D.A. Davidson & CO. lessened its stake in shares of APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA – Free Report) by 57.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 31,904 shares of the company’s stock after selling 43,596 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO.’s holdings in APA were worth $1,354,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC bought a new position in APA during the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Summit Securities Group LLC increased its stake in APA by 115.1% in the 4th quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 710 shares during the last quarter. Camelot Portfolios LLC bought a new stake in APA in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new stake in APA in the 1st quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of APA during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.01% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth APA has been the subject of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on APA from $26.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of APA from $32.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Raymond James Financial lowered their price objective on shares of APA from $57.00 to $50.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Zacks Research cut shares of APA from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Finally, Stephens boosted their target price on shares of APA from $43.00 to $47.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 10th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $40.35.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on APA
APA Trading Up 1.1% APA opened at $36.18 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $35.63 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.82. APA Corporation has a one year low of $17.86 and a one year high of $45.66. The stock has a market cap of $12.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.43 and a beta of 0.35.
APA (NASDAQ:APA – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.13 billion. APA had a return on equity of 20.70% and a net margin of 17.38%.APA’s quarterly revenue was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.06 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that APA Corporation will post 4.92 EPS for the current year.
APA Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 22nd. APA’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.31%.
Insider Activity In other news, VP Mark D. Maddox sold 9,800 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.04, for a total transaction of $392,392.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 66,810 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,675,072.40. The trade was a 12.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.73% of the company’s stock.
Key APA News Here are the key news stories impacting APA this week:
Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised earnings estimates for APA in several future periods, including Q4 2027, Q2 2027, Q1 2027, Q4 2026, and FY2028, suggesting improved longer-term earnings potential. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research initiated or reiterated a Hold rating on APA and kept its FY2026 and Q2 2026 estimates in line with current expectations, which does not materially change the near-term outlook. Neutral Sentiment: Susquehanna lowered its price target on APA from $47 to $45, but maintained a positive rating, implying continued upside from current levels despite a slightly less bullish valuation view. Article: Susquehanna lowers APA price target Negative Sentiment: Some near-term earnings estimates were cut, including Q3 2026 and Q1 2028, which could temper enthusiasm if investors are focused on shorter-term results. About APA (Free Report)
APA Corporation (NASDAQ: APA) is an independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas resources. The company operates through three core regions: the United States, Egypt and the North Sea. Through its integrated approach, APA combines geological and geophysical expertise with technical innovation to identify and develop hydrocarbons in both onshore and offshore settings.
In the United States, APA’s largest position is in the Permian Basin of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, where it holds substantial acreage dedicated to oil-focused drilling and production.
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California Public Employees Retirement System raised its position in APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA – Free Report) by 21.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 818,301 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 143,922 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System owned about 0.23% of APA worth $34,729,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in APA in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Summit Securities Group LLC raised its holdings in APA by 115.1% in the 4th quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 710 shares during the last quarter. Camelot Portfolios LLC acquired a new stake in shares of APA in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Global Assets Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of APA during the 1st quarter worth $44,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in APA during the fourth quarter worth about $47,000. 83.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling at APA In other news, VP Mark D. Maddox sold 9,800 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.04, for a total value of $392,392.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 66,810 shares in the company, valued at $2,675,072.40. This trade represents a 12.79% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.73% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on APA. Truist Financial reduced their target price on APA from $39.00 to $38.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of APA from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, July 4th. Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on APA from $57.00 to $50.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of APA from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, Evercore boosted their target price on APA from $25.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 24th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $40.35.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on APA
APA Stock Up 2.7% APA stock opened at $35.77 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $35.65 and a two-hundred day moving average of $33.74. APA Corporation has a twelve month low of $17.86 and a twelve month high of $45.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.34 and a beta of 0.35.
APA (NASDAQ:APA – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.27. APA had a net margin of 17.38% and a return on equity of 20.70%. The company had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.06 EPS. APA’s revenue was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that APA Corporation will post 5 earnings per share for the current year.
APA Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 22nd. APA’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.31%.
APA Company Profile (Free Report)
APA Corporation (NASDAQ: APA) is an independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas resources. The company operates through three core regions: the United States, Egypt and the North Sea. Through its integrated approach, APA combines geological and geophysical expertise with technical innovation to identify and develop hydrocarbons in both onshore and offshore settings.
In the United States, APA’s largest position is in the Permian Basin of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, where it holds substantial acreage dedicated to oil-focused drilling and production.
Read More Five stocks we like better than APA Confidence Is Back, But Earnings Show the Consumer Is Being Picky AeroVironment’s Stock Is Down, But Drone Demand Is Taking Off 3M’s Redemption Arc: Can Q2 Earnings Change the Narrative? 3 Photonics Companies Making Quantum Tech Possible Want to see what other hedge funds are holding APA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA – Free Report).
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC reduced its stake in APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA – Free Report) by 7.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 284,860 shares of the company’s stock after selling 21,335 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned 0.08% of APA worth $11,779,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of APA during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new stake in APA in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Summit Securities Group LLC lifted its stake in APA by 115.1% in the 4th quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 710 shares in the last quarter. Camelot Portfolios LLC acquired a new position in APA during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new position in APA during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. 83.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth APA has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Stephens raised their target price on shares of APA from $43.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 10th. Evercore boosted their price target on shares of APA from $25.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 24th. Roth Capital upgraded shares of APA from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $37.00 to $38.00 in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on APA from $47.00 to $45.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded APA from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eighteen have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, APA has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $40.35.
Read Our Latest Report on APA
APA Stock Performance NASDAQ APA opened at $35.77 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.34 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $35.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.74. APA Corporation has a 1 year low of $17.86 and a 1 year high of $45.66.
APA (NASDAQ:APA – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.13 billion. APA had a return on equity of 20.70% and a net margin of 17.38%.The firm’s revenue was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.06 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that APA Corporation will post 5 EPS for the current year.
APA Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 22nd will be paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 22nd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. APA’s payout ratio is 23.31%.
Insider Buying and Selling In other APA news, VP Mark D. Maddox sold 9,800 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.04, for a total value of $392,392.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 66,810 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,675,072.40. This represents a 12.79% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.73% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
APA Company Profile (Free Report)
APA Corporation (NASDAQ: APA) is an independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas resources. The company operates through three core regions: the United States, Egypt and the North Sea. Through its integrated approach, APA combines geological and geophysical expertise with technical innovation to identify and develop hydrocarbons in both onshore and offshore settings.
In the United States, APA’s largest position is in the Permian Basin of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, where it holds substantial acreage dedicated to oil-focused drilling and production.
Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than APA Confidence Is Back, But Earnings Show the Consumer Is Being Picky AeroVironment’s Stock Is Down, But Drone Demand Is Taking Off 3M’s Redemption Arc: Can Q2 Earnings Change the Narrative? 3 Photonics Companies Making Quantum Tech Possible Want to see what other hedge funds are holding APA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for APA Corporation (NASDAQ:APA – Free Report).
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APA (APA - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $35.22, demonstrating a +2.74% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 1.01% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.77%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.4%.
The oil and natural gas producer's stock has climbed by 3.78% in the past month, exceeding the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 1.22% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.32%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of APA in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on August 5, 2026. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $1.88, signifying a 116.09% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $2.43 billion, indicating a 7.01% decline compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $4.98 per share and revenue of $8.8 billion. These totals would mark changes of +32.1% and -4.54%, respectively, from last year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for APA. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 10.83% lower within the past month. APA is holding a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell) right now.
