Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. The Chemicals segment produces and markets ethylene and other olefin products; aromatics and styrenics products, such as benzene, cyclohexane, styrene, and polystyrene; and various specialty chemical products, including organosulfur chemicals, solvents, catalysts, and chemicals used in drilling and mining. The Refining segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, such as gasolines, distillates, aviation, and renewable. The M&S segment purchases for resale and markets refined petroleum products, including gasolines, distillates, and aviation fuels. This segment also manufactures and markets specialty products, such as base oils and lubricants. Phillips 66 was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Phillips 66 appears to be a mature refining and midstream story with strong revenue, but imperfect earnings quality and a noticeably expensive valuation across several multiples. Revenue remains very high and, over time, has generally held at a stable level, which supports the scale of the business and reduces the risk of a sharp deterioration in the operating base. At the same time, net income and operating profit at the latest point are noticeably weaker than last year’s peaks, and EBITDA has also declined, indicating weaker current cash flow generation. Margins — gross, operating, and net — are significantly below the industry median, and this is an important downside for the valuation, because the market usually pays a premium for stable margins. ROE and return on tangible capital look decent and are above or around industry benchmarks, but ROA and ROI do not provide a convincing advantage, meaning asset efficiency remains mediocre to weak. On the balance sheet, the company does not appear to be overly burdened by debt: debt/equity is moderate, and cash on hand has increased noticeably, which improves short-term resilience. However, the current ratio and quick ratio are below desirable levels, so liquidity cannot be called comfortable, especially for a cyclical energy business. Valuation on P/E and P/B is above the industry median, while P/FCF looks extremely high, pointing to a risk of overvaluation relative to the current quality of earnings and free cash flow. P/S, by contrast, is low, but for refining this does not offset weak margins and earnings instability, so on its own it does not look like a strong argument for meaningful upside. Dividend yield has fallen to zero at the latest point, which worsens the investment case for income-oriented portfolios. Overall, the fundamentals are rather neutral-to-negative for a target revision: the business is large and financially resilient, but current profitability and cash flow do not support the high multiples. For an investor, this means there is upside potential, but it is limited, and a more conservative valuation appears justified until margins and free cash flow recover.

Phillips 66

Слабый индекс, незначительно упал. Уверенность быков остается на низком уровне.

Weak index, slightly down. Bullish confidence remains low.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Strong index, flat. The market does not support the bulls.

Слабый индекс, незначительно вырос. Увеличился приток средств в лонги.

Weak index, slightly up. The inflow of funds into longs has increased.

A large and stable business with strong revenue and a solid balance sheet, but weak margins, expensive valuation multiples, and deteriorating dividend support.

CVR Energy (CVI) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.45 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.10 per share. This compares to loss of $0.32 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 16.67%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this diversified holding company would post a loss of $0.10 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.02, delivering a surprise of 120%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
CVR, which belongs to the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, posted revenues of $3.14 billion for the quarter ended June 2022, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 36.48%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.78 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
CVR shares have added about 99.5% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's decline of -13.3%.
What's Next for CVR?
While CVR has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for CVR: favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.55 on $2.31 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $4.55 on $9.32 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing is currently in the top 1% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
EnLink Midstream (ENLC), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2022. The results are expected to be released on August 3.
This natural gas company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.06 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +250%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 27.6% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
EnLink Midstream's revenues are expected to be $1.7 billion, up 20.7% from the year-ago quarter.
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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.

