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SM 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: 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Record full-year production and cash flow: Full-year 2025 net production was a record 75.5 MMBoe, up 21%, and operating cash flow was a record $2.01 billion, with 53% of production oil. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAX rose 13%: Adjusted EBITDAX reached a record $2.26 billion for 2025, up 13%, as record production offset a 14% lower benchmark oil price. Source
  • Realized oil price fell: Realized oil price before hedges was $58.17 per Bbl in the fourth quarter, down 16% from $69.34, and $63.52 for the full year, down 15%. Source
  • Cash operating costs below guidance: Fourth quarter cash operating costs were 13% below the guidance mid-point, mainly from lower lease operating expenses and ad valorem taxes. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow up 28%: Adjusted free cash flow increased 28% to $620 million for the full year; the fourth quarter figure was $198 million. Source
  • Net debt reduced by $437 million: Net debt fell by $437 million during the year, and leverage at year end was 1.05x net debt to adjusted EBITDAX. Source
  • Civitas merger closed in January: The merger with Civitas Resources closed on January 30, 2026, which the company said delivers enhanced scale and meaningful expected synergies. Source
  • South Texas sale agreed for $950 million: After year-end the company agreed to sell certain South Texas assets for $950 million, which management described as an accretive valuation. Source

“In 2025, we delivered record cash flow from operations and record net production.”

President and CEO Beth McDonald

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Divestiture proceeds target Source2026$1.0 billion divestiture targetNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Civitas Resources merger closed on January 30, 2026. Source
  • New: Agreement signed to sell certain South Texas assets for $950 million. Source
  • New guidance: A $1.0 billion divestiture target was set for 2026. Source
  • New: Beth McDonald is to take over as President and CEO from Herb Vogel.

Results and growth drivers

  • Record full-year production and cash flow: Full-year 2025 net production was a record 75.5 MMBoe, up 21%, and operating cash flow was a record $2.01 billion, with 53% of production oil. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAX rose 13%: Adjusted EBITDAX reached a record $2.26 billion for 2025, up 13%, as record production offset a 14% lower benchmark oil price. Source
  • Fourth quarter net income: Fourth quarter net income was $109 million, or $0.95 per diluted share; adjusted net income was $96 million, or $0.83 per diluted share. Source
  • Full-year net income and adjusted EPS: Full-year net income was $648 million, or $5.64 per diluted share, and adjusted net income was $623 million, or $5.42 per diluted share. Source

Segments and regions

  • Fourth quarter volumes by area: Fourth quarter volumes were 7.7 MMBoe from the Midland Basin, 7.4 MMBoe from South Texas and 3.9 MMBoe from the Uinta Basin, totaling 19.0 MMBoe. Source
  • Uinta Basin assets integrated: Management said the Uinta Basin assets were integrated during the year, showing technical ability to unlock value from stacked intervals. Source
  • Full-year reserves by area: Year-end proved reserves were 214.2 MMBoe in the Midland Basin, 347.9 MMBoe in South Texas and 110.9 MMBoe in the Uinta Basin. Source

“With our recently announced $950 million South Texas asset divestiture at an accretive valuation, we are well on our way to achieving our $1.0 billion divestiture target to bolster the balance sheet and enhance return of capital.”

President and CEO Beth McDonald

Products and realized prices

  • Oil made up just over half of volumes: Oil made up 52% of fourth quarter net production, and full-year oil volumes were 40.3 MMBbl, up 37% from 2024. Source
  • Realized oil price fell: Realized oil price before hedges was $58.17 per Bbl in the fourth quarter, down 16% from $69.34, and $63.52 for the full year, down 15%. Source
  • Gas price rose for the year: Full-year gas price before hedges was $2.35 per Mcf, up 29%, while fourth quarter gas price was $1.81 per Mcf, down 17%. Source

Costs

  • Cash operating costs below guidance: Fourth quarter cash operating costs were 13% below the guidance mid-point, mainly from lower lease operating expenses and ad valorem taxes. Source
  • Lease operating expense per Boe rose: Lease operating expense was $5.71 per Boe for the full year, up 12% from $5.11, and $5.55 per Boe in the fourth quarter, up 4%. Source
  • Transportation costs rose for the year: Transportation costs were $3.67 per Boe in the fourth quarter, down 10%, and $3.87 per Boe for the full year, up 44% from $2.68. Source
  • DD&A per Boe rose 23%: Depletion, depreciation and amortization was $16.73 per Boe in the fourth quarter, up 23%, and $15.99 per Boe for the full year, up 23%. Source

“We’re rapidly integrating the combined business and unlocking meaningful synergies.”

