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Hess (HES) Surpasses Earnings and Revenue Estimates in Q2

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Hess Corporation (HES - Free Report) reported adjusted second-quarter 2017 loss from continuing operations of 23 cents per share, which is narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 32 cents. The figure was substantially narrower than the loss of $1.46 in the year-ago quarter.

Revenues increased 27.5% year over year to $1,566 million from $1,228 million. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,464 million.
 

Hess Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Hess Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Hess Corporation Quote

Higher realized oil and natural gas prices, rise in throughput volumes along with plunge in operating expenses supported second-quarter numbers. This was partially offset by lower production.

Q2 Operational Performance

In the reported quarter, the company’s Exploration and Production (E&P) business posted adjusted income of $21 million, against the loss of $354 million in the prior-year quarter.

Quarterly hydrocarbon production totaled 265 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOE/d), which declined 11.7% year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 255 MBOE/d.

Crude oil production was 133 thousand barrels per day compared with 177 thousand barrels per day in the year-ago quarter. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 120 thousand barrels per day. Natural gas liquids production totaled 40 thousand barrels against 42 thousand barrels in the prior-year quarter and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37.39 thousand barrels. Natural gas output was 553 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) compared with 487 Mcf in the prior-year quarter. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 529 Mcf.

Worldwide crude oil realization per barrel of $62.65 (including the impact of hedging) increased 36.3% year over year. Worldwide natural gas prices rose 29.2% year over year to $4.12 per Mcf and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.01 per Mcf. Worldwide natural gas liquid prices increased 38.1% year over year to $20.51 per barrel but lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21.53 per barrel.

Midstream: The company generated profits of $30 million, significantly higher than $16 million in the April-to-June quarter of 2017. Rise in throughput volumes primarily contributed to the segment’s profits.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the first quarter totaled $288 million, down more than 23% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $374 million.

Financials

Quarterly net cash flow from operations was $425 million at the end of the quarter. Hess’ capital expenditures declined 0.6% to $525 million from $528 million in the prior-year quarter.

As of Jun 30, the company had approximately $2,908 million in cash and $6,352 million in long-term debt. The debt-to-capitalization ratio at the end of the quarter was 37.7%.

Q2 Price Performance  

During the second quarter, Hess’ shares gained 32.1% compared with the industry’s 19.7% rise.



 

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Currently, Hess carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

A few better-ranked players in the same sector are ConocoPhillips (COP - Free Report) and China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation , also known as Sinopec, and CVR Refining, LP . All these stocks flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

ConocoPhillips, based in Houston, TX, is a major global exploration and production (E&P) company. It pulled off an average positive earnings surprise of 226.9% in the last four quarters.

Sinopec is one of the largest petroleum and petrochemical companies in Asia. The company delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 492.8% in the trailing four quarters.

Sugar Land, TX-based CVR Refining is an independent downstream energy partnership with refining and associated logistics properties in the Midcontinent United States. The company delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 7.05% in the last four quarters.

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