Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Civitas Resources, Northern Oil and Gas, California Resources and Amplify Energy

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – November 8, 2024 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Civitas Resources CIVI, Northern Oil and Gas NOG, California Resources CRC and Amplify Energy AMPY.Industry: U.S. Oil & Gas - E&PLink: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2365990/a-closer-look-at-the-us-upstream-oil-gas-industryThe Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry faces growing headwinds. With potential Republican-led policies encouraging increased domestic production, U.S. output could see a rise, expanding supply and likely softening oil prices. Additionally, China's slowing oil demand, despite government stimulus efforts, may contribute to weaker global prices, especially if OPEC+ production cuts don't offset the lagging demand.Further, rising renewable energy and electric vehicle adoption continue to challenge long-term oil consumption, with countries like China advancing electrification efforts, leading to an earlier-than-expected peak in its oil imports. However, Middle East tensions could push prices up quickly if conflicts threaten critical supply routes. Amid these dynamics, select companies like Civitas Resources, Northern Oil and Gas, California Resources and Amplify Energy stand out, offering solid fundamentals and strategic positioning.About the IndustryThe Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry consists of companies primarily based in the domestic market, focused on the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and natural gas. These firms find hydrocarbon reservoirs, drill oil and gas wells, and produce and sell these materials to be refined later into products such as gasoline, fuel oil, distillate, etc. The economics of oil and gas supply and demand are the fundamental drivers of this industry.In particular, a producer's cash flow is primarily determined by the realized commodity prices. In fact, all E&P companies' results are vulnerable to historically volatile prices in the energy markets. A change in realizations affects their returns and causes them to alter their production growth rates. The E&P operators are also exposed to exploration risks where drilling results are comparatively uncertain.4 Key Trends to Watch in the Oil and Gas - US E&P IndustryPotential Increase in U.S. Oil Production: With the U.S. election results favoring a Republican administration, policies supporting increased hydrocarbon production may be enacted. Such an approach could lead to a significant rise in U.S. oil output, adding to global supply and putting downward pressure on oil prices. Increased domestic production would reduce dependency on foreign oil, potentially leading to a price reduction as supply levels rise.Impact of Weakening Chinese Consumption: China's demand for crude oil remains a key determinant in global oil prices. Although government stimulus measures aim to boost economic growth, recent signs of slower demand growth from China have prompted OPEC+ production cuts. If demand from China does not recover as expected, global oil prices could remain subdued due to a combination of ample supply and restrained demand.Geopolitical Tensions in the Middle East: Escalating conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed forces could disrupt oil supplies if it spreads to critical areas like the Persian Gulf or Straits of Hormuz. Such disruptions could spark sharp price spikes due to potential threats to Iran's oil production or logistical chokepoints. Any intensification of hostilities would heighten supply fears, driving oil prices upward amid increased volatility.Growing Renewables and EVs Threaten Oil Demand: The global shift to renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) presents a long-term challenge for oil demand. While renewable infrastructure growth is gradual, advancing technology and rising EV use are expected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, potentially lowering oil prices. In China, rapid electrification is driving oil demand to peak earlier, with imports at 11.4 million barrels per day in 2023 projected to plateau by 2026 and then decline, furthering the global supply surplus and pressuring prices downward.Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bearish OutlookThe Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry is a 32-stock group within the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #237, which places it in the bottom 6% of more than 250 Zacks industries.The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates challenging near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.The industry's position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are becoming pessimistic about this group's earnings growth potential. While the industry's earnings estimates for 2024 have gone down 27.7% in the past year, the same for 2025 have fallen 26.5% over the same timeframe.Despite the dim near-term prospects of the industry, we will present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio. But it's worth taking a look at the industry's shareholder returns and current valuation first.Industry Underperforms S&P 500 & SectorThe Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry has fared worse than the Zacks S&P 500 composite as well as the broader Zacks Oil – Energy sector over the past year.The industry has moved down 1.8% over this period compared with the broader sector's increase of 5.3%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has gained 32.2%.Industry's Current ValuationSince oil and gas companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the EV/EBITDA (Enterprise Value/ Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. This is because the valuation metric takes into account not just equity but also the level of debt. For capital-intensive companies, EV/EBITDA is a better valuation metric because it is not influenced by changing capital structures and ignores the effect of noncash expenses.On the basis of the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA), the industry is currently trading at 5.99X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 17.30X. It is, however, above the sector's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 3.35X.Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 10.81X, as low as 3.29X, with a median of 5.99X.4 Stocks to ConsiderCivitas Resources: Based in Denver, Civitas Resources focuses on the DJ Basin in Colorado and the Permian Basin across Texas and New Mexico. With strong well returns and a valuable midstream component, Civitas is positioned for growth. The company has become a leading consolidator in the DJ Basin and offers substantial returns to shareholders, with a balanced production mix of 37% oil, 34% NGLs, and 29% natural gas.The 2024 Zacks Consensus Estimate for Civitas Resources indicates 53.1% year-over-year revenue growth. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), the oil and natural gas producer has a market capitalization of $5 billion. CIVI's shares have lost 20.7% in a year.Northern Oil and Gas: Northern Oil and Gas' core operations are focused on three leading basins of the United States — the Williston, Permian and the Appalachian. The upstream operator employs a unique nonoperating business model, which helps it to keep costs down and increase free cash flow.Carrying a Zacks Rank #3, the 2024 Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOG indicates 18.3% year-over-year revenue growth. Northern Oil and Gas delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 13% on average. The company's shares have gone up 15.1% in a year.California Resources: It is a California-based independent oil producer with a strong focus on conventional, shallow oilfields, producing around 60% oil. Alongside its core E&P operations, CRC is expanding into carbon capture and storage. The company actively partners with CO2 emitters to permanently sequester CO2 in its depleted reservoirs, positioning itself as both an energy and carbon management leader in the state.California Resources' expected EPS growth rate for three to five years is currently 11.8%, which compares favorably with the industry's growth rate of 8.3%. CRC delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 13.1% on average. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company's shares have gained 13.4% in a year.Amplify Energy: The Houston, TX-based operator has a strong presence in Oklahoma, Southern California and Texas, and has stakes such as Bairoil in the Rocky Mountains. Amplify Energy's diversified operations — spread over five U.S. basins — mitigates pricing and operational disruptions, while its long-life, long-production assets generate sustainable cash flows.The 2024 Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amplify Energy indicates 3.1% year-over-year revenue growth. With a Zacks Rank of 3, the oil and natural gas producer has a market capitalization of $267.5 million. AMPY's shares have increased 19.6% in a year.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Free: 5 Stocks to Buy As Infrastructure Spending SoarsTrillions of dollars in Federal funds have been earmarked to repair and upgrade America’s infrastructure. In addition to roads and bridges, this flood of cash will pour into AI data centers, renewable energy sources and more.In, you’ll discover 5 surprising stocks positioned to profit the most from the spending spree that’s just getting started in this space.Download How to Profit from the Trillion-Dollar Infrastructure Boom absolutely free today.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NOG): Free Stock Analysis Report California Resources Corporation (CRC): Free Stock Analysis Report Civitas Resources, Inc. (CIVI): Free Stock Analysis Report Amplify Energy Corp. (AMPY): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks