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.
Encana (ECA) Extends Hot Streak As Q1 Earnings Top Estimates
Read MoreHide Full Article
Encana Corporation continued its trend of beating expectations and posted strong first-quarter 2019 profits. The Canadian oil and natural gas producer reported operating earnings of 14 cents per share, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 10 cents. Encana delivered its sixth earnings beat in as many quarters on the back of increased production volumes and higher oil price realizations.
However, the bottom line fell from the year ago income of 16 cents a share due to lower natural gas sales price.
Meanwhile, quarterly revenues of $1.2 billion decreased 6% from first-quarter 2018 sales of $1.3 billion but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4%.
Encana Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
A few years back, natural gas accounted for around 95% Encana’s output. However, the company successfully repositioned its asset base and transitioned to the more profitable crude over a couple of years. As a proof, in the quarter under review, natural gas accounted for around 48% of its total production.
Total first-quarter production (Encana plus Newfield combined) came in at 566,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) compared with 500,900 BOE/d in the prior-year period. Natural gas production increased 11.4% year over year to 1,644 million cubic feet per day and liquids production rose 14.8% to 292,700 BOE/d. Production growths from its core assets— Permian, Anadarko and Montney—enabled the firm to deliver impressive year-over-year results. In fact, first quarter output from these properties rose more than 20% year over year to 443,300 BOE/d.
Encana's realized natural gas price was $2.66 per thousand cubic feet compared with the year-ago level of $2.94. However, realized oil price rose to $57.34 per barrel from $55.74 in the first quarter of 2018.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased to $1.5 billion from the year-ago figure of $976 million. The rise is primarily attributed to an increase in depreciation transportation and operating costs, along with higher purchased products outlay.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
Encana’s cash from operating activities in the quarter under review came in at $529 million, recording an increase from the year-ago figure of $381 million. The company's capital investments during the quarter were $736 million, up from $508 million in the year-ago quarter. The higher capital expenditure meant that the company posted negative free cash flow of $314 million.
As of Mar 31, 2019, Encana had cash and cash equivalents were $479 million, and long-term debt was $6.3 billion. The debt-to-capitalization ratio came in at 37.8%.
Guidance Affirmed
Encana, which completed the acquisition of Newfield Exploration Company in February, reiterated its 2019 capital expenditure guidance of $2.7-$2.9 billion. Of the total, three-fourths will be dedicated toward the firm’s three core plays (Permian, Montney and Anadarko). Encana sees 15% liquids production growth from these regions.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Encana holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Apart from Encana, investors interested in the the energy space could look at some other options like ProPetro Holding Corp. (PUMP - Free Report) , Apache Corporation (APA - Free Report) and TransCanada Corporation (TRP - Free Report) that also sport a Zacks Rank #2.
The 2019 Zacks Consensus Estimate for Midland, TX-based ProPetro is $2.53, representing some 26.5% earnings per share growth over 2018. Next year’s average forecast is $2.80 pointing to another 10.5% growth.
Apache has a 100% track of outperforming estimates over the last four quarters at an average rate of 31.1%.
TransCanada has a 100% track of outperforming estimates over the last four quarters at an average rate of 14.8%.
Radical New Technology Creates $12.3 Trillion Opportunity
Imagine buying Microsoft stock in the early days of personal computers… or Motorola after it released the world’s first cell phone. These technologies changed our lives and created massive profits for investors.
Today, we’re on the brink of the next quantum leap in technology. 7 innovative companies are leading this “4th Industrial Revolution” - and early investors stand to earn the biggest profits.
Image: Bigstock
Encana (ECA) Extends Hot Streak As Q1 Earnings Top Estimates
Encana Corporation continued its trend of beating expectations and posted strong first-quarter 2019 profits. The Canadian oil and natural gas producer reported operating earnings of 14 cents per share, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 10 cents. Encana delivered its sixth earnings beat in as many quarters on the back of increased production volumes and higher oil price realizations.
However, the bottom line fell from the year ago income of 16 cents a share due to lower natural gas sales price.
Meanwhile, quarterly revenues of $1.2 billion decreased 6% from first-quarter 2018 sales of $1.3 billion but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4%.
Encana Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Encana Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Encana Corporation Quote
Production and Prices
A few years back, natural gas accounted for around 95% Encana’s output. However, the company successfully repositioned its asset base and transitioned to the more profitable crude over a couple of years. As a proof, in the quarter under review, natural gas accounted for around 48% of its total production.
Total first-quarter production (Encana plus Newfield combined) came in at 566,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) compared with 500,900 BOE/d in the prior-year period. Natural gas production increased 11.4% year over year to 1,644 million cubic feet per day and liquids production rose 14.8% to 292,700 BOE/d. Production growths from its core assets— Permian, Anadarko and Montney—enabled the firm to deliver impressive year-over-year results. In fact, first quarter output from these properties rose more than 20% year over year to 443,300 BOE/d.
Encana's realized natural gas price was $2.66 per thousand cubic feet compared with the year-ago level of $2.94. However, realized oil price rose to $57.34 per barrel from $55.74 in the first quarter of 2018.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased to $1.5 billion from the year-ago figure of $976 million. The rise is primarily attributed to an increase in depreciation transportation and operating costs, along with higher purchased products outlay.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
Encana’s cash from operating activities in the quarter under review came in at $529 million, recording an increase from the year-ago figure of $381 million. The company's capital investments during the quarter were $736 million, up from $508 million in the year-ago quarter. The higher capital expenditure meant that the company posted negative free cash flow of $314 million.
As of Mar 31, 2019, Encana had cash and cash equivalents were $479 million, and long-term debt was $6.3 billion. The debt-to-capitalization ratio came in at 37.8%.
Guidance Affirmed
Encana, which completed the acquisition of Newfield Exploration Company in February, reiterated its 2019 capital expenditure guidance of $2.7-$2.9 billion. Of the total, three-fourths will be dedicated toward the firm’s three core plays (Permian, Montney and Anadarko). Encana sees 15% liquids production growth from these regions.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Encana holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Apart from Encana, investors interested in the the energy space could look at some other options like ProPetro Holding Corp. (PUMP - Free Report) , Apache Corporation (APA - Free Report) and TransCanada Corporation (TRP - Free Report) that also sport a Zacks Rank #2.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The 2019 Zacks Consensus Estimate for Midland, TX-based ProPetro is $2.53, representing some 26.5% earnings per share growth over 2018. Next year’s average forecast is $2.80 pointing to another 10.5% growth.
Apache has a 100% track of outperforming estimates over the last four quarters at an average rate of 31.1%.
TransCanada has a 100% track of outperforming estimates over the last four quarters at an average rate of 14.8%.
Radical New Technology Creates $12.3 Trillion Opportunity
Imagine buying Microsoft stock in the early days of personal computers… or Motorola after it released the world’s first cell phone. These technologies changed our lives and created massive profits for investors.
Today, we’re on the brink of the next quantum leap in technology. 7 innovative companies are leading this “4th Industrial Revolution” - and early investors stand to earn the biggest profits.
See the 7 breakthrough stocks now>>