Concho Resources Inc. (NYSE:) reported net income per share (excluding special items) of 61 cents, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents and significantly below the prior-year period’s $1.42. The underperformance can be attributed to lower commodity price.
However, the Permian-focused player generated revenues of $1.1 billion, topping the consensus mark by 2.9% due to higher-than-anticipated production volumes. Precisely, the upstream player’s output of 329,803 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 323,541 Boe/d. The top line, though, fell 6.5% from the year-ago level.
As part of its efforts to improve costs and margins, the Midland, TX-based oil and gas producer managed to lower its drilling, completion and equipment costs in the third quarter to $955 per feet, down from $1,023 and $1,355 in the first and second quarters, respectively.
Concho Resources Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Concho Resources Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Concho Resources Inc. Quote
Volume Analysis
Concho's average quarterly volume increased 15.1% year over year to 329,803 Boe/d (62.4% oil). Total output exceeded the high end of the firm’s forecasted range of 316,000-322,000 Boe/d.
Daily oil output increased 11.6% to 205,870 barrels and production totaled 743,598 thousand cubic feet (Mcf), up 21.4% year over year. The 2018 acquisition of RSP Permian led to the expansion of its position in Midland and Delaware Basins, thereby attributing to the production rise.
Realized Prices (Excluding Derivatives Effect)
The average realized natural gas price decreased from $4.18 per Mcf in the year-ago quarter to $1.34. Average oil price realization came in at $54.01 per barrel, lower than $56.38 in the year-ago period. Overall, the company fetched $36.74 per Boe compared with $45.23 a year ago.
Operating Performance
Operating expenses in the quarter slumped 79.3% to $293 million, resulting in operating income of $822 million against a loss of $225 million in the year-ago period. Derivative gains and asset sale proceeds resulted in the significant reduction in total costs. Meanwhile, its production, exploration & depreciation, as well as gathering, processing & transportation expenses marked an increase on a year-over-year basis.
Dividend & Balance Sheet
Concho declared a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents a share, payable on Dec 20, 2019 to its shareholders of record as of Nov 8.
As of Sep 30, Concho had a long-term debt of $4.3 billion, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 19%.
Guidance
Production for the fourth quarter is expected within 318,000-325,000 Boe/d, including the impact of its planned New Mexico property disposition. Concho expects oil to constitute 64% of total production. Concho expects 2019 oil output to grow 22-26% y/y. Full-year capex budget is forecasted to be between $2.8 billion and $3 billion.
Zacks Rank & Stock Picks
Concho Resources holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked players in the energy space could look at some better options like TC Energy (TSX:) , Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:) and Crescent Point Energy Corp. (TSX:) that sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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