Devon Outperforms Industry Year to Date: How to Play the Stock?

Core Viewpoint - Devon Energy Corporation (DVN) has shown a year-to-date stock gain of 1.6%, contrasting with a 22.8% decline in the Zacks Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry and a 1.3% decline in the broader Zacks Oil and Energy sector [1] Performance Analysis - Over the past year, DVN's stock has declined by 32.7%, indicating a gradual recovery path, while Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) experienced a 31.7% decline [2] - Devon Energy's return on invested capital (ROIC) stands at 8.71%, outperforming the industry average of 7.33% [15] Factors Contributing to Performance - The company benefits from a well-balanced commodity mix, focusing on oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, with a production replacement rate of 154% in 2024 [7] - DVN has a diversified, multi-basin portfolio of high-margin oil and gas assets, enhancing its asset base through strategic acquisitions [8] - The acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy's Williston Basin assets expanded net acreage from 123,000 to 430,000 acres, expected to triple production from 50,000 to 150,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) [9] - A low-cost operating model supports profitability, with ongoing efforts to reduce drilling and completion expenses and streamline the workforce [10] Earnings Performance - DVN has reported strong earnings results, with an average earnings surprise of 6.09% over the last four quarters, despite missing expectations in the most recent quarter [12][13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DVN's earnings per share for 2025 and 2026 has declined by 15.23% and 18.2%, respectively, in the past 60 days [17] Valuation - Devon Energy's shares are currently trading at a trailing 12-month Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA TTM) of 3.61X, significantly lower than the industry average of 9.39X, indicating an inexpensive valuation [20] Summary - Devon Energy's multi-basin assets and balanced exposure to various commodities contribute positively to its performance, with a better return than the industry and an attractive valuation [21]