Off-market, non-dilutive transactions add approximately 16,000 net acres and significant inventoryHouston, TX, Aug. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prairie Operating Co. (Nasdaq: PROP) (the “Company,” “Prairie,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) – an independent energy company engaged in the development and acquisition of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (“NGL”) resources in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin – today announced the closing of two previously announced bolt-on acquisitions, further strengthening the Co ...

Industry Overview - The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry includes companies involved in upstream and midstream energy businesses, focusing on oil and natural gas exploration and production, as well as transportation and refining activities [3] - The upstream business is closely linked to oil and gas prices, with midstream assets generating stable fee-based revenues [3] Current Trends - The pricing environment for crude oil is expected to soften significantly, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration projecting the West Texas Intermediate spot average price at $62.33 per barrel for this year, down from $76.60 the previous year, which will negatively impact upstream operations [4] - A slowdown in oil production growth is occurring due to shareholder demands for capital returns over production expansion, leading to reduced revenues as upstream operations rely heavily on volume [5] - Growing demand for renewable energy is creating uncertainty for integrated energy firms, as the shift towards solar and wind energy is expected to decrease reliance on fossil fuels [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 204, placing it in the bottom 17% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a bearish outlook [7][8] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector and the S&P 500, declining by 12.9% compared to a 0.3% gain for the sector and a 12.9% increase for the S&P 500 [10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 4.79X, lower than the S&P 500's 17.49X but slightly higher than the sector's 4.78X [14] - Historically, the industry has traded between 3.36X and 14.40X over the past five years, with a median of 5.10X [14] Notable Companies - ConocoPhillips (COP) has a strong production outlook with lower debt exposure, positioning it well to handle adverse business conditions [17] - Occidental Petroleum (OXY) has a significant presence in key shale plays and achieved a reserve replacement rate of 230% in 2024 [20] - National Fuel Gas (NFG) is focused on developing resources in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays and has a long history of dividend payments [23] - Epsilon Energy (EPSN) is well-positioned to benefit from clean energy demand, with stable cash flows and no debt [26]

Core Viewpoint - Devon Energy Corporation (DVN) has shown a year-to-date stock gain of 1.6%, contrasting with a 22.8% decline in the Zacks Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry and a 1.3% decline in the broader Zacks Oil and Energy sector [1] Performance Analysis - Over the past year, DVN's stock has declined by 32.7%, indicating a gradual recovery path, while Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) experienced a 31.7% decline [2] - Devon Energy's return on invested capital (ROIC) stands at 8.71%, outperforming the industry average of 7.33% [15] Factors Contributing to Performance - The company benefits from a well-balanced commodity mix, focusing on oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, with a production replacement rate of 154% in 2024 [7] - DVN has a diversified, multi-basin portfolio of high-margin oil and gas assets, enhancing its asset base through strategic acquisitions [8] - The acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy's Williston Basin assets expanded net acreage from 123,000 to 430,000 acres, expected to triple production from 50,000 to 150,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) [9] - A low-cost operating model supports profitability, with ongoing efforts to reduce drilling and completion expenses and streamline the workforce [10] Earnings Performance - DVN has reported strong earnings results, with an average earnings surprise of 6.09% over the last four quarters, despite missing expectations in the most recent quarter [12][13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DVN's earnings per share for 2025 and 2026 has declined by 15.23% and 18.2%, respectively, in the past 60 days [17] Valuation - Devon Energy's shares are currently trading at a trailing 12-month Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA TTM) of 3.61X, significantly lower than the industry average of 9.39X, indicating an inexpensive valuation [20] Summary - Devon Energy's multi-basin assets and balanced exposure to various commodities contribute positively to its performance, with a better return than the industry and an attractive valuation [21]

Top executives and analysts are interested in consistent earnings growth, which signifies a company’s profitability. However, earnings acceleration has an even greater effect on increasing stock prices. Studies indicate that successful stocks experience an acceleration in earnings before a rise in stock value. To that end, Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) , Unity Software Inc. (U) and Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) are exhibiting strong earnings acceleration this month. What is Earnings Acceleration? Ear ...