Analyst Picks of the Week (December 31 – January 6)

The following resource companies were mentioned by analysts during the week of December 24-30. This information, to be used for the purpose of evaluating potential investments, was distilled from a daily list of analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations compiled by Analyst Ratings Network.
 
Valero Energy Partners LP (NYSE:VLP) is a limited partnership formed by Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) to own, operate, develop and acquire crude oil and refined petroleum products, pipelines, terminals and other transportation logistics assets. Valero Energy Partners is now covered by analysts at Credit Suisse. They set an “outperform” rating and a $38.00 price target on the stock. 16.6 percent upside from the previous close of $32.60. RBC Capital also announced they are covering the company and set an “outperform” rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. 22.7 percent upside from the previous close of $32.60.
FX Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:FXEN) is an oil and gas company focuses on Poland, particularly the Polish portion of the gas-bearing Rotliegend fairway of the Northwest European Permian Basin. FX Energy is now covered by analysts at Roth Capital. They set a “buy” rating and a $6.00 price target on the stock. 70.0 percent upside from the previous close of $3.53.
Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK) is one of the largest electrical power companies in the United States, with about 57,700 megawatts of generating capacity in the Carolinas, the Midwest and Florida.  The company also has natural gas distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy was upgraded by analysts at BMO Capital Markets from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating. They now have a $77.00 price target on the stock. 11.6 percent upside from the previous close of $69.01.
Marathon Oil Corp. (NYSE:MRO) is active in North America, Europe and Africa. The company is divided into three segments: North American exploration and production; international energy and petroleum; and oil sands mining. Marathon Oil is now covered by analysts at Iberia Capital. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $38.00 price target on the stock. 8.0 percent upside from the previous close of $35.20.
Murphy Oil Corp. (NYSE:MUR) produces oil and natural gas in the U.S., Canada, Malaysia and Republic of the Congo. Murphy Oil is now covered by analysts at Iberia Capital. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $70.00 price target on the stock. 9.1 percent upside from the previous close of $64.14.
Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:OXY) is the largest oil producer in Texas and California’s largest natural gas producer. Oxy is now covered by analysts at Iberia Capital. They set an “outperform” rating and a $105.00 price target on the stock. 11.1 percent upside from the previous close of $94.55.
Range Resources Corp. (NYSE:RRC) is a natural gas company that operates in the Southwest and Appalachian regions of the United States. Range Resources is now covered by analysts at Iberia Capital. They set an “outperform” rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. 19.6 percent upside from the previous close of $83.63.
 
Securities Disclosure: I, Andrew Topf, hold no investment interest in any of the companies mentioned. 
Related reading:
Analyst Picks of the Week (December 24-30)