Investors should also note APA's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 6.88. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 9.98, so one might conclude that APA is trading at a discount comparatively.
The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 210, which puts it in the bottom 15% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
APA (APA - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $33.29, moving -5.05% from the previous trading session. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.81%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.27%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 1.3%.
The oil and natural gas producer's stock has dropped by 7.74% in the past month, falling short of the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 3.61% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.13%.
The upcoming earnings release of APA will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on August 5, 2026. The company is expected to report EPS of $1.83, up 110.34% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $2.5 billion, down 4.36% from the prior-year quarter.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $5.29 per share and revenue of $9.09 billion. These totals would mark changes of +40.32% and -1.37%, respectively, from last year.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for APA. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 3.86% lower within the past month. APA currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, APA is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 6.63. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 9.61.
The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 177, positioning it in the bottom 29% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
Ke konci obchodní seance se mírně přelil kapitál z čipových společností do klasických technologických. Přesto společnosti jako AMD + 5,67 %, Micron +4,39 %, či Broadcom +3,2 % končí výrazně v zeleném a čipový sektor táhl celý trh. Společnosti SpaceX se podařilo dostat opět nad otevírací cenu po IPO a přidala dnes +2,65 %.
Sektor spotřebního zboží dnes táhly dolů akcie PepsiCo, která po ne příliš oslnivých výsledcích odepsala nakonec -3,26 %. V kladných hodnotách se udržely i kryptoměny, kdy Bitcoin přidal +1,8 %.
Na opačné straně stála cena ropy, kde WTI propadl o -2,22 %, a to z důvodu mírného uklidnění situace v Íránu.
Index Dow Jones +0,27 % na 52487,38 b.
S&P 500 +0,81 % na 7543,54 b.
Nasdaq Composite +1,3 % na 26206,89 b.
Index S&P 500 +0,81 % na 7543,54 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Informační technologie +1,6 % Nezbytná spotřeba -1,8 % Zbytná spotřeba +1,5 % Energie -1,6 % Finanční sektor +1 % Utility -0,5 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna Lumentum Holdings (LITE) +11 % APA Corp (APA) -5,1 % Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) +9,9 % Paramount Skydance Corp (PSKY) -4,3 % Fedex Freight Holding (FDXF) +7,6 % Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) -4,2 % Sandisk Corp (SNDK) +7,6 % Cincinnati Financial Corp (CINF) -3,4 % Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) +7,0 % PepsiCo (PEP) -3,3 %
Jan Pazourek, Fio banka, a.s.
HOUSTON, July 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA) today provided supplemental information regarding certain second-quarter 2026 financial and operational results. This information is intended only to provide additional information regarding current estimates management believes will affect results for the second quarter of 2026. It is provided to assist investors, analysts and others in formulating their own estimates and is not intended to be a comprehensive presentation of all factors that will affect second-quarter 2026 results. Actual results and the impact of factors identified here may vary and are subject to finalization of the financial reporting process for the second quarter of 2026.
Estimated Average Realized Prices – 2Q26 Oil (bbl)NGL (bbl)Natural Gas (Mcf)United States$93.20$25.10($2.20)International$99.90$73.40$4.80 Egypt tax barrels:36 MBoe/dDry hole costs (before tax):$41 millionNet gain on oil and gas purchases and sales (before tax)*:$345 million *Includes $109 million realized loss from commodity derivatives
Production update
APA curtailed approximately 137 MMcf/d of U.S. natural gas production and 12,300 barrels per day of U.S. natural gas liquids production in the second quarter in response to weak or negative Waha hub prices.
Weighted-average shares outstanding
The estimated weighted-average basic common shares for the second quarter are 353 million. APA repurchased 2.8 million shares at an average price of $35.25 per share during the second quarter.
General and administrative
During the second quarter, APA incurred general and administrative expenses totaling $65 million. This includes approximately $10 million in stock-based compensation, reflecting the mark-to-market impacts of APA’s share price during the quarter.
Second-quarter 2026 earnings call
APA will host a conference call to discuss its second-quarter 2026 results at 10 a.m. Central time, Thursday, Aug. 6. The conference call will be webcast on APA’s website at www.apacorp.com and investor.apacorp.com. Following the conference call, a replay will be available for one year on the “Investors” page of the company’s website.
About APA
APA Corporation owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for and produce oil and natural gas in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom and that explore for oil and natural gas offshore Suriname and elsewhere. APA posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website, www.apacorp.com.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goals,” “guidance,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “possibly,” “potential,” “projects,” “prospects,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar references to future periods, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, expectations, and objectives for operations, including statements about our capital plans, drilling plans, production expectations, asset sales, and monetizations. While forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance, and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. See “Risk Factors” in APA’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risk factors that affect our business. Any forward-looking statement made in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. APA and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
HOUSTON, July 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA) today released its 2026 Sustainability Progress Report and accompanying disclosures, highlighting progress across its sustainability priorities during 2025. The report outlines APA’s approach to sustainability management and provides updates on emissions performance, water stewardship, employee engagement and community investment.
“Our sustainability report reflects the dedication of our employees and our continued commitment to responsible operations,” said APA CEO John J. Christmann IV. “Throughout 2025, we continued to advance our sustainability priorities while supporting the communities where we operate and delivering the energy the world needs.”
To learn more about APA’s sustainability management approach and 2025 highlights, visit https://apacorp.com/sustainability.
About APA
APA Corporation owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for and produce oil and natural gas in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom and that explore for oil and natural gas offshore Suriname and elsewhere. APA posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website, www.apacorp.com.
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Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: APA (APA - Free Report) Founded in 1954, Houston, TX-based APA Corporation is one of the world's leading independent energy companies engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. Geographically, the company’s operations are in the United States, Egypt and in the North Sea of the United Kingdom. APA also holds acreage in offshore Suriname (South America) and other international locations.
APA is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. APA has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 41.9% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2026, six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.52 to $5.35 per share. APA boasts an average earnings surprise of +50.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, APA should be on investors' short list.
In the latest close session, APA (APA - Free Report) was down 1.23% at $33.01. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.05%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.24%.
The oil and natural gas producer's shares have seen a decrease of 8.51% over the last month, surpassing the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 8.57% and falling behind the S&P 500's loss of 1.42%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of APA in its upcoming release. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.79, showcasing a 105.75% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $2.5 billion, indicating a 4.39% decrease compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.6 per share and a revenue of $9.29 billion, representing changes of +48.54% and +0.75%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for APA. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 1.79% higher within the past month. APA currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, APA is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 5.97. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 9.16.
The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 107, which puts it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.
In its current form, APA trades at a significant discount to Permian focused companies. This discount is not reflective of the growth potential held by both Suriname or Alaskan development programs. The company continues to trade at double digit free cash flow yields. This figure should only improve after the GranMorgu project is online.
APA (APA - Free Report) closed at $33.03 in the latest trading session, marking a -2.65% move from the prior day. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.09%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.14%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 1.91%.
Prior to today's trading, shares of the oil and natural gas producer had lost 13.71% lagged the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 7.57% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.29%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of APA in its upcoming release. On that day, APA is projected to report earnings of $1.79 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 105.75%. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $2.5 billion, indicating a 4.39% downward movement from the same quarter last year.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.6 per share and a revenue of $9.29 billion, representing changes of +48.54% and +0.75%, respectively, from the prior year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for APA. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.55% upward. APA is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.
