Occidental Petroleum Stock Rocketed More Than 10% in January (but the Big Move Came in February)
The Motley Fool
by newsfeedback@fool.com (Reuben Gregg Brewer)February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
January marked a strong start for investors holding shares of Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), with the stock rising over 10% during the month—a notable performance but not entirely unexpected given the energy sector's inherent volatility. However, the most significant movement occurred in February following the company's earnings report, which sent the stock surging even further. This dual-month performance highlights the interplay between market trends and corporate earnings in shaping stock prices.
While January's 10% gain was impressive, it felt somewhat underwhelming compared to broader oil market gains. The U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate Crude (WTI) rose by 12%, while Brent Crude saw an even more substantial increase of 17%. Occidental Petroleum's stock lagged slightly behind these figures, underscoring the challenge companies face in aligning their stock performance with oil price movements. This context is crucial for investors seeking to
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Originally published on The Motley Fool on 2/26/2026