Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification of liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas; and carbon capture and storage, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant. The Downstream segment refines crude oil into petroleum products; markets crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufactures and markets renewable fuels, commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives; and transports crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corporation and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is headquartered in San Ramon, California.

Chevron Corporation

Chevron Corporation CVX has achieved a significant milestone in its operations in Angola with the commencement of production at the South N'dola field, located in the offshore Block 0 area. This strategic development reflects the company's commitment to maximizing the potential of its existing assets, ensuring that Angola remains a key player in the global oil and energy sector.
South N'dola Field: Key Details and Significance
The South N'dola field, situated in Area B of Block 0, represents a critical addition to the Houston, TX-based integrated oil and gas company's portfolio in the Central African region. Although the company has yet to disclose the specific production capacity, it is understood that the field contributes significantly to Angola’s daily energy production, accounting for approximately 12% of the nation's energy output. This makes South N'dola a pivotal project in maintaining the country’s position as a leading oil and gas producer in Africa.
The development of the South N'dola field is being powered by a new production platform that is seamlessly tied back to the Mafumeira facility. Here, the oil and gas extracted from the field will be processed and subsequently transported to an export terminal. By leveraging spare capacity in the existing infrastructure, CVX has been able to bring the South N'dola field into production cost-effectively and efficiently, ensuring minimal environmental impact and maximizing returns.
Economic and Employment Impact of South N'dola's Development
Chevron’s South N'dola project has brought significant economic benefits to the local Angolan population. During the construction phase, the project was expected to create more than 800 local jobs, providing employment opportunities and fostering community development. As the field moves into production, it will continue to supply oil and gas to local plants, further boosting Angola's energy sector and contributing to the economic growth.
In line with its commitment to sustainability and community development, CVX has emphasized its role in enhancing local economic conditions. By providing job opportunities and integrating local businesses into the supply chain, the company is helping to foster a more self-sufficient and diversified economy in Angola.
CVX’s Operational Presence in Angola
CVX has a long-standing operational presence in Angola, managing two critical offshore tracts: Block 0 and Block 14. As the operator of Block 0, CVX holds a 39.2% stake in the development, which includes 21 fields in total. Among these, Lifua A was the first to be developed, marking the beginning of CVX's strong foothold in Angola's offshore oil and gas industry.
The company’s involvement in Angola’s energy sector is not limited to the South N'dola field. CVX recently implemented a project designed to support the Angola LNG facility and local power plants. This initiative, known as the Sanha Lean Gas Connection (“SLGC”) project, will enhance the supply of feed gas to Angola LNG, boosting production capacity by an additional 80 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd).
Future Prospects: Boosting Angola's LNG Capabilities
CVX’s commitment to expanding Angola’s LNG capabilities is evident through its ongoing work with the Sanha Lean Gas Connection project. The first stage of this development is set to increase the feed gas supply to Angola LNG by 80 MMcfd, thereby enhancing the facility’s operational efficiency and capacity. The subsequent stage will involve the commissioning of a Booster Compression module, which will add an additional 220 million standard cubic feet per day, further optimizing the pipeline’s full capacity of 600 MMscf per day.
Through these initiatives, CVX is helping to position Angola as a leading player in the global LNG market, ensuring that the country has the infrastructure in place to meet increasing demand for natural gas in both domestic and international markets.
CVX’s Strategic Role in Angola’s Energy Future
Chevron’s work in Angola is a testament to its ability to drive growth and efficiency in the energy sector. By utilizing existing infrastructure, the company has been able to bring the South N'dola field into production with minimal additional investment, highlighting its strategic approach to resource management. The company's ongoing projects, including the SLGC and the role in Angola LNG, further demonstrate its commitment to sustainable energy development in the region.
Looking ahead, CVX’s continued presence in Angola will play a critical role in shaping the country’s energy future. With major investments in both oil and natural gas projects, CVX is well-positioned to drive the development of Angola’s energy infrastructure, ensuring that the country remains a key player in the global energy landscape for years to come.
Conclusion
The commencement of production at the South N'dola field marks a key achievement for CVX and for Angola's offshore energy industry. By efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure and creating local jobs, CVX has demonstrated its commitment to both the economic development of Angola and the global energy market. With ongoing investments in both oil and LNG projects, CVX is poised to play a central role in the continued growth and diversification of Angola’s energy sector.
CVX's Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Currently, CVX has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like USA Compression Partners USAC, Oceaneering International OII and Suncor Energy SU, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
USA Compression Partners is valued at $2.83 billion. The company is a leading provider of natural gas compression services in the United States. USA Compression Partners specializes in the design, operation and maintenance of compression equipment for the energy sector, focusing on helping customers optimize their natural gas infrastructure.
Oceaneering International is valued at $2.43 billion. The company is a global provider of engineered services and products to the offshore energy, aerospace and defense industries. OII specializes in underwater robotics, remotely operated vehicles and subsea engineering solutions for offshore oil and gas exploration and production.
Suncor Energy is valued at $53.32 billion. It is a major Canadian integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, that specializes in the production of synthetic crude from the Athabasca oil sands. Suncor Energy manages a diverse portfolio that includes offshore oil and gas production, petroleum refining across North America, and a large retail network under the Petro-Canada brand.
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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.

