3. Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 62
Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) is one of the top energy stocks in Tortoise Capital Advisors portfolio.
Chevron stands to benefit from an expected surge in natural gas demand amid the rise of data centers.
Talking to CNBC in May, Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) CEO Mike Wirth said that natural gas demand was expected to surpass expectations as electricity consumption surges from artificial intelligence and data centers.
“It’s a little hard to quantify right now because this is evolving so quickly on the AI side. But I think demand for natural gas is likely to be higher than what people have been estimating up until now.”
With 37 years of consistent dividend increases, oil giant Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the best dividend growth stocks to buy according to hedge funds. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) has been paying dividends without a break since 1984. Its annual dividend growth rate over the past three years is 5.40%. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)’s payout ratio is about 56%, which is higher than the industry mean of 45%, but given the company’s huge cash flows and strong fundamentals, dividend safety isn’t a major concern for Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) investors.
Chevron Corp’s (NYSE:CVX) management has pledged fiscal discipline and caution amid massive swings in oil and commodity prices. Analysts believe Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) remains well-positioned in the Permian Basin and DJ Basin, with strong production numbers posted in the first quarter. In April, Chevron Corp’s (NYSE:CVX) management said it expects $80/BBL Brent in 2024 and guided for a 4% to 7% increase in total production in the year. Analysts believe this guidance was conservative as continued supply cuts from oil producers would support oil prices.
Analysts also believe now that Hess shareholders have approved Chevron Corp’s (NYSE:CVX) $53 billion acquisition of the company, the deal could go through and help Chevron expand and achieve its goals in Guyana.
Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) is expected to see earnings growth of 10.57% in 2025, much higher than Exxon’s 6.72% earnings growth. Given all these growth catalysts, strong fiscal position and dividends, the stock is undervalued, at a forward P/E ratio of 13.89.
Carillon Eagle Growth & Income Fund stated the following regarding Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:
“Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) traded lower, along with oil prices, and issued a disappointing earnings announcement due to overseas refining losses. Separately, the company announced an agreement to buy another energy company with operations offshore of Guyana, as well as in North Dakota, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Gulf of Thailand. This is a strategic acquisition for very little takeout premium.”
