Stock Update (NYSE:CVX): Earnings: Microsoft Transition Story; Chevron Deals with Prices

[at Forbes] – Earnings from two blue-chip stocks in totally different industries could give investors another snapshot of a global economy that’s showing a few cracks. Tech giant Microsoft (MSFT) and the oil patch’s Chevron (CVX) are among the stocks wrapping up a heavy quarterly earnings roundup this week. Industry analysts talk a lot Read more on this. Chevron Corporation (CVX) , with a current market cap of $160.01B, started the session at $85.75. A quick look at the market, the company’s stock traded between $83.70 and $86.69 and has traded between $69.58 and $112.93 over the past year. CVX shares are currently priced at 24.00x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 10.59x forward p/e ratio. And for those looking to make a return holding the stock, the company pays shareholders $4.28 per share annually in dividends, yielding 5.29%. In a review of the consensus earnings estimate this quarter, 19 sell-side analysts are looking at $0.46 per share, which would be $1.39 worse than the year-ago quarter and a $0.01 sequential decrease. The full-year EPS estimate is $3.47 which would be a $6.67 setback than last year’s full-year earnings. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $28.72 Billion. If reported, that would be a 37.69% decrease over the year-ago quarter. In terms of ratings, Simmons downgraded CVX from Overweight to Neutral (Jan 21, 2016). Previously, Macquarie upgraded CVX from Neutral to Outperform. Investors should keep in mind is that the average price target is $95.09, which is 10.89% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:CVX) Similar Articles: Company Update: Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) – Chevron in talks for LNG supplies to China Stock Update: Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) – Chevron Announces Quarterly Dividend Company Update: Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) – Chevron’s 2015 Fuel Your School Program Launches with up to $8.8 Million Available for Education Projects in the U.S.