Investors should also note APA's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 6.06. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 9.26 of its industry.
The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 108, finds itself in the top 45% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
Key Takeaways APA shares are up nearly 63% in a year, outperforming Chord Energy and SM Energy.APA trades at about 7.3X forward earnings, below the subindustry's 9.5X multiple.Suriname's GranMorgu project could drive long-term growth, with first oil targeted for mid-2028. APA Corporation (APA - Free Report) has delivered a strong run, with its shares rising nearly 63% in the past year. The rally raises a fair question: is APA still attractive, or has the market already priced in most of the upside? The answer looks balanced. APA has stronger execution, a deep Permian base, improving costs and a major future catalyst in Suriname. At the same time, investors must consider commodity-price risk, Egypt exposure, debt and the long wait before Suriname contributes meaningfully. Compared with Chord Energy (CHRD - Free Report) , which is more focused on the Williston Basin, and SM Energy (SM - Free Report) , which is scaling its U.S. shale platform after the Civitas deal, APA offers a different mix of near-term cash flow and long-term offshore growth.
Price Performance Shows APA’s Strong Momentum
APA’s one-year gain easily tops Chord Energy, up 17.7%, and SM Energy, down 1.5%. The outperformance reflects improved confidence in APA’s operating progress, cash generation and future project pipeline. Still, a rally of this size raises the bar. CHRD has a simpler Williston-focused story built around steady production, long laterals and shareholder returns. SM is trying to improve scale, reduce debt and capture merger synergies. APA sits between these peers, with a large Permian position, international assets and a visible offshore catalyst.
1-Year Price Performance Comparison Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Estimates and Valuation Remain Supportive
APA’s earnings picture is mixed. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 EPS indicates a 49% increase, supported by cost savings, better operating efficiency and cash flow from gas trading. However, the 2027 estimate points to a 36% decline, suggesting that analysts expect some normalization after a stronger 2026.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation, however, remains positive. APA trades at around 7.3 times forward earnings, below the subindustry’s 9.5X. That discount shows the market is still cautious about debt, geopolitical exposure and commodity sensitivity.
Suriname Could Be the Hidden Value Driver for APA
APA’s Suriname position may be the most important part of the long-term story. The GranMorgu development in offshore Block 58, being advanced with TotalEnergies, includes more than 750 million barrels of estimated recoverable resources tied to the Sapakara and Krabdagu discoveries. Production is expected through a floating production, storage and offloading unit with a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day, with first oil targeted for mid-2028. That gives APA a growth lever beyond its mature production base. Chord Energy does not have a comparable offshore project, while SM Energy is mainly focused on U.S. shale. For APA, GranMorgu could become a high-margin oil and free cash flow engine after 2028. The project is already approved, and a carry arrangement helps reduce APA’s near-term funding burden.
Image Source: APA Corporation
Operational Discipline Strengthens the Case
APA’s current business is anchored by the Permian and Egypt. The Permian accounts for most adjusted production and offers more than 10 years of economic inventory. Management has reduced drilling and completion costs in the Permian, lowered drilling costs in Egypt and continues to target meaningful run-rate savings by year-end 2026. The company is also working toward a $3 billion net debt target, while gas trading provides another source of cash flow. Chord Energy also emphasizes capital returns and balance sheet strength, while SM uses divestitures and synergies to improve leverage. APA’s advantage is that it combines operational discipline with a larger future project.
APA’s Risks Should Keep Expectations Realistic
APA remains exposed to oil and gas price swings. While oil prices have cooled somewhat following the U.S.-Iran deal, easing some of the geopolitical supply-risk premium, this could become a factor for APA going forward if crude prices remain under pressure. Weak Permian gas pricing, including Waha-related pressure, can also hurt realized prices and lead to curtailments. Egypt adds geopolitical and fiscal risk, while U.K. taxes remain a headwind. Suriname is promising, but first oil is not expected until mid-2028, so investors must wait for the biggest catalyst. APA also carries a broader and more complicated portfolio than CHRD and a different risk profile than SM Energy. If commodity prices fall further or GranMorgu faces delays, the stock could struggle after its strong one-year advance.
Conclusion
APA stock still looks reasonably attractive for investors seeking value, cash flow and long-term oil growth, but it is not an obvious buy after a significant rally. The valuation discount, ongoing cost reductions and Suriname upside support the investment case, while debt, commodity-price volatility, Egypt exposure, and the long lead time before Suriname contributes meaningfully, warrant some caution. Overall, the stock offers a balanced mix of opportunity and risk at the current levels. Given this risk-reward profile, APA stock is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry remains closely tied to commodity prices, and firm crude prices are giving domestic producers a useful cash-flow lift. Higher oil realizations can support drilling, debt reduction and shareholder returns, especially as global supply concerns keep the value of reliable U.S. production in focus. Still, the picture is not without pressure. Rising service, labor, maintenance and decommissioning costs can limit upside, while weak natural gas prices may weigh on producers with meaningful gas exposure. Even so, the industry’s improving discipline is encouraging. Companies are focusing on better wells, controlled spending, workovers and free cash flow rather than growth at any cost. The group’s Zacks Industry Rank in the top 50% and rising 2026 earnings estimates point to a healthier near-term setup. Against this backdrop, APA Corporation (APA - Free Report) , W&T Offshore (WTI - Free Report) and Ring Energy (REI - Free Report) stand out as attractive names to watch.
About the Industry The Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry consists of companies primarily based in the domestic market and 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, causing 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 Industry Higher Oil Prices Can Quickly Lift Cash Flow: The U.S. exploration and production industry remains highly sensitive to oil prices. When crude prices rise, producers usually see a direct benefit because each barrel sold brings in more cash. That can improve margins, fund drilling, support debt reduction and leave more room for shareholder returns. Current geopolitical tensions also keep attention on energy security and a reliable domestic supply. This helps U.S. producers because local barrels become more valuable when global supply feels uncertain. For investors, the key attraction is simple: if oil stays firm, many producers can generate strong free cash flow without needing aggressive production growth.
Rising Costs and Obligations Limit Upside: The industry still faces meaningful cost and liability pressures. Diesel, power, equipment, labor, maintenance, workovers and facility upgrades can become more expensive when activity improves or oil prices rise. Offshore operators also carry large decommissioning and asset-retirement obligations, which can absorb cash that might otherwise go to growth or shareholder returns. Some producers are still focused on reducing debt, so stronger cash flow may be directed toward balance-sheet repair instead of aggressive drilling. For investors, this creates a practical limit on upside. Higher commodity prices help, but they do not remove the need for spending discipline and careful liability management.
Better Efficiency Supports Returns Through Cycles: A more disciplined operating model is becoming a strength for U.S. exploration and production companies. Many producers are focusing less on growth at any cost and more on lower spending, better well performance, workovers, recompletions and selective infrastructure upgrades. This can make each dollar of capital work harder. Low-decline assets are also useful because they require less spending just to keep production steady. For investors, this matters because the industry can create value even when commodity prices are choppy. Strong cost control, careful capital allocation and a focus on free cash flow can make earnings more durable over time.
