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 Thursday, July 25, 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 2.86 compared to the industry median at 2.26, 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 14.00 compared to the industry median at 11.15. 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 10.1, 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 1.99%. 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 1.43. 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 8.46. 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.

Chevron Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Chevron Corporation is an integrated energy company. The Company produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance its business and the industry. The Company’s upstream operations consist primarily of exploring for, developing, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas (LNG); transporting crude oil by major international oil export pipelines; processing, transporting, storage and marketing of natural gas; carbon capture and storage; and a gas-to-liquids plant. The Company’s downstream operations consist primarily of refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufacturing and marketing of renewable fuels; transporting of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car; and others.

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.

Chevron Corp has a Value Score of 62, which is considered to be undervalued.

Chevron Corp’s price-earnings ratio is 14.3 compared to the industry median at 11.1. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Chevron Corp less attractive for value investors.

Chevron Corp’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Chevron Corp more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.43.

You can read more about Chevron 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.

Matador Resources Co’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Matador Resources Company is an independent energy company. The Company is engaged in in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States, with an emphasis on oil and natural gas shale and other unconventional plays. It operates through two segments: exploration and production and midstream. The exploration and production segment are engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States and is focused primarily on the oil and liquids-rich portion of the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. The midstream segment conducts midstream operations in support of the Company’s exploration, development and production operations and provides natural gas processing, oil transportation services, oil, natural gas and produced water gathering services and produced water disposal services to third parties.

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.

Matador Resources Co has a Value Score of 84, which is considered to be undervalued.

Matador Resources Co’s price-earnings ratio is 7.9 compared to the industry median at 11.1. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Matador Resources Co more attractive for value investors.

Matador Resources Co’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Matador Resources Co more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.43.

You can read more about Matador Resources Co’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.

Paramount Resources Ltd’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Paramount Resources Ltd. is a Canada-based energy company. The Company explores and develops both conventional and unconventional petroleum and natural gas. It also pursues longer-term strategic exploration and pre-development plays and holds a portfolio of investments in other entities. Its principal properties are located in Alberta and British Columbia. The Company's operations are organized into three regions: the Grande Prairie Region, located in the Peace River Arch area of Alberta, which is focused on Montney developments at Karr and Wapiti; the Kaybob Region, located in west-central Alberta, which includes the Kaybob North Duvernay development, the Kaybob North Montney oil development and other shale gas and conventional natural gas producing properties, and the Central Alberta and Other Region, which includes the Willesden Green Duvernay development in central Alberta and shale gas producing properties in the Horn River Basin in northeast British Columbia.

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.

Paramount Resources Ltd has a Value Score of 80, which is considered to be undervalued.

Paramount Resources Ltd’s price-earnings ratio is 12.9 compared to the industry median at 11.1. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Paramount Resources Ltd less attractive for value investors.

Paramount Resources Ltd’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Paramount Resources Ltd less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.43.

You can read more about Paramount Resources Ltd’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.

Ring Energy Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Ring Energy, Inc. is an oil and gas exploration, development, and production company. The Company is focused on the development of its Permian Basin assets. Its primary drilling operations target the oil and liquids-rich producing formations in the Northwest Shelf and the Central Basin Platform, in the Permian Basin in Texas. The Company's leasehold acreage positions total approximately 96,127 gross (80,535 net) acres, and it holds interests in approximately 1,043 gross (864 net) producing wells. All of its properties are located in the Permian Basin and its proved reserves are oil-weighted, with approximately 63% consisting of oil, 19% consisting of natural gas, and 18% consisting of natural gas liquids. Of those reserves, approximately 68% are classified as proved developed and 32% are classified as proved undeveloped. Its proved reserves are approximately 129.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE).

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.

Ring Energy Inc has a Value Score of 93, which is considered to be undervalued.

Ring Energy Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 4.7 compared to the industry median at 11.1. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Ring Energy Inc more attractive for value investors.

Ring Energy Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Ring Energy Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.43.

You can read more about Ring 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.

Veren Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Veren Inc., formerly Crescent Point Energy Corp., is a Canada-based oil and gas exploration company. The Company is engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and assets. Its crude oil and natural gas properties and related assets are located in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta and the United States. Its operating areas include Viewfield area of southeastern Saskatchewan; Shaunavon resource play, which is located in southwest Saskatchewan; Flat Lake play, which is a multi-zone resource play located in southeast Saskatchewan; Kaybob Duvernay play, which is situated in the heart of the condensate rich fairway, Central Alberta, and Montney assets in Alberta. Its wholly owned subsidiaries include Crescent Point Resources Partnership, Crescent Point Holdings Ltd. and Crescent Point U.S. Holdings Corp.

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.

Veren Inc has a Value Score of 69, which is considered to be undervalued.

Veren Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 15.8 compared to the industry median at 11.1. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Veren Inc less attractive for value investors.

Veren Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Veren Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.43.

You can read more about Veren 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.

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.
• Chevron Corp stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Matador Resources Co stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Paramount Resources Ltd stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Ring Energy Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Veren Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.

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 Thursday, July 25
• 3 Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks for Wednesday, July 24
• Why LandBridge Co LLC’s (LB) Stock Is Up 4.50%
• Why Vista Energy SAB de CV - ADR’s (VIST) Stock Is Down 5.17%

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