CVR Energy (CVI) Q2 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.71%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -1.53%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.98%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU26) are down -0.75%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU26) are down -1.03%.
Stock indexes are falling today, with the S&P 500 sliding to a 1-month low and the Nasdaq 100 sinking to a 3-month low. Chipmakers and AI infrastructure stocks are selling off today, leading the overall market lower. Also, heightened geopolitical risks are weighing on stocks as crude prices surged, and bond yields jumped when President Trump said the US will “hit Iran hard” after a recent attack from Iran that targeted a US base in Jordan.
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The markets were little changed following the results of the 2-day FOMC meeting early this afternoon, with policymakers keeping interest rates unchanged in a 9-3 decision. Also, earnings results from Microsoft and Meta Platforms after today’s close will be looked at to see whether the vast spending behind the buildout of artificial intelligence can deliver adequate returns. The 10-year T-note yield is up +4 bp to 4.64%.
Sep WTI crude oil prices (CLU26) jumped by more than +7% today as the recent lull in hostilities came to an abrupt end after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a US airbase and command center in Jordan with ballistic missiles. The IRGC also claimed to have hit and halted three tankers attempting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US and Saudi Arabia launched a joint attack on "Iran-aligned terrorists" in Iraq after the IRGC directed them to target US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
Tensions remain high in the Middle East as the US maintains its blockade of Iranian oil shipments in the Persian Gulf. Also, diplomatic attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz appear to be at an impasse. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi said Oman's proposal for a route through the Strait of Hormuz, with 50% under Iran's control and 50% under Oman's, would not address Iran's concerns and that the inbound passage and part of the outbound channel must be entirely under Iran's control.
US MBA mortgage applications fell -6.4% in the week ended July 24, with the purchase mortgage sub-index down -3.6% and the refinancing mortgage sub-index down -9.9%. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose +7 bp to an 11.5-month high of 6.76% from 6.69% the prior week.
The outlook for strong Q2 earnings, which continue this week, is a bullish factor for stocks. The markets are awaiting results from a raft of megacap technology companies this week, including Microsoft and Meta Platforms today, and Amazon.com and Apple on Thursday. Forecasts compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence suggest Q2 earnings may increase by +23%, close to Q1’s blowout earnings of +30%, which was more than double the +12% analysts had expected. AI spending is expected to account for most of earnings, with AI infrastructure stocks set to contribute nearly 60% of the S&P 500's earnings-per-share growth in Q2. So far, earnings results have been positive, with 87% of the 216 S&P 500 companies that have reported Q2 earnings beating estimates, according to Bloomberg data.
The markets are discounting a 34% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the conclusion of today’s FOMC meeting.
Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is down -0.73%. China's Shanghai Composite rebounded from a 1-week low and closed up +0.40%. Japan's Nikkei-225 Stock Average fell to a 2.25-month low and closed down -1.49%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU6) today are down -9 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is up +3.0 bp to 4.637%. T-notes are under pressure today from a +7% surge in crude oil prices, which raises inflation expectations and is hawkish for Fed policy. Also, long liquidation and position evening are weighing on T-notes ahead of the FOMC’s interest rate decision later today.
European government bond yields are moving higher today. The 10-year German bund yield is up +5.0 bp to 3.154%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is up +7.7 bp to 5.021%.
The German Jun import price index eased to 6.1% y/y from 6.8% y/y in May.
The markets are discounting an 88% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on September 10.
US Stock Movers
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks are sharply lower today, weighing on the broader market. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index ($SOX) dropped to a 2.5-month low and is down more than -3%. Nebius Group NV (NBIS) is down more than -9% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100, and KLA Corp (KLAC) and Sandisk (SNDK) are down more than -7%. Also, Applied Materials (AMAT), NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), and ARM Holdings (ARM) are down by more than -5%, and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is down more than -4%. In addition, Marvell Technology (MRVL), Lam Research (LRCX), and Microchip Technology (MCHP) are down more than -3%, and Nvidia (NVDA), Intel (INTC), and Texas Instruments (TXN) are down more than -2%.