Weak Natural Gas Prices to Drag Results: Not every part of the commodity mix is supportive. In some U.S. basins, natural gas prices have been weak, and local pricing can sometimes fall far below benchmark levels. This can force producers to curtail gas volumes or accept poor realized prices. Even oil-focused companies can feel the pressure because many wells produce associated gas along with crude. Lower gas and NGL values can reduce total revenue per barrel of oil equivalent and hurt reported production economics. For investors, the risk is that strong oil prices may not fully offset weak gas markets, especially in areas with limited takeaway capacity.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Positive Outlook The Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry is a 34-stock group within the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #104, which places it in the top 42% of 247 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates fairly strong 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 top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of improving earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are becoming optimistic about this group’s earnings growth potential. As a matter of fact, the industry’s earnings estimates for 2026 have gone up 34.6% in the past year.
Considering the encouraging dynamics 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 Sector and S&P 500 The Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry has fared worse than the broader Zacks Oil - Energy Sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year.
The industry has moved down 1.2% over this period against the broader sector’s increase of 26.2%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has gained some 27%.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry's Current Valuation Since 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 11.01X, lower than the S&P 500’s 18.62X. It is, however, well above the sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 6.57X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 17.10X and as low as 3.42X, with a median of 6.08X.
Trailing 12-Month Enterprise Value-to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) Ratio (Past Five Years)
3 Stocks to Focus On W&T Offshore: W&T Offshore is a Houston-based oil and gas company focused on the Gulf of America. Founded in 1983 by Tracy Krohn, it has been listed on the NYSE since 2005 under the ticker WTI. Over four decades, the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has grown from a small independent operator into a seasoned offshore player, mainly through acquisitions and selective drilling.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The company operates across 48 offshore fields and holds a large acreage base in shallow and deepwater areas. Its strategy is simple: improve existing assets, control costs, add reserves, and pursue smart acquisitions. With strong technical experience, operating production, and a focus on cash flow, W&T Offshore aims to support steady long-term growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 67.6% year-over-year growth. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for W&T Offshore’s 2026 loss has narrowed from 32 cents per share to 12.
Price and Consensus: WTI
Ring Energy: Ring Energy is a Texas-based oil and gas company focused on conventional assets in the Permian Basin, mainly the Central Basin Platform and Northwest Shelf. It uses modern drilling and completion methods to improve older fields, extend well life and raise recovery. The #2 Ranked company operates more than 96,000 net acres and has built a large, mostly operated asset base.
Its strategy centers on steady cash flow, disciplined spending and lower operating costs. Ring has more than 500 identified drilling locations, over 10 years of inventory and a reserve life above 20 years. Recent results show production in line with guidance, cost reductions and continued positive adjusted free cash flow.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 57.9% year-over-year growth. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ring Energy’s 2026 earnings has moved up from 22 cents per share to 30 cents.
Price and Consensus: REI
APA: APA Corporation explores for and produces oil and natural gas through subsidiaries in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom, while also pursuing offshore opportunities in Suriname and other areas. Its portfolio is anchored by the Permian Basin and Egypt, giving the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company a steady operating base and room for long-term growth.
APA focuses on safe, efficient and responsible operations, backed by financial discipline. It plans to return at least 60% of free cash flow to investors through dividends and share buybacks, while reducing debt. Growth plans include first oil from Suriname’s GranMorgu project in mid-2028 and continued cost savings across operations.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 48.5% year-over-year growth. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for APA’s 2026 earnings has moved up from $4.28 per share to $5.60.
For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – June 24, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity Research APA Corp. (APA - Free Report) , W&T Offshore (WTI - Free Report) and Ring Energy (REI - Free Report)
The Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry remains closely tied to commodity prices, and firm crude prices are giving domestic producers a useful cash-flow lift. Higher oil realizations can support drilling, debt reduction and shareholder returns, especially as global supply concerns keep the value of reliable U.S. production in focus.
Still, the picture is not without pressure. Rising service, labor, maintenance and decommissioning costs can limit upside, while weak natural gas prices may weigh on producers with meaningful gas exposure. Even so, the industry’s improving discipline is encouraging. Companies are focusing on better wells, controlled spending, workovers and free cash flow rather than growth at any cost.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank in the top 50% and rising 2026 earnings estimates point to a healthier near-term setup. Against this backdrop, APA Corp., W&T Offshore and Ring Energy stand out as attractive names to watch.
About the IndustryThe Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry consists of companies primarily based in the domestic market and 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, causing 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 IndustryHigher Oil Prices Can Quickly Lift Cash Flow: The U.S. exploration and production industry remains highly sensitive to oil prices. When crude prices rise, producers usually see a direct benefit because each barrel sold brings in more cash. That can improve margins, fund drilling, support debt reduction and leave more room for shareholder returns.
Current geopolitical tensions also keep attention on energy security and a reliable domestic supply. This helps U.S. producers because local barrels become more valuable when global supply feels uncertain. For investors, the key attraction is simple: if oil stays firm, many producers can generate strong free cash flow without needing aggressive production growth.
Rising Costs and Obligations Limit Upside: The industry still faces meaningful cost and liability pressures. Diesel, power, equipment, labor, maintenance, workovers and facility upgrades can become more expensive when activity improves or oil prices rise. Offshore operators also carry large decommissioning and asset-retirement obligations, which can absorb cash that might otherwise go to growth or shareholder returns.
Some producers are still focused on reducing debt, so stronger cash flow may be directed toward balance-sheet repair instead of aggressive drilling. For investors, this creates a practical limit on upside. Higher commodity prices help, but they do not remove the need for spending discipline and careful liability management.
Better Efficiency Supports Returns Through Cycles: A more disciplined operating model is becoming a strength for U.S. exploration and production companies. Many producers are focusing less on growth at any cost and more on lower spending, better well performance, workovers, recompletions and selective infrastructure upgrades. This can make each dollar of capital work harder.
Low-decline assets are also useful because they require less spending just to keep production steady. For investors, this matters because the industry can create value even when commodity prices are choppy. Strong cost control, careful capital allocation and a focus on free cash flow can make earnings more durable over time.
Weak Natural Gas Prices to Drag Results: Not every part of the commodity mix is supportive. In some U.S. basins, natural gas prices have been weak, and local pricing can sometimes fall far below benchmark levels. This can force producers to curtail gas volumes or accept poor realized prices. Even oil-focused companies can feel the pressure because many wells produce associated gas along with crude.
Lower gas and NGL values can reduce total revenue per barrel of oil equivalent and hurt reported production economics. For investors, the risk is that strong oil prices may not fully offset weak gas markets, especially in areas with limited takeaway capacity.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Positive OutlookThe Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry is a 34-stock group within the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #104, which places it in the top 42% of 247 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates fairly strong 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 top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of improving earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are becoming optimistic about this group’s earnings growth potential. As a matter of fact, the industry’s earnings estimates for 2026 have gone up 34.6% in the past year.
Considering the encouraging dynamics 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 Sector and S&P 500The Zacks Oil and Gas - US E&P industry has fared worse than the broader Zacks Oil - Energy Sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year.
The industry has moved down 1.2% over this period against the broader sector’s increase of 26.2%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has gained some 27%.
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 11.01X, lower than the S&P 500’s 18.62X. It is, however, well above the sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 6.57X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 17.10X and as low as 3.42X, with a median of 6.08X.
