In the first quarter of 2026, Stanley Druckenmiller's Duquesne Family Office expanded its stake in YPF (YPF +0.22%), Argentina's state-controlled oil company, more than fivefold to 3,235,962 shares, and at the same time, it bought back into the Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (ARGT -0.07%), an exchange-traded fund (ETF) holding the shares of the largest and most successful public Argentine companies. Then, just a few months later, he trimmed his holdings of both.
As of June 30, Duquesne reported that it held $142.7 million of YPF, $30 million of the fund, and, in a fresh bet on assets in the country, a new $3 million position in Grupo Financiero Galicia (GGAL -0.24%), an Argentine bank holding company; the fund also holds $8.6 million in another Argentine energy company. In total, Argentine shares held in the portfolio were worth $184.3 million, 3.5% of Duquesne's reported portfolio value. So what opportunity is Stanley Druckenmiller seeing in Argentina, and is it worth following him into these positions, given how risky stand-alone and frontier market stocks almost always are?
Stanley Druckenmiller. Image source: Getty Images.
Oil profits are only part of the story here Druckenmiller's investment in YPF was just in time to see a major windfall.
The company reported earnings of $1.21 billion in the second quarter, up massively from $58 million a year earlier. The growth stems from the shale formation called Vaca Muerta in Patagonia, where its oil output reached 212,700 barrels per day in that quarter, up 47% from a year earlier.
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Moving those barrels to buyers has been the main constraint to selling even larger volumes, which could ease soon. The Vaca Muerta Sur export pipeline was 80% built as of July, with the first oil flows due to occur in early 2027. If that pipeline opens up, it'll mean that YPF can sell a larger share of its output at international prices to buyers abroad, garnering what could well be another large windfall if oil prices continue to rise due to the war affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
Druckenmiller's new stake in Galicia is on less certain ground.
Its profit rose by 12% in Q2, but its nonperforming loan ratio, which refers to the share of loans not being repaid on time, reached 10.6%, up from 5.5% a year earlier. Buying it means that Druckenmiller is effectively betting that the bank's Argentine borrowers will start paying their loans again as the country's inflation cools further relative to its prior highs above 100% per year.
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But that cooling has stalled. Annual inflation was 33.8% in July 2026, and monthly inflation reaccelerated to 2.1% that month from 1.9% in June, the first monthly increase in months, according to the country's National Institute of Statistics and Censuses. Part of that stall traces to the March energy shock from the Iran war, the same disruption feeding the oil prices that YPF stands to benefit from.
Should you make the same bet on Argentina? All of these positions of Druckenmiller's seem to converge around one view in particular, specifically that the libertarian Argentine President Javier Milei's deregulation and fiscal austerity program will continue to be implemented. Milei's coalition took 40.8% of the vote in the October 2025 midterms and 64 of the 127 contested seats in the lower congressional house.
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Elections are obviously an important factor in any country. But for Argentina, the government in power can be the difference between rising share prices, as Druckenmiller has largely enjoyed, and investors getting their capital expropriated. For example, Argentina expropriated 51% of YPF in 2012.
Milei's attempt at assuaging investors' concerns with YPF specifically is a new policy which gives approved energy projects as much as 30 years of tax and currency stability. That program getting overturned by a different government is still a large risk of buying the stock. Knowing this, Druckenmiller's record of purchases and sales has been timed around elections.
The Argentina ETF holdings showcase the investment approach the most plainly. Druckenmiller exited YPF and the ETF in the third quarter of 2025 after Milei's governing coalition lost a Buenos Aires provincial vote. Then, he rebuilt both positions once the midterms went Milei's way. The next elections will likely see the same tweaks or perhaps bigger changes to his positioning.
For investors who don't have much knowledge of Argentina's political economy, it's best to avoid these international stocks regardless of whether the underlying businesses are strong or likely to grow. The upside of an investment in them could be large -- and temporary, especially if a different party gains power.
Key Takeaways Eni expands in offshore Uruguay through agreements covering the OFF-5 and neighboring OFF-6 blocks.Eni operates OFF-5 with MIWEN holding 50%, while the partners assess its hydrocarbon potential.Eni will acquire 40% of OFF-6 and fund a significant share of an initial exploration well set for 2027. Eni S.p.A (E - Free Report) , an Italian integrated energy company, recently signed an agreement with MIWEN, a subsidiary of the Argentinian state-owned energy firm YPF (YPF - Free Report) , and the Uruguayan National Oil Company ANCAP, to expand its presence in Uruguay. The agreement covers the OFF-5 exploration block offshore Uruguay.
Following the necessary approvals from the regulatory authorities in the South American nation, Eni is currently the operator of the OFF-5 exploration block. Its partner, MIWEN, holds the remaining 50% stake in the block. The block is in its first exploration period, and the companies are currently working to evaluate the area’s hydrocarbon potential and geological characteristics. This agreement is also expected to further strengthen the partnership between E and YPF, as the two firms are already working together on the integrated Argentina LNG project.
Additionally, Eni announced that it has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in the neighboring OFF-6 block. APA Corporation operates the OFF-6 block and will retain the remaining 60% interest. Per the agreement, Eni will fund a significant part of the initial exploration well, which is scheduled to be drilled in 2027.
The two agreements are slated to expand Eni’s upstream presence into a new prospective region. By entering Uruguay’s offshore exploration sector, Eni continues to build its position across Latin America’s energy sector and diversify its upstream operations. The near-term value of these investments will depend largely on exploration results, particularly the planned 2027 well in OFF-6 and the ongoing evaluation of the OFF-5 exploration block.
Zacks Rank & Key PicksBoth E and YPF currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the energy sector are Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) and Galp Energia SGPS SA (GLPEY - Free Report) . While Valero sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Galp Energia carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
Valero Energy is a leading refining player with a robust network of 14 refineries and a combined high-complexity throughput capacity of 3 million barrels per day, which distinguishes it from other independent refiners. The company’s refineries have a combined Nelson Complexity Index of 11.5, which implies that they can process a wide variety of feedstocks, convert them into higher-value products and shift product yields according to market conditions.
Galp Energia is a Portuguese energy company engaged in exploration and production activities. The company’s oil exploration efforts have yielded positive results, particularly with the Mopane discovery in the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia. This discovery allows Galp to diversify its global presence, with the potential to become a significant oil producer in the region. It is engaged in refining and marketing of oil products and natural gas marketing and sales.
Bank of America Corp DE trimmed its holdings in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF – Free Report) by 42.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 124,019 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock after selling 92,403 shares during the quarter. Bank of America Corp DE’s holdings in YPF Sociedad Anónima were worth $5,732,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of YPF. Oaktree Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,972,000. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima by 31.2% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 7,556 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $349,000 after purchasing an additional 1,796 shares during the last quarter. Compound Planning Inc. acquired a new position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima in the first quarter valued at approximately $661,000. Modern Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in YPF Sociedad Anónima in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $424,000. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in YPF Sociedad Anónima in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $3,471,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.08% of the company’s stock.
YPF Sociedad Anónima Stock Performance YPF stock opened at $50.29 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $19.78 billion, a PE ratio of 26.47 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $49.19 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.60. YPF Sociedad Anónima has a 1-year low of $22.82 and a 1-year high of $57.49.
YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $3.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.26 by $0.81. The company had revenue of $6.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.99 billion. YPF Sociedad Anónima had a return on equity of 10.86% and a net margin of 3.60%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that YPF Sociedad Anónima will post 7.5 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, VP Matias Osvaldo Farina acquired 8,875 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $45.22 per share, with a total value of $401,327.50. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 55,687 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,518,166.14. This trade represents a 18.96% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Horacio Daniel Marin acquired 2,840 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 2nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $46.35 per share, for a total transaction of $131,634.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 92,193 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,273,145.55. This represents a 3.18% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have purchased a total of 11,792 shares of company stock worth $537,153 in the last quarter.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth YPF has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. HSBC raised YPF Sociedad Anónima from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $60.00 target price for the company in a research report on Monday, August 17th. UBS Group lifted their target price on YPF Sociedad Anónima from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen raised YPF Sociedad Anónima from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, July 18th. Finally, Zacks Research cut YPF Sociedad Anónima from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $50.67.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on YPF
(Free Report)
YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE: YPF) is an integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The company’s primary businesses encompass upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream transportation and storage, and downstream refining and distribution. YPF operates several major refineries and a nationwide network of service stations, supplying fuels, lubricants, and petrochemical products to both retail and industrial customers.
Founded in 1922 as Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales, YPF was the world’s first state‐owned oil company.
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Stanley Druckenmiller has been active south of the U.S. border lately.
The billionaire investment manager's Duquesne Family Office bought $128 million of YPF SA (YPF +1.38%), Argentina's state-controlled oil producer, in the first quarter, pairing it with a purchase of BBB Foods (TBBB +0.00%), a Mexican discount grocer, and a new stake in the Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (ARGT +0.53%), an exchange-traded fund (ETF) holding a basket of Argentine equities.
While all three of those names are up substantially over the past 12 months, Argentine equities suffered a sharp sell-off in September 2025 after President Javier Milei's party lost a key provincial vote, and the benchmark Merval index dipped again in early 2026, just before Druckenmiller loaded up.
So what is the famous macro investor banking on by buying these stocks?
Stanley Druckenmiller. Image source: Getty Images.
He isn't fishing in the bargain bin Druckenmiller's thesis was probably not that the valuation of these stocks was too cheap when he bought them. At the time of his most recent investment, YPF was priced near a 20-year high thanks to expectations that its Vaca Muerta shale formation would be substantially boosting its output over the coming years.
Furthermore, the Vaca Muerta Sur (VMOS) export pipeline, which relieves the bottleneck that has kept that oil from reaching foreign buyers, should move its first oil by January 2027, and YPF is the largest owner with a roughly 25% stake.
