Why Is Gulfport Energy Stock Soaring On Friday?

Core Viewpoint - Gulfport Energy Corporation's stock is experiencing a nearly 5% increase as investors anticipate strong second-quarter earnings due to a strategic reevaluation of capital spending plans [1] Group 1: Strategic Changes - The company is reallocating resources towards dry gas development, including the addition of a four-well dry gas Utica pad, while adjusting the schedule for its wet gas Marcellus pad [1][4] - This proactive approach may allow Gulfport to accelerate completions if natural gas market conditions remain favorable, potentially leading to low single-digit growth in 2026 [2][6] Group 2: Analyst Outlook - JP Morgan analyst Zach Parham has reiterated an Overweight rating on Gulfport Energy, raising the price forecast from $208 to $236, anticipating a robust second quarter [3][4] - Parham estimates cash flow per share (CFPS) at $11.07, slightly above the Street estimate of $10.77, with EBITDA forecasted at $208 million, modestly below the consensus of $223 million [6] Group 3: Production and Financials - Estimated production is projected at 1,037 MMcfe/d, representing a 12% sequential increase, with oil output expected at 8.1 MBo/d, exceeding the 7.0 MBo/d consensus [7] - Capital expenditures for the quarter are expected to be around $124 million, slightly exceeding consensus, with an anticipated $65 million in free cash flow, of which $58 million is allocated to share buybacks [7][8]