy raw crude to produce refined petroleum products. The companies’ downstream activities involve chemical businesses that manufacture raw materials for making plastics. The integrated players are now gradually focusing on renewables, leading to the energy transition. The firms aim to lower emissions from operations and cut the carbon intensity of the products sold.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Industry
Favorable Oil Prices to Aid Cash Flows: West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude is hovering around the $90 per barrel mark. The oil price is significantly higher than the break-even prices of key resources in the United States, which is still promising for the exploration and production business of integrated players in the industry.
Sturdy Midstream Demand: With the possibility of upstream activities remaining advantageous, thanks to handsome commodity prices, oil and gas production is expected to stay healthy. This will likely boost the demand for pipeline and storage assets since more commodities will need to be transported and stored. Importantly, the midstream business has lower exposure to commodity price volatility since shippers generally book pipeline assets for the long term, thereby generating stable fee-based revenues.
Business Diversification: International integrated energy companies are gradually investing in the renewable business. Thus, by diversifying operations, companies will be able to capitalize on the mounting demand for cleaner energy.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bullish Prospects
The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry is part of the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank #77, which places it in the top 31% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to bet on or keep an eye on, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Outperforms the S&P 500 & Sector
The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry has outperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector over the past year.
The industry has rallied 43.3% over this period compared with the S&P 500’s surge of 15.8% and the broader sector’s improvement of 31.6%.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry's Current Valuation
Since oil and gas companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) ratio. This is because the valuation metric takes not just equity into account but also the level of debt.
On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA, the industry is currently trading at 5.88X, lower than the S&P 500’s 17.76X. It is also below the sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 5.97X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 7.43X and as low as 2.71X, with a median of 4.21X.
Trailing 12-Month EV/EBITDA Ratio
4 Integrated International Stocks to Gain
Eni expects its oil and gas production to grow about 4% annually through 2030, driven by new projects across Asia, Latin America and Africa. The company also has more projects lined up that can support growth beyond 2030. Eni currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Price and Consensus: E
BP is an integrated energy giant and is well-positioned to capitalize on oil prices, which are still promising, through its upstream operations. Increasing global demand for LNG will continue to support natural gas. Therefore, BP, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), is well-positioned to benefit from the rising demand for clean energy. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Price and Consensus: BP
With upstream businesses contributing the most to its earnings, ExxonMobil’s business outlook seems promising, thanks to handsome oil prices. Investors should also keep in mind that #3 Ranked XOM, has a strong balance sheet, on which it could rely during an unfavorable business environment. The debt to capitalization of ExxonMobil is at 13.73%, lower than the 36.4% of the industry’s composite stocks. Coming to the integrated energy giant’s dividend commitment story, over the past 43 years, ExxonMobil has been rewarding its shareholders with annual dividend hikes at an average rate of 5.8%.
Price and Consensus: XOM
Chevron is an integrated energy giant with a stable business model. In the Permian, the most prolific basin in the United States, CVX, with a Zacks Rank of 3, has a strong footprint. Also, the company has a strong balance sheet with significantly lower debt capital exposure than the industry’s composite stocks.
Price and Consensus: CVX
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4 Integrated Energy Stocks to Benefit From Industry Tailwinds

