Much attention has been paid lately to the fact that Warren Buffett has been trimming stakes and building a cash hoard.
Shares of Occidental Petroleum (OXY) and SiriusXM Holdings (SIRI) advanced about 4.5% and 10%, respectively, on Friday after billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) added to its holdings of the stocks.
As one of the most successful investors of all time, every single move that Warren Buffett makes in the markets naturally attracts attention. The ‘Oracle of Omaha' has managed to outperform the markets on a consistent basis — and while that is a tall order, his approach is based on a surprisingly simple set of rules.
Shares of Occidental Petroleum Corp (NYSE:OXY) are up 4.4% at $47.36 at last glance, after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) bought an addition 8.9 million shares in the energy producer.
The energy sector has underperformed in the last 6-8 months, while the overall stock market has surged. Occidental Petroleum Corp. has dropped significantly as Warren Buffett stopped supporting the stock below $60. My investment thesis is now Neutral on Occidental Petroleum following its dip to $45.
In 3Q24, OXY posted another strong quarter, growing revenues by 0.21% q/q and 5.2% q/q. Operating margins improved from 53.72% to 57.01% due to reduction in well and drilling costs. OXY's initiatives in margin enhancement and balance sheet strengthening can provide significant value, potentially leading to increased dividends or share repurchases. Macroeconomic headwinds, such as depressed crude oil prices and China's economic struggles, pose short-term risks to OXY's performance.
Occidental Petroleum (OXY) closed at $45.36 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.43% move from the prior day.
Every once in a while, the markets align themselves to offer investors a perfect way to get into a specific sector, with every tailwind behind it coming from other asset classes. Today, there are tailwinds brewing in the spreads between value stocks and growth stocks, which have fallen to a multi-decade low to show investors a potential shift in the market for the coming months.
Occidental Petroleum's aggressive debt reduction, including a $4 billion repayment last quarter, positions it well for future balance sheet stability and investor confidence. Operational improvements, particularly from CrownRock's assets, and cost discipline are driving strong cash flow and production efficiency, ensuring steady revenue streams. Despite volatility risks from global crude oil prices and macroeconomic factors, Occidental's diversification and cost management make it resilient for the coming years.
I reiterate my HOLD rating on Occidental Petroleum due to a mixed outlook. OXY's Q3 earnings reflected some uneven segment performance. The balance sheet was another area of concern, with increased debt and new share issuances.
Warren Buffett is one of the most famous investors alive — and his reputation is well-earned. The ‘Oracle of Omaha' has managed to outperform the wider market consistently using a level-headed, long-term approach based on value investing.
Warren Buffet has one of the best investing track records of all time. If you want to find profitable investments, just pay attention to Buffett's portfolio.