Key Points When the federal government shuts down, roughly a quarter of the U.S. economy stops with it. So far, investors have remained largely confident that a compromise will be reached. The focus has been more on earnings results and geopolitics than the effect of federal layoffs and program closures. 10 stocks we like better than Occidental Petroleum › The longer Washington stays closed, the more Wall Street starts to notice. At least, that's the theory most investors subscribe to. After all, ...

The share price of Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV) fell by 7.07% between September 26 and October 3, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. Ovintiv (OVV) Fell This Week. Here is Why. Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV) is a leading North American exploration and production company focused on developing its high-quality, multi-basin portfolio. Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV) suffered a setback this week after JP Morgan analyst Arun Jayaram lowered the stock’s price target from $50 to $47, while maint ...

Group 1 - The share price of Infinity Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE:INR) decreased by 2.41% from September 5 to September 12, 2025, ranking it among the energy stocks that lost the most during that week [1] - Raymond James analyst John Freeman reduced the stock's price target for Infinity Natural Resources from $29 to $23 while maintaining a 'Strong Buy' rating, citing a weaker commodity strip [2] - Keybanc also lowered its price target for Infinity Natural Resources from $24 to $22, keeping an 'Overweight' rating, reflecting revised forecasts for natural gas prices [3]

Group 1 - Altura Energy Corp has issued 346,350 common shares at a deemed price of $0.18 per share to Haywood Securities Inc as compensation for consulting and advisory services [1] - The shares issued are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with Canadian securities laws [1] - The advisory agreement between Altura Energy and Haywood was originally dated February 20, 2025, and amended on April 11, 2025 [1] Group 2 - Altura Energy Corp is an exploration and production company with interests in the Holbrook basin of Arizona [2]

Core Insights - SM Energy is an independent exploration and production firm focused on the Permian Basin, Uinta Basin, and South Texas region, owning approximately 111,000 net acres in the Midland Basin and 63,300 net acres in the Uinta Basin, along with 155,000 net acres in South Texas [1] Financial Performance - SM Energy reported first-quarter 2025 revenues of $844.5 million and net income of $182.3 million, showing significant improvement from the prior-year quarter, driven by increased daily oil production and operational efficiency [3] - The company aims for a 30% increase in oil production and a 20% increase in total production for 2025, which is expected to enhance financial performance [4] Asset Integration - Successful integration of Uinta Basin assets contributed to a 63% increase in daily oil production compared to the first quarter of 2024, with drilling and completion efficiency exceeding expectations [5] - The Uinta Basin wells are expected to contribute to a higher oil mix, particularly in the second half of 2025, driving sustained growth [5] Financial Strategy - SM Energy is strategically using free cash flows to reduce its debt burden, aiming for a leverage ratio of about 1, which will strengthen its balance sheet [6] - The company can generate free cash flows even at a flat $55 per barrel oil price, supporting capital expenditures and prioritizing debt reduction [7] Market Position - Despite strong financial performance, SM Energy's stock has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Exploration and Production industry, with shares falling 36.9% over the past year [8] - The company faces vulnerability to commodity price volatility, with potential adjustments needed if oil prices fall below $55 per barrel [11] Dividend Considerations - SM Energy's current dividend yield lags behind industry peers, as the company prioritizes debt reduction over aggressive shareholder return measures [12]

Offering Details - Altura Energy Corp. closed a brokered private placement offering of 19,855,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $1,985,500 [1][2] - Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant, with warrants exercisable at $0.25 until June 11, 2030 [2] - The offering was conducted by Haywood Securities Inc., which received a cash commission of $138,985 and 1,389,850 compensation options [3] Financial Transactions - The company made a partial repayment of $150,000 to ANB Bank, leaving an outstanding balance of $205,000, to be paid in monthly installments of $10,000 starting September 21, 2025 [4] - The company settled outstanding payables of $231,000 to Jasper Management & Advisory Corp. for $150,000, issuing 1,500,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.10 per share [6] - A proposed debt settlement with Nancy Burke involves issuing 5,266,830 common shares at a deemed price of $0.10 per share, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval [9] Related Party Transactions - Mr. Ian Telfer, a director of the company, subscribed for 1,000,000 units for gross proceeds of $100,000, constituting a related party transaction [5] - The payables settlement with JMAC also qualifies as a related party transaction, as it is controlled by a director of the company [7][8] Advisory Services - The company issued 1,500,000 units to Haywood Securities Inc. for strategic advisory services rendered, at a deemed value of $225,000 [10] Company Overview - Altura Energy Corp. is an exploration and production company with interests in the Holbrook basin of Arizona [11]

