BP (NYSE:BP): Share Prices, Oil Futures, Energy Stocks

Based on the optimism that Apache Corporation may purchase about $12 billion of BP's (NYSE:BP) assets, BP's shares saw another incline. BP's reasoning for this possible sale is to help raise $10 billion to help cover the cost from the devastating explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon rig.

BP saw a 5.6 percent increase to $35.96, continuing last weeks surge of 13 percent. Even though it's reported that the BP bill has reached over $3.5 billion. This lift in stock prices has helped raise energy stocks across the board. Anadarko rose 2 percent to $46.43. In an emailed statement to Dow Jones Wires, John Christiansen, Anadarko's spokesman said, " We have notified BP that we are withholding reimbursements to BP at this time."

While Apache Corporation declined 2.2 percent to $85.95. An analysts from Tudor Pickering Holt said that if Apache were to continue ahead with their possible move, it would prove their track record of purchasing mature assets and wringing the profits from them. " APA made their company buying mature assets from majors and making them work stronger/harder/longer. So it shouldn't surprise if they are hunting BP's Prudhoe assets, as reported in various newspapers over the weekend," said the analyst from Tudor Pickering Holt.

The New York Stock Exchange Arca Oil Index rose 0.7 percent to 952. While The Philadelphia Oil Service Index increased 0.6 percent to 179. The New York Stock Exchange Arca Natural Gas Index inclined 0.3 percent to 511.

China National Purchasing 9 Billion of BP (NYSE:BP) Assets

There have been rumors flying that China National Offshore Oil Company is planning on buying around $9 Billion in BP (NYSE:BP) assets. They are refusing comment saying, "we don't comment on market rumors," said Jiang Yongzhi, a spokesman for China National.

Over the past twelve months state controlled energy companies in China have spent a minimum of $20 billion to purchase overseas oil and gas assets. This is said to meet the demand of the fastest growing economy in the world.

The Chinese energy company has shown increasing interest in purchasing a 60 percent stake that BP currently owns in Pan American Energy, this was report by The Guardian but omitted who the source of the information was from. A spokeswoman for BP, Sheila Williams also declined comment.

BP has stated they will be selling some of their assets to help cover the costs of the $20 billion that they agreed to do with President Obama. This is to be put into an account to help cover the continued costs of oil cleanup and compensation to be paid out. While BP has lost over half their market value since the explosion of the Deepwater rig on April 20th, they did see a a gain in their stock prices to 2.8 percent to 327.95 pence.

BP's (NYSE:BP) Takeover: Shell (LSE:RDSA) or Exxon (NYSE:XOM)

BP's (NYSE:BP) fallen far enough in their stock prices for them to be considered attractive to other big oil oil companies and rivals like Shell (LSE:RDSA) and Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) to purchase. On April 19th BP's stocks closed at $60.09, the day before the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. With yesterdays stock prices closing at $28.88, that's a loss of over 50 percent of their market value.

"In theory, either Exxon Mobil or RD Shell could consider a bid for BP," said Lucas to investors. "We focus on these two names because they have similar business models and similar global asset structures. They also bear the lowest political risk to a potential combination with BP."

This idea of a takeover by Lucas was "prompted by the gap between the current market value of BP and the intrinsic value that we see in BP." Douglas Youngston, an oil industry analyst of Arbuthnot Securities told CNNMoney if BP's stock fell below $30 a share, it would then become appealing as a possible takeover target.

Youngson said, "if the share price continues to fall, other companies may see this for the bargain it will be." He said this on June 2nd when BP's stock price hit $37.66.

BP (NYSE:BP) UPDATE: Containment Costs, Stock Prices, and Tony Hayward

BP's (NYSE:BP) oil cleanup and containment costs continues to rise, reaching $2.65 billion according to BP on Monday. That pushes the companies expenses to over $100 million a day since the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon rig. This cost includes relief well drilling, grants to Gulf states, claims already paid out, spill response, containment efforts, as well as federal costs incurred.

After watching BP's stock plummet 6 percent, a 14 year low on Friday, today BP's shares saw an increase in premarket oil trading of 2 percent. That's a total loss in market value of over $100 billion dollars. BP was adamant in denying the fact that Tony Hayward, their chief executive was resigning. This rumor stemmed from a Russia state RIA Novositi news agency reported that a senior Russian Cabinet official said that Hayward was going to be resigning from his position at BP.

"Hayward is leaving his post, he will introduce his successor," said Sechin quoted by RIA Novosti. There is denial all around, from BP spokeswoman Carolyn Copland in London said it, "is definitely not correct." Also of London, Sheila Williams stated, " Tony Hayward remains chief executive." Mark Proegler, the U.S. BP spokesman said, "they are mistaken."

"I'm sure there has been a misunderstanding. Hayward's resignation at this time and in this place lacks logic. It would make sense that Hayward would finish his job tackling the oil spill and step down afterwards so the new CEO wouldn't have his burden on his shoulders, " said Konstantin Cherepanov oil analyst from the Swiss Investment Bank UBS.

