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.

Компания BP демонстрирует смешанную фундаментальную картину. С одной стороны, мультипликатор P/E значительно выше медианы отрасли, что может указывать на переоцененность акций. С другой стороны, прогнозы по EPS и фактические показатели прибыли остаются на высоком уровне, что позитивно. Уровень долговой нагрузки (debt-to-equity) превышает средние значения по отрасли, что создает дополнительные риски. Дивидендная доходность на уровне 1.31 также является положительным фактором, но снижается по сравнению с предыдущими периодами. Операционные маржи и чистая прибыль остаются ниже медианных значений, что указывает на проблемы с эффективностью. В то же время, выручка и EBITDA показывают устойчивый рост, что поддерживает положительный взгляд на финансовое состояние компании. Таким образом, BP сталкивается с вызовами, которые могут повлиять на дальнейший рост и стабильность акций, что требует осторожности со стороны инвесторов при принятии решений.

BP p.l.c.

Chevron Corporation CVX has reaffirmed its commitment to responsible offshore development through its participation in the latest lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. The auction, conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, attracted several major industry players, including BP p.l.c. BP, Shell plc SHEL, Woodside Energy, LLOG Exploration and Anadarko, which placed high bids totaling $46.98 million in the Gulf of Mexico drilling rights sale held on Wednesday.
Chevron submitted successful bids for three offshore blocks, with total high bids nearing $11.5 million. The company’s participation highlights its continued focus on high-quality deepwater opportunities that support long-term energy supply and value creation.
A Strategic Basin for Chevron
For Chevron, the Gulf of Mexico remains one of the most important regions in its global portfolio. The basin offers large-scale resources along with some of the lowest carbon-intensity barrels in the company’s upstream operations.
Technological advances, improved project execution and strong safety performance have strengthened the competitiveness of deepwater development. These factors allow Chevron to efficiently bring new resources online while maintaining disciplined capital investment.
The region also benefits from a more predictable offshore leasing framework and competitive royalty structures, providing the regulatory clarity needed for long-term offshore investments.
Deepwater Resources Remain Essential
Although onshore shale production has grown rapidly in recent years, deepwater resources continue to play a critical role in supporting U.S. energy supply. Large offshore discoveries typically deliver long-life production, helping stabilize output and strengthen domestic energy security.
Chevron sees the Gulf of Mexico as a key contributor to meeting future energy demand while maintaining operational efficiency and environmental performance. Investments in the basin align with the company’s strategy to develop advantaged assets that can generate strong returns across market cycles.
Industry Participation in the Auction
The lease sale drew bids from several major energy companies. According to a livestreamed U.S. government auction, a single bid from BP accounted for nearly half of the total amount, which is considered the largest individual bid amounting to $21 million for a block in the Green Canyon area.
Shell also delivered a strong showing in the Gulf lease sale, underscoring its focus on responsible resource development and a lower-carbon future.
However, the industry participation was lower than in the previous Gulf sale, as out of the 15,000 blocks offered by the U.S. BOEM, only 25 attracted bids, which is significantly lower than the 181 blocks that received bids in the Gulf lease sale held in December 2025.
The auction still represents part of a long-term offshore leasing strategy supported by the administration of Donald Trump. The U.S. government plans to hold multiple lease sales in the region through 2040 to maintain steady development of offshore resources.
Chevron’s Long-Term Commitment
Chevron’s participation in the lease sale underscores its continued confidence in the Gulf of Mexico as a strategic energy hub. By securing additional exploration acreage, the company aims to expand its deepwater portfolio while supporting a reliable energy supply for the United States.
As offshore opportunities evolve, Chevron, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), remains focused on deploying advanced technology, maintaining industry-leading safety standards and responsibly developing resources that deliver long-term value for shareholders and the broader energy system.
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Chevron Expands Gulf of Mexico Presence With Latest Lease Sale

The NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator is down -35.8 to 24,920.67. The total Pre-Market volume is currently 113,320,486 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the pre-market session:
Oracle Corporation (ORCL) is +15.34 at $164.74, with 2,986,117 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for ORCL is in the "buy range".
