Q&A: Is Venezuela about to lose Citgo, its most prized foreign asset?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 16 2025
0mins
Source: Reuters
Auction of Citgo Petroleum Shares: A U.S. court auction for shares in Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum is nearing completion, with bidders like Red Tree Investment and Vitol competing to recover debts owed by Venezuela, which faces significant financial challenges and sanctions.
Potential Outcomes and Challenges: The auction's outcome could result in Venezuela losing its key overseas asset if it fails to secure backing from U.S. politicians, while creditors are concerned about the low expected returns from the auction amidst Citgo's declining performance.
Analyst Views on COP
Wall Street analysts forecast COP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for COP is 113.39 USD with a low forecast of 98.00 USD and a high forecast of 132.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
18 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 96.880
Low
98.00
Averages
113.39
High
132.00
Current: 96.880
Low
98.00
Averages
113.39
High
132.00
About COP
ConocoPhillips is an exploration and production company. Its Alaska segment primarily explores for, produces, transports and markets crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. The Lower 48 segment consists of operations located in the 48 contiguous states in the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. Canadian operations consist of the Surmont oil sands development in Alberta, the liquids-rich Montney unconventional play in British Columbia and commercial operations. The Europe, Middle East and North Africa segment consists of operations principally located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, Qatar, Libya, Equatorial Guinea and commercial and terminalling operations in the United Kingdom. Asia Pacific segment has exploration and production operations in China, Malaysia, Australia and commercial operations in China, Singapore and Japan. Other International segment includes interests in Colombia as well as contingencies associated with prior operations in other countries.
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.