BP p.l.c. BP has agreed to sell a further 5% interest in the Browse Project in Western Australia to Osaka Gas Browse, reducing its working interest to 34.33%. The transaction remains subject to regulatory and joint-venture approvals and gives BP another partner as the project advances toward front-end engineering and design and environmental approvals.
Browse Remains a Long-Term Gas Opportunity
The proposed Browse to North West Shelf Project is aimed at producing gas from Australia’s largest undeveloped offshore gas resource and processing it through the existing Karratha Gas Plant. BP and its partners continue to see long-term value in Browse, particularly in supporting energy security across Australia and the wider region.
By reducing its ownership rather than exiting Browse, BP retains meaningful exposure to the project while sharing future investment requirements and project risks with Osaka Gas.
Stake Sale Fits BP’s Debt-Reduction Push
The transaction also aligns with BP’s broader emphasis on portfolio optimization and balance-sheet discipline. Management has targeted net debt of $14-$18 billion by the end of 2027, with asset divestments playing an important role in deleveraging. BP has also outlined a $20-billion divestment program through 2027.
Management has previously stressed that proceeds from asset sales, alongside stronger operating cash flow, are central to reducing leverage. The latest Browse deal reinforces that approach by monetizing part of an asset while preserving BP’s participation in its longer-term development.
What the Deal Means for BP Investors
The transaction demonstrates BP’s effort to balance upstream growth with tighter capital allocation. Bringing Osaka Gas in for an additional 5% interest also spreads future funding requirements and development risk across a broader partner base.
The transaction’s direct financial impact will depend on the undisclosed sale proceeds and completion of the required approvals. The deal aligns with BP’s strategy of high-grading its portfolio, strengthening its balance sheet, and directing capital toward assets management views as offering attractive returns.
BP’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
BP currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
BP’s decision to retain a 34.33% interest in the Browse Project preserves its exposure to long-term natural gas development. At the same time, its broader upstream operations also provide exposure to crude oil production. With commodity prices offering a supportive backdrop, investors may also consider Baker Hughes Company BKR, Oceaneering International, Inc. OII and Drilling Tools International Corporation DTI, which supply equipment, technologies and services to energy producers.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil is trading above the $95-per-barrel mark, according to Oilprice.com. Higher crude prices are expected to encourage producers to sustain drilling, development and offshore activity, supporting demand for oilfield equipment, drilling technologies and related services.
Baker Hughes provides equipment, technologies and services across the global energy industry, giving the company exposure to upstream investment as well as natural gas and LNG infrastructure. BKR currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
Oceaneering International provides engineered services and products primarily to offshore energy markets. Higher offshore spending and project activity are likely to boost demand for OII’s subsea and remotely operated vehicle services. OII currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Drilling Tools International provides downhole drilling tools and related services used in oil and natural gas development. Sustained upstream activity may increase utilization and demand for DTI’s equipment. DTI currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
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BP Trims Browse Stake as Portfolio Discipline Takes Center Stage

Key Points
EQT is the country's only large-scale, vertically integrated natural gas producer.
It also has an investment-grade balance sheet.
The company can generate more durable cash flows than its peers, with significant upside from growing gas demand.
EQT (NYSE: EQT) is my pick for the best natural gas stock to buy for 2027 and beyond. It's the only large-scale, vertically integrated natural gas producer in the U.S., enabling it to combine low-cost production with owned midstream infrastructure, a critical competitive advantage. It can produce durable cash flows at lower prices, with significant upside to higher prices, a profile its rivals can't match.
Here's more about why I think EQT is the top natural gas stock to buy.
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What makes a natural gas stock the best?
A top natural gas stock typically combines four crucial features:
A low-cost resource base.
Control over, or access to, infrastructure to deliver its gas to premium markets.
A durable balance sheet that can withstand lower prices.
Exposure to growing demand.
EQT checks every box. It's the country's lowest-cost producer thanks to its premier resource position in the Appalachian basin and vertically integrated operations. The company has extensive owned midstream infrastructure, including gathering and transmission pipelines, processing assets, and storage capacity. EQT has an investment-grade balance sheet, with steadily falling debt. Finally, the gas giant has exposure to several structural mega-trends driving gas demand, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and AI power.
What makes EQT stand out from other natural gas producers?
The biggest thing that sets EQT apart from other natural gas producers is its vertically integrated business model. The company became the only vertically integrated gas producer in 2024 when it completed its transformational acquisition of Equitrans Midstream (recombining with a company it previously spun off in 2018). Its infrastructure features about 1,250 miles of natural gas transmission pipelines, including an interest in the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) system, which transports gas from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. EQT's ownership in transmission pipelines provides it with direct access to premium markets.
EQT's integration puts it in a stronger strategic position to capitalize on growth trends. For example, it recently signed a premium power supply deal with Competitive Power Ventures to deliver 325,000 Dth/d of gas to the CPV Shay Energy Center in West Virginia at PJM-linked pricing, substantially higher than in-basin pricing. Meanwhile, it has signed several LNG offtake agreements for various Gulf Coast LNG export facilities at higher prices than the current market level. Its integration also provides it with unique investment opportunities. EQT recently bought Blackline Midstream, which consists of two propane storage and distribution terminals in New England, at a strong 20% free cash flow yield.
How does EQT compare to other natural gas producers?
EQT faces significant competition in the natural gas sector. It's not the biggest player in the industry, as Expand Energy (NASDAQ: EXE) is America's largest gas producer. The company, created by the merger of Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy, operates in the Appalachian basin and Haynesville. Expand is also about to become an integrated natural gas company after completing its acquisition of Twin Eagle, a leading gas marketer. However, Expand only owns transmission pipeline rights, not interests in gas pipelines.
Meanwhile, other large U.S. energy producers are either more oil-focused (e.g., BP and ConocoPhillips) or lack the scale, vertical integration, and financial strength of EQT (e.g., Range Resources and Antero Resources). EQT's combination of low-cost resources, integration, and balance sheet strength gives it peer-leading free cash flow durability. For example, it can produce $10 billion in cumulative free cash flow from 2026 to 2030 at $2.75 per MMBtu, a level that's closer to breakeven for several peers.
What are the risks of buying EQT stock?
EQT's vertical integration and balance sheet strength make it one of the lowest-risk natural gas stocks. However, it does face risks. Gas price volatility is one of the biggest. If gas tumbles below an average of $2 per MMBtu, EQT wouldn't generate any free cash flow this year.
The company also faces permitting risk for key infrastructure. For example, it has faced delays in building and expanding MVP. It also signed an LNG deal with Energy Transfer for its proposed Lake Charles LNG terminal, which the midstream giant has since suspended developing due to permitting delays.
EQT is the top natural gas stock
If you're looking for a natural gas producer heading into 2027, EQT's combination of integration, low costs, balance sheet strength, and visible growth drivers makes it the top choice. It should produce durable, growing free cash flow over the next few years, driven by power and LNG contracts rather than higher prices. The company's combination of resiliency at lower prices and upside to higher prices makes it the best natural gas producer to buy.
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My Top Natural Gas Stock Pick for 2027 and Beyond: EQT Corporation

