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California Resources Corp (CRC)
NYSE:CRC
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California Resources Corp (CRC) AI Stock Analysis

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CRC

California Resources Corp

(NYSE:CRC)

Rating:82Outperform
Price Target:
$56.00
▲(14.22% Upside)
California Resources Corp's strong financial performance, undervaluation, and positive earnings call sentiment contribute significantly to its high score. Technical indicators support a stable outlook, while the company's strategic advancements and shareholder returns further enhance its position.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
CRC turned in a strong operational quarter with beats in total production, unit costs, and EBITDAX.
Regulatory Environment
The regulatory environment in California may be easing, which could benefit CRC as the largest oil producer in the state.
Shareholder Returns
CRC returned an impressive $287m to shareholders including a $228m private deal to repurchase shares.
Negative Factors
Commodity Prices
FY25 Adjusted EBITDA guidance is revised up by $120 million, even as Brent prices have dropped.
Production Decline
The decline in oil production is better than original expectations, at a rate of 5-7%.
Regulatory Challenges
There is concern about further appeal against Kern EIR, which is awaiting district court review and approval, potentially affecting CRC’s ability to secure well permits.

California Resources Corp (CRC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

California Resources Corp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCalifornia Resources Corporation (CRC) is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company operating primarily in California. The company focuses on developing and producing oil and natural gas reserves, with an emphasis on managing its assets to maximize value and ensure sustainable operations. CRC is committed to leveraging technology and innovation to efficiently access energy resources while maintaining environmental stewardship.
How the Company Makes MoneyCalifornia Resources Corporation generates revenue primarily through the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. The company's key revenue streams include the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids extracted from its various operations across California. CRC's financial performance is significantly influenced by factors such as commodity prices, production volumes, and operational efficiencies. The company may also engage in strategic partnerships and joint ventures to optimize resource development and enhance profitability. Additionally, CRC focuses on cost management and technological advancements to improve its competitive edge in the energy sector.

California Resources Corp Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 05, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted significant achievements in shareholder returns, operational efficiency, and strategic advancements in carbon capture projects. However, challenges remain in regulatory approvals for new permits and the timeline for CCS project completion. Despite these challenges, the company's performance and strategic direction indicate a strong position moving forward.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly Returns to Shareholders
Returned nearly $290 million this quarter, more than 260% of free cash flow, facilitated by a discounted share repurchase from ICA.
ARA-related Merger Synergies Implemented Ahead of Schedule
Achieved $235 million in synergies three months ahead of schedule with a net present value of approximately $1.4 billion over the next 10 years.
Operational Excellence and Improved Full Year Outlook
Operational execution and reservoir performance exceeded expectations, resulting in a roughly 7% increase in adjusted EBITDAX.
Successful Cost Management
First half 2025 costs were down approximately 11% from the second half of 2024, with nearly all costs below guidance.
Cash Flow and Capital Returns
Generated $109 million of free cash flow and returned a record $287 million to shareholders in the second quarter.
Low Leverage and Strong Liquidity
Leverage remains low at 0.7x with total liquidity over $1 billion.
CCS Project Progress
CTV JV received construction authorization from the EPA, with plans to complete by year-end 2025.
Negative Updates
Dependence on Regulatory Approvals
Uncertainty in receiving new oil and gas permits, with legislative and regulatory processes ongoing.
EPA Delays Impacting CCS Project Timeline
First injection for the CCS project expected in early 2026, delayed from year-end 2025 due to EPA approval timeline.
Company Guidance
During the California Resources Corporation's second-quarter 2025 conference call, the company provided several key metrics reflecting strong performance and strategic advancements. The company returned nearly $290 million to shareholders, which amounts to more than 260% of their free cash flow, primarily due to a discounted share repurchase. They achieved merger synergies of $235 million ahead of schedule, with an estimated net present value of $1.4 billion. The company's operational performance led to a 7% increase in adjusted EBITDAX, with net production recorded at 137,000 BOE per day and adjusted EBITDAX for the quarter totaling $324 million. They generated $109 million in free cash flow or $165 million before changes in working capital. CRC expects a 9% improvement in their 2025 free cash flow outlook despite lower oil prices and plans to retire their remaining 2026 note in the second half of the year. Total capital for the quarter was $56 million, with 60% allocated to high-return workovers and sidetracks. The company maintains low leverage at 0.7x, with total liquidity over $1 billion. Looking ahead, CRC plans to focus on California's energy transition, anticipating greater regulatory flexibility that could enhance their extensive inventory access.

