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Matador Resources Co.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 4 new, 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Oil and gas revenue reached record: Oil and natural gas revenues rose to $1.22 billion from $810 million a year earlier, driven by record production and higher realizations. Source
  • Production ran above guidance midpoint: Total production averaged 230,470 BOE per day, up 10% from a year earlier and 3% above the guidance midpoint of 224,000 BOE per day. Source
  • Natural gas realizations turned positive: Natural gas realized $2.99 per Mcf, up $3.78 from a negative $0.79 in the second quarter, when realizations were negative. Source
  • Operating expenses above guidance midpoint: Operating expenses were $33.67 per BOE, above the midpoint of the $32.00 to $34.00 range, mainly on midstream operating expense of $3.89 per BOE. Source
  • Well costs down 6% on year: Well costs were $804 per completed lateral foot in the quarter, 6% below the $855 of the same period in 2025. Source
  • New wells drove production excess: The excess over guidance came mainly from new wells that outperformed expectations after being turned to sales in the third quarter. Source
  • Capital spending below guidance range: Third-quarter capital expenditures were $381.4 million, below the $410 to $440 million range, with timing shifts in upstream and midstream work. Source
  • Marlan plant expansion underwritten: New producer agreements underwrite a 300 MMcfd processing plant at San Mateo's Marlan complex, which management expects to make San Mateo the largest private processor in the Northern Delaware Basin. Source

“Oil and natural gas revenues reached record levels in the third quarter.”

Joseph Wm. Foran, Matador’s Founder, Chairman and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Oil production Sourcefull-year 2026128,750 to 129,250 Bbl per dayRaised from 127,500 to 129,000 Bbl per day (August 2026)
Natural gas production Sourcefull-year 2026565.5 to 568.5 MMcf per dayRaised from 546.0 to 567.0 MMcf per day (August 2026)
Total oil equivalent production Sourcefull-year 2026223,000 to 224,000 BOE per dayRaised from 218,500 to 223,500 BOE per day (August 2026)
Current income taxes Sourcefull-year 20260% to 1% of pretax incomeKept
D/C/E capital expenditures Sourcefull-year 2026$1.50 to $1.54 billionKept
Midstream capital expenditures Sourcefull-year 2026$170 to $190 millionRaised from $145 to $165 million (August 2026)
Total capital expenditures Sourcefull-year 2026$1.67 to $1.73 billionRaised from $1.625 to $1.725 billion (August 2026)
Operating expenses per BOE Sourcefull-year 2026$32.00 to $34.00 per BOEKept
Drilling and completion cost per completed lateral foot Sourcefull-year 2026$785 to $805Kept
Net operated wells turned to sales Sourcefull-year 2026112.6 net operated wellsKept
Midstream Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull-year 2026approaching $400 millionNew
Leverage ratio Sourceyear-end 2026approach 1.5xNew
Total oil equivalent production Sourcefourth quarter 2026238,000 to 242,000 BOE per day
Oil production Sourcefourth quarter 2026136,000 to 138,000 Bbl per day
Natural gas production Sourcefourth quarter 2026612.0 to 624.0 MMcf per day
D/C/E and midstream capital expenditures Sourcefourth quarter 2026$425 to $485 millionNew
Net operated horizontal wells turned to sales Sourcefourth quarter 202621 to 23 net wellsNew
Paloma and Ridge Runner production contribution Sourcefourth quarter 2026approximately 10,000 BOE per day (57% oil)Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 production guidance midpoint raised for oil, gas and total BOE. Source
  • Guidance raised: Midstream capital guidance midpoint raised to $180 million for the Marlan expansion. Source
  • New guidance: Combined midstream Adjusted EBITDA guidance of approaching $400 million for 2026 was given for the first time in these documents. Source
  • New guidance: Company estimates 2027 production growth; the August release did not give this estimate. The August release gave a 1.0x leverage target by end-2027, a different measure from the 1.5x now given. Source
  • Guidance kept: D/C/E capital guidance midpoint kept at $1.52 billion; range narrowed. Source
  • New: Paloma and Ridge Runner acquisitions completed in October 2026; integration begun. Source
  • New: Hugh Brinson natural gas pipeline commissioned on September 1, 2026, and gas volumes began flowing on it. Source
  • New: Annual dividend raised to $1.75 per share from $1.50, the eighth increase in five years. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Oil and gas revenue reached record: Oil and natural gas revenues rose to $1.22 billion from $810 million a year earlier, driven by record production and higher realizations. Source
  • Production ran above guidance midpoint: Total production averaged 230,470 BOE per day, up 10% from a year earlier and 3% above the guidance midpoint of 224,000 BOE per day. Source
  • Net income and adjusted EPS reported: Net income attributable to Matador shareholders was $172.1 million, or $1.39 diluted EPS, against $390.7 million in the second quarter. Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.08. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA compared with prior quarter: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Matador shareholders was $738.3 million, compared with $781.0 million in the second quarter and $566.5 million a year earlier. Source

