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Diversified Energy Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 2 lowered, 2 narrowed, 3 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Production and commodity revenue: Average production was 1,253 MMcfepd (209 Mboepd), with a 1,275 MMcfepd exit rate. Total commodity revenue was $504M, against $556M in the first quarter 2026. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted cash flow: Adjusted EBITDA was $240M, against $287M in the first quarter 2026. Adjusted free cash flow was $115M, against $160M. Source
  • Camino adds Oklahoma acreage: Camino is a bolt-on to the contiguous Oklahoma position, which the company said carries identified synergies and large undeveloped inventory. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin of 52%: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 52%, against 64% a year earlier, on per unit revenue of $4.22/Mcfe ($25.32/Boe). Source
  • Leverage within target range: Leverage was 2.45x at June 30, 2026. About 76% of consolidated debt sits in deleveraging non-recourse ABS notes. Source
  • Barnett and Arkansas sale completed: The company completed the sale of non-core Barnett and Arkansas assets for $147M, with about $130M gross from Barnett and $17M from Arkansas. Source
  • One-rig operated program in Oklahoma: The company is adding a disciplined one-rig operated development program in Oklahoma, aimed at organic cash flow growth from drill-ready inventory. Source

“Importantly, we ended the quarter with leverage within our targeted range and substantial liquidity available for deployment into future value generating opportunities”

Rusty Hutson, Jr., CEO of Diversified

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total production SourceFY 20261,180 to 1,210 Mmcfe/dNarrowed, low end up from 1,170 to 1,210 Mmcfe/d
Liquids share of production SourceFY 2026~29%Raised from ~28%
Natural gas share of production SourceFY 2026~71%Lowered from ~72%
Total capital expenditures SourceFY 2026$225 to $255 millionNew
Operated development capital SourceFY 2026$35 to $50 millionNew
Non-op JV partnership capital SourceFY 2026$115 to $125 millionLowered from $135 to $155 million
Maintenance and other capital SourceFY 2026$75 to $80 millionNarrowed, low end up from $70 to $80 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFY 2026$960 to $1,010 millionRaised from $925 to $975 million
Adjusted free cash flow SourceFY 2026~$440 millionRaised from ~$430 million
Income from equity affiliates SourceFY 2026~$15 millionNew
Leverage target SourceFY 20262.0x to 2.5xKept
Asset optimization cash proceeds SourceFY 2026~$135 millionRaised from ~$100 million
Non-operated production contribution Source2026 average~12,500 BoepdRaised from ~10,800 Boepd

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year total production range moved to 1,180 to 1,210 Mmcfe/d from 1,170 to 1,210 Mmcfe/d. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted EBITDA range raised to $960M to $1,010M from $925M to $975M; adjusted free cash flow about $440M from about $430M. Source
  • Guidance raised: Estimated 2026 asset optimization cash proceeds raised to about $135M from about $100M. Source
  • Guidance raised: Non-operated production contribution raised to about 12,500 Boepd from about 10,800 Boepd. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Non-operated JV partnership capital range lowered to $115M to $125M from $135M to $155M. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Natural gas share of production guided at about 71%, down from about 72%. Source
  • New guidance: Total capital expenditure range of $225M to $255M and operated development range of $35M to $50M added to guidance. Source
  • New guidance: Income from equity affiliates of about $15M added to guidance, included in adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. Source
  • Guidance kept: Leverage target of 2.0x to 2.5x kept from the prior release. Source
  • New: Camino acquisition closed, adding to the contiguous Oklahoma position. Source
  • New: Operated development program in Oklahoma announced as a new part of the company's strategy, with one rig. Source
  • New: Sale of non-core Barnett and Arkansas assets completed for $147M. Source

Second quarter results

  • Production and commodity revenue: Average production was 1,253 MMcfepd (209 Mboepd), with a 1,275 MMcfepd exit rate. Total commodity revenue was $504M, against $556M in the first quarter 2026. Source
  • Net income positive on derivative gains: Net income was $248M, which includes a gain on non-cash unsettled derivatives. The first quarter 2026 net loss was $161M. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted cash flow: Adjusted EBITDA was $240M, against $287M in the first quarter 2026. Adjusted free cash flow was $115M, against $160M. Source
  • Six-month adjusted EBITDA higher: Six-month adjusted EBITDA was $527M, against $417M a year earlier. Trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA was $1,066M. Source

Regions and production mix

  • Central and Appalachia volume split: About 66% of production came from the Central region and 34% from Appalachia in the quarter. Source
  • Camino adds Oklahoma acreage: Camino is a bolt-on to the contiguous Oklahoma position, which the company said carries identified synergies and large undeveloped inventory. Source
  • Oklahoma inventory size: Oklahoma inventory includes more than 450 economic drilling locations, over 20 years at a one-rig pace, at $65/Bbl oil and $3.25/MMBtu gas. Source

“Our focus within this expansive set of development opportunities in Oklahoma is to add future reserves and new production, which we expect will enhance and grow our cash flow.”

