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.

Latest Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stock News

Before choosing which top Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production stock to buy, be sure to conduct proper due diligence: analyze various financial metrics and look at historical data, public statements and news coverage.

The outlook for the oil and gas exploration and production sub-industry is mostly favorable for the foreseeable future. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major oil shock occurred in 2020. Since then, crude oil prices have begun to recover, currently priced at around $60 per barrel as a result of persistent supply cuts by the OPEC-Plus Consortium. While the demand perspective remains uncertain, from a supply perspective, both OPEC and non-OPEC participants have a conservative production outlook in 2021. The most significant unknown factor is the potential lifting of Iran sanctions by the Biden administration and its impact. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), oil demand is expected to increase by about 5.4 mmb/d, to 96.4 mmb/d in 2021. While this appears to be a strong year-over-year increase, it is well in line with the 2019 demand of around 100 mmb/d, signifying only a 60% recovery from the pandemic. In May 2021, the EIA forecasted WTI crude oil prices as $59 dollars per barrel in 2021 and $57 per barrel in 2022. At these price points, exploration and production operations are expected to generate significant free cashflow.

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, May 25, 2023. 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.

APA Corp (US)’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

APA Corporation is an independent energy company that explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Its upstream business has exploration and production operations in three geographic areas: the United States (U.S.), Egypt, and offshore the United Kingdom (U.K.) in the North Sea (North Sea). It has exploration, and appraisal operations in Suriname, as well as interests in other international locations. The Company?s midstream business (Altus Midstream) is operated by Altus Midstream Company through its subsidiary Altus Midstream LP (collectively, Altus). Altus owns, develops, and operates a midstream energy asset network in the Permian Basin of West Texas. It holds approximately 789,000 gross acres (451,000 net acres) in the Southern Midland Basin. The Company holds approximately 229,000 gross acres (131,000 net acres) in the Delaware Basin. It also holds approximately 2.5 million gross acres (1.1 million net acres) in legacy properties.

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.

APA Corp (US) has a Value Score of 86, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at APA Corp (US)’s price-to-sales ratio at 1.03 compared to the industry median at 1.60, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make APA Corp (US)’s stock more attractive for value investors.

APA Corp (US)’s price-earnings ratio is 5.56 compared to the industry median at 4.71. This means it has a higher share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make APA Corp (US) less attractive for value investors.

Now, let’s assess APA Corp (US)’s EV/EBITDA ratio, also known as enterprise multiple. At 3.0, when compared to the industry median of 2.9, 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. APA Corp (US)’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 1.29%. 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. APA Corp (US)’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its industry median ratio of 1.35. This could make APA Corp (US) less attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Lastly, let’s take a look at APA Corp (US)’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. APA Corp (US)’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 5.36. This could make APA Corp (US) more attractive because the lower P/FCF ratio indicates that APA Corp (US) 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.

Berry Corporation (Bry)’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Berry Corporation (bry) is an independent upstream energy company. The Company operates through two segments: exploration and production (E&P;) and well servicing and abandonment (CJWS). The E&P; segment consists of the development and production of onshore, low geologic risk, long-lived conventional oil and gas reserves, primarily located in California, as well as Utah. Its California operating area consists of properties located in Midway-Sunset, South Belridge, McKittrick and Poso Creek fields in the San Joaquin basin in Kern County. The Company operates Uinta basin operations in the Brundage Canyon, Ashley Forest, and Lake Canyon areas in Utah. The well servicing and abandonment segment provides wellsite services in California for oil and natural gas production companies, with a focus on well servicing, well abandonment services and water logistics. The Company?s subsidiaries include Berry Petroleum Company, LLC; CJ Berry Well Services Management, LLC; and C&J; Well Services, LLC.

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.

Berry Corporation (Bry) has a Value Score of 94, which is considered to be undervalued.

Berry Corporation (Bry)’s price-earnings ratio is 1.9 compared to the industry median at 4.7. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Berry Corporation (Bry) more attractive for value investors.

Berry Corporation (Bry)’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Berry Corporation (Bry) less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.35.

You can read more about Berry Corporation (Bry)’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.

