Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 6 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production industry. Those looking for value stocks to add to their portfolio may want to use this list as a starting point for further investment research.

Why Focus on Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks?

Value investors seek to buy stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value. Long-term returns show that such strategies are advantageous. Value stocks, as a group, tend to outperform growth stocks over extended periods of time. Typically, value investors perform financial analysis of numerous metrics, don’t follow the herd and are long-term investors.

AAII’s A+ Investor Value Grade is derived from a stock’s Value Score. The Value Score is the percentile rank of the average of the percentile ranks of the price-to-sales ratio, price-earnings ratio, enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, shareholder yield, price-to-book-value ratio and price-to-free-cash-flow ratio. The score is variable, meaning it can consider all six ratios or, should any of the six ratios not be valid, the remaining ratios that are valid. To be assigned a Value Score, stocks must have a valid (non-null) ratio and corresponding ranking for at least two of the six valuation ratios.

What Goes Into AAII’s Value Grade?

Stock evaluation requires access to huge amounts of data as well as the knowledge and time to sift through it all, make sense of financial ratios, read income statements and analyze recent stock movement. AAII created A+ Investor, a robust data suite that condenses data research in an actionable and customizable way suitable for investors of all knowledge levels, to help investors with that task.

AAII’s proprietary stock grades come with A+ Investor. These offer intuitive A–F grades for more than just value. It is possible for a stock to appear cheap based on one valuation metric but appear expensive on another. It is also possible for one valuation ratio to be associated with outperforming stocks during certain periods of time but not others. Some stocks may even have null values for certain metrics like the price-earnings ratio or the price-to-book ratio but not others. An example of this would be a company with losses instead of profits or a negative book value because of heavy borrowing. Negative earnings or book value result in non-meaningful ratios that are left blank or null.

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6 Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 6 undervalued stocks in the Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production industry for Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production industry median.

The Value Grade is assigned based on how each stock’s composite valuation compares to all other stocks.

The process for assigning grades starts with each variable for a given stock. The percentile rankings for all valid ratios that a stock has are calculated. So, for instance, a stock could have a price-to-book ranking in the 43rd percentile, a price-earnings ranking in the 67th percentile, a price-to-sales ranking in the 23rd percentile, etc. Then, those rankings are averaged for each stock. (A minimum of two valid variables are required, though all six will be used if available.)

Once the average of the individual variables is calculated, that average is ranked against all stocks. Put another way, each stock’s composite valuation is compared to all other stocks. These ranks are then sorted into quintiles from the cheapest 20% (a grade of A) to the most expensive 20% (a grade of F).

As always, we recommend that you conduct proper due diligence and research before investing in any security. We also suggest that investors utilize numerous grades, not just value, when it comes to deciding whether a company is a good fit for their allocation needs.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Canadian Natural Resources Limited is a Canada-based independent crude oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company. The Company's segments include exploration and production, oil sands mining and upgrading, and midstream and refining. The exploration and production segment is focused on North America, specifically in Western Canada; the United Kingdom portion of the North Sea, and Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa in Offshore Africa. The oil sands mining and upgrading segment produces synthetic crude oil through bitumen mining and upgrading operations at Horizon Oil Sands and through its direct and indirect interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project. Within Western Canada in the midstream and refining segment, the Company maintains certain activities that include pipeline operations, an electricity co-generation system and an investment in the Northwest Redwater Partnership, a general partnership formed to upgrade and refine bitumen in the Province of Alberta.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA) has a Value Score of 61, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s price-to-sales ratio at 2.91 compared to the industry median at 2.31, this company has a higher price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s stock less attractive for value investors.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s price-earnings ratio is 14.29 compared to the industry median at 11.36. This means it has a higher share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA) less attractive for value investors.

Now, let’s assess Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s EV/EBITDA ratio, also known as enterprise multiple. At 10.0, when compared to the industry median of 5.3, the company may be considered overvalued in relation to its peers. Value investors could use the enterprise multiple to identify stocks that are considered overvalued or undervalued relative to their industry.