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Duquesne had trimmed its Argentine exposure, including to YPF, before the country's October 2025 midterms, and then piled back in after Milei's libertarian coalition government held.
It bears mentioning here that one of the perpetual problems of investing in Argentine businesses, both big and small, is that its political environment tends to change dramatically depending on who wins the elections. And that's why, despite my considerable affinity for the country and my many experiences with seeing the adaptability and strength of its businesses, I can't recommend anyone following in Druckenmiller's footsteps with an investment here.
So Druckenmiller's bet on YPF and the Argentine ETF can be interpreted as bets on Milei's style of libertarianism leaving an imprint on how the country does business even once he's out of office -- a contrarian but plausible view -- or, alternatively, they can be interpreted as medium-term catalyst-driven investments that are likely to deliver a tidy return well in advance of Milei leaving power.
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The Mexican investment is distinct Whereas the Argentina ETF and YPF are inextricable from that country's political situation and the economic constraints of its primary energy producer, Druckenmiller's purchase of BBB Foods centers on Mexico. BBB Foods is a discount grocer, so it tends to benefit when household budgets are under pressure.
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Mexico's economy contracted at an annualized 2.4% in Q1, and foreign remittances (an important source of household income) were down 0.6% through April compared with the same period in 2025. Sales at BBB Foods stores that were open a year or more grew by 16% year over year in that quarter.
Here, Druckenmiller is likely betting on continued pressure on Mexico's workers. If he's right, the BBB trade won't last forever because the economy will likely strengthen again at some point -- but it could very well be a decent investment until that happens.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Key Takeaways YPF, Eni and XRG seek RIGI approval as the Argentina LNG project moves toward a 2026 FID.Two FLNG units could provide 12 MTPA capacity, linking Vaca Muerta gas to global LNG markets.The integrated project spans gas production, transportation, processing and offshore LNG exports. YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) is advancing its Argentina LNG project with Eni S.p.A. (E - Free Report) and XRG, creating a potentially significant long-term growth opportunity by leveraging the world-class gas resources of the Vaca Muerta formation. The consortium has submitted an application to join Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime ("RIGI"), marking an important step toward the development of a large-scale liquefied natural gas ("LNG"") export platform. For YPF, the project could expand its role from domestic energy production toward international LNG markets, creating an additional avenue for growth and value creation.
The RIGI application is an important milestone on the path toward a final investment decision (FID), targeted for the end of 2026. Securing the required investment incentives could help support the development of the capital-intensive infrastructure needed for the project. For YPF investors, progress toward FID would provide greater visibility into the company's plans to monetize Vaca Muerta's substantial gas resources and develop a new export-oriented business.
12-MTPA LNG Capacity Could Unlock Vaca Muerta ValueThe Argentina LNG project is designed as an integrated LNG value chain, covering upstream gas production, transportation, processing and export infrastructure. The project includes two floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) units with combined liquefaction capacity of 12 million tonnes per year (MTPA), which are planned to be located offshore in Río Negro province. This integrated approach could allow YPF to capture value across multiple stages of the gas-to-LNG chain rather than relying solely on domestic gas sales.
For YPF, the planned 12-MTPA capacity represents an opportunity to convert Vaca Muerta's abundant gas resources into a globally traded commodity. Expanding LNG export capacity could also provide access to international markets and potentially diversify YPF's revenue sources. The project therefore has the potential to become an important long-term growth platform if development proceeds as planned.
Eni & XRG Strengthen YPF's LNG Growth StrategyThe partnership with Eni and XRG is another important element of the project. Eni brings complementary capabilities in energy development and LNG, while XRG adds its own resources and expertise to the consortium. The combination of YPF, Eni and XRG could strengthen the project's ability to develop an integrated LNG value chain and connect Argentina's gas resources with international markets.
For YPF, working alongside Eni and XRG also provides an opportunity to combine distinct capabilities rather than developing the entire project independently. Such collaboration could support the development of upstream production, gas transportation, processing and offshore liquefaction infrastructure.
Argentina LNG Project Could Diversify YPF's Earnings BaseArgentina LNG project could provide YPF with a new source of long-term growth by opening an export outlet for Vaca Muerta gas. The project's integrated structure and planned 12-MTPA capacity could increase the commercial value of the company's upstream resources while expanding its exposure to international LNG demand. Successful development would strengthen YPF's business model, elevate its standing in global gas trade and enhance its investor appeal.
Zacks Rank & Key PicksYPF and Eni currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the energy sector are Valero Energy Corporation (VLO - Free Report) and HF Sinclair Corporation (DINO - Free Report) . Valero and HF Sinclair currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
Valero operates 14 global refineries with a daily refinery throughput capacity of 3 million barrels. The refiner’s ethanol operations are spread across 12 U.S. ethanol plants. During the second quarter of 2026, VLO recorded strong gains in its ethanol sector. Margins expanded to $1.15 per gallon from 52 cents. Operating income rose to 75 cents per gallon compared with 13 cents a year earlier.
HF Sinclair is an independent refiner producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, lubricants and specialty products. In second-quarter 2026, DINO’s adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.5 billion from $665 million a year earlier, driven by stronger refining margins, higher volumes and solid execution. Meanwhile, the company’s renewable fuels adjusted EBITDA rose to $123 million against a $2 million loss reported a year ago due to increased renewable identification number prices, improved Producer’s Tax Credit benefits and higher volumes.
Argentina LNG on Thursday submitted an application to participate in the country's investment scheme to develop its integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) project with a total investment of $51 billion, state oil firm YPF said in a statement.
Key Takeaways YPF's Q2 2026 earnings per share rose to $3.07 as revenues increased 41.7% to $6.57 billion.YPF's shale oil output increased 46.6%, while crude realizations increased 53.2% year over year.YPF's adjusted EBITDA hit a record $2.80 billion, while it raised 2026 EBITDA guidance to $8 billion. YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $3.07 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.84 per share by 8.1%. The bottom line increased from 13 cents per share reported a year earlier.
Revenues of $6.57 billion topped the consensus estimate of $6.05 billion by 8.2%. The top line increased 41.7% from $4.64 billion a year ago.
The strong quarterly results were driven by higher oil pricing, shale growth and record refinery throughput.
Shale oil production increased 46.6% to 212.7 thousand barrels per day (MBbl/d), while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached a record $2.80 billion.
YPF's Shale Output ExpandsTotal hydrocarbon production averaged 544.4 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day, nearly flat year over year. Crude oil production increased 7.1% to 265.5 MBbl/d despite a continued decline in conventional production.
Shale oil remained the key growth engine, accounting for 80% of total crude production. Natural gas production declined 6.2% to 37.3 million cubic meters per day (Mm3/d) from 39.7 Mm3/d a year earlier, while natural gas liquids output decreased 7.1% to 44.6 MBbl/d from 48 MBbl/d in the prior-year quarter.
YPF Benefits From Higher RealizationsThe average crude oil realization increased 53.2% to $91.10 per barrel from $59.50 per barrel recorded in the year-ago quarter. The natural gas realization improved 3.1% to $4.20 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) from $4.10 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2025.
Upstream revenues increased 44.6% to $2.74 billion from $1.89 billion in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the business more than doubled to $1.72 billion.
YPF's Refining Operations Hit New HighsMidstream and downstream revenues improved 51.4% to $5.68 billion. Refined-product sales volumes to third parties increased 12.5% to 5,193 thousand cubic meters (Km3) from 4,614 Km3 in the prior-year quarter.
Crude processing reached a record 350.8 MBbl/d, up 16.4%, while refinery utilization increased to 103.8% from 89.2%. Adjusted EBITDA excluding inventory price effects rose 106.8% to $967 million, with refining and marketing adjusted EBITDA reaching $23.20 per barrel.
YPF Posts Strong ProfitabilityTotal operating expenses were $1.47 billion, down 4% from $1.53 billion a year earlier. Lifting costs decreased 31.4% to $8.40 per barrel of oil equivalent.
Operating income surged to $1.81 billion from $412 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA increased 149.5% to $2.80 billion, while the adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 43%, its strongest level in the past two decades.
YPF's Cash Generation Strengthens the Balance SheetFree cash flow totaled $824 million despite capital expenditures of $1.34 billion, which increased 16%. The company allocated 77% of quarterly investments to unconventional operations, reflecting its continued focus on shale development.
As of June 30, 2026, cash and short-term investments were $2.47 billion. Net debt totaled $7.65 billion, while the net leverage ratio was 1.09X.
YPF Raises Its 2026 OutlookYPF raised its 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to around $8 billion from approximately $6 billion, based partly on an assumed Brent price of $75 per barrel for the second half. The company raised its full-year capital expenditure guidance in the range of $5.8-$6.2 billion, with roughly 70% directed toward shale operations.
Management expects average shale oil production to be around 215 MBbl/d in 2026 and an exit rate of approximately 250 MBbl/d. YPF projects free cash flow to be around $2 billion and expects year-end net leverage to approach 1X.
YPF’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksYPF currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the energy sector are PBF Energy Inc. (PBF - Free Report) , HF Sinclair Corporation (DINO - Free Report) and Cactus, Inc. (WHD - Free Report) . PBF and DINO sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each, while WHD carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
PBF reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $6.22 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.05 per share.
As of June 30, 2026, PBF had total debt of $1.75 billion, and cash and cash equivalents of $894.1 million.
HF Sinclair reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $5.31 per share, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.39 per share.
As of June 30, 2026, DINO had total debt of $2.77 billion, and cash and cash equivalents of $2.26 billion.
Cactus reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 93 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents per share.
As of June 30, 2026, WHD had cash and cash equivalents of $365 million.
Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its stake in YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF – Free Report) by 87.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 111,288 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock after buying an additional 51,802 shares during the quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.’s holdings in YPF Sociedad Anónima were worth $5,060,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sunbelt Securities Inc. raised its stake in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima by 488.3% in the third quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 1,353 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,123 shares during the period. Bayforest Capital Ltd bought a new stake in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima in the 4th quarter worth about $59,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima by 13.0% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,934 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the period. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its stake in shares of YPF Sociedad Anónima by 13.7% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 2,598 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in YPF Sociedad Anónima by 246.9% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 7,663 shares of the oil and gas exploration company’s stock valued at $186,000 after purchasing an additional 5,454 shares during the last quarter. 10.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
YPF Sociedad Anónima Stock Down 0.4% Shares of NYSE YPF opened at $48.95 on Thursday. YPF Sociedad Anónima has a 52-week low of $22.82 and a 52-week high of $57.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.76 and a beta of 1.28. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $49.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $44.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.94.
Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, VP Matias Osvaldo Farina bought 8,875 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $45.22 per share, with a total value of $401,327.50. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 55,687 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,518,166.14. This trade represents a 18.96% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Horacio Daniel Marin bought 2,840 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $46.35 per share, with a total value of $131,634.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 92,193 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,273,145.55. This trade represents a 3.18% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders have acquired 11,792 shares of company stock valued at $537,153.
Analyst Ratings Changes YPF has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Zacks Research cut YPF Sociedad Anónima from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. UBS Group raised their price target on YPF Sociedad Anónima from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded YPF Sociedad Anónima from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, July 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised YPF Sociedad Anónima from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $46.00.
Read Our Latest Analysis on YPF
About YPF Sociedad Anónima (Free Report)
YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE: YPF) is an integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The company’s primary businesses encompass upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream transportation and storage, and downstream refining and distribution. YPF operates several major refineries and a nationwide network of service stations, supplying fuels, lubricants, and petrochemical products to both retail and industrial customers.
Founded in 1922 as Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales, YPF was the world’s first state‐owned oil company.
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Key Takeaways YPF raises 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to about $8B and targets roughly $2B in positive free cash flow.Shale oil output hits 213,000 bpd, up 47% year over year, as YPF keeps its 250,000-bpd exit target.YPF says VMOS is on track and Argentina LNG is positioned for a fourth-quarter final investment decision. YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) used its second-quarter 2026 earnings call to lift its outlook and reinforce a shale-led growth plan that requires heavier investment in the second half.
CEO Horacio Marin maintained confidence in the 250,000-barrel-per-day shale oil exit target, while analysts focused on execution, export capacity, downstream pricing and Argentina LNG.
Finance VP Pedro Kearney said that adjusted EBITDA reached $2.8 billion and free cash flow totaled $824 million. The company reported revenues of $6.57 billion, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.05 billion. Earnings of $3.07 per share beat the consensus estimate of $2.84.
YPF Raises 2026 EBITDA and Cash Flow TargetsMarin raised 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to around $8 billion from around $6 billion, assuming Brent averages $75 per barrel in the second half and about $82 for the year.
He also lifted full-year CapEx guidance about 5% to $5.8 billion-$6.2 billion, with roughly 70% going to shale, while targeting around $2 billion of positive free cash flow, including M&A proceeds and net leverage near 1x.
Shale Investment Accelerates for YPFStrategy VP Maximiliano Westen said that shale oil output reached 213,000 barrels per day, up 4% sequentially and 47% year over year. YPF retained its 215,000-barrel-per-day full-year average target.
Marin told a Pickering Energy Partners analyst that YPF had 16 rigs operating, targets 19 at year-end and 21 by February 2027. He said the 250,000-barrel-per-day exit goal now hinges on fracturing and the La Angostura Sur treatment plant.
Westen said that underlying lifting costs fell 31% year over year to $8.4 per BOE, while shale oil hub lifting costs remained around $4 per BOE.
YPF Addresses Export Capacity and Portfolio RiskA Latin Securities analyst asked about potential VMOS monobuoy delays. Marin said that the unit was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, YPF had purchased a backup, and the project remained on track.
Marin said that VMOS was about 80% complete as of July, targeting commercial operations by fourth-quarter end and first oil in early 2027. He said that the export plan remains centered on VMOS.
On portfolio actions, Marin said conventional-asset sales and the MetroGAS transaction largely complete the noncore disposal program. Excluding divested assets, about 95% of oil production would come from shale.
Downstream Margins Stay in Focus at YPFWesten said that refinery processing reached a record 351,000 barrels per day, supporting zero gasoline and diesel imports. Refining and marketing adjusted EBITDA rose to $23.2 per barrel from $14.9 in the first quarter.
A JPMorgan analyst pressed on fuel pricing and maintenance. Marin said that pricing will reflect international benchmarks and supply-demand conditions, while fourth-quarter refinery utilization should average around 100%.
Responding to an AdCap analyst, Marin said that YPF does not expect refining and marketing margins to return to the previously cited $12-$14 per barrel range, crediting refinery and logistics efficiency.
YPF Pushes LNG Toward a Q4 Investment DecisionMarin said that Argentina LNG is positioned for a fourth-quarter final investment decision after adding Eni and XRG, each with 32% stakes in the upstream venture, while YPF remains operator with 36%.
A BTG analyst asked about remaining milestones. Marin said that technical work and provincial frameworks were in place, while financial documentation had moved into the ECA and bank review process.
A BofA analyst asked about project economics. Marin emphasized the wet-gas mix and said that YPF uses market futures in planning, pointing to balanced liquids and gas revenues.
YPF Keeps the 4x4 Plan Centered on ShaleMarin framed YPF as moving toward an integrated, export-oriented shale model through faster unconventional development, mature-asset divestments and infrastructure expansion.
Kearney emphasized liquidity and balance-sheet flexibility, while Westen highlighted drilling and fracturing efficiency. Marin's second-half focus is on shale investment, facility startups, downstream efficiency, LNG and VMOS execution.
Zacks Signals for YPFPresently, YPF carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), with a Value Score of A and a Growth Score of A, a Momentum Score of B and a VGM Score of A. Under the Zacks framework, those Style Scores are favorable, while that ranking is a more neutral signal than a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Style Scores complement the Zacks Rank over a one-to-three-month horizon. The Zacks Rank can change as earnings estimates are revised after the just-reported results, so the current signals are dynamic rather than fixed.
YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) reported $6.57 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 41.7%. EPS of $3.07 for the same period compares to $0.13 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +8.64% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.05 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.84, the EPS surprise was +8.1%.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how YPF Sociedad Anonima performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Upstream - Total Production: 544.40 Kboed versus 533.75 Kboed estimated by two analysts on average.Operating Revenues- Upstream: $2.74 billion compared to the $2.73 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Operating Revenues- Upstream - Crude oil: $2.18 billion versus $2.22 billion estimated by two analysts on average.Operating Revenues- Midstream & Downstream: $5.68 billion compared to the $5.38 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Operating Revenues- Upstream - Other: $25 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $79.19 million.Operating Revenues- Upstream - Natural gas: $537 million compared to the $440.72 million average estimate based on two analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for YPF Sociedad Anonima here>>>
Shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima have returned +2.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Fracking Halliburton And The Big Bet South Of The Border YPF Sociedad Anónima NYSE: YPF reported record second-quarter 2026 profitability and cash generation, driven by higher international prices, expanding shale production, refinery utilization and cost-control measures.
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Chairman and CEO Horacio Marín said adjusted EBITDA reached $2.8 billion, which he described as the company’s best quarterly result. The figure was up 76% from the prior quarter and 2.5 times the year-earlier period, according to Finance Vice President Pedro Kearney. Revenue totaled about $6.6 billion, increasing 33% sequentially and 42% year over year.
3 Targeted Oil Plays as the Iran Crisis Lifts CrudeThe company posted operating income of $1.8 billion and net income of $1.2 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin reached 43%, its highest level in two decades, while free cash flow was $824 million despite more than $1.3 billion in capital expenditures and payments related to the Equinor asset acquisition and interest expense.
Cash liquidity rose to nearly $2.5 billion at the end of June from about $1.7 billion at the end of March. Net leverage declined to 1.1 times, its lowest level in more than a decade, Kearney said.
Shale production and capital spending accelerate YPF’s shale oil production rose to 213,000 barrels per day in the second quarter, up 4% sequentially and 47% from a year earlier. Shale represented 80% of the company’s total oil output during the period.
The company is increasing drilling activity in Vaca Muerta, where it was operating 16 rigs at the time of the call, compared with 12 at the end of 2025. Marín said YPF expects to have 19 rigs operating by year-end and 21 by February 2027.
Management reaffirmed its target for average shale oil production of about 215,000 barrels per day in 2026 and an exit rate near 250,000 barrels per day. Marín said the planned September startup of an oil treatment plant at La Angostura Sur is the main remaining facility requirement for achieving the year-end production target.
Second-quarter capital spending was weighted toward unconventional development, with 77% of total investment allocated to shale operations. YPF raised its full-year capital expenditure outlook by roughly 5% to a range of $5.8 billion to $6.2 billion, with about 70% expected to be directed to shale.
Total lifting costs, excluding specific well service costs, fell 31% year over year to $8.40 per barrel of oil equivalent. In the shale oil hub, lifting costs were around $4 per barrel of oil equivalent, according to Strategy, New Businesses and Controlling Vice President Maximiliano Westen.
Portfolio sales shift company toward shale YPF continued divesting conventional and non-core assets. The company signed agreements to sell the operating Chachahuén field and its non-operating interests in the El Corcobo and CNQ7A blocks in Mendoza for a combined $405 million, subject to final approvals and closing.
Marín said that after excluding assets under divestment, roughly 95% of YPF’s oil production would come from shale operations. He also said the company signed an agreement, subject to closing, to sell its 70% stake in Metrogas.
