Fitch upgrades Permian Resources to investment grade on financial policies

Published 31/07/2025, 17:44
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Fitch Ratings has upgraded Permian Resources Corporation and Permian Resources Operating, LLC to investment grade status, raising their Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings to ’BBB-’ from ’BB+’ with a Stable outlook.

The upgrade reflects management’s consistent track record of credit-friendly acquisition financing and commitment to conservative financial policies. Permian Resources has demonstrated a pattern of funding deals responsibly, including its recent Barilla Draw transaction (approximately 50% equity funded), APA Corp. bolt-on acquisition (funded entirely with cash on hand), and Earthstone acquisition (100% equity).

The company has significantly expanded its production capacity from 99 Mboepd in 2022 to 373 Mboepd in the first quarter of 2025, representing nearly a fourfold increase. This growth has positioned Permian Resources at a scale consistent with other investment-grade peers in the sector.

Fitch views the company’s asset profile favorably, noting its sizable, low-cost acreage position primarily in the Delaware Basin. In Q1 2025, Permian Resources reduced drilling and completion costs per foot by approximately 3% and controllable cash costs by 4% compared to the previous quarter, which drove a 15% increase in free cash flow generation during the same period.

The rating agency forecasts approximately $1.4 billion in pre-dividend free cash flow for 2025 and $1.1 billion for 2026, based on WTI oil price assumptions of $65/bbl and $60/bbl respectively. The company’s fixed quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share translates to approximately 30% total free cash flow payout, which Fitch notes compares favorably to many investment-grade peers.

As of March 31, 2025, Permian Resources had $702 million in cash and no outstanding balance on its $2.5 billion reserve-based lending facility. Fitch estimates the cash balance was moderately reduced following the completion of its $608 million cash-funded acquisition of Delaware Basin assets from APA Corp in June.

The company’s current leverage metrics of around 1.0x mid-cycle EBITDA support the investment grade rating. Fitch forecasts 2025 EBITDA leverage to be approximately 1.1x, consistent with peers like APA Corporation and Ovintiv (NYSE:OVV), Inc.

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