Trucking and freight companies are under pressure today from soaring crude oil prices. ArcBest (ARCB) is down more than -7%, and Saia Inc (SAIA), FedEx Freight Holding (FDXF), JB Hunt Transport Services (JBHT), and CH Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) are down more than -2%. Also, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), Marten Transport Ltd (MRTN), Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings (KNX), and XPO Inc (XPO) are down more than -1%.
Airline stocks are sliding today with the surge in crude oil prices. Alaska Air Group (ALK) is down more than -3%, and Delta Air Lines (DAL) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) are down more than -2%. Also, American Airlines Group (AAL) and United Airlines Holdings (UAL) are down more than -1%.
Energy producers and service providers are climbing today, with crude oil prices up by more than +7%. Diamondback Energy (FANG) is up more than +4%, and ConocoPhillips (COP), APA Corp (APA), Devon Energy (DVN), ExxonMobil Holdings (XOM), and Occidental Petroleum (OXY) are up more than +3%. Also, Baker Hughes (BKR) and Chevron (CVX) are up more than +2%, and Phillips 66 (PSX) and Valero Energy (VLO) are up more than +1%.
Lennox International (LII) is down more than -19% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.55 billion, weaker than the consensus of $1.56 billion.
Vertiv Holdings (VRT) is down more than -13% after reporting Q2 net sales of $3.27 billion, below the consensus of $3.39 billion.
Avis Budget Group (CAR) is down more than -11% after reporting Q2 EPS of 98 cents, well below the consensus of $1.91.
Masco Corp (MAS) is down more than -10% after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.99 billion, weaker than the consensus of $2.08 billion.
Caterpillar (CAT) is down more than -6% to lead losers in the Dow Jones industrials after Baird downgraded the stock to neutral from outperform, citing a growing trend of state and local government actions targeting data centers, a key growth driver for the company.
Humana (HUM) is down more than -6% after it maintained its full-year profit outlook despite posting better-than-expected Q2 profit.
Garmin Ltd (GRMN) is up more than +17% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 revenue of $2.02 billion, above the consensus of $1.92 billion, and raising its full-year revenue estimate to $8.05 billion from a previous estimate of $7.90 billion, stronger than the consensus of $7.99 billion.
GE Healthcare (GEHC) is up more than +11% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.13, better than the consensus of $1.04.
Amphenol (APH) is up more than +6% after reporting Q2 net sales of $8.76 billion, better than the consensus of $8.31 billion.
Teradyne (TER) is up more than +5% after reporting Q2 net revenue of $1.33 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.22 billion.
Ford Motor (F) is up more than +5% after raising its full-year adjusted EBIT to $10 billion to $11 billion from a previous forecast of $8.5 billion to $10.5 billion.
Earnings Reports (7/29/2026)
Align Technology Inc (ALGN), American Water Works Co Inc (AWK), Amphenol Corp (APH), Aon PLC (AON), Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP), Biogen Inc (BIIB), Boston Scientific Corp (BSX), Bunge Global SA (BG), Carvana Co (CVNA), CBRE Group Inc (CBRE), CH Robinson Worldwide Inc (CHRW), Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG), Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH), Electronic Arts Inc (EA), Entergy Corp (ETR), Equinix Inc (EQIX), Essex Property Trust Inc (ESS), Everest Group Ltd (EG), Fair Isaac Corp (FICO), Flex Ltd (FLEX), Fortinet Inc (FTNT), Fortive Corp (FTV), Garmin Ltd (GRMN), GE HealthCare Technologies Inc (GEHC), Generac Holdings Inc (GNRC), General Dynamics Corp (GD), Humana Inc (HUM), IDEX Corp (IEX), Invitation Homes Inc (INVH), Johnson Controls International (JCI), L3Harris Technologies Inc (LHX), Lam Research Corp (LRCX), Lennox International Inc (LII), Masco Corp (MAS), Meta Platforms Inc (META), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Microsoft Corp (MSFT), Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA), Old Dominion Freight Line Inc (ODFL), O'Reilly Automotive Inc (ORLY), Procter & Gamble Co/The (PG), PTC Inc (PTC), Public Storage (PSA), QUALCOMM Inc (QCOM), Regency Centers Corp (REG), Robinhood Markets Inc (HOOD), Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW), Stanley Black & Decker Inc (SWK), Starbucks Corp (SBUX), Tyler Technologies Inc (TYL), Ventas Inc (VTR), Verisk Analytics Inc (VRSK), Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT), VICI Properties Inc (VICI), Vulcan Materials Co (VMC), Waste Management Inc (WM), WEC Energy Group Inc (WEC).
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 Tumble as Chipmakers Plunge, Oil Spikes

