Beach Energy Ltd (BPT.AU) shares plummeted 5.00% during intraday trading on Friday, marking a significant decline for the energy producer.
The drop coincided with a broader retreat in oil prices, with Brent crude futures falling 2.8% to $67.55 a barrel. This decline was driven by easing concerns over Iranian crude supplies following reports of US-Iran talks in Oman, which negatively impacted shares of major energy producers including Beach Energy.
Adding to the downward pressure, UBS downgraded Beach Energy to sell from neutral, citing that shareholders are unlikely to see a material lift in dividends or total return over the next 12-24 months as the company prioritizes growth investments. The analyst noted Beach's interim dividend missed consensus expectations and that the stock screens as expensive relative to peers. Furthermore, the company reported a 41% production decline in its Western Flank operations for the first half of FY26 due to flooding in the Cooper Basin and natural field decline, overshadowing positive news of a 100% success rate in its recent drilling campaign.