Chevron Corporation CVX is gaining a fresh fundamental tailwind as oil-market conditions tighten and management warns that previously available supply buffers have largely been exhausted. Speaking at an energy conference at the University of Texas at Austin on Sept. 11, Chevron’s CEO Mike Wirth said that depleted global crude oil buffers could push oil prices higher in the coming months. Brent crude ended the week at $104.61 per barrel, while WTI settled at $100.05, highlighting the stronger commodity backdrop.
That environment is important for CVX because it is entering the potential oil-price upswing with record production, strong cash generation and improved balance-sheet flexibility.
Strong Production Could Amplify Higher Oil Prices
Chevron's second-quarter results already demonstrated the benefit of stronger commodity prices and higher volumes. Worldwide production increased 20% year over year to 4.07 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, while upstream earnings surged to $8.2 billion from $2.7 billion a year earlier.
CVX also generated $15.4 billion of adjusted free cash flow during the quarter and reduced total debt by a record $8.4 billion. This gives CVX greater financial flexibility to invest in production while maintaining shareholder returns.
One-Year Share-Price Performance — CVX, XOM & BP
The one-year share-price comparison shows that CVX has underperformed ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation XOM but slightly outperformed BP BP. CVX’s shares have risen 36.1% over the past 12 months, compared with 47.8% for XOM and 34.8% for BP. This indicates that CVX has delivered better share-price performance than BP but has trailed XOM over the period. The relative underperformance against XOM could leave room for catch-up if higher oil prices translate into stronger earnings expectations.
Rising Earnings Estimates Add to the Bull Case
A particularly positive signal for CVX is the improvement in the consensus earnings expectations.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate trend for CVX's EPS has increased 18.18% for 2026 and 14.62% for 2027. The current consensus estimate stands at $16.51 for 2026 and $14.66 per share for 2027. This upward revision trend suggests analysts are becoming more constructive about CVX's earnings outlook.
CVX, XOM and BP P/E Ratio
Valuation presents a more mixed picture for CVX. The chart shows CVX trading at a P/E ratio of 14.07, broadly in line with XOM at 14.04. BP trades at a considerably lower P/E of 8.36. Thus, Chevron's valuation is essentially in line with ExxonMobil Holdings but carries a substantial premium to BP. The premium valuation could be justified by CVX's improving production profile, strong cash generation and upward earnings-estimate revisions, but it also leaves less room for valuation-driven upside compared with BP.
ExxonMobil Holdings remains a formidable competitor, with record production and a large global upstream portfolio. BP, meanwhile, offers investors exposure to the integrated oil and gas business but trades at a significantly lower earnings multiple. This makes the valuation comparison less favorable for CVX against BP, even though the former's recent earnings-estimate revisions provide a positive fundamental differentiator.
Is CVX Set for More Upside?
The setup for CVX is increasingly constructive. Higher oil prices, record production, strong free cash flow, lower debt and rising earnings estimates provide several potential catalysts. CVX's Hess integration is also strengthening its production base, while management has already achieved $1.5 billion of annual run-rate synergies ahead of schedule. The primary risk is that today's elevated oil prices are heavily influenced by geopolitical disruptions. A normalization of supply could quickly reverse some of the commodity-price gains.
Overall, CVX appears positioned for further upside, but its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) suggests investors should balance the attractive fundamentals against commodity-price and geopolitical risks. CVX's one-year share-price performance has been stronger than BP's but weaker than XOM's, while its upward earnings-estimate revisions provide a positive fundamental catalyst. However, CVX's valuation is broadly in line with XOM and significantly above BP's, limiting the margin of safety. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Chevron Sees Higher Oil Prices Ahead: Is It Set for More Upside?

