APA (NASDAQ:APA) Price Target Raised to $43.00

APA (NASDAQ:APA) had its price target boosted by Morgan Stanley from $22.00 to $43.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an underweight rating on the stock.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Susquehanna increased their price target on APA from $32.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Evercore upped their price objective on APA from $25.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. Mizuho increased their target price on APA from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Roth Mkm raised their target price on APA from $23.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Benchmark boosted their target price on APA from $33.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $33.81.

APA Stock Performance

APA opened at $44.39 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $26.54. APA has a fifty-two week low of $13.58 and a fifty-two week high of $44.54. The company has a market cap of $15.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.13 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

APA (NASDAQ:APA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.29. APA had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 19.89%. The firm had revenue of $1.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.89 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.79 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that APA will post 4.03 earnings per share for the current year.

APA Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 22nd will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 22nd. APA’s payout ratio is 25.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling at APA

In related news, Director Matthew Regis Bob sold 23,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.23, for a total transaction of $833,290.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 6,634 shares in the company, valued at approximately $240,349.82. This trade represents a 77.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.69% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On APA

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators grew its stake in shares of APA by 276.7% during the 3rd quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 1,213 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 891 shares in the last quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC lifted its position in shares of APA by 115.1% in the fourth quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 710 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in shares of APA in the third quarter worth $34,000. Camelot Portfolios LLC acquired a new position in APA during the fourth quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Spire Wealth Management boosted its holdings in APA by 179.6% during the third quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,521 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 977 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.01% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting APA

Here are the key news stories impacting APA this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Capital One raised its price target on APA to $51 and kept an overweight rating, implying meaningful upside vs. recent levels; this analyst upgrade helped lift investor sentiment. Capital One adjusts price target on APA to $51
• Positive Sentiment: Raymond James published a forecast calling for strong price appreciation in APA, adding institutional bullishness that can attract momentum buyers. Raymond James Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for APA
• Positive Sentiment: APA reported a new gas discovery in Egypt, which could accelerate production, lower unit costs and strengthen the company’s natural‑gas exposure—key fundamentals for energy-sector upside. APA’s New Gas Discovery Strengthens Egypt’s Energy Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity: investors bought ~17,525 call contracts (about 55% above typical call volume), signaling short‑term bullish positioning that can amplify upside intraday.
• Positive Sentiment: Ariel Investments’ Charles Bobrinskoy (vice chairman) publicly noted APA is well positioned for rising natural‑gas demand, reinforcing investor narratives around long‑term commodity tailwinds. Ariel’s Charles Bobrinskoy: APA is very well positioned for increased demand in natural gas
• Neutral Sentiment: Truist initiated coverage of APA (coverage initiation often increases visibility and volume; impact depends on the assigned rating and price target). Truist Financial Initiates Coverage on APA
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks noted APA is up ~47% since the last earnings report and asks whether that run can continue—this is discussion of momentum rather than new fundamental data. APA Up 47.1% Since Last Earnings Report
• Negative Sentiment: Morgan Stanley raised its price target from $22 to $43 but kept an “underweight” rating — the firm’s cautious stance (despite a higher PT) can cap some upside and introduces a near‑term bearish signal. Morgan Stanley raises PT but keeps underweight
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage and analyst activity have driven APA to a new 52‑week high after upgrades, attracting momentum and technical buyers. APA Sets New 52-Week High After Analyst Upgrade

APA Company Profile

APA Corporation (NASDAQ: APA) is an independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas resources. The company operates through three core regions: the United States, Egypt and the North Sea. Through its integrated approach, APA combines geological and geophysical expertise with technical innovation to identify and develop hydrocarbons in both onshore and offshore settings.

In the United States, APA’s largest position is in the Permian Basin of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, where it holds substantial acreage dedicated to oil-focused drilling and production.