3 Stocks to Focus OnW&T Offshore: W&T Offshore is a Houston-based oil and gas company focused on the Gulf of America. Founded in 1983 by Tracy Krohn, it has been listed on the NYSE since 2005 under the ticker WTI. Over four decades, the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has grown from a small independent operator into a seasoned offshore player, mainly through acquisitions and selective drilling.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The company operates across 48 offshore fields and holds a large acreage base in shallow and deepwater areas. Its strategy is simple: improve existing assets, control costs, add reserves, and pursue smart acquisitions. With strong technical experience, operating production, and a focus on cash flow, W&T Offshore aims to support steady long-term growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 67.6% year-over-year growth. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for W&T Offshore’s 2026 loss has narrowed from 32 cents per share to 12.
Ring Energy: Ring Energy is a Texas-based oil and gas company focused on conventional assets in the Permian Basin, mainly the Central Basin Platform and Northwest Shelf. It uses modern drilling and completion methods to improve older fields, extend well life and raise recovery. The #2 Ranked company operates more than 96,000 net acres and has built a large, mostly operated asset base.
Its strategy centers on steady cash flow, disciplined spending and lower operating costs. Ring has more than 500 identified drilling locations, over 10 years of inventory and a reserve life above 20 years. Recent results show production in line with guidance, cost reductions and continued positive adjusted free cash flow.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 57.9% year-over-year growth. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ring Energy’s 2026 earnings has moved up from 22 cents per share to 30 cents.
APA: APA Corporation explores for and produces oil and natural gas through subsidiaries in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom, while also pursuing offshore opportunities in Suriname and other areas. Its portfolio is anchored by the Permian Basin and Egypt, giving the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company a steady operating base and room for long-term growth.
APA focuses on safe, efficient and responsible operations, backed by financial discipline. It plans to return at least 60% of free cash flow to investors through dividends and share buybacks, while reducing debt. Growth plans include first oil from Suriname’s GranMorgu project in mid-2028 and continued cost savings across operations.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 48.5% year-over-year growth. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for APA’s 2026 earnings has moved up from $4.28 per share to $5.60.
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It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: APA (APA - Free Report) Founded in 1954, Houston, TX-based APA Corporation is one of the world's leading independent energy companies engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. Geographically, the company’s operations are in the United States, Egypt and in the North Sea of the United Kingdom. APA also holds acreage in offshore Suriname (South America) and other international locations.
APA is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. APA has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 48.3% for the current fiscal year.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.45 to $5.59 per share. APA also boasts an average earnings surprise of +50.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, APA should be on investors' short list.
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.
One stock to keep an eye on is APA (APA - Free Report) . APA is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and an A for Value. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 8.22, which compares to its industry's average of 10.57. Over the past year, APA's Forward P/E has been as high as 8.88 and as low as 4.09, with a median of 6.45.
Another notable valuation metric for APA is its P/B ratio of 1.23. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. APA's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 3.09. Within the past 52 weeks, APA's P/B has been as high as 1.63 and as low as 0.79, with a median of 1.20.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. APA has a P/S ratio of 1.48. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.96.
Finally, we should also recognize that APA has a P/CF ratio of 2.42. This metric focuses on a firm's operating cash flow and is often used to find stocks that are undervalued based on the strength of their cash outlook. This stock's P/CF looks attractive against its industry's average P/CF of 5.08. Over the past 52 weeks, APA's P/CF has been as high as 3.06 and as low as 1.46, with a median of 2.05.
Riley Exploration Permian (REPX - Free Report) may be another strong Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States stock to add to your shortlist. REPX is a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Value grade of A.
Riley Exploration Permian sports a P/B ratio of 1.05 as well; this compares to its industry's price-to-book ratio of 3.09. In the past 52 weeks, REPX's P/B has been as high as 1.57, as low as 0.92, with a median of 1.16.
These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that APA and Riley Exploration Permian are likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, APA and REPX feels like a great value stock at the moment.
After reaching an important support level, APA (APA - Free Report) could be a good stock pick from a technical perspective. APA surpassed resistance at the 50-day moving average, suggesting a short-term bullish trend.
The 50-day simple moving average, which is one of three major moving averages, is widely used by traders and analysts to establish support and resistance levels for a range of securities. Because it's the first sign of an up or down trend, the 50-day is considered to be more important.
APA could be on the verge of another rally after moving 9.1% higher over the last four weeks. Plus, the company is currently a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock.
Once investors consider APA's positive earnings estimate revisions, the bullish case only solidifies. No estimate has gone lower in the past two months for the current fiscal year, compared to 7 higher, and the consensus estimate has increased as well.
With a winning combination of earnings estimate revisions and hitting a key technical level, investors should keep their eye on APA for more gains in the near future.
After reaching an important support level, APA (APA - Free Report) could be a good stock pick from a technical perspective. APA surpassed resistance at the 20-day moving average, suggesting a short-term bullish trend.
A well-liked tool among traders, the 20-day simple moving average offers a look back at a stock's price over a 20-day period. This is very beneficial to short-term traders, as it smooths out short-term price trends and gives more trend reversal signals than longer-term moving averages.
Similar to other SMAs, if a stock's price moves above the 20-day, the trend is considered positive, while price falling below the moving average can signal a downward trend.
Over the past four weeks, APA has gained 9.1%. The company is currently ranked a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), another strong indication the stock could move even higher.
Once investors consider APA's positive earnings estimate revisions, the bullish case only solidifies. No earnings estimate has been lowered in the past two months, compared to 7 raised estimates, for the current fiscal year, and the consensus estimate has increased as well.
Investors may want to watch APA for more gains in the near future given the company's key technical level and positive earnings estimate revisions.
May 18, 2026 13:00 ET | Source: Apache Corporation
HOUSTON, May 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apache Corporation, a subsidiary of APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA), today announced the opening of applications in the U.S. for the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program’s 2026-2027 planting season.
Since 2005, the program has partnered with more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations and government agencies across the company’s U.S. operating areas. In 2023, the program surpassed the milestone of donating more than 5 million trees to U.S. partners and expanded internationally, launching a similar program in Scotland, where the company also operates.
“For more than two decades, our Tree Grant Program has reflected our long-term commitment to the communities and environments where we live and work,” said John J. Christmann IV, Apache’s chief executive officer. “Each planting season builds on that legacy, expanding access to green space, supporting restoration efforts and partnering with organizations that are making a meaningful difference on the ground. We’re proud to continue growing this program alongside our partners and investing in projects that will benefit communities for years to come.”
The program is open to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Alaska, Louisiana and Texas, where Apache Corporation has operations. Grant recipients must request a minimum of 50 one-, three- or five-gallon trees per project or a minimum of 1,000 bareroot seedlings. Additionally, recipients must agree to receive all awarded trees in a single delivery and provide ongoing care and maintenance.
Last season, Apache donated more than 16,000 trees to 14 nonprofit partner organizations, supporting diverse reforestation and conservation efforts. The program continued to expand through partnerships with organizations such as the City of Houston, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Hermann Park Conservancy, Keep San Angelo Beautiful and Medical Center Health System Foundation in Odessa.
For more information and to apply for the 2026-2027 Apache Tree Grant Program, visit www.apachelovestrees.com and submit an application by the July 31, 2026, deadline.
About Apache
Apache Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA), is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom. Apache’s parent corporation, APA Corporation, posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website www.apacorp.com.
About Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program
Founded in 2005, the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program is a philanthropic initiative of Apache Corporation that donates trees to nonprofits and government entities in the company’s operational areas. The program focuses on grants that support large-scale conservation, protection of habitats for wildlife and native species, as well as the restoration and enhancement of public greenspaces. This award-winning environmental stewardship initiative has provided more than 5 million trees to over 1,000 qualified partners in the U.S. In addition to the development and improvement of public parks and greenspaces, community partners often request trees to support a broad range of conservation efforts, including preservation of natural habitats and reforestation. To learn more about the program, visit www.apachelovestrees.com.
