Chevron has Put a Priority on Protecting Its Big, Fat Dividend

CVX stock is paying holders its highest yield in four years, making it worth much more than today’s price…

This story was originally published here.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX) stock is down 68% from its 52-week peak. And that is after having risen 33% from its lows. But all is not lost. The company has made it clear that its dividend is its major priority.

The price of oil has been on a steep downturn. Along with the coronavirus impact, these two factors have been a double-whammy killing the stock.

But Chevron stock now has a very enticing 7.2% dividend yield. Given the company’s stated goal of maintaining that payout, the stock is likely to have hit a bottom.

How Chevron Will Afford its Dividend

On March 24, Chevron came out with a major statement about how it would keep paying the dividend. At the end of the statement, here is what CFO Pierre Breber said:

“Our focus is on protecting the dividend, prioritizing capital that drives long-term value, and supporting the balance sheet.”

Chevron will cut is capital spending by over 30% in 2020, on a run-rate basis. For example, its second half 2020 capex spending will be just $7 billion, or $14 billion annualized. Chevron’s budget had plans to increase its spending by 30%.

This is interesting. That’s because looking at Chevron’s 2019 cash flow statement, it shows that the company spent $14.1 billion in capex. So it is not clear to me that the oil producer is actually lowering its spending. It is just not increasing it by the amount in its prior budget for 2020.

So that means the company will have to increase oil and gas production, sell assets, cut out its buyback program, and reduce operating expenses. In fact, that is exactly what the company said it would do in the announcement.

Maintaining the Dividend Doesn’t Include Higher Production

Chevron made it clear, however, that its production would actually be flat in 2020 compared with 2019. In effect, then, Chevron will be relying on a mixture of asset sales, deferring short-term capex spending, cutting out buybacks, and reducing expenses.

Chevron’s buyback program, for example, was set at $5 billion a year. Eliminating that would cover 55% of the $9 billion annual cost of the dividends alone.

In addition, the company plans on eliminating $1 billion in run-rate operating costs. Chevron also indicated three assets that it plans on selling this year that will likely cover the remaining $3 billion for the cost of the dividend.

Dividend Yield is at Highest

In the last four years, Chevron’s average dividend yield has been 4.1%, according to Seeking Alpha. That’s a bit more than half of today’s 7.17% dividend yield.

In fact, this implies that the present stock is at least 70% undervalued. For example, if you divide the present dividend of $5.12 per share by 4.1%, the result is $124.87 for Chevron stock. That is 72.3% above today’s price of $72.46.

Of course, in the end, it’s all about the price of oil. If oil doesn’t rise from here, Chevron will stay undervalued for a long time. And that is despite the fact that the dividend yield will stay high.

But, on the other hand, this is a rare opportunity. If you believe that the coronavirus will eventually subside, increasing economic activity and the price of oil, this is a once in a decade or two opportunity.

What Analysts and Portfolio Managers Are Saying

Leon Cooperman, who runs Omega Advisors, an $8 billion hedge fund, told CNBC on March 27, that he likes energy stocks. He is over twice weighted in these stocks, i.e., relative to their percentage of the market as a whole.

Cooperman believes stocks like Chevron are trading at a fraction of their underlying value. He said the “best cure for low oil prices is low oil prices.”

I suspect what he means by that is that low energy prices help spur demand for energy-using transportation and applications in the economy. This increase in demand. then, begins to push up the demand for oil as supplies decrease.

Cooperman has a great track record investing in the market. I should know, as I worked for him as a stock-picking consultant for several years. His contrarian instincts always impressed me.

I also grew to understand that he always liked large-cap stocks, names that had solid dividends and higher-than-average dividend yields. That is exactly what Chevron offers.

Downside Risk for Chevron Stock and Oil Prices

However, other market observers are not as sanguine about Chevron. On March 23, S&P cut its outlook on Chevron debt to negative from stable. It expects Chevron’s financial performance to be weaker this year. But this is probably to be expected, especially since it cut other energy companies’ financial ratings as well.

Other market pundits are negative on the price of oil. Jim Cramer thinks oil has not stopped dropping. He is predicting that demand and supply shocks will kick the price below $20 per barrel.

