Energy

4 Top Merrill Lynch Dividend Energy Stocks to Buy for Big Upside in 2016

Lee Jackson

Published: January 6, 2016 8:55 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 3:23 pm

Any way you slice it, the going will stay rough for the energy sector through 2016. While oil prices may start to bottom at current levels, there is no reason to think we will see any huge upside movement, unless the situation in the Middle East really deteriorates or the dollar weakens drastically versus the euro.

The analysts at Merrill Lynch are very cautious going forward, and they are doing what smart teams on Wall Street do when a sector is dicey. They stay with large cap companies that have solid track records, and are well positioned to weather the storm, even if it takes a couple of years. With that in mind, they prefer being early to the party, but with big sector players

Here are the four top large cap picks for 2016.

ConocoPhillips

This one may offer investors among the best total return possibilities for 2016, and it is a member Merrill Lynch US 1 list. ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is the self-described world’s largest independent exploration and production company, based on production and proved reserves. Headquartered in Houston, Conoco has operations and activities in 25 countries and has spent the past five years divesting assets. Although it is cash rich, the company has somewhat dampened earnings and growth expectations recently.

Many Wall Street analysts feel Conoco can accelerate growth from reloaded portfolio depth in the Bakken and Eagle Ford, with visibility on future growth from a newly disclosed sizable position in the Permian. The company lowered its 2015 spending target in response to the lingering slump in crude prices.

Chairman and CEO Ryan Lance has said that the company expects oil prices to start to rise late this year, but it is significantly reducing capital and operating costs, while maintaining its commitment to safety and asset integrity. The 2016 capital budget was announced recently at $7.7 billion. Lance also said Conoco retains the flexibility to adjust capital spending in response to market factors. Merrill Lynch feels that with the spending below $8 billion and additional asset sales, the dividend should remain safe, a key reason for investors to consider.

Conoco investors receive a very strong 6.31% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price target is a whopping $77. The Thomson/First Call consensus price target is $60.95. Shares closed Tuesday at $47.40.

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