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Occidental Petroleum (OXY) Hits a 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Occidental Petroleum OXY? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 9.4% over the past month. OXY hit a new 52-week high of $87.17 in the previous session. Occidental Petroleum has gained 16.1% since the start of the year compared to the 6.2% move for the Oils-Energy sector and the 17.3% year-to-date return for its peer group.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on May 8, 2018, Occidental Petroleum reported EPS of $0.92 versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.71 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 2.14%.

For the current fiscal year, Occidental Petroleum is expected to post earnings of $4.1 per share on $16.56 billion in revenues. This represents a 360.67% change in EPS on a 24.73% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.39 per share on $17.85 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 7% and 7.79%, respectively.

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Valuation Metrics

Occidental Petroleum may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for OXY? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Occidental Petroleum has a Value Score of F. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 20.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 14X versus its peer group's average of 10.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 3.21. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation Price and Consensus

 

Occidental Petroleum Corporation Price and Consensus | Occidental Petroleum Corporation Quote

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Occidental Petroleum currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Occidental Petroleum fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though OXY shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does Occidental Petroleum Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Occidental Petroleum have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? Some of its industry peers are also solid potential picks, including Sasol SSL, China Petroleum & Chemical SNP, and CNOOC CEO, all of which currently have a Zacks Rank of at least #2 and a VGM Score of at least B, making them well-rounded choices.

The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 22% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for OXY, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.


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Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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