Rusty Hutson, Jr., CEO of Diversified

Products, volumes and decline

  • Mix of gas, NGLs and oil: Production mix was about 71% natural gas, 15% NGLs and 14% oil in the quarter. Source
  • Six-month average volumes: Average production for the six months was 1,225 MMcfepd (204 Mboepd). Source
  • Shallow decline profile: The company said production continued to benefit from its shallow decline profile. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Realized price and other revenue: Average realized price was $3.88/Mcfe ($23.28/Boe), against $3.91/Mcfe a year earlier. Other revenue was $0.12/Mcfe. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin of 52%: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 52%, against 64% a year earlier, on per unit revenue of $4.22/Mcfe ($25.32/Boe). Source
  • Operating cost per unit flat: Adjusted operating cost per unit was $2.09/Mcfe ($12.54/Boe), the same as in the second quarter 2025. Source
  • Midstream and transport costs lower: Midstream and transportation expenses decreased from prior period levels, which the company cited as progress on cost savings and synergy capture. Source

“we are increasingly able to control our growth profile while reducing reliance on acquisitions alone to sustain long-term performance.”

Rusty Hutson, Jr., CEO of Diversified

Capital, cash flow and leverage

  • Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Operating cash flow was $89M and capital expenditures were $40M, leaving free cash flow of $48M, against $19M a year earlier. Source
  • Leverage within target range: Leverage was 2.45x at June 30, 2026. About 76% of consolidated debt sits in deleveraging non-recourse ABS notes. Source
  • Liquidity at June 30: Liquidity was $678M, made up of credit facility availability and unrestricted cash. Source
  • ABS notes retired in first half: The company retired $233M of debt under certain ABS notes in the first half of 2026. Source

Shareholder returns and buybacks

  • Year-to-date returns of $136M: Year-to-date returns to shareholders were about $136M, including $93M of share repurchases, which the company described as a 14% return yield. Source
  • Second quarter buybacks to August 5: The company repurchased 1,563,389 shares in the second quarter through August 5, 2026, about 2% of shares outstanding. Source
  • Year-to-date buybacks about 9%: Year-to-date repurchases through August 5, 2026 were 6,596,753 shares, about 9% of shares outstanding. Source
  • Second quarter dividend declared: The company declared a second quarter 2026 dividend of $0.29 per share. Source

Portfolio optimization and acquisitions

  • Barnett and Arkansas sale completed: The company completed the sale of non-core Barnett and Arkansas assets for $147M, with about $130M gross from Barnett and $17M from Arkansas. Source
  • Barnett sale effect on liquidity: Barnett assets produced about 52 MMcfe/d and $13M of annual EBITDA. The sale added about $47M of liquidity after fees, debt repayment and hedge termination. Source
  • Acreage and divestiture proceeds since 2023: The company said it has generated more than $500M through acreage sales and divestitures since the beginning of 2023. Source
  • Year-to-date acreage sales of $126M: Year-to-date acreage sales reached $126M, per the company's highlights. Source
  • Canvas, Sheridan and Camino integration: The company said integrating Canvas and Sheridan, along with the Camino closing, enhanced the scale, quality and inventory depth of the portfolio. Source

Development strategy and leadership

  • One-rig operated program in Oklahoma: The company is adding a disciplined one-rig operated development program in Oklahoma, aimed at organic cash flow growth from drill-ready inventory. Source
  • Non-operated partners named: Non-operated partners are Continental Resources, Mewbourne and a private Northwest Shelf operator, across multiple core basins. Source
  • Chief Operating Officer leads program: The operated program is led by Chief Operating Officer Rick Gideon and an internal development team. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Operated program starts second half: Operated development capital begins in the second half of 2026, with a material production impact expected in 2027. Source
  • Equity affiliate income becomes guided metric: Following the Camino transaction, the company will guide to income from equity affiliates to model EBITDA and free cash flow. Source
  • Portfolio optimization cash generation continues: The company will continue to provide cash from its portfolio optimization program and to improve the cost structure of established producing assets. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Production volumes Source1,253 MMcfepd (209 Mboepd) average; 1,275 MMcfepd (213 Mboepd) exit rate
Realized prices Source$3.88/Mcfe ($23.28/Boe)
Capital expenditures Source$40M in the second quarter 2026
Unit costs Source$2.09/Mcfe ($12.54/Boe) adjusted operating cost per unit
Shareholder returns Source~$136M year to date, including $93M in share repurchases

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: The portfolio has natural production decline, which non-operated partnerships are expected to offset by about half. Source
  • Financial: Net income includes a non-cash gain on unsettled derivatives, which moves with commodity prices. Source
  • Financial: About 76% of consolidated debt is non-recourse ABS notes that are being reduced. Source
  • External: Full-year asset optimization proceeds and other figures are based on July 2026 strip prices. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management says leverage was within its targeted range at quarter end. Source
  • Met: Management describes the integration of Canvas and Sheridan as successful. Source
  • Not stated: Management expects per unit expenses to improve as the playbook for synergies and cost savings is implemented. Source
  • Not stated: The first quarter release gave a third quarter closing expectation. The second quarter release reports the Camino closing without comparing timing.

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.