Expand Energy (NASDAQ:EXE) Stock Price Target Lowered at Morgan Stanley

Expand Energy (NASDAQ:EXE) had its price target dropped by equities researchers at Morgan Stanley from $124.00 to $123.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an “overweight” rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley‘s price objective suggests a potential upside of 36.37% from the company’s current price.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Expand Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 14th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $111.00 price target on the stock. Raymond James Financial reduced their price objective on Expand Energy from $147.00 to $141.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Expand Energy from $125.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $117.00 price target on shares of Expand Energy in a research report on Tuesday, October 20th. Finally, Johnson Rice cut shares of Expand Energy from a “buy” rating to an “accumulate” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $135.00 to $125.00 in a report on Monday, August 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $123.16.

Expand Energy Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:EXE traded down $1.37 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $90.20. 1,195,161 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,553,201. Expand Energy has a twelve month low of $83.25 and a twelve month high of $126.62. The stock has a market cap of $20.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.80 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $92.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $96.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Expand Energy (NASDAQ:EXE) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $3.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.85 billion. Expand Energy had a net margin of 20.46% and a return on equity of 10.33%. On average, research analysts forecast that Expand Energy will post 8.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of EXE. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Expand Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. grew its holdings in Expand Energy by 379.6% during the first quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Ascentis Independent Advisors purchased a new stake in Expand Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Expand Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Expand Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. 97.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Expand Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 results exceeded expectations: Expand Energy reported adjusted earnings of $1.46 per share, above the $1.29 consensus estimate, while revenue of $3.29 billion substantially exceeded the $2.85 billion forecast. Earnings also rose from $0.97 per share a year earlier. Expand Energy Surpasses Q3 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Marketing growth is a strategic catalyst: Management is targeting $500 million in marketing EBITDA by 2028, using its marketing platform, hedges and operational flexibility to offset low gas prices. EXE Q3 Earnings Call Eyes Marketing Growth Amid Gas Price Weakness
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst targets remain above the current valuation: Truist raised its price target to $122 and maintained a Buy rating, while Bernstein lifted its target to $139, suggesting considerable potential upside if industry conditions improve. Truist Financial Rating Bernstein Adjusts Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend supports shareholder returns: Expand Energy declared a quarterly dividend of $0.575 per share, or $2.30 annualized, payable December 3 to shareholders of record November 12. Expand Energy Dividend Announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views are mixed: JPMorgan lowered its price target to $121 from $124, although that target remains well above recent trading levels. JPMorgan Adjusts Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: Weak natural-gas prices are weighing on sentiment: Expand Energy is curbing some production in response to unfavorable pricing. That action may protect cash flow, but it also signals softer near-term volumes and revenue expectations. Expand Energy Curbs Production on Weaker Gas Prices
• Negative Sentiment: Bearish trading activity increased: Investors purchased 11,605 put options, 51% above average volume, indicating elevated demand for downside protection or speculation on further weakness.

About Expand Energy

Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) is an independent energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company’s activities include drilling and operating unconventional oil and gas wells, primarily in major shale formations.

Expand Energy was formed through the combination of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Southwestern Energy Company, a transaction completed in October 2024. Chesapeake’s portfolio included assets in the Marcellus, Haynesville and Eagle Ford shale plays, while Southwestern was also a major operator in the Appalachian and Haynesville regions.