Murphy Oil Upgraded to Overweight by Piper Sandler with $41 Price Target
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
0mins
Should l Buy MUR?
Source: seekingalpha
- Rating Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded Murphy Oil (MUR) from Neutral to Overweight with a price target increase from $33 to $41, reflecting optimism about future oil prices and expected tight crude balances that could drive stock price appreciation.
- Market Outlook: Analyst Mark Lear noted that despite disappointing Q3 2025 results, further appraisal work at the Hai Su Vang project in Vietnam could serve as a catalyst for stock performance in H1 2026, highlighting the company's long-term resource potential.
- Industry Comparison: Murphy Oil exhibits some of the best operating leverage among the stocks covered, and while FY 2026 guidance fell short of expectations, the company's proactive market education efforts may enhance investor recognition of its long-term resource potential.
- Peer Analysis: In addition to Murphy, Piper Sandler raised price targets for several other oil and gas companies, including Chord Energy and Devon Energy, indicating a positive trend across the industry that could further bolster Murphy's market performance.
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Analyst Views on MUR
Wall Street analysts forecast MUR stock price to fall
11 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
9 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 34.720
Low
22.00
Averages
28.40
High
34.00
Current: 34.720
Low
22.00
Averages
28.40
High
34.00
About MUR
Murphy Oil Corporation is a global oil and natural gas exploration and production company, with both onshore and offshore operations and properties. The Company produces crude oil and condensate (collectively, crude oil), natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) primarily in the United States and Canada and explores for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs in targeted areas worldwide. In the United States, it produces crude oil, natural gas and NGLs primarily from fields in the Gulf of America and in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas. In Canada, the Company holds working interests in Tupper Montney (100% working interest), Kaybob Duvernay and two non-operated offshore assets - the Hibernia and Terra Nova fields, located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. In Vietnam, the Company holds an interest in approximately 7.3 million gross acres, consisting of 65% working interest in Blocks 144 & 145, and a 40% interest in Block 15-1/05 and Block 15-2/17.
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.

Stock Sale Announcement: Clade Randrew intends to sell 10,584 shares of Murphy Oil's common stock.
Market Value: The total market value of the shares being sold is approximately $4.88 million.
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- Rating Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded Murphy Oil (MUR) from Neutral to Overweight with a price target increase from $33 to $41, reflecting optimism about future oil prices and expected tight crude balances that could drive stock price appreciation.
- Market Outlook: Analyst Mark Lear noted that despite disappointing Q3 2025 results, further appraisal work at the Hai Su Vang project in Vietnam could serve as a catalyst for stock performance in H1 2026, highlighting the company's long-term resource potential.
- Industry Comparison: Murphy Oil exhibits some of the best operating leverage among the stocks covered, and while FY 2026 guidance fell short of expectations, the company's proactive market education efforts may enhance investor recognition of its long-term resource potential.
- Peer Analysis: In addition to Murphy, Piper Sandler raised price targets for several other oil and gas companies, including Chord Energy and Devon Energy, indicating a positive trend across the industry that could further bolster Murphy's market performance.
See More
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- Webinar Schedule: Murphy Oil Corporation is set to host a three-part webinar series on March 3, 10, and 24, 2026, focusing on strategic development, its Vietnam operations, and the basics of production sharing contracts, aimed at providing investors with in-depth business insights.
- Executive Participation: Each session will feature prepared remarks from Murphy's senior leadership team, ensuring participants receive detailed information about the company's offshore capabilities and international portfolio, thereby enhancing investor confidence in the company's future growth.
- Interactive Q&A Sessions: A live question and answer session will follow each webinar, allowing participants to engage directly with management through a toll-free dial-in, fostering interaction and strengthening investor relations.
- Recordings Available: For those unable to attend live, recordings will be made available on Murphy's Investor Relations page after each session, ensuring all stakeholders can access critical information and enhancing transparency.
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- Webinar Schedule: Murphy Oil Corporation is set to host a three-part webinar series on March 3, 10, and 24, 2026, focusing on strategic development, its Vietnam business, and the basics of production sharing contracts, aimed at providing investors with in-depth business insights.
- Executive Participation: Each session will feature prepared remarks from Murphy's senior leadership team, showcasing the company's offshore capabilities and international portfolio, particularly its operations in Vietnam, thereby enhancing investor confidence in the company's future growth.
- Interactive Q&A Session: A live question and answer session will follow each webinar, allowing participants to engage directly by dialing the toll-free number 800-715-9871, fostering interaction and communication with investors.
- Availability of Recordings: For those unable to attend live, recordings of each webinar will be made available on Murphy's Investor Relations page, ensuring all stakeholders can access key information and enhancing transparency.
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