Chevron Extracts First Oil From South N'dola Platform Offshore Angola

Shareholders of Chevron Corporation (Symbol: CVX) looking to boost their income beyond the stock's 4.5% annualized dividend yield can sell the January 2028 covered call at the $200 strike and collect the premium based on the $5.30 bid, which annualizes to an additional 1.7% rate of return against the current stock price (at Stock Options Channel we call this the YieldBoost), for a total of 6.2% annualized rate in the scenario where the stock is not called away. Any upside above $200 would be lost if the stock rises there and is called away, but CVX shares would have to advance 31.8% from current levels for that to occur, meaning that in the scenario where the stock is called, the shareholder has earned a 35.3% return from this trading level, in addition to any dividends collected before the stock was called.
In general, dividend amounts are not always predictable and tend to follow the ups and downs of profitability at each company. In the case of Chevron Corporation, looking at the dividend history chart for CVX below can help in judging whether the most recent dividend is likely to continue, and in turn whether it is a reasonable expectation to expect a 4.5% annualized dividend yield.
Below is a chart showing CVX's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $200 strike highlighted in red:
The chart above, and the stock's historical volatility, can be a helpful guide in combination with fundamental analysis to judge whether selling the January 2028 covered call at the $200 strike gives good reward for the risk of having given away the upside beyond $200. (Do most options expire worthless? This and six other common options myths debunked). We calculate the trailing twelve month volatility for Chevron Corporation (considering the last 250 trading day closing values as well as today's price of $151.98) to be 25%. For other call options contract ideas at the various different available expirations, visit the CVX Stock Options page of StockOptionsChannel.com.
In mid-afternoon trading on Wednesday, the put volume among S&P 500 components was 556,468 contracts, with call volume at 1.01M, for a put:call ratio of 0.55 so far for the day. Compared to the long-term median put:call ratio of .65, that represents very high call volume relative to puts; in other words, buyers are preferring calls in options trading so far today. Find out which 15 call and put options traders are talking about today.
Also see:
Market News Video
EWS Videos
PCM Dividend History
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

