Total's Stock Remains Stable at Midday Amid Low Volumes, Unaffected by Venezuelan Events

While oil stocks have driven the last session in the United States, on this side of the Atlantic, Total's shares showed a minor change of -0.05% at midday on Tuesday, January 6, settling at 55.76 euros compared to 55.79 euros at the previous day's close. Trading remains extremely limited with only 0.04% of the capital having changed hands since the opening, reflecting the typical wait-and-see attitude that usually follows a quarterly coupon detachment. This slight decline comes after the payment of the second installment on the dividend of 0.85 euros per share to shareholders, detached on December 31 last year and paid on January 5. This low activity marks the session as a classic post-dividend context for the energy giant. Over the past week, the stock has recorded a contained decline of 0.34%, but remains solidly positioned with a quarterly performance of 9.21% and an annual increase of 3.26%. The price now moves slightly above its 50-day moving averages, established at 55.41 euros, and well above the 200-day average set at 53.35 euros, confirming a medium-term upward trend. However, technical resistance remains close at 57.18 euros, while support is positioned at 54.50 euros, offering a safety margin of about 2.3% relative to the current price.

Technical analysis reveals a neutral positioning of the stock at midday. The RSI remains at 50, exactly at the equilibrium level, indicating neither overheating nor overselling and showing a market without marked directional pressure. This momentum indicator suggests a total absence of buying or selling tension in the short term, with the stock operating in a zone of perfect neutrality. This configuration is consistent with the post-dividend context where investors typically adopt a wait-and-see posture. The Bollinger Bands frame the price between 54.77 euros on the lower bound and 56.95 euros on the upper bound, with the stock moving in the middle part of this channel with a slight proximity to the lower bound. The monthly volatility stands at 3.76%, a moderate level that characterizes the relative stability of the oil group in a relatively calm energy market environment. The negative beta of less than 0.05 confirms a very low inverse correlation with the movements of the CAC 40, giving the stock its own dynamics and relatively decoupled from the fluctuations of the Parisian market at the start of the year.

At this stage, the oil group does not seem to be affected by the new geopolitical situation in Venezuela, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States. Investors are now focusing on the financial calendar of the group, particularly the publication of the fourth quarter 2025 results scheduled for February 11, which should provide clarifications on the operational and financial trajectory in a context of moderate hydrocarbon prices. The next dividend detachment is scheduled for March 31, 2026, with the payment of the third installment planned for April 2. BNP Paribas had raised its price target from 50 to 55 euros on December 8 last year, giving the stock a neutral recommendation that now coincides with the current trading level. This revision reflects a cautious stance by analysts in the face of uncertainties in the energy sector. The expected annual dividend yield, higher than 6%, continues to attract yield-oriented investors in a context where yield stocks retain their appeal amid stock market volatility.