BofA Securities starts HighPeak Energy stock with underperform rating

Published 07/04/2025, 12:06
BofA Securities starts HighPeak Energy stock with underperform rating

On Monday, BofA Securities analyst Noah Hungness initiated coverage on HighPeak Energy (NASDAQ:HPK), assigning the stock an Underperform rating and setting a price target of $10.00. This target suggests a modest 3% potential upside from its current market price. According to InvestingPro data, the stock has fallen significantly (-23.46%) in the past week and is currently trading near its 52-week low of $9.54, with technical indicators suggesting oversold conditions.

HighPeak Energy, a small-cap oil exploration and production company with operations primarily on the eastern edge of Howard County, Texas, has a market capitalization of $1.22 billion. Despite the Underperform rating reflecting BofA Securities’ cautious stance on the oil market, InvestingPro analysis indicates the company maintains impressive profitability with an 82.05% gross margin and generated $839.16 million in EBITDA over the last twelve months. The platform’s comprehensive research report offers deeper insights into HighPeak’s financial health and growth potential.

According to Hungness, HighPeak Energy is notably vulnerable to fluctuations in oil prices, ranking as the second-most sensitive company in the sector following VTLE. The analyst pointed out that a $1 shift in the long-term West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price projection could alter HighPeak’s valuation by 6%.

Despite HighPeak’s efforts to reduce its capital expenditure budget, which is anticipated to boost debt-adjusted free cash flow from 12% to 11% between the estimated years 2025 and 2026, BofA Securities believes that the stock is currently trading near its fair value. The analyst’s assessment indicates that even with positive cash flow projections, the potential growth in the stock’s value is limited under current market conditions.

In other recent news, HighPeak Energy reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.19, which exceeded analyst expectations of $0.15. However, the company’s revenue fell short of forecasts, coming in at $234.81 million compared to the anticipated $251.48 million. Despite this revenue miss, HighPeak Energy managed to reduce its debt by $120 million and paid $22 million in dividends. The company also reported a 10% increase in production and a nearly 30% enhancement in proved reserves, maintaining a steady two-rig development program. Truist Securities recently adjusted its price target for HighPeak Energy, lowering it from $15.00 to $13.00 while maintaining a Hold rating. This adjustment reflects a broader trend affecting small-cap stocks, although Truist acknowledges HighPeak’s consistent operational performance and inventory buildup. These developments indicate HighPeak’s strategic focus on maintaining production levels and cost efficiency despite challenging market conditions.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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