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SM Energy Company (SM)
NYSE:SM
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SM Energy (SM) AI Stock Analysis

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SM

SM Energy

(NYSE:SM)

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Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$32.00
â–²(23.22% Upside)
Action:Reiterated
Date:06/02/26
The score is held back primarily by weaker TTM fundamentals—sharp margin compression, higher leverage, and negative free cash flow. Offsetting this, the latest earnings call and recent corporate actions point to improved operating execution, upgraded production guidance with steady CapEx, and active deleveraging, while technicals are supportive longer-term but mixed near-term and valuation appears elevated versus recent profitability.
Positive Factors
Production Growth & Upgraded Guidance
An upgraded 2026 production midpoint with steady capital guidance indicates improved operational leverage and execution. Sustained higher volumes at controlled CapEx supports durable revenue and cash flow expansion, improving long-term ability to service debt and fund returns as synergies mature.
Negative Factors
Compressed Profitability
A sharp fall in net margins signals reduced returns on production and capital; if commodity or cost pressures persist, margins could remain depressed. Lower profitability restrains retained earnings and weakens the long-term ability to rebuild ROE and organic capital buffers.
Read all positive and negative factors
Positive Factors
Negative Factors
Production Growth & Upgraded Guidance
An upgraded 2026 production midpoint with steady capital guidance indicates improved operational leverage and execution. Sustained higher volumes at controlled CapEx supports durable revenue and cash flow expansion, improving long-term ability to service debt and fund returns as synergies mature.
Read all positive factors

SM Energy (SM) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

SM Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description
SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. As of February 24, 2022, it had 492.0 million barrels of oil...
How the Company Makes Money
SM Energy makes money primarily by producing and selling crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs from its operated and non-operated wells. Revenue is generated based on (1) production volumes and (2) realized commodity prices, which reflect benchmark mar...

SM Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 06, 2026
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Aug 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed a strongly positive operational and strategic narrative: rapid and above‑plan synergy capture, production beating guidance and an upgraded full‑year production midpoint, meaningful debt reduction and credit upgrades, and multiple basin‑level efficiency gains. Near‑term negatives were limited to one‑time integration cash costs (~$180M), modest adjusted free cash flow in Q1 ($20M) driven by those costs, and GAAP volatility from hedge mark‑to‑market adjustments. Management emphasized capital discipline and returning capital via buybacks as leverage improves. Overall, highlights significantly outweigh the lowlights.
Positive Updates
Merger Integration and Synergy Outperformance
Closed the Civitas merger Jan 30 and captured approximately $300 million of merger synergies in ~100 days, raising the year-end synergy target to $375 million (nearly 2x the original target). Management estimates a present value of synergies of ~ $1.8 billion, up from prior $1.0–$1.5 billion.
Negative Updates
Modest Adjusted Free Cash Flow in Q1
Adjusted free cash flow was only $20 million in Q1, constrained by approximately $180 million of one‑time integration and transaction cash costs incurred in the quarter.
Read all updates
Q1-2026 Updates
Negative
Merger Integration and Synergy Outperformance
Closed the Civitas merger Jan 30 and captured approximately $300 million of merger synergies in ~100 days, raising the year-end synergy target to $375 million (nearly 2x the original target). Management estimates a present value of synergies of ~ $1.8 billion, up from prior $1.0–$1.5 billion.
Read all positive updates
Company Guidance
SM raised its 2026 production outlook while holding CapEx steady: full‑year BOE production midpoint was increased from 410,000 to 420,000 BOE/day (oil midpoint from 221,000 to 225,000 bbls/day), full‑year capital guidance remains $2.65–$2.85 billion, and management expects a second‑half run rate of ~430,000 BOE/day and ~238,000 bbls/day of oil; Q1 results included production of 371,000 BOE/day (190,000 bbls oil/day), capital of $672 million, adjusted EBITDAX of $970 million, adjusted net income of $309 million ($1.55/sh), and adjusted free cash flow of $20 million despite ~$180 million of one‑time integration costs; merger synergies realized are ~ $300 million with a year‑end target of $375 million (PV ~ $1.8 billion), South Texas proceeds were ~ $900 million applied to debt, absolute debt cut by ~ $700 million since January with pro‑forma leverage in the low‑1x area, a $5 billion borrowing base was reaffirmed, Uinta cash production margin is nearly $40/bbl, completion efficiencies improved (Permian +4% vs. 2025, DJ simul‑frac +25% vs. zipper, South Texas +6%), and the company is maintaining a disciplined hedging posture (~50% rolling protection) while planning to commence buybacks in Q2 as free cash flow and leverage permit.

