Several analysts expressed their views on ConocoPhillips’ (NYSE:COP) deal to acquire Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) in an all-stock transaction with an enterprise value of $22.5 billion. Yesterday, ConocoPhillips also disclosed that it expects to increase its ordinary base dividend per share by 34% to $0.78 starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. It targets repurchasing over $7 billion in shares in the first full year (up from over $5 billion standalone) and over $20 billion in shares in the first three years. Truist Securities analyst Neal Dingmann writes that he views the deal positively, given the immediate accretion on all metrics, given MRO’s shares have traded at a notable discount to COP’s shares for several quarters. The analyst writes that the transaction adds quality acreage, making ConocoPhillips one of the largest Bakken and Eagle Ford asset holders. Dingmann expects ConocoPhillips to slow combined activity, though likely maintaining total production potentially. There is unlikely another suitor comes over the top for Marathon Oil, ...