Friday, November 15, 2024

BP p.l.c. (BP): A Top Buy-The-Dip Stock with Long-Term Growth Potential

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We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best Buy-the-Dip Stocks to Invest In. In this article, we are going to take a look at where BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) stands against the other buy-the-dip stocks.

It’s every investor’s goal to buy a stock well poised to beat the average return of market indexes. However, with valuations getting out of hand after one of the longest bull runs, very few stocks offer significant upside potential. Nevertheless, some stocks have been battered by deteriorating economic conditions fueled by higher for longer rates.

While it might seem too late to buy stocks with major indices led by the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 flirting with record highs, there are still stocks that have been left out from the rallies. Buying the dip is a proven strategy for risk-tolerant investors who are always looking to take action during market downturns.

READ ALSO: 7 Best Beaten Down Stocks to Invest In and Billionaire Carl Icahn’s Top 10 Stocks.

The strategy allows one to buy low when fear has taken over after a deep pullback. It is particularly an effective investment strategy for long-term investors looking to hold stakes in quality stocks for the long haul.

As depicted by the Institute for Supply Management, manufacturing production in the biggest economy slowing down in August is the latest sign that all is not well. Disappointing data with ISM dropping to 47.2 from 48  is the latest sign of slowing growth within the US economy.

According to Larry Tentarelli, chief technical strategist at the Blue Chip Trend Report, the market is expected to be choppy and volatile as it has become data-dependent. Consequently, now would be the best time to be highly cautious, focusing on high-value targets trading at discounted valuations.

On the other hand, Fundstrat’s head of strategy, Mark Newton, believes the market is flashing a handful of signs that there is more upside on the way even as the major indices remain at record highs. According to the analyst, any tech-driven stock pullback presents an ideal buy opportunity on the dip. According to the equity analyst, looking to buy dips makes sense technically, especially for small-cap stocks that look appealing after their recent slide.

The deep pullback in some stocks amid growing concerns about the health of the US economy presents one of the best opportunities to buy the dip of quality stocks trading at discounted valuations. Growth stocks are some of the best, given their track record in outperforming the market.

Certain high-value stocks that have traditionally been steady have recently suffered due to a mix of increasing inflation and high interest rates. In a similar vein, in 2024, there was a shift among investors from big tech firms to smaller, more volatile stocks. Spotting these declines could offer a chance to invest in major companies trading at discounted valuations.

Our Methodology

To make our list of the best buy-the-dip stocks to invest in, we first made a list of stocks in various industries that are trading near their 52-week lows or have pulled back significantly from their 52-week highs. We checked the hedge fund sentiment around 15 stocks with the largest market caps and then selected the 7 stocks that were the most popular among hedge funds. We then ranked the stocks in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds that hold stakes. Our list contains some of the highest quality companies in different industries including mining, energy, consumer staples, retail, aerospace, tech, and more.

At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

A large turbine generating power from natural gas, smoke rising in the background.

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP)

52 Week Range: $32.51 – $40.84

Current Share Price: $32.87

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38

Market Capitalization as of  September 4: $92.51 Billion 

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) is one of the best buy-the-dip stocks to invest in to gain exposure in the energy sector at a time when oil and gas prices are showing signs of edging higher. The integrated oil company produces oil, natural gas, and integrated gas and power; trading of gas; and operation of onshore and offshore wind power.

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) shares are trading near two-year lows, hurt by the company’s shift from the oil and gas business. Even as the company tries to move away from the fossil fuel business, a good chunk of its profits comes from the lucrative business.

It has since increased its forecast for oil and gas demand, indicating that its shift towards renewable energy is decelerating. It anticipates that the oil demand will reach around 97.8 million barrels per day in 2035, according to BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP)’ s scenario, which reflects the ongoing path of the worldwide energy system. This figure is more than 5 percent higher than the previous year’s estimate, which saw BP reduce its expectations for expanding oil and gas demand.

Even though its profit margins face challenges, the energy company plans to keep returning funds to its investors. It has revealed a fresh $1.75 billion share repurchase program, which is bigger than the $1.5 billion it carried out in the previous quarter.

Additionally, BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) is dedicated to investing $3.5 billion in share repurchases for the first six months of this year. In total, the strategy is to invest at least $14 billion in share repurchases over the period of 2024-25.

Late last year, the company hiked its dividend by 10% to 7.27 cents as it continues to return optimum value to shareholders; its dividend yield currently stands at 5.63%. It is one of the best buy dips stocks to invest in as it trades at a discount with a price-to-earnings multiple of 6 compared to the energy sector average P/E of 13.

According to Insider Monkey’s database of Q2 2024, 38 hedge funds held stakes in BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP), down from 40 in the previous quarter. These stakes have a total value of over $1.48 billion.

Overall BP ranks 6th in our list of the buy-the-dip stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of BP as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BP, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA ‘Has Become A Wasteland’.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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