Can good buys still be found in the energy sector after a crazy past year? Can Chevron, for example, take that position?

Chevron $CVX-1.7% - basic overview

Chevron Corporation is a multinational energy company headquartered in California, USA. The company specializes in the extraction, production and sale of oil and natural gas, as well as research and development of alternative energy sources.

Chevron is one of the largest energy companies in the world and has a strong position in the oil and gas market. In recent years, the company has focused on reducing costs and improving the efficiency of its business. At the same time, it has sought to diversify its portfolio and invest in alternative energy sources such as solar and hydroelectric power.

Chevron's key strengths include:

• A strong position in the oil and natural gas market
• Diversified portfolio
• Investments in alternative energy sources

Risks associated with Chevron include:

• Political and economic events impacting the oil and natural gas market
• Negative environmental impact, which may lead to criticism and regulatory restrictions
• Competition from alternative energy sources, which may lead to loss of customers and market share

Overall, Chevron has a strong position in the oil and gas market and is seeking to diversify its portfolio and invest in alternative energy sources. However, the company faces risks associated with political and economic influences on the oil and gas market and negative environmental impacts. Chevron is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. The company has a market capitalization of over $300 billion and a dividend yield of nearly 3.5%. However, despite an impressive portfolio of assets and a recently announced $75 billion buyback, the company's earnings show how overvalued it is at current prices.

Chevron's 2022 results

The company earned a staggering $35.5 billion for the full year, giving it a P/E of roughly 10. The company's CFFO was just under $50 billion, with the company's capital investments boosting FCF to about 10%. The company's dividends are just over 3.5%, with the company's share buybacks boosting the return to shareholders to about 7%.

The company's debt levels remain manageable, an indication of its overall strong financial position. However, barely double-digit earnings in such an exceptional year also suggest itshigh valuation.

The company's financial performance suggests that it will struggle to deliver long-term viable returns to shareholders. The company's net debt ratio is very manageable and the company continues to invest.

Unfortunately, there is one BUT. Chevron's history suggests that the company is overvalued and will struggle to achieve future returns.

Chevron's own share repurchase history is volatile and based on oil prices. The company's several percent share buyback in 2022 was clearly a record of more than $10 billion.

Since 2004, in 18 years, the company has repurchased about $65 billion worth of its shares, or about $3.5 billion a year. That's roughly a 1% annualized yield to the company's dividend, giving a total return to shareholders of just under 5%.

The company expects mostly stable production. Dividends are expected to be 3.6%, and even if the company annualized share repurchases, it would still mean share repurchases of about 4%. This would mean a total return for the year of just under 8%. It is a struggle for the company to make any profit at all at current oil prices.

As oil prices return to long-term normal, the company's earnings are expected to trend downward, which will push down the company's ability to earn sufficient cash flow to justify its valuation.

A great company at a bad price

Chevron is a strong company. Management has made a number of good decisions. Its steady and intelligent decision-making has led to a higher valuation than many other companies. Unfortunately, I think the company is now too expensive. Chevron has the ability to perform better in a higher-priced environment. This is clearly evident in the company's earnings over the past year.

Disclaimer: This is in no way an investment recommendation. This is purely my summary and analysis based on data from the internet and other sources. Investing in the financial markets is risky and everyone should invest based on their own decisions. I am just an amateur sharing my opinions.