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Crescent Energy Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 25 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Full-year net income and Adjusted Net Income: Full-year 2025 net income was $167 million and Adjusted Net Income was $470 million, with Adjusted EPS of $1.80. Full-year results were above the 2025 guidance expectations, which were enhanced several times during the year. Source
  • Cash flow and EBITDAX totals: Adjusted EBITDAX was $536 million in the fourth quarter and $2.1 billion for 2025. Full-year operating cash flow was $1.7 billion and levered free cash flow was $856 million, up from $630 million in 2024. Source
  • About $4 billion of acquisitions in 2025: The company completed about $4 billion of acquisitions in 2025, including Central Eagle Ford assets for $905 million upfront ($830 million cash plus about 5.5 million shares) and minerals assets for about $72 million. Source
  • Fourth-quarter oil price lower than prior quarter: Realized oil before derivatives was $57.01 per Bbl in the fourth quarter, against $63.07 in the third quarter and $67.51 a year earlier. The full-year average was $62.21. Source
  • Operating expense per Boe higher year on year: Operating expense was $16.52 per Boe in the fourth quarter, $16.65 in the third quarter and $15.08 in the fourth quarter of 2024. The full-year figure was $16.71. Source
  • 2026 production target 320 to 335: The company guided 2026 total production to 320 to 335 MBoe/d, with oil at 40% to 42% and gas at 36% to 39% of the mix. Source
  • Development capital set at $1.3 to $1.4 billion: Development capital is guided to $1,325 million to $1,425 million for 2026, with corporate capital of about $30 million. Source
  • Buyback authorization raised to $400 million: The company repurchased about $33 million of stock in 2025 under the $150 million program, leaving about $86 million available at year-end. The Board then raised the authorization to $400 million. Source
  • Leverage 1.5x and about $2 billion liquidity: Net LTM leverage was 1.5x at December 31, 2025, and liquidity was about $2 billion including divestiture proceeds held in restricted cash. Source

“2025 was a transformational year, and our value proposition has never been more compelling,”

Crescent CEO David Rockecharlie

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total production Source2026320 - 335 MBoe/d; oil 40% - 42%; gas 36% - 39%
Realized prices Source2026Mid ~90% of WTI (oil); 55% - 65% of HHUB (gas)
Development capital Source2026$1,325 - $1,425 MM; corporate capital ~$30 MM
Rig program Source20266-7 rigs total; 1-2 rigs in the Permian
Adjusted operating expense excluding production and other taxes Source2026$11.50 - $12.50/Boe
Adjusted recurring cash G&A including manager compensation Source2026$1.15 - $1.25/Boe
Share repurchase authorization Sourcefrom February 2026, indefinite$400 MMRaised from $150 million program
Quarterly dividend Sourcefourth quarter 2025$0.12 per share
Permian annual synergy target Sourceannualincreased by 100%Raised

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: The share repurchase authorization was increased from $150 million to $400 million and the program was extended indefinitely. Source
  • Guidance raised: The annual synergy target for the Permian assets was increased by 100%. Source
  • New: Crescent Royalties was introduced to handle the minerals and royalties portfolio. Source
  • New: Two Eagle Ford minerals acquisitions were announced for about $355 million in cash and were reported as closed in the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • New: The Vital Energy Permian acquisition was closed on December 15, 2025. Source
  • Ended: The non-core divestiture program announced with the Permian Acquisition was completed in 2025. Source
  • Ended: The Up-C corporate structure was eliminated, and the company now owns 100% of OpCo units. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Full-year net income and Adjusted Net Income: Full-year 2025 net income was $167 million and Adjusted Net Income was $470 million, with Adjusted EPS of $1.80. Full-year results were above the 2025 guidance expectations, which were enhanced several times during the year. Source
  • Fourth-quarter earnings were small: Fourth-quarter net income was $9 million and Adjusted Net Income was $131 million. Net income attributable to Crescent was a loss of $8.7 million after noncontrolling interests. Source
  • Cash flow and EBITDAX totals: Adjusted EBITDAX was $536 million in the fourth quarter and $2.1 billion for 2025. Full-year operating cash flow was $1.7 billion and levered free cash flow was $856 million, up from $630 million in 2024. Source
  • Record annual production reported: Full-year 2025 production averaged 260 MBoe/d, about 40% oil, and the company described this as a record annual level. Fourth-quarter production averaged 268 MBoe/d. Source
  • Well costs down about 15%: Management reported approximately 15% year-over-year improvement in well costs, which it linked to its model of buying assets and making them better. Source