During the question-and-answer session, Marín said the company had substantially completed sales of non-core assets and continues a process to sell remaining conventional fields. He said YPF Agro will remain wholly owned after a prior sale process did not succeed, with the business being repositioned under the company’s new-energy operations.
Downstream performance and export infrastructure Refinery processing averaged a record 351,000 barrels per day, up 2% from the first quarter and 16% from a year earlier. The higher throughput enabled YPF to meet local fuel demand without imports, supply local refiners and export nearly 100,000 cubic meters of gasoline and diesel during the quarter.
Domestic gasoline and diesel sales volumes increased 7% sequentially and 10% year over year. YPF said its market share rose to 59% from 57% in the first quarter, while its midstream and downstream adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to nearly $30 per barrel.
Management expects refinery utilization to normalize as scheduled maintenance occurs in the second half, though Marín said average utilization could remain around 100% in the fourth quarter. The company said fuel pricing will continue to reflect international prices as well as local supply-and-demand conditions.
YPF said the Vaca Muerta Sur, or VMOS, oil pipeline project was about 80% complete as of July and remains on track for commercial operations by the end of the fourth quarter, with first oil expected in early 2027. The company also cited a backup plan for a monobuoy component after discussing potential shipping concerns during the call.
LNG and Loma La Lata Oil projects advance In May, YPF submitted its application under Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime, or RIGI, for the wholly owned Loma La Lata Oil project. The project encompasses five blocks and more than 1,150 wells, with estimated investment of $25 billion over 15 years.
At plateau beyond 2032, YPF expects Loma La Lata Oil to produce roughly 240,000 barrels per day, dedicated to export markets through VMOS, while also contributing about 10 million cubic meters per day of gas to the domestic market. The company estimated annual oil and gas revenue of approximately $7 billion at an assumed Brent price of $70 per barrel.
YPF also advanced its Argentina LNG initiative. Eni and XRG agreed to acquire 32% interests each in an upstream venture holding five wet-gas blocks dedicated to the LNG project, while YPF will retain a 36% interest and serve as operator. Marín said the company has completed key documentation, launched a virtual data room with export credit agencies and expects to be ready for a final investment decision in the fourth quarter.
The company also highlighted RIGI approval for the San Matías Gas Pipeline, a planned 470-kilometer pipeline connecting Vaca Muerta with the San Matías Gulf. The project is expected to transport about 27 million cubic meters per day by mid-2028 and require approximately $1.3 billion of investment.
For 2026, YPF raised its adjusted EBITDA outlook to about $8 billion from prior guidance of around $6 billion, based on an assumed Brent price of $75 per barrel in the second half. The company expects positive free cash flow of about $2 billion for the year, including M&A proceeds collected and expected from transactions in progress, and anticipates net leverage near 1 times.
About YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF)YPF Sociedad Anónima NYSE: YPF is an integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The company’s primary businesses encompass upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream transportation and storage, and downstream refining and distribution. YPF operates several major refineries and a nationwide network of service stations, supplying fuels, lubricants, and petrochemical products to both retail and industrial customers.
Founded in 1922 as Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales, YPF was the world’s first state‐owned oil company.
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Should You Invest $1,000 in YPF Sociedad Anónima Right Now?Before you consider YPF Sociedad Anónima, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and YPF Sociedad Anónima wasn't on the list.
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The AI boom extends far beyond the biggest tech names. Discover 10 companies supplying the memory, storage, networking, semiconductor manufacturing, and power infrastructure that make AI possible. Learn where the next wave of AI investment opportunities may emerge—and the key risks investors should watch as the global AI buildout accelerates.
Argentine oil company YPF projects investments of up to $6.2 billion in 2026, above the previous estimate of up to $5.8 billion, CEO Horacio Marin said on Tuesday in a presentation to investors.
Argentina's state oil firm YPF on Monday reported a net profit of $1.21 billion in the second quarter of 2026, compared with $58 million a year earlier.
YPF Energia Electrica S.A. is a leading Argentine power generator seeking U.S. IPO funding amid sector deregulation and industry transition. YLUZ boasts revenue growth, robust EBITDA margins, and manageable leverage, but faces gross margin compression and significant revenue concentration with CAMMESA. The IPO will not provide proceeds to YLUZ, limiting immediate growth capital, but a U.S. listing may facilitate future fundraising opportunities.
Stanley Druckenmiller doesn’t do consensus. The Duquesne Family Office’s latest 13F reveals a top-five long book that skips the mega-cap tech herd almost entirely: a Mexican discount grocer, two biotech names on wildly different trajectories, the one semiconductor stock nobody can ignore, and an Argentine oil producer sitting on a shale reserve about to unlock its first export pipeline. Miss this map and you’re paying retail for what he already owns.
1. BBB Foods (TBBB): The Mexican Discounter Nobody’s Talking About The surprise anchor of the portfolio is BBB Foods (NYSE:TBBB), a $4.84 billion hard-discount grocer running the Tiendas 3B banner across Mexico. This is a countercyclical bet dressed up as a growth story: the weaker the Mexican consumer gets, the faster private-label discount stores capture wallet share. Druckenmiller is buying the pain trade.
The Q1 2026 numbers explain the conviction. Revenue grew 33.44% year-over-year to roughly Ps.22.86 billion, same-store sales advanced 16.0%, and the store base expanded to 3,469 units after 123 net openings in the quarter. CEO K. Anthony Hatoum framed it plainly: “Despite a soft consumer environment in Mexico, we achieved same-store sales (SSS) growth of 16.0% in 1Q26, underscoring the strength of our value proposition and increasing customer loyalty.”
The model puts a base-case one-year target of $50.82, or 26.89% upside, with analysts split 75% bullish and zero bearish. The setup skews constructive. And the second name on Druckenmiller’s list is a very different kind of asymmetric bet, where the launch curve is already vertical.
2. Insmed (INSM): The BRINSUPRI Breakout Insmed (NASDAQ:INSM | INSM Price Prediction) is a rare-disease pharma whose newly launched bronchiectasis drug BRINSUPRI has turned into one of the fastest specialty-drug ramps of the decade. Druckenmiller is positioned for what happens when a first-in-class therapy meets a captive prescriber base with essentially no competition.
Q1 2026 revenue hit $305.96 million, up 229.6% year-over-year, with BRINSUPRI alone contributing $207.90 million in its first full quarter, growing 44% sequentially. Management reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance of at least $1.0 billion for BRINSUPRI and $1.45 billion total, implying roughly 139% growth. CEO Will Lewis told investors, “The trajectory of the BRINSUPRI launch continues to exceed our expectations.”
Here’s the setup: shares are down 38.26% year-to-date even as the fundamentals accelerate. The AI model’s base case sees $226.62 in twelve months, or 108.48% upside, with analysts 100% bullish across 22 ratings and zero holds. The setup skews aggressively constructive for investors willing to stomach volatility. The next name is the exact opposite profile: the one stock Druckenmiller owns that every fund manager on the planet already knows they should own too.
3. Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM): The AI Foundry Monopoly Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) is the obvious heavyweight, and Druckenmiller owns it anyway because you can’t build an AI portfolio without the company that fabricates the chips. NVIDIA, AMD, and every hyperscaler custom silicon program feed through TSMC’s advanced nodes. The moat is the only road.
Q2 2026 EPS came in at $4.31 versus a $3.89 consensus, a 10.89% beat, on revenue of $40.20 billion, up 36.0% year-over-year. Gross margin expanded to 67.7%. Management guided full-year 2026 revenue growth to “slightly above 40%” in U.S. dollar terms, with 2nm technology debuting at 3% of wafer revenue in its first commercial quarter.
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Polymarket traders priced the Q1 2026 earnings beat at 0.999 probability, essentially certainty, and the crowd nailed both Q2 revenue and gross margin resolutions with an average accuracy score of 0.869. Analyst consensus target sits at $498.24 against 89% bullish sentiment. The setup remains constructive. And when a manager like Druckenmiller pairs the world’s most important foundry with a diagnostic company processing a million tests a quarter, the through-line becomes clear.
4. Natera (NTRA): The Million-Tests-a-Quarter Milestone Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA) is the precision-medicine leg of the book, dominant in oncology minimal residual disease testing through Signatera and in prenatal screening through Panorama and Fetal Focus. This is the volume-flywheel thesis: more tests processed means more clinical data, more payor coverage, more prescribers, more tests.
Q1 2026 revenue reached $696.64 million, up 38.8% year-over-year and beating consensus by 12.90%. The company crossed 1,013,600 tests processed in a single quarter for the first time, with oncology volumes up 54.4% year-over-year. Management raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $2.74 billion to $2.82 billion, a $120 million increase at the midpoint. CEO Steve Chapman called it “an outstanding first quarter, reaching over one million units processed in a single quarter for the first time.”
Shares are up 17.78% year-to-date and 81.83% over the past twelve months. Base-case model target is $322.28, or 19.32% upside, with analyst sentiment 86% bullish and zero bearish. The setup skews constructive, with the caveat that ongoing losses require patience. Which sets up the final slot, and the position with arguably the sharpest 2027 catalyst on the entire list.
5. YPF (YPF): The Vaca Muerta Payoff YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF) is Druckenmiller’s emerging-markets energy call, and it lands as the #5 payoff because a specific date sits inside the thesis: January 2027, when the VMOS export pipeline turns on. This is Argentina’s shale story written as a hard catalyst.
Q1 2026 EPS came in at $1.03 versus a $0.88 consensus, a 17.05% beat, swinging the company to $409 million in net profit from a $649 million loss the prior quarter. Shale oil production reached 205 kbbl/d, up 39% year-over-year and now 76% of total oil output. The VMOS export pipeline is roughly 62% complete with first oil export targeted for January 2027, and lifting costs fell 42% year-over-year.