NIO Inc. (NIO) is -0.1213 at $5.58, with 2,825,931 shares traded. NIO's current last sale is 89.26% of the target price of $6.25.
Nokia Corporation (NOK) is -0.03 at $7.77, with 1,063,675 shares traded. NOK's current last sale is 100.52% of the target price of $7.73.
Circle Internet Group, Inc. (CRCL) is +1.99 at $120.08, with 730,861 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Sep 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.22. CRCL's current last sale is 122.53% of the target price of $98.
BP p.l.c. (BP) is +0.74 at $40.68, with 575,894 shares traded. BP's current last sale is 105.66% of the target price of $38.5.
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS) is -0.309 at $23.16, with 569,979 shares traded. HIMS's current last sale is 96.5% of the target price of $24.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Pre-Market Most Active for Mar 11, 2026 : ORCL, NIO, NOK, CRCL, BP, HIMS

Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM has jumped 37.8% over the past year, outpacing the 33.2% growth of the industry’s composite stocks, and 27.1% and 22.9% improvements of BP plc BP and Chevron Corporation CVX, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The outperformance might reflect strong market confidence in ExxonMobil’s prospects, especially when the pricing scenario of oil is extremely favorable. However, for investment conclusions, one should have a thorough assessment of the company’s fundamentals, growth potential and prevailing market conditions.
High Oil Price & XOM’s Key Upstream Assets
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is trading at more than $85 per barrel, according to data from oilprice.com, owing to the ongoing war in the Middle East. With XOM generating the maximum proportion of earnings from upstream operations, the crude pricing environment is highly favorable for XOM, like other integrated energy majors, such as BP and CVX.
To have a glimpse of its upstream assets, XOM has a strong 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 lightweight proppant technology and hence has been capable of boosting its well recoveries by up to as much as 20%.
In Guyana, XOM has made several oil and gas discoveries, further highlighting its solid production outlook. Record production from both resources has been aiding its top and bottom lines. In both resources, the breakeven costs are low.
In its recent corporate plan update, ExxonMobil projects its total production from upstream operations to increase to 5.5 million oil equivalent barrels per day by the end of this decade. The energy behemoth added that its advantageous assets, which include the Permian, Guyana and LNG, will be responsible for 65% of the total volumes.
ExxonMobil’s Strong Balance Sheet
ExxonMobil’s strong balance sheet is also worth mentioning. The company’s debt-to-capitalization of 14.04% is lower than the industry’s 29.2%. Thus, when the business environment turns uncertain, the company can rely on its balance sheet to keep its operations going.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The integrated major, owing to its strong operations, is likely to continue rewarding investors with dividends. Over the past 43 years, the company has raised its dividend per share at an average annual rate of 5.8%.
What to Do With the Stock Now?
Coming to the valuation story, XOM is currently considered expensive on a relative basis, with the stock trading at a 9.70x 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 6.08x. XOM is also expensive compared to other integrated giants like BP, currently trading at about 3.30x trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA. Chevron, however, trades at 9.87x and is hence more expensive.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Thus, although XOM’s long-term outlook appears promising, it is overvalued, so now is not the right time to invest in 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. Those who have already invested should hold the stock.
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High Oil Prices & a 38% 1-Year Rally: Is ExxonMobil a Buy?

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 10, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares Hershey HSY as the Bull of the Day and Eagle Materials EXP as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on —Chevron Corp. CVXCVX, BP plc BP and Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM.
Here is a synopsis of all three stocks:
The Hershey Company, a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America as well as a global leader in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery. The company also manufactures pantry items like baking ingredients, toppings and beverages; gum and mint refreshment products; and snack bites and mixes, as well as spreads.
The stock is displaying relative strength and has been making a series of 52-week highs. The price movement is a sign of strength as we head further into the new year. Increasing volume has attracted investor attention as buying pressure accumulates in this top-ranked stock.
The lifeblood of a bull market is rotation, or the passing of the baton from one group to the next. With every year comes a different market theme. It’s our job to identify that theme as early as possible and position our portfolios to benefit from it. This year’s market action has witnessed a notable rotation in industry strength.
