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On Tuesday, Citi analysts upgraded Woodside (OTC:WOPEY) Energy Group Ltd (WDS:AU) (NYSE: WDS) stock rating from Sell to Neutral and increased the price target to AUD24.00, up from AUD22.00. The revision reflects a potential easing of the stock’s underperformance as the company, an ASX10 constituent, navigates a significant sell-down of its Louisiana LNG project. Currently trading at $14.61, near its 52-week low of $14.34, InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is undervalued, with a robust 9.17% dividend yield and oversold RSI conditions.
Woodside Energy, which has been an underweight position for domestic fund managers, could see a shift in sentiment if the company successfully sells down 50% of its Louisiana LNG project in the near future. While Citi analysts regard the prospect of achieving such a sell-down within the next four weeks as overly ambitious, they acknowledge that advanced negotiations could lead to improved sentiment and fundamentals for Woodside Energy. According to InvestingPro, the company maintains strong financial metrics with a P/B ratio of 0.83 and a "Good" overall financial health score.
The analysts noted that the market has already factored in the negative impact of the portfolio quality deterioration from the Louisiana LNG acquisition, as evidenced by the decline in the share price. This reassessment led to the conclusion that maintaining a Sell rating was no longer appropriate.
However, Citi clarified that their current stance on Woodside Energy is not an endorsement to buy the stock. They expressed a preference for Santos Ltd (OTC:SSLZY) (STO:AU) for investors seeking exposure to the energy sector. The upgrade comes with a cautious tone, highlighting management questions and the need for model changes within the company.
In other recent news, Woodside Energy Group Ltd has released its fourth-quarter report for 2024, detailing its operational and financial performance, though specific figures were not disclosed. The company has also announced strategic changes to its asset portfolio, aiming to streamline operations by focusing on core assets and divesting from non-core ones. This strategic shift is intended to unlock long-term value and enhance shareholder returns. Additionally, Woodside has updated its reserves statement and provided progress on the Sangomar Field Development, a key project offshore Senegal. In terms of mergers, Woodside Energy and the government of Trinidad and Tobago have reached a preliminary agreement on commercial terms for developing the Calypso deepwater gas discoveries. This agreement is a step towards a final investment decision, potentially reducing operational costs and tax liabilities for Woodside. In analyst activity, BofA Securities upgraded Woodside Energy’s stock from Neutral to Buy, raising the price target to AUD27.10, reflecting a positive outlook based on revised oil price forecasts. These recent developments are crucial for investors monitoring Woodside Energy’s strategic decisions and performance in the energy sector.
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