BP (NYSE:BP) Stock Rating Upgraded by HSBC

BP (NYSE:BP) was upgraded by equities researchers at HSBC from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage currently has a $45.30 price objective on the oil and gas exploration company’s stock, up from their prior price objective of $35.10. HSBC’s price objective points to a potential upside of 1.21% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on BP. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of BP in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Argus upgraded BP to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on BP from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Melius Research downgraded BP from a “buy” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $31.00 price target for the company. in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded BP from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $38.28.

BP Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BP opened at $44.76 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $117.36 billion, a P/E ratio of -4,471.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 0.31. BP has a 52 week low of $25.22 and a 52 week high of $46.79. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $36.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74.

BP (NYSE:BP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.03. BP had a net margin of 0.03% and a return on equity of 9.68%. The company had revenue of $47.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $42.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.44 earnings per share. BP’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that BP will post 3.53 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of BP

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Strategic Advocates LLC bought a new position in BP during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of BP in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BP during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. YANKCOM Partnership lifted its stake in BP by 1,068.3% during the fourth quarter. YANKCOM Partnership now owns 958 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 876 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Triumph Capital Management acquired a new position in BP in the third quarter worth $43,000. 11.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting BP

Here are the key news stories impacting BP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: BP agreed to sell its Gelsenkirchen refinery to Klesch Group and raised its cost‑reduction target by about $1bn, which should improve margins and free cash flow. BP divests Gelsenkirchen refinery, increases cost reduction goal
• Positive Sentiment: U.S. approval to advance a Gulf of Mexico project supports upstream production growth and long‑term reserves replacement. BP Granted Approval to Advance Gulf of Mexico Project
• Positive Sentiment: BP, alongside partners, is shipping record volumes of U.S. fuels to Australia to fill supply gaps — a near‑term boost to product margins and trading income. Exxon, BP, Vitol ship most US fuels to Australia
• Positive Sentiment: HSBC upgraded BP to “hold” and raised its price target, a modest vote of confidence from an analyst that may limit downside. HSBC upgrades BP from reduce to hold
• Neutral Sentiment: BP announced a move of its global HQ back to central London (Bankside), a corporate‑structure update with limited immediate financial impact but some relocation costs to consider. BP moves back to central London
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst writeups highlight BP as a long‑term value play based on cash flow and dividends; useful for buy‑and‑hold investors but not an immediate price mover. Why BP is a Top Value Stock for the Long‑Term
• Negative Sentiment: BP has locked out more than 800 union workers at the Whiting, Indiana refinery; ongoing pickets and a protracted labor dispute could disrupt refining throughput and raise costs. Locked out BP workers picket outside Indiana refinery
• Negative Sentiment: BP and peers face an anticompetitive conduct probe in Australia tied to fuel shipments — potential regulatory scrutiny and fines could weigh on sentiment. BP, Exxon Mobil units face anticompetitive conduct probe in Australia

About BP

BP plc is a British multinational integrated energy company headquartered in London. Originating in the early 20th century as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, BP has grown into one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, operating across exploration and production, refining and marketing, trading, and a range of low-carbon businesses.

The company’s core activities include upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream and trading operations, and downstream refining, marketing and supply of fuels, lubricants and petrochemicals.