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.71%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -1.53%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.98%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU26) are down -0.75%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU26) are down -1.03%.
Stock indexes are falling today, with the S&P 500 sliding to a 1-month low and the Nasdaq 100 sinking to a 3-month low. Chipmakers and AI infrastructure stocks are selling off today, leading the overall market lower. Also, heightened geopolitical risks are weighing on stocks as crude prices surged, and bond yields jumped when President Trump said the US will “hit Iran hard” after a recent attack from Iran that targeted a US base in Jordan.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
The markets are awaiting the results of the 2-day FOMC meeting that ends early this afternoon, with policymakers expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Also, earnings results from Microsoft and Meta Platforms after today’s close will be looked at to see whether the vast spending behind the buildout of artificial intelligence can deliver adequate returns. The 10-year T-note yield is up +4 bp to 4.64%.
Sep WTI crude oil prices (CLU26) jumped by more than +7% today as the recent lull in hostilities came to an abrupt end after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a US airbase and command center in Jordan with ballistic missiles. The IRGC also claimed to have hit and halted three tankers attempting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US and Saudi Arabia launched a joint attack on "Iran-aligned terrorists" in Iraq after the IRGC directed them to target US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
Tensions remain high in the Middle East as the US maintains its blockade of Iranian oil shipments in the Persian Gulf. Also, diplomatic attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz appear to be at an impasse. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi said Oman's proposal for a route through the Strait of Hormuz, with 50% under Iran's control and 50% under Oman's, would not address Iran's concerns and that the inbound passage and part of the outbound channel must be entirely under Iran's control.
US MBA mortgage applications fell -6.4% in the week ended July 24, with the purchase mortgage sub-index down -3.6% and the refinancing mortgage sub-index down -9.9%. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose +7 bp to an 11.5-month high of 6.76% from 6.69% the prior week.
The outlook for strong Q2 earnings, which continue this week, is a bullish factor for stocks. The markets are awaiting results from a raft of megacap technology companies this week, including Microsoft and Meta Platforms today, and Amazon.com and Apple on Thursday. Forecasts compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence suggest Q2 earnings may increase by +23%, close to Q1’s blowout earnings of +30%, which was more than double the +12% analysts had expected. AI spending is expected to account for most of earnings, with AI infrastructure stocks set to contribute nearly 60% of the S&P 500's earnings-per-share growth in Q2. So far, earnings results have been positive, with 87% of the 216 S&P 500 companies that have reported Q2 earnings beating estimates, according to Bloomberg data.
The markets are discounting a 34% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the conclusion of today’s FOMC meeting.
Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is down -0.73%. China's Shanghai Composite rebounded from a 1-week low and closed up +0.40%. Japan's Nikkei-225 Stock Average fell to a 2.25-month low and closed down -1.49%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU6) today are down -9 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is up +3.0 bp to 4.637%. T-notes are under pressure today from a +7% surge in crude oil prices, which raises inflation expectations and is hawkish for Fed policy. Also, long liquidation and position evening are weighing on T-notes ahead of the FOMC’s interest rate decision later today.
European government bond yields are moving higher today. The 10-year German bund yield is up +5.0 bp to 3.154%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is up +7.7 bp to 5.021%.
The German Jun import price index eased to 6.1% y/y from 6.8% y/y in May.
The markets are discounting an 88% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on September 10.
US Stock Movers
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks are sharply lower today, weighing on the broader market. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index ($SOX) dropped to a 2.5-month low and is down more than -3%. Nebius Group NV (NBIS) is down more than -9% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100, and KLA Corp (KLAC) and Sandisk (SNDK) are down more than -7%. Also, Applied Materials (AMAT), NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), and ARM Holdings (ARM) are down by more than -5%, and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is down more than -4%. In addition, Marvell Technology (MRVL), Lam Research (LRCX), and Microchip Technology (MCHP) are down more than -3%, and Nvidia (NVDA), Intel (INTC), and Texas Instruments (TXN) are down more than -2%.
Trucking and freight companies are under pressure today from soaring crude oil prices. ArcBest (ARCB) is down more than -7%, and Saia Inc (SAIA), FedEx Freight Holding (FDXF), JB Hunt Transport Services (JBHT), and CH Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) are down more than -2%. Also, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), Marten Transport Ltd (MRTN), Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings (KNX), and XPO Inc (XPO) are down more than -1%.
Airline stocks are sliding today with the surge in crude oil prices. Alaska Air Group (ALK) is down more than -3%, and Delta Air Lines (DAL) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) are down more than -2%. Also, American Airlines Group (AAL) and United Airlines Holdings (UAL) are down more than -1%.
Energy producers and service providers are climbing today, with crude oil prices up by more than +7%. Diamondback Energy (FANG) is up more than +4%, and ConocoPhillips (COP), APA Corp (APA), Devon Energy (DVN), ExxonMobil Holdings (XOM), and Occidental Petroleum (OXY) are up more than +3%. Also, Baker Hughes (BKR) and Chevron (CVX) are up more than +2%, and Phillips 66 (PSX) and Valero Energy (VLO) are up more than +1%.
Lennox International (LII) is down more than -19% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.55 billion, weaker than the consensus of $1.56 billion.
Vertiv Holdings (VRT) is down more than -13% after reporting Q2 net sales of $3.27 billion, below the consensus of $3.39 billion.
Avis Budget Group (CAR) is down more than -11% after reporting Q2 EPS of 98 cents, well below the consensus of $1.91.
Masco Corp (MAS) is down more than -10% after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.99 billion, weaker than the consensus of $2.08 billion.
Caterpillar (CAT) is down more than -6% to lead losers in the Dow Jones industrials after Baird downgraded the stock to neutral from outperform, citing a growing trend of state and local government actions targeting data centers, a key growth driver for the company.
Humana (HUM) is down more than -6% after it maintained its full-year profit outlook despite posting better-than-expected Q2 profit.
Garmin Ltd (GRMN) is up more than +17% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 revenue of $2.02 billion, above the consensus of $1.92 billion, and raising its full-year revenue estimate to $8.05 billion from a previous estimate of $7.90 billion, stronger than the consensus of $7.99 billion.
GE Healthcare (GEHC) is up more than +11% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.13, better than the consensus of $1.04.
Amphenol (APH) is up more than +6% after reporting Q2 net sales of $8.76 billion, better than the consensus of $8.31 billion.
Teradyne (TER) is up more than +5% after reporting Q2 net revenue of $1.33 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.22 billion.
Ford Motor (F) is up more than +5% after raising its full-year adjusted EBIT to $10 billion to $11 billion from a previous forecast of $8.5 billion to $10.5 billion.
Earnings Reports (7/29/2026)
Align Technology Inc (ALGN), American Water Works Co Inc (AWK), Amphenol Corp (APH), Aon PLC (AON), Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP), Biogen Inc (BIIB), Boston Scientific Corp (BSX), Bunge Global SA (BG), Carvana Co (CVNA), CBRE Group Inc (CBRE), CH Robinson Worldwide Inc (CHRW), Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG), Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH), Electronic Arts Inc (EA), Entergy Corp (ETR), Equinix Inc (EQIX), Essex Property Trust Inc (ESS), Everest Group Ltd (EG), Fair Isaac Corp (FICO), Flex Ltd (FLEX), Fortinet Inc (FTNT), Fortive Corp (FTV), Garmin Ltd (GRMN), GE HealthCare Technologies Inc (GEHC), Generac Holdings Inc (GNRC), General Dynamics Corp (GD), Humana Inc (HUM), IDEX Corp (IEX), Invitation Homes Inc (INVH), Johnson Controls International (JCI), L3Harris Technologies Inc (LHX), Lam Research Corp (LRCX), Lennox International Inc (LII), Masco Corp (MAS), Meta Platforms Inc (META), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Microsoft Corp (MSFT), Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA), Old Dominion Freight Line Inc (ODFL), O'Reilly Automotive Inc (ORLY), Procter & Gamble Co/The (PG), PTC Inc (PTC), Public Storage (PSA), QUALCOMM Inc (QCOM), Regency Centers Corp (REG), Robinhood Markets Inc (HOOD), Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW), Stanley Black & Decker Inc (SWK), Starbucks Corp (SBUX), Tyler Technologies Inc (TYL), Ventas Inc (VTR), Verisk Analytics Inc (VRSK), Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT), VICI Properties Inc (VICI), Vulcan Materials Co (VMC), Waste Management Inc (WM), WEC Energy Group Inc (WEC).
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 Tumble Ahead of FOMC as Chipmakers Plunge