Basins and drilling activity

  • Three basins and a minerals platform: Activities are focused in the Eagle Ford, Permian and Uinta Basins, with minerals and royalty interests across other basins and a core focus in the Eagle Ford. Source
  • Fourth-quarter wells drilled and online: In the fourth quarter the company drilled 33 gross operated wells, 25 in the Eagle Ford, 6 in the Permian and 2 in the Uinta. It brought 22 gross operated wells online, all in the Eagle Ford. Source
  • Permian assets under Crescent playbook: The company implemented its operational playbook on the acquired Permian assets and is right-sizing capital intensity there. Source

“The expanded authorization enhances the Company's flexibility to allocate capital opportunistically during periods of market dislocation and reflects management's confidence in the strength and durability of Crescent's cash flow profile.”

Crescent Energy Co., press release

Acquisitions and divestitures

  • About $4 billion of acquisitions in 2025: The company completed about $4 billion of acquisitions in 2025, including Central Eagle Ford assets for $905 million upfront ($830 million cash plus about 5.5 million shares) and minerals assets for about $72 million. Source
  • Vital Energy deal closed in December: The Vital Energy acquisition in the Permian closed on December 15, 2025, for about $3.1 billion including net debt assumed, paid in an all-stock transaction. Source
  • Over $900 million of non-core sales: Non-core divestitures closed in 2025 totaled more than $900 million and covered the whole of the Barnett, conventional Rockies, Mid-Continent and DJ positions. Source
  • Eagle Ford minerals deals announced: On February 25, 2026, the company announced two Eagle Ford minerals acquisitions for about $355 million in cash, which the company said closed in the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Corporate structure simplified in April: The Up-C structure was eliminated after holders of remaining Class B shares exercised redemption rights. The company now owns 100% of OpCo units and no longer makes distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest holders. Source

Realized prices and production mix

  • Fourth-quarter oil price lower than prior quarter: Realized oil before derivatives was $57.01 per Bbl in the fourth quarter, against $63.07 in the third quarter and $67.51 a year earlier. The full-year average was $62.21. Source
  • Gas price higher in fourth quarter: Realized natural gas before derivatives was $2.97 per Mcf in the fourth quarter, against $2.49 in the third quarter and $2.27 a year earlier. The full-year average was $2.84. Source
  • Derivative settlements added to prices: Settlements of acquired derivative contracts added $33.6 million in the fourth quarter. Full-year realized total was $36.17 per Boe before derivatives and $37.03 after. Source
  • NGL volumes and prices: NGL volumes averaged 48 MBbl/d for the year and 51 MBbl/d in the fourth quarter. Realized NGL price was $19.66 per Bbl in the fourth quarter against $22.53 in the third quarter. Source

Operating costs and G&A

  • Operating expense per Boe higher year on year: Operating expense was $16.52 per Boe in the fourth quarter, $16.65 in the third quarter and $15.08 in the fourth quarter of 2024. The full-year figure was $16.71. Source
  • Adjusted operating expense excluding taxes: Adjusted operating expense excluding production and other taxes was $13.10 per Boe in the fourth quarter and $12.90 for the full year, against $11.37 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
  • Cash G&A and production taxes per Boe: Adjusted recurring cash G&A was $1.53 per Boe in the fourth quarter and $1.37 for the year. Production and other taxes were $2.31 per Boe for the year. Source
  • G&A rose with equity compensation: General and administrative expense was $216.5 million in the fourth quarter, against $86.7 million a year earlier. Non-cash equity-based compensation in the quarter was $102.2 million. Source
  • Transaction costs in the fourth quarter: Transaction and nonrecurring expenses were $107.6 million in the fourth quarter and $137.4 million for 2025, mainly tied to the Permian Acquisition and the January 2025 Eagle Ford transition. Source

