Berkshire Increases Chevron Stake Amid Rising Oil Prices
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 20 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Increased Chevron Stake: Berkshire Hathaway purchased 8,091,570 shares of Chevron in Q4 2025, raising its total stake to approximately 130 million shares, which constitutes 7.24% of its equity portfolio, indicating a strong commitment to the energy sector.
- Strong Performance: Chevron achieved a record full-year production of 3,723 MBOE/d in 2025, a 12% year-over-year increase, and generated $33.9 billion in operating cash flow despite Brent averaging $64 per barrel, showcasing resilience in a challenging pricing environment.
- Enhanced Shareholder Returns: The company returned $27.1 billion to shareholders in 2025 and raised its quarterly dividend to $1.78 per share, marking the 39th consecutive annual increase, which bolsters investor confidence and attractiveness.
- Cost Control Initiatives: Chevron realized $1.5 billion in structural savings in 2025, with a target of $3 to $4 billion by the end of 2026, enhancing its free cash flow generation capabilities in a high oil price environment and ensuring dividend sustainability.
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Analyst Views on CVX
Wall Street analysts forecast CVX stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 197.410
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
Current: 197.410
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
About CVX
Chevron Corporation is an integrated energy company. The Company produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance its business and industry. The Company’s segments include Upstream and Downstream. Upstream operations consist primarily of exploring for, developing, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with LNG; transporting crude oil by major international oil export pipelines; processing, transporting, storage and marketing of natural gas; carbon capture and storage; and a gas-to-liquids plant. Downstream operations consist primarily of the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufacturing and marketing of renewable fuels, and transporting of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car.
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.
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- Strong Profitability: Despite oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel, Chevron maintains high profitability with a breakeven level below $50 per barrel, demonstrating flexibility in capital expenditures and dividend payments, having recently increased its dividend for the 39th consecutive year.
- Cost Control and Growth Outlook: Chevron achieved $1.5 billion in cost reductions in 2025 and plans to lower capital expenditures for 2026, while also expecting to cut costs by another $3 billion to $4 billion this year, driving an anticipated average annual earnings-per-share growth of at least 10%, indicating robust earnings growth potential.
- Market Leadership Position: Chevron ranks as the leading natural gas producer in the U.S. and holds a dominant position in the Gulf of Mexico, with significant oil production potential in Guyana due to the acquisition of Hess, and is poised to capitalize on newly opened opportunities in Venezuela, further solidifying its market position.
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- Oil Price Surge Context: Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices are nearing their highest levels in a decade, primarily due to the conflict between the U.S./Israeli alliance and Iran, which has led to skyrocketing oil prices, making Chevron, the world's third-largest energy company, a significant beneficiary of this crisis due to its close correlation with oil prices.
- Strong Profitability: Despite oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel, Chevron maintains high profitability with a breakeven level below $50 per barrel, demonstrating flexibility in capital expenditures and dividend payments, having recently increased its dividend for the 39th consecutive year.
- Cost Control and Growth Outlook: Chevron achieved $1.5 billion in cost reductions in 2025 and plans to lower capital expenditures for 2026, while also expecting to cut costs by another $3 billion to $4 billion this year, driving an anticipated average annual earnings-per-share growth of at least 10%, indicating robust earnings growth potential.
- Market Leadership Position: Chevron ranks as the leading natural gas producer in the U.S. and holds a dominant position in the Gulf of Mexico, with significant oil production potential in Guyana due to the acquisition of Hess, and is poised to capitalize on newly opened opportunities in Venezuela, further solidifying its market position.
See More
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- Oil Price Surge: The war in Iran has caused Brent crude prices to soar over 75% this year, recently surpassing $100 a barrel, and if the conflict persists, prices could rise further, positively impacting oil companies like Chevron.
- Chevron's Stock Lag: Although Chevron's stock has risen about 40% this year, it has not kept pace with crude oil prices due to market expectations of an end to the war and falling oil prices, leading to cautious investor sentiment regarding its future performance.
- Capital Spending Strategy Shift: Chevron has set its 2026 capital spending budget at $18 to $19 billion, focusing on high-return opportunities, and if the war escalates and damages more energy infrastructure, it is expected to increase investments in U.S. shale to quickly address global supply shortages.
- Future Cash Flow Expectations: Chevron anticipates generating an additional $12.5 billion in free cash flow this year at $70 oil, driven by expansion projects and cost-saving initiatives, which will further enhance its financial performance and market competitiveness if high oil prices persist.
See More
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- Friendship Breakdown: In an interview, Buffett stated he has not spoken to Gates since the Epstein revelations, suggesting their friendship may be over, which could affect the future functioning of the Gates Foundation.
- Uncertain Donation Commitment: Buffett mentioned he will “wait and see what unfolds” regarding his donations, leaving the foundation's financial future uncertain and potentially jeopardizing its charitable initiatives.
- Concerns for the Future: Buffett expressed worries about the Gates Foundation's future, emphasizing the need for clarity on the situation, which may lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of charitable organizations.
See More
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- Market Resilience: Chevron's oil and gas primarily sourced from the U.S., Kazakhstan, and Australia provides relative insulation from Middle Eastern conflicts, and rising oil prices will enhance its upstream profits, generating more cash for dividends and buybacks while improving the economics of its costly megaprojects.
- Enterprise Products Overview: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) operates over 50,000 miles of pipelines and employs a
See More
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- Chevron's Stable Returns: As one of the world's largest integrated companies, Chevron offers a forward yield of 3.6% and has raised its dividend for 39 consecutive years, demonstrating strong cash flow and profitability that can provide stable retirement income for investors.
- Future Growth Potential: Analysts expect Chevron's EPS to grow at a 16% CAGR from 2025 to 2028, primarily driven by the expansion of the Tengiz Field in Kazakhstan and ongoing development in the Permian Basin, which will significantly enhance its profitability.
- Enterprise Products' Resilience: Operating over 50,000 miles of pipeline, Enterprise Products employs a
See More
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- Fuel Price Surge Impact: The Iran war has driven jet fuel prices to an average of $4.65 per gallon globally, significantly increasing private flight costs, with Vimana recently booking a $520,000 flight from Dubai to London, up from $400,000 in 2023, reflecting a 30% increase.
- Rising Flight Prices: Since the onset of the Iran conflict, jet charter prices have surged by an average of 5% to 15%, with some flights experiencing increases of up to 20%, leading affluent travelers to face unexpected fees, although they are generally less sensitive to price fluctuations.
- Steady Market Demand: Despite soaring fuel prices, the private flying market remains robust, with WingX reporting a 5% year-over-year increase in flights for the week ending March 22, and Flexjet noting a 15% rise in utilization among fractional owners, indicating sustained demand from high-net-worth clients.
- Airlines' Response Strategies: Some operators are mitigating costs by refueling in countries with cheaper fuel, even if it results in longer flight times; however, clients continue to prefer private flights to avoid long airport lines, especially during disruptions caused by government shutdowns.
See More