How To YieldBoost Chevron To 6.2% Using Options

Key Points
Realty Income pays a dividend every single month thanks to the success of its diversified portfolio of properties and tenants.
Chevron is one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, and its dividend payout remains steady.
Procter & Gamble makes and sells household staples, and has paid a dividend for over a century.
High-quality, established companies that pay dividends often have stable cash flows and tend to sustain their payouts even during economic downturns. The regular income from dividends paid by quality businesses can help offset paper losses in your portfolio during a market decline, too.
It's important to focus on more than just a dividend's yield, as this can rise and fall based on share price performance and doesn't necessarily indicate the strength of the underlying business. Bear in mind, dividends are paid from cash, not just accounting profits. Ensure the company's free cash flow comfortably covers its dividend payments, as this is a more reliable indicator of a company's ability to maintain payouts.
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With that note, here are three dividend-paying value stocks to buy no matter what the market does in the near future.
1. Realty Income
Realty Income (NYSE: O) has trademarked its nickname as "The Monthly Dividend Company" and has a proven track record of declaring 666 consecutive monthly dividends along with increasing its dividend for over 30 consecutive years. The real estate investment trust (REIT) boasts a current dividend yield of approximately 5.7%, which is significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of around 1.2%.
Realty Income primarily leases properties to tenants in essential retail, such as convenience stores, dollar stores, and pharmacies. These businesses are less affected by e-commerce competition and economic downturns, ensuring stable rent collection even when consumer spending tightens.
The majority of its portfolio operates under long-term, triple-net leases, where the tenant is responsible for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The company consistently maintains high occupancy rates, which, at the end of the third quarter, were 98.7%.
In Q3 2025, Realty Income delivered total revenue of $1.47 billion, a 10.5% increase year-over-year. Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share totaled $1.08, up from $1.05 a year ago.
AFFO is a key financial metric for REITs that refines FFO (funds from operations) to show the true, sustainable cash flow available for dividends. This metric subtracts recurring capital expenditures and adjusts for straight-line rents to give a clearer picture of a REIT's cash-generating ability and dividend safety than FFO or net income alone.
Realty Income also reported a rent recapture rate of 103.5% on released properties in Q3, indicating its robust pricing power. If you want to invest in a top REIT with a fantastic dividend that can continue rewarding investors even if the market takes a dip, Realty Income looks like a value play well worth considering.
2. Chevron
Chevron (NYSE: CVX) has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years. Its current yield is 4.6%. Chevron's business model is diversified across several key operations. Its upstream segment is responsible for the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas, and is the main driver of Chevron's profits, although it's highly dependent on global commodity prices and production volumes.
The downstream segment focuses on refining crude oil into various products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and lubricants, and then marketing and distributing these products through a network of service stations and to industrial clients. Chevron manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives that are used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products. It also has a growing business focused on lower-carbon technologies and energy transition, including renewable fuels, carbon capture, and hydrogen production.
The company expects annual oil and gas production growth of 2% to 3% through 2030, which is an estimate bolstered by key assets in the Permian Basin and the acquisition of Hess. Additionally, Chevron has proven to be a leader in leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize its operations and is developing projects to power AI data centers with natural gas paired with carbon capture technology. Chevron's sales and earnings have declined throughout 2025 due to a combination of falling global energy prices, operational setbacks, and high transaction costs.
Strategically, Chevron has closed several asset sales in Canada, Alaska, and the Republic of Congo. While part of a long-term portfolio reshaping, these divestitures contributed to flatter production growth in recent periods. The company has also implemented a major cost-cutting initiative aiming for $2 billion to $3 billion in structural savings by the end of 2026.
Chevron reported adjusted EPS of $1.85 for Q3 2025, beating analyst consensus estimates. Q3 2025 revenue was $49.73 billion, down about 2% year over year but still higher than analyst expectations. Reported net income for Q3 2025 was $3.6 billion, a 21% decrease from the same period in the prior year, primarily due to lower crude oil prices and costs associated with the Hess acquisition. However, adjusted free cash flow for Q3 2025 rose approximately 50% year over year to $7 billion.
Chevron maintains one of the strongest balance sheets in the energy sector with investment-grade credit ratings (AA- from S&P Global, Aa2 from Moody's). Long-term income investors may find this storied business proves to be a valuable addition to a profitable buy-and-hold portfolio.
3. Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) sells essential, everyday items such as toothpaste (Crest), detergent (Tide), and diapers (Pampers), which consumers need regardless of economic conditions. Demand for these products is inelastic and ensure stable cash flow even during downturns.
The stock has historically performed better than the broader market during major downturns, including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic sell-off. So, it has proven its ability to act as a defensive anchor in an income investor's portfolio. Procter & Gamble has increased its dividend for a whopping 69 consecutive years and counting.
It's also paid a dividend every single year for 135 years. That dividend yield is just under 3% the time of this article. The dividend is well-covered by its robust free cash flow (it's generated about $12 billion in free cash flow over the trailing 12 months), with a healthy payout ratio (60%) that ensures its sustainability and ability to fund future increases and share buybacks.
Strong brand recognition and market share for its dozens of category-leading brands have given Procter & Gamble the ability to raise prices to manage inflation and cost pressures in recent years. Net sales for the company's fiscal year 2025 were $84.3 billion, essentially flat from a year ago, as price increases were offset by unfavorable foreign exchange impacts.
That said, net earnings for fiscal year 2025 were $16 billion, an increase of 7% from the previous fiscal year. And its Q1 2026 net sales were $22.4 billion, a 3% increase versus the prior year. For Q1 2026, net earnings were $4.8 billion, a significant 20% increase.
Procter & Gamble generated $17.8 billion in operating cash flow in fiscal 2025 and returned over $16 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. While this may not be the most exciting of value stocks, if you're looking for a tried-and-true income stock that can withstand various economic cycles, Procter & Gamble may be well worth considering.
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Rachel Warren has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron, Moody's, Realty Income, and S&P Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Dividend-Paying Value Stocks to Buy Even if There's a Stock Market Sell-Off in 2026