Hershey is part of the Zacks Food – Confectionery industry group, which currently ranks in the top 2% out of more than 250 industries. Because this group is ranked in the top half of all Zacks Ranked Industries, we expect it to outperform the market over the next 3 to 6 months, just as it has so far this year:
Historical research studies suggest that approximately half of a stock’s price appreciation is due to its industry grouping. In fact, the top 50% of Zacks Ranked Industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
It’s no secret that investing in stocks that are part of leading industry groups can give us a leg up relative to the market. By focusing on leading stocks within the top industries, we can dramatically improve our stock-picking success.
Company Description
Founded in 1894, Hershey provides its products under numerous recognized brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Jolly Rancher, barkTHINS, Twizzlers, SkinnyPop, and Pirates Booty, as well as many others. Hershey’s portfolio of iconic brands remains a core competitive advantage, supporting pricing power and category leadership.
The iconic American heritage brand markets and sells its products to wholesale distributors, chain grocery and drug stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, and department stores. It exports its products in approximately 65 countries worldwide.
Hershey continues to showcase the resilience of its brands and business model, even amid elevated cocoa and input cost pressures. Its strong pricing actions, deep retail connections and leadership in confectionery provide a stable revenue base, while its budding salty snacks portfolio expands its reach across the broader snacking category.
The global confectionery powerhouse reported strong growth in its North America Salty Snacks business during the fourth quarter of last year. Segment sales increased 28% year-over-year to $357 million during the quarter, backed by contributions from the LesserEvil acquisition as well as organic constant currency sales growth of 18.2%. Management has indicated a robust innovation pipeline extending into 2027, spanning both salty snacks and chocolate.
Earnings Trends and Future Estimates
Hershey has established an impressive reporting history, surpassing earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters. The company most recently delivered fourth-quarter earnings back in February of $1.71 per share, which marked a 22.1% surprise over the $1.40/share consensus estimate.
The innovator of everyday treats delivered a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 17.2%. Consistently beating earnings estimates is a recipe for success.
Analysts covering HSY are in agreement and have raised full-year EPS estimates by 18.09% in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate now stands at $8.16/share, reflecting potential growth of nearly 30% relative to last year.
Let’s Get Technical
This market leader has seen its stock advance more than 20% already this year, all while the general market struggles to gain traction. Only stocks that are in extremely powerful uptrends are able to experience this type of outperformance. This is the kind of stock we want to include in our portfolio – one that is trending well and receiving positive earnings estimate revisions.
Notice how both the 50-day (blue line) and 200-day (red line) moving averages are sloping up. The stock has been making a series of higher highs throughout the past year. With both strong fundamental and technical indicators, HSY stock is poised to continue its outperformance.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. As we know, Hershey has recently witnessed positive revisions. As long as this trend remains intact (and HSY continues to deliver earnings beats), the stock will likely continue its bullish run.
Bottom Line
Backed by a leading industry group and history of earnings beats, it’s not difficult to see why HSY stock is a compelling investment. Robust fundamentals combined with an appealing technical trend certainly justify adding shares to the mix.
Hershey continues to strengthen its cost structure through multi-year operational initiatives aimed at modernizing manufacturing, procurement and supply-chain planning. Promising sales trends point to continued growth ahead.
Recent positive earnings estimate revisions should also serve to create a ‘floor’ in terms of any sudden or unexpected downside moves. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to put HSY on your shortlist.
Eagle Materials is a supplier of construction materials in the United States. The company produces and supplies cement, concrete and aggregates, gypsum wallboard, and recycled paperboard. Operating via a vertically integrated business model, its products are used in commercial and residential construction across the country including builders, contractors, and infrastructure projects.
Key challenges remain for Eagle in 2026. Its wallboard business has been struggling lately due to slow housing activity. Wallboard volumes fell about 14% year-over-year in fiscal Q3, with prices dropping 5% amid price pressures. This is the company’s key exposure to housing starts, which remain challenged by high rates and affordability issues. The broader housing recovery is dependent on lower mortgage rates, which may remain elevated given lingering inflation.
Eagle operates in a highly cyclical business that is tied to residential housing and broader construction spending. As we’ll see, analysts have been cutting earnings estimates lately, putting downward pressure on the stock. Economic slowdowns or delays in infrastructure projects could exacerbate this pressure.
