ConocoPhillips (COP)
ConocoPhillips is a massive independent energy company that finds, extracts, and sells oil and natural gas across the globe.
Is ConocoPhillips a good stock for a UK beginner?
The honest version: ConocoPhillips is a massive independent energy company that finds, extracts, and sells oil and natural gas across the globe.
Over about 2 years to 2026-07-31. This is the share price only - reinvesting the dividends would add to it. And it's the USD return - as a UK investor your actual £ return also moves with the exchange rate. Past performance is not a guide to the future, and it could just as easily have fallen.
Based on beta - how much the price swings versus the whole market. Bumpier isn't bad; it just means a rougher ride, which matters more the sooner you might need the money.
Prices move on results, news and the mood of the whole market - no single headline explains a day, and a quiet week is usually just noise, not a signal.
Long-term energy demand remains high despite the shift to renewables.
Rapid global transition away from fossil fuels makes assets less valuable.
What does ConocoPhillips do?
Think of ConocoPhillips as a giant plumbing operation for the earth's resources; they spend their time exploring for oil and gas and then bringing it to market. Selling these raw commodities is the whole game, so its success is tied closely to the global price of energy. Keep watch on how they balance their spending on new projects against their commitment to paying out cash to shareholders.
On our factor screen it looks strongest on momentum and value, and weakest on growth.
- ✓Pays a dividend - about 2.8% a year
- !Revenue slipped about 5% over the year
- ✓Low debt - a sturdier balance sheet
- Value screens high (71/100)
- Momentum screens high (72/100)
- Strong track record of returning cash to shareholders through dividends.
- Very low volatility compared to the broader stock market.
- Significant scale and expertise in global energy extraction.
- Growth screens low (9/100)
- A sudden, sustained drop in the global price of oil.
- Stricter government regulations on carbon emissions.
- Geopolitical conflicts disrupting supply chains in key regions.
What do ConocoPhillips's numbers mean?
How much money does ConocoPhillips make?
Revenue and profit by quarter, and how much of each sale turns into profit.
Does ConocoPhillips pay a dividend?
Yes - ConocoPhillips currently pays a dividend of about 2.8% a year (the yearly payout as a share of the price). A dividend is a slice of profit handed to shareholders; the yield moves as the price moves, and a company can cut or stop it.
When does ConocoPhillips report earnings, and how did recent quarters go?
ConocoPhillips is next scheduled to report on about 2026-08-06 - dates can move, and we don't predict results; this just tells you when to look.
Each quarter a company reports its results against what analysts expected. ‘Beating’ or ‘missing’ is about that expectation, not whether the business is doing well in absolute terms.
| Reported | Expected EPS: The earnings per share analysts expected for the quarter - the average of their forecasts. 'Beating' or 'missing' is measured against this number. | Actual EPS | vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-30 | $1.69 | $1.89 | Beat +12% |
| 2026-02-05 | $1.09 | $1.02 | Missed -6% |
| 2025-11-06 | $1.41 | $1.61 | Beat +14% |
| 2025-08-07 | $1.36 | $1.42 | Beat +5% |
| 2025-05-08 | $2.05 | $2.09 | Beat +2% |
| 2025-02-06 | $1.83 | $1.98 | Beat +8% |
Across the last 6 quarters here, ConocoPhillips came in ahead of what analysts expected 5 times. One quarter is noise, not a trend.
See who else reports over the next two weeks →
Reported vs expected earnings per share (EPS) from published results; the expectation is the analyst consensus, not our view. Report dates are estimates that can move.
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Valero Energy CorporationWhat are the scenarios for ConocoPhillips?
An illustrative range for the year ahead, with the assumption behind each case — not a prediction or a price target.
What are the pros and cons of ConocoPhillips?
How many points the write-up makes each way — a balance check, not a score or verdict.
- Strong track record of returning cash to shareholders through dividends.
- Very low volatility compared to the broader stock market.
- Significant scale and expertise in global energy extraction.
- Revenue and earnings have recently seen a decline.
- Business model is heavily reliant on volatile commodity prices.
- High exposure to environmental and regulatory scrutiny.
- A sudden, sustained drop in the global price of oil.
- Stricter government regulations on carbon emissions.
- Geopolitical conflicts disrupting supply chains in key regions.
The write-up's own warning lights — if these start happening, the case above changes.
- A permanent, rapid shift in global energy consumption away from oil.
- A major discovery of a cheaper, more efficient alternative energy source.
Built from public filings & market prices, checked for an education-only tone, and never a price target. How we make these →
This plain-English summary was auto-generated on 2026-08-01 from public data and checked for an education-only, no-advice tone (the figures above carry their own, usually fresher, 'as of' date). It's information, never a recommendation.