Antero Resources (AR)
NYSEEnergyOil & Gas Exploration & ProductionSnapshot 2026-09-04
$39.41-0.71%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEEnergyOil & Gas Exploration & ProductionSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · AR
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within energy on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks AR against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Energy names rated strong grew net income 53% of the time over the next year (vs 58% for the rest of the cohort, n=1735).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Grow net daily natural gas equivalent production through acquisitions and organic drilling to increase revenue and market presence.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Net daily natural gas equivalent production grew from approximately 3.4 Bcfe/d in 2025-Q4 to a company record 4.1 Bcfe/d in 2026-Q2, a 20%+ increase year-over-year. Management has consistently emphasized production growth through acquisitions and organic drilling, and the trajectory is delivering with production and revenue growth evident in the financials.
“Production base increased by more than 20% from a year ago... net production to exit the year over 25% higher than prior year.”
“Net production averaged a company record 3.9 Bcfe/d, an increase of 13% from the year ago period.”
“Production expected to average 4.1 Bcfe/d on $1 billion of D&C capital... production base increases from 3.4 Bcfe/d in 2025 to more than 4.2 Bcfe/d by year end 2026.”
“Production growth driven by acquisitions and organic drilling activity.”
Implement cost reduction initiatives targeting $0.70 per Mcfe reduction by year-end 2028 to improve EBITDAX margins and cash flow stability.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 4 quarters. Cash production expense declined from $2.48 per Mcfe in 2025-Q2 to $2.22 per Mcfe in 2026-Q2, reflecting progress toward the $0.70 per Mcfe cost reduction target by year-end 2028. Management reports being nearly halfway to this target, indicating delivering progress on cost reduction and margin improvement.
“Cost reduction initiative expected to decrease cash costs by $0.70 per Mcfe from 2025 to year end 2028.”
Grow adjusted free cash flow through operational improvements, cost reductions, and strategic acquisitions to support capital allocation and debt reduction.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Adjusted Free Cash Flow before changes in working capital increased from $156 million in 2025-Q2 to $220 million in 2026-Q2, a 41% increase year-over-year. The first quarter 2026 Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $657 million, up from $236 million a year earlier. Management's focus on cash flow growth is delivering with consistent increases in adjusted free cash flow.
Complete acquisitions to expand production footprint and divest non-core assets to optimize portfolio and capital structure.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 4 quarters. Management completed the HG acquisition in early 2026 and a $315 million strategic acquisition in July 2026 adding 125 MMcfe/d net production and 15 drilling locations. The Ohio Utica Shale divestiture was expected by end of February 2026. These transactions demonstrate delivering on strategic portfolio expansion and optimization.
Continue opportunistic share repurchases to return capital to shareholders and enhance shareholder value.
Stated as a priority in 2 of last 4 quarters. Management purchased 1.1 million shares for $38 million in 2026-Q2 and indicated plans to continue opportunistic buybacks. The program has approximately $880 million capacity remaining, showing ongoing commitment to share repurchases with delivering activity in the latest quarter.
“Purchased 1.1 million shares for approximately $38 million during the quarter.”
Over the trailing year it converted 2.13x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Energy names rated neutral grew net income 40% of the time over the next year (vs 46% for the rest of the cohort, n=1319).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, long-term interest rates, Fed net liquidity, real (inflation-adjusted) rates (low R² over the window).
13 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Energy names rated neutral grew net income 58% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=807).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Cash production expense guidance reduced to $2.20 to $2.30 per Mcfe reflecting HG integration and cost optimization.”
“HG acquisition immediately improves competitive positioning by significantly reducing cost structure.”
“Adjusted Free Cash Flow before changes in working capital was $220 million, up 41% year-over-year.”
“Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $657 million for the quarter.”
“Adjusted Free Cash Flow before changes in working capital was $204 million.”
“Adjusted Free Cash Flow growth driven by operational improvements and acquisitions.”
“Completed $315 million of strategic acquisitions in July 2026 including 125 MMcfe/d net production and 15 net drilling locations.”
“Closed HG acquisition in early February and completed Ohio Utica Shale divestiture in late February.”
“HG acquisition closed ahead of schedule, increasing scale and dry gas exposure.”
“Plan to continue being countercyclical with buybacks when opportunities arise.”