We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
CNX to Lower Debts, Buy Back Shares With Asset Sale Proceeds
Read MoreHide Full Article
CNX Resources Corporation (CNX - Free Report) announced that it has entered in an agreement with Ascent Resources-Utica, LLC to sell its 50% interest in Ohio Utica joint venture (JV) assets to the latter for $400 million. CNX Resources’ Utica shale JV was formed with Hess Corporation (HES - Free Report) and the latter, in a separate agreement, decided to sell its 50% interest in the JV to Ascent Resources for $400 million.
This company expects this transaction to close in the third quarter of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments. CNX Resources has plans to utilize the sell proceeds to lower its outstanding debts and continue with ongoing share repurchase program. In addition, the company will try to expand acreage through acquisition, and invest in drilling and completion activities.
The net annual production from the assets earmarked for sell to be nearly 31 Bcfe (billion cubic feet equivalent), resulting in EBITDAX of approximately $50 million.
Revision in Guidance
As a result of divestiture of its Utica Shale interest, CNX Resources expects 2018 production to decline 10 Bcfe at both ends and drop to 490-515 Bcfe. The company expects 2018 EBITAX to drop $15 million to a range of $810-$835 million compared with the prior guided range of $825-$850 million.
For 2019 and 2020 each, CNX Resources expects divestiture of Utica Shale interest to lower total production volume by 20-25 Bcfe and adjusted EBITDAX by $25-$35 million.
Looking Ahead
CNX Resources’ divestiture of Ohio Utica Shale interest will result in increasing focus on its Marcellus Shale holding. However, the company will retain some interest in Southwest and Central Pennsylvania in the Utica Shale.
The sell of assets will allow the company to continue with share buyback program and thereby increase the value of its shareholders. CNX Resources has nearly $250 million remaining on its $450 million share repurchase authorization for 2018.
Future of Natural Gas
Demand and usage of natural gas is rising in the United States due to its clean burning nature, low price and wide availability in the country. A release from U.S. Energy information Administration (EIA) indicates that total consumption of natural gas will increase 7.2% year over year to 79.57 billion cubic feet per day in 2018.
CNX Resources will gain from increased usage of natural gas. The enhanced usage will also create opportunity for further growth of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK - Free Report) and Southwestern Energy Company (SWN - Free Report) , among other natural gas producers in the space.
Price Movement
In the past six months, CNX Resources’ shares have gained 16.7%, outperforming its industry’s growth of 3.9%.
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
Image: Bigstock
CNX to Lower Debts, Buy Back Shares With Asset Sale Proceeds
CNX Resources Corporation (CNX - Free Report) announced that it has entered in an agreement with Ascent Resources-Utica, LLC to sell its 50% interest in Ohio Utica joint venture (JV) assets to the latter for $400 million. CNX Resources’ Utica shale JV was formed with Hess Corporation (HES - Free Report) and the latter, in a separate agreement, decided to sell its 50% interest in the JV to Ascent Resources for $400 million.
This company expects this transaction to close in the third quarter of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments. CNX Resources has plans to utilize the sell proceeds to lower its outstanding debts and continue with ongoing share repurchase program. In addition, the company will try to expand acreage through acquisition, and invest in drilling and completion activities.
The net annual production from the assets earmarked for sell to be nearly 31 Bcfe (billion cubic feet equivalent), resulting in EBITDAX of approximately $50 million.
Revision in Guidance
As a result of divestiture of its Utica Shale interest, CNX Resources expects 2018 production to decline 10 Bcfe at both ends and drop to 490-515 Bcfe. The company expects 2018 EBITAX to drop $15 million to a range of $810-$835 million compared with the prior guided range of $825-$850 million.
For 2019 and 2020 each, CNX Resources expects divestiture of Utica Shale interest to lower total production volume by 20-25 Bcfe and adjusted EBITDAX by $25-$35 million.
Looking Ahead
CNX Resources’ divestiture of Ohio Utica Shale interest will result in increasing focus on its Marcellus Shale holding. However, the company will retain some interest in Southwest and Central Pennsylvania in the Utica Shale.
The sell of assets will allow the company to continue with share buyback program and thereby increase the value of its shareholders. CNX Resources has nearly $250 million remaining on its $450 million share repurchase authorization for 2018.
Future of Natural Gas
Demand and usage of natural gas is rising in the United States due to its clean burning nature, low price and wide availability in the country. A release from U.S. Energy information Administration (EIA) indicates that total consumption of natural gas will increase 7.2% year over year to 79.57 billion cubic feet per day in 2018.
CNX Resources will gain from increased usage of natural gas. The enhanced usage will also create opportunity for further growth of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK - Free Report) and Southwestern Energy Company (SWN - Free Report) , among other natural gas producers in the space.
Price Movement
In the past six months, CNX Resources’ shares have gained 16.7%, outperforming its industry’s growth of 3.9%.
Zacks Rank
CNX Resources Corporation currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>