WPX Energy Inc.’s (NYSE:WPX) fourth-quarter 2019 earnings of 10 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 12 cents by 16.7%. However, the bottom line increased a whopping 400% from 2 cents per share reported in the year-ago quarter.
The company reported fourth-quarter GAAP loss of 29 cents against earnings of 83 cents per share in the year-ago period. The difference between GAAP and operating earnings in the reported quarter was primarily due to a one-time loss on derivatives.
Total Revenues
WPX Energy’s quarterly revenues of $443 million lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $640 million by 30.8% and declined 18.6% from the year-ago figure.
Highlights of the Release
Total production in the fourth quarter was 179.1 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (Mboe/d), up 15% year over year. Liquids volumes accounted for nearly 79% of total production, reflecting the company’s increasing focus on oil.
Oil production in the quarter was 111.7 thousand barrels per day (Mbbl/d), which was nearly 16% higher than the year-ago level, courtesy of 34% growth in volumes in the Williston basin over the past 12 months.
Total production in 2019 was 166.9 Mboe/d, which was at the upper end of the guided range of 162-167 Mboe/d for the year.
Total costs and expenses were $573 million, up 15.3% from $497 million in the year-ago quarter.
Interest expenses in the reported quarter were $40 million, on par with the year-ago figure.
The company initiated a program to repurchase up to $400 million shares in the next 24 months, which will further increase WPX Energy’s shareholder value. To date, the company has repurchased $58 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $10.16 per share, retiring 5.7 million shares.
Realized Prices & Hedges
Realized oil prices in the quarter were $53.59 per barrel, up 2.9% from the year-ago level.
Realized natural gas prices were 87 cents per thousand cubic feet, down 54.2% from a year ago. Realized prices for natural gas liquids were down 42.8% from the year-ago quarter to $11.53 per barrel. The substantial decline in natural gas and natural gas liquid prices did not allow the company to enjoy full benefits from increase in total production.
For 2020, WPX Energy has 65,000 barrels per day of oil hedged at a weighted average price of $57.07 per barrel.
Financial Update
Cash and cash equivalents of WPX Energy on Dec 31, 2019 were $60 million compared with $3 million in the corresponding period of 2018.
Its long-term debt on Dec 31, 2019 was $2,202 million, down from $2,485 million at the end of 2018.
Net cash from operating activities in 2019 was $1,257 million compared with $883 million a year ago. During 2019, capital expenditure was $1,357 million compared with $1,476 million in 2018.
Guidance
WPX Energy expects total output for 2020 within 241-256 Mboe/d and oil production in the range of 155-165 Mbbl/d.
Capital expenditure for 2020 is expected in the range of $1,675-$1,800 million. The 2020 capital budget supports 12 rigs in the Delaware Basin. Moreover, the company has three rigs deployed in the Williston Basin.
Post completion of the Felix acquisition, the firm intends to initiate annual dividend per share of 10 cents.
Zacks Rank
Currently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Releases
Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR) reported fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of 16 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 12 cents by 33.3%.
Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE:DVN) reported fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share of 33 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 29 cents by 13.8%.
Panhandle Oil & Gas (NYSE:PHX) came out with quarterly earnings of 23 cents per share against the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 1 cent.
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