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.18%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -0.85%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.23%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU26) are down -0.25%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU26) are down -0.30%.
Stock indexes turned lower today as crude prices surged, and bond yields jumped after President Trump said the US will “hit Iran hard” after a recent attack from Iran that targeted a US base in Jordan. The markets are awaiting the results of the 2-day FOMC meeting that ends early this afternoon, with policymakers expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Also, earnings results from Microsoft and Meta Platforms after today’s close will be looked at to see whether the vast spending behind the buildout of artificial intelligence can deliver adequate returns. The 10-year T-note yield is up +3 bp to 4.63%.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Sep WTI crude oil prices (CLU26) jumped by more than +6% today as the recent lull in hostilities came to an abrupt end after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a US airbase and command center in Jordan with ballistic missiles. The IRGC also claimed to have hit and halted three tankers attempting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US and Saudi Arabia launched a joint attack on "Iran-aligned terrorists" in Iraq after the IRGC directed them to target US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
Tensions remain high in the Middle East as the US maintains its blockade of Iranian oil shipments in the Persian Gulf. Also, diplomatic attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz appear to be at an impasse. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi said Oman's proposal for a route through the Strait of Hormuz, with 50% under Iran's control and 50% under Oman's, would not address Iran's concerns and that the inbound passage and part of the outbound channel must be entirely under Iran's control.
US MBA mortgage applications fell -6.4% in the week ended July 24, with the purchase mortgage sub-index down -3.6% and the refinancing mortgage sub-index down -9.9%. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose +7 bp to an 11.5-month high of 6.76% from 6.69% the prior week.
The outlook for strong Q2 earnings, which continue this week, is a bullish factor for stocks. The markets are awaiting results from a raft of megacap technology companies this week, including Microsoft and Meta Platforms today, and Amazon.com and Apple on Thursday. Forecasts compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence suggest Q2 earnings may increase by +23%, close to Q1’s blowout earnings of +30%, which was more than double the +12% analysts had expected. AI spending is expected to account for most of earnings, with AI infrastructure stocks set to contribute nearly 60% of the S&P 500's earnings-per-share growth in Q2. So far, earnings results have been positive, with 86% of the 170 S&P 500 companies that have reported Q2 earnings beating estimates, according to Bloomberg data.
The markets are discounting a 36% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the conclusion of today’s FOMC meeting.
Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is down -0.48%. China's Shanghai Composite rebounded from a 1-week low and closed up +0.40%. Japan's Nikkei-225 Stock Average fell to a 2.25-month low and closed down -1.49%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU6) today are down -8 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is up +2.6 bp to 4.633%. T-notes are under pressure today from a +6% surge in crude oil prices, which raises inflation expectations and is hawkish for Fed policy. Also, long liquidation and position evening are weighing on T-notes ahead of the FOMC’s interest rate decision later today.
European government bond yields are moving higher today. The 10-year German bund yield is up +3.2 bp to 3.136%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is up +5.3 bp to 4.997%.
The German Jun import price index eased to 6.1% y/y from 6.8% y/y in May.
The markets are discounting an 88% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on September 10.
US Stock Movers
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks are moving lower today, weighing on the broader market. Nebius Group NV (NBIS) is down more than -8% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100, and Sandisk (SNDK) is down more than -6%. Also, Applied Materials (AMAT) and KLA Corp (KLAC) are down by more than -4%, and NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI) and ARM Holdings (ARM) are down by more than -3%. In addition, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), ASML Holding NV (ASML), Micron Technology (MU), Lam Research (LRCX), and Microchip Technology (MCHP) are down more than -2%.
Trucking and freight companies are under pressure today from soaring crude oil prices. ArcBest (ARCB) is down more than -4%, and Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) and Saia Inc (SAIA) are down more than -2%. Also, FedEx Freight Holding (FDXF), Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings (KNX), JB Hunt Transport Services (JBHT), Marten Transport Ltd (MRTN), CH Robinson Worldwide (CHRW), and XPO Inc (XPO) are down more than -1%.
Airline stocks are sliding today with the surge in crude oil prices. Alaska Air Group (ALK) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) are down more than -2%, and American Airlines Group (AAL), United Airlines Holdings (UAL), and Delta Air Lines (DAL) are down more than -1%.
Energy producers and service providers are climbing today, with crude oil prices up by more than +6%. ConocoPhillips (COP), Diamondback Energy (FANG), and Valero Energy (VLO) are up more than +3%, and APA Corp (APA), Chevron (CVX), Devon Energy (DVN), ExxonMobil Holdings (XOM), Marathon Petroleum (MPC), Occidental Petroleum (OXY), and Phillips 66 (PSX) are up more than +2%. Also, SLB Ltd (SLB), Baker Hughes (BKR), and Haliburton (HAL) are up more than +1%.
Lennox International (LII) is down more than -13% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.55 billion, weaker than the consensus of $1.56 billion.
Vertiv Holdings (VRT) is down more than -8% after reporting Q2 net sales of $3.27 billion, below the consensus of $3.39 billion.
CoStar Group (CSGP) is down more than -8% after reporting Q2 revenue of $925 million, weaker than the consensus of $929.4 million.
Skyworks Solutions (SWKS) is down more than -7% after forecasting Q4 adjusted EPS of $1.27, below the consensus of $1.29.
Avis Budget Group (CAR) is down more than -6% after reporting Q2 EPS of 98 cents, well below the consensus of $1.91.
Caterpillar (CAT) is down more than -2% after Baird downgraded the stock to neutral from outperform, citing a growing trend of state and local government actions targeting data centers, a key growth driver for the company.
Teradyne (TER) is up more than +13% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net revenue of $1.33 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.22 billion.
GE Healthcare (GEHC) is up more than +10% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.13, better than the consensus of $1.04.
Garmin Ltd (GRMN) is up more than +7% after reporting Q2 revenue of $2.02 billion, above the consensus of $1.92 billion, and raising its full-year revenue estimate to $8.05 billion from a previous estimate of $7.90 billion, stronger than the consensus of $7.99 billion.
Bloom Energy (BE) is up more than +7% after reporting Q2 revenue of $1.07 billion, stronger than the consensus of $838.7 million, and raising its full-year revenue forecast to $3.9 billion to $4.2 billion from a previous forecast of $3.4 billion to $3.8 billion, above the consensus of $3.74 billion.
Generac Holdings (GNRC) is up more than +5% after raising its full-year adjusted Ebitda margin to 20% to 21% from a previous estimate of 18.5% to 19.5%, better than the consensus of 19.2%.
Ford Motor (F) is up more than +4% after raising its full-year adjusted EBIT to $10 billion to $11 billion from a previous forecast of $8.5 billion to $10.5 billion.
Earnings Reports (7/29/2026)
Align Technology Inc (ALGN), American Water Works Co Inc (AWK), Amphenol Corp (APH), Aon PLC (AON), Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP), Biogen Inc (BIIB), Boston Scientific Corp (BSX), Bunge Global SA (BG), Carvana Co (CVNA), CBRE Group Inc (CBRE), CH Robinson Worldwide Inc (CHRW), Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG), Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH), Electronic Arts Inc (EA), Entergy Corp (ETR), Equinix Inc (EQIX), Essex Property Trust Inc (ESS), Everest Group Ltd (EG), Fair Isaac Corp (FICO), Flex Ltd (FLEX), Fortinet Inc (FTNT), Fortive Corp (FTV), Garmin Ltd (GRMN), GE HealthCare Technologies Inc (GEHC), Generac Holdings Inc (GNRC), General Dynamics Corp (GD), Humana Inc (HUM), IDEX Corp (IEX), Invitation Homes Inc (INVH), Johnson Controls International (JCI), L3Harris Technologies Inc (LHX), Lam Research Corp (LRCX), Lennox International Inc (LII), Masco Corp (MAS), Meta Platforms Inc (META), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Microsoft Corp (MSFT), Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA), Old Dominion Freight Line Inc (ODFL), O'Reilly Automotive Inc (ORLY), Procter & Gamble Co/The (PG), PTC Inc (PTC), Public Storage (PSA), QUALCOMM Inc (QCOM), Regency Centers Corp (REG), Robinhood Markets Inc (HOOD), Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW), Stanley Black & Decker Inc (SWK), Starbucks Corp (SBUX), Tyler Technologies Inc (TYL), Ventas Inc (VTR), Verisk Analytics Inc (VRSK), Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT), VICI Properties Inc (VICI), Vulcan Materials Co (VMC), Waste Management Inc (WM), WEC Energy Group Inc (WEC).
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 Pressured by Renewed US-Iran Hostilities

