Berkshire Hathaway buys $176 million in Occidental Petroleum stock By Investing.com

Berkshire Hathaway Inc . (NYSE:) (NYSE:BRK.A), the conglomerate led by renowned investor Warren Buffett, has made a substantial purchase of shares in Occidental Petroleum Corp (NYSE:NYSE:), a major player in the energy sector. In a series of transactions, Berkshire Hathaway acquired shares totaling approximately $176 million, with prices per share ranging from $59.5893 to $59.7679.

The latest filings indicate that Berkshire Hathaway bought 1,552,497 shares at an average price of $59.7679, 1,060,653 shares at an average price of $59.5893, and an additional 334,461 shares at an average price of $59.7491. These purchases have further solidified Berkshire Hathaway’s position as a significant shareholder in Occidental Petroleum.

The transactions took place over three consecutive business days, starting on June 13, 2024, and concluding on June 17, 2024. Following these acquisitions, Berkshire Hathaway’s total holdings in Occidental Petroleum have reached an impressive 255,281,524 shares.

Berkshire Hathaway’s investment moves are closely watched by investors, as the company’s track record of value investing and long-term holding strategies have yielded substantial returns over the years. The recent purchases by Berkshire Hathaway may be seen as a vote of confidence in the future prospects of Occidental Petroleum, despite the volatility and challenges facing the energy industry.

Investors and analysts will likely continue to monitor Berkshire Hathay’s investment strategies and portfolio adjustments, as these could signal broader market trends and opportunities within the energy sector.

In other recent news, Occidental Petroleum has been making significant strides. The company exceeded Q1 expectations with record production and significant cost reductions. Additionally, Occidental plans to improve cash flow by over $1 billion and is focused on strengthening its balance sheet.

On the merger front, the company’s anticipated CrownRock acquisition and a $4.5 to $6 billion divestiture program are part of the strategy to reduce debt and boost free cash flow.

Truist Securities recently downgraded Occidental’s stock from Buy to Hold, citing less anticipated benefits from its CrownRock acquisition compared to other recent industry deals.

In other company news, Berkshire Hathaway expanded its stake in Occidental by purchasing approximately 2.57 million shares, solidifying its already substantial position. Occidental also received attention during former President Donald Trump’s fundraising tour in Texas, where it garnered significant support from the energy sector. These are among the recent developments for the company.

InvestingPro Insights

Occidental Petroleum Corp (NYSE:OXY), the energy sector heavyweight, is currently under the investor spotlight following Berkshire Hathaway’s recent share acquisitions. With a market capitalization of $53.38 billion, Occidental stands out in the industry. The company’s P/E ratio, a key valuation measure, is at 15.3, reflecting investor sentiment about the company’s earnings potential.

Among the notable InvestingPro Tips, Occidental Petroleum has demonstrated a long-standing reliability in shareholder returns, maintaining dividend payments for 51 consecutive years. Additionally, analysts remain optimistic about the company’s profitability, projecting that Occidental will be profitable for the current year and noting that it has been profitable over the last twelve months. These factors may have contributed to Berkshire Hathaway’s decision to increase its stake in the company.

InvestingPro Data also reveals a robust gross profit margin of 59.58% in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, which is indicative of the company’s efficiency in managing its production costs and pricing strategies. Moreover, Occidental’s dividend yield stands at 1.46%, which, coupled with its dividend growth of 22.22%, may appeal to income-focused investors.

For investors seeking to delve deeper into Occidental Petroleum’s performance and potential, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available. By visiting the dedicated page on InvestingPro, investors can access these insights to inform their investment decisions. Remember to use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, providing an even greater value for those looking to enhance their investment strategy.

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