Investors might want to bet on APA (APA - Free Report) , as earnings estimates for this company have been showing solid improvement lately. The stock has already gained solid short-term price momentum, and this trend might continue with its still improving earnings outlook.
The upward trend in estimate revisions for this oil and natural gas producer reflects growing optimism of analysts on its earnings prospects, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight.
The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.
For APA, strong agreement among the covering analysts in revising earnings estimates upward has resulted in meaningful improvement in consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year.
The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Current-Quarter Estimate RevisionsThe company is expected to earn $1.52 per share for the current quarter, which represents a year-over-year change of +74.7%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for APA has increased 19.4% over the last 30 days, as five estimates have gone higher while one has gone lower.
Current-Year Estimate RevisionsFor the full year, the company is expected to earn $5.20 per share, representing a year-over-year change of +37.9%.
The revisions trend for the current year also appears quite promising for APA, with four estimates moving higher over the past month compared to four negative revisions. The consensus estimate has also received a boost over this time frame, increasing 14.38%.
Favorable Zacks RankOur research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.
Bottom LineInvestors have been betting on APA because of its solid estimate revisions, as evident from the stock's 9.1% gain over the past four weeks. As its earnings growth prospects might push the stock higher, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.
HOUSTON, May 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The board of directors of APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA) has declared a regular cash dividend on the company's common shares.
The dividend on common shares is payable Aug. 21, 2026, to stockholders of record on July 22, 2026, at a rate of 25 cents per share on the corporation’s common stock.
About APA
APA Corporation owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for and produce oil and natural gas in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom and that explore for oil and natural gas offshore Suriname and elsewhere. APA posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website, www.apacorp.com.
Key Takeaways Shell sold stakes in three Uruguay offshore blocks to QatarEnergy while retaining key interests.SHEL remains the operator of OFF-2 and OFF-7 as QatarEnergy joins Chevron and APA in the basin.Uruguay's offshore basin is drawing majors amid geological parallels with Namibia discoveries. Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) has sold participating interests in three offshore exploration blocks in Uruguay to QatarEnergy, further reshaping the ownership structure of one of South America’s emerging frontier basins. The transaction marks QatarEnergy’s first entry into Uruguay’s upstream sector through partnerships with Shell, APA Corporation (APA - Free Report) and Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) .
The deal includes stakes in the OFF-2, OFF-4 and OFF-7 blocks located offshore Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, where exploration activity has accelerated amid growing interest in the South Atlantic margin.
Strategic Portfolio Optimization for ShellThe divestment reflects Shell’s broader approach of balancing exploration exposure while maintaining a strong operational presence in key frontier basins. Although the company reduced its ownership stakes, it retained meaningful positions across all three blocks and continues to operate two of them, reinforcing Shell’s strategy of partnering with global energy players in high-potential exploration acreage.
Under the agreement, QatarEnergy acquired a 30% stake in OFF-2, where Shell remains an operator with a 70% interest. In OFF-7, QatarEnergy secured a 30% stake alongside Shell’s 40% holding and Chevron’s remaining 30% interest. QatarEnergy also purchased an 18% stake in OFF-4, operated by APA Corporation, while Shell retained 32%.
By bringing in QatarEnergy, Shell gains a financially strong strategic partner capable of supporting long-term exploration campaigns in technically challenging deepwater acreage, while APA and Chevron have also strengthened their presence in the frontier basin amid rising industry interest.
Uruguay Offshore Basin Gains Global AttentionThe offshore blocks span water depths ranging from 40 meters to nearly 4,000 meters and cover areas between approximately 11,000 and 18,000 square kilometers. While Uruguay has yet to record a commercial hydrocarbon discovery, the basin has increasingly attracted global majors seeking to replicate the transformational offshore discoveries made in neighboring Namibia.
Industry interest has intensified because the offshore geology of Uruguay and Namibia shares similarities tied to the ancient South Atlantic continental formation. Companies believe these geological parallels could indicate significant untapped hydrocarbon potential beneath Uruguay’s offshore waters.
Shell, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), has steadily expanded its presence in the region over recent years, positioning itself in a high-risk but potentially high-reward exploration frontier.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
QatarEnergy Expands South American FootprintFor QatarEnergy, the acquisition represents another step in its aggressive international upstream expansion strategy. The company has been actively building exploration and LNG positions across Africa, the Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean while deepening partnerships with global energy companies.
QatarEnergy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi described the transaction as an opportunity to strengthen ties with Shell while establishing the company’s first upstream presence in Uruguay. The move also complements QatarEnergy’s growing portfolio of exploration interests across Latin America and other emerging hydrocarbon regions.
Strengthening Long-Term Industry PartnershipsThe transaction underscores the increasing trend of collaboration among major energy companies in frontier exploration projects. By sharing technical expertise, financial risk and operational capabilities, companies like Shell and QatarEnergy can pursue complex offshore opportunities more efficiently.
For Shell, the sale allows the company to optimize capital allocation while maintaining exposure to Uruguay’s long-term exploration potential. At the same time, QatarEnergy gains access to a promising new basin alongside experienced operators and established global partners.
As exploration activity expands across the South Atlantic, Uruguay’s offshore sector could emerge as one of the next major areas of interest for international energy investment.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: APA (APA - Free Report) Founded in 1954, Houston, TX-based APA Corporation is one of the world's leading independent energy companies engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. Geographically, the company’s operations are in the United States, Egypt and in the North Sea of the United Kingdom. APA also holds acreage in offshore Suriname (South America) and other international locations.
APA is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Oils-Energy stock. APA has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 1% over the past four weeks.
Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.81 to $5.06 per share. APA also boasts an average earnings surprise of +50.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, APA should be on investors' short list.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: APA (APA - Free Report) Founded in 1954, Houston, TX-based APA Corporation is one of the world's leading independent energy companies engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. Geographically, the company’s operations are in the United States, Egypt and in the North Sea of the United Kingdom. APA also holds acreage in offshore Suriname (South America) and other international locations.
APA is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. APA has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 37.4% for the current fiscal year.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.66 to $5.18 per share. APA also boasts an average earnings surprise of +50.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, APA should be on investors' short list.
Key Takeaways APA's GranMorgu development in offshore Block 58 is approved and targets first oil in mid-2028.APA cites 750M recoverable barrels from Sapakara and Krabdagu; FPSO capacity set at 220,000 bpd.APA says costs are in line, and a carry arrangement lowers near-term spend, supporting cash flow after 2028. APA Corporation’s (APA - Free Report) Suriname position in South America stands out because it gives the company a clear path to future oil growth outside its existing production base. The main project is GranMorgu in offshore Block 58, being developed with French energy giant TotalEnergies. The field is large enough to matter, with more than 750 million barrels of estimated recoverable resources tied to the Sapakara and Krabdagu discoveries. Production is planned through a floating production, storage and offloading unit with a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day. First oil is targeted for mid-2028, making Suriname a visible medium-term growth catalyst.
The project is attractive because of its size, progress and manageable funding requirements. Unlike many exploration opportunities that are still uncertain, GranMorgu is already an approved development project and is moving ahead as planned. APA has said that project costs remain in line with expectations, while work on the floating production vessel and drilling activities continues to advance. In addition, a carry arrangement helps reduce APA’s near-term spending commitments, easing the financial burden. As a result, GranMorgu is expected to be more than just a future production source — it has the potential to become an important driver of cash flow and long-term value for the company.