2026 guidance and plan

  • 2026 production target 320 to 335: The company guided 2026 total production to 320 to 335 MBoe/d, with oil at 40% to 42% and gas at 36% to 39% of the mix. Source
  • Development capital set at $1.3 to $1.4 billion: Development capital is guided to $1,325 million to $1,425 million for 2026, with corporate capital of about $30 million. Source
  • Flexible six-to-seven rig program: The 2026 program is six to seven rigs, including one to two in the Permian, as the company implements its playbook on the newly acquired assets. Source
  • Per-Boe cost and tax guidance: Adjusted operating expense excluding production and other taxes is guided to $11.50 to $12.50 per Boe. Production taxes are guided to 6.0% to 7.0% of commodity revenue. Source
  • Realized price and cost assumptions stated: Realized oil is assumed at a midpoint near 90% of WTI and gas at 55% to 65% of Henry Hub, based on the commodity environment as of February 19, 2026. Source
  • G&A guidance and transaction G&A: Adjusted recurring cash G&A including manager compensation is guided to $1.15 to $1.25 per Boe. Non-recurring transaction G&A is guided to about $25 million. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Dividend held at $0.12 per share: The Board approved a cash dividend of $0.12 per share for the fourth quarter. Dividends to Class A shareholders totaled $115.1 million in 2025. Source
  • Buyback authorization raised to $400 million: The company repurchased about $33 million of stock in 2025 under the $150 million program, leaving about $86 million available at year-end. The Board then raised the authorization to $400 million. Source
  • Capital spending and free cash flow: Development spending was $903 million for 2025 and $226 million in the fourth quarter. Levered free cash flow was $856 million for the year, against $630 million in 2024. Source

Balance sheet and liquidity

  • Leverage 1.5x and about $2 billion liquidity: Net LTM leverage was 1.5x at December 31, 2025, and liquidity was about $2 billion including divestiture proceeds held in restricted cash. Source
  • Divestiture proceeds repaid revolver: After year end, the company used $714 million of divestiture proceeds to reduce revolver borrowings, leaving no material borrowings on the $2.0 billion elected commitment. Source

Coming up, as management said on 25 February 2026

  • Fourth-quarter dividend payment date: The fourth-quarter dividend of $0.12 per share is payable on March 25, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2026. Source
  • 2026 plan execution: The 2026 plan focuses on maximizing free cash flow and capital discipline, with capital allocated to the highest-return opportunities across the portfolio. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Production volumes Source260 MBoe/d full year 2025; 268 MBoe/d Q4 2025 (104 Mbo/d oil for the year)
Realized oil price, before derivatives Source$62.21/Bbl full year 2025; $57.01/Bbl Q4 2025
Realized natural gas price, before derivatives Source$2.84/Mcf full year 2025; $2.97/Mcf Q4 2025
Development capital expenditure, excluding acquisitions Source$903.2 million full year 2025; $226.2 million Q4 2025
Operating expense per Boe Source$16.71 full year 2025; $16.52 Q4 2025
Adjusted operating expense excluding production taxes, per Boe Source$12.90 full year 2025; $13.10 Q4 2025
Quarterly dividend per share Source$0.12 (fourth quarter 2025)
Share repurchases Sourceapproximately $33 million in 2025

Risks management discussed

  • External: The guidance and price assumptions rest on the commodity environment as of February 19, 2026, and amounts are subject to change based on later events. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Full-year 2025 results were reported as exceeding previously announced guidance expectations, which had been enhanced several times in 2025. Source
  • Met: The company said it executed the non-core divestiture program announced alongside the Permian Acquisition. Source
  • Not stated: The company is implementing its operational playbook and right-sizing capital and operational intensity on the newly acquired Permian assets, without a stated status. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.