HF Sinclair Corporation DINO reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $5.31 per share, up 212.4% year over year. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.39 by 21.0%.
Sales and other revenues increased 53.2% to $10.39 billion from $6.78 billion recorded a year ago. The top line beat the consensus estimate of $7.50 billion by 38.5%.
The strong quarterly results were driven by higher refining margins, increased refinery throughput and improved refinery utilization. The higher crude oil charge, which rose 3.9% year over year to 639,680 barrels per day (Bbl/d), further supported the strong performance.
HF Sinclair Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
DINO Refining Results Gain on Favorable Margins
Refining segment revenues, including intersegment sales, increased to $9.23 billion from $6.02 billion a year earlier. Segment income before interest and taxes surged to $877 million from $166 million, while adjusted earnings before income, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased to $1.02 billion from $476 million.
The increase reflected strong margins and volumes across the Mid-Continent and West regions, supported by steady demand, tight supply and favorable crack spreads. Adjusted refinery gross margin increased 57.3% to $25.95 per produced barrel sold. Refinery utilization improved to 94.3% from 90.8%, while sales of produced refined products rose to 668,670 Bbl/d from 649,210 recorded in the prior year.
HF Sinclair Renewables Performance Improves
Renewables segment revenues nearly doubled to $486 million from $258 million in the prior-year quarter. The business generated income before interest and taxes of $30 million against a loss of $4 million a year ago.
Adjusted EBITDA reached $123 million, reversing a loss of $2 million a year earlier. Results benefited from increased renewable identification number (RIN) prices, improved Producer’s Tax Credit benefits and higher volumes. Sales of produced renewables products rose to 59.9 million gallons from 54.8 million gallons, while adjusted gross margin increased to $2.46 per gallon from 36 cents per gallon.
DINO Lubricants Business Posts Strong Growth
Lubricants and Specialties segment revenues increased to $999 million from $645 million. Income before interest and taxes increased to $181 million from $33 million, and adjusted EBITDA rose to $207 million from $55 million.
The improvement was driven by higher sales volumes and product prices. Sales of produced refined products increased 24.7% to 39,847 barrels per day. The segment also recorded a $46 million first-in, first-out inventory benefit compared with a $20 million charge in the year-ago period.
HF Sinclair Marketing Volumes Rise
Marketing segment revenues increased to $1.37 billion from $826 million. Income before interest and taxes rose to $20 million from $18 million, while EBITDA improved to $28 million from $25 million.
Branded fuel sales volumes rose 14.7% to 386.7 million gallons. The number of branded sites reached 1,832 at quarter-end, up from the 1,719 recorded in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted marketing gross margin remained steady at 10 cents per gallon despite the volume expansion.
DINO Midstream Performance Remains Stable
HF Sinclair’s Midstream segment generated revenues of $167 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from the $157 million a year earlier. External customer revenues rose to $32 million from $28 million, while intersegment revenues increased to $135 million from $129 million.
Segment income before interest and income taxes was $95 million, down from the $98 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA remained unchanged at $112 million. Total pipeline and terminal asset volumes increased 6.1% year over year to 2.02 million barrels per day (MMB/d) from 1.91 MMB/d, supported by higher affiliate crude pipeline and terminal volumes.
DINO Consolidated Expenses Rise on Higher Sales Activity
HF Sinclair’s total operating costs and expenses increased 42% year over year to $9.22 billion in the second quarter of 2026 from $6.51 billion. The increase mainly reflected higher cost of materials and other expenses, which rose 50% to $8.13 billion as revenues and operating activity expanded.
Operating expenses increased 14% to $654 million, while selling, general and administrative expenses rose 14% to $130 million. Depreciation and amortization edged up 1% to $228 million. Other operating expenses climbed to $47 million from $9 million, primarily reflecting an impairment charge in the Renewables segment.
Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory valuation adjustments declined to $30 million from $148 million in the year-ago quarter. Despite the higher overall expense base, sales growth outpaced cost growth, helping consolidated income from operations rise to $1.17 billion from $275 million.
DINO’s Cash Flow, Balance Sheet & Dividend
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $1.51 billion in the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents were $2.26 billion as of June 30, 2026 while consolidated debt was $2.77 billion.
DINO returned $265 million to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases. The company paid $89 million in dividends and spent $179 million on buybacks, including excise tax. Its board raised the regular quarterly dividend 5% to 52.5 cents per share.
HF Sinclair Plans Lubricants Separation
HF Sinclair plans to separate its Lubricants and Specialties segment into an independent publicly traded company. The transaction is targeted for completion in the second half of 2027, subject to final board approval, regulatory clearances, financing and other customary conditions.
HF Sinclair intends to retire its Mississauga base oil refining assets, with the transition expected to be substantially completed during 2027. The remaining company will focus on refining, midstream, marketing and renewables, while the new lubricants business will pursue a capital-light model centered on specialty products, brands and customer relationships.
DINO Sees Positive Third-Quarter Backdrop
HF Sinclair expects the favorable fundamentals that supported its strong second-quarter performance to persist into the third quarter of 2026. Management pointed to steady demand, tight refined-product supply and favorable crack spreads as supportive factors for refining operations.
DINO’s Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
HF Sinclair currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks from the energy sector that have yet to release their second-quarter 2026 earnings are PBF Energy Inc. PBF, Phillips 66 PSX and Valero Energy Corporation VLO. PBF sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while PSX and VLO carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each, at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
PBF Energy operates six major oil refineries across the United States with a total daily capacity of one million barrels. These plants turn crude oil into everyday essentials like transport fuels, heating oil and lubricants. With steady market demand for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, the refiner expects continued positive performance. PBF is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 30, 2026.
Operating 13 refineries mostly in the United States with a total daily capacity of 2.2 million barrels, Phillips 66 stands as a major global refiner. By shifting focus toward chemicals, midstream and renewables, PSX ensures steadier cash flow compared to companies that focus solely on refining. PSX is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug 5, 2026.
Operating 14 global refineries, Valero turns crude oil into 3 million barrels per day of transportation fuels. These refineries handle diverse crude inputs and wide product distribution with ease. Continuous global needs for conventional and green energy keep Valero in a prime position to benefit. VLO is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 30, 2026.
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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.

