We've been asking ourselves recently if the market has placed a fair valuation on Occidental Petroleum. Let's dive into some of the fundamental values of this large-cap Energy company to determine if there might be an opportunity here for value-minded investors.
Occidental Petroleum's Valuation Is in Line With Its Sector Averages:
Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America. The company belongs to the Energy sector, which has an average price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.54 and an average price to book (P/B) ratio of 1.68. In contrast, Occidental Petroleum has a trailing 12 month P/E ratio of 10.7 and a P/B ratio of 2.73.
When we divide Occidental Petroleum's P/E ratio by its expected EPS growth rate of the next five years, we obtain its PEG ratio of -0.9. Since it's negative, the company has negative growth expectations, and most investors will probably avoid the stock unless it has an exceptionally low P/E and P/B ratio.
The Business Has Weak Operating Margins:
| 2019-12-31 | 2020-12-31 | 2021-12-31 | 2022-12-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (MM) | $20,393 | $17,809 | $25,956 | $36,634 |
| Gross Margins | 29.8% | 7.0% | 30.2% | 48.2% |
| Operating Margins | 13.8% | -7.1% | 18.0% | 37.3% |
| Net Margins | -3.27% | -83.28% | 8.95% | 34.13% |
| Net Income (MM) | -$667 | -$14,831 | $2,322 | $12,504 |
| Net Interest Expense (MM) | -$849 | -$1,306 | -$1,448 | -$877 |
| Earnings Per Share | -$1.22 | -$17.06 | $1.58 | $5.92 |
| EPS Growth | n/a | -1298.36% | 109.26% | 274.68% |
| Diluted Shares (MM) | 810 | 919 | 959 | 892 |
| Free Cash Flow (MM) | $566 | $788 | $7,480 | $12,460 |
| Capital Expenditures (MM) | -$6,637 | -$3,054 | -$2,773 | -$4,350 |
| Net Current Assets (MM) | -$56,417 | -$52,672 | -$44,498 | -$33,638 |
| Current Ratio | 1.25 | 1.07 | 1.23 | 1.15 |
| Long Term Debt (MM) | $38,537 | $35,745 | $29,431 | $19,670 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 3.85 | 4.73 | 1.94 | 0.89 |
Occidental Petroleum has a pattern of improving cash flows and low leverage. Additionally, the company's financial statements display growing revenues and decreasing reinvestment in the business and a strong EPS growth trend. However, the firm suffers from slimmer gross margins than its peers and weak operating margins with a positive growth rate. Finally, we note that Occidental Petroleum has just enough current assets to cover current liabilities.
