Production and Reserves - Estimated net proved reserves increased by 68% from the end of 2020 to the end of 2024[6,8] - Total net production is expected to increase by 64% from 2020 to 2025[6,8] - Oil production is expected to increase by 76% from 2020 to 2025[6,8] Financial Performance and Capital Allocation - Net debt reduced by approximately $140 million in Q2 2025[78] - The company has repurchased 101 million shares[52] - The annual dividend increased from $002 to $080 per share[53] Operational Efficiency and Regional Focus - Average drilling and completion cost decreased by 15%[28] - Completed footage increased by 64% on average per day[28] - Drilling footage increased by 19% on average per day[28] Q2 2025 Performance - Total net production was 2091 MBoe/d in Q2 2025 with 55% oil[80,81] - Adjusted EBITDAX was $5696 million in Q2 2025[80,81] - Adjusted net income was $150 per share in Q2 2025[80,81]

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]

Core Insights - SM Energy reported strong operational performance in Q2 2025, with record production and earnings exceeding market expectations [1][5][7] - The company achieved adjusted earnings per share of $1.50, surpassing the analyst consensus of $1.25, and revenue of $785.1 million, slightly above the $781.6 million estimate [1][2] - The integration of Uinta Basin assets significantly contributed to production growth, with net production reaching 19.0 million barrels of oil equivalent [1][6] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDAX increased by 17% year-over-year, reflecting improved operational efficiency [2][7] - Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $571.1 million, a 19.9% increase from the previous year [2][7] - The company reported a net debt of $2.63 billion as of June 30, 2025, with a goal to reduce net debt to adjusted EBITDAX to 1.0x by year-end [7] Production and Costs - Net production reached 19.0 million barrels of oil equivalent, averaging 209.1 thousand barrels per day, a 32% increase year-over-year [5][6] - Lease operating expenses per barrel increased by 15% quarter-over-quarter, and transportation costs more than doubled year-over-year [8] - Capital expenditure guidance was raised by approximately $75 million, reflecting increased spending on non-operated projects [8][13] Strategic Focus - The company is focused on integrating and optimizing Uinta Basin assets to enhance production efficiency and strengthen its balance sheet [3][4] - Hedging strategies are in place, with approximately 45% of oil and natural gas volumes hedged for the latter half of 2025 [10] - The company aims to prioritize debt reduction and operational efficiency while managing cost pressures [14] Market Factors - Realized oil prices averaged $62.04 per barrel, while gas prices were $2.15 per thousand cubic feet [9] - The company sold about 15-20% of Uinta oil to local refineries, reducing transportation costs [9] - The estimated cash tax payments for 2025 were reduced to approximately $10 million, improving near-term cash flow [11] Future Guidance - Production guidance remains unchanged at 200-215 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day, with an increased oil cut expectation of 53-54% [13] - Capital spending guidance is now approximately $1.375 billion, primarily for non-operated projects [13] - Management emphasizes operational efficiency and capital discipline as key themes moving forward [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has achieved over 60% growth in both net proved reserves and net production since 2020, while increasing oil percentage and production margins [5][6] - Share count remained flat, resulting in no dilution, and leverage was reduced by more than a full turn since 2020 [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Uinta Basin showed significant quarter-over-quarter growth in production, with strong performance from wells leading to high production levels [10][11] - The company is adding 10 net wells to the drilling program, with a total cost of approximately $75 million, primarily associated with non-operated projects [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on optimizing logistics and takeaway from the Price River Terminal, which has resulted in record volumes being moved [58][60] - The marketing team is actively working to maximize realizations based on demand and transportation costs, particularly between Salt Lake City and Houston [68] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue accessing underappreciated assets and applying technical skills to grow shareholder value [6] - There is a focus on free cash flow generation and maintaining a stable rig count across various assets [29][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautious about natural gas due to the ability to develop supply quickly, but sees potential for structural demand changes in the future [62][63] - The company plans to evaluate its operations and adjust based on commodity prices, aiming for a flattish production profile with reduced CapEx year-over-year [29][30] Other Important Information - The company has a $500 million share buyback program authorized by the Board, indicating potential opportunistic buybacks in the future [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Cash tax obligations for 2026 and beyond - Management indicated that cash tax obligations for 2026 would likely remain similar to current levels, depending on commodity prices [8][9] Question: Uinta production capacity and performance - Management expressed optimism about Uinta production, noting strong performance and the expectation of continued success [10][11] Question: Capital expenditures in Q4 - Management confirmed that capital expenditures are expected to decrease in Q4 [19] Question: Sustainability of Uinta performance - Management believes the performance in Uinta is sustainable and sees potential for inventory expansion [33][34] Question: Shareholder returns and leverage targets - Management is close to achieving leverage targets and may opportunistically engage in share buybacks if market conditions are favorable [36][38] Question: Uinta program focus and future plans - Management confirmed that the majority of this year's program has focused on the lower cube, with plans to evaluate other zones in the future [42][43] Question: Basis outlook for Uinta - Management noted that basis for Uinta is challenging to predict due to varying sales locations and transportation costs [67][68] Question: Increased non-operated budget - Management explained that the increased non-operated budget reflects better visibility on projects and strong returns from participation [70][71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has achieved over 60% growth in both net proved reserves and net production since 2020, while increasing oil percentage and production margins [4] - The share count remained flat, resulting in no dilution, and leverage was reduced by more than a full turn from 2020 to the present [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Uinta Basin showed significant production growth quarter over quarter in Q2 compared to Q1, with strong performance expected to continue [9][10] - The company added 10 net wells to the drilling program for approximately $75 million, primarily associated with non-operated projects [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing a shift in production profile, with increased volumes coming from strong performance in the Uinta Basin [44] - The marketing team is optimizing sales to maximize realizations, particularly focusing on transportation costs to Salt Lake City versus Houston [69] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue accessing underappreciated assets and applying technical skills to grow shareholder value [5] - There is a focus on maximizing capital efficiency and repeatability in the Uinta Basin, with plans to evaluate the entire development of the area [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautious on natural gas due to the ability to develop supply quickly, but sees potential for structural demand changes in the future [62][63] - The company is closely monitoring commodity prices and plans to maximize free cash flow over the next two to three years [30] Other Important Information - The company has a $500 million share buyback program authorized by the Board, indicating potential opportunistic buybacks in the future [39] - The company expects capital expenditures to decrease in Q4 due to reduced operated rig activity [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Cash tax obligations for 2026 and beyond - Management indicated that cash tax obligations for 2026 would likely be similar to current levels, depending on commodity prices [7][8] Question: Uinta production capacity and future expectations - Management expressed optimism about Uinta production, noting strong performance and additional South Texas and Permian assets coming online in the second half of the year [9][10] Question: Sustainability of Uinta performance - Management believes the strong performance in Uinta is sustainable due to the potential for inventory expansion and repeatable drilling programs [34][35] Question: Shareholder returns and leverage targets - Management is close to achieving leverage targets and may opportunistically step in for share buybacks if market conditions stabilize [36][38] Question: Update on Uinta program and testing of intervals - Management confirmed that most of this year's program focused on the lower cube, with plans to evaluate additional zones in the future [42][43] Question: Marketing strategy and logistics improvements - Management clarified that recent improvements in logistics and marketing were due to operational execution rather than a change in strategy [60]