SM Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Revenue growth remains strong, but TTM profitability has compressed sharply, leverage has risen (debt roughly in line with equity), and free cash flow is negative despite solid operating cash flow—creating a more mixed financial profile than prior years.
Income Statement
62
Positive
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
Cash Flow
48
Neutral
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.79B3.15B2.67B2.36B3.35B2.60B
Gross Profit1.71B1.00B1.23B1.11B2.12B1.32B
EBITDA2.06B2.21B1.92B1.70B2.12B980.91M
Net Income130.73M648.00M770.29M817.88M1.11B36.23M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets19.14B9.25B8.58B6.38B5.72B5.23B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments449.00M368.00M0.00616.16M445.00M332.72M
Total Debt6.74B2.30B2.84B1.62B1.61B2.11B
Total Liabilities12.28B4.44B4.34B2.76B2.63B3.17B
Stockholders Equity6.87B4.81B4.24B3.62B3.09B2.06B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-225.60M573.00M-1.63B475.05M806.47M481.61M
Operating Cash Flow2.17B2.01B1.78B1.57B1.69B1.16B
Investing Cash Flow-1.67B-1.47B-3.41B-1.10B-880.26M-667.24M
Financing Cash Flow-51.83M-175.00M1.01B-304.54M-693.86M-159.83M

SM Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price25.97
Price Trends
50DMA
30.68
Positive
100DMA
26.63
Positive
200DMA
24.11
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.78
Positive
RSI
51.89
Neutral
STOCH
67.92
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SM, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 25.97 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 32.31, below the 50-day MA of 30.68, and above the 200-day MA of 24.11, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.78 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 51.89 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 67.92 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SM.

SM Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$3.07B5.2532.67%―49.58%―
67
Neutral
$2.95B9.9226.86%9.94%54.86%37.42%
65
Neutral
$15.17B7.614.09%5.20%3.87%-62.32%
61
Neutral
$8.14B28.332.49%4.38%27.35%-66.88%
58
Neutral
$4.03B-13.30-6.06%5.78%18.27%-67.80%
50
Neutral
$2.31B-3.32-29.09%8.18%-6.81%-197.47%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SM
SM Energy
32.21
8.17
33.98%
NOG
Northern Oil And Gas
20.98
-5.90
-21.94%
BSM
Black Stone Minerals
13.89
1.39
11.09%
GPOR
Gulfport Energy
168.06
-22.96
-12.02%
CRGY
Crescent Energy Company Class A
11.54
2.91
33.72%

SM Energy Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
SM Energy Fully Redeems 2026 Senior Notes, Streamlining Debt
Positive
Jun 1, 2026
On June 1, 2026, SM Energy Company redeemed in full the outstanding $419.235 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.75% Senior Notes due 2026, paying the principal plus accrued and unpaid interest in accordance with its governing indenture do...
Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
SM Energy Updates Executive Pay and Governance Framework
Positive
May 22, 2026
On May 21, 2026, SM Energy’s board amended and restated a change-of-control executive severance agreement for President and CEO Elizabeth A. McDonald, effective January 30, 2026, significantly detailing cash and benefits she would receive up...
Business Operations and Strategy
SM Energy Redeems 2026 Senior Notes, Simplifies Capital Structure
Positive
May 12, 2026
On May 11, 2026, SM Energy Company redeemed the full $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2026, paying accrued and unpaid interest as required under its governing indenture. With this transaction, the company full...
Business Operations and StrategyM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
SM Energy Closes Maverick Basin Asset Sale, Reduces Debt
Positive
Apr 30, 2026
On April 30, 2026, SM Energy closed the previously announced sale of roughly 61,000 net acres of producing and non‑producing assets in its southern Maverick Basin position in Webb County, Texas, for a cash purchase price of $950 million, gen...
Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
SM Energy Completes Tender Offer, Retires High-Coupon Notes
Positive
Apr 2, 2026
On April 2, 2026, SM Energy reported the expiration and final results of its cash tender offer for up to $1 billion of 8.375% senior notes due 2028, originally issued by Civitas Resources and assumed in connection with their merger. As of the Apri...
Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
SM Energy Expands Tender Offer to Reduce High-Cost Debt
Positive
Mar 18, 2026
On March 18, 2026, SM Energy reported early results from its cash tender offer for 8.375% Senior Notes due 2028, originally issued by Civitas Resources and assumed following their merger. By the March 17 early tender deadline, investors had tender...
Private Placements and Financing
SM Energy Issues $1 Billion Senior Notes Offering
Neutral
Mar 9, 2026
On March 9, 2026, SM Energy Company issued and sold $1.0 billion of 6.625% senior notes due April 15, 2034, in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers and certain non-U.S. investors, with the notes guaranteed by subsidiary guarantors ...
Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
SM Energy Prices $1 Billion Senior Notes Offering
Positive
Mar 5, 2026
On March 4, 2026, SM Energy priced an upsized private offering of $1.0 billion in senior notes due 2034, carrying a 6.625% coupon and issued at par. The transaction, expected to close on March 9, 2026 subject to customary conditions, is limited to...
Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
SM Energy Launches Senior Notes Offering and Tender Offer
Positive
Mar 4, 2026
On March 4, 2026, SM Energy said it plans a private offering of $750 million in senior notes due 2034, marketed only to qualified institutional buyers and certain non-U.S. investors under securities law exemptions. The company intends to use proce...
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 02, 2026