In addition, margins are experiencing compression as input costs remain volatile. The lack of growth potential in the year ahead simply doesn’t warrant a bullish stance.
The Zacks Rundown
A Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock, Eagle Materials is a component of the Building Products – Concrete and Aggregates industry group, which currently ranks in the bottom 15% out of approximately 250 Zacks Ranked Industries. As such, we expect this industry group as a whole to underperform the market over the next 3 to 6 months, just as it has over the past month:
Stocks in the bottom tiers of industries can often be intriguing short candidates. While individual stocks have the ability to outperform even when they’re part of a lagging industry, the inclusion in a weaker group serves as a headwind for any potential rallies and the journey forward is that much more difficult.
EXP shares have widely underperformed the market over the past year. The lack of participation in the latest bull market signals caution ahead.
History of Earnings Misses & Deteriorating Outlook
Eagle Materials missed the earnings mark in three of the past four quarters. In its latest quarterly report, the company missed EPS estimates by 3% with flat overall revenue. This triggered cuts to forward guidance, contributing to fading earnings momentum and a lower Zacks Rank.
During the fiscal third quarter, earnings fell 10.3% from the year-ago period, while the top line also declined year-over-year. Consistently falling short of projections is a recipe for underperformance, and EXP is no exception.
The construction materials supplier has been on the receiving end of negative earnings estimate revisions as of late. Looking into the fiscal fourth quarter, analysts cut estimates by 17.68% in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate is now $1.49 per share, translating to a 28.4% decline relative to the same period in the prior year. Revenues are anticipated to drop nearly 2% during the quarter to $461.6 million.
Falling earnings estimates are a huge red flag and need to be respected. Negative growth year-over-year is the type of trend that bears like to see.
Technical Outlook
As illustrated below, EXP stock is in a sustained downtrend. Notice how the stock has been widely underperforming the major indices. Also note that shares are trading below downward-sloping 50-day (blue line) and 200-day (red line) moving averages – another good sign for the bears.
The lack of buying pressure is a sign that this stock should be avoided. Shares would have to make an outsized move to the upside and show increasing earnings estimate revisions to warrant taking any long positions. The stock has fallen nearly 16% in the past six months alone.
Final Thoughts
A deteriorating fundamental and technical backdrop show that this stock is not set to make its way to new highs anytime soon. The fact that EXP stock is included in one of the worst-performing industry groups adds yet another headwind to a long list of concerns.
A shaky earnings history and falling future earnings estimates will likely serve as a ceiling to any potential rallies, nurturing the stock’s downtrend.
Potential investors may want to give this stock the cold shoulder, or perhaps include it as part of a short or hedge strategy. Bulls will want to steer clear of EXP until the situation shows major signs of improvement.
Additional content:
Oil Prices Jump on Geopolitical Tensions: 3 Energy Stocks to Watch
Global oil prices have rallied in the past week owing to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran has effectively blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most crucial oil chokepoints globally, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In fact, approximately one-fifth of the world’s total oil and gas supply moves through the strait. Furthermore, the geopolitical situation has also prompted several oil-producing companies in the Middle East to curb their production levels.
Initially, this year, oil prices were expected to reach as low as below $55 per barrel, per data from the U.S. EIA. However, the recent conflict in the Middle East and the damage to oil production infrastructure, along with the disruption of oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, have rattled global commodity markets, with oil prices surging to nearly $100 per barrel.
The tightening of global crude oil supplies is expected to keep oil prices in the bullish territory, thereby aiding many global upstream producers, including Chevron Corp., BP plc and Exxon Mobil Corp. In the past month, CVX shares have risen 4.6%, while XOM has gained 0.9% and BP has increased 9.6%. All three companies currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Upstream Producers to Gain: CVX, BP, XOM
Chevron has an unmatched portfolio of high-quality assets in the Permian Basin that continues to drive peer-leading organic growth. Furthermore, the company has a global presence and key international assets as well, which include premium assets in Guyana, Bakken, and the Gulf of America, from the Hess acquisition in 2025. Thus, Chevron’s upstream segment should benefit from rising crude oil prices, enhancing earnings and free cash flow.