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.24%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -0.09%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.24%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are down -0.28%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are down -0.27%.
Stock indexes are moving lower today, led by losses in megacap technology stocks. Also, today's plunge in metals prices is weighing on mining stocks. Lower bond yields are supportive of stocks, with the 10-year T-note yield falling to a 1-week low of 4.10% today.
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Today’s US economic news is mixed for stocks. Nov pending home sales rose 3.3% m/m, beating expectations of 0.9% m/m. Conversely, the Dec Dallas Fed manufacturing outlook of general business activity unexpectedly fell -0.5 to -10.9 versus expectations of an increase to -6.0.
Silver and platinum fell sharply from fresh record highs today amid profit-taking following their parabolic rallies. The recent surge in both metals has taken prices to overbought levels, sparking technical selling. Also, the CME today raised margin levels for precious metals trading, sparking some long liquidation pressures in metals.
Crude oil prices are up by more than +2% today, lifting energy producers and limiting losses in the broader market, as advanced peace talks over the weekend to end the Ukraine-Russian war failed to yield a breakthrough. Geopolitical tensions from Venezuela to Nigeria are also supporting crude prices. In addition, crude prices rose after China's Ministry of Finance on Sunday pledged to broaden its fiscal spending base next year, signaling government support to drive economic growth.
Seasonal factors are bullish for stocks. According to data from Citadel Securities, since 1928, the S&P 500 has risen 75% of the time in the last two weeks of December, climbing 1.3% on average.
Market attention this holiday-shortened week will focus on US economic news. Later today, Nov pending home sales are expected to climb +1.0% m/m. On Tuesday, the Dec MNI Chicago PMI is expected to rise by +3.5 points to 39.8. Also, the minutes of the December 9-10 FOMC meeting will be released. On Wednesday, initial weekly unemployment claims are expected to increase by 1,000 to 215,000. On Friday, the Dec S&P manufacturing PMI is expected to remain unrevised at 51.8.
The markets are discounting the odds at 19% for a -25 bp rate cut at the FOMC's next meeting on January 27-28.
Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +0.14%. China's Shanghai Composite climbed to a 6-week high and closed up +0.04% for the ninth consecutive daily gain. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed down -0.44%.
Interest Rates
March 10-year T-notes (ZNH6) today are up by +2 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -0.8 bp to 4.120%. Mar T-notes rose to a 1-week high today, and the 10-year T-note yield fell to a 1-week low of 4.102%. Today's stock market weakness is boosting safe-haven demand for T-notes. Also, geopolitical risks in Venezuela and Nigeria have added to the safe-haven appeal of T-notes. US economic news today is mixed for T-note prices, as the Dec Dallas Fed manufacturing outlook for general business activity unexpectedly declined, while Nov pending home sales rose more than expected.
European government bond yields are moving lower today. The 10-year German bund yield fell to a 3-week low of 2.824% and is down -3.5 bp at 2.826%. The 10-year UK gilt yield dropped to a 1-week low of 4.459% and is down -1.9 bp to 4.488%.
Swaps are discounting a 0% chance of a +25 bp rate hike by the ECB at its next policy meeting on February 5.
US Stock Movers
The Magnificent Seven stocks are mostly lower today, pressuring the broader market. Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) are down more than -1%. Also, Meta Platforms (META) is down -0.83%, Amazon.com (AMZN) is down -0.37%, Alphabet (GOOGL) is down -0.32%, Microsoft (MSFT) is down -0.24%, and Apple (AAPL) is down -0.07%.
Mining companies are weaker today, with gold prices down more than -4% and silver prices plunged more than -8% after initially climbing to a new record high. Newmont (NEM) is down more than -6% to lead losers in the S&P 500. Also, Hecla Mining (HL) is down more than -5%, Coeur Mining (CDE) is down more than -4%, and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is down more than -2%.
Energy companies are moving higher today, with WTI crude up more than +2%. Devon Energy (DVN) is up more than +2%. Also, Diamondback Energy (FANG) is up more than +1% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100, and Chevron (CVX) is up more than +1% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials. In addition, Exxon Mobil (XOM), Valero Energy (VLO), and Occidental Petroleum (OXY) are up more than +1%.
Praxis Precision Medicine (PRAX) is up more than +14% after getting a breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for its ulixacaltamide for the treatment of patients with essential tremor.
DigitalBridge Group (DBRG) is up by more than +9% after SoftBank Group acquired the company for about $4 billion, or $16 a share.
Verisk Analytics (VRSK) is up more than +1% after announcing that it terminated its agreement to purchase AccuLynx.
Coupang (CPNG) is up more than +1% after offering compensation worth more than $1 billion to all customers affected by a data breach.
Earnings Reports(12/29/2025)
None.
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Fall as Megacap Technology Stocks Slide and Metals Plunge

