On Wednesday, UBS analyst Josh Silverstein adjusted the price target for Hess Corp . (NYSE: HES) to $163 from the previous $170 while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. Currently trading at $129.37, Hess shares sit near their 52-week low of $123.79, with analyst targets ranging from $145 to $199. Silverstein’s commentary highlighted the anticipation of a "quiet quarter" for Hess, noting the expected impacts from weather in the Bakken region and planned maintenance in Guyana had occurred as predicted. InvestingPro data reveals several positive indicators for the company, with more than 8 additional ProTips available to subscribers.
Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2025 results, the UBS analyst reiterated confidence in Hess, despite the reduced price target. With a "GOOD" Financial Health Score from InvestingPro and moderate debt levels, the company appears well-positioned. The upcoming arbitration hearing, which is set to commence next month, has been a topic of interest among event-driven investors. Silverstein reported that there is a divide in expectations for the outcome, with a majority leaning towards a favorable result for Hess and Chevron (NYSE:CVX).
The analyst also addressed investor queries regarding the potential consequences for Hess if the deal with Chevron were to fall through. He estimated a sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) valuation of approximately $119 per share for Hess, based on a long-term Brent crude oil price of $65 and an 11.6 billion resource in Guyana. Trading at a P/E ratio of 14.35x and showing strong profitability with a 79% gross margin, InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued. Silverstein noted that each $5 change in the price of oil could translate to an approximate $15 shift in Hess’s share value.
UBS continues to predict a third-quarter 2025 closure for the Chevron-Hess transaction. Silverstein suggests that Hess represents a leveraged opportunity to gain exposure to Chevron, with the current spread sitting at 8%. This perspective underscores the firm’s view of Hess as a valuable asset in the context of its relationship with Chevron, despite the recent adjustment in the stock’s price target.
In other recent news, Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES) reported impressive fourth-quarter earnings, surpassing analyst expectations with an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.76 compared to the forecasted $1.53. The company’s revenue also exceeded projections, coming in at $3.23 billion against an anticipated $2.96 billion. Despite this strong performance, Hess’s production guidance for the first quarter of 2025, set between 465,000 and 475,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, has drawn attention due to planned maintenance and weather impacts. Raymond James maintained a Market Perform rating on Hess, acknowledging its robust operational results and closely monitoring the company’s merger with Chevron.
CFRA analyst Stewart Glickman adjusted the price target for Hess shares to $154 while maintaining a Hold rating, citing uncertainty surrounding the Chevron acquisition. The analyst noted a significant increase in production volumes, despite a slight drop in average realized pricing per barrel. Hess’s dividend declaration of 50 cents per share reflects its ongoing commitment to returning value to shareholders. The company’s ongoing expansion in Guyana and the arbitration hearings related to its merger are being closely watched by investors. Hess ended the year with $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents, highlighting its strong financial position.
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