ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) stock had its “buy” rating reiterated by research analysts at The Street in a report released on Wednesday, Stock Ratings News reports. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) stock opened at $66.40 in last session, and closed at $66.89, while the day range of COP stock is $66.10-$66.94.The stock showed a positive weekly performance of 0.87%.
Total SA (ADR)(NYSE:TOT) says it expects to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on exploration drilling in South Africa this year.TOT, which has a 50% share in a permit to explore off the southern coast of South Africa with Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), will begin drilling later in the year and is in talks with the South African government to acquire a second exploration permit.Other oil majors such as Shell and Exxon have rights to explore for gas off South Africa’s coast; the country currently imports ~70% of its oil from the rest of Africa and the Middle East.Total SA (ADR) (NYSE:TOT) stock opened at $64.48, in last session and closed at $64.51, by loosed -0.03%. The 52 week range was $45.93-$65.28.Company’s market capitalization is $146.31 billion.
Zacks’ analyst wrote, “We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) following its fourth-quarter 2013 release. The world’s largest publicly traded energy company reported better-than-expected earnings on the back of higher natural gas prices. However, ExxonMobil’s performance was muted due to lower revenues and sharply lower refining margins. Additionally, due to its integrated functions, Exxon is susceptible to downside risk from any weakness in the global economy. However, we believe that 2014 will look better, with the commencement of Kearl in Canada, the purchase of Bakken acreage from Denbury and the acquisition of Celtic Exploration. Moreover, Exxon is one of the best run integrated oil companies in the world, given its track record of superior return on capital employed. Therefore, we believe XOM is a core holding for investors seeking a defensive name with continued dividend growth. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) stock gained 0.54% and finished the last session at $95.50.The EPS of the stock remained 7.37. Company’s market capitalization is $412.68 billion.
A federal appeals court dismissed an appeal from BP plc (ADR) (NYSE:BP) that argued certain damage claims awarded to businesses could not be attributed to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent oil spill. The London-based oil giant had attempted to argue that businesses would have to demonstrate a clear connection to the oil spill in order to collect a settlement. BP could end up paying in the neighborhood of $9.2 billion as recompense for the 2010 accident.BP plc (ADR) (NYSE:BP) stock opened the session at $48.22, and closed the session at $48.44.The 52 week range of the BP stock remained $40.10-$51.02 and the day range was $48.13-$48.45.