Story
TotalEnergies Stock Slides After Q2 Profit Warning on LNG Weakness
Summary
The French energy major's shares fell after it flagged a significant decline in its natural gas business and persistent refinery issues, overshadowing strong oil trading results.
Shares in TotalEnergies (TTEF) fell 1.8% on Tuesday after the French energy giant issued a profit warning for the second quarter of 2026. The company cited a significant slowdown in its liquefied natural gas (LNG) unit and ongoing downstream operational challenges, pushing its stock price down to €69.35.
Key Factors Behind the Warning
TotalEnergies disclosed that results from its Integrated LNG segment, which contributes approximately one-fifth of total earnings, are expected to decline "significantly." The company attributed the weakness to a sluggish European gas market.
Downstream operations are also facing headwinds. According to the announcement, the company’s refinery in Saudi Arabia is currently operating at only 70% of capacity. Full restoration is not anticipated until early 2027, creating what management described as a persistent drag on results.
Furthermore, while oil prices have been elevated, the company noted that unfavorable timing in lifting its exploration and production volumes has compressed its realized margins.
Offsetting Strengths and Production Data
AdDespite the negative outlook for LNG, TotalEnergies reported some areas of continued strength. The company's oil trading results are expected to remain at the same strong level seen in the first quarter.
Hydrocarbon production for the second quarter reached approximately 2.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), which represents 4% organic growth. The company also noted that the impact from the Middle East conflict was less severe than previously guided, reducing output by around 210,000 boe/d compared to an earlier forecast of 360,000 boe/d, though it attributed this to timing lags in production recovery.
Market Context and Analyst View
The profit warning reversed recent positive momentum for the stock, which had gained about 9.3% over the prior two weeks amid rising oil prices. This rally left the shares vulnerable to a negative catalyst.
Analyst sentiment remains largely supportive, according to Investing.com. J.P. Morgan reiterated its Buy rating on Tuesday, and RBC Capital maintained a constructive stance. However, Morgan Stanley had previously trimmed its price target on the stock to €77 from €89.10 earlier in the month.
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