Chord Energy Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Chord Energy Corporation is an independent exploration and production company with assets in the North Dakota and Montana regions of the Williston Basin. The Company produces and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. It has approximately 963,009 net leasehold acres in the Williston Basin, of which approximately 99% is held by production. It focuses on the Middle Bakken and Three Forks formations, which are present across a substantial portion of its acreage. It has approximately 3,583 gross (2,742.8 net) operating producing wells, including 2,558.6 net operated producing wells in the Williston Basin. Its working interest for producing wells averaged 46% in total and 77% in the wells it operates. The Company has an average daily production of 119,785 net barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boepd), including average daily production of 171,880 net Boepd with crude oil production of approximately 95,992 barrels of oil per day (Bopd).

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.

Chord Energy Corp has a Value Score of 64, which is considered to be undervalued.

Chord Energy Corp’s price-earnings ratio is 3.5 compared to the industry median at 4.7. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Chord Energy Corp more attractive for value investors.

Chord Energy Corp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Chord Energy Corp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.35.

You can read more about Chord Energy 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.

VAALCO Energy, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

VAALCO Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company principally engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. The Company?s segments include segments Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. It holds 58.8% participating interest in the Etame Marin block, located offshore Gabon in West Africa. The Etame Marin block covers an area of approximately 46,200 gross acres located 20 miles offshore in water depths of approximately 250 feet. The operations of all segments include exploration for and production of hydrocarbons where commercial reserves have been found and developed. The Company owns an interest in an undeveloped block offshore Equatorial Guinea, West Africa. The Company conducts its operating activities in Egypt, Canada, and offshore Gabon. In Egypt, its interests are spread across two regions: the Eastern Desert, which contains the West Gharib, West Bakr and Northwest Gharib merged concessions, and the Western Desert.

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.

VAALCO Energy, Inc. has a Value Score of 68, which is considered to be undervalued.

VAALCO Energy, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 5.5 compared to the industry median at 4.7. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes VAALCO Energy, Inc. less attractive for value investors.

VAALCO Energy, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make VAALCO Energy, Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.35.

You can read more about VAALCO 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.

Enerplus Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Enerplus Corporation (Enerplus) is a Canada-based oil and gas exploration and production company. The Company is focused on the development of North American oil and natural gas assets. Its portfolio includes light oil assets in the Bakken (North Dakota) and Marcellus natural gas shale region (northeast Pennsylvania). The Company holds approximately 238,500 net acres in North Dakota. Its acreage is primarily located across the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, as well as in Williams and Dunn Counties. Enerplus holds an interest in approximately 33,000 net acres in the dry gas window of the Marcellus shale in northeast Pennsylvania. This non-operated position is located across Susquehanna, Bradford, Wyoming, Sullivan, and Lycoming counties.

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.

Enerplus Corp has a Value Score of 91, which is considered to be undervalued.

Enerplus Corp’s price-earnings ratio is 3.4 compared to the industry median at 4.7. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Enerplus Corp more attractive for value investors.

Enerplus Corp’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Enerplus Corp more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.35.

You can read more about Enerplus 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.

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 in the United Kingdom and Norwegian Continental Shelves, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mexico. Its North Sea portfolio comprises a mixture of producing assets, development, and pre-development projects, as well as near-field exploration opportunities. Its International portfolio includes assets in Indonesia and Vietnam and interests in Mexico. The Company's UK offshore operated 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 96, which is considered to be undervalued.

Harbour Energy PLC (ADR)’s price-earnings ratio is 1.9 compared to the industry median at 4.7. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Harbour Energy PLC (ADR) more 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 1.35.

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.

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.

• APA Corp (US) stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Berry Corporation (Bry) stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Chord Energy Corp stock has a Value Grade of B.
• VAALCO Energy, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Enerplus Corp stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Harbour Energy PLC (ADR) 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 Thursday, May 25
• 5 Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks for Wednesday, May 24
• Why Granite Ridge Resources Inc’s (GRNT) Stock Is Up 7.26%
• 7 Undervalued Oil & Gas - Exploration and Production Stocks for Tuesday, May 23

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