DINO Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Refining Strength & Higher Volumes

Investors in Phillips 66 (Symbol: PSX) saw new options become available today, for the November 2027 expiration. One of the key data points that goes into the price an option buyer is willing to pay, is the time value, so with 480 days until expiration the newly available contracts represent a potential opportunity for sellers of puts or calls to achieve a higher premium than would be available for the contracts with a closer expiration. At Stock Options Channel, our YieldBoost formula has looked up and down the PSX options chain for the new November 2027 contracts and identified one put and one call contract of particular interest.
The put contract at the $200.00 strike price has a current bid of $26.00. If an investor was to sell-to-open that put contract, they are committing to purchase the stock at $200.00, but will also collect the premium, putting the cost basis of the shares at $174.00 (before broker commissions). To an investor already interested in purchasing shares of PSX, that could represent an attractive alternative to paying $205.54/share today.
Because the $200.00 strike represents an approximate 3% discount to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the put contract would expire worthless. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 64%. Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change, publishing a chart of those numbers on our website under the contract detail page for this contract. Should the contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 13.00% return on the cash commitment, or 9.88% annualized — at Stock Options Channel we call this the YieldBoost.
Below is a chart showing the trailing twelve month trading history for Phillips 66, and highlighting in green where the $200.00 strike is located relative to that history:
Turning to the calls side of the option chain, the call contract at the $220.00 strike price has a current bid of $28.30. If an investor was to purchase shares of PSX stock at the current price level of $205.54/share, and then sell-to-open that call contract as a "covered call," they are committing to sell the stock at $220.00. Considering the call seller will also collect the premium, that would drive a total return (excluding dividends, if any) of 20.80% if the stock gets called away at the November 2027 expiration (before broker commissions). Of course, a lot of upside could potentially be left on the table if PSX shares really soar, which is why looking at the trailing twelve month trading history for Phillips 66, as well as studying the business fundamentals becomes important. Below is a chart showing PSX's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $220.00 strike highlighted in red:
Considering the fact that the $220.00 strike represents an approximate 7% premium to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the covered call contract would expire worthless, in which case the investor would keep both their shares of stock and the premium collected. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 48%. On our website under the contract detail page for this contract, Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change and publish a chart of those numbers (the trading history of the option contract will also be charted). Should the covered call contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 13.77% boost of extra return to the investor, or 10.47% annualized, which we refer to as the YieldBoost.
The implied volatility in the put contract example is 36%, while the implied volatility in the call contract example is 37%.
Meanwhile, we calculate the actual trailing twelve month volatility (considering the last 250 trading day closing values as well as today's price of $205.54) to be 30%. For more put and call options contract ideas worth looking at, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Further PSX Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Interesting PSX Put And Call Options For November 2027

