Short Interest in BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) Drops By 34.2%

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 8,045,280 shares, a decline of 34.2% from the January 15th total of 12,230,839 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,642,066 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,642,066 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BP

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BP. Sound Shore Management Inc. CT bought a new position in BP during the fourth quarter valued at $67,890,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased a new position in BP during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $17,768,000. Milford Funds Ltd. acquired a new position in BP in the 4th quarter worth about $8,335,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in BP by 206.0% during the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 252,849 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $7,568,000 after acquiring an additional 170,221 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vestor Capital LLC raised its stake in BP by 3,119.8% during the fourth quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 66,553 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $2,311,000 after purchasing an additional 64,486 shares during the period. 11.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

BP Stock Up 1.3%

BP traded up $0.50 during trading on Friday, reaching $37.69. 7,459,041 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,194,334. The stock has a market cap of $98.24 billion, a P/E ratio of -3,764.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.26. BP has a twelve month low of $25.22 and a twelve month high of $39.51. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $35.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $35.12.

BP (NYSE:BP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.03. BP had a net margin of 0.03% and a return on equity of 9.68%. The business had revenue of $47.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $42.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.44 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that BP will post 3.53 EPS for the current year.

BP Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $0.4992 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.3%. BP’s dividend payout ratio is presently -19,800.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on BP shares. Freedom Capital cut BP from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Thursday. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of BP in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of BP from $43.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Evercore set a $38.00 price target on BP and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of BP from $37.00 to $35.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, BP has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $37.35.

Key Stories Impacting BP

Here are the key news stories impacting BP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sanctions reset opens the door for BP to re-engage with Venezuela’s large oil reserves, presenting medium-to-long-term production and reserves upside if commercial terms and sanctions relief permit. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Q4 2025 prepared remarks (earnings call transcript) highlight group results and management commentary — recent quarter showed revenue and EPS slightly above consensus, supporting near-term cash flow and dividend capacity. Investors should watch management guidance and buyback/dividend commentary in the transcript for capital-allocation signals. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: TD Cowen lowered its price target from $37 to $35 but kept a “hold” rating — implies modest downside vs. the current price but not a consensus sell signal; this may temper upside but is not a severe bearish shift. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Freedom Capital downgraded BP from “hold” to “strong sell,” adding downward pressure via negative sentiment and potential short-term selling. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple small brokers cut ratings or lowered views (Wall Street Zen, Melius Research), increasing sell-side headwinds and heightening volatility risk as investors digest mixed analyst outlooks. Read More. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Labor talks at the Whiting refinery — with strike preparations reported — pose operational risk and could hit refining throughput and margins if negotiations deteriorate. Monitor progress closely for short-term production impacts. Read More.

BP Company Profile

BP plc is a British multinational integrated energy company headquartered in London. Originating in the early 20th century as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, BP has grown into one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, operating across exploration and production, refining and marketing, trading, and a range of low-carbon businesses.

The company’s core activities include upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream and trading operations, and downstream refining, marketing and supply of fuels, lubricants and petrochemicals.