JPMorgan has initiated protection on Diamondback Power (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:) with an Obese ranking and a brand new price goal of $182, up from the earlier goal of $167.
The agency has shifted from a Not Rated designation to Obese following the shut of Diamondback Power’s $26 billion acquisition of Endeavor. The transaction has positioned Diamondback as the biggest pure-play Permian producer with an in depth stock runway.
Diamondback’s shares have re-rated post-acquisition, and the corporate is anticipated to carry out effectively even in a doubtlessly difficult oil macro setting. This outlook is predicated on its advantageous place on the low finish of the associated fee curve within the Midland Basin, with sub-$45 per barrel dividend protection. Diamondback is acknowledged for its operational excellence in U.S. shale and its ongoing effectivity enhancements within the subject.
In February, throughout the merger, administration supplied a professional forma outlook for 2025, projecting an oil manufacturing of 475 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBo/d) with a capital expenditure of $4.25 billion. This forecast was supported by drilling and completion (D&C) efficiencies and oilfield providers (OFS) prices at the moment, leading to effectively prices of $625 per foot within the Midland Basin.
Diamondback Power has reported roughly 8% year-to-date drilling efficiencies and greater than 15% completion effectivity positive factors in 2024. Moreover, the corporate has elevated lateral lengths by 2.6% in comparison with the earlier information. These effectivity positive factors and powerful effectively productiveness developments might result in a extra capital environment friendly information for 2025 than initially anticipated.
Evaluating Diamondback’s free money circulate (FCF) yields for 2025 and 2026, which stand at 8% for each years, aligns with these of large-cap exploration and manufacturing (E&P) friends and the broader E&P group. JPMorgan means that Diamondback deserves a premium valuation resulting from its main capital effectivity and enhanced stock size following the Endeavor transaction.
In different current information, Diamondback Power has revised its Q3 2024 manufacturing and capital expenditure steerage following its merger with Endeavor Power Sources. The corporate now anticipates producing between 319,000 to 321,000 barrels of oil per day, and capital expenditure is projected to vary from $675 million to $700 million. This up to date steerage displays the impression of the Endeavor merger on Diamondback’s operations.
Moreover, Diamondback has initiated a secondary public providing of 11.27 million shares and a share repurchase of two million shares. Its subsidiary, Viper Power (NASDAQ:), acquired Tumbleweed Royalty belongings for $650 million, additional solidifying its presence within the Permian Basin.
InvestingPro Insights
Diamondback Power’s current acquisition and operational effectivity positive factors, as highlighted within the article, are mirrored within the firm’s monetary metrics and analyst views. In response to InvestingPro information, Diamondback Power boasts a strong income of $8.85 billion over the past twelve months as of Q2 2024, with a notable income development of 11.34% throughout the identical interval. This development aligns with the corporate’s expanded place as the biggest pure-play Permian producer following the Endeavor acquisition.
The corporate’s operational excellence is additional evidenced by its robust profitability metrics. With an working revenue margin of 55.05% and a gross revenue margin of 79.36%, Diamondback Power demonstrates its skill to take care of price effectivity, supporting JPMorgan’s view of the corporate’s advantageous place on the associated fee curve.
InvestingPro Suggestions reveal that Diamondback Power has maintained dividend funds for 7 consecutive years, which is especially related given the article’s point out of the corporate’s sub-$45 per barrel dividend protection. Moreover, the tip indicating that money flows can sufficiently cowl curiosity funds reinforces the corporate’s monetary stability, even in a doubtlessly difficult oil macro setting.
For buyers in search of a deeper understanding of Diamondback Power’s prospects, InvestingPro affords 11 further suggestions, offering a complete analysis of the corporate’s monetary well being and market place.
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