California Resources Corp Financial Statement Overview

Summary
California Resources Corp exhibits strong financial performance with robust revenue growth and profitability. The balance sheet is stable with moderate leverage, and cash flow generation is strong, supporting operational and strategic initiatives. Monitoring net profit margins and debt levels is advisable.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
California Resources Corp has demonstrated strong revenue growth with an 8.33% increase in the TTM period. The company maintains a solid gross profit margin of 75.36% and a net profit margin of 16.65%, indicating efficient cost management and profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also robust at 25.97% and 39.52%, respectively, reflecting operational efficiency. However, the net profit margin has slightly decreased from previous periods, suggesting potential pressure on net earnings.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a healthy debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, indicating moderate leverage and a strong equity position. Return on equity stands at 19.05%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds to generate profits. The equity ratio is not explicitly calculated but implied to be strong given the company's solid equity base relative to total assets. Overall, the balance sheet reflects financial stability, though the slight increase in debt levels from previous periods warrants monitoring.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
California Resources Corp has achieved a 14.60% growth in free cash flow, highlighting improved cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.84 and a free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.0 indicate strong cash conversion efficiency. The consistent generation of free cash flow relative to net income suggests robust cash flow management, supporting the company's liquidity and operational flexibility.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.99B2.93B2.81B3.26B2.56B1.61B
Gross Profit3.01B2.25B1.41B1.78B1.27B308.00M
EBITDA1.58B991.00M1.07B1.31B871.00M2.45B
Net Income665.00M376.00M564.00M524.00M612.00M3.33B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.71B7.13B4.00B3.97B3.85B3.07B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments72.00M372.00M496.00M307.00M305.00M28.00M
Total Debt1.09B1.22B610.00M662.00M637.00M639.00M
Total Liabilities3.31B3.60B1.78B2.10B2.16B1.89B
Stockholders Equity3.41B3.54B2.22B1.86B1.69B1.18B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow777.00M610.00M468.00M678.00M466.00M59.00M
Operating Cash Flow777.00M610.00M653.00M690.00M660.00M106.00M
Investing Cash Flow-1.13B-1.08B-175.00M-317.00M-161.00M-37.00M
Financing Cash Flow-611.00M343.00M-289.00M-371.00M-222.00M-58.00M

California Resources Corp Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price49.03
Price Trends
50DMA
48.01
Positive
100DMA
44.33
Positive
200DMA
46.01
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.64
Negative
RSI
51.41
Neutral
STOCH
57.50
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CRC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 49.03 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 48.71, above the 50-day MA of 48.01, and above the 200-day MA of 46.01, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.64 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 51.41 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 57.50 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CRC.

California Resources Corp Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
82
Outperform
$4.31B6.7224.36%3.01%58.35%210.80%
72
Outperform
$3.24B3.9919.27%2.97%28.20%1.63%
71
Outperform
$3.67B13.005.42%5.11%-18.08%-49.36%
70
Outperform
$2.58B10.5624.31%11.73%-8.06%-22.61%
65
Neutral
$15.28B7.483.22%5.33%4.10%-60.58%
65
Neutral
$3.71B6.6532.89%51.55%29.12%
58
Neutral
$3.08B16.69-6.25%25.89%-117.80%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CRC
California Resources Corp
49.03
2.88
6.24%
MUR
Murphy Oil
24.93
-7.93
-24.13%
SM
SM Energy
26.92
-11.62
-30.15%
BSM
Black Stone Minerals
11.95
-0.74
-5.83%
VIST
Vista Oil & Gas SAB de CV
38.08
-9.72
-20.33%
GPOR
Gulfport Energy
175.14
37.07
26.85%

California Resources Corp Corporate Events

Stock Buyback
California Resources Corp to Repurchase 4.95M Shares
Neutral
Jun 23, 2025

On June 23, 2025, California Resources Corp agreed to repurchase 4,950,000 shares of its Common Stock from IKAV at $46.00 per share, totaling $227,700,000. This transaction is part of the company’s $1.35 billion Share Repurchase Program and will be funded by cash on hand and operational cash flows. The settlement is expected on June 25, 2025, and will result in the cessation of lock-up restrictions on IKAV and its affiliates, enhancing the company’s flexibility in stock transactions.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 22, 2025