BP plc is taking significant strides towards increasing its upstream production. The company started seven major upstream projects in 2025, with several more expected to start in 2026 and 2027. BP’s upstream activities have substantial exposure to rising oil prices and are expected to support higher profits and cash flows.
ExxonMobil stands out among other industry majors due to its strong upstream presence, with more than 50% of its oil and gas production coming from high-return, advantaged assets with low production costs. These high-return assets, including its Guyana and Permian Basin resources, provide a competitive edge over other players and secure a robust production outlook as the company continues to grow total production from them.
In fact, the company has mentioned that it intends to grow its upstream production to 5.5 million oil equivalent barrels per day by 2030. XOM’s advantaged assets are characterized by low break-even costs that will allow the energy giant to generate high profits and cash flows in a rising oil price environment.
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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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Hershey and Eagle Materials have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

Global oil prices have rallied in the past week owing to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran has effectively blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most crucial oil chokepoints globally, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In fact, approximately one-fifth of the world’s total oil and gas supply moves through the strait. Furthermore, the geopolitical situation has also prompted several oil-producing companies in the Middle East to curb their production levels.
Initially, this year, oil prices were expected to reach as low as below $55 per barrel, per data from the U.S. EIA. However, the recent conflict in the Middle East and the damage to oil production infrastructure, along with the disruption of oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, have rattled global commodity markets, with oil prices surging to nearly $100 per barrel. The tightening of global crude oil supplies is expected to keep oil prices in the bullish territory, thereby aiding many global upstream producers, including Chevron Corporation CVX, BP plc BP and Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM. In the past month, CVX shares have risen 4.6%, while XOM has gained 0.9% and BP has increased 9.6%. All three companies currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Upstream Producers to Gain: CVX, BP, XOM
Chevron has an unmatched portfolio of high-quality assets in the Permian Basin that continues to drive peer-leading organic growth. Furthermore, the company has a global presence and key international assets as well, which include premium assets in Guyana, Bakken, and the Gulf of America, from the Hess acquisition in 2025. Thus, Chevron’s upstream segment should benefit from rising crude oil prices, enhancing earnings and free cash flow.
BP plc is taking significant strides towards increasing its upstream production. The company started seven major upstream projects in 2025, with several more expected to start in 2026 and 2027. BP’s upstream activities have substantial exposure to rising oil prices and are expected to support higher profits and cash flows.
ExxonMobil stands out among other industry majors due to its strong upstream presence, with more than 50% of its oil and gas production coming from high-return, advantaged assets with low production costs. These high-return assets, including its Guyana and Permian Basin resources, provide a competitive edge over other players and secure a robust production outlook as the company continues to grow total production from them. In fact, the company has mentioned that it intends to grow its upstream production to 5.5 million oil equivalent barrels per day by 2030. XOM’s advantaged assets are characterized by low break-even costs that will allow the energy giant to generate high profits and cash flows in a rising oil price environment.
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Oil Prices Jump on Geopolitical Tensions: 3 Energy Stocks to Watch

Shell plc SHEL, one of the world’s largest energy companies, has reportedly expanded its footprint in Venezuela through a series of critical agreements with the government, according to Reuters. These deals focus on offshore natural gas projects and onshore oil and gas ventures, positioning Shell as a major player in Venezuela's evolving energy sector. The strategic partnerships, which were finalized, include both technical and commercial collaborations with key local and international stakeholders, further cementing Shell’s long-term commitment to Venezuela’s oil and gas industry.
Strategic Offshore Natural Gas Developments
The centerpiece of Shell’s latest agreements in Venezuela is the long-running Dragon gas project, a significant offshore natural gas initiative. Shell has faced numerous challenges in recent years as shifting U.S. policies impacted its operations, but recent developments have provided a clear path forward. Following the issuance of new general licenses for oil and gas exploration by the U.S. government, Shell is now able to move ahead with the Dragon gas project.
