Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC Sells 14,450 Shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)

Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Free Report) by 54.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,900 shares of the energy producer's stock after selling 14,450 shares during the period. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC's holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $1,180,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cypress Capital Group raised its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 0.5% during the third quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 18,790 shares of the energy producer's stock valued at $1,978,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Orrstown Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Orrstown Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,342 shares of the energy producer's stock valued at $331,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Smithfield Trust Co raised its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 3,132 shares of the energy producer's stock valued at $332,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Principle Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Principle Wealth Partners LLC now owns 37,255 shares of the energy producer's stock worth $3,695,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Verus Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 2.0% during the third quarter. Verus Capital Partners LLC now owns 5,137 shares of the energy producer's stock worth $541,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. 82.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ConocoPhillips Price Performance

Shares of COP stock traded down $4.10 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $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's 50-day moving average is $100.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $105.48. The company has a market cap of $124.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.57, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.18. ConocoPhillips has a 1-year low of $94.23 and a 1-year high of $135.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.29.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The energy producer reported $1.98 earnings per share 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, research analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 earnings per share for the current year.

ConocoPhillips Dividend Announcement

The business 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.19%. ConocoPhillips's payout ratio is presently 40.05%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

COP has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $135.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Friday, January 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $125.00 target price on the stock. Raymond James cut shares of ConocoPhillips from a "strong-buy" rating to an "outperform" rating and decreased their price target for the company from $157.00 to $124.00 in a report on Monday, February 10th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $140.00 to $137.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on ConocoPhillips in a research report on Monday, December 16th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $128.00 price objective for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $133.56.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

About ConocoPhillips

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.