Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation DENVER, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --Â SM Energy Company ("SM Energy" or the "Company") (NYSE: SM) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Herbert S. Vogel has advised the Board of Directors of SM Energy (the "Board") of his intention to retire as Chief Executive Officer on March 1, 2026, and that he has resigned as President of the Company effective September 4, 2025. Mr. Vogel intends to remain a member of the Board until the Company's next annual meeting of sto ...

PresentationOur next speaker will be Wade Pursell, CFO of SM Energy. Pursell will be speaking a lot more about the Uinta integration deal that's been ongoing, and we will have prepared remarks, and then we'll get into some Q&A after that. Thanks.A. PursellExecutive VP & CFO Thank you, Betty. Good afternoon, everyone. Good to be here. Thanks for inviting us this year. It's always good to be in New York City this time of the year, beautiful place. Thank you for joining me today for the update on SM Energy. I' ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Over the last five years, production has grown over 60%, oil production over 70%, and proved reserves over 60% without any dilution, maintaining total shares outstanding at 114 million [5][6][29] - The company's leverage decreased from 2.3 times to approximately 1 times during the same period, indicating a deleveraging strategy [6][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates in three top-tier assets: Midland Basin, South Texas, and Uinta Basin, with significant production and reserve growth attributed to technical expertise [3][4][5] - In the Midland Basin, the number of wells drilled increased from a few to over 5,000, showcasing the success of the technical team's efforts [10][14] - The Austin Chalk in South Texas has shown improved performance, with returns comparable to the Permian Basin, and a significant inventory of 465 locations [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Uinta Basin has been identified as a promising area with a 4,000 feet stack pay and potential for 17 intervals, with production profiles comparable to the Midland Basin [18][22] - Despite transportation costs, the margin per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) in the Uinta Basin is nearly the same as that in the Midland Basin due to high oil content [22][23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a returns-based technical focus, aiming for capital-efficient growth without diluting shares or increasing leverage [6][34] - The strategy includes organic growth through technical expertise and potential acquisitions of top-tier assets that meet return criteria [17][42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued growth and efficiency improvements, with plans to explore more of the Uinta Basin's upper cube and deep cube [39][40] - The company is cautious about macroeconomic uncertainties but remains optimistic about its cash flow generation and return of capital strategies [51][53] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with a borrowing base of $2 billion, which is undrawn, and a cash position of $100 million at the end of the last quarter [26][27] - A fixed dividend has been increased from $0.15 to $0.20 per quarter, and a $500 million share buyback program is in place [31][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: What did the company see at the time of the Uinta Basin acquisition? - The technical team identified characteristics similar to the Permian Basin, including thick stack pay and high oil content, which justified the acquisition [35][36] Question: Does the company see potential for growth in the Uinta Basin? - The company is open to growth opportunities in the Uinta Basin but emphasizes that any new acquisitions must meet their returns-based criteria [42][43] Question: How does the company plan to allocate free cash flow moving forward? - As leverage approaches one times, the company will prioritize free cash flow towards share buybacks, while also considering the fixed dividend [50][51]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Over the last five years, production has grown over 60%, with oil production increasing over 70% and proved reserves also rising over 60% [3][4] - The total shares outstanding remained unchanged at 114 million, indicating no dilution during this growth period [4] - Leverage decreased from 2.3 times to closer to one time, demonstrating a deleveraging trend [4][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates in three top-tier assets: Midland Basin, South Texas, and Uinta Basin, each showcasing unique technical success stories [2][9] - In the Midland Basin, the number of wells drilled increased from a few to over 5,000, with production outperforming peers [6][10] - The Austin Chalk asset has shown significant improvement, with 465 locations identified and returns comparable to the Permian Basin [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Uinta Basin has been identified as a promising area with a production profile similar to the Midland Basin, despite transportation challenges [14][15] - The Uinta Basin's margin per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) is nearly the same as that of the Midland Basin, primarily due to high oil content [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a returns-based technical focus, differentiating itself from competitors by leveraging technical expertise [2][22] - Future plans include continued growth without dilution or increased leverage, focusing on capital efficiency [4][19] - The company is open to M&A opportunities that meet their criteria for top-tier assets, but does not seek scale for its own sake [28][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the technical team's ability to identify and develop high-potential assets, particularly in the Uinta Basin [24][25] - The company is cautious about macroeconomic uncertainties but remains optimistic about its cash flow generation and return of capital strategy [32][33] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with a $2 billion undrawn borrowing base and $100 million in cash [18][19] - A fixed dividend has been established, currently at $0.20 per quarter, with a $500 million share buyback program in place [21][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: What did the company see at the time of the Uinta Basin acquisition? - The technical team identified characteristics similar to the Permian Basin, including thick stack pay and high oil content, which justified the acquisition [23][24] Question: Does the company see potential for further growth in the Uinta Basin? - The company is open to expanding its position in the Uinta Basin if opportunities arise that meet their returns-based criteria [27][28] Question: How does the company plan to allocate free cash flow moving forward? - As leverage approaches one time, the company will prioritize share buybacks, while also considering dividend increases based on cash flow visibility [32][33]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Over the last five years, the company has grown production by over 60%, oil production by over 70%, and proved reserves by over 60% without any dilution, maintaining total shares outstanding at 114 million [5][6][25] - The company's leverage has decreased from 2.3 times to approximately 1 times during the same period, indicating a deleveraging strategy [6][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates in three top-tier assets: Midland Basin, South Texas (Austin Chalk), and Uinta Basin, all of which have shown significant production growth and technical advancements [3][12][20] - In the Midland Basin, the number of wells drilled has increased from a few to over 5,000, showcasing the success of the technical team's efforts [9][12] - The Austin Chalk has transitioned from a historically poor-performing area to one with returns comparable to the Permian Basin, with 465 locations identified [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Uinta Basin has shown promising production profiles, with margins per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) nearly matching those of the Midland Basin despite transportation costs [21][22] - The company has identified significant opportunities in the Uinta Basin, with a 4,000 feet stack pay and potential for 17 intervals, indicating a strong growth outlook [17][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a returns-based technical focus, aiming to maintain capital efficiency and avoid dilution while growing production [3][6][32] - The strategy includes organic growth in existing assets and potential acquisitions of top-tier assets that meet their return criteria [39][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to continue generating returns through technical expertise and operational efficiencies [6][25] - The company is cautious about macroeconomic uncertainties but remains optimistic about its cash flow generation and return of capital programs [48][50] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with a borrowing base of $3 billion, of which $2 billion is undrawn, and is currently in debt reduction mode [25][26] - A fixed dividend has been established, currently at $0.20 per quarter, with a share buyback program of $500 million in place [30][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: What did the company see at the time of the Uinta Basin acquisition? - The technical team identified characteristics similar to the Permian Basin, including thick stack pay and high oil content, which justified the acquisition [33][34] Question: Does the company see potential for growth in the Uinta Basin? - The company is open to growth opportunities in the Uinta Basin but emphasizes that any new acquisitions must meet their criteria for returns [39][40] Question: How does the company plan to allocate free cash flow moving forward? - As leverage approaches one times, the company will prioritize free cash flow towards share buybacks, while also considering the fixed dividend based on overall business performance [47][50]