The Dragon project, which has been in the works for several years, is vital to the region’s energy infrastructure. Once fully developed, it is expected to provide a crucial source of natural gas, boosting both local energy output and export potential. The project is poised to deliver its first gas to Trinidad by the third quarter of 2027, a significant milestone that will enhance the supply to the Atlantic LNG plant, one of the largest liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) facilities in the Caribbean.
Role of Trinidad in Shell’s Gas Plans
Trinidad and Tobago, a key partner in Shell’s Dragon gas project, stands to benefit substantially from this initiative. The goal is to significantly increase output at the Atlantic LNG plant, a joint venture between Shell, BP plc BP and the National Gas Company of Trinidad. This collaboration aims to boost LNG production capacity, which has been hindered in recent years due to gas shortages in Trinidad.
In 2022, Atlantic LNG produced just 9 million metric tons of LNG, falling short of its nameplate capacity of 12 million tons. The Dragon project promises to help alleviate these shortfalls, ensuring a steady supply of gas and improving the facility’s overall efficiency. Shell’s continued investment in Venezuela’s offshore gas sector reflects its commitment to the region and efforts to secure a stable energy future for both Venezuela and Trinidad.
Venezuela’s Oil Reform and Boost to Investment
In addition to its natural gas ventures, Shell is also eyeing significant opportunities in Venezuela’s oil sector. Recent reforms in the country’s oil industry, specifically the oil reform passed by Venezuela’s legislature in January, have created a more favorable environment for foreign investment. The reform includes measures designed to lower taxes, expand the power of the oil ministry and grant greater autonomy to private producers.
These changes come as part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate Venezuela’s once-booming oil industry, which has faced significant challenges in recent years. By offering incentives and more control to private sector players, Venezuela’s government aims to increase production and attract international investors. Shell, with its extensive experience and resources, is well-positioned to capitalize on these new opportunities and contribute to the revitalization of Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.
Collaborations With Key Partners: VEPICA, KBR and Baker Hughes
Shell’s latest agreements also involve strategic partnerships with several influential companies in the oil and gas sector. The company has signed technical and commercial agreements with VEPICA, a Venezuelan engineering firm, as well as with KBR and Baker Hughes BKR, two prominent players in the U.S. oil services market.
These collaborations are critical to ensuring the success of Shell’s ventures in Venezuela. VEPICA, with its deep understanding of local conditions and experience in engineering, will provide essential support for Shell’s on-the-ground operations. Meanwhile, KBR and Baker Hughes will contribute with their expertise in technology, infrastructure and services to help optimize Shell’s projects and maximize efficiency.
U.S. Diplomacy and its Impact on Energy Partnerships
The timing of these agreements follows a key diplomatic visit by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to Venezuela, where he met with Venezuela’s president, Delcy Rodriguez. This visit marked the second such diplomatic mission in recent months, following the February visit by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. These high-level meetings signal a potential shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which have been strained for years due to political and economic tensions.
For Shell, these diplomatic developments are significant. The easing of U.S. sanctions and the issuing of general licenses for oil and gas exploration have allowed the company to move forward with projects that were previously delayed. As U.S. policies continue to evolve, Shell’s ability to engage with Venezuela’s energy sector is expected to grow, opening up further opportunities for collaboration and investment.
Venezuela's Commitment to Foreign Investment
Venezuela’s government has made clear that it is committed to creating a favorable environment for foreign investment in the energy sector. In a statement on state-run TV FANB, Venezuela’s government reiterated that the new agreements with Shell reaffirm the country’s status as a reliable and secure destination for foreign investment.
This message is part of a broader strategy to attract international companies back to Venezuela, which was once one of the largest oil producers in the world. By offering more favorable terms and improving the investment climate, Venezuela is working to restore its place as a global energy powerhouse.
Future of Shell’s Operations in Venezuela
Looking ahead, Shell’s operations in Venezuela are poised for significant growth. The company’s strategic investments in offshore gas and onshore oil, combined with the partnerships with key Venezuelan firms and international collaborators, position it to play a leading role in the country’s energy future. The Dragon gas project, in particular, represents a major milestone in Shell’s long-term strategy to expand its natural gas portfolio and strengthen the global LNG business.
