Antero Resources Q1 Earnings Miss Estimates on Lower Production

Financial Performance - Antero Resources Corporation reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 78 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 90 cents, but an increase from 7 cents in the same quarter last year [1] - Total quarterly revenues were $1,353 million, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,399 million, but up from $1,122 million year-over-year [1] Production Overview - Total production in the first quarter was 306 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), down from 312 Bcfe a year ago and below the estimate of 302 Bcfe [2] - Natural gas production, which accounted for 64% of total production, was 195 Bcf, a 3% decrease from 202 Bcf year-over-year and below the estimate of 201 Bcf [2] - Oil production amounted to 852 thousand barrels (MBbls), an 18% decline from 1,035 MBbls in the previous year and below the estimate of 1,008 MBbls [3] - C2 Ethane production increased by 10% to 7,442 MBbls from 6,760 MBbls year-over-year, exceeding the estimate of 5,761 MBbls [3] - C3+ NGLs production was 10,229 MBbls, a 3% decrease from 10,564 MBbls reported a year ago, but higher than the estimate of 10,122 MBbls [4] Price Realization - Weighted natural-gas-equivalent price realization was $4.55 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe), up from $3.39 year-over-year but below the estimate of $5.24 [5] - Realized prices for natural gas increased 71% to $4.01 per Mcf from $2.35 a year ago, below the estimate of $4.40 per Mcf [5] - Oil price realization was $59.08 per barrel (Bbl), lower than $62.53 year-over-year but above the estimate of $57.60 per Bbl [6] - Realized price for C3+ NGLs increased to $45.65 per Bbl from $43.05 year-over-year, exceeding the estimate of $39.04 per Bbl [6] - Realized price for C2 Ethane rose to $12.70 per Bbl from $9.32 year-over-year, above the estimate of $8.55 per Bbl [6] Operating Expenses - Total operating expenses increased to $1,081 million from $1,075 million year-over-year, below the estimate of $1,107 million [7] - Average lease operating costs were 11 cents per Mcfe, up 22% from 9 cents year-over-year [7] - Gathering and compression costs were 77 cents per Mcfe, a 7% increase from the prior year [8] - Transportation expenses rose 5% year-over-year to 65 cents per Mcfe, while processing costs increased 4% to 85 cents per Mcfe [8] Capital Expenditures and Financials - In the first quarter, Antero Resources spent $157 million on drilling and completion operations [10] - As of March 31, 2025, the company had no cash and cash equivalents and a long-term debt of $1.29 billion [10]