Zacks upgrades Imperial Oil stock to Strong Buy

Published on 10/08/2026 at 15:46 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

The rating changed from Hold to Strong Buy on October 8, 2026. Imperial Oil stock costs EUR 109.30 versus EUR 106.85, plus 2.29 percent.

IMO, CA4530384086, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Imperial Oil (CA4530384086) stock was trading at EUR 109.30 at Lang & Schwarz on October 8, 2026 at 3:37 p.m. CEST, up 2.29 percent versus the prior close of EUR 106.85. MarketBeat reported on October 8, 2026 that Zacks Research upgraded Imperial Oil from Hold to Strong Buy.

Three dated developments

On July 31, 2026, Imperial Oil reported CAD 2.19 billion in second-quarter net income, up CAD 1.24 billion from the second quarter of 2025, according to the Yahoo Finance transcript. On September 14, 2026, UBS raised its Imperial Oil price objective from CAD 195.00 to CAD 205.00, as reported by MarketBeat. On October 8, 2026, Zacks Research moved its rating from Hold to Strong Buy, while the consensus target cited by MarketBeat was USD 116.00.

What supports the stronger rating?

The earnings base provides the clearest support. Imperial Oil generated CAD 2.7 billion in operating cash flow in the second quarter, while cash flow excluding working-capital effects reached CAD 2.52 billion, according to the Yahoo Finance transcript. The company also paid CAD 421 million in dividends during the quarter and declared a CAD 0.87 per-share dividend.

The comparison is favorable but the operating picture is not uniform. Upstream production averaged 414,000 gross oil-equivalent barrels per day in the second quarter, down 5,000 barrels per day from the first quarter, while upstream earnings rose CAD 829 million sequentially to CAD 1.30 billion. Management also said full-year upstream production should land toward the low end of its 2026 guidance range.

Next operating markers

Imperial Oil's next operating markers are first production from the East Pit in November or December 2026 and startup of the Enhanced Bitumen Recovery Technology pilot at Aspen in 2027, according to the Yahoo Finance transcript. The call also said the company expects to lower unit costs at Kearl to USD 18 per barrel in 2027, giving the rating change a concrete operational test.

Imperial Oil stock holds its gain

At 3:37 p.m. CEST on October 8, 2026, Imperial Oil stock was trading at EUR 109.30 at Lang & Schwarz, plus 2.29 percent versus the Lang & Schwarz prior close of EUR 106.85. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Imperial Oil stock.