Stifel analyst Derrick Whitfield promoted Pioneer Natural (PXD) to the firm's Select List based on the company's vertical integration, which serves as an inflationary hedge, and commitment to shareholder returns, both of which he sees driving 2018 outperformance. Whitfield, who raised his price target on Pioneer Natural to $280 from $260, also notes the company's asset productivity upside in a maturing industry and lower than average execution risks. In concert with the addition of Pioneer to the list, the analyst is "procedurally" removing Concho Resources (CXO) from the firm's Select List.