08:55 AM EST, 11/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- CFRA, an independent research provider, has provided MT Newswires with the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

COP posted Q3 operating EPS of $1.61 vs. $1.78 in the prior year, beating consensus by $0.19, as production rose 25% Y/Y to 2.399 mmboe/d mainly from the Marathon Oil acquisition, while organic growth was just 4% and realized prices fell 14% to $46.44/boe. The U.S. Lower 48, led by the Permian Basin at 882,000 boe/d (686,000 from Midland, 196,000 from Delaware), made up 64% of total production. COP prioritizes returns over production growth in the current pricing environment, reflecting a strategic shift among industry peers. Management raised 2025 production guidance to approximately 2.375 mmboe/d and projects modest 0-2% growth in 2026. We expect improved cost structure with 2026 capex declining $0.5B to $12.0B and operating costs dropping to $10.2B from $10.6B. However, Willow project costs increased 21% to $8.5B-$9.0B due to inflation and localized cost pressures, though first oil remains on track for early 2029. The quarterly dividend was hiked 8% to $0.84/share, yielding 3.8% annually.