With a favorable regulatory environment, ongoing diplomatic engagement and the support of key local and international partners, Shell is well-positioned to maximize the potential of Venezuela’s energy resources. As the company moves forward with operations, it is expected to contribute to Venezuela’s economic recovery and energy security, while also ensuring a stable supply of energy for global markets.
SHEL's Zacks Rank & Key Pick
Currently, SHEL, BP and BKR have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each.
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at a better-ranked stock like TechnipFMC (FTI, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
TechnipFMC is valued at $26.11 billion.With a focus on advancing sustainable and efficient energy systems, TechnipFMC is a global leader in the energy industry, providing innovative solutions for subsea, onshore, offshore and surface projects.
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Shell Secures Major Oil and Gas Agreements With Venezuela

UiPath (NYSE:PATH), a company that creates AI and automation software for complex processes, closed Thursday at $10.71, up 7.75%. The stock rose as investors responded to its Agentic AI Foundation membership and growing interest in agentic automation, while also watching to see if these moves lead to more revenue and faster AI adoption.
The company’s trading volume reached 51 million shares, which is roughly 76% above compared with its three-month average of 29 million shares. UiPath went public in 2021 and has fallen 84% since its IPO.
How the markets moved today
S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) slipped 0.53% to 6,909, while the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) fell 1.18% to 22,878 as growth stocks came under pressure. Among robotic process automation (RPA) software industry peers, Alcoa (NYSE:AA) closed at $63.47, down 2.20%, and BP (NYSE:BP) ended at $37.99, easing 0.26%.
What this means for investors
UiPath shares rose after the company became a Gold Member of the Agentic AI Foundation, showing its commitment to new standards in agent-based automation. This step puts UiPath among the companies shaping how AI-driven workflow agents work together and are managed.
Earlier this year, UiPath reported its first GAAP-profitable quarter alongside 16% revenue growth to $411 million, reflecting stronger cost discipline and stabilization in enterprise spending. Institutional interest has also surfaced, with the Public Sector Pension Investment Board purchasing roughly 474,700 shares last week.
Investors will be watching whether UiPath’s role in shaping agentic AI standards translates into higher adoption within its existing enterprise base. The company’s upcoming quarterly results will offer clearer insight into demand trends and whether AI-driven automation spending is accelerating.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stock Market Today, Feb. 26: UiPath Advances as It Moves to Shape Agentic AI Standards

Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) reported mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results wherein earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and revenues surpassed the same.
Quarterly earnings of 30 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents and remained flat year over year. Revenues of $132.8 million outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $116.1 million and improved 101% year over year.
Golar LNG Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Adjusted EBITDA of $91 million improved 54% year over year.
GLNG exited the fourth quarter of 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.15 billion compared with $611.17 million at the end of the prior quarter. GLNG’s share of contractual debt at the end of the reported quarter increased 80% year over year to $2.72 billion.
GLNG’s board of directors approved a fourth-quarter 2025 dividend of 25 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on March 18, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9.
GLNG repurchased and canceled 1.1 million shares during the fourth quarter of 2025 at an average price of $37.76 per share under its $150.0 million share buyback program. As a result, $109 million shares remains available for repurchase. As of Dec. 31, 2025, 101.3 million shares are issued and outstanding.
Currently, GLNG carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Q4 Performance of Some Other Stocks Belonging to GLNG's Industry
Chevron Corporation CVX reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.52, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44 by 5.56%.
CVX’s long-term earnings growth rate is currently pinned at 2.27%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 EPS is pegged at $6.66, indicating a year-over-year decline of 8.64%.
BP plc BP reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 60 cents per American Depositary Share on a replacement-cost basis, excluding non-operating items. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents. The bottom line also improved from the year-ago reported figure of 44 cents.
Total quarterly revenues of $47.7 billion lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $59.9 billion and declined from $48.1 billion reported a year ago.
The strong quarterly earnings can be primarily attributed to an increase in oil-equivalent production volumes and higher realized refining margins. However, lower liquid price realization partially offset the positives.
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Golar LNG Misses Q4 Earnings Estimates, Beats on Revenues

SM Energy Company SM struck a deal to sell certain South Texas assets for $950 million in cash to Caturus Energy, LLC. The cash transaction, subject to customary closing adjustments, has an effective date of Feb. 1, 2026, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.
