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BP stock edges up as activist investors press for proof on oil-and-gas pivot
3 February 2026
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BP stock edges up as activist investors press for proof on oil-and-gas pivot

London, Feb 3, 2026, 08:45 GMT — Regular session

BP shares inched up 0.3% Tuesday morning, changing hands near 463.5 pence by 0813 GMT. fidelity.co.uk

The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility has filed a shareholder resolution alongside pension funds, pressing the company to provide more transparency on its reallocation of spending from low-carbon projects to oil and gas. This resolution is set to be voted on at the annual meeting later this spring, just as Meg O’Neill prepares to replace Murray Auchincloss in April, following the company’s strategy overhaul last year. Reuters

The filing highlights shareholder returns again, as BP continues its buyback spree. On Monday, the company announced it repurchased 2.86 million shares at a volume-weighted average price near 458 pence under its ongoing programme. Share buybacks serve to return cash to investors and reduce the number of shares outstanding. Investegate

A separate filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed BP had 15.72 billion ordinary shares outstanding, excluding treasury stock, as of Jan. 31. The company also held 766.7 million shares in treasury. According to the filing, treasury shares don’t count toward dividends or shareholder votes. SEC

Oil prices weighed on the market. Brent slipped 0.5% to $65.96 a barrel by 0623 GMT. OANDA’s senior market analyst Kelvin Wong noted “volatile price actions” driven by geopolitical tensions. ING analysts also pointed to a stronger dollar as a further drag. Officials indicated Iran and the U.S. plan to resume nuclear talks on Friday in Turkey. Reuters

The broader market showed strength, with European shares hitting a record high early Tuesday after a selloff in commodities eased and investors shifted focus to earnings. Reuters

There’s a risk for shares if crude prices remain weak heading into earnings season. Analysts caution European oil giants like BP might need to cut buybacks this month amid falling oil prices and a push to shore up balance sheets. That could weigh on their stock support. Financial Times

BP’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results are set for Feb. 10, with the report dropping at 7 a.m. Investors will be keen to see updated guidance on capital spending and how quickly buybacks will roll out. Dividend watchers, meanwhile, have Feb. 19 circled as the ordinary-share ex-dividend date, contingent on the company’s announcement in the results. BP

Stock Market Today

  • Stocks Recover on Optimism Over Strait of Hormuz Reopening Amid Mixed Market Signals
    April 4, 2026, 12:40 PM EDT. Stocks edged higher Thursday as optimism grew that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route, could soon reopen. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 gained slightly, while the Dow fell. Iran and Oman reportedly drafting a protocol to monitor Strait traffic spurred short covering. U.S. economic data also supported markets: weekly jobless claims fell to a 2.5-month low, and the February trade deficit narrowed. However, crude oil prices surged over 11% after President Trump signaled an escalation with Iran, undermining hopes for a quick resolution. The UAE is preparing potential military action. Treasury yields dipped as investors sought safety amid energy price concerns and slowing economic outlook. Overseas equity markets closed lower, reflecting global uncertainty. The Fed's upcoming rate decision is largely discounted for hikes. The looming Iran conflict and damaged energy infrastructure continue to weigh on market sentiment.
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