HSBC has upgraded its rating for BP p.l.c. – Depositary Receipt (NYSE: BP) from Reduce to Hold, according to data from financial research platform Fintel. The upgrade was reported on March 20, 2026.
Analyst Price Targets Indicate Downside
The average one-year price target for BP shares stands at $39.39, based on analyst forecasts compiled as of February 25, 2026. This target represents a potential 12.04% decrease from the stock’s latest reported closing price of $44.78.
Price projections among analysts show significant variation, with a low forecast of $30.28 and a high of $50.19 per share. The upgrade to Hold suggests HSBC sees limited near-term downside from current levels despite the negative average price target.
Financial Projections Show Growth
BP’s projected annual revenue is 246,220 million, marking an anticipated increase of 31.22%. The company’s projected annual non-GAAP earnings per share is 0.66.
Market data indicates mixed institutional sentiment toward the energy company. The put/call ratio for BP is 0.59, which typically signals a bullish options market outlook.
Institutional Holdings and Activity
Ownership data shows 1,204 funds or institutions reported positions in BP, representing a decrease of 34 owners, or 2.75%, in the most recent quarter. However, the average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to BP increased by 38.93% to 0.16%.
Total shares owned by institutions rose by 1.45% over the last three months to 340,362 thousand shares. Several major institutional investors adjusted their BP holdings in the latest reporting period.
Notable Shareholder Movements
Fisher Asset Management holds 66,432 thousand shares, increasing its position by 1.43% while decreasing its portfolio allocation in BP by 3.59%. Goldman Sachs Group holds 9,814 thousand shares, representing a 36.07% increase in shares owned, though it decreased its portfolio allocation by 8.80%.
Caxton Associates holds 10,410 thousand shares. Acadian Asset Management significantly increased its BP position by 59.42% to 10,378 thousand shares and boosted its portfolio allocation by 133.64%. Royal Bank of Canada holds 7,044 thousand shares, a slight decrease of 1.94%, while reducing its portfolio allocation substantially.
Market Context and Resources
The rating change comes as energy companies navigate evolving market conditions. Investors typically monitor analyst rating changes alongside fundamental metrics and broader sector trends.
For official corporate information, investors can review BP’s investor relations materials. Market participants can access regulatory filings through the SEC’s EDGAR database.
Fintel, which provided the data for this report, offers comprehensive investing research covering global equities. The platform includes fundamentals, analyst reports, ownership data, and options sentiment for thousands of publicly traded companies.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