Following the sale, SM plans to use the proceeds primarily to reduce outstanding debt, strengthening its balance sheet. A stronger balance sheet will position the upstream producer to better navigate commodity price volatility, pursue growth investments and potentially increase shareholder returns, enhancing investor appeal.
The deal covers approximately 61,000 net acres and nearly 260 producing wells in the Maverick Basin, Webb County, TX,along with associated infrastructure. These properties are projected to produce between 37,000 and 39,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026, with about 45% liquids and 9% oil. The production profile is estimated to generate $160 million in cash flow in 2026. However, SM emphasized prioritizing deleveraging and capital structure improvements.
SM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
With West Texas Intermediate crude prices hovering above $65 per barrel, according to oilprice.com, the business environment of SM seems to be easing out. However, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts the crude oil prices to decrease further in the coming days, implying that SM’s upstream business will remain under pressure going forward.
Some other players having presence in the upstream space and whose business models are exposed to crude price volatility are Chevron Corporation CVX, BP plc BP and Diamondback Energy, Inc. FANG. Like SM, the business models of CVX, BP and FANG will remain under pressure in the coming days due to the EIA’s forecast of decreasing crude oil prices. CVX, BP and FANG carry a Zacks Rank #3 each at present.
Chevron, based in Houston, TX, operates across the globe and achieved record fourth-quarter 2025 production, supported by its resilient upstream assets.
With a workforce of around 100,500, BP operates as an integrated energy giant in 61 countries. In 2025, BP plc recorded refining availability of 96.3% and upstream plant reliability of 96.1%, supporting upstream production of 2.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Headquartered in Houston, TX, Diamondback Energy has presence in the Permian Basin, the most prolific asin in North America.
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SM Energy Announces Divestiture Agreement Worth $950 Million

Eni S.p.A. E announced a major gas and condensate discovery offshore Cote d'Ivoire in Block CI-501 with the Murene South-1X exploration well. The latest discovery has been named Calao South.
Situated within the prolific Calao channel complex, known for its hydrocarbon potential following previous successful exploration, the Calao South discovery is the country's second-largest find following the Baleine field. The discovery made in high-quality Cenomanian sands is estimated to hold 5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 450 million barrels of condensate (1.4 billion barrels of oil).
The well is located in Block 15/06, about 8 km southwest of the Murene-1X discovery well in the adjacent CI-205 block, reinforcing the resource potential across the Calao channel area. Block CI-501 is operated by Eni and Petroci Holding, with Eni owning a 90% operating stake.
The Murene-1X well, drilled by the Saipem drillship Santorini to a total depth of about 5,000 meters in roughly 2,200 meters of water, intersected hydrocarbons within high-quality Cenomanian sandstone reservoirs, with nearly 50 meters of net hydrocarbon pay demonstrating strong petrophysical properties. A full conventional drill stem test is planned to assess flow and production potential.
Recently, Eni, along with BP plc, made another oil discovery at the Algaita-01 exploration well situated offshore Angola through its joint venture, Azule Energy.
Discoveries like these are expected to support Eni’s higher future oil production with increased cash flow, thereby strengthening the upstream business model and enhancing investor appeal.
With West Texas Intermediate crude trading below $65 per barrel, per Oilprice.com, the business environment for the upstream businesses of Eni S.p.A, which currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), appears to be softening. However, forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration suggest that crude prices may decline further, indicating continued pressure on its exploration and production segments in the near term.
Some other key players in the integrated oil and gas space areChevron Corporation CVX, BP plc BP and Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM. The business models of CVX, BP and XOM are also exposed to crude price volatility. CVX, BP and XOM carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The robustness of Chevron’s upstream asset base helped the Houston-based energy giant achieve record production levels in the fourth quarter of 2025.
In 2025, BP plc achieved record refining availability of 96.3% and upstream plant reliability of 96.1%, enabling the company to produce 2.3 million barrels of oil-equivalent per day from its upstream operations.
Exxon Mobil achieved an average daily production of 4.7 million barrels of oil equivalent in 2025, the company’s strongest performance in more than 40 years.
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