BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 11,309,909 shares, a growth of 71.7% from the December 15th total of 6,585,455 shares. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,944,827 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,944,827 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Trending Headlines about BP

Here are the key news stories impacting BP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: BP (via partner JERA Nex BP) is consolidating its position in UK offshore wind by buying EnBW’s stake in the Mona project and signing a lease for the facility — a strategic renewables expansion that supports long-term low-carbon growth. JERA Nex BP to buy EnBW’s stake in UK’s Mona offshore wind project
• Positive Sentiment: BP and Corteva (CTVA) formed a 50-50 JV, Etlas, to scale oilseed production for SAF and renewable diesel feedstock — supports BP’s fuel decarbonization strategy and future revenue from low-carbon fuels. BP & CTVA Partner to Form Etlas JV for Biofuel Feedstock Supply
• Positive Sentiment: Market reports highlight BP’s progress cutting a “hefty” debt pile, which reduces financial risk and supports capital allocation flexibility — a near-term positive for investor sentiment. BP rises after making progress cutting hefty debt pile
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts note BP may hold up better than peers if oil prices remain weak, given diversified operations and renewables exposure — useful context but not an immediate catalyst. Weak Oil Prices Loom: 3 Integrated Energy Stocks That Could Hold Up
• Neutral Sentiment: Several investor-education pieces and trend-watch articles point to increased attention on BP from retail and institutional audiences — signals of interest but not firm-specific new fundamentals. BP p.l.c. (BP) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks pieces promoting short-term opportunities in oil & energy names reference BP among ideas — these are thematic and not new company-specific catalysts. Why Investors Need to Take Advantage of These 2 Oils and Energy Stocks Now
• Negative Sentiment: BP’s trading update flagged weaker price realizations and disclosed large impairments (including a reported $5B green-energy write-off), which pressure near-term earnings despite a sharp drop in net debt. BP Expects Q4 Upstream Production to Be In Line Sequentially
• Negative Sentiment: Citi sees BP’s fourth-quarter trading statement as operationally in line but warns of near-term earnings headwinds — reinforces analyst caution on near-term profit momentum. BP faces near-term earnings headwinds – Citi
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage summarized BP’s $5 billion green-energy write-off and weak oil trading commentary, which weigh on reported profitability and investor expectations for near-term free cash flow. BP reveals $5 billion write-off in green energy, points to ‘weak’ oil trading

BP Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BP traded up $0.23 during trading on Friday, reaching $35.38. 5,279,896 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,396,491. The firm has a market capitalization of $92.37 billion, a PE ratio of 61.00, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.32. BP has a 52 week low of $25.22 and a 52 week high of $37.64. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The company’s 50 day moving average is $35.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.33.

BP (NYSE:BP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $48.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $43.76 billion. BP had a return on equity of 9.07% and a net margin of 0.79%.BP’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.83 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that BP will post 3.53 earnings per share for the current year.

BP Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $0.4992 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.6%. This is a positive change from BP’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. BP’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 341.38%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on BP shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of BP from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on BP from $37.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Santander upgraded BP to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Raymond James Financial lowered their price objective on BP from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of BP in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $42.54.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BP

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bollard Group LLC grew its position in BP by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bollard Group LLC now owns 337,724 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $10,108,000 after acquiring an additional 37,974 shares during the last quarter. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS boosted its stake in shares of BP by 1.6% during the second quarter. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS now owns 485,409 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $14,528,000 after purchasing an additional 7,645 shares in the last quarter. Vestor Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of BP by 2,705.2% during the second quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 57,983 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $1,735,000 after purchasing an additional 55,916 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of BP by 119.7% in the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 33,148 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $992,000 after buying an additional 18,057 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in BP by 206.0% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 252,849 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $7,568,000 after buying an additional 170,221 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.01% of the company’s stock.

BP Company Profile

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.