Citi says it’s time for investors to buy BP shares. Analyst Alastair Syme upgraded oil shares to buy from neutral, saying BP offers a more favorable valuation than its European peers and “good growth characteristics”. . “Growth is one area in which we believe BP can begin to set itself apart from its large-cap European peers; we forecast near fundamental growth,” he wrote. twice that of the nearest peer company, SHEL”. project. Citi raised its price target on the UK-based company’s shares to £5.40, suggesting the stock could rise 18%. U.S.-listed shares are up more than 24% this year and up 4% in the crypto market. “We see the market turning to energy stocks continue, even though the names in our U.S. coverage have hit all-time highs,” Syme wrote. “. “History says energy stocks generally perform well during earnings downturns, Citi’s base case for 2023.” – Michael Bloom of CNBC contributed reporting