Continental (CLR) Jumps 12.4% Since Reporting Q2 Earnings Beat
Continental Resources, Inc.’s CLR shares improved 12.4% since the second-quarter earnings announcement on Aug 2. The strong quarterly results, resumption of stock buyback and a hike in the dividend payment had significant positive impacts on its stock price.
The company reported second-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings of 91 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents per share. The bottom line turned around from a loss of 71 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.
Total quarterly revenues of $1,235 million outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,119 million. The top line significantly improved from the year-ago figure of $176 million.
The strong quarterly results can be attributed to increased production volumes and higher realizations of commodity prices.
Dividend Hike
The company’s board of directors announced a quarterly fixed dividend payment of 15 cents per share, which increased from 11 cents per share in the previous quarter. The amount will be paid out on Aug 20, 2021, to its stockholders of record as of Aug 10, 2021.
Continental resumed its stock repurchase program of $1 billion, which began in second-quarter 2019. The company already executed $317 million of share repurchases, while $683 million of share repurchase capacity remains available.
Oil Production Increases
Production from continuing operations averaged 338,699 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) for the reported quarter (49.2% oil) versus 202,815 Boe/d in the year-ago period. Production volumes increased primarily due to higher output from Bakken assets.
Oil production for the reported quarter was 166,765 barrels per day (Bbls/d), up from 95,174 Bbls/d a year ago. Natural gas production increased from 645,846 thousand cubic feet per day (Mcf/d) in second-quarter 2020 to 1,031,603 Mcf/d.
Crude Equivalent Price Realization Rises
For second-quarter 2021, Crude oil equivalent price increased to $39.99 per barrel from $7.88 in the prior-year period. Natural gas was sold at $3.06 per Mcf, up from 12 cents in the year-ago quarter. Average realized price for oil was $62.37 a barrel, up from $16.35 in the prior-year quarter.
Total Expenses Surge
Total operating expenses of $790 million for the second quarter increased from $472.4 million in the June-end quarter of 2020. Total production costs increased to $96.5 million from $64.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Exploration costs for the reported quarter were $2.3 million compared with $2 million in the year-ago period. Transportation costs increased to $52.5 million from the year-ago level of $32.3 million.
Financials
For second-quarter 2021, the total capital expenditure (excluding acquisitions) was $289.5 million. It generated a free cash flow of $633.5 million in the reported quarter.
As of Jun 30, 2021, the company had total cash and cash equivalents of $150 million. It had long-term debt of $4,741 million (excluding current maturities). It had a debt to capitalization of 40.5%.
Outlook
For 2021, the company maintains its average oil production guidance at 160,000-165,000 barrels per day. It increased its natural gas production guidance to 900,000-1,000,000 Mcf/d from the previously-mentioned 880,000-920,000 Mcf/d. The upstream player expects a capital spending of $1.4 billion for 2021.
The company plans to generate $3.8 billion of cash flow from operations and $2.4 billion of free cash flow for 2021. Also, it is targeting to reduce total debt and net debt by $4.7 billion and $3.7 billion, respectively, by 2021.
Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider
Continental currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Some other top-ranked players in the energy space are Centennial Resource Development, Inc. CDEV, Enerplus Corporation ERF and Hess Corporation HES, each currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Centennial’s earnings for 2021 are expected to surge 75% year over year.
Enerplus’ earnings for 2021 are expected to increase 51% year over year.
Hess’ bottom line for 2021 is expected to jump 134.4% year over year.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Hess Corporation (HES) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Continental Resources, Inc. (CLR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Enerplus Corporation (ERF) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Centennial Resource Development, Inc. (CDEV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
