MR
Matador Resources Co (MTDR)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 delivered record production at 209,184 BOE/d (+22% YoY) with oil at 119,556 Bbl/d and gas at 537.8 MMcf/d, helped by outperformance of operated wells and six non-op Haynesville wells; adjusted EPS was $1.36 and adjusted EBITDA $566.5M .
- Management raised FY2025 production guidance and lowered D&C cost per foot, but increased total CapEx given accelerated activity; dividend was raised 20% to $0.375/share quarterly and $55M of stock repurchased YTD .
- Q4 outlook: oil volumes expected to rise with larger batches, gas to dip given Waha curtailments (0.9 Bcf gas, 45,000 Bbl oil shut-ins in Oct); D/C/E CapEx guided down 21% sequentially .
- Versus Street: Q3 adjusted EPS beat, while revenue was modestly below SPGI consensus; recurring EPS beats may drive estimate revisions despite revenue normalization on SPGI basis (ex-purchased gas/hedges) [GetEstimates*].
- Catalysts: strategic gas marketing (Hugh Brinson firm transport, LNG exposure) and midstream performance (San Mateo record processing and fee-based stability) support cash flow resilience amid Permian takeaway dynamics .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
-
What Went Well
- “Record production of 209,184 BOE/d… +22% YoY,” exceeding guidance midpoints for BOE, oil, and gas; completion efficiency improved ~20% vs 2024 average, lowering costs per foot .
- Dividend increased 20% and $105M RBL paydown in Q3, with leverage <1.0x and ~$2B liquidity; adjusted FCF of $93M despite elevated D/C/E spend .
- Midstream: San Mateo processed record 533 MMcf/d, quarterly net income $50M and Adjusted EBITDA $74M; fee-based model and new sour-gas compressor expand optionality .
-
What Went Wrong
- Q3 D/C/E CapEx of $429.9M was ~$95M above guidance midpoint due to accelerated activity and non-op spend; midstream CapEx $42.8M in range but total CapEx rose .
- Q4 gas expected lower due to negative Waha pricing maintenance curtailments and Haynesville decline; 0.9 Bcf gas and 45,000 Bbl oil deferred from October .
- Realized oil price down YoY ($64.91 vs $75.67), and LOE/G&A per BOE rose slightly vs Q2 (LOE $5.58; G&A $1.91), pressuring margins despite efficiency gains .
Financial Results
Headline P&L and Cash Metrics
Volumes and Prices
CapEx and Wells
Segment and Midstream KPIs
Street vs Actual (SPGI Basis)
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO: “Anytime you get to raise the dividend… we are number one in profit per employee… we would still spend this money… setting up next year [to] be one of the most fruitful years” .
- COO: “12 additional wells… in excess of a 50% rate of return… revised D&C cost per foot to $835–$855… 13.6 net wells turned on in January providing positive momentum” .
- CFO: “For the first time this quarter, over $3 billion in retained earnings… leverage ratio 0.4… about $2 billion in liquidity… hit all priorities this quarter” .
- EVP Midstream: “Processed 533 MMcf/d; fee-based business with third-party growth… optionality to drop down wholly-owned assets ($40–$50M 2026 EBITDA)” .
- CEO on capital discipline: “Price drops can be replaced by efficiency gains… these wells are going to produce for 30 years… we like our chances” .
Q&A Highlights
- Capital spend vs growth: Balanced approach with optionality; efficiency gains and service cost reductions underpin 2026 flexibility; ability to flex completion cadence if macro weakens .
- Midstream value and strategy: San Mateo fee-based resilience; exploring strategic solutions while maintaining partnership-driven flow assurance; potential drop-downs of wholly-owned assets .
- Waha weakness and takeaway: Curtailed during maintenance, hedged downside; 2026 capacity additions (GCX expansion, Blackcomb, Hugh Brinson) expected to relieve pressure .
- Productivity outlook: Expect same or better BOE/foot in 2026 with ~10% longer laterals; strong EUR wells (Avalon example) underpin durable returns .
- Water handling & logistics: Investments to expand produced water gathering; recycling supports simul/trim-frac efficiency and LOE reduction .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 adjusted EPS of $1.36 beat S&P Global consensus $1.23; revenue of $852.5M was below $865.3M consensus as SPGI “actual” excludes purchased gas and hedge effects, unlike company “Total revenues.” Expect Street to raise EPS estimates but keep revenue forecasts conservative on SPGI basis [GetEstimates*] .
- Pattern: EPS beats in Q1–Q3 2025 vs consensus; revenue under consensus each quarter on SPGI basis, reflecting mix and presentation differences [GetEstimates*].
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Operational outperformance sustained: record BOE/d, efficient completions, longer laterals—supporting durable returns through cycles .
- Shareholder returns accelerating: dividend +20%, opportunistic buybacks, and debt reduction with leverage <1x—enhancing capital flexibility .
- Guidance raised for FY2025 volumes with lower unit costs; near-term gas curtailments are tactical and deferred volumes support later periods .
- Midstream is a strategic asset: record throughput, fee-based resilience, and potential value-unlock options—key buffer against commodity volatility .
- Gas marketing upgrade (Hugh Brinson) and LNG exposure provide upside to realized pricing from late-2026, mitigating Waha risk .
- Despite higher Q3 D/C/E spend, Q4 CapEx guided down; 2026 plan targets same footage with 8–12% lower CapEx—multi-year FCF improving setup .
- Trading lens: bias to reward EPS beats and dividend growth; watch gas basis headlines and any midstream monetization steps as stock reaction catalysts [GetEstimates*] .