Vanguard Group Reduces $23M in APA Corporation ($APA)
Vanguard Group trimmed its position in APA Corporation by 698,443 shares, now holding 43.33 million shares.
Key Points
- Vanguard Group reduced its stake in APA Corporation by 698,443 shares, bringing its total to 43.33 million shares valued at $1.58 billion.
- Shares of APA Corporation traded near $36.53 with a market cap of $13.08 billion and a P/E ratio of 8.63.
- Recent analyst ratings include a maintained 'buy' from Raymond James with a $57 target, while Mizuho maintained a 'sell' rating at $36.
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Vanguard Group recently trimmed its stake in APA Corporation (NasdaqGS:APA), reducing its holdings by 698,443 shares. As of its latest SEC filing on January 29, 2026, Vanguard now holds 43.33 million shares of APA, valued at approximately $1.58 billion. This move represents a 1.6% decrease in their position.
What Changed in Vanguard Group's APA Corporation Position
Vanguard Group's latest filing shows a reduction in its position in APA Corporation. The fund sold 698,443 shares, bringing its total holdings to 43.33 million shares from the previous 44.03 million. This adjustment decreased their stake by about 1.6%, reflecting a cautious approach to their investment in the energy company.
Other Institutional Activity in APA Corporation
Other major institutional investors also made moves in APA Corporation. BlackRock, Inc. increased its holdings by 9.34 million shares, ending with 33.78 million shares worth approximately $1.43 billion. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC, on the other hand, reduced its position by 3.43 million shares to 32.02 million shares, valued at $1.36 billion. State Street Corp added 561,393 shares, reaching a total of 24.80 million shares valued at about $1.05 billion. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings by 1.05 million shares, resulting in 16.38 million shares worth $695.10 million.
APA Corporation Stock Down 22.5%
Shares of APA Corporation are currently trading around $36.53. The company has a market capitalization of $13.08 billion and a P/E ratio of 8.63. APA's stock has seen a 52-week low of $17.74 and a high of $45.66. The 50-day moving average is $38.34, while the 200-day moving average stands at $29.57. The company has a beta of 0.33, indicating lower volatility compared to the market.
$APA stock price
Daily closing prices, year to date. Not investment advice.
Recent Earnings
APA Corporation reported revenue of $8.37 billion, despite a revenue decline of 11.9%. The company's net margin is 18.3%, with a return on equity of 26.2%. APA's earnings per share stand at $4.29. The next earnings report is expected on May 6, 2026.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
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Forward outlook
5 target raises vs 1 cuts.
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EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 21.9%. Revenue beat estimates by 8.0%.
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Profit surprise
EBITDA beat by 18 percent. Operating income beat by 37 percent.
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Pre-earnings setup
Expectations were about average.
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Analyst signal
5 target raises, 1 target cut.
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Earnings quality
Gross margin up 58.5 points. Operating margin up 13.6 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
APA delivered a strong first quarter with $2.3 billion in revenue and $1.38 in earnings per share, beating consensus expectations. The Permian is running more efficiently with fewer rigs and lower costs while still producing more oil. Egypt benefited from gas development and improved operations, generating nearly $500 million in free cash flow. The company is focused on paying down debt toward a $3 billion target and returning cash to shareholders while advancing the Suriname project toward first oil in 2028.
Guidance The company expects about $2.2 billion in free cash flow for the full year and plans to keep capital spending at $2.1 billion. They raised their U.S. oil production goal to 122,000 barrels per day but lowered Egypt adjusted volumes because higher oil prices reduce the volumes they can count under their contract terms. They still expect about $1.1 billion from their gas trading business.
Clearly positive report. Results were better than expected, though the forward reset is not the strongest.
Dividend
APA Corporation offers an annual dividend rate of $1.00, yielding 2.7%. The payout ratio is 23.3%, indicating a modest portion of earnings is distributed as dividends.
Insider Buying and Selling at APA Corporation
Several insider transactions occurred recently at APA Corporation. On May 26, 2026, Executive VP of Exploration Tracey Henderson bought 5,000 shares and sold 1,968 shares at an average price of $37.50. Additionally, Executive VP of Administration Mark Maddox bought 15,500 shares at $39.32 and sold 9,800 shares at $40.04 on May 20, 2026.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
On May 27, 2026, Mizuho maintained a 'sell' rating with a $36 price target. Barclays also maintained a 'hold' rating with a $41 target on May 26, while Raymond James kept a 'buy' rating with a $57 target. The consensus among analysts is a 'hold' rating with a mean target price of $43.24.
About APA Corporation
APA Corporation is an independent energy company based in Houston, Texas. It focuses on exploring, developing, and producing natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. The company operates primarily in the United States, Egypt, and the North Sea, with additional exploration activities in Suriname. Founded in 1954, APA is led by CEO John J. Christmann IV and employs approximately 1,791 people.
Bottom Line
Vanguard Group's recent reduction in its APA Corporation holdings highlights the ongoing adjustments in institutional ownership within the energy sector. Investors often track these filings to gauge institutional sentiment, but it's important to remember that 13F filings are backward-looking and may not reflect current positions. APA Corporation remains a significant player in the energy industry, with various institutional investors actively managing their stakes.
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