ConocoPhillips Concludes Asset Divestment To Cenovus Energy

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) recently announced that it has concluded its earlier announced transaction with Cenovus Energy Inc. (TO:CVE) . The transaction pertains to the divestment of the company’s 50% non-operated interest in the Foster Creek Christina Lake (“FCCL”) oil sands partnership as well as the majority of its western Canada Deep Basin gas assets.

ConocoPhillips Canada will retain its operated 50% interest in the Surmont oil sands joint venture and its operated 100% Blueberry-Montney unconventional acreage position.

Based on the transaction, the company has revised its second-quarter 2017 production guidance to 1,365–1,405 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day. This indicates the partial quarter impact of this disposition.

The transaction is immediately value accretive and is expected to increase ConocoPhillips’ value proposition. This will also strengthen the company’s balance sheet and accelerate its planned share repurchase program.

On completion of the transaction, Cenovus issued 208 million common shares to ConocoPhillips as a portion of the payment for the disposition of assets. Currently, ConocoPhillips owns about 16.9% of the issued and outstanding Cenovus common shares. Preceding the transaction, neither ConocoPhillips nor its affiliates owned any Cenovus common shares.

Depending on market conditions and regulatory requirements, ConocoPhillips may from time to time lower its beneficial ownership, or reduce its control or direction over any of Cenovus’s securities through market transactions, private agreements or otherwise.

Investor confidence on the ConocoPhillips’ stock is reflected in its price chart. Shares of the company have lost 2.3% in the last three months, while the Oil & Gas – U.S. Integrated industry registered a decrease of 6%.

ConocoPhillips currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the same space include SunCoke Energy, Inc. (NYSE:SXC) and Canadian Natural Resources Limited Ltd. (TO:CNQ) . Both these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

SunCoke Energy posted a positive earnings surprise of 120.0% in the preceding quarter. The company beat estimates in two of the four trailing quarters with an average negative earnings surprise of 35.78%.

Exterran posted a positive earnings surprise of 123.21% in the year-ago quarter.

Canadian Natural Resources posted a positive earnings surprise of 30.77% in the preceding quarter. It surpassed estimates in two of the four trailing quarters with an average negative earnings surprise of 275.46%.

Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?

Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.

With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.

It's not the one you think.

See This Ticker Free >>