Oil patch stocks get a lift after news of potential Trump-Putin dialogue

Shares of companies with direct exposure to oil prices are moving higher on Tuesday following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to talks aimed at stabilizing energy markets, amid a historic free-fall in oil prices. Both brent and U .S. crude prices rose, with U.S crude up 79c, or 4%, to trade at $20.84 per barrel after settling at $20.09 on Monday. TWO STORMS FOR OIL: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic paired with a dispute between former allies Russia and Saudi Arabia sent oil prices below $20 a barrel on Monday, close to their lowest level in 18 years. FOCUS ON EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION: Stifel analyst Michael Scialla upgraded Noble Energy (NBL) to Buy from Hold on Tuesday with a price target of $18, up from $9. Investors should focus on Exploration and Production companies that can endure an "unparalleled oil market imbalance" amid the COVID-19 driven oil demand destruction and the dissolution of the OPEC agreement, Scialla told investors in a research note. PRICE ACTION: Shares of Noble Energy, Cimarex Energy (XEC) and Diamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) are up over10% in afternoon trading. OTHERS TRADING HIGHER: Other energy names trading higher include Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Devon Energy (DVN) BP (BP), ConocoPhillips (COP) and Marathon Oil (MRO).