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, September 14:
BP p.l.c. BP: This company that engages in the energy business worldwide carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 32.4% over the last 60 days.
BP p.l.c. Price and Consensus
BP has a PEG ratio of 0.54 compared with 0.71 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.
BP p.l.c. PEG Ratio (TTM)
National Energy Services Reunited Corp. NESR: This oilfield services company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 6.4% over the last 60 days.
National Energy Services Reunited Price and Consensus
NESR has a PEG ratio of 0.32 compared with 0.58 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.
National Energy Services Reunited PEG Ratio (TTM)
Centene Corporation CNC: This managed care company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 40.9% over the last 60 days.
Centene Corporation Price and Consensus
Centene has a PEG ratio of 0.42 compared with 1.45 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.
Centene Corporation PEG Ratio (TTM)
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.
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Best Growth Stocks to Buy for September 14th

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 11, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation XOM, BP plc BP and Chevron CVX.
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
ExxonMobil Stocks at Premium: Opportunity or Reason to Stay Focused?
ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation is trading at a premium, meaning investors are willing to pay more for the stock. On a relative basis, the stock is trading at a 9.16x trailing 12-month Enterprise Value to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA), which is a premium compared with the broader industry average of 5.89x. BP plc and Chevron are trading at 2.93x and 8.04x, respectively.
Given that the integrated energy giant is trading at a premium, what should investors do now? Before getting into it, let’s delve into the company’s fundamentals and overall business environment.
High Oil Price a Boon to XOM’s Operations?
West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude is trading at more than the $95-per-barrel mark. The high prices are being driven by intensifying conflicts in the Middle East. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) in its latest short-term energy outlook projected WTI at $84.65 per barrel this year, higher than $65.40 last year. A highly favorable oil pricing environment is likely to continue supporting ExxonMobil’s exploration and production activities, similar to BP and Chevron.
Importantly, upstream operations generate the majority of earnings for XOM. The company has a massive footprint in the Permian, the most prolific oil and gas play in the United States, and offshore Guyana. In the Permian, the integrated giant has been employing new drilling techniques and artificial intelligence to boost and optimize production volumes at lower cost structures.
In Guyana, XOM has made several oil and gas discoveries, further highlighting its solid production outlook. Robust production from both assets has been aiding its top and bottom lines. In both resources, the breakeven costs are low.
XOM’s Solid Balance & Dividend Commitment
Investors should also keep in mind that XOM has a strong balance sheet that can support it during an unfavorable business environment. The debt-to-capitalization of ExxonMobil is 13.73%, significantly lower than 28.51% of the industry’s composite stocks.
Coming to the integrated energy giant’s dividend commitment story, over the past 43 years, ExxonMobil has been rewarding shareholders with annual dividend hikes at an average rate of 5.8%.
What Should Investors Do Now?
The positive developments are reflected in the price chart. In the past year, XOM has jumped 46%, outpacing the industry’s 45.1% growth. BP and CVX, two other integrated players in the same space, have gained 31.4% and 35.5%, respectively.
Despite all the positive developments and elevated crude prices, it might not be the ideal time for investors to bet on ExxonMobil, as its valuation appears pricey. However, those who have already invested may hold the stock, which currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Periodand min./max. price, $	Price change, %		Volatility, %		Volume, $
Periodand min./max. price, $	BP	Industry	BP	Industry	Volume, $
Yesterday 48.9 - 51.3	4.18	3.37	3.92	0.83	—
Week 48.9 - 51.5	2.05	8.53	4.11	4.30	2.61B
Month 43.4 - 51.5	13.29	12.31	6.11	7.03	10.84B
3 Months 41.2 - 51.5	19.86	7.25	13.02	12.65	24.30B
6 Months 36.0 - 51.5	9.14	4.59	21.48	29.52	42.07B
Year 33.2 - 51.5	46.46	26.17	29.99	36.93	85.50B
3 years 25.2 - 51.5	29.66	158.34	46.72	56.96	205.86B
5 years 25.2 - 51.5	74.27	42.20	64.63	74.30	356.13B
All time 14.7 - 79.8	-30.46	43.16	—	—	342.99B

BP p.l.c.

Price and volatility history

Risk ratios