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SM 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: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income and per-share results: Net income was $1,071 million for the quarter. Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, was $526 million, or $2.19 per diluted share. Source
  • Production about 440 MBoe/d: Average net daily production was about 440 MBoe/d, of which about 230 MBbl/d was oil, with realized price of $53.86 per Boe before hedges. Source
  • Second-half production guidance raised: Second-half 2026 production guidance raised to 435 - 440 MBoe/d from 430 MBoe/d, and full-year production guidance narrowed. Source
  • Oil price rose 31 percent: Realized oil price before hedges was $96.85 per Bbl in the second quarter, up 31% from $73.69 in the first quarter 2026. Source
  • Synergy progress toward target: 95% of the Merger synergy target, or $355 million, has been actioned to date. Full run-rate synergies are expected to be actioned by year-end 2026. Source
  • Net debt fell $1.1 billion: Net debt was $6,253 million at June 30, 2026, after a $1.1 billion sequential reduction. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow of $467 million: Adjusted free cash flow was $467 million after about $42 million of one-time costs. Year-to-date adjusted free cash flow was $487 million. Source

“In our first full quarter as a combined company, we moved with urgency, actioning 95% of our targeted run-rate synergies, while further strengthening our balance sheet and returning $137 million to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases.”

President and CEO Beth McDonald

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total production Sourcesecond half 2026435 - 440 MBoe/dRaised from 430 MBoe/d
Oil production Sourcesecond half 2026approximately 238 MBbl/d
Total production and oil production Sourcefull year 2026418 - 423 MBoe/d (223 - 225 MBbl/d of oil)
Total production and oil production Sourcethird quarter 2026430 - 440 MBoe/d total; 230 - 240 MBbl/d oil
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026$2.65 - $2.85 billionKept
Capital expenditures Sourcethird quarter 2026$740 - $790 million
Drilling, completion and equipment capital Sourcefull year 2026$2,300 - $2,500 million
Net wells drilled Sourcethird quarter 2026 and full year 2026about 55 (third quarter); about 245 (full year)
Net wells turned-in-line Sourcethird quarter 2026 and full year 2026about 85 (third quarter); about 295 (full year)
Average well cost Sourcefull year 2026about $710 per lateral foot
Lease operating expense Source2026 (column not stated)$6.50 - $6.80 per Boe
Transportation Source2026 (column not stated)$3.60 - $3.75 per Boe
Production taxes Source2026 (column not stated)about 6% of oil, gas and NGL revenue
Ad valorem taxes Source2026 (column not stated)about $0.50 per Boe
Depreciation, depletion and amortization Source2026 (column not stated)$14.00 - $15.00 per Boe
Recurring general and administrative expense Sourcefull year 2026$230 - $250 millionLowered
One-time integration and transaction costs, cash Source2026 (column not stated)about $160 million
One-time integration and transaction costs, non-cash Source2026 (column not stated)about $20 million
Exploration expense Source2026 (column not stated)about $100 million
Cash taxes Sourcethird quarter 2026 and full year 2026$20 - $30 million (third quarter, at $75 - $80/Bbl WTI); $30 - $50 million (full year, at $80 - $85/Bbl WTI)
Transaction and integration costs Sourcefull year 2026$180 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Second-half 2026 production guidance raised to 435 - 440 MBoe/d from 430 MBoe/d. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Recurring G&A guidance lowered by $50 million at the midpoint, reflecting accelerated integration. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2026 capital expenditures guidance maintained at $2.65 - $2.85 billion. Source
  • New: South Texas assets sold for $950 million on April 30, 2026; approximately $900 million of net proceeds applied to 2026 Senior Notes redemption. Source
  • New: After quarter-end, notice of full redemption issued for the remaining 2027 Senior Notes, paid from cash on hand. Source

Second-quarter results and production

  • Net income and per-share results: Net income was $1,071 million for the quarter. Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, was $526 million, or $2.19 per diluted share. Source
  • Operating cash flow reported at $1.1 billion: Operating cash flow was $1.1 billion, or $1.2 billion before net change in working capital and certain long-term items. The release headline describes operating cash flow as record. Source
  • Production about 440 MBoe/d: Average net daily production was about 440 MBoe/d, of which about 230 MBbl/d was oil, with realized price of $53.86 per Boe before hedges. Source
  • Second-half production guidance raised: Second-half 2026 production guidance raised to 435 - 440 MBoe/d from 430 MBoe/d, and full-year production guidance narrowed. Source
  • Gain on South Texas sale: The company recognized an estimated $262 million gain on the South Texas divestiture. Other operating income included an approximate $70 million severance tax refund. Source

Realized prices and product mix

  • Oil price rose 31 percent: Realized oil price before hedges was $96.85 per Bbl in the second quarter, up 31% from $73.69 in the first quarter 2026. Source
  • Hedge settlements reduced realized price: Net derivative settlements were a $5.50 per Boe loss in the quarter. Realized oil price including hedges was $80.62 per Bbl and equivalent price was $48.36 per Boe. Source
  • Gas price fell 90 percent: Realized gas price before hedges was $0.17 per Mcf, down 90% from the first quarter 2026. NGL realized price was $24.69 per Bbl. Source
  • Gas and NGL volumes rose: Gas production averaged 953.7 MMcf/d, up 19% from the first quarter 2026. NGL production averaged 51.0 MBbl/d, up 9%. Source

“Our team is focused on disciplined execution - turning scale and asset quality into growing, durable returns for stockholders.”