Shareholder yield is the sum of a stock’s dividend yield (paid over previous 12 months minus special dividends) and the percentage of net share buybacks over the previous 12 months. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 2.08%. Value investors may look for an attractive shareholder yield because it can be a powerful tool for identifying if the company has a good management team.

As one of the most common value metrics, the price-to-book ratio evaluates a company’s current market price relative to its book value. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its industry median ratio of 1.45. This could make Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA) less attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Lastly, let’s take a look at Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA)’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is higher than its industry median ratio of 8.63. This could make Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA) less attractive because the higher P/FCF ratio indicates that Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA) is undervalued. The P/FCF ratio metric can also be viewed over a long-term time frame to see if the company's cash flow to share price value is generally improving or worsening.

Coterra Energy Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Coterra Energy Inc. is an independent oil and gas company. The Company is engaged in the development, exploration and production of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Its operations are primarily concentrated in three core operating areas: the Permian Basin in west Texas and southeast New Mexico, the Marcellus Shale in northeast Pennsylvania and the Anadarko Basin in the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma. Its Permian Basin properties hold approximately 296,000 net acres in its core operating area in the Delaware Basin. Its Marcellus Shale properties hold approximately 186,000 net acres in the dry gas window of the Marcellus Shale. The Anadarko Basin properties hold approximately 182,000 net acres and its development activities are primarily focused on both the Woodford Shale and the Meramec formations. It sells oil, natural gas and NGLs to industrial customers, local distribution companies, oil and gas marketers, pipeline companies and power generation facilities.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Coterra Energy Inc has a Value Score of 70, which is considered to be undervalued.

Coterra Energy Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 15.6 compared to the industry median at 11.4. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Coterra Energy Inc less attractive for value investors.

Coterra Energy Inc’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Coterra Energy Inc fairly attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.45.

You can read more about Coterra Energy Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Harbour Energy PLC (ADR)’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Harbour Energy plc is a United Kingdom-based independent oil and gas company. The Company’s principal activities are the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and gas reserves on the United Kingdom and Norwegian continental shelves, Indonesia, Vietnam and Mexico. The Company operates through two segments: North Sea and International. The North Sea segment includes the United Kingdom and Norwegian continental shelves, and the International segment includes Indonesia, Vietnam and Mexico. The Company's UK offshore operating positions include the Greater Britannia Area, J-Area, AELE, Catcher Area and Tolmount Area. Its other UK North Sea interests include East Irish Sea, Galleon, Ravenspurn North, and Johnston. It has an operating interest in the Tuna field and acreage in the South Andaman Sea gas play. It also has an interest in the Zama field in Mexico's Sureste basin. Its operations in Vietnam are focused on its Chim Sao and Dua oil fields.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Harbour Energy PLC (ADR) has a Value Score of 82, which is considered to be undervalued.

Harbour Energy PLC (ADR)’s price-earnings ratio is 96.5 compared to the industry median at 11.4. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Harbour Energy PLC (ADR) less attractive for value investors.

Harbour Energy PLC (ADR)’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Harbour Energy PLC (ADR) more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.45.

You can read more about Harbour Energy PLC (ADR)’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Murphy Oil Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Murphy Oil Corporation is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. The Company is engaged in both onshore and offshore operations and properties. The Company’s geographic segments include the United States, Canada, and all other countries. It produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids primarily in the United States and Canada and explores for crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids in targeted areas worldwide. In the United States, it produces crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas primarily from fields in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas. It holds rights to approximately 133 thousand gross acres in South Texas in the Eagle Ford Shale unconventional oil and natural gas play. In Canada, it holds working interests in Tupper Montney (100% owned), Kaybob Duvernay (operated) and two non-operated offshore assets: the Hibernia and Terra Nova fields, located offshore Newfoundland in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Murphy Oil Corp has a Value Score of 88, which is considered to be undervalued.

Murphy Oil Corp’s price-earnings ratio is 11.3 compared to the industry median at 11.4. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Murphy Oil Corp more attractive for value investors.

Murphy Oil Corp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Murphy Oil Corp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.45.