Stock Prices, Crude Oil Futures: Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Halliburton (NYSE:HAL), Exxon (NYSE:XOM),

Stock prices in energy see a dramatic decline in Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Halliburton (NYSE:HAL), and Exxon (NYSE:XOM). This drop was seen after the White House stated they planned to immediately appeal a decision made by a judge in Louisiana to stop the moratorium banning any new drilling for six months.

Exxon Mobil dropped 1.9 percent to 61.94. While Chevron seen a decline of 2.3 percent taking them to 74. Then there Halliburton which slid 3.9 percent to 25.99.

Ben Halliburton, chief investment officer at Tradition Capital Management said, "it's a big negative for the industry if the moratorium is not lifted. Clearly, the companies impacted are going to have negative revisions on their earnings and their cash flows if they're involved in the deepwater Gulf."

The Nasdaq dropped 1.19 percent to 2261.80. While the Standard and Poors 500 saw a decline of 1.61 percent to 1095.31. All sectors of the S&P ended in the red lead by energy. The Dow Jones fell 1.43 percent to 10293.52, there largest one day loss since June 4th.

BP (NYSE:BP) Stock Prices Drop Again

There seems to be no relief as BP's (NYSE:BP) stock prices plummeted again. Investors remain leery and anxious as they are waiting to see what BP's move of weather or not they will agree to pay and honor its second quarter dividend payout. BP refused to comment on dividend speculation until they finished talking with shareholders.

BP's stock prices dropped another 9.3 percent, bringing it to 355.5 pence. All the while, President Obama has been putting pressure on BP to drop dividend payments to ensure that there are funds set aside for future oil cleanup and oil containment efforts. Also to make sure there is enough to pay for compensation to U.S. citizens.

Jonathan Jackson, head of equities at London based Killik & Co. said, "the call from the U.S. Administration for a third party administered fund to meet the claims of victims of the spill appears to be an attempt to show the U.S. public that the government is doing something. As a political compromise, we would expect BP to take this request."

Stock Prices, Crude Oil Futures: Exxon (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX)

There was a jump in U.S. stock prices in crude oil futures, including Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX), this is the biggest gain the S&P 500 has seen since March.

Exxon Mobil as well as Chevron both saw a significant rise. Exxon, the largest U.S. energy company, saw a 0.5 percent rise to $62.17 pushing crude oil to over $75 a barrel in New York. Chevron, the second largest U.S. energy company rose 0.4 percent to $74.33. The S&P 500 rose 0.8 percent to 1,099.82. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also saw an incline of 0.7 percent, or 74.37 points bringing it to 10,285.44. While the Nasdaq rose 18.44 points or 0.8 percent to 2,262.04.

David Katz, chief investment officer at Matrix Asset Advisors Incorporated in New York, stated, "the recent sell off was based on fear, but the U.S. economy is very much intact and it seems like the European economies are muddling through. On days when there are no concerns or fear mongering, the market should get a bounce like we saw last week and it continues today."

The New York Stock Exchange Arca Oil Index was gaining 1.1 percent and the Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index adding 1 percent.

Futures Trading, Stock Prices: Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), BP (NYSE:BP)

BP (NYSE:BP) shares rose 2.8 percent, as well as Exxon Mobil's (NYSE:XOM) shares rising 0.37 percent. This stock price increase is believed to be because of BP's success in their recent fuel oil containment attempt. BP says that the cap that was put onto the leaking pipe, continues to capture the spewing oil and they're expecting to increase the amount collected as the week progresses. In energy trading, oil futures were down to $71.46 a barrel, a 5 cent loss.

As of 10:08 AM in New York trading, the Standard & Poors 500 index saw an increase of 0.4 percent to 1,068.68. This was after a drop in futures trading declined as much as 1.3 percent before the opening of the U.S. stock exchange. This was after S&P 500 saw a 3.4 percent drop on June 4th. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures saw an increase of 13 points, to 9959.00. The Nasdaq 100 futures rose to 1839.50, seeing an increase of 5.25 points.

Stanley Nabi, Vice Chairman of the New York based Silvercrest Asset Management group, in charge of managing $9 billion said, "I still see a choppy stock market of small gains and losses. We see some buying today after all, how much can you keep on beating the market ? Investors just need to have more conviction. But that's probably not going to happen until we see strong second quarter earnings."

Oil Prices Today: BP (NYSE:BP) Leads In Falling Percentages

BP (NYSE:BP) is getting hit hard with criticism, anger, and rising doubt, but they're feeling it hardest in stock prices among oil companies. As of Monday BP has fallen to a 52 week low.

BP's shares have fallen another 4 percent at the open bringing it to $42.08. Bringing the New York Stock Exchange Arca oil index down 1.7 percent to 948 points. Royal Dutch Shell shares are also feeling the heat at a 2.4 percent drop at $51.52.

Transocean has also hit a 52 week low dropping 2.2 percent at $57.95. With Transocean being the biggest percent decliner, its put the Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index down 1 percent to 176 points.

There is not much optimism of if and when these percentages will increase.

To add to the loss, crude oil price were low overnight. Though the July crude features contract bounced back from the overnight low of $69.55 a barrell to $70.23 a barrell. That's a 19 cent increase on the New York Mercantile Exchange.