Midstream and San Mateo

  • San Mateo posts highest quarterly EBITDA: San Mateo's Adjusted EBITDA was $94.0 million, which management described as the highest quarterly figure in San Mateo's history. Source
  • San Mateo nine-month net income reported: San Mateo reported net income of $135 million for the first nine months of 2026, against $160 million for the same period of 2025. Source
  • Gathering and processing volumes rose: San Mateo gas gathering reached 731 MMcf per day, up 27% from the second quarter. Oil gathering fell 8% sequentially and produced water handling rose 20%. Source
  • Combined midstream quarterly results: San Mateo and Matador's wholly-owned midstream assets had combined quarterly net income of $50.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $101.4 million. Source

“we are pleased to report that we have already repaid over $150 million in borrowings so far in the fourth quarter of 2026”

Joseph Wm. Foran, Matador’s Founder, Chairman and CEO

Commodity realizations

  • Natural gas realizations turned positive: Natural gas realized $2.99 per Mcf, up $3.78 from a negative $0.79 in the second quarter, when realizations were negative. Source
  • Oil price fell from second quarter: Oil realized $87.25 per barrel, down 11% from the second quarter and up 34% from a year earlier. With realized derivatives the price was $74.84. Source
  • Derivative losses reduced realized prices: Realized losses on derivatives totaled $160.2 million in the third quarter, against $72.5 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Gas volumes rose 10% sequentially: Natural gas production rose 10% to 591 million cubic feet per day from 537 MMcfd in the second quarter, adding to the quarter's production. Source

Costs and margins

  • Operating expenses above guidance midpoint: Operating expenses were $33.67 per BOE, above the midpoint of the $32.00 to $34.00 range, mainly on midstream operating expense of $3.89 per BOE. Source
  • Well costs down 6% on year: Well costs were $804 per completed lateral foot in the quarter, 6% below the $855 of the same period in 2025. Source
  • Lease operating cost below expectations: Lease operating expense was $5.66 per BOE, against an expected $5.80, mainly on lower repair and maintenance costs than planned. Source

“This was a landmark year of growth for our midstream business.”

Joseph Wm. Foran, Matador’s Founder, Chairman and CEO

Wells and inventory

  • New wells drove production excess: The excess over guidance came mainly from new wells that outperformed expectations after being turned to sales in the third quarter. Source
  • Woodford discovery adds inventory: Management said the company continues to add high-quality inventory and new discoveries, such as the Woodford, while integrating this year's acquisitions. Source
  • Federal and Paloma wells to start: Through year-end 2027, Matador expects to commence operations on 35 to 40 gross wells on Federal lease and Paloma acreage, plus up to 15 gross Woodford wells. Source