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.24%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -0.09%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.24%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are down -0.28%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are down -0.27%.
Stock indexes are moving lower today, led by losses in megacap technology stocks. Also, today's plunge in metals prices is weighing on mining stocks. Lower bond yields are supportive of stocks, with the 10-year T-note yield falling to a 1-week low of 4.10% today.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Silver and platinum fell sharply from fresh record highs today amid profit-taking following their parabolic rallies. The recent surge in both metals has taken prices to overbought levels, sparking technical selling. Also, the CME today raised margin levels for precious metals trading, which has sparked some long liquidation pressure.
Crude oil prices are up by more than +2% today, lifting energy producers and limiting losses in the broader market, as advanced peace talks over the weekend to end the Ukraine-Russian war failed to yield a breakthrough. Geopolitical tensions from Venezuela to Nigeria are also supporting crude prices. In addition, crude prices rose after China's Ministry of Finance on Sunday pledged to broaden its fiscal spending base next year, signaling government support to drive economic growth.
Seasonal factors are bullish for stocks. According to data from Citadel Securities, since 1928, the S&P 500 has risen 75% of the time in the last two weeks of December, climbing 1.3% on average.
Market attention this holiday-shortened week will focus on US economic news. Later today, Nov pending home sales are expected to climb +1.0% m/m. On Tuesday, the Dec MNI Chicago PMI is expected to rise by +3.5 points to 39.8. Also, the minutes of the December 9-10 FOMC meeting will be released. On Wednesday, initial weekly unemployment claims are expected to increase by 1,000 to 215,000. On Friday, the Dec S&P manufacturing PMI is expected to remain unrevised at 51.8.
The markets are discounting the odds at 19% for a -25 bp rate cut at the FOMC's next meeting on January 27-28.
Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +0.17%. China's Shanghai Composite climbed to a 6-week high and closed up +0.04% for the ninth consecutive daily gain. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed down -0.44%.
Interest Rates
March 10-year T-notes (ZNH6) today are up by +4 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -1.6 bp to 4.112%. Mar T-notes rose to a 1-week high today, and the 10-year T-note yield fell to a 1-week low of 4.102%. Today's stock market weakness is boosting safe-haven demand for T-notes. Also, geopolitical risks in Venezuela and Nigeria have added to the safe-haven appeal of T-notes.
European government bond yields are moving lower today. The 10-year German bund yield fell to a 1.5-week low of 2.836% and is down -1.4 bp at 2.848%. The 10-year UK gilt yield dropped to a 1-week low of 4.459% and is down -0.7 bp to 4.500%.
Swaps are discounting a 2% chance of a +25 bp rate hike by the ECB at its next policy meeting on February 5.
US Stock Movers
The Magnificent Seven stocks are mostly lower today, pressuring the broader market. Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) are down more than -1%. Also, Meta Platforms (META) is down -0.82%, Alphabet (GOOGL) is down -0.40%, Amazon.com (AMZN) is down -0.23%, and Microsoft (MSFT) is down -0.02%. Bucking the trend, Apple (AAPL) is up +0.15%.
Mining companies are weaker today, with gold prices down more than -3% and silver prices plunged more than -7% after initially climbing to a new record high. Hecla Mining (HL) is down more than -6%, and Newmont (NEM) is down more than -5% to lead losers in the S&P 500. Also, Coeur Mining (CDE) is down more than -4%, and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is down more than -2%.
Energy companies are moving higher today, with WTI crude up more than +2%. Devon Energy (DVN), Marathon Petroleum (MPC), Halliburton (HAL), APA Corp (APA), Diamondback Energy (FANG), ConocoPhillips (COP), and Occidental Petroleum (OXY) are up more than +1%. Also, Chevron (CVX) is up +0.63% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials.
Praxis Precision Medicine (PRAX) s is up more than +14% after getting a breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for its ulixacaltamide for the treatment of patients with essential tremor.
DigitalBridge Group (DBRG) is up by more than +9% after SoftBank Group acquired the company for about $4 billion, or $16 a share.
Coupang (CPNG) is up more than +1% after offering compensation worth more than $1 billion to all customers affected by a data breach.
Earnings Reports(12/29/2025)
None.
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
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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.

