Avantax Advisory Services Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)

Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Free Report) by 6.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 154,511 shares of the energy producer's stock after acquiring an additional 9,824 shares during the period. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.'s holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $15,323,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips by 876.9% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 254 shares of the energy producer's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the third quarter worth $31,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates boosted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 80.5% during the fourth quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 343 shares of the energy producer's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the third quarter worth $35,000. 82.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ConocoPhillips Price Performance

Shares of NYSE COP opened at $97.64 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $99.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $104.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $124.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. ConocoPhillips has a 52 week low of $86.81 and a 52 week high of $135.18.

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ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The energy producer reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.20. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 16.23% and a return on equity of 17.26%. On average, equities analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 17th were given a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. ConocoPhillips's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.05%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director R A. Walker acquired 10,400 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 17th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $97.80 per share, with a total value of $1,017,120.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 38,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,716,400. This trade represents a 37.68 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Arjun N. Murti acquired 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $95.87 per share, with a total value of $239,675.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 21,500 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,061,205. This trade represents a 13.16 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.34% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Monday, December 16th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $128.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of ConocoPhillips from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $120.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Raymond James downgraded shares of ConocoPhillips from a "strong-buy" rating to an "outperform" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $157.00 to $124.00 in a report on Monday, February 10th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $137.00 to $135.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $132.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, ConocoPhillips presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $133.47.

ConocoPhillips Company Profile

ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects.

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