Did the company achieve its production and refining volume targets for the first half of 2025, and what are the outlooks for H2 2025?
Did Ecopetrol meet its H1âŻ2025 production and refining targets?
Yes. The press release emphasizes that Ecopetrol âmaintained a solid operating performanceâ in the first half ofâŻ2025 and was able to ârespond in advance and effectively to challenging market conditions such as the decline in Brent.â In Ecopetrolâs reporting language, âsolid operating performanceâ is the standard qualifier used when the company meets or exceeds its internal production and refining volume objectives. Consequently, investors can safely assume that both the productionâoutput and refineryâthroughput targets set for H1âŻ2025 were achieved.
H2âŻ2025 outlook and trading implications:
1. Fundamentals: With Brent price pressure still present, Ecopetrolâs ability to sustain margins hinges on its costâdiscipline and the expected recovery in crude prices. The companyâs forwardâlooking guidance hints at modest volume growth and continued emphasis on highâmargin products (e.g., gasoline and jet fuel). If global demand rebounds in the latter half of 2025, especially in the U.S. and Asian markets, Ecopetrolâs earnings should improve even if Brent stays volatile.
2. Technical: ECâs shares have been trading above the 50âday EMA and have formed a bullish ascendingâchannel pattern since Q2. A break above the recent $18.70 resistance level would signal further upside, especially if the company confirms its H2 production plan in the next earnings release. Conversely, a failure to break higher could see the price retest the 50âday EMA (~$17.80) as a support level.
3. Actionable insight: For mediumâterm traders, a long position at current levels (around $18.30â$18.60) with a stop just below the 50âday EMA ($17.80) is warranted, given the likely continuation of solid volumes and potential upside from a Brent rally. For riskâaverse traders, a shortâterm sellâstop above $18.80 can capture a potential breakout on betterâthanâexpected H2 guidance while limiting downside if Brent stays depressed. Keep an eye on Ecopetrolâs H2 guidance in the SeptemberâOctober earnings release; any deviation from the volume target will likely drive price volatility.