ZACKS·2025-11-12 18:27Core Insights - Comstock Resources, Inc. (CRK) reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 9 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4 cents, and improved from a loss of 17 cents in the prior year [1][9] - Total quarterly revenues reached $450 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $401 million, and increased from $304.5 million in the previous year [1][9] - The strong performance was driven by higher average natural gas price realizations [1][9] Operational Performance - Total production averaged 111,837 million cubic feet equivalent (MMcfe), down from 133,198 MMcfe in the same quarter last year [2] - Natural gas production decreased to 111,770 million cubic feet (MMcf) from 133,116 MMcf a year ago [2] Price Realization - Average natural gas price realization (before hedging) was $2.75 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), up from $1.90 per Mcf in the prior-year quarter [3] - Total price realization (before hedging) averaged $2.76 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe), compared to $1.90 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2024 [3] Costs & Expenses - Total production costs were $0.77 per Mcfe, unchanged year over year [4] - Lease operating expenses rose to 26 cents per Mcfe from 22 cents in the previous year [4] - Gathering and transportation expenses decreased to 36 cents from 41 cents per Mcfe [4] - Total operating expenses for the quarter were $399.6 million, up from $365.8 million a year ago [4] - Gas services expenses increased significantly to $141.7 million from $52.6 million in the third quarter of 2024 [4] Financials - Total exploration and development capital expenditures in the third quarter amounted to $267.1 million [6] - Operating cash flow for the third quarter was $190.3 million [6] Balance Sheet - As of September 30, 2025, Comstock Resources reported long-term debt of $3.13 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $19.2 million [5] Outlook - Comstock Resources anticipates total production in the fourth quarter to be between 1,200-1,300 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) [7] - Lease operating expenses are expected to range from $0.25 to $0.29 per Mcfe, while gathering and transportation expenses are projected to be between $0.34 and $0.40 per Mcfe for the fourth quarter [7]