EQT Q4 Earnings Top Estimates on Higher Realized Gas-Equivalent Prices

Financial Performance - EQT Corporation reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 90 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 73 cents and up from 67 cents in the prior year [1] - Adjusted operating revenues increased to $2,094 million from $1,821 million in the prior-year quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,064 million [1] Production and Sales - Sales volume increased to 609 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe) from 605 Bcfe in the year-ago quarter, beating the estimate of 598 Bcfe [3] - Natural gas sales volume was 572 Bcf, up from 566 Bcf in the year-ago quarter, exceeding the estimate of 561 Bcf [3] - Total liquid sales volume decreased to 6,127 thousand barrels (MBbls) from 6,552 MBbls in the prior year, missing the projection of 6,145 MBbls [3] Commodity Prices - The average realized price was $3.44 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (Mcfe), up from $3.01 year over year [4] - The average natural gas price, including cash-settled derivatives, was $3.32 per Mcf, an increase from $2.86 [4] - The natural gas sales price was $3.76 per Mcf, higher than $2.97 recorded a year ago [4] - The oil price was $44.98 per barrel compared to $54.75 in the prior year [5] Expenses - Total operating expenses were $1,372 million, up from $843 million in the prior-year quarter [6] - Gathering expenses totaled 10 cents per Mcfe, up from 9 cents year over year [6] - Transmission expenses stood at 40 cents per Mcfe, down from 41 cents recorded a year ago [6] - Lease operating expenses amounted to 11 cents per Mcfe, higher than 9 cents in the corresponding period of 2024 [6] - Selling, general and administrative expenses came in at 18 cents per Mcfe, flat year over year [6] Cash Flow - Adjusted operating cash flow totaled $1.55 billion in the reported quarter, up from $1.23 billion a year ago [7] - Free cash flow amounted to $857 million, an increase from $588 million in the corresponding period of 2024 [7] Capital Expenditure and Balance Sheet - Total capital expenditure was $655 million, higher than $583 million reported a year ago [9] - As of December 31, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $111 million and net debt worth $7.69 billion [9] Guidance - For the first quarter of 2026, EQT expects total sales volume to be between 560 Bcfe and 610 Bcfe [10] - Total sales volume is forecasted to be in the range of 2,275-2,375 Bcfe for 2026 [10] - Total maintenance capital expenditures are projected to be between $515 million and $590 million, with growth capital expenditures anticipated to be between $120 million and $145 million in the first quarter [10]