Devon Shares Rise 12.8% in a Month: Good Time to Buy the Stock?

Devon Energy Corporation’s DVN shares have gained 12.8% in a month, outperforming the Zacks Oil & Gas- Exploration and Production- United States industry’s return of 9.7% and the broader Zacks Oil and Energy sector’s decline of 6.5%.Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.The competitive oil and gas industry and fluctuating oil and gas prices are posing challenges to the company.While the one-month performance paints a positive picture for investors, looking at the last one-year performance is crucial for a fuller understanding. DVN’s stock has declined 11% in the past year, suggesting that it is on a gradual path to recovery. Another stock from the same industry, EQT Corporation EQT, registered a 34.8% decline in share price in the past year.DVN’s Price Performance (One Month)Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDevon stock is trading above its 50-day simple moving average (SMA), signaling a bullish trend.DVN’s 50-Day SMAImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe 50-day SMA is a key indicator for traders and analysts to identify support and resistance levels. It is considered particularly important as it is the first marker of a stock’s uptrend or downtrend.Should you consider adding DVN stock to your portfolio only based on positive price movements? Let’s delve deeper and find out factors that can help investors decide whether it is a good entry point to add DVN stock to their portfolio.Multi-Basin Asset Aids DVN StockDevon Energy’s multi-basin portfolio and focus on high-quality assets continue to boost its production. Strategic acquisitions and divestitures of non-core assets enable the company to concentrate on core assets.Devon completed the acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy, adding a high-margin production mix that enhances Devon’s position as one of the largest producers in the United States. This acquisition is expected to triple the total production volume to 150,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) from 50,000 Boe/d earlier expected from Williston Basin.Devon Energy possesses assets that can deliver sustainable production for many years into the future and provide reliable and affordable energy to its customers. The assets currently owned by Devon can sustain the production levels for more than 10 years. The ongoing exploration activities continue to replenish production volumes and add new reserves.Devon’s Low-Cost Operation Boosts MarginDevon’s low-cost operation boosts its margins. Devon is also working to reduce its drilling and completion costs and is aligning personnel with the go-forward business.Devon also has a diverse commodity mix, with a balanced exposure to oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production volumes. The company continues to evaluate opportunities to add more high-quality resources to its portfolio.Due to cost management, production costs, including taxes, averaged $11.39 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024, a decline of 7% from the prior period. The cost savings will continue to boost the company’s margins.DVN Stock’s Earnings SurpriseThe company’s earnings in the last four reported quarters were better than estimates. Devon reported an average positive earnings surprise of 4.99% in the last four quarters.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDevon Stock Returns Better Than IndustryDevon’s return on invested capital (ROIC) has outperformed the industry average in the trailing 12 months. ROIC of DVN was 8.16% compared with the industry average of 6.4%. The ROIC measures how well a company generates returns on the money it invests. ROIC is a key indicator of a company's profitability and operational efficiency. The ROIC of the company indicates that it is investing money more efficiently than its peers in the industry.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDevon’s Shares Are Trading at a DiscountDevon’s shares are inexpensive on a relative basis, with its current trailing 12-month Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA TTM) being 4.41X compared with its industry average of 7.31X.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDevon’s Earnings Estimates DeclineThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Devon’s 2024 and 2025 earnings per share has decreased by 2.07% and 5.62%, respectively, in the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDevon in a NutshellDevon has a balanced exposure to oil, natural gas and NGL production, and its low-cost production structure boosts its margins. The contribution from its multi-basin assets generates free cash flow and assists the company in strengthening its balance sheet and increasing the value of its shareholders.Devon is a high-quality stock with a strong ROIC and is trading at a discount. However, due to its declining earnings estimate, investors should wait for a better entry point.Those who already own this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock would do well to retain it in their portfolio.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Free: 5 Stocks to Buy As Infrastructure Spending SoarsTrillions of dollars in Federal funds have been earmarked to repair and upgrade America’s infrastructure. 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