A Look At Financial Advisors’ Most-Searched Stocks Shows More Focus on Energy

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) is another energy stock that made the list (it was the only energy stock in the top 20 the previous week). As the crude-related stocks lost a lot of ground with the drop in oil prices, the refining stocks outperformed the sector and Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) represents one of the best bets in the refining industry. The stock has advanced alongside increasing demand in refined products and analysts believe that the company will beat estimates this year. Last week, Morgan Stanley reiterated its ‘Buy’ rating on the stock and raised its price target to $100 from $90. Among the funds we track, Valero registered an increase in popularity during the third quarter of 2015, as the number of funds with long positions climbed to 56 from 48. Among the investors bullish on Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) are D. E. Shaw, Cliff Asness’ AQR Capital Management, David Harding’s Winton Capital Management, and Clint Carlson’s Carlson Capital.

Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB) ranked as the fifth most-searched stock among financial advisors last week. After the market closes today, the oilfield service provider is expected to post its financial results for the previous quarter, with analysts’ consensus estimates indicating EPS of $0.63 on revenue of $7.8 billion, both of which would be down in year-over-year terms. The company announced in December that it would slash more jobs in anticipation of weaker activity this year. Several analysts issued updates on Schlumberger this year and while they reaffirmed positive ratings on the stock, they slashed their price targets on it. The most notable cuts came from Barclays and Deutsche Bank, which reduced their targets to $75 and $79 respectively. Among the funds we follow, Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB) registered an increase in popularity, with the number of bullish investors growing by six to 61 between July and September. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group, Fisher Asset Management, and Israel Englander‘s Millennium Management are among those owning substantial positions in Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB).

On the next page you can see the full list of the top 20 stocks searched for by financial advisors and some details regarding the hedge fund sentiment towards them.