Suriname may also offer more than one wave of value. The surrounding area includes follow-on prospects that could extend the life of the development or support additional activity once infrastructure is in place. That gives APA a chance to turn Block 58 into a longer-duration offshore growth platform. For investors, the key point is that Suriname could become one of APA’s strongest sources of high-margin oil and free cash flow after 2028. In a portfolio where mature assets dominate current output, GranMorgu provides a distinct future-growth lever.
APA’s Suriname opportunity also fits into a broader regional theme: major oil companies are increasingly looking to South America’s offshore basins for future growth. Nearby Guyana, in particular, has already become one of the most important new oil provinces of the industry.
South America’s Offshore Momentum Extends Beyond Suriname
Chevron’s (CVX - Free Report) Guyana operations became a bigger growth driver after the Hess acquisition, which added exposure to the country’s offshore resource base. Chevron highlights Guyana as an industry-leading resource, with more than 30 major discoveries and more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent in gross resources. Chevron is tied to projects such as Uaru, Whiptail, Hammerhead and Longtail, while Chevron also expects Guyana to support production growth and free cash flow beyond 2030.
Meanwhile, larger rival ExxonMobil’s (XOM - Free Report) Guyana operations remain central to its advantaged upstream growth story. ExxonMobil said it achieved industry-leading reliability and record production in Guyana during the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong FPSO performance. ExxonMobil is also on track to bring its fifth Guyana FPSO online in late 2026, adding 250 thousand barrels per day of gross capacity. For ExxonMobil, Guyana provides high-value oil growth and an important source of future cash flow.
The Zacks Rundown on APA
Shares of APA have gained more than 40% over the past six months, breezing past the industry’s growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
APA currently has an average brokerage recommendation of 2.77 on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 29 brokerage firms.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The chart below shows APA’s earnings over the past four quarters.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for APA (APA - Free Report) . Shares have added about 5.5% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is APA due for a pullback? Well, first let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for APA Corporation before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.
APA Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates on Higher Oil PricesAPA Corporation reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.38 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01. The bottom line rose from the year-ago adjusted profit of $1.06. The outperformance was primarily driven by higher realized oil prices and lower year-over-year expenses.
Revenues of $2.2 billion were down 15.2% from the year-ago quarter’s sales but beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.8%.
Meanwhile, APA continues to reward its shareholders, having paid out $88 million in dividends during the first quarter of 2026.
Production & Selling PricesProduction of oil and natural gas averaged 442,352 BOE/d, which comprised 69% liquids. The figure was down 6% from the year-ago quarter but surpassed our expectation of 439,997 BOE/d.
U.S. output (accounting for 60% of the total) fell 11% year over year to 264,720 BOE/d, but production from the company’s international operations increased 4.1% to 177,632 BOE/d. APA’s oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) production was 304,947 barrels per day (Bbl/d). Natural gas output totaled 824,426 thousand cubic feet per day (Mcf/d).
The average realized crude oil price during the first quarter was $78.69 per barrel, up 6.7% from the year-ago realization of $73.73. The number also significantly surpassed our projection of $56.74. The average realized natural gas price fell to $2.12 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) from $2.81 in the year-ago period and missed our estimate of $3.62.
Costs & Financial PositionAPA’s first-quarter lease operating expenses totaled $362 million, down 11% from $407 million in the year-ago period. Moreover, an 84.2% drop in purchased oil/gas costs meant that total operating expenses decreased nearly 25% from the corresponding period of 2025 to $1.4 billion. The number was below our model projection of $1.5 billion.
During the quarter under review, APA generated $554 million of cash from operating activities while it incurred $564 million in upstream capital expenditures. The company reported an adjusted operating cash flow of $1.2 billion. It also registered a free cash flow of $477 million compared to $126 million a year ago.
As of March 31, APA had approximately $293 million in cash and cash equivalents and $4.3 billion in long-term debt, representing a debt-to-capitalization of 40%.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, fresh estimates have trended upward during the past month.
The consensus estimate has shifted 24.85% due to these changes.
VGM ScoresAt this time, APA has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for value investors.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, APA has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Performance of an Industry PlayerAPA is part of the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry. Over the past month, Diamondback Energy (FANG - Free Report) , a stock from the same industry, has gained 6.6%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended March 2026 more than a month ago.
Diamondback reported revenues of $4.24 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.7%. EPS of $4.23 for the same period compares with $4.54 a year ago.
Diamondback is expected to post earnings of $5.67 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +112.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +9.9%.
The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Diamondback. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of B.
Entered into an agreement to acquire Savant Alaska, LLC for upfront consideration, plus contingent payments tied to future development of APA’s Alaska position; Acquisition includes the 40,000 barrel-per-day Badami facility plus supporting field infrastructure, and the 80,000 barrel-per-day Nutaaq Pipeline providing access to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System;Acquired infrastructure is expected to support 2026-2027 exploration and appraisal activities, while enhancing future development flexibility; andTransaction adds approximately 104,000 gross acres and approximately 1,500 barrels of oil per day of production through interests in the Badami and Grey Owl units. HOUSTON, June 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA) today announced an agreement to acquire Savant Alaska, LLC (“Savant”) for approximately $70 million in upfront consideration prior to customary closing adjustments, plus additional contingent payments tied to future development of APA’s eastern North Slope position.
The acquisition secures ownership of key midstream, pipeline and field infrastructure adjacent to APA’s existing acreage, and is expected to enhance development flexibility, accelerate project timelines, and lower future development costs. It also enhances APA’s ability to appraise and potentially develop discoveries across its broader eastern North Slope position.
The transaction includes the Badami facilities, which have nameplate production capacity of approximately 40,000 barrels of oil per day, along with extensive supporting infrastructure, including accommodation facilities, a grind-and-inject system, barge landing and wharf facilities, runway access, gravel resources and other field infrastructure. In addition, APA is also acquiring the Nutaaq Pipeline, which has capacity of approximately 80,000 barrels of oil per day originating at Badami and providing access to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
“The acquisition of Savant secures control of strategic infrastructure adjacent to our eastern North Slope acreage, enhancing our ability to execute our planned drilling program efficiently,” said John J. Christmann IV, APA CEO. “As we continue to appraise and de-risk our resource base, ownership of this infrastructure provides greater flexibility and optionality in future development planning and represents a key step toward unlocking the potential of our position in Alaska.”
Several infrastructure assets, including accommodation facilities, the grind-and-inject system, barge landing and associated field infrastructure, are expected to support operations beginning with the 2026-2027 winter drilling season.
APA has assumed operatorship of the existing joint venture with partners Lagniappe Alaska, LLC, an Armstrong company, and Oil Search (Alaska), LLC, a subsidiary of Santos Limited, and plans to conduct a two-well drilling program during the 2026-2027 winter season, consisting of one exploration well and one appraisal well. The exploration well will test a new play in the western portion of the acreage. Results from the appraisal well will help define the scale of the Sockeye complex, support development planning, and assess the feasibility of utilizing existing Badami infrastructure.
In addition to the infrastructure assets, the acquisition includes approximately 17,000 net acres in the Badami unit, which currently produces approximately 1,500 barrels of oil per day and contains additional undeveloped resource potential. The transaction also includes approximately 75,000 net acres in the Grey Owl unit, and additional non-unitized acreage adjacent to Badami, providing further exploration upside. Following the acquisition, APA’s position on Alaska’s eastern North Slope will total approximately 487,000 gross acres.
