SM Energy reports Q3 adjusted EPS $1.73, consensus $1.53

Reports Q3 revenue $640.9M, consensus $608.04M. Production for the third quarter 2023 was 14.1 MMBoe, or 153.7 MBoe/d, at 44% oil, which exceeded guidance and was driven largely by accelerated new wells in South Texas as a result of faster drilling and completion times. CEO Herb Vogel comments: “We are pleased to announce the 20% increase in our annual fixed dividend policy. Our capital return framework is intended to deliver a sustainable dividend, augmented by the potential for share price appreciation realized through stock repurchases. For the first nine months of 2023, we have allocated 74% of Adjusted free cash flow to capital returns to stockholders while maintaining leverage at 0.7 times and adding more than 29,000 net acres in the Midland Basin. Our keen focus on operational execution, building our top tier inventory and maintaining and improving our balance sheet strength, position us to continue to create long-term value.”