Core Insights - The oil and energy sector is characterized by upstream operations being vulnerable to price fluctuations, while midstream activities provide stable fee-based revenues [1] - A comparative analysis between ConocoPhillips (COP) and Enbridge Inc. (ENB) highlights the contrasting business models of exploration and production versus midstream energy [1] Group 1: Enbridge Inc. (ENB) - ENB's business model minimizes commodity price volatility and volume risks through regulated or take-or-pay contracts, which support 98% of its EBITDA [2] - Over 80% of ENB's profits come from activities that allow automatic price or fee increases, ensuring earnings and dividend protection in high inflation [2][3] - ENB operates an extensive transportation network, including 18,085 miles of crude oil and liquids pipelines and 71,308 miles of gas pipelines, transporting 20% of the total natural gas consumed in the U.S. [4][5] - The company has a C$28 billion backlog of secured capital projects, expected to generate incremental cash flows by 2029 [6] Group 2: ConocoPhillips (COP) - The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts lower oil prices for 2025 and 2026, which poses a gloomy outlook for COP, as significant production volumes are crude oil [7] - COP has experienced downward earnings estimate revisions for 2025 and 2026, indicating analysts' concerns about its business environment [8] - The company's tax exposure has increased due to higher profits from countries with elevated tax rates, raising its overall tax rate to about 40% [9] Group 3: Comparative Performance - Over the past year, ENB's stock increased by 35.4%, while COP fell by 25.1%, contrasting with the oil-energy sector's decline of 4.6% [10] - ENB trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio of 15.25, significantly higher than COP's 4.80, indicating a premium valuation for ENB [11]

Core Viewpoint - Altura Energy Corp. is conducting a private placement offering of up to 15,000,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit, aiming for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 [1][5] Group 1: Offering Details - Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant, with the warrant allowing the purchase of one common share at an exercise price of $0.25 for up to sixty months [2] - The company has granted the agent an option to sell an additional 2,250,000 units for up to $225,000 in gross proceeds [3] - The offering will be conducted as a private placement under applicable exemptions from prospectus requirements in Canada and other mutually agreed jurisdictions, excluding the United States [4] Group 2: Closing and Use of Proceeds - The offering is expected to close around June 4, 2025, subject to necessary approvals, including from the TSX Venture Exchange [5] - Net proceeds from the offering will be used to repay existing debt and for working capital and general corporate purposes [6] Group 3: Company Background - Altura Energy Corp. is an exploration and production company with interests in the Holbrook basin of Arizona [8]

Core Viewpoint - The energy sector is facing challenges due to macroeconomic uncertainty and commodity price volatility, but some companies are positioned to potentially exceed earnings expectations, which could positively impact their stock prices in the near term [1]. Sector Snapshot - Oil prices have decreased in Q1 2025, with West Texas Intermediate crude averaging $71.84 per barrel, down from $77.56 in Q1 2024, attributed to soft global demand, rising inventories, and increased non-OPEC+ production [2]. - U.S. natural gas prices have rebounded sharply, averaging $4.15 per MMBtu compared to $2.13 a year ago, driven by colder weather and growing LNG exports [2]. Earnings Expectations - S&P 500 energy firms are projected to report a 12.9% year-over-year decline in earnings and a 0.3% dip in revenues, indicating ongoing pressure on profit margins [3][5]. - This decline is an improvement from the 22.4% earnings drop in Q4 2024, but still reflects significant challenges for oil-centric companies [3][6]. Company Performance Insights - Some energy companies are expected to perform better due to effective cost management, operational efficiency, and a focus on natural gas, which may lead to earnings surprises [4][7]. - Energy Transfer (ET) has an Earnings ESP of +9.23% and a Zacks Rank 3, with earnings scheduled for release on May 6 [11][12]. - MPLX LP also has a +9.23% Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank 3, with earnings set to be released on May 6 [12]. - Pembina Pipeline (PBA) has an Earnings ESP of +2.93% and a Zacks Rank 3, with earnings scheduled for May 8 [13]. - ConocoPhillips (COP) has an Earnings ESP of +2.76% and a Zacks Rank 3, with earnings also scheduled for May 8 [14].

Group 1 - Amplify Energy Corporation (AMPY) has signed a termination agreement with Juniper Capital Advisors, L.P. regarding their merger deal due to extreme market volatility in the energy sector [1] - Juniper Capital Advisors will receive $800,000 in cash as part of the termination agreement, and Amplify Energy has cancelled its planned special stockholder meeting [2] - AMPY plans to provide updates on its business and financial performance during its first-quarter earnings release scheduled for May 12, 2025, focusing on capital allocation and free cash flow projections [3] Group 2 - AMPY currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), while better-ranked stocks in the energy sector include Archrock Inc. (Rank 1), Nine Energy Service, and Kinder Morgan (both Rank 2) [4] - Archrock focuses on midstream natural gas compression services and is expected to see sustained demand due to the role of natural gas in the energy transition [5] - Nine Energy Service provides onshore completion and production services across key U.S. basins and is positioned for growth due to anticipated demand for oil and gas [6] - Kinder Morgan operates a stable midstream business model driven by take-or-pay contracts, which protects it from commodity price volatility, and recently increased its quarterly cash dividend to 29.25 cents, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year [7]