Key Points
The spreads between crude oil prices and prices of refined petroleum products are at a record high.
Even if crude prices come back down, the shortage of refining capacity will keep refiners' margins elevated.
The energy industry, broadly speaking, has benefited from the higher oil prices this year resulting from Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Yet one energy subsector has significantly outperformed both the energy sector and the broader market.
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I'm talking about refiners. As measured by the VanEck Oil Refiners ETF (NYSEMKT: CRAK), refiner stocks are up about 24% since the start of the U.S.-Iran war. That's much better than the overall energy sector, as measured by the State Street Energy Select Sector ETF, up 9% over that period, and the S&P 500 index, up about 7.5%.
Digging down to individual companies, some of the biggest refiners have seen much larger gains.
Marathon Petroleum (NYSE: MPC) is up 59% since the war began, Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO) has climbed 52%, and Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is up 36%.
So, what's going on that has driven refiner stocks so much higher than other energy stocks in recent months?
Basically, it's all about crack spreads. Those reflect the difference between the price of crude oil that refiners buy on global markets and the price they can charge for the refined products they extract from it, such as gasoline, diesel, or heating oil. That difference is also essentially the refiner's profit margin.
The most common industry benchmark is the 3-2-1 crack spread, the spread obtained by converting three barrels of crude oil into two barrels of gasoline and one barrel of a distillate, such as diesel or heating oil.
So while many people believe the price of gasoline and other products moves exactly in tandem with the price of crude, in fact, there's a difference because of the refining process. When there's a shortage of refining capacity, the price of products like gasoline and jet fuel will rise and deliver bigger profit margins to refiners.
That's the case today.
A global refining capacity shortage
Due to wars in Ukraine and the Persian Gulf and the resulting destruction of refining infrastructure, as well as pandemic-era closures and aging infrastructure, global refining utilization was about 78 million barrels a day during the second quarter. That's 5 million barrels below the same period a year ago.
That's created a bottleneck that's driven the 3-2-1 crack spread for U.S. refiners to about $64, a new high.
Even if the two conflicts end tomorrow, it will take much longer to get refining capacity back where it needs to be to meet global demand for petroleum products.
That has generated considerable optimism about refining stocks. This week, Goldman Sachs raised its price target for Valero from $286 to $357, suggesting a 14% upside from the current price.
While I wouldn't put a lot of money into oil companies, as the price of oil remains highly volatile due to the twists and turns of the Persian Gulf conflict, I would invest in refiners. The global refining shortage driving their margins higher will last a lot longer.
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Matthew Benjamin has positions in Select Sector SPDR Trust-State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool recommends Phillips 66. 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.

This Group of Stocks Is Surging Due to the Surge in Oil Prices. Should You Invest?

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.
Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.
Below, we take a look at Phillips 66 (PSX), which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.
It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Phillips 66 currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.
You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>
Set to Beat the Market?
Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for PSX that show why this oil refiner shows promise as a solid momentum pick.
Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.
For PSX, shares are up 9.82% over the past week while the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is up 9.82% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 20.5% compares favorably with the industry's 20.2% performance as well.
Considering longer term price metrics, like performance over the last three months or year, can be advantageous as well. Over the past quarter, shares of Phillips 66 have risen 15.53%, and are up 66.49% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.48% and 17.65%, respectively.
Investors should also pay attention to PSX's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. PSX is currently averaging 2,574,860 shares for the last 20 days.
Earnings Outlook
The Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with PSX.
Over the past two months, 5 earnings estimates moved higher compared to 1 lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost PSX's consensus estimate, increasing from $18.26 to $21.96 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 5 estimates have moved upwards while there have been 1 downward revision in the same time period.
Bottom Line
Taking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that PSX is a #2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Phillips 66 on your short list.
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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.

Phillips 66 (PSX) Is Up 9.82% in One Week: What You Should Know

Investors might want to bet on Phillips 66 (PSX), as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Phillips 66 basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices
The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Phillips 66 imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for Phillips 66
For the fiscal year ending December 2026, this oil refiner is expected to earn $21.96 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Phillips 66. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 44.6%.
Bottom Line
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Phillips 66 to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
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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.

All You Need to Know About Phillips 66 (PSX) Rating Upgrade to Buy

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 $311.7 million dollar inflow -- that's a 0.8% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 661,598,400 to 666,848,400). Among the largest underlying components of XLE, in trading today ConocoPhillips (Symbol: COP) is up about 0.6%, Marathon Petroleum Corp. (Symbol: MPC) is up about 0.5%, and Phillips 66 (Symbol: PSX) is up by about 1.1%. 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 $42.05 per share, with $63.46 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $60.18. 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.
Further XLE Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.