Shares are up 33.99% year-to-date and 57.25% over the past twelve months. The model base case targets $61.94, or 25.75% upside, with analyst sentiment 77% bullish and zero bearish. Argentina’s 51% government stake is the risk you accept for the reward. The setup skews constructive with position sizing discipline.
The Through-Line Druckenmiller’s top five is a barbell: two US-listed AI and precision-medicine engines (TSM, NTRA), one specialty-pharma launch curve (INSM), and two emerging-markets asymmetric bets (TBBB, YPF) where the macro pain is the entry point. Every name carries a bullish analyst majority and a base-case upside north of 19%. The VMOS pipeline turns on in January 2027. BRINSUPRI’s next earnings report lands before year-end. The window to buy alongside the trade is narrowing fast.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
People fuel their vehicles at YPF gas station on the day of a 24-hour general strike against the adjustment policy of Argentinian President Javier Milei's government, in Buenos Aires,... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more
CompaniesJuly 13 (Reuters) - Power company YPF Electric Energy on Monday filed for an initial public offering in the United States.
YPF is Argentina's largest pure-play power generation company by installed capacity. It operates 17 thermal and renewable power plants with a combined installed capacity of 3,764 megawatts (MW).
The Reuters Power Up newsletter provides everything you need to know about the global energy industry. Sign up here.
Goldman Sachs, BofA Securities and Citigroup are the global coordinators for the offering.
YPF will list American depositary shares on the NYSE under the symbol "YLUZ."
Reporting by Prakhar Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda
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Key Takeaways Equinor will exit Japan offshore wind projects and close its Tokyo office by the end of the year.EQNR failed to secure leases in Japan and is reevaluating its wider renewable energy strategy.Equinor is prioritizing integrated power while keeping oil and gas production as its main focus. Equinor ASA (EQNR - Free Report) , a Norwegian integrated energy company, announced that it will cease operations of its offshore wind projects in Japan, in its latest move to scale back its renewable energy investments. The company has mentioned that it will close its Tokyo office by the end of the year. Equinor entered Japan in 2018 with intentions to develop offshore wind projects. However, the company was unsuccessful in securing any leases during the auctions.
EQNR noted that the decision was part of a wider revaluation of its business strategy, under which the company intends to focus on its integrated power business. In recent years, Equinor has also pulled back offshore wind activities in several other markets, such as Vietnam, Spain, Portugal and France. The company has mentioned that higher project costs have made some offshore wind investments less attractive. Rising costs may undermine project economics, thereby limiting returns.
While the company continues to invest in the renewable energy space, its primary focus remains on its core oil and gas business. EQNR is a leading exploration and production player on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and a major natural gas supplier to Europe. The majority of the company’s earnings are derived from its oil and gas production activities.
Equinor has scaled back its renewable ambitions and has dropped its 2030 installed capacity target. The company has highlighted that, moving forward, it will focus on the expansion of its integrated power business, combining various energy sources. This approach is expected to help EQNR allocate more capital to its high-return business segment while maintaining a presence in renewables.
EQNR’s Zacks Rank and Key PicksEQNR currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the energy sector are YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) , W&T Offshore (WTI - Free Report) and FuelCell Energy (FCEL - Free Report) . While YPF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), W&T Offshore and FuelCell Energy carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
YPF is a leading integrated energy company in Argentina, with operations spanning the entire oil and gas value chain. As an oil and gas producer, the company has a growing focus on shale development in the Vaca Muerta formation, while producing conventional oil and natural gas. YPF also operates pipelines and export projects, three wholly-owned refineries, and has a nationwide retail network and petrochemical operations. The company is also expanding into LNG, power and other energy-related businesses to support long-term growth.
W&T Offshore benefits from its prolific Gulf of America assets, which offer low-decline rates, strong permeability and significant untapped reserves. The company’s properties include around 457,700 gross acres on the conventional Shelf, 5,600 gross acres in Alabama State Waters and about 141,900 gross acres in the Deepwater region. Its GoA discoveries should boost future production prospects and are expected to enhance revenues.
FuelCell Energy is a clean energy company that offers scalable, reliable, low-carbon power solutions. It produces power using flexible fuel sources such as biogas, natural gas and hydrogen. The company’s proprietary molten carbonate fuel cell systems generate electricity through an electrochemical process instead of burning fuel, reducing carbon emissions and minimizing the environmental impact of power generation. FCEL is anticipated to play a crucial role in the energy transition by enabling industries and communities to shift from traditional fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives.
The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.
Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.
Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.
One company value investors might notice is YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) . YPF is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with P/E ratio of 8.15 right now. For comparison, its industry sports an average P/E of 9.24. YPF's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.74 and as low as 4.36, with a median of 8.07, all within the past year.
Another notable valuation metric for YPF is its P/B ratio of 0.79. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. YPF's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 1.73. Within the past 52 weeks, YPF's P/B has been as high as 1.53 and as low as 0.69, with a median of 1.11.
Value investors also frequently use the P/S ratio. This metric is found by dividing a stock's price with the company's revenue. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. YPF has a P/S ratio of 0.96. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.01.
These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that YPF Sociedad Anonima is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, YPF feels like a great value stock at the moment.
Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.
By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.
However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.
Our proprietary system currently recommends YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.
Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this company a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for YPF Sociedad Anonima is 6.9%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 347.8% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 73%.
Impressive Asset Utilization RatioGrowth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.
Right now, YPF Sociedad Anonima has an S/TA ratio of 0.63, which means that the company gets $0.63 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.52, it can be said that the company is more efficient.
In addition to efficiency in generating sales, sales growth plays an important role. And YPF Sociedad Anonima is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 19.3% this year versus the industry average of 18%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for YPF Sociedad Anonima. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 2.2% over the past month.
Bottom LineYPF Sociedad Anonima has not only earned a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination indicates that YPF Sociedad Anonima is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.
A staff member cleans a Model Y L electric car inside a Tesla store at a shopping mall, in Beijing, China, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesJune 16 (Reuters) - Argentine state energy company YPF (YPFDm.BA), opens new tab said on Tuesday that it had signed a letter of intent to explore joint opportunities in fast-charging networks and energy storage infrastructure.
The accord came as YPF CEO Horacio Marin visited Tesla's Gigafactory in Texas, YPF said in a statement, with the visit focused on potential collaboration in energy infrastructure, electric mobility and technological innovation, as Argentina looks to modernize its energy network.
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Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez
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Key Takeaways YPF reported Q1 earnings of $1.03 per share, topping estimates as operating expenses fell 20.1% y/y.YPF's upstream EBITDA jumped 46.8% on higher oil prices and lower lifting costs.YPF generated $871M in free cash flow and reduced net debt to $8.4B during the quarter. YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.03 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 83 cents by 24.1%. The bottom line improved from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 32 cents per share.
Total quarterly revenues of $4.9 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5 billion by 2.0%. The top line increased 7.3% from the prior-year level of $4.6 billion.
The strong quarterly earnings were driven by increased crude oil production, higher crude oil price realizations and reduced total operating expenses. However, reduced hydrocarbon production and lower natural gas price realizations partially offset the positives.
Operational Performance of YPFUpstream ProductionIn the first quarter of 2026, YPF’s total hydrocarbon production was 525 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (Mboe/D), down 5% from 552.1 Mboe/D in the corresponding period of 2025. Crude oil production in the reported quarter averaged 271.0 thousand barrels per day (MBbl/D) compared with 269.9 MBbl/D a year ago. The improvement can be primarily attributed to higher shale production, partially offset by lower conventional output.
YPF’s natural gas production in the reported quarter decreased 12.2% year over year to 32.8 million cubic meters per day. Gas production was primarily affected by lower conventional gas output from mature fields. Natural gas liquids production was 47.7 MBbl/D compared with 47.3 MBbl/D in the prior-year quarter.
Average Price RealizationsThe average price realization for crude oil improved 0.8% year over year to $68.4 per barrel. The average natural gas price realization fell 1.7% from the year-ago quarter to $2.9 per million British thermal unit.
YPF’s adjusted EBITDA from upstream activities increased 46.8% year over year to $1.1 billion, primarily driven by lower lifting costs and other expenses.
Midstream & DownstreamIn the quarter under review, processed crude volumes reached 344.3 MBbl/D, up 8.3% from 318 MBbl/D in the year-ago quarter. Refineries’ utilization rate in the first quarter was 102%, up from 94% in the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding the price effect of oil products on inventories, for the segment was $598 million, improving 9.5% year over year.
YPF’s Total Operating ExpensesOperating expenses in the quarter totaled $1.4 billion, down 20.1% from $1.7 billion in the year-ago quarter.
YPF Converts Operations and M&A Proceeds Into CashNet cash flow provided by operating activities in the quarter was $1.9 billion. The company reported free cash flow of $871 million for the quarter. Capital spending for the first quarter was $980 million, down 19% from a year ago, driven by lower exposure to conventional assets and the acquisition of new unconventional concessions, which were booked in the first quarter of 2025.
YPF’s Deleverages and Rebuilds LiquidityAs of March 31, 2026, the company’s cash and short-term investments were $1.7 billion, up from $1.1 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. Net debt decreased to $8.4 billion from $9.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. Net leverage declined to 1.57X from 1.87X sequentially, supported by both higher liquidity and lower gross debt.
The company used strong cash generation to prepay about $750 million of debt in the first four months of 2026, aiming to reduce future maturities and lower its average cost of debt.
YPF 2026 GuidanceYPF reaffirmed its full-year 2026 capital expenditure guidance in the range of $5.5 billion to $5.8 billion. The company expects spending and activity to increase further in the coming quarters, which should support higher oil and gas production in the second half of 2026.
YPF’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksYPF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks from the energy sector are Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) , BP plc (BP - Free Report) and Eni S.p.A. (E - Free Report) . CVX, BP and E each currently sport a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Chevron reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $1.41, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92 cents.