You can read more about Murphy Oil Corp’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Opal Fuels Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

OPAL Fuels Inc. is a renewable energy company specializing in the capture and conversion of biogas for the production of renewable natural gas (RNG) for use as a vehicle fuel for heavy and medium-duty trucking fleets; generation of renewable power for sale to utilities; generation and sale of Environmental Attributes associated with RNG and Renewable Power, and sales of RNG as pipeline quality natural gas. Its RNG Fuel segment relates to all RNG supply directly related to the generation and sale of brown gas and environmental credits and consists of development and construction and RNG supply operating facilities. Through its Fuel Station Services segment, it provides construction and maintenance services to third-party owners of vehicle Fueling Stations and performs fuel dispensing activities. Its Renewable Power portfolio segment generates renewable power and associated environmental credits through methane-rich landfills then sold to public utilities throughout the United States.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Opal Fuels Inc has a Value Score of 66, which is considered to be undervalued.

Opal Fuels Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 5.5 compared to the industry median at 11.4. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Opal Fuels Inc more attractive for value investors.

You can read more about Opal Fuels Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Primeenergy Resources Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

PrimeEnergy Resources Corporation is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in acquiring, developing, and producing oil and natural gas. The Company owns leasehold, mineral and royalty interests in producing and non-producing oil and gas properties across the United States, primarily in Oklahoma, and Texas. Through its subsidiaries Prime Operating Company, Eastern Oil Well Service Company, and EOWS Midland Company, it acts as operator and provides well-servicing support operations for many of the onshore oil and gas wells it operates, as well as for third parties. It operates approximately 534 active wells and owns non-operating interests and royalties in approximately 952 additional wells. It maintains an acreage position of approximately 16,407 gross (9,341 net) acres in the Permian Basin in West Texas, primarily in Reagan, Upton, Martin and Midland counties. It has over 511 producing wells in the Mid-Continent area, of which 128 wells are operated by the Company.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Primeenergy Resources Corp has a Value Score of 92, which is considered to be undervalued.

Primeenergy Resources Corp’s price-earnings ratio is 8.0 compared to the industry median at 11.4. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Primeenergy Resources Corp more attractive for value investors.

Primeenergy Resources Corp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Primeenergy Resources Corp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.45.

You can read more about Primeenergy Resources Corp’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Other Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stock Grades

Value is just one of the five Stock Grades included in our A+ Investor service. AAII members can see the top-graded stocks—those with grades of A or B for value, growth, momentum, earnings estimate revisions and quality—on the A+ Stock Grades Screener.

Also, if you want full access to all of AAII’s premium services, you can subscribe to one convenient bundled plan called AAII Platinum where you can try out A+ Investor, AAII Dividend Investing, the Stock Superstars Report, Growth Investing and VMQ Stocks. With the other premium services, you can dive deep into additional metrics, portfolios, commentary and information about Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 6 Best Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks Is Right for You

Choosing which value stocks to invest in will ultimately depend on your individual goals and allocation; however, comparing similar value stocks in the same industry can help you analyze which might be better investments for you in the long run. So, let’s take a look at the Value Grade for all of our stocks.

• Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (USA) stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Coterra Energy Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Harbour Energy PLC (ADR) stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Murphy Oil Corp stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Opal Fuels Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Primeenergy Resources Corp stock has a Value Grade of A.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 6 undervalued stocks in the Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production industry as well as their overall grades, it’s time for you to conduct additional research to see if these could fit your portfolio needs based on your goals and risk tolerance. AAII can help you figure out both and identify which investments align with what works best for you.

We do so through a program of education that teaches you to invest for yourself and become an effective manager of your own wealth—no more relying on others for your financial independence. You can rely on AAII for timeless articles on financial planning and stock-picking, unbiased research and actionable analysis that makes you a better investor.

A+ Investor adds to that qualitative teaching by giving you a powerful data suite that helps you whittle down investment decisions to find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that meet your needs.

Additional Resources About Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks

Want to learn more about Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production stocks to see if they could be the right investment for you? Check out some additional resources and articles to help you on your financial journey.

• 6 Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks for Tuesday, July 23
• 4 Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks for Monday, July 22
• Why Talos Energy Inc’s (TALO) Stock Is Up 4.64%
• 3 Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks for Friday, July 19

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