Chevron Slides 0.79% on 50th-Ranked $1.27B Volume as Analysts Hike Targets Amid Divergent Institutional Bets

On August 18, 2025, Chevron (CVX) closed with a 0.79% decline, trading at a volume of $1.27 billion, a 30.17% drop from the previous day’s volume. The stock ranked 50th in trading activity among the broader market. Analyst activity remained focused on Chevron, with multiple firms revising price targets upward in recent weeks. Piper Sandler raised its target to $168 from $164, maintaining an "Overweight" rating. This follows similar adjustments from UBS, Evercore ISI Group, and Wells Fargo, which increased targets by 5.08%, 7.88%, and 11.89%, respectively, over the prior month. The cumulative trend underscores growing optimism about Chevron’s operational resilience and market positioning.

Institutional activity also highlighted Chevron’s strategic appeal. Royal Bank of Canada added 11 million shares to its portfolio in Q2 2025, while major players like Swiss National Bank and GQG Partners LLC significantly reduced holdings. These movements reflect divergent views on short-term exposure amid evolving energy sector dynamics. Meanwhile, congressional trading data revealed mixed activity, with representatives like Markwayne Mullin purchasing up to $100,000 worth of shares in May, contrasting with sales by others.

Analyst consensus remains cautiously bullish. The average price target across 22 firms stands at $167.01, implying a 7.28% upside from current levels. However, the wide range of forecasts—from $124 to $192—indicates lingering uncertainty about macroeconomic and commodity price trajectories. Recent coverage from Barclays and Scotiabank further reinforced confidence, with targets of $156 and $160, respectively, despite a "Sector Perform" rating from Scotiabank.

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