As of March 31, 2026, CVX reported $5.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. At the quarter's end, its total debt amounted to $45.4 billion.
BP reported first-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.24 per American Depositary Share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 91 cents.
As of March 31, 2026, BP reported $35.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. At the quarter's end, its long-term debt totaled $25.3 billion.
Eni reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 81 cents per American Depository Receipt, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.13.
As of March 31, 2026, E had a long-term debt of €21.7 billion and cash and cash equivalents of €8.3 billion.
Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.
That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.
However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.
Our proprietary system currently recommends YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.
Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this company a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for YPF Sociedad Anonima is 6.9%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 439.5% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 67.1%.
Impressive Asset Utilization RatioAsset utilization ratio -- also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio -- is often overlooked by investors, but it is an important indicator in growth investing. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.
Right now, YPF Sociedad Anonima has an S/TA ratio of 0.63, which means that the company gets $0.63 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.51, it can be said that the company is more efficient.
While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And YPF Sociedad Anonima looks attractive from a sales growth perspective as well. The company's sales are expected to grow 18.6% this year versus the industry average of 15.7%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The current-year earnings estimates for YPF Sociedad Anonima have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 59.3% over the past month.
Bottom LineYPF Sociedad Anonima has not only earned a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination indicates that YPF Sociedad Anonima is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.
On May 12, 2026, YPF SA YPF shares rose 6.1% to a current price of $44.95. This increase follows a notable performance trajectory for the stock, which has traded between a 52-week low of $22.82 and a high of $48.96. The stock has shown robust momentum, evidenced by a year-to-date gain of 24.3% and a remarkable increase of 58.1% over the past three years.
GF Value™ verdict: YPF is currently priced at $44.95, which is 5.3% below the GF Value™ estimate of $47.46.GF Score™: YPF holds a strong GF Score™ of 89/100, indicating solid performance across multiple financial metrics.Notable signal: The momentum rank is 10/10, showcasing exceptional upward price movement. Is YPF Overvalued or Undervalued? According to the GF Value™, YPF shares are currently undervalued by approximately 5.3%. The GF Value™ estimate of $47.46 suggests there is a margin of safety for potential investors, as the stock price is below this intrinsic value. The GF Valuation label indicates that the stock is fairly valued, which aligns with its current trading dynamics. Being undervalued presents an opportunity for long-term investors, although it is important to note the risks associated with volatility and market fluctuations.
GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure of intrinsic value, calculated from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates.
How Does YPF's Valuation Compare to Its History? Metric Current Historical P/E (TTM) 11.7x 10.8x YPF's current forward P/E of 11.7x is above its 5-year median P/E of 10.8x, indicating that the stock is trading at a higher valuation relative to its historical averages. This P/E analysis supports the GF Value™ verdict of being fairly valued, suggesting that while there may be potential for growth, investors should remain cautious of the elevated valuation relative to past performance.
What Does YPF's GF Score™ Tell Us? Metric Rating GF Score™ 89/100 Financial Strength 5/10 Profitability 7/10 Growth 9/10 Valuation 9/10 Momentum 10/10 The GF Score™ of 89/100 indicates that YPF is positioned well for long-term returns, especially highlighted by its strong momentum rank of 10/10 and high growth rank of 9/10. However, the financial strength ranking of 5/10 suggests there may be areas for improvement in the company's balance sheet, which could pose risks for investors in the event of market downturns.
What Are Insiders Doing with YPF Stock? In the last three months, insider activity has shown that insiders sold $0.7 million worth of shares, with no reported buying during that time. This pattern of selling may indicate a lack of confidence among insiders regarding the stock’s short-term performance, or it could simply reflect personal financial decisions unrelated to the company's prospects.
What This Means for Investors Based on the GF Value™ assessment, YPF is currently undervalued, presenting a potential opportunity for long-term investors. However, caution is warranted due to recent insider selling and the company's moderate financial strength, which could impact its ability to sustain growth.
For the complete analysis, visit the YPF SA YPF stock page. You can also explore the GF Value™ page for detailed valuation methodology, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find similar opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions What is YPF's GF Score™?
YPF has a GF Score™ of 89/100, indicating strong performance across multiple financial metrics, which suggests the stock has a favorable outlook for long-term returns.
Is YPF overvalued or undervalued?
YPF is currently undervalued based on the GF Value™ estimate, which indicates a margin of safety for potential investors.
What is YPF's P/E ratio?
YPF's current forward P/E ratio is 11.7x, which is above its 5-year median P/E of 10.8x, suggesting the stock is trading at a higher valuation compared to its historical averages.
This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Fracking Halliburton And The Big Bet South Of The Border YPF Sociedad Anónima NYSE: YPF reported higher first-quarter revenue, record first-quarter adjusted EBITDA and sharply improved free cash flow, as executives said the company continued shifting its portfolio toward shale production in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Horacio Marín said revenue for the first quarter of 2026 totaled $4.95 billion, up 9% from the previous quarter and 7% from a year earlier. He attributed the sequential increase mainly to higher international prices since March and the company’s policy of aligning domestic gasoline and diesel prices with international parity levels. The year-over-year increase reflected stronger local fuel demand and record refinery processing, he said.
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3 Targeted Oil Plays as the Iran Crisis Lifts CrudeAdjusted EBITDA reached nearly $1.6 billion, which Marín described as the highest first-quarter level in YPF’s history. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 32%, while adjusted EBITDA rose 24% sequentially and 28% year over year. Marín said the improvement was driven by higher shale oil production, better pricing dynamics and changes in the upstream cost structure as the company focuses more heavily on shale.
Free Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Improve YPF generated $871 million in free cash flow during the quarter, an improvement of $1.8 billion from a year earlier. Marín said the figure was supported by operating performance and approximately $500 million in proceeds from strategic M&A activity. The company’s net leverage ratio fell to 1.57 times from 1.9 times at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 and from a peak of 2.1 times in the third quarter of 2025.
Finance Vice President Pedro Kearney said M&A activity contributed a net $504 million to quarterly cash flow, led by about $410 million from the final proceeds of the Profertil divestiture and roughly $85 million from the partial sale of the Manantiales Behr field. Kearney said the Manantiales Behr transaction has a total price of $410 million, with an earn-out of up to $40 million, and that the remaining balance is expected to be collected through 2028.
Kearney said YPF ended March with $1.7 billion in liquidity, up $500 million during the quarter. The company raised nearly $1 billion across international and local markets and bank facilities in the first quarter. That included a $550 million reopening of its 2034 bond at an 8.1% yield, which Kearney said was the lowest international market rate secured by YPF in nine years. The company also issued about $285 million in local U.S. dollar MEP bonds and prepaid approximately $750 million of debt obligations scheduled to mature between 2026 and 2028.
Shale Oil Output Drives Upstream Performance YPF’s shale oil production reached 205,000 barrels per day in the first quarter, up 5% sequentially and 39% year over year. Shale oil represented 76% of total oil production. Marín said the company remains on track for a full-year target of approximately 215,000 barrels per day and a December exit rate of 250,000 barrels per day.
Maximiliano Westen, vice president of strategy, business development and control, said growth in shale oil fully offset continued divestments from conventional fields. Conventional oil production declined more than 45% year over year to 66,000 barrels per day in the first quarter. Upstream lifting costs fell 42% year over year to $8.80 per barrel of oil equivalent, while lifting costs in shale oil hub blocks reached about $4 per BOE. Westen said La Angostura Sur had lifting costs of around $3 per BOE, the lowest among YPF fields.
La Angostura Sur was highlighted as a key growth asset. Marín said the block produced about 2,000 barrels per day of shale oil 18 months ago and is now producing approximately 55,000 barrels per day. He said it is the No. 5 Vaca Muerta block, represents about 25% of YPF’s shale oil production and has a breakeven price below $40 per barrel. YPF owns 100% of the block and is targeting a plateau of about 100,000 barrels per day.
Natural gas production averaged 32.8 million cubic meters per day, down 12% year over year, which Westen attributed mainly to the company’s exit from mature conventional fields, partially offset by shale gas expansion.
Downstream Sets Processing Record as Fuel Pricing Buffer Begins YPF’s refinery processing averaged 344,000 barrels per day in the first quarter, up 3% sequentially and 8% year over year. Westen said this marked another record processing level and supported record production of premium gasoline and middle distillates, allowing YPF to avoid imports, supply local peers and export to neighboring countries.
Domestic gasoline and diesel dispatch volumes declined 3% from the previous quarter due to seasonality but increased 8% from a year earlier. YPF maintained a 57% market share, or 60% when including gasoline and diesel produced by YPF and sold through third-party stations.
Executives also discussed the company’s local fuel pricing strategy. Marín said YPF was able to largely pass through higher international prices in March, but demand began to weaken late in the month, particularly in gasoline. Westen said fuel demand in late March fell by about 10% compared with early March. In response, YPF temporarily postponed further pass-through of international price increases for 45 days beginning in April.
Marín said the decision was made by YPF “without any government interference” and was later adopted by other major industry operators. He said the goal was to protect demand while reaffirming an import-parity strategy in a free-market environment. The company’s midstream and downstream adjusted EBITDA margin was $19.10 per barrel in the first quarter and, based on preliminary April figures, about $24 per barrel.
Infrastructure and LNG Projects Advance YPF said it continued to secure infrastructure needed for Vaca Muerta growth. Westen said VMOS shareholders approved the allocation to YPF of 44,000 barrels per day of additional pipeline capacity, increasing YPF’s stake in VMOS from about 25% to 30%. He also said Oldelval is expected to expand transportation capacity by roughly 150,000 barrels per day by year-end, with YPF holding about 40,000 barrels per day of that incremental capacity.
On the Argentina LNG project, Marín said founding partners YPF, Eni and XRG, the international energy investment arm of ADNOC, are working toward a final investment decision by year-end. The project contemplates total investment of approximately $24 billion, excluding upstream, including financing costs. Marín said market sounding drew interest from about 50 institutional investors, with initial appetite exceeding project financing needs.