President and CEO Beth McDonald

Unit costs and general and administrative

  • Lease operating expense per Boe rose: Lease operating expense was $6.71 per Boe, up 7% from $6.25 in the first quarter 2026. Source
  • Production taxes per Boe rose: Production taxes were $3.25 per Boe, up 34% from $2.43 in the first quarter 2026. Source
  • G&A per Boe fell from first quarter: General and administrative expense was $1.98 per Boe, down 62% from $5.20 in the first quarter 2026. It included $0.92 per Boe of one-time costs. Source
  • Synergy progress toward target: 95% of the Merger synergy target, or $355 million, has been actioned to date. Full run-rate synergies are expected to be actioned by year-end 2026. Source
  • Most one-time costs incurred: Management said the majority of one-time integration and transaction costs, cash and non-cash, were incurred in the first half of 2026. Source

Capital spending and drilling

  • Second-quarter capital spending: Capital expenditures were $754 million in the quarter, or $717 million before changes in accruals. Source
  • Expected capital includes synergies: Full-year 2026 capital expenditures before changes in accruals include about $50 million of expected synergies. Source
  • Wells in progress increased: Wells in progress were $809 million at June 30, 2026, compared with $458 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Debt reduction and balance sheet

  • Net debt fell $1.1 billion: Net debt was $6,253 million at June 30, 2026, after a $1.1 billion sequential reduction. Source
  • 2026 notes redeemed with sale proceeds: Net proceeds of about $900 million from the South Texas sale were used to redeem all $819 million of 6.75% and 5.0% Senior Notes due 2026. Source
  • Senior notes principal and cash at quarter-end: Senior notes principal was $6,873 million and the revolving credit facility had no balance, against cash and cash equivalents of $620 million. Source

Cash flow and shareholder returns

  • Adjusted EBITDAX of $1.4 billion: Adjusted EBITDAX was $1.4 billion for the second quarter, a non-GAAP measure reconciled to net income in the release. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow of $467 million: Adjusted free cash flow was $467 million after about $42 million of one-time costs. Year-to-date adjusted free cash flow was $487 million. Source
  • Capital returned to stockholders: The company returned $137 million to stockholders in the quarter, about 30% of adjusted free cash flow. Source
  • Buybacks and dividend detail: Share repurchases totaled $84 million for 2.6 million shares. The quarterly dividend was $0.22 per share. Source

Integration, divestitures and strategy

  • Three strategic priorities: The company said it continues the Civitas merger integration and is working on three priorities: Integrate, Execute and Bolster. Source
  • Asset-sales target substantially achieved: The South Texas sale is described as substantially achieving the $1.0 billion-plus asset-sales target. Source
  • Four-basin asset footprint: The company describes its assets as spanning four U.S. shale basins: Permian, DJ, South Texas and Uinta. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Redemption of 2027 notes: After quarter-end the company issued notice to redeem the remaining 2027 Senior Notes at par, retiring all Senior Notes due through mid-2028. Source
  • Full run-rate synergies by year-end: Management expects full run-rate Merger synergies to be actioned by year-end 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Oil production Source229.8 MBbl/d (2Q26)
Equivalent production Source439.7 MBoe/d (2Q26)
Gas production Source953.7 MMcf/d (2Q26)
Oil realized price before hedges Source$96.85 per Bbl
Equivalent realized price before hedges Source$53.86 per Boe
Equivalent realized price including hedges Source$48.36 per Boe
Gas realized price before hedges Source$0.17 per Mcf
Lease operating expense per Boe Source$6.71
Production taxes per Boe Source$3.25
Depreciation, depletion and amortization per Boe Source$14.81
Capital expenditures Source$754 million; $717 million before accrual changes
Shareholder returns Source$137 million

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management expects full run-rate synergies to be actioned by year-end 2026; 95% of the target was actioned to date. Source
  • Not stated: Full-year 2026 capital expenditures guidance was maintained at $2.65 - $2.85 billion. Source
  • Not stated: The South Texas sale is described as substantially achieving the company's $1.0 billion-plus asset-sales target. Source
  • Not stated: Management said the majority of one-time integration and transaction costs were incurred in the first half of 2026. 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.