Financial Performance - SM Energy's Q2 2025 total net production reached 2091 MBoe/d, with 55% oil[10] - Adjusted EBITDAX for Q2 2025 was $5696 million[10] - Adjusted net income per share for Q2 2025 was $150[10] - Net debt was reduced by approximately $140 million in Q2 2025[8] Operational Highlights - The company paid a cash dividend of $020 per share in Q2 2025, representing an annualized dividend yield of 3%[8] - Uinta Basin integration is complete, leading to optimization and efficiency gains[10] - Average per foot drilling and completion cost decreased by 15%[37] - Completed footage increased by 64% on average per day[37] Reserves and Production Growth - Estimated net proved reserves increased by 68% from December 31, 2020, to December 31, 2024[12, 14] - Average total net daily production is estimated to increase by 76% from 2020 to 2025[12, 14] Hedging Strategy - Approximately 9600 MBbls of expected 3Q25-4Q25 net oil production is hedged at a weighted-average price of $6507/Bbl to $7042/Bbl[49] - Approximately 36000 BBtu of expected 3Q25-4Q25 net natural gas production is hedged at a weighted-average price of $367/MMBtu to $431/MMBtu[49]

Core Insights - SM Energy Company reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $1.50 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23, but down from $1.85 in the same quarter last year [1][7] - Total quarterly revenues reached $793 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $780 million and increasing from $635 million year-over-year [1] Operational Performance - Production volume for the second quarter was 209.1 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d), a 32% increase from 158.5 MBoe/d in the previous year, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 204 MBoe/d [2][7] - Oil production rose approximately 59% year-over-year to 115.7 thousand barrels per day (MBbls/d), surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 109 MBbls/d [2] Natural Gas Production - The company produced 398.3 million cubic feet per day of natural gas, reflecting a 13% year-over-year increase [3] - Natural gas liquids production totaled 26.9 MBbls/d, which is a 1% improvement from the previous year [3] Realized Prices - The average realized price per Boe was $41.27, down from $43.92 in the year-ago quarter [4] - The average realized oil price decreased by 23% to $62.04 per barrel, while the average realized price of natural gas improved by 54% to $2.15 per thousand cubic feet [4] Costs & Expenses - Unit lease operating expenses increased by 15% year-over-year to $5.52 per Boe, while general and administrative expenses rose 2% to $2.21 per Boe [5] - Transportation expenses surged 113% to $4.13 per Boe, with total hydrocarbon production expenses amounting to $224 million compared to $136.6 million in the previous year [5] Capital Expenditures - Capital expenditures for the quarter totaled $410.2 million, with adjusted free cash flow of $113.9 million [6] Balance Sheet - As of June 30, 2025, SM Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $101.9 million and a net debt of $2.63 billion [8] Guidance - For Q3 2025, production is expected to range between 209-215 MBoe/d, with oil contributing 53-54% [9] - Full-year 2025 production is anticipated to remain in the range of 200-215 MBoe/d, implying a year-over-year increase of approximately 22% [10]