Independent oil & gas exploration and production firm, Cimarex Energy Company XEC reported third-quarter 2015 results after market close on Nov 3. The company incurred a loss of 15 cents per share, which is wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 9 cents. In the third quarter of 2014, the company had reported earnings of $1.53 per share.
    
Yet, shares of the company gained 2.1% to close at $120.72 yesterday.
 

Total Revenues

In the third quarter of 2015, Cimarex Energy’s total revenues of $356.1 million marginally beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $356 million. Reported revenues however slumped from $649.7 million a year ago.

Operational Highlights

In the quarter under review, total production averaged 978.9 million cubic feet equivalent (MMcfe) per day, reflecting a 4% increase year over year. Oil volumes grew 15% year over year to 50.0 thousand barrels per day (MBbls/d), natural gas volumes decreased 1% to 464.3 MMcf, and natural gas liquids (NGL) volumes were up 1% to 35.8 MBbls/d.

Year-over-year realized prices for natural gas, crude oil and NGL averaged $2.68 per thousand cubic feet (down 35%), $41.89 per barrel (down 52%) and $12.19 per barrel (down 64%), respectively, in the reported quarter.

The company brought 56 gross (14 net) wells onstream during the quarter.  At Sep 30, 60 gross (27 net) wells were awaiting completion. Cimarex is currently operating seven drilling rigs.  

Financial Condition

Cimarex Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $899.3 million as of Sep 30, 2015, up from $405.9 million as of Dec 31, 2014. Long-term debt as of Sep 30, 2015, was $1.5 billion, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 30%.

Cimarex Energy's net cash from operating activities during the quarter was $206.0 million compared with $502.2 million in the prior-year period. Cimarex invested $184 million in exploration and development during the third quarter, which was primarily funded with cash flow from operations.  

Guidance

Total production for the fourth quarter of 2015 is projected to average 980–1,010 MMcfe per day. Incorporating the above fourth-quarter guidance, full-year production is now estimated to average 983-991 MMcfe per day, reflecting a mid-point increase of 14% over 2014. Capital investment for exploration and development is estimated at $900–$950 million for 2015, down from the previous guidance of $1.0 billion.

Zacks Rank

Cimarex Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are Natural Gas Services Group Inc. NGS, Seadrill Partners LLC SDLP and Paragon Offshore plc PGN. Each of these stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

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