Bloomberg Analyst Upgrades/Downgrades: DIS, COP, GLW, AXON

SA analyst Torsten Asmus upgrades ConocoPhillips (COP) due to strong free cash flow forecasts and successful execution. Howard Jay Klein maintains a Buy rating for Disney (DIS) despite questioning the NFL media acquisition, citing the company's creative strength. The Value Portfolio also upgrades COP based on its financial performance.

ConocoPhillips (COP) Upgraded by Analysts

ConocoPhillips (COP) has seen a significant upgrade from multiple analysts, with the latest positive outlook highlighting the company's strong free cash flow (FCF) forecasts and successful execution of strategic initiatives. SA analyst Torsten Asmus upgraded COP to a "Buy" rating, citing robust FCF growth and successful portfolio optimization [1]. Additionally, the Value Portfolio also upgraded COP, reflecting the company's improved financial performance and strategic initiatives.

The upgrade comes amidst ConocoPhillips' ongoing efforts to streamline its portfolio. The company recently agreed to sell its Oklahoma assets to Stone Ridge Energy for approximately $1.3 billion, a move that aligns with its broader strategy to focus on more competitive assets [1]. RBC Capital has trimmed COP's price target from $115 to $113, while maintaining an Outperform rating, expecting higher earnings and cash flow per share driven by reduced major capital outlays in the third quarter of 2025 [4].

Disney (DIS) Maintains "Buy" Rating Despite NFL Acquisition Concerns

Howard Jay Klein maintained a "Buy" rating for Disney (DIS), despite expressing concerns about the company's NFL media acquisition. Klein highlighted Disney's creative strength and the company's ability to leverage its diversified intellectual property (IP) across various platforms [3]. Analysts rate DIS as a "Moderate Buy" with a $131.18 average target, citing undervalued metrics and the company's diversified IP monetization [3].

Disney's strategic transformation under CEO Bob Iger is anchored in four pillars: innovation, global expansion, brand loyalty, and operational efficiency. The company's Abu Dhabi theme park resort, a $60 billion investment, aims to boost international revenue, with the Experiences division projected to generate $20 billion annually by 2035 [3]. Additionally, Disney's streaming business has emerged as a profit engine, with profitability surging to $346 million in Q3 2025, aided by Hulu integration and ad-supported tiers [3].

Conclusion

The upgrades for ConocoPhillips and Disney reflect the strong financial performance and strategic initiatives of both companies. As ConocoPhillips continues to optimize its portfolio and Disney expands its global reach, investors can expect to see sustained value creation. However, investors should remain vigilant, particularly for ConocoPhillips, as crude oil price fluctuations could impact its ability to drive shareholder returns [2].

References

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/conocophillips-nears-deal-sell-oklahoma-assets-stone-ridge-energy-2508/
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/article/4814308-conocophillips-knife-done-falling
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/disney-iger-led-turnaround-strategic-expansion-assessing-long-term-growth-potential-dis-stock-2508/
[4] https://www.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/conocophillips-stock-maintains-outperform-rating-at-rbc-as-free-cash-flow-improves-93CH-4193032