Biden readies $725 million arms aid package for Ukraine, sources say
JD(U) takes potshot at Tejashwi ahead of CM’s yatra beginning today
A couple of years ago, oil prices soared following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and producers capitalized on the opportunity. With profits at their peak, companies like Chevron ( CVX 1.20% ) used that windfall to pay down debt and reward shareholders with generous dividends and massive share buybacks. However, the narrative for oil companies has since shifted. Since the start of 2023, Chevron's performance has been lackluster, with the stock falling 13%. Compare this to the S&P 500 , which has climbed 57% over that same period. Slowing global demand has put downward pressure on prices. On top of that, the U.S. is cranking out record amounts of oil. With Chevron facing these challenges, is it time for investors to buy, sell, or hold the stock? Let's dive in and find out. Reasons to buy or hold Chevron stock Energy drives our economy, powering everything from cutting-edge data centers to bustling factories and vital transportation networks. At the core of this lies oil, which fuels nearly 38% of U.S. energy consumption, according to the Energy Institute. Chevron is a powerhouse in the energy sector. At the heart of its business is exploration and production, where it extracts crude oil and natural gas from resource-rich regions like the Permian Basin using enhanced recovery techniques. This upstream operation is just one part of Chevron's integrated business . Once extracted, Chevron transforms these raw resources into everyday essentials: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and lubricants. It operates refineries in California and Mississippi, and also transports, markets, and operates gas stations around the globe. These are its midstream and downstream operations, which help stabilize its volatile business. Commodity -based businesses like Chevron face unpredictable price fluctuations, greatly affecting their profits and margins. Operating an integrated structure and balancing upstream, midstream, and downstream operations provides Chevron with multiple revenue sources that help balance the oil and gas price swings. This integrated model is why Chevron has raised its dividend payout for 37 consecutive years . Over the past few years, Chevron has reduced its debt from $45.4 billion to $25.8 billion and implemented significant share repurchases. Its lackluster stock performance means it trades pretty cheap, at 15.6 times earnings and 1.34 times sales, both of which are below its 10-year average. CVX PE Ratio data by YCharts Chevron's dividend currently yields investors 4.6% and the company has a long history of growing its payout. While the stock has underperformed in recent years, its cheaper valuation makes it appealing for value-focused investors in a market of overvalued stocks . Reason to sell Chevron stock Chevron remains susceptible to the prevailing market forces. Since the price of WTI Crude Oil soared to $120 per barrel following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it has since plummeted to about $71 per barrel. Data by YCharts. A few factors are driving this drop in oil prices. One is the declining demand from China. According to Reuters, China's refinery output has fallen over six consecutive months. This could stem from an economic slowdown, although the surge in electric vehicles in the region could also be impacting fuel demand. Additionally, OPEC has revised its global oil demand forecast for the upcoming year, adjusting its expectations due to sluggish markets in China and India. The organization now anticipates an increase of just 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), lowering its previous estimate by 90,000 bpd. This comes at the same time that non-OPEC countries like the U.S., Canada, and Brazil are significantly ramping up production . According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude oil production hit a record 13.5 million barrels per day in October. According to analysts at Wells Fargo , global oversupply could keep pressure on oil prices. The bank projects Brent Crude to average around $70 per barrel next year, which could squeeze oil companies' profit margins. Buy, hold, or sell Chevron? Oil prices may face continued pressure in the upcoming year, especially if there is a global economic slowdown. While Chevron could benefit from record levels of U.S. oil production, declining prices could squeeze its profit margins and reduce net income. That said, Chevron trades at a relatively low valuation and offers a robust dividend yield. Despite its recent underperformance, the company has done a good job managing its balance sheet and reducing debt. Following its recent sell-off, I think Chevron is a solid value stock to add to your diversified portfolio today.None
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:51 p.m. ESTFirst Horizon Names New Head of Investor Relations
Nene Boussekine helps her brother Jodie Hopkins, 2, down the stage of the Oroville Convention Center after receiving a gift from Santa, played by Daniel Mata, at the Annual Oroville Community Christmas Dinner in Oroville, California on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record) Teddi Hunter eats with her daughter Amy Chadwick, 16, at the Oroville Convention Center at the Annual Oroville Community Christmas Dinner in Oroville, California on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record) Attendees wait in the rain at the Oroville Convention Center for the Annual Oroville Community Christmas Dinner in Oroville, California on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record) Nene Boussekine helps her brother Jodie Hopkins, 2, down the stage of the Oroville Convention Center after receiving a gift from Santa, played by Daniel Mata, at the Annual Oroville Community Christmas Dinner in Oroville, California on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record) Dozens of volunteers came together on Saturday at the Oroville Convention Center to serve the Annual Oroville Community Christmas Dinner.Man Utd flops BOOED OFF by furious fans after woeful 2-0 humiliation at Wolves leaves them eight points off relegationAfter fighting virus, storms and Republicans, departing North Carolina Gov. Cooper focuses on wins
SLASSCOM welcomes NPP, key new Ministers and officials appointments driving digital transformationSurely, the Rolls-Royce share price can’t go any higher in 2025?
Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Wemby at The Garden. LeBron vs. Steph. The NBA's Christmas Day lineup, as always, has star power LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003. Victor Wembanyama was born 10 days later. That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday the league’s oldest player and brightest young star will be big parts of the holiday showcase. It’s another Christmas quintupleheader, with Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks, Minnesota going to Dallas for a Western Conference finals rematch, Philadelphia heading to Boston to renew a storied rivalry, James and the Los Angeles Lakers taking on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and Denver playing at Phoenix. Pro Picks: Chiefs will beat the Steelers and Ravens will edge the Texans on Christmas Day Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. Falcons drafting Penix no longer a head-scratcher with rookie QB shining in place of benched Cousins It was the most surprising first-round pick in a long time when the Atlanta Falcons chose Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection in the NFL draft last April. That came just six weeks after the Falcons had signed free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million in guarantees. But that move is no longer a head-scratcher after Penix's solid starting debut in place of a benched and turnover-prone Cousins. Several teams have fared well with new quarterbacks this season including the Steelers, Broncos, Vikings and Commanders. Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could start a trend in skiing. And pro sports in general ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could be the start of a trend in ski racing. The 40-year-old American standout had replacement surgery in April and returned to the World Cup circuit after nearly six years last weekend. She says her knee feels “amazing" and that "it’s something to seriously consider for athletes that have a lot of knee problems.” Her surgery was the first of its kind in World Cup skiing. Vonn had a robot-assisted surgery in April with part of the bone in her right knee cut off and replaced by two titanium pieces. She was planning her comeback a month later. Boise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship moments No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for its third trip to the Fiesta Bowl. This time it's in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year’s Eve. Boise State's first appearance on the national stage was in a memorable victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2007. But former coach Chris Petersen said the victory in that bowl three years later over TCU was even more meaningful for the program. Players have mixed feelings about being on the road on Christmas as NFL adds more holiday games OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Games on Christmas aren’t new to the NFL. The Miami Dolphins famously beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a playoff game on Dec. 25, 1971 — a double-overtime classic that still holds the record for the NFL’s longest game. In 2020, New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara tied an NFL record with six touchdowns in a game when the Saints beat Minnesota on Christmas. Lately the league has been much more aggressive about scheduling games on Christmas. That's been met with mixed feelings among the players. Baltimore tackle Ronnie Stanley says there is an offensive line Christmas party planned for Friday at center Tyler Linderbaum’s house. Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s plan is to celebrate on Thursday. Embiid ejected after drawing 2 technicals in game against Wembanyama and Spurs PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected in the first half of Monday night’s game against San Antonio after drawing two technical fouls. Referee Jenna Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2 minutes, 59 seconds left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star received the first technical for arguing with Schroeder, and received another technical — and ejection — from Schroeder before any more game time elapsed. Embiid was close to Schroeder, but it wasn’t clear from replays whether he made contact with the official. An enraged Embiid charged toward the officials after the ejection and was restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, head coach Nick Nurse and several assistants. Nikki Glaser uses Prime Video's NFL postgame show appearances to help prepare for Golden Globes INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Nikki Glaser has become a familiar face to football fans this season. Her breakthrough performance at the Tom Brady Roast on May 5 paved the way for five appearances on Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” postgame show. Glaser said before last Thursday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers that doing her “Late Hits” segment was a no-brainer following her success at the Brady roast. Leaving Thunder, Bucks off the NBA's Christmas game list has those teams feeling snubbed Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference and has a MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Milwaukee has the NBA’s leading scorer in Giannis Antetokounmpo. They were the teams that made their way to the NBA Cup final. By any measure, they’re both very good teams. And neither will play on Christmas Day this year. Bah, humbug. The NBA faces the same challenge every summer, figuring out which 10 teams will get the honor of playing on Christmas Day. But the Bucks and Thunder are right to feel snubbed.
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( MENAFN - Live Mint) NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are currently on a prolonged mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), have become the subject of fresh conspiracy theories following their festive Christmas update. A video featuring the pair in Santa hats and holiday attire sparked widespread speculation on social media about the mission's circumstances. In a holiday-themed update, NASA shared images of Williams and Wilmore wearing Christmas hats and preparing to celebrate aboard the ISS. Having already marked Thanksgiving in space, the astronauts are set to enjoy their Christmas and New Year celebrations far from Earth. This festive cheer comes amid significant delays to their originally planned eight-day mission, which has now stretched into a yearlong stay. The mission's extended timeline, pushed back to Spring 2025, has fueled speculation and heated discussions online. While some conspiracy theories have previously focused on concerns like weight loss, the latest updates have led to fresh doubts, including questions about the astronauts' holiday decorations. Social media users, particularly on X (formerly Twitter ), expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the mission.“Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched?” one user questioned. Another added,“These are the same guys who went up for an eight-day mission in June?” The doubts did not stop there. Some users claimed the updates were staged, suggesting the videos and images were filmed in a studio. One user commented,“It's all one big show,” reigniting long-standing conspiracy theories about space missions. In response to the online speculation, NASA clarified that the holiday decorations and festive items were part of a SpaceX cargo delivery in late November. The three-ton shipment included food supplies, gifts, and Christmas-themed items like hats and a tree for the astronauts aboard the ISS. This type of resupply mission is a routine operation for NASA. The delivery contained traditional holiday fare such as ham, turkey, and pies, along with other essentials for the astronauts and cosmonauts currently stationed on the ISS. MENAFN24122024007365015876ID1109028635 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Fake Ration Card Deletion Turns New Flashpoint in J&K Politics: Explained