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Gulfport (GPOR) Q3 Earnings Top Estimates on Higher Output
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Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR - Free Report) recently reported third-quarter adjusted net income per share of 49 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35 cents. The bottom line also jumped from the prior-year level of 32 cents. Surging production has helped the company to boost its earnings per share.
Revenues of $361 million came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top line improved from the year-ago figure of $265.5 million on higher natural gas realizations.
Gulfport Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Gulfport’s total oil and gas production increased to 1,427.5 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) from 1,199.6 MMcfe/d recorded in the corresponding period of last year. Of the total output, 89.1% comprised natural gas.
The company recorded improved year-over-year production from Utica and SCOOP plays in the quarter. Output from Utica and SCOOP totaled 104,975 MMcfe and 25,259 MMcfe, respectively, in the third quarter of 2018. Nearly 79.9% of its output came from the Utica acreage.
Increased Realized Prices
Average realized natural gas oil price (before the impact of derivatives) during the third quarter was $2.32 per Mcf, higher than the year-ago period’s $2.28. Average realized natural gas liquids price was 74 cents per gallon, up from the year-ago quarter’s 57 cents. Gulfport fetched $68.73 per barrel of oil during the quarter, up from the year-ago figure of $45.90.
Expenses
Total expenses in the quarter under review amounted to $247.4 million, reflecting an increase from $215 million in the third quarter of 2017. This is mainly attributed to increased depreciation and midstream gathering/processing charges incurred in the reported quarter.
While depreciation costs rose 12.4% to stand at $119.9 million, midstream gathering/processing expenses scaled up 13.8% to $78.9 million.
Capex, Balance Sheet & Stock Buyback
In the reported quarter, Gulfport spent $154.6 million on drilling and completion, as well as capital expenditure. As of Sep 30, 2018, the natural gas-weighted energy explorer had approximately $124.6 million in cash and cash equivalents. Gulfport had a long-term debt of $2,100.8 million, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of around 39%.
On a year-to-date basis, the company repurchased 10.5 million shares at an average price of $10.47, with total share buyback worth more than $109.9 million.
Guidance
Gulfport expects its 2018 capital expenditure to be around $815 million, of which $685 million is expected to be allotted for drilling and completion. The company now anticipates its output in the range of 1,360-1,370 MMcfe/d versus prior guidance of 1,320-1,340 MMcfe/d. The increase reflects a 25-26% production growth from 2017’s average daily net production figure of 1,089.2 MMcfe. Strong production in the first nine months enabled the company to increase its full year guidance.
Of the total expected output, around 89% is anticipated to be natural gas. The company expects its natural gas differentials in the range of 58-61 cents in 2018.
Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
Currently, Oklahoma City, OK-based Gulfport has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Investors interested in the energy sector can also opt for other top-ranked stocks given below:
El Dorado, AR-based Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR - Free Report) carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company’s sales for 2018 are expected to grow more than 20% from 2017.
Brazilian state-run Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. or Petrobras (PBR - Free Report) has a Zacks Rank #2. Its earnings for 2018 are expected to surge more than 100% from the 2017 level.
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Gulfport (GPOR) Q3 Earnings Top Estimates on Higher Output
Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR - Free Report) recently reported third-quarter adjusted net income per share of 49 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35 cents. The bottom line also jumped from the prior-year level of 32 cents. Surging production has helped the company to boost its earnings per share.
Revenues of $361 million came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top line improved from the year-ago figure of $265.5 million on higher natural gas realizations.
Gulfport Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Gulfport Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Gulfport Energy Corporation Quote
Production Rises
Gulfport’s total oil and gas production increased to 1,427.5 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) from 1,199.6 MMcfe/d recorded in the corresponding period of last year. Of the total output, 89.1% comprised natural gas.
The company recorded improved year-over-year production from Utica and SCOOP plays in the quarter. Output from Utica and SCOOP totaled 104,975 MMcfe and 25,259 MMcfe, respectively, in the third quarter of 2018. Nearly 79.9% of its output came from the Utica acreage.
Increased Realized Prices
Average realized natural gas oil price (before the impact of derivatives) during the third quarter was $2.32 per Mcf, higher than the year-ago period’s $2.28. Average realized natural gas liquids price was 74 cents per gallon, up from the year-ago quarter’s 57 cents. Gulfport fetched $68.73 per barrel of oil during the quarter, up from the year-ago figure of $45.90.
Expenses
Total expenses in the quarter under review amounted to $247.4 million, reflecting an increase from $215 million in the third quarter of 2017. This is mainly attributed to increased depreciation and midstream gathering/processing charges incurred in the reported quarter.
While depreciation costs rose 12.4% to stand at $119.9 million, midstream gathering/processing expenses scaled up 13.8% to $78.9 million.
Capex, Balance Sheet & Stock Buyback
In the reported quarter, Gulfport spent $154.6 million on drilling and completion, as well as capital expenditure. As of Sep 30, 2018, the natural gas-weighted energy explorer had approximately $124.6 million in cash and cash equivalents. Gulfport had a long-term debt of $2,100.8 million, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of around 39%.
On a year-to-date basis, the company repurchased 10.5 million shares at an average price of $10.47, with total share buyback worth more than $109.9 million.
Guidance
Gulfport expects its 2018 capital expenditure to be around $815 million, of which $685 million is expected to be allotted for drilling and completion. The company now anticipates its output in the range of 1,360-1,370 MMcfe/d versus prior guidance of 1,320-1,340 MMcfe/d. The increase reflects a 25-26% production growth from 2017’s average daily net production figure of 1,089.2 MMcfe. Strong production in the first nine months enabled the company to increase its full year guidance.
Of the total expected output, around 89% is anticipated to be natural gas. The company expects its natural gas differentials in the range of 58-61 cents in 2018.
Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
Currently, Oklahoma City, OK-based Gulfport has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Investors interested in the energy sector can also opt for other top-ranked stocks given below:
Fort Worth, TX-based Range Resources Corporation (RRC - Free Report) holds a Zacks Rank #2. The company’s earnings for 2018 are expected to surge more than 100% year over year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
El Dorado, AR-based Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR - Free Report) carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company’s sales for 2018 are expected to grow more than 20% from 2017.
Brazilian state-run Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. or Petrobras (PBR - Free Report) has a Zacks Rank #2. Its earnings for 2018 are expected to surge more than 100% from the 2017 level.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>