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Bernstein, a prominent financial firm, has downgraded shares of Woodside (OTC:WOPEY) Energy Group Ltd (WDS: AU) (NYSE: WDS), shifting the rating from 'Outperform' to 'Market Perform'.
The firm also adjusted the price target for the company's shares to AUD28.00, a decrease from the previous AUD37.00.
The downgrade comes as analysts at Bernstein anticipate a potential shift in the market dynamics for natural gas. According to their assessment, while Woodside Energy and Santos Ltd have seen benefits from elevated gas prices over the past three years, there may be a transition towards lower gas prices.
The analysts foresee that this change, coupled with sustained high capital expenditures (capex), could diminish near-term returns and earnings for these companies.
Bernstein has updated its 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Woodside Energy, reducing them by 11% to align with revised oil and Japan Korea Marker (JKM) price assumptions.
The new estimates are based on a Brent oil price adjustment from $84 to $80. Additionally, the recent acquisition of a US ammonia plant by Woodside has prompted Bernstein to lower its near-term free cash flow (FCF) estimates for the company.
The firm's updated 2025 EPS forecasts for Woodside Energy and Santos now stand 3% and 12% below the consensus, respectively.
In other recent news, Woodside reported a key legal win for its Scarborough project, which is expected to enhance its production capabilities. Additionally, Woodside Energy has projected a robust half-year 2024 performance based on current market conditions and operational forecasts.
The company has also expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of OCI's Clean Ammonia Project and Tellurian (NYSE:TELL) Inc., aligning with the industry's shift towards more sustainable fuel alternatives and enhancing its standing in the liquefied natural gas sector. Furthermore, Woodside Energy achieved its first oil extraction at the Sangomar field, which is expected to boost the company's production capacity and financial performance.
InvestingPro Insights
Following the recent downgrade by Bernstein, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (WDS:AU) (NYSE: WDS) presents a mix of stability and caution for investors. According to InvestingPro data, Woodside Energy has a market capitalization of $33.47 billion and trades with a P/E ratio of 20.14, which adjusts to a more attractive 17.11 when considering the last twelve months as of Q4 2023.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that Woodside Energy pays a significant dividend to shareholders, boasting a dividend yield of 6.55% as of the most recent data, and has a track record of maintaining dividend payments for 33 consecutive years. Additionally, the company's stock typically exhibits low price volatility, which can be appealing to investors seeking stability in their portfolios. Notably, Woodside Energy is trading near its 52-week low, which might indicate a potential entry point for value investors.
For those considering long-term investment horizons, Woodside Energy's moderate level of debt and the ability of its cash flows to sufficiently cover interest payments provide a degree of financial resilience. Furthermore, analysts predict the company will remain profitable this year, supported by profitability over the last twelve months. For a deeper dive into Woodside Energy's performance and additional insights, there are 6 more InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/WDS.
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