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Metrics NYSE: SM SM-Energy.com September 2025 Investor Presentation Disclaimers Forward-looking Statements This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. The words "believes," "demonstrate," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "plan," "predictions," "preliminary," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things: certain proje ...

Core Insights - The surge in global electricity usage, particularly from data centers, has driven strong demand for oil and gas, benefiting companies like Crescent Energy (CRGY) and SM Energy (SM) [1][9] - Both CRGY and SM are prominent upstream oil and gas exploration and production companies, with operations in the Uinta basin of Utah and other regions, focusing on strategic acquisitions and optimized drilling technologies [2][3] Financial Performance - Crescent Energy closed June 2025 with $7 million in cash and long-term debt of $3.38 billion, while SM Energy reported $102 million in cash and long-term debt of $2.71 billion [5] - SM Energy experienced a 40.1% year-over-year increase in operating cash flow in the first half of 2025, while Crescent recorded a stronger 77.6% surge [6] - SM's production rose 32% year-over-year in Q2 2025, leading to a 25% revenue growth, while Crescent reported a 59.4% increase in daily sales volumes, resulting in a 37.5% revenue increase to $898 million [8] Growth Strategies - Strategic acquisitions are crucial for both companies, with SM Energy's $2 billion Uinta Basin acquisitions and Crescent's $3.1 billion acquisition of Vital Energy expected to enhance production and revenue [7][9] - The natural gas market's growth outlook remains a strong tailwind for both companies, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration projecting an increase in natural gas spot prices in late 2025 and throughout 2026 [10] Valuation and Efficiency - SM Energy is trading at a forward earnings multiple of 5.25, which is lower than Crescent Energy's 6.66, indicating a more attractive valuation for SM [20] - A comparative analysis shows that SM Energy has a better Return on Equity (ROE) than Crescent Energy, suggesting greater efficiency in generating profits from its equity base [21] Investment Considerations - Both companies have high long-term debt burdens, which could pose risks despite their growth prospects [23] - Crescent's aggressive acquisition strategy offers scalability and revenue upside, while SM Energy's stronger valuation metrics and liquidity make it a more compelling choice for risk-conscious investors [24]

