Zacks Research Issues Positive Forecast for APA Earnings

APA Co. (NASDAQ:APA) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for APA in a report released on Wednesday, December 11th. Zacks Research analyst N. Choudhury now anticipates that the company will earn $0.50 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.49. The consensus estimate for APA’s current full-year earnings is $4.01 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for APA’s Q2 2025 earnings at $0.77 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.04 EPS and Q3 2026 earnings at $0.69 EPS.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of APA from $30.00 to $27.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of APA from $29.00 to $24.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company cut APA from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $42.00 to $25.00 in a report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on APA from $29.00 to $25.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, Bernstein Bank reduced their price target on APA from $30.00 to $28.00 in a research report on Friday, October 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $31.14.

APA Trading Down 4.1 %

NASDAQ APA opened at $21.05 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 3.18. APA has a 52 week low of $20.45 and a 52 week high of $37.82. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $23.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.24.

APA Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 22nd will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.75%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 22nd. APA’s payout ratio is presently 14.12%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Juliet S. Ellis purchased 4,391 shares of APA stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $22.78 per share, for a total transaction of $100,026.98. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 12,436 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $283,292.08. This trade represents a 54.58 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of APA by 31.9% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 19,709 shares of the company’s stock worth $580,000 after purchasing an additional 4,764 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of APA by 32.7% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 987,588 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,075,000 after buying an additional 243,325 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates grew its position in APA by 29.2% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 644,140 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,963,000 after buying an additional 145,695 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in APA by 6.9% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 95,760 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,819,000 after acquiring an additional 6,152 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in APA by 11.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 16,072 shares of the company’s stock valued at $473,000 after acquiring an additional 1,699 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.01% of the company’s stock.

About APA

APA Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. It has oil and gas operations in the United States, Egypt, and North Sea. The company also has exploration and appraisal activities in Suriname, as well as holds interests in projects located in Uruguay and internationally.