SM Energy (NYSE:SM) Given New $47.00 Price Target at Truist Financial

Key Points

• Truist lowered its price target on SM Energy from $48 to $47 but maintained a “buy” rating, implying 46.27% upside from the reported share price of $32.13. Analysts overall have a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average target of $40.47.
• Third-quarter revenue rose 167% year over year to $2.16 billion, topping estimates, but earnings per share of $1.95 fell short of the $2.01 consensus.
• The company reported $1.1 billion in operating cash flow and used funds to redeem $417 million of debt and return $133 million to shareholders; management is targeting low-1x leverage by year-end 2026.

SM Energy (NYSE:SM - Get Free Report) had its target price reduced by Truist Financial from $48.00 to $47.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "buy" rating on the energy company's stock. Truist Financial's price target indicates a potential upside of 46.27% from the stock's current price.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded SM Energy from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Friday, October 16th. Zacks Research raised SM Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Mizuho set a $39.00 price target on SM Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. Scotiabank started coverage on SM Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. They issued a "sector perform" rating and a $39.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $50.00 price target on shares of SM Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, SM Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $40.47.

SM Energy Stock Performance

SM Energy stock traded up $1.07 during trading on Thursday, reaching $32.13. The company had a trading volume of 1,352,062 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,784,906. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $37.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. SM Energy has a 52 week low of $17.45 and a 52 week high of $41.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.79 and a beta of 0.80.

SM Energy (NYSE:SM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 3rd. The energy company reported $1.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.01 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $2.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.04 billion. SM Energy had a net margin of 13.69% and a return on equity of 21.49%. The company's revenue was up 167.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.33 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that SM Energy will post 8.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Ashwin Venkatraman sold 3,650 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.28, for a total value of $139,722.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 12,525 shares in the company, valued at $479,457. This trade represents a 22.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP James Barker Lebeck sold 17,500 shares of SM Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.02, for a total transaction of $647,850.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 14,705 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $544,379.10. The trade was a 54.34% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.45% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of SM. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its position in SM Energy by 25.5% during the 3rd quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 24,347 shares of the energy company's stock worth $822,000 after acquiring an additional 4,946 shares during the period. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC raised its holdings in SM Energy by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC now owns 13,409 shares of the energy company's stock worth $453,000 after buying an additional 342 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of SM Energy by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 49,243 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $1,726,000 after acquiring an additional 1,860 shares in the last quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in SM Energy by 6.4% in the 3rd quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,306 shares of the energy company's stock worth $348,000 after acquiring an additional 618 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in SM Energy by 24.7% in the 3rd quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,164 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $411,000 after buying an additional 2,406 shares during the period. 94.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

SM Energy News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting SM Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue rose 167% year over year to $2.16 billion, beating estimates, while operating cash flow reached $1.1 billion. The company used cash to redeem $417 million of debt and return $133 million to shareholders; merger synergies also reached $400 million. SM Energy Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management outlined fourth-quarter production expectations and is targeting low-1x leverage by year-end 2026, supporting the outlook for continued production and balance-sheet improvement. SM Energy outlines Q4 production and leverage target
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the revenue beat, adjusted earnings of $1.95 per share missed analyst expectations of about $2.01. The shortfall contributed to selling pressure, and shares crossed below their 50-day moving average, a potentially negative technical signal. SM Energy share price crosses below 50-day moving average following weak earnings
• Negative Sentiment: SM Energy may temporarily shift drilling away from the Uinta Basin in early 2027 because of regional constraints. A change in drilling location could create uncertainty around the near-term operating plan. SM Energy may shift drilling amid Uinta Basin constraints

SM Energy Company Profile

SM Energy Company is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its activities include acquiring prospective acreage, drilling and completing wells, and managing producing properties in U.S. onshore oil and gas basins.

The company's operations are primarily concentrated in Texas, including the Midland Basin in West Texas and the Eagle Ford shale region in South Texas. SM Energy focuses on development of unconventional resources and uses horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies to produce hydrocarbons from shale and other tight-rock formations.

Founded in 1908 as St.

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