SM Energy Company Conference Summary Company Overview - SM Energy is an independent exploration and production (E&P) company based in Denver, operating in the Midland Basin (West Texas), Maverick Basin (South Texas), and Uinta Basin (Northeast Utah) [1] Core Points and Arguments Growth and Performance - SEC proved reserves increased by 68% from 405 million to 678 million barrels of oil equivalent from year-end 2020 to year-end 2024 [5] - Oil equivalent production grew by 64% from 127,000 barrels per day to 208,000 barrels per day during the same period [5] - Oil production specifically increased by 76% from 63,000 to 111,000 barrels per day [5] - Shareholder dilution was avoided, maintaining around 114 million shares since 2020 [6] - Leverage reduced from 2.3 times EBITDAX to 1.2 times [6] Technical Focus and Differentiation - Emphasis on a returns-based technical focus as a key differentiator in achieving growth and operational efficiency [7] - Development of capabilities in geosciences, engineering, and data analytics over 17 years [7][8] - Successful identification of economic plays on previously overlooked acreage, leading to significant inventory growth [9] Specific Basin Insights Midland Basin - Significant growth in Howard County, from 79 horizontal wells in 2015 to over 5,150 today, with low breakevens [10][12] - In the Austin Chalk of the Western Eagle Ford, breakevens improved to about $44 per barrel, with 465 locations identified on SM's acreage [13] Uinta Basin - Acquired XCL Resources, adding over 63,000 acres, with a focus on optimizing co-development using existing subsurface data [21][22] - Oil takeaway capacity has doubled since 2021, with production reaching 160,000 barrels per day [24] - Uinta Basin delivered higher margins than the Midland Basin, surprising many investors [25] Operational Innovations - Continuous operational improvements, including faster drilling and reduced well costs [20] - Innovations from predecessor operator XCL, such as recycling water and remote fracking, have enhanced operational efficiency [27] Financial Health and Return of Capital - Strong balance sheet with over $100 million in cash and a plan to reduce leverage below one times by year-end [32][33] - Increased dividend from $0.15 to $0.20 per share per quarter since September 2022, with $370 million in share buybacks [34] Additional Important Insights - Commitment to sustainability and community engagement, highlighted by an A rating from MSCI [31] - The company’s strategy is underpinned by confidence in asset quality and a supportive macro environment for growth [34] - The focus on a returns-based technical approach is emphasized as a key to long-term sustainability and operational success [35]

Core Viewpoint - SM Energy has been recognized as a Top 10 dividend-paying energy stock, highlighting its attractive valuation and strong profitability metrics [1][2] Group 1: Dividend Performance - SM Energy's annualized dividend is $0.8 per share, distributed quarterly, with the most recent dividend ex-date on July 18, 2025 [2] - The company has a strong quarterly dividend history, which is crucial for assessing the sustainability of its dividends [2] Group 2: Valuation and Profitability - SM Energy's shares exhibit both attractive valuation metrics and strong profitability metrics, making it appealing to dividend investors [1][2] - The DividendRank report emphasizes the importance of researching profitable companies that are trading at attractive valuations [2]

Core Insights - SM Energy reported revenue of $792.94 million for the quarter ended June 2025, reflecting a 25% increase year-over-year and a surprise of +1.64% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $780.12 million [1] - The company's EPS was $1.50, down from $1.85 in the same quarter last year, with an EPS surprise of +21.95% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.23 [1] Financial Performance - Average daily production totaled 209.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, exceeding the average estimate of 203.92 million barrels [4] - Crude oil production averaged 115.7 million barrels per day, surpassing the estimated 109.41 million barrels [4] - Natural gas production averaged 398.3 million cubic feet per day, slightly below the estimated 406.63 million cubic feet [4] - NGL production averaged 26.9 million barrels per day, in line with the estimate of 26.91 million barrels [4] Revenue Breakdown - Operating revenue from crude oil was $653.38 million, exceeding the average estimate of $622.2 million, representing a year-over-year increase of +22.7% [4] - Operating revenue from natural gas was $77.99 million, significantly higher than the average estimate of $109.01 million, with a year-over-year change of +72.6% [4] - Operating revenue from NGL was $53.7 million, slightly above the average estimate of $50.97 million, showing a year-over-year decrease of -3.6% [4] - Total operating revenue from oil, gas, and NGL production was $785.08 million, compared to the average estimate of $781.69 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +23.9% [4] - Other operating income was reported at $7.87 million, exceeding the average estimate of $3.37 million [4] Stock Performance - SM Energy shares returned +2.8% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market [3]