For the CESA tolling phase, in which YPF holds a 25% equity stake, Marín said CESA signed an LNG supply partnership with Germany-based SEFE for 2 million tons per year over eight years starting in late 2027. He said the volume represents about 30% of CESA’s total capacity and corresponds to the capacity of the first vessel, Gimi.
During the question-and-answer session, Marín said the Middle East conflict has increased financing appetite for Argentina LNG and may accelerate discussion of future expansion. He also said YPF is seeking more competition among service companies in Vaca Muerta and expects cost improvements, while reiterating that the company’s capital allocation remains focused on unconventional assets.
About YPF Sociedad Anónima NYSE: YPFYPF Sociedad Anónima NYSE: YPF is an integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The company’s primary businesses encompass upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream transportation and storage, and downstream refining and distribution. YPF operates several major refineries and a nationwide network of service stations, supplying fuels, lubricants, and petrochemical products to both retail and industrial customers.
Founded in 1922 as Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales, YPF was the world’s first state‐owned oil company.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in YPF Sociedad Anónima Right Now?Before you consider YPF Sociedad Anónima, you'll want to hear this.
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A man waits outside his car while refueling at a YPF gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Martin Cossarini Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesBUENOS AIRES, May 15 (Reuters) - Argentina's state-run energy firm YPF (YPFDm.BA), opens new tab said on Friday the company has requested a large investment tax scheme known as RIGI apply to a $25 billion oil project aimed at accelerating development of the Vaca Muerta shale formation.
The project, known as LLL, represents Argentina's most significant oil export program and is the largest to be submitted under the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), according to CEO Horacio Marin.
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• LLL Oil targets production of 240,000 barrels of crude per day from 2032 with drilling 1,152 wells, with all output directed for export.
• LLL Oil is projected to generate approximately $6 billion in annual export revenues by 2032 and create around 6,000 direct jobs during development, YPF said.
• Participating blocks will share surface facilities, drilling rigs, fracturing equipment and sand and water logistics, YPF said.
• The Vaca Muerta shale play is a cornerstone of President Javier Milei's economic strategy, which seeks to boost Argentina's financial stability through increased energy exports.
Reporting by Natalia Siniawski and Jorge Otaola; Editing by Kylie Madry
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
On May 18, 2026, YPF SA YPF shares rose 8.8% today, bringing the current price to $47.48. This price is within a 52-week range, having seen a low of $22.82 and a high of $48.96 over the past year.
GF Value™ verdict: Current price of $47.48 is 5.2% overvalued compared to the GF Value™ of $45.15.GF Score™: 88/100, indicating a strong investment quality.Notable signal: Insider activity shows that insiders sold $0.7M worth of shares in the last 3 months without any buying. Is YPF Overvalued or Undervalued? The current price of YPF SA YPF is $47.48, which is above the GF Value™ estimate of $45.15, suggesting that the stock is overvalued by approximately 5.2%. This overvaluation indicates a lack of margin of safety for potential investors, as purchasing shares at a premium could expose them to greater risk if the market corrects the price to reflect its intrinsic value. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure of intrinsic value, calculated from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates.
The GF Valuation label classifies YPF as fairly valued, indicating that while the stock is above its calculated fair value, it may still be viewed as a viable investment for those willing to accept the risk associated with overvaluation. Investors should consider the potential for volatility and the company's ability to maintain performance in such conditions.
How Does YPF's Valuation Compare to Its History? Metric Current Historical P/E (TTM) 10.4x 10.8x YPF's current forward P/E of 10.4x is slightly below its 5-year median P/E of 10.8x, which suggests that the stock is trading at a lower valuation compared to its historical levels. This P/E analysis aligns with the GF Value™ verdict, indicating a potential overvaluation, although the proximity of current valuations to historical figures suggests that the stock may not be excessively overvalued.
What Does YPF's GF Score™ Tell Us? Metric Rating GF Score™ 88 Financial Strength 5/10 Profitability 7/10 Growth 9/10 Valuation 9/10 Momentum 8/10 The GF Score™ of 88/100 indicates a strong overall quality for YPF. The company excels in growth (9/10) and valuation (9/10), suggesting that it has robust prospects for future earnings and is relatively well-priced compared to its earnings potential. However, financial strength is rated lower at 5/10, indicating some vulnerabilities that may impact its stability. Overall, the combination of high growth potential and strong valuation metrics positions YPF favorably, while areas of financial strength warrant closer scrutiny.
What Are Insiders Doing with YPF Stock? In recent months, insider activity has shown that insiders sold $0.7 million worth of shares, with no recorded purchases. This trend may suggest a lack of confidence among insiders regarding the stock's short-term outlook, as they have chosen to liquidate a portion of their holdings rather than invest further. Such selling activity can be interpreted as a cautionary signal for potential investors.
What This Means for Investors Based on the GF Value™ assessment, YPF is currently overvalued with a price of $47.48 compared to its GF Value™ of $45.15. While the company showcases strong growth and valuation metrics, the insider selling and current overvaluation present risks that investors should consider.
For the complete analysis, visit the YPF SA YPF stock page. You can also explore the GF Value™ page for detailed valuation methodology, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find similar opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions What is YPF's GF Score™?
YPF's GF Score™ is 88/100, indicating a strong investment quality based on various key metrics.
Is YPF overvalued or undervalued?
YPF is currently overvalued, trading at $47.48 compared to a GF Value™ of $45.15, representing a 5.2% premium.
What is YPF's P/E ratio?
YPF's forward P/E is 10.4x, which is below its 5-year median P/E of 10.8x, suggesting the stock is trading at a lower valuation relative to its historical averages.
This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) reached a significant support level, and could be a good pick for investors from a technical perspective. Recently, YPF broke through the 20-day moving average, which suggests a short-term bullish trend.
A well-liked tool among traders, the 20-day simple moving average offers a look back at a stock's price over a 20-day period. This is very beneficial to short-term traders, as it smooths out short-term price trends and gives more trend reversal signals than longer-term moving averages.
Similar to other SMAs, if a stock's price moves above the 20-day, the trend is considered positive, while price falling below the moving average can signal a downward trend.
Shares of YPF have been moving higher over the past four weeks, up 15.9%. Plus, the company is currently a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock, suggesting that YPF could be poised for a continued surge.
The bullish case only gets stronger once investors take into account YPF's positive earnings estimate revisions. There have been 3 revisions higher for the current fiscal year compared to none lower, and the consensus estimate has moved up as well.
With a winning combination of earnings estimate revisions and hitting a key technical level, investors should keep their eye on YPF for more gains in the near future.
Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.
Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.
Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.
One company value investors might notice is YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) . YPF is currently holding a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value grade of A. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 8.15, while its industry has an average P/E of 10.20. Over the past year, YPF's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.74 and as low as 4.36, with a median of 8.07.
Another valuation metric that we should highlight is YPF's P/B ratio of 0.79. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 1.90. YPF's P/B has been as high as 1.53 and as low as 0.69, with a median of 1.11, over the past year.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. This is a popular metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement, so they are often considered a better performance indicator. YPF has a P/S ratio of 1. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.01.
These are just a handful of the figures considered in YPF Sociedad Anonima's great Value grade. Still, they help show that the stock is likely being undervalued at the moment. Add this to the strength of its earnings outlook, and we can clearly see that YPF is an impressive value stock right now.
Key Takeaways Eni's Baleine Phase 3 aims to increase oil production to 150 MBPD from 60 MBPD.Eni plans to raise gas output to 200 MMcf/d from 80 MMcf/d with a new FPSO development project.Eni will supply all gas produced from Baleine Phase 3 to Cote d'Ivoire's domestic market. Eni S.p.A. (E - Free Report) and its partners, PETROCI and Vitol, approved the final investment decision (FID) for the Baleine Phase 3 project during a ceremony in Abidjan. The decision marks a major milestone for the Baleine field, the largest hydrocarbon discovery ever made in Cote d’Ivoire and highlights the country’s growing importance as an energy hub in West Africa.
The Phase 3 expansion aims to significantly increase production from 60 thousand barrels per day (MBPD) to 150 MBPD, while gas output is expected to reach 200 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) from 80 MMcf/d. The project includes the construction of a new floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit designed to improve operational efficiency, safety and environmental performance. By continuing its phased and fast-track development model, Eni is expected to reach early production milestones and reduce costs by leveraging existing infrastructure.
The integrated energy giant emphasized that all gas produced from the project will be supplied to Cote d’Ivoire’s domestic market to support electricity generation, industrial development and national energy security. Since entering Cote d’Ivoire in 2015, Eni has made significant discoveries, including Baleine and Calao, strengthening offshore exploration activity in the country. Beyond energy development, E continues to support local communities through investments in education, healthcare, training and local business development initiatives.
Eni currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the energy sector having presence in the upstream space are Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) , YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM - Free Report) . CVX, YPF and XOM sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
As an integrated energy giant with a robust presence in the Permian Basin, Chevron explores, produces and refines crude oil, natural gas and alternative energy sources. With first-quarter 2026 international net oil-equivalent production improving year over year to 1.8 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (MMBoe/d), CVX’s international output is expected to rise following an oil discovery at the Bandit prospect in the Gulf of Mexico.
Headquartered in Buenos Aires, YPF is an integrated energy giant engaged in the exploration, production and distribution of oil, natural gas and petrochemicals, with key operations in the massive Vaca Muerta shale formation. YPF, along with CVX and XOM, is benefiting from a favorable pricing environment as West Texas Intermediate crude prices surpass the $90-per-barrel mark, according to oilprice.com.