Stocks Slip Due to Weakness in Megacap Technology Stocks

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is quickly becoming a competitive necessity across the oil/energy sector. Faced with volatile commodity prices, rising operating complexity and tighter emissions scrutiny, energy majors are embedding AI into daily operations to improve execution and protect margins. Supermajors such as BP plc (BP), Chevron (CVX), ExxonMobil (XOM) and TotalEnergies (TTE) are now using AI to gain competitive advantages that seemed impossible just 10 years ago.
For long-term investors, AI capability increasingly signals more than innovation. It reflects discipline around cost control, operational consistency and scalability, all of which matter for durable returns in a capital-intensive industry.
Why AI Capability Matters for Long-Term Energy Investors
AI allows energy companies to analyze massive volumes of operational data in real time, turning complexity into actionable insight. This digital efficiency supports faster decisions, fewer disruptions, and better asset utilization, strengthening competitive positioning over full commodity cycles.
Just as importantly, AI tools increasingly support emissions monitoring and predictive maintenance, aligning profitability with sustainability goals. Companies that integrate AI into core workflows may be better equipped to balance efficiency, safety and regulatory pressure over time.
BP’s Aggressive Digital Push
BP stands out for the scale and depth of its AI adoption. Central to its strategy is a long-term partnership with Palantir Technologies (PLTR) that has produced a digital copy — or digital twin — of BP’s global operations, spanning the Gulf of America, the North Sea and Oman’s Khazzan gas fields.
This system integrates data from more than two million sensors, enabling real-time monitoring of assets and faster responses to changing conditions. Under a five-year agreement, the British oil major is expanding the platform by incorporating Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform, which enhances AI-driven recommendations while reducing generative AI risk. BP consistently points to these capabilities as the key drivers of drilling efficiency, asset reliability and emissions monitoring.
Chevron’s Practical AI Applications in Shale and Refining
Chevron is taking a more targeted, execution-focused approach to AI adoption. Through a partnership with Percepto, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is deploying AI-enabled autonomous drones across shale operations in Texas and Colorado to detect methane leaks, equipment failures and maintenance issues. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Within months, Chevron reported lower unplanned downtime as problems were identified earlier, improving safety and production reliability. Beyond drones, Chevron is using machine learning models in the Permian Basin to optimize drilling parameters, extend equipment life, and reduce operating costs and emissions. The American energy behemoth is now exploring AI-powered drone inspections at refineries worldwide, signaling that successful field-level applications are being scaled across the broader asset base.
ExxonMobil’s Technology Leadership
Another U.S. energy biggie, ExxonMobil, has emerged as a leader in autonomous drilling. The company says it was the first in the industry to deploy AI-driven, closed-loop drilling automation in deepwater projects, notably offshore Guyana, where AI systems adjust drilling conditions in real time without human intervention.
Onshore, machine learning supports production optimization, asset utilization and downtime reduction in the Permian Basin. ExxonMobil is also extending its AI expertise into carbon capture initiatives and plans to supply low-carbon power solutions to the growing AI data center market in the United States.
TotalEnergies: AI for Efficiency and a Greener Future
TotalEnergies is taking a slightly different, yet equally ambitious, path with AI. The French multinational has teamed up with domestic AI startup Mistral AI to create a joint innovation hub. Their focus is on improving industrial performance, boosting energy efficiency and cutting emissions. TotalEnergies is deploying AI tools to optimize both its upstream (exploration and production) and downstream (refining and marketing) operations, including predictive maintenance and emissions management.
Their AI-powered assistant, developed with Mistral AI, helps guide decision-making for project development, managing industrial sites, and providing energy solutions to customers. TotalEnergies believes that AI can directly help it achieve its goal of decarbonization while maintaining high operational efficiency. Notably, TotalEnergies's AI-driven systems help minimize downtime, optimize energy use and manage the integration of renewable energy alongside traditional assets. The leadership at TotalEnergies emphasizes that AI is now just as critical as any physical asset in delivering its long-term strategy.
How Investors Can Assess AI Readiness Across Energy Majors
For investors, AI readiness is best judged by tangible operational outcomes rather than headline announcements. Indicators include reduced downtime, improved drilling consistency, longer equipment life, and evidence that AI tools are embedded into everyday decision-making.
Companies that treat AI as core infrastructure, rather than a standalone technology experiment, may be better positioned to scale efficiencies across cycles. As BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies demonstrate, AI is increasingly tied to execution discipline, emissions management, and long-term operational strength.
In an industry where small efficiency gains can translate into meaningful financial impact, AI adoption is becoming a defining factor in how energy majors compete and compound value over time.
Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.
From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5.
Be First to New Top 10 Stocks >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Which Oil and Gas Stocks Are Best Positioned for AI Adoption

Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM is a leading integrated energy giant that operates across the entire oil and gas value chain. XOM generates the majority of its earnings from its upstream business which is exposed to crude price volatility. With the West Texas Intermediate crude price currently trading below $60 per barrel, XOM’s upstream business model is under pressure.
Despite pressure from lower crude prices, XOM benefits from upstream assets in low-cost oil fields and natural gas resources, helping it navigate the negative impacts of low crude prices. Notably, two such low-cost areas are the Permian basin, the most prolific basin in the United States, and offshore Guyana, from which a significant volume of current upstream production is generated.
XOM’s resilience to oil price fluctuations stems from its strong balance sheet. Compared to 31.97% debt-to-capitalization of composite stocks belonging to the industry, XOM has a considerably lower debt-to-capitalization of 10.9%.
CVX & COP Are Resilient Like XOM
Both Chevron Corporation CVX and ConocoPhillips COP have a strong upstream presence and their upstream businesses are also vulnerable to crude oil price volatility. Like XOM, both CVX and COP not only have access to the prolific Permian basin but also benefit from lower debt-to-capitalization, making their operations resilient to oil price fluctuations.While the debt to capitalization for CVX is 17.52%, the same for COP is 26.56%
XOM’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of XOM have gained 12.7% over the past year compared with the 8.4% increase of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, XOM trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 7.73x. This is above the broader industry average of 4.80x.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for XOM’s 2025 earnings has remained constant over the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ExxonMobil currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Can ExxonMobil Sail Through the Ongoing Weakness in Oil Prices?

Key Points
Coca-Cola is still a stalwart investment, but rival PepsiCo offers more to newcomers right now.
The oil and gas industry is still nowhere near its once-expected end. Energy giant Chevron remains one of the best income-based bets in the business.
It’s not a household name, but Brookfield Asset Management is built to be a fantastic dividend payer thanks to its recurring, growing revenue and generous payout ratio.
The holiday gift-giving season may be wrapping up, but that doesn't mean investors can't ring in the New Year with some gifts to themselves that keep on giving the whole year long. The right dividend stocks will add ever-increasing value to your portfolio, either through growing cash payouts, or -- when these payments are reinvested -- more shares of the stock paying them. And given that reliable dividend stocks tend to outperform inconsistent or non-dividend payers, even growth-minded investors might be wise to make a point of adding some of these names to their holdings.
To this end, here's a closer look at three dividend stocks that would be smart additions to nearly anyone's portfolio. In no particular order...
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
PepsiCo
One of the most popular income stocks from the consumer staples sector of the stock market is Coca-Cola. And understandably so. The company's products are among the beverage industry's best-known, while the company itself has not only paid a dividend like clockwork for decades, but has raised its dividend payment every year for the past 63 years.
If you're looking for a better yield opportunity from a consumer goods name, however, Coca-Cola rival PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is arguably the better beverage bet right now, while its forward-looking dividend yield stands at nearly 4%.
Granted, as anyone keeping tabs on this company of late knows, this yield has been pumped up largely because PepsiCo's stock has underperformed.
Blame inflation, mostly. Some of PepsiCo's rising costs have been passed along to its customers, but many of them haven't, biting into its profits.
These headwinds are finally abating, though, after the company itself has regrouped into a more relevant and marketable family of brands. For instance, in March the company acquired prebiotic soda brand Poppi, and in July unveiled the world's first prebiotic cola.
Analysts aren't looking for an explosive response to these and other overhauls. But, they do expect sales growth to accelerate to a pace of 3.6% in the year ahead, driving even faster earnings growth. Once other investors see this growth materializing, they could jump on board pretty quickly, dragging this stock's current dividend yield lower by driving the stock's price higher. Acting before that happens would be better than moving after the fact.
Contrary to a common assumption, the advent of renewable energy and electric vehicles isn't reducing the consumption of fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas; the need for electricity and transportation is absorbing all of this capacity growth, and then some. Indeed, the International Energy Agency now believes the world's daily usage of oil won't reach its absolute peak until 2050, pushing a previous prediction much further down the road. And even then, they'll only modestly dwindle for the next few decades.
Translation: There's still money to be made in the oil business, and there will be for a long while.
Enter Chevron (NYSE: CVX) ... one of the oil industry's biggest and best-known names. Last year, it turned a top line of $203 billion into net income of nearly $18 billion, and is on pace to report comparable numbers this year. This massive size and scale, of course, means the company can fund the very best of opportunities and operate more cost-efficiently. More specifically, it means that deeper-pocketed Chevron can afford to operate a more complex business that includes drilling, refining, and transportation, which allows it to safely maintain its dividend and required capital expenditures even if oil prices dip to $50 per barrel. The company can cover all of its upstream production costs with oil priced as low as $30 per barrel, in fact, making it one of the most cost-effective players in the energy business.
More importantly to interested income investors, it means Chevron's track record of 38 years of uninterrupted annual dividend growth should remain uninterrupted well into the indefinite future. Newcomers will be plugging in while its forward-looking yield stands at just under 4.6%.
Brookfield Asset Management
Last but not least, add Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) to your list of dividend stocks that keep on giving well after you buy them.
If the name rings a bell, it may be because several investments bearing the same name are part of this family. These include Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and Brookfield Business Partners. Each of these outfits brings its own unique investment proposition to the table, capitalizing on the modern-day economy's top opportunities, ranging from energy infrastructure to real estate to artificial intelligence to private equity in several perpetually marketable service businesses. Brookfield Renewable's hydroelectric power plants located in Pennsylvania, for instance, will supply more than $3 billion worth of power to data centers owned and operated by Alphabet's Google for the next several years. In many cases, there's no other way to invest in these up-and-coming companies.
Brookfield Asset Management itself is different, though. It's the manager of this entire family of funds, collecting ongoing fees for its work as the management firm for over $1 trillion worth of businesses. More to the point, this recurring fee-based business is ideally suited for supporting dividends and dividend growth. Its target revenue growth of between 15% and 20% for the foreseeable future. With a payout ratio on the order of 90%, shareholders' dividend income should grow at roughly this same pace.
You'll never get explosive capital gains from this stock; that's the trade-off with a management fee-based business like this one. With plausible growth in the low double-digits and a forward-looking dividend yield of 3.3% for today's buyers, however, reinvesting your ever-rising dividends in more shares of BAM could translate into long-term net gains readily rivaling those of most growth stocks.
Should you buy stock in PepsiCo right now?
Before you buy stock in PepsiCo, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and PepsiCo wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
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James Brumley has positions in Alphabet and Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Brookfield Asset Management, and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, and Brookfield Renewable Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Dividend Stocks to Buy to Create the Gift That Keeps on Giving

