Trump's Executive Orders Fuel Tech, Weaken Energy Stocks In His First Week: Immigration, Tariff Reforms On Cards But Experts Say 'Don't Play Politics With Your Portfolio'
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 27 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Trump's First Week Impact on Markets: President Trump's initial week in office saw the S&P 500 reach a record high, driven by his focus on technology, tariffs, energy reform, and immigration. However, experts caution against mixing politics with investment strategies, emphasizing that market forces often outweigh political influences.
Sector Reactions to Policy Changes: The energy sector faced declines due to anticipated lower prices from increased oil and gas supply, while the tech sector benefited from the announcement of an AI project. Immigration reforms may disrupt labor markets, potentially leading to inflationary pressures as employers might need to raise wages to attract workers.
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Analyst Views on TTE
Wall Street analysts forecast TTE stock price to fall
16 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
8 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 90.040
Low
60.04
Averages
71.67
High
90.93
Current: 90.040
Low
60.04
Averages
71.67
High
90.93
About TTE
TotalEnergies SE is a France-based company. The Company is predominantly engaged in the business as a worldwide oil group. Its segment divisions are divided into refining and chemistry such as refining of petroleum products and manufacture of basic chemistry and of specialty chemistry, petroleum products distribution, electricity generation from combined cycle gas plants and renewable energies, gas production, trading, transport and distribution primarily includes liquefied natural gas, natural gas, biogas, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas and hydrocarbon operating and production. The group is also operating in trading and sea transport of crude oil and oil products.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Mozambique Government Disputes TotalEnergies' $2B Cost Overrun Estimate
- Cost Overrun Dispute: The Mozambique government disputes TotalEnergies' (TTE) claim of a $2 billion cost overrun, citing a lack of supporting documentation that prevented consultancy Bayphase from verifying these costs, leading to the government's reluctance to accept the estimate.
- Project Progress Delayed: Following security concerns, TotalEnergies lifted its four-year force majeure on the $20 billion Mozambique LNG project last year, yet the target for first LNG production has been pushed from 2027 to 2029, significantly impacting the project's timeline.
- Equity Structure Insight: TotalEnergies holds a 26.5% stake in the project, with other shareholders including Mitsui (MITSY), the Mozambique government, and companies from India and Thailand, highlighting the complex multi-party interests involved in the project.
- Legal Requirement Impact: A consensus on costs is legally required before the government can approve an updated development plan, which poses challenges for the project's advancement and may delay future investment decisions.
See More
U.S.-Iran Negotiation Fluctuations Impact Markets
- Oil Price Plunge: Oil prices dropped over 5% on Wednesday after Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington was giving Iran talks 'every chance to succeed,' reflecting market sensitivity to diplomatic efforts and potentially impacting energy sector profitability.
- Escalation of Military Actions: New U.S. airstrikes in Iran targeted a military site deemed a threat to U.S. forces and commercial maritime traffic, adding uncertainty to the ongoing diplomatic negotiations and prompting investors to reassess risk levels in the market.
- Strong Tech Stock Performance: Shares of cloud-based AI and data platform company Snowflake surged 36% following a strong earnings report and a $6 billion investment plan in Amazon Web Services, showcasing investment enthusiasm and market confidence in the tech sector amid rising AI demand.
- Inflation Data Focus: Investors are closely watching the upcoming April inflation reading, which is expected to influence the Fed's future rate decisions, as Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari emphasized that lowering inflation remains a top priority, indicating market sensitivity to economic policy.
See More
TotalEnergies Share Buyback Program Implementation
- Share Buyback Volume: TotalEnergies repurchased a total of 1,689,580 shares from May 18 to 22, 2026, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value and expected positive impact on shareholder returns.
- Price Analysis: The daily weighted average purchase price during the buyback period was €79.90 per share, indicating a prudent buyback strategy aimed at enhancing earnings per share and market confidence amid fluctuations.
- Market Response: The buyback transactions were conducted on the Paris Stock Exchange, with a total transaction amount of €134,999,798.33, showcasing TotalEnergies' strong financial position and market standing in the current economic environment.
- Strategic Implications: TotalEnergies' buyback program aligns with its sustainability strategy, aiming to enhance shareholder value while supporting long-term growth and strengthening the company's competitive edge in the global energy market.
