HBR Rising

Shares in FTSE 250 listed Harbour Energy PLC are among the biggest gainers on the index today. HBR shares are up nearly 3% from the European open with the stock boosted by the general uptick in risk appetite we’re seeing so far this year. The company which is the largest UK-listed independent oil and gas company has seen its shares rallying around 14% off the initial lows printed last week with price now close to testing the December 2021 highs.

Notably, the move comes despite weaker energy prices over the same period. Harbour recently reviewed its capital allocation in the midst of the windfall energy taxes applied by the Sunak government at the November budget.  Harbour refrained from bidding on new projects in the North Sea in light of these taxes, a move which shareholders appear to have backed given the recovery we’re seeing in the company’s stock price early in 2023.

Technical Views

Harbour Energy

The reversal back above the 299 level is an important technical development for the stock, holding the potential to mark a large double-bottom pattern against the July 2022 lows. With momentum studies bullish, the focus is on a further push higher while price holds above this level. The stock is now testing the bearish trend line from 2022 highs with the 322.7 December 2022 highs acting as resistance also. If bulls can break this zone, there is room for a much higher push towards 365.6 next.