Capital spending and cash flow

  • Capital spending below guidance range: Third-quarter capital expenditures were $381.4 million, below the $410 to $440 million range, with timing shifts in upstream and midstream work. Source
  • Capital spending down year on year: Capital expenditures were $91 million, or 19%, below the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell from second quarter: Net cash from operating activities was $594.4 million, against $937.1 million in the second quarter and $721.7 million a year earlier. Adjusted free cash flow was $287.6 million. Source
  • Acquisition payments in quarter: Cash paid for the Cardinal acquisition was $723.4 million in the quarter, and $63.8 million was paid for Paloma. Source

Debt and shareholder returns

  • San Mateo term loan now current: A $647.3 million term loan under the San Mateo Credit Facility is shown as a current liability at September 30, 2026. Source
  • Share repurchases in quarter: Matador repurchased 253,603 shares for $12 million at an average near $47.64, against a $60.88 closing price on October 30, 2026. Source
  • San Mateo distribution to Matador: San Mateo distributed $30.6 million to Matador during the third quarter. Source
  • Credit facility and revolver balances: Borrowings under the Credit Agreement were $951.0 million and under the San Mateo revolver $1.0 billion at September 30, 2026. Source

Strategy and midstream expansion

  • Marlan plant expansion underwritten: New producer agreements underwrite a 300 MMcfd processing plant at San Mateo's Marlan complex, which management expects to make San Mateo the largest private processor in the Northern Delaware Basin. Source
  • Brick-by-brick acreage additions: Management says its brick-by-brick approach has added over 25,000 net Delaware Basin acres through more than 1,100 selective transactions across 2025 and 2026. Source
  • Four 2026 strategic catalysts executed: Management said the company executed four strategic catalysts in 2026, covering the Federal lease sale, Cardinal, Paloma and the Woodford and Ridge Runner work. Source

People and leadership

  • Directors and officers bought shares: Directors and executive officers bought about 23,600 shares of Matador stock in the third quarter. Source
  • Board and staff buy in open market: Management said the Board, management and staff continue to buy shares in the open market, further aligning the company with shareholders. Source
  • Chairman and CEO on integration: Joseph Wm. Foran said the company continued to integrate this year's acquisitions into Matador and San Mateo operations. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 November 2026

  • Gulf Coast gas contracts effective 2027: Higher gas realizations are expected once long-term sales agreements with Gulf Coast liquefaction companies become effective in the first quarter of 2027. Source
  • Regular debt repayments continue: Management said regular debt repayments funded by free cash flow are being scheduled alongside asset growth. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Production volumes Source230,470 BOE per day total; 132,019 Bbl per day oil; 590.7 MMcf per day natural gas
Realized prices SourceOil $87.25 per Bbl; natural gas $2.99 per Mcf
Reserves Source771 million BOE, pro forma at September 30, 2026
Capital expenditure SourceD/C/E $329.9 million; total $381.4 million (third quarter)
Unit costs SourceLOE $5.66 per BOE; total operating expenses $33.67 per BOE; well cost $804 per completed lateral foot
Shareholder returns SourceDividend $1.75 per share annually; 253,603 shares repurchased for $12 million

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management said capital discipline and efficiencies are offsetting oilfield service cost inflation, which it cited as a continuing pressure. Source
  • Operational: Operating expenses were above expectations because midstream costs were higher, including the Cardinal acquisition and certain non-recurring costs. Source
  • External: Improved gas realizations depend on Hugh Brinson pricing compared with Waha prices, according to management. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said repayments in the fourth quarter so far exceeded the amount previously announced. Source
  • Ahead: Third-quarter production was above the midpoint of the guidance range. Source
  • Ahead: A twelve-well batch in the Ranger area was turned to sales earlier than planned. Source
  • Ahead: Operating expense savings of about $15 million were achieved against guidance expectations through September 30. Source
  • Delayed: Lower third-quarter spending reflected timing shifts; $8 to $10 million upstream and $20 to $25 million midstream move into the fourth quarter. Source
  • Not stated: Management expects overall cost per completed lateral foot to stay within the February range. 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.