See More
Global Oil Demand Growth Slowing Amid EV Adoption
- Demand Growth Slowdown: The International Energy Agency projects that global oil demand growth will decelerate due to rising electric vehicle adoption, improved fuel efficiency, and a slowing Chinese economy, yet oil prices remain above $90 per barrel, indicating a complex market and investment opportunities.
- Strong Cash Flow: Despite skepticism about the long-term outlook for the energy sector, major companies like Chevron and TotalEnergies continue to generate substantial cash flow at elevated oil prices, with Chevron enhancing its production capacity in Guyana through the acquisition of Hess, thereby strengthening its market position.
- Diversified Investment Strategy: TotalEnergies has aggressively expanded into liquefied natural gas, solar, and wind sectors while maintaining significant upstream oil investments, which is expected to become increasingly important as Europe reduces its reliance on Russian natural gas.
- Ongoing Shareholder Returns: Both Chevron and TotalEnergies are returning substantial capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, with Chevron's dividend yield around 3.6% and TotalEnergies' yield near 4.5%, demonstrating stability in an uncertain market environment.
See More
Global Oil Demand Growth Slows Amid Supply Constraints
- Demand Growth Slowing: The International Energy Agency projects that global oil demand growth will decelerate due to rising electric vehicle adoption, improved fuel efficiency, and a slowing Chinese economy, yet oil prices remain above $90 per barrel, indicating a complex market with investment opportunities.
- Chevron's Financial Strength: Chevron continues to generate massive free cash flow at elevated oil prices and has expanded its long-term production capacity through the acquisition of Hess, particularly in the rapidly growing Guyana oil field, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- TotalEnergies' Diversification: TotalEnergies has aggressively expanded into liquefied natural gas, solar, and wind sectors, now operating one of the world's largest LNG portfolios, which is expected to benefit from Europe's shift away from reliance on Russian gas, further strengthening its market position.
- Ongoing Shareholder Returns: Despite pressures on global oil prices, both Chevron and TotalEnergies continue to return capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, with Chevron's dividend yield around 3.6% and TotalEnergies near 4.5%, reflecting their stable financial strategies.
See More
Middle East Conflict Drives Oil Prices Up, Investors Should Focus on Energy Cycle
- Oil Price Surge Context: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has led to a significant rise in oil prices, prompting long-term investors to consider the historical trends of energy prices rather than just the current levels to better navigate market dynamics.
- Diversified Investment Strategy: Investors are advised to focus on integrated energy companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and TotalEnergies, which operate across the entire energy value chain and are better positioned to manage risks associated with oil price fluctuations.
- Dividends and Financial Stability: ExxonMobil and Chevron have consistently increased dividends over the past decades, and their low debt-to-equity ratios among peers allow them to maintain business operations and dividend payments during industry downturns, showcasing strong financial resilience.
- Clean Energy Transition: TotalEnergies is aggressively expanding into clean energy, with its electricity-focused operations projected to account for about 12% of its business by 2025, indicating the company's proactive approach to adapting to future changes in the energy landscape.
See More
Mozambique Government Disputes TotalEnergies' $2B Cost Overrun Estimate
- Cost Overrun Dispute: The Mozambique government disputes TotalEnergies' (TTE) claim of a $2 billion cost overrun, citing a lack of supporting documentation that prevented consultancy Bayphase from verifying these costs, leading to the government's reluctance to accept the estimate.
- Project Progress Delayed: Following security concerns, TotalEnergies lifted its four-year force majeure on the $20 billion Mozambique LNG project last year, yet the target for first LNG production has been pushed from 2027 to 2029, significantly impacting the project's timeline.
- Equity Structure Insight: TotalEnergies holds a 26.5% stake in the project, with other shareholders including Mitsui (MITSY), the Mozambique government, and companies from India and Thailand, highlighting the complex multi-party interests involved in the project.
- Legal Requirement Impact: A consensus on costs is legally required before the government can approve an updated development plan, which poses challenges for the project's advancement and may delay future investment decisions.
See More
U.S.-Iran Negotiation Fluctuations Impact Markets
- Oil Price Plunge: Oil prices dropped over 5% on Wednesday after Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington was giving Iran talks 'every chance to succeed,' reflecting market sensitivity to diplomatic efforts and potentially impacting energy sector profitability.
- Escalation of Military Actions: New U.S. airstrikes in Iran targeted a military site deemed a threat to U.S. forces and commercial maritime traffic, adding uncertainty to the ongoing diplomatic negotiations and prompting investors to reassess risk levels in the market.
