How Is Coterra Energy's Stock Performance Compared to Other Oil & Gas E&P Stocks?

Core Insights - Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) is an independent oil and gas company with a market cap of $20.5 billion, focusing on exploration, development, and production across the U.S. [1] - The company operates in key regions including the Permian Basin, Marcellus Shale, and Anadarko Basin, and also manages natural gas and saltwater gathering and disposal systems [1][2] Stock Performance - CTRA shares have decreased by 10.2% from their 52-week high of $29.95, but have increased by 10.4% over the past three months, outperforming the iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) which gained 4.6% [3] - Over the past 52 weeks, CTRA stock has risen by 8.5%, again outperforming IEO's marginal return, while year-to-date (YTD) performance shows a 5.4% increase, slightly lagging behind IEO's 5.8% rise [4] Q3 2025 Results - Following the Q3 2025 results released on November 3, CTRA shares climbed nearly 6% as total production reached 785 MBoepd, with oil production at 166.8 MBopd and natural gas at 2,894.6 MMcfpd, all exceeding mid-point guidance [5] - The company raised its full-year 2025 production guidance and reaffirmed an expected free cash flow of approximately $2 billion, alongside a commitment to shareholder returns through resumed share repurchases [5] Analyst Sentiment - Despite underperforming compared to rivals like Expand Energy Corporation (EXE), which saw a YTD increase of nearly 18%, analysts maintain a bullish outlook on CTRA with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" [6] - The mean price target for CTRA is $32.46, indicating a potential upside of 20.8% from current levels [6]