For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 6, 2019 – Zacks Value Trader is a podcast hosted weekly by Zacks Stock Strategist Tracey Ryniec. Every week, Tracey will be joined by guests to discuss the hottest investing topics in stocks, bonds and ETFs and how it impacts your life. To listen to the podcast, click here:
Energy Stocks: Values or Traps?
Welcome to Episode #168 of the Value Investor Podcast
Every week, Tracey Ryniec, the editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio, shares some of her top value investing tips and stock picks.
One of the most hated industries of 2019 continues to be energy, especially the Exploration and Production companies, or E&Ps.
After rebounding to start 2019, the E&P stocks are on the decline again as the year ends with some hitting multi-decade lows.
The SPDR Exploration & Production ETF ( (CSE:XOP) ) has fallen to new lows since its inception in 2006. It’s down 24.1% year-to-date.
When Wall Street runs away, value investors have to run in.
But are these values or traps?
Definition of a Value Trap Versus a Value Stock
Remember, to determine whether a stock is a true value, you have to look beyond the P/E or the P/S ratios.
Look at the earnings estimates. Are they on the rise from 2019 to 2020? Do analysts see earnings growth, or an earnings decline, next year?
Value investors want to get their companies cheap, but they also want growth.
A value stock is cheap but also has earnings growth.
Energy Stocks: Values or Traps?
1. CNX Resources Corp. ( (NYSE:CNX) ) is one of the largest independent natural gas producers in the US. It recently raised 2020 free cash flow guidance. It will use the FCF in 2020 to buy back debt and do share buybacks. It trades with a forward P/E of 8.7. Is it a value or a trap?
2. Matador Resources Co. ( (NYSE:MTDR) ) is focused on oil and natural gas production in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas but also operates in South Texas, Northwest Louisiana and East Texas. Shares have fallen 11.2% year-to-date. It now trades with a forward P/E of 12.7. Is it a value or a trap?
3. Pioneer Natural Resources ( (NYSE:PXD) ) has a $21.4 billion market cap and is one of the biggest players in the Permian Basin. Year-to-date the shares are down 3.8%. It currently has a $2 billion share buyback program and just recently raised the dividend, which now yields 1.4%. With a forward P/E of 15.3, is it a value or a trap?
4. Diamondback Energy ( (NASDAQ:FANG) ) shares are down 15% year-to-date. It’s headquartered in Midland, Texas, one of the fastest growing cities in America. Shares are trading with a forward P/E of 11.9. Is it a value or a trap?
There are 70 companies in Zacks Exploration & Production industry category and none are Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buys). Just two are Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stocks.
What else do you need to know about the E&Ps?
Tune into this podcast to find out.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
https://www.zacks.com/performance
Past 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.
CNX Resources Corporation. (CNX): Free Stock Analysis Report
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (NYSE:XOP): ETF Research Reports
Diamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG): Free Stock Analysis Report
Matador Resources Company (MTDR): Free Stock Analysis Report
Pioneer Natural Resources Company (PXD): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post
Zacks Investment Research