If that happens, Chevron’s dividend yield will rise even higher. That would be another opportunity to average cost down into energy stocks. Look for these kinds of sharp down days to continue, at least until economic growth starts to look brighter.

Take advantage of them by buying into Chevron stock as it drops. You will be rewarded with a nice dividend yield and a likely sharp rebound when growth picks back up.

But that's not the only way to get extra income…

65 Unique Ways ANYONE Can Make Extra Cash (Without Getting a Second Job)

Are you looking for great sources of real income, without having to get a second job?

Then keep reading, because author Neil George wants to send you his new book that profiles 65 simple ways to earn large amounts of work-free income.

…extra cash that you can collect ON TOP of your Social Security check…

…without messing around with crappy jobs. (Pizza delivery driver? No way.)

These are PROVEN cash-gushing strategies… the kind typically used by the wealthy elite.

And the best part…

Neil George has set aside copies of his book, Income for Life, and he’s willing to send you a hardback version today, ABSOLUTELY FREE (just pay shipping).

(Just 517 copies left, so click here to claim yours before it's ripped away.)

Here's just a sample of what you can find inside:

  • Learn the secret of the $50,000 lump sum Social Security check. Seriously, it couldn’t be easier!
  • Use what Neil calls the “F.H.A. Loophole” to get the government to pay your mortgage – PLUS receive hundreds in extra cash on top.(Page 217)
  • Collect $100s for pictures in Old Family Photo Albums! Believe it or not, there is an easy way to turn your old artwork/photographs into $100 bills (certain businesses are desperate). (Page 297)
  • Get paid every time your favorite song gets played on the radio! This little-known website allows you to tap into royalty payments every time your favorite song is played on the radio. Some lucky folks collect thousands of dollars a year! (Page 307)
  • Pocket upwards of $197 PER HOUR simply by taking a walk through the woods in the fall… or $137 while visiting your favorite beach in the summer… and many, many more!

Needless to say, this book has become highly sought after.

So if you don't claim your free copy of Income for Life today, we'll send it to the person behind you in line…

Don't let that happen. Click here to claim your copy now!

Get Access To Marc Chaikin's "Power Gauge Report"

Enter your email address to access all the details.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

The AI Stocks Every Investor Should Have On Their Radar

Enter your email address to access all the details.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Write This Stock Ticker Down Right Now

Enter your email and phone number below to see the stock name and ticker on the next page.



By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Write This Stock Ticker Down Right Now

Enter your email below to see the stock name and ticker on the next page.



By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Write This Stock Ticker Down Right Now

Enter your email below to see the stock name and ticker on the next page.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Write This Stock Ticker Down Right Now

Enter your email address to see the name and ticker on the next page.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

How to Collect "Amazon Royalty" Payouts Before the Deadline

Thanks to a little-known IRS loophole, regular Americans can collect up to $28,544 (or more) in payouts from what is called “Amazon’s secret royalty program”…
Enter your email address to access all the details.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Elon Musk's "Project Omega"

It could soon mint new millionaires, while plunging millions of unprepared Americans into poverty. Get the stocks at the center of it all.
Enter your email address to receive the names and ticker symbols.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

The #1 Trade For 2023

Elon Musk is set to reveal his secret “Project X” that could revolutionize a $23 Trillion industry, and potentially be 1,000x bigger than EV’s. 
This Backdoor play could hand early investors a windfall of gains.
Enter your email address to receive this company’s name and ticker symbol for free.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Every Investor Should Have This $3 AI Stock On Their Radar

Enter your email address to get access to all the details.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Project An-E

Breakthrough A.I. Just Predicted What the Stock Prices of Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple Will Be 30 Days from Now…
Enter your email address for immediate access.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

Elon Musk's "Project Omega"

It could soon mint new millionaires, while plunging millions of unprepared Americans into poverty. Get the stocks at the center of it all.
Enter your email address to receive the names and ticker symbols.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)

#1 A.I. Stock Currently Trading For $3

Gain immediate access to this revolutionary $3 A.I. stock that is set to disrupt a $15 Trillion Market soar 75X.
Enter your email address to receive the name and ticker symbol for free.


By submitting your email address, you give Profitable News permission to deliver the report or research you’re requesting to your email inbox. As a bonus, you will also get a free subscription to one of our carefully selected marketing partners. To learn more about our partners, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time. (Privacy Policy)