Piper Sandler has confirmed its Overweight rating on Hess Corp . (NYSE: HES) with a stable price target of $167.00.
The firm's stance comes amidst ongoing discussions surrounding Chevron 's potential acquisition of Hess, which is currently undergoing shareholder voting and regulatory approvals, including today's Federal Trade Commission (FTC) clearance.
The analyst from Piper Sandler addressed investor inquiries about the independent value of Hess by examining the worth of its Guyana assets and the company's stand-alone value.
The analyst's review suggests an increase in the valuation of Hess's Guyana interests, from $40.6 billion to $45.6 billion. This adjustment corresponds to an enhanced per-share value from $132 to $149.
The upward revision is attributed to a notable rise in discovered resources in Guyana and productivity that has exceeded expectations.
These factors contribute to the analyst's perspective that Hess, as an independent entity, would have a value of approximately $170 per share, assuming a Brent crude oil price of $75 per barrel.
In other recent news, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has given a green light to Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)'s $53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES), marking a significant milestone in one of the largest deals in the U.S. oil and gas industry.
However, the approval came with the stipulation that Hess CEO, John Hess, will not join the board of Chevron post-merger. A significant hurdle remains, as Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) and CNOOC (NYSE:CEO) Limited, partners with Hess in a Guyana joint venture, have raised objections to the deal. The case is set to be heard by a three-judge arbitration panel in May 2025.
Wolfe Research recently upgraded Hess Corp. shares from Peer Perform to Outperform, citing the potential merger with Chevron and solid company fundamentals. The research firm outlined three possible scenarios for Hess Corp., all of which appear favorable for the company's valuation.
Hess Corporation has also announced an increase in its regular quarterly dividend, signaling a strong financial position and commitment to shareholder returns. This development directly impacts the investment returns of shareholders.
InvestingPro Insights
The recent analysis by Piper Sandler aligns with several key metrics and insights from InvestingPro. Hess Corp.'s financial health appears robust, with a market capitalization of $41.7 billion and a P/E ratio of 15.6, suggesting a relatively attractive valuation compared to its earnings. This is further supported by an InvestingPro Tip indicating that Hess is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to its near-term earnings growth, which corroborates Piper Sandler's view of Hess as a value investment opportunity.
The company's strong financial position is also reflected in its revenue growth, with a 14.67% increase over the last twelve months and a significant 39.9% growth in the most recent quarter. This growth trajectory aligns with the analyst's positive outlook on Hess's Guyana assets and their increasing value.
Another InvestingPro Tip highlights that Hess has maintained dividend payments for 38 consecutive years, demonstrating financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns. This consistent dividend history, coupled with a current dividend yield of 1.47%, may appeal to value-oriented investors.
For readers interested in a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 5 additional tips and a wide array of financial metrics to further evaluate Hess Corp.'s investment potential.
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