BP p.l.c. BP agrees to divest 65% of its stake to Stonepeak creating a new joint venture in which BP will currently retain 35% stake. The leading integrated player has the option to sell this remaining stake after a lock-up period of two years. BP estimated the enterprise value to be around $10.1 billion implying it will receive around $6 billion in net proceeds from the sale. BP expects to close the deal by 2026 end following regulatory approvals.
This move aligns with BP’s strategy to reduce its debt profile and focus on more profitable and attractive businesses.
The company had previously announced a goal to divest $20 billion of assets. With the inclusion of the Castrol deal, BP now has $11 billion of divestments planned, some of which have already been completed. Following this transaction, BP expects to reduce its debt to $14-$18 billion (by the end of 2027) from $26.1 billion reported in its third-quarter earnings update.
Notably, BP is divesting non-profitable businesses to strengthen its business model. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), the company believes that, over the long term, these moves will enhance shareholder value and improve investor appeal.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other key players in the integrated energy space are Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM, Chevron Corporation CVX, and Eni S.p.A. Eeachcarrying a Zacks Rank #3 at present. With West Texas Intermediate crude oil price trading below $59 per barrel, the upstream business model of BP, XOM, CVX and E will be under pressure in the coming days
ExxonMobil, headquartered in Spring, TX, is aleading integrated player. ExxonMobil (XOM) expects to achieve $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash-flow growth by 2030, implying an increase of $5 billion over its prior projections.
Chevron, headquartered in Houston, TX, is one of the largest integrated energy giant that operates across the entire value chain, from crude oil extraction to the refining of finished products. CVX expects to increase its production from 2.6 MMBOED highlighted in 2015 to 3.7 MMBOED by year-end 2025. In December, Chevron (CVX) unveiled its 2026 organic capital expenditure plan of $18-$19 billion, representing the lower end of its long-term guidance of $18-$21 billion annually through 2030.
Eni S.p.A.,headquartered in Rome, Italy, also operates across the entire energy value chain, from traditional fossil fuels to emerging energy technologies, with operations spread across the globe. Eni expects its 2025 daily production to be in the range of 1,710-1,720 barrels of oil equivalent, as highlighted in its third-quarter earnings release, suggesting a rise from 1,700 barrels of oil equivalent forecasted in its previous earnings update.
Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.
From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5.
Be First to New Top 10 Stocks >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Eni SpA (E) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

BP to Sell 65% Stake in Castrol to Stonepeak for $10B EV

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (Symbol: XLE) where we have detected an approximate $239.6 million dollar outflow -- that's a 0.9% decrease week over week (from 595,998,400 to 590,598,400). Among the largest underlying components of XLE, in trading today Exxon Mobil Corp (Symbol: XOM) is up about 0.1%, Chevron Corporation (Symbol: CVX) is up about 0.2%, and Williams Cos Inc (Symbol: WMB) is up by about 0.2%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the XLE Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of XLE, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, XLE's low point in its 52 week range is $37.245 per share, with $47.41 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $44.31. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
Institutional Holders of RSKD
PDCO Options Chain
Institutional Holders of TIRX
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.