ING Groep NV Has $26.80 Million Holdings in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)

ING Groep NV boosted its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Free Report) by 642.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 270,234 shares of the energy producer's stock after purchasing an additional 233,833 shares during the period. ING Groep NV's holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $26,799,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in COP. Albion Financial Group UT grew its position in ConocoPhillips by 876.9% during the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 254 shares of the energy producer's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Global Wealth Strategies & Associates grew its position in ConocoPhillips by 80.5% in the fourth quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 343 shares of the energy producer's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. 82.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at ConocoPhillips

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

ConocoPhillips Stock Performance

ConocoPhillips stock traded down $4.10 on Friday, hitting $97.90. The company's stock had a trading volume of 8,561,843 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,781,136. The firm has a market cap of $124.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $100.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $105.48. ConocoPhillips has a one year low of $94.23 and a one year high of $135.18.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The energy producer reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 anticipate that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 earnings per share for the current year.

ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 17th will be issued a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. ConocoPhillips's payout ratio is 40.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on COP shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $132.00 to $128.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Evercore ISI restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $165.00 price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research note on Friday, December 6th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $140.00 to $137.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $137.00 to $135.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Mizuho upgraded shares of ConocoPhillips from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $132.00 to $134.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Two 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $133.56.

ConocoPhillips 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.