Why We're Still Bearish on WPX Energy

We are raising our fair value estimate for

In addition, among Permian producers WPX is one of the most insulated from Midland pricing weakness. Thanks to a combination of firm transport and sales agreements and an extensive hedge portfolio, the company has almost no exposure to in-basin prices for the balance of 2018, and less than 10% of forecast 2019 production will be priced locally.

Even after this update, our fair value estimate remains below the market price. As we have pointed out before, our negative stance is underpinned by our bearish view on long-term oil prices, rather than operational weakness. We think WPX has cornered some of the best acreage in the Permian and Bakken plays and demonstrated a high level of technical acumen in developing it, given consistently strong well results in both areas. It has also been disciplined with capital allocation since the downturn, with a much-improved balance sheet. But its leverage ratios are still quite a bit above the peer average, making the company's equity sensitive to commodity prices. WPX is therefore likely to underperform if our bearish oil outlook is correct.

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