Driven by its advantaged assets in the prolific Permian Basin, offshore Guyana and liquified natural gas ventures, ExxonMobil generates strong revenues. In the first quarter of 2026, XOM increased liquids production to 3,297 MBPD from 3,139 MBPD a year earlier due to higher volumes across the United States, Canada and Other Americas. The company expects overall production to reach 5.5 MMBoe/d by 2030, including 2.5 MMBoe/d from the Permian Basin.
Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.
That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.
However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.
YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) is one such stock that our proprietary system currently recommends. The company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.
Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this company a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for YPF Sociedad Anonima is 6.9%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 439.5% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 67.6%.
Impressive Asset Utilization RatioGrowth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric shows how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.
Right now, YPF Sociedad Anonima has an S/TA ratio of 0.63, which means that the company gets $0.63 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.51, it can be said that the company is more efficient.
In addition to efficiency in generating sales, sales growth plays an important role. And YPF Sociedad Anonima is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 18.6% this year versus the industry average of 16.2%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The current-year earnings estimates for YPF Sociedad Anonima have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 10.2% over the past month.
Bottom LineYPF Sociedad Anonima has not only earned a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination indicates that YPF Sociedad Anonima is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.
Key Takeaways BP begins commercial non-associated gas production at the ACG field offshore Azerbaijan.The project may unlock 4-6 Tcf of recoverable gas using existing offshore and terminal infrastructure.A gas development agreement extending through 2049 supports BP's long-term production & strengthens cash flow. BP p.l.c. (BP - Free Report) has reached an important milestone with the start of commercial non-associated gas (NAG) production at the Azeri–Chirag–Gunashli (ACG) field, one of the world's largest oil-producing assets, located offshore Azerbaijan. The project opens a new long-term growth opportunity by unlocking an estimated 4 to 6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable gas resources, extending the value of the field beyond its traditional oil production.
By delivering early production, reservoir and flow data, the initial NAG well from the West Chirag platform serves as a foundational step toward commercializing ACG's vast gas resources. BP can leverage existing offshore facilities and the Sangachal Terminal, reducing development costs and improving capital efficiency. The addition of commercial gas extraction to its oil operations enhances ACG’s position as a fully integrated oil and gas asset while supporting growing European demand for natural gas.
The ACG project is a joint venture operated by BP (30.37%). The remaining co-venturers are SOCAR (35.3%), MOL (9.57%), INPEX (9.31%), ExxonMobil (6.79%), TPAO (5.73%) and ONGC Videsh (2.925%).
With the gas development agreement extending through 2049 and the potential for billions of dollars of future investment, the project could strengthen BP’s long-term production profile, diversify cash flows and create an additional source of earnings growth. The development reinforces BP’s strategic presence in the Caspian region.
BP currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the energy sector with a presence in upstream operations are Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. (VIST - Free Report) , Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) and YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) .
With West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude prices trading above the $90-per-barrel mark, according to oilprice.com, VIST, CVX, YPF and BP are benefiting from the positive pricing environment. VIST, CVX and YPF currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Vista Energy is a premier independent oil and gas operator focused on shale assets in Argentina's prolific Vaca Muerta basin, where it holds a footprint of approximately 257,000 net acres. VIST achieved total production of 134,741 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) in first-quarter 2026, marking a 67% increase compared with the prior-year figure. Driven by this strong performance, Vista raised its full-year 2026 production guidance from 140,000 Boe/d to 143,000 Boe/d.
Chevron is a leading integrated energy giant with a strong presence in the Permian Basin. Driven by strong upstream performance and continued growth across its resource base, CVX achieved first-quarter 2026 international net oil-equivalent production of 1.8 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from the prior-year period.
YPF is an integrated energy company that leverages its significant footprint in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation to fuel production growth. YPF projected increased operational activity in the coming quarters, which is expected to support higher oil and gas output in the second half of 2026.
YPF has transitioned from recovery to exponential growth, driven by shale oil production in Vaca Muerta and aggressive cost reductions. YPF's extraction costs dropped 42% y/y to $8.8/boe in Q1 2026, with Vaca Muerta blocks achieving $4.0/boe, matching global leaders. The VMOS export pipeline, launching January 2027, will enable YPF to sell a greater share of output at international prices, materially improving margins.
Key Takeaways E and PETRONAS formed Searah, combining upstream assets across Indonesia and Malaysia.Searah starts with output above 300,000 Boe/d and targets more than 500,000 Boe/d within three years.The JV secured a $6 billion credit facility & plans to invest more than $20 billion over the next five years. Eni S.p.A. (E - Free Report) and PETRONAS have officially established Searah, a 50/50 joint venture (JV) combining their upstream assets in Indonesia and Malaysia, creating Southeast Asia’s leading independent integrated energy company. Searah starts with production exceeding 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) from 19 producing and development assets (14 in Indonesia and five in Malaysia) and targets more than 500,000 Boe/d within the next three years, strengthening Eni’s regional growth platform.
Searah enhances Eni’s ability to unlock value from a large resource base while sharing capital requirements and operational risks with PETRONAS. The new JV has secured a $6 billion revolving credit facility and plans to invest more than $20 billion over the next five years to develop more than three billion barrels of oil equivalent (BBoe) of discovered resources and explore new opportunities. The JV drives operational synergies through shared logistics, technology and expertise, leading to greater efficiency and stronger financial returns.
Searah benefits from Eni’s recent major gas developments and discoveries, including the Gendalo, Gandang, Geng North and Gehem projects, as well as the Geliga-1 gas discovery in the Kutei Basin. Providing a strong foundation for future growth, these assets are expected to boost long-term production and reserves, helping Searah achieve its short-term output target of 500,000 Boe/d. The JV strengthens Eni’s position in the fast-growing Southeast Asian gas market while supporting earnings growth and enhancing investor appeal.
Eni currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the energy sector with a presence in upstream operations are Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. (VIST - Free Report) , Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) and YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) .
The West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil price is trading around the $90-per-barrel mark, according to oilprice.com. This positive pricing environment is benefiting VIST, CVX, YPF and E. VIST and CVX currently carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each, while YPF sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Operating primarily in Argentina, Vista holds approximately 257,000 net acres of prime shale assets in the Vaca Muerta basin. In the first quarter of 2026, VIST recorded total production of 134,741 Boe/d, representing a 67% increase year-over-year. Vista increased its full-year production target from 140,000 Boe/d to 143,000 Boe/d.
A major integrated energy giant, Chevron, maintains a strong presence within the Permian Basin. Supported by excellent upstream performance and ongoing development across its resource base, CVX recorded an international net oil-equivalent output of 1.8 million barrels per day for the first quarter of 2026, up from the prior-year period.
Integrated energy company YPF is using its strong foothold in the Vaca Muerta formation to accelerate production growth. A projected increase in operational activity by YPF in the coming quarters is anticipated to yield higher oil and gas production by the second half of 2026.
Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.
Of these, perhaps no stock market trend is more popular than value investing, which is a strategy that has proven to be successful in all sorts of market environments. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.
Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.
YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) is a stock many investors are watching right now. YPF is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 8.15, which compares to its industry's average of 9.85. Over the past year, YPF's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.74 and as low as 4.36, with a median of 8.07.
Investors should also recognize that YPF has a P/B ratio of 0.79. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 1.85. Within the past 52 weeks, YPF's P/B has been as high as 1.53 and as low as 0.69, with a median of 1.11.
These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that YPF Sociedad Anonima is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, YPF feels like a great value stock at the moment.
Key Takeaways SLB and Qualcomm signed a MoU to develop edge AI solutions for energy operations.The partnership combines Agora edge AI & IoT tools with low-power edge computing & AI-processing capabilities.The solutions aim to support real-time decision-making, automation and autonomous workflows in remote assets. SLB N.V. (SLB - Free Report) has announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qualcomm Technologies to develop edge artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the energy industry, combining Qualcomm’s low-power edge computing and AI-processing capabilities with SLB’s Agora edge AI and IoT solutions. The collaboration focuses on improving real-time operational performance across wells, facilities and production systems, particularly in areas where connectivity constraints can affect efficiency and reliability.
The partnership is designed to support energy operators’ increasing adoption of automation and autonomous workflows to improve efficiency. By bringing AI closer to field operations rather than relying solely on centralized computing systems, the companies aim to enhance operational responsiveness, reliability and cybersecurity while helping customers modernize legacy infrastructure. The solutions are expected to fuel demand for agentic AI applications that are capable of making swifter and more informed decisions directly at the operational edge.
This strategic collaboration fortifies SLB's digital foundation, reinforcing its role as a leader in AI-driven energy solutions. By driving higher customer adoption of its digital platforms, SLB is expected to strengthen cash-flow generation with enhanced investor appeal.
SLB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The business models of SLB and other players that provide equipment and services to companies are dependent on capital spending by the upstream players. The upstream players such as Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. (VIST - Free Report) , YPF Sociedad Anónima (YPF - Free Report) and Ecopetrol S.A. (EC - Free Report) are currently enjoying a favorable pricing environment as the West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil prices are trading above the $85-per-barrel mark, according to oilprice.com.
VIST and EC currently carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each, while YPF sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Argentina-based operator Vista controls roughly 257,000 net acres in the prolific Vaca Muerta basin. VIST recorded total production of 134,741 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) in the first quarter of 2026, up 67% year-over-year. Vista increased its full-year production guidance from 140,000 Boe/d to 143,000 Boe/d.
Integrated energy company YPF is using its strong foothold in the Vaca Muerta formation to accelerate production growth. An increase in operational activity by YPF in the coming quarters is anticipated to yield higher oil and gas production by the second half of 2026.
Ecopetrol is a leading integrated energy company with operations spanning the entire hydrocarbon value chain, primarily focused in Colombia. EC projects production to be in the range of 730-740 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d) by 2026 and plans to sustain output levels in the range of 700-750 MBoe/d through 2040, supporting long-term operational stability.