President and CEO Beth McDonald

Margins and pricing

  • Hedges added per Boe in the quarter: The net derivative settlement gain was $2.39 per Boe in the fourth quarter, up 104% from $1.17, and $1.75 per Boe for the full year. Source
  • Equivalent price fell 15% before hedges: Equivalent realized price before settlements was $36.92 per Boe in the fourth quarter, down 15%; with settlements it was $39.32, down 12%. Source
  • Fair value gain on derivatives: Fourth quarter net derivative gain was $71 million, including a $25 million fair value gain and a $46 million settlement gain. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Fourth quarter capital spending: Fourth quarter capital expenditures were $216 million, or $247 million before accrual changes, which management attributed to accelerated facility investments. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow up 28%: Adjusted free cash flow increased 28% to $620 million for the full year; the fourth quarter figure was $198 million. Source
  • Net debt reduced by $437 million: Net debt fell by $437 million during the year, and leverage at year end was 1.05x net debt to adjusted EBITDAX. Source
  • Returns to stockholders: Stockholder returns in 2025 totaled $104 million through dividends and share buybacks, with $648 million cumulative under the program since 2022. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Civitas merger closed in January: The merger with Civitas Resources closed on January 30, 2026, which the company said delivers enhanced scale and meaningful expected synergies. Source
  • South Texas sale agreed for $950 million: After year-end the company agreed to sell certain South Texas assets for $950 million, which management described as an accretive valuation. Source
  • Divestiture target of $1.0 billion: Management said the South Texas sale substantially achieves the $1.0 billion divestiture target and bolsters the balance sheet. Source
  • Integration of the combined business: Management said the combined business is being integrated rapidly, with meaningful synergies being unlocked. Source

People and leadership

  • Beth McDonald named President and CEO: Beth McDonald is now President and CEO; the prior release said she would take over the role the following quarter.
  • Herb Vogel expressed confidence: Herb Vogel, CEO in the prior release, said he had full confidence in McDonald's leadership and vision for the company's long-term success.
  • People are the foundation: McDonald said people are the foundation of the company's success and that she is committed to building on the momentum.

Reserves and asset value

  • Estimated proved reserves at year end: Estimated net proved reserves were 673.0 MMBoe at year end, 42% oil and 61% proved developed. Source
  • Pre-tax PV-10 fell at year end: Pre-tax PV-10 was $6,847 million at December 31, 2025, against $8,356 million a year earlier. Source

Coming up, as management said on 25 February 2026

  • 2026 guidance release to follow: Management pointed to a separate release covering 2026 guidance, first quarter 2026 guidance, strategic priorities, capital allocation and operating plans. Source
  • Deleveraging through divestitures: Management described the South Texas sale as advancing deleveraging objectives and substantially achieving the $1.0 billion divestiture target. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Net production, fourth quarter 2025 Source19.0 MMBoe; 206.9 MBoe/d; 52% oil
Net production, full year 2025 Source75.5 MMBoe; 206.8 MBoe/d; 53% oil
Realized oil price before hedges, fourth quarter 2025 Source$58.17 per Bbl
Equivalent realized price including hedges, fourth quarter 2025 Source$39.32 per Boe
Estimated net proved reserves, year end 2025 Source673.0 MMBoe; 42% oil; 61% proved developed
Capital expenditures, full year 2025 Source$1.44 billion; $1.40 billion before accrual changes
Lease operating expense per Boe Source$5.55 fourth quarter 2025; $5.71 full year 2025
Returns to stockholders, full year 2025 Source$104 million

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said leverage improved at year end even though oil prices were lower than planned. Source
  • Operational: Fourth quarter production reflected modest weather impacts and the timing of completions. Source
  • Operational: The combined business is being integrated, and management is working to unlock synergies from the Civitas merger. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said it is well on its way to the $1.0 billion divestiture target through the South Texas sale. Source
  • Met: Fourth quarter net production of 206.9 MBoe/d was described as in line with guidance. Source
  • Ahead: Fourth quarter cash operating costs were 13% below the guidance mid-point. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release cited steady progress toward a 1.0x target; this release reports 1.05x leverage at year end without a status.

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.