- Strong Tech Stock Performance: Shares of cloud-based AI and data platform company Snowflake surged 36% following a strong earnings report and a $6 billion investment plan in Amazon Web Services, showcasing investment enthusiasm and market confidence in the tech sector amid rising AI demand.
- Inflation Data Focus: Investors are closely watching the upcoming April inflation reading, which is expected to influence the Fed's future rate decisions, as Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari emphasized that lowering inflation remains a top priority, indicating market sensitivity to economic policy.
See More
TotalEnergies Share Buyback Program Implementation
- Share Buyback Volume: TotalEnergies repurchased a total of 1,689,580 shares from May 18 to 22, 2026, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value and expected positive impact on shareholder returns.
- Price Analysis: The daily weighted average purchase price during the buyback period was €79.90 per share, indicating a prudent buyback strategy aimed at enhancing earnings per share and market confidence amid fluctuations.
- Market Response: The buyback transactions were conducted on the Paris Stock Exchange, with a total transaction amount of €134,999,798.33, showcasing TotalEnergies' strong financial position and market standing in the current economic environment.
- Strategic Implications: TotalEnergies' buyback program aligns with its sustainability strategy, aiming to enhance shareholder value while supporting long-term growth and strengthening the company's competitive edge in the global energy market.
See More
Global Oil Demand Growth Slowing Amid EV Adoption
- Demand Growth Slowdown: The International Energy Agency projects that global oil demand growth will decelerate due to rising electric vehicle adoption, improved fuel efficiency, and a slowing Chinese economy, yet oil prices remain above $90 per barrel, indicating a complex market and investment opportunities.
- Strong Cash Flow: Despite skepticism about the long-term outlook for the energy sector, major companies like Chevron and TotalEnergies continue to generate substantial cash flow at elevated oil prices, with Chevron enhancing its production capacity in Guyana through the acquisition of Hess, thereby strengthening its market position.
- Diversified Investment Strategy: TotalEnergies has aggressively expanded into liquefied natural gas, solar, and wind sectors while maintaining significant upstream oil investments, which is expected to become increasingly important as Europe reduces its reliance on Russian natural gas.
- Ongoing Shareholder Returns: Both Chevron and TotalEnergies are returning substantial capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, with Chevron's dividend yield around 3.6% and TotalEnergies' yield near 4.5%, demonstrating stability in an uncertain market environment.
See More
Global Oil Demand Growth Slows Amid Supply Constraints
- Demand Growth Slowing: The International Energy Agency projects that global oil demand growth will decelerate due to rising electric vehicle adoption, improved fuel efficiency, and a slowing Chinese economy, yet oil prices remain above $90 per barrel, indicating a complex market with investment opportunities.
- Chevron's Financial Strength: Chevron continues to generate massive free cash flow at elevated oil prices and has expanded its long-term production capacity through the acquisition of Hess, particularly in the rapidly growing Guyana oil field, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- TotalEnergies' Diversification: TotalEnergies has aggressively expanded into liquefied natural gas, solar, and wind sectors, now operating one of the world's largest LNG portfolios, which is expected to benefit from Europe's shift away from reliance on Russian gas, further strengthening its market position.
- Ongoing Shareholder Returns: Despite pressures on global oil prices, both Chevron and TotalEnergies continue to return capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, with Chevron's dividend yield around 3.6% and TotalEnergies near 4.5%, reflecting their stable financial strategies.
See More
Middle East Conflict Drives Oil Prices Up, Investors Should Focus on Energy Cycle
- Oil Price Surge Context: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has led to a significant rise in oil prices, prompting long-term investors to consider the historical trends of energy prices rather than just the current levels to better navigate market dynamics.
- Diversified Investment Strategy: Investors are advised to focus on integrated energy companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and TotalEnergies, which operate across the entire energy value chain and are better positioned to manage risks associated with oil price fluctuations.
- Dividends and Financial Stability: ExxonMobil and Chevron have consistently increased dividends over the past decades, and their low debt-to-equity ratios among peers allow them to maintain business operations and dividend payments during industry downturns, showcasing strong financial resilience.
- Clean Energy Transition: TotalEnergies is aggressively expanding into clean energy, with its electricity-focused operations projected to account for about 12% of its business by 2025, indicating the company's proactive approach to adapting to future changes in the energy landscape.
See More