The transaction is expected to close by year-end 2026, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. APA will provide updated guidance post-close.
Alaska Asset Map
About APA
APA Corporation owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for and produce oil and natural gas in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom and that explore for oil and natural gas offshore Suriname and elsewhere. APA posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website, www.apacorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goals,” “guidance,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “possibly,” “potential,” “projects,” “prospects,” “should,” “upside,” “will,” “would,” and similar references to future periods, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, expectations, and objectives for operations, including statements about our capital plans, drilling plans, production expectations, anticipated benefits and closing date of the pending transaction, development plans, project timelines, and costs. While forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance, and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. See “Risk Factors” in APA’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for a discussion of risk factors that affect our business. Any forward-looking statement made in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. APA and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Key Takeaways APA announces the acquisition of Savant Alaska for $70M upfront plus contingent development-linked payments.APA gains Badami facilities and the Nutaaq Pipeline, strengthening production and logistics capacity.APA plans two wells in 2026-2027 and expands its eastern North Slope holdings to 487,000 gross acres. APA Corporation (APA - Free Report) has officially announced the acquisition of Savant Alaska, LLC, a transaction valued at approximately $70 million in upfront consideration, along with additional contingent payments linked to the future development of APA’s eastern North Slope position. This move significantly strengthens APA’s infrastructure ownership, production capacity and development flexibility, cementing its position as a leading operator in Alaska’s oil and energy sector.
Securing Key Infrastructure for Accelerated DevelopmentThe acquisition provides APA, which is the Houston, TX-based oil and gas exploration and production company, with control over critical midstream, pipeline and field infrastructure adjacent to its existing acreage.
Notable assets include the Badami facilities, which offer a nameplate production capacity of roughly 40,000 barrels of oil per day. These facilities offer lodging, a grind-and-inject system, barge landing and wharf access, runway connectivity, and gravel resources, forming a comprehensive operational hub to support current and future exploration activities.
APA gains the ownership of the Nutaaq Pipeline, capable of transporting approximately 80,000 barrels of oil per day from Badami to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. This infrastructure enhances APA’s logistical capabilities, reduces the dependency on third-party operators and positions the company for efficient and cost-effective development of its eastern North Slope acreage.
Enhancing Flexibility & Operational EfficiencyJohn J. Christmann IV, CEO of APA, emphasized that the acquisition enhances operational flexibility and accelerates development timelines. With direct control over infrastructure, APA can optimize drilling schedules, reduce development costs and strategically appraise discoveries across its broader eastern North Slope position.
The move underscores APA’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of Alaska’s hydrocarbon resources while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital deployment.
Several infrastructure assets, including the accommodation facilities and grind-and-inject system, are slated to support operations starting with the 2026-2027 winter drilling season, allowing APA to execute its planned exploration and appraisal programs swiftly.
Strategic Drilling Program & Resource AppraisalFollowing the acquisition, APA assumed the operatorship of an existing joint venture with Lagniappe Alaska, LLC and Oil Search (Alaska), LLC, a subsidiary of Santos Limited. APA plans a two-well drilling program during the 2026-2027 winter season, comprising one exploration well and one appraisal well.
The exploration well will target a new play in the western portion of APA’s eastern North Slope acreage, likely unlocking additional hydrocarbon potential. Meanwhile, the appraisal well will focus on the Sockeye complex, assessing resource scale, development feasibility and infrastructure utilization. The results of these wells will directly inform APA’s development strategy, ensuring efficient deployment of capital and resources while maximizing long-term production potential.
Expanding Acreage & Production CapacityThe acquisition also expands APA’s land position in Alaska, adding approximately 17,000 net acres in the Badami unit, currently producing 1,500 barrels of oil per day, with significant undeveloped resource potential. The deal includes roughly 75,000 net acres in the Grey Owl unit, alongside non-unitized acreage adjacent to Badami, providing considerable exploration upside.
Following the completion, APA’s eastern North Slope holdings will total around 487,000 gross acres, consolidating its position as one of the largest acreage holders in the region. This expanded footprint not only strengthens APA’s exploration portfolio but also ensures long-term development optionality and scalability.
Outlook & Strategic SignificanceThe transaction, expected to close by the end of 2026, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. APA plans to provide updated guidance post-closing, highlighting anticipated production increases, capital allocation strategies and operational milestones.
By integrating Savant’s infrastructure, APA positions itself to reduce operational bottlenecks, enhance safety and environmental compliance, and accelerate the monetization of its resource base. This acquisition is a critical step toward realizing the full potential of APA’s eastern North Slope assets, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of Alaskan oil and gas development.
Conclusion: Transformative Growth for APA in AlaskaThe acquisition of Savant Alaska reaches a transformative milestone for APA. By securing strategic infrastructure, expanding acreage and optimizing production capabilities, APA is poised to drive significant growth in Alaska’s eastern North Slope region.
The combination of operational control, development flexibility and enhanced resource appraisal capabilities positions APA to efficiently deliver long-term value to shareholders while advancing Alaska’s energy development landscape.
This strategic acquisition underscores APA’s commitment to responsible resource development, operational excellence and sustained industry leadership in one of North America’s most critical oil-producing regions.
APA's Zacks Rank & Key PicksCurrently, APA has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like Imperial Oil (IMO - Free Report) , Murphy USA (MUSA - Free Report) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Imperial Oil is valued at $57.54 billion. It is a major Canadian petroleum company involved in crude oil production, refining and fuel distribution, with operations concentrated in Canada. A majority-owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil, Imperial Oil benefits from advanced technology and expertise while maintaining a strong presence in Canada's energy sector.
Murphy USA is valued at $10.28 billion. Murphy USA is one of the largest independent gasoline and convenience store retailers in the United States, operating a network of stores primarily located near Walmart locations. The company focuses on offering low-cost fuel and everyday convenience products, supported by a strong loyalty program and disciplined capital-allocation strategy.
Marathon Petroleum is valued at $75.36 billion. It is one of the largest downstream energy companies in the United States, operating extensive refining, transportation and fuel marketing networks. Through its refining assets and retail fuel brands, Marathon Petroleum supplies gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products to consumers and businesses nationwide.
In the latest trading session, APA (APA - Free Report) closed at $36.78, marking a -3.21% move from the previous day. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.75%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 1.86%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 2.54%.
Shares of the oil and natural gas producer have appreciated by 2.79% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 0.13%, and the S&P 500's loss of 1.63%.
The upcoming earnings release of APA will be of great interest to investors. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $1.78, indicating a 104.6% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $2.49 billion, reflecting a 4.49% fall from the equivalent quarter last year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.59 per share and revenue of $9.28 billion, which would represent changes of +48.28% and +0.64%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for APA. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.72% lower within the past month. APA presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, APA is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 6.8. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 9.87.
The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 109, placing it within the top 45% of over 250 industries.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow APA in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
APA Corporation remains a Strong Buy, with an intrinsic value estimated above current levels while the price grew alongside the broader market, still discrediting their potential. Q1 results exceeded expectations, with $477M FCF and a boosted 2026 FCF outlook of $2.2B, supporting debt reduction and shareholder returns. The Suriname project, cost savings, and strategic M&A (e.g., Savant Alaska) underpin long-term growth and support their strategic expansion.
