Core Insights - Diamondback Energy, Inc. reported strong financial and operational results for Q1 2025, with a focus on free cash flow generation amid commodity price volatility [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - Q1 2025 net income was $1.4 billion, or $4.83 per diluted share, with adjusted net income of $1.3 billion, or $4.54 per diluted share [9][38]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.4 billion, with operating cash flow before working capital changes at $2.5 billion [8][40]. - Free cash flow for Q1 2025 was $1.5 billion, and adjusted free cash flow was $1.6 billion [11][41]. - The company declared a base cash dividend of $1.00 per share, implying a 2.9% annualized yield based on the closing share price of $136.81 on May 2, 2025 [8][15]. Operational Highlights - Diamondback drilled 124 gross wells and completed 123 wells in Q1 2025, with significant activity in the Midland Basin [5][6]. - Average oil production was 475.9 MBO/d, with total equivalent unhedged realized price at $47.77 per BOE [12][34]. - The company expects to drill 385 - 435 gross wells and complete 475 - 550 gross wells in 2025, with full-year oil production guidance of 480 - 495 MBO/d [17][18]. Capital Expenditures and Guidance - Cash capital expenditures for Q1 2025 totaled $942 million, with full-year guidance set at $3.4 - $3.8 billion [10][18]. - The company is adjusting its capital budget to prioritize free cash flow generation due to recent commodity price weakness [3][17]. Share Repurchase Program - In Q1 2025, Diamondback repurchased approximately 3.7 million shares for $575 million, with a total of about 30.2 million shares repurchased to date [16][16]. Debt and Liquidity - As of March 31, 2025, Diamondback had $1.3 billion in cash and no borrowings under its revolving credit facility, with total liquidity of approximately $3.8 billion [14][14]. - Consolidated total debt increased to $14.1 billion from $13.2 billion at the end of 2024 [14].

Core Viewpoint - Economic uncertainty and tariff wars are causing stock market volatility, but dividend-paying stocks can provide stability for investors [1] Group 1: Vitesse Energy (VTS) - Vitesse Energy is an energy company that primarily holds financial interests in oil and gas wells operated by leading U.S. operators [3] - The company recently acquired Lucero Energy, which is expected to enhance dividends and provide liquidity for further acquisitions [3][6] - Vitesse announced a quarterly dividend of $0.5625 per share for Q4, marking a 7% increase from the previous quarter, with a dividend yield of 9.3% [4] - Jefferies analyst Lloyd Byrne reiterated a buy rating on VTS with a price target of $33, noting that Q4 EBITDA slightly missed consensus estimates due to lower production and acquisition costs [5] - The Lucero acquisition is seen positively as it adds to Vitesse's production and inventory, providing about 10 years of operational life [7] Group 2: Viper Energy (VNOM) - Viper Energy, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, focuses on owning and acquiring mineral and royalty interests in oil-weighted basins, particularly the Permian Basin [9] - The company announced a total capital return of 65 cents per share for Q4 2024, representing 75% of the cash available for distribution [10] - JPMorgan analyst Arun Jayaram maintained a buy rating on VNOM but lowered the price target to $51, citing factors like natural gas demand and potential oil price declines [11] - Viper's policy of returning about 75% of distributable cash flow to shareholders through dividends and buybacks is highlighted as a unique aspect of the company [13] Group 3: ConocoPhillips (COP) - ConocoPhillips announced a dividend of 78 cents per share for Q1 2025, with a dividend yield of 3.1% [15] - Analyst Jayaram reaffirmed a buy rating on COP but reduced the price target to $115, reflecting concerns over potential oil price declines [15] - The company has executed multiple counter-cyclical transactions since its 2016 strategy reset, enhancing its cost structure and inventory durability [16] - ConocoPhillips is expected to be one of the few companies in JPMorgan's coverage that could increase cash returns in 2025, including $6 billion in stock buybacks [18]