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California Resources Corp (CRC)
NYSE:CRC

California Resources Corp (CRC) AI Stock Analysis

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CR

California Resources Corp

(NYSE:CRC)

Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$48.00
▲(5.10%Upside)
CRC's overall stock score reflects a strong earnings call performance and attractive valuation, which are the primary drivers. Financial performance is solid but impacted by revenue and cash flow volatility. Technical analysis indicates moderate positive momentum, while corporate events support strategic growth efforts.
Positive Factors
Carbon Capture Development
CRC's FID marks a significant milestone for the company's development of carbon capture, and investor focus through '25 will be on execution.
Cost Efficiency
CRC's EBITDAX was 13% above consensus driven by operating cost beats and Capex 15% below the Street.
Debt Management
CRC repurchased $123mm of its 2026 Senior Notes on the open market and 2.3mm shares for a total of $100mm, demonstrating a commitment to managing debt and returning value to shareholders.
Negative Factors
Equity Overhang
Equity issuance to PE investors has been a thematic overhang, with concerns about share sales as 6.5m shares held by IKAV and CPPIB are no longer restricted.
Stock Volatility
CRC shares sold off by 11% due to fears around Brookfield payment deferrals, concerns on PE sales, and impatience around power PPA catalysts.

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

California Resources Corp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCalifornia Resources Corporation operates as an independent oil and natural gas company. The company explores for, produces, gathers, processes, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids for marketers, California refineries, and other purchasers that have access to transportation and storage facilities. As of December 31, 2021, it had interests in approximately 1.9 million net mineral acres with proved reserves totaled an estimated 480 million barrels of oil equivalent. The company also engages in the generation and sale of electricity to the local utility and the grid. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Santa Clarita, California.
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:May 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 29.78%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 31, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a strong performance by CRC, with notable achievements in shareholder returns, synergy realization, and cost management. Despite facing challenges like declining oil prices and regulatory hurdles in California, CRC remains optimistic about its financial resilience and strategic initiatives in carbon management.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Shareholder Returns
In the first quarter, CRC returned a record $258 million to stakeholders through dividends, share buybacks, and debt redemption.
Significant Synergy Realization
CRC has realized more than 70% of the $235 million in announced annual synergies from the Aera merger, expecting to achieve the full target in early 2026.
Solid Financial Performance
CRC reported adjusted EBITDAX of $328 million and free cash flow of $131 million, both above consensus estimates.
Strong Position in Energy Transition
CRC is advancing its carbon management business with plans to launch California's first CCS project at the Elk Hills cryogenic gas plant.
Cost Reduction Success
Operating and G&A costs were 5% better than guidance, with expectations to reduce operating costs by nearly 10% in the first half of 2025 compared to the second half of 2024.
Negative Updates
Decline in Oil Prices
Despite a nearly 16% decline in oil prices, CRC is reaffirming its full-year adjusted EBITDAX guidance of $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion.
California Regulatory Challenges
CRC is facing challenges with obtaining permits in California, although there is optimism about progress in the regulatory environment.
Company Guidance
During the California Resources Corporation (CRC) First Quarter 2025 Conference Call, the company reaffirmed its strong outlook for the year, emphasizing several key metrics and strategic achievements. CRC reported achieving more than 70% of the $235 million in announced annual synergies from the Aera merger, which is expected to be fully realized by early 2026. The company highlighted its robust hedge portfolio, with approximately 70% of oil production and natural gas consumption hedged at attractive levels, allowing it to generate free cash flow at Brent prices down to $34 per barrel. CRC also reported adjusted EBITDAX of $328 million and a free cash flow of $131 million, surpassing consensus expectations. The company returned a record $258 million to stakeholders through dividends, share buybacks, and debt redemption in the first quarter. Additionally, CRC maintained its full-year adjusted EBITDAX guidance of $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion, supported by low-decline assets, cost reduction efforts, and a strong hedge book. The company also emphasized its ongoing efforts to manage production efficiently and invest in high-return projects, while continuing to build its permit inventory.

California Resources Corp Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CRC's financial performance shows strengths in profitability metrics and improved debt management. However, revenue growth inconsistency and cash flow fluctuations present challenges. The strong EBITDA margins and leverage ratio improvements are positive, yet vigilance is needed for revenue volatility.
Income Statement
75
Positive
California Resources Corp (CRC) has shown a mixed performance in recent years. The gross profit margin is robust, thanks to the significant reduction in cost of goods sold. However, the net profit margin has been volatile, primarily due to fluctuations in EBIT and net income. Revenue growth has been inconsistent, with significant declines in certain years, indicating potential instability. Despite these fluctuations, EBITDA margins remain strong, reflecting effective cost management.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
CRC's balance sheet shows improvement in debt management, with a decreasing trend in the debt-to-equity ratio, indicating reduced leverage risk. The return on equity (ROE) is strong, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds. However, the equity ratio indicates moderate reliance on equity financing, which may expose the company to some risk if market conditions worsen. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a cautious but improving financial position.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
The cash flow analysis reveals solid operating cash flow, consistently covering net income, indicating good cash generation from operations. Free cash flow growth has shown positive trends, although it fluctuates due to capital expenditures. The operating cash flow to net income ratio highlights efficiency in converting income into cash. While cash flows are generally healthy, reliance on financing activities in certain periods suggests potential liquidity management challenges.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.69B2.93B2.81B3.26B2.56B1.61B
Gross Profit2.88B2.25B1.41B1.78B1.27B308.00M
EBITDA1.24B1.08B1.07B1.31B871.00M2.45B
Net Income501.00M376.00M564.00M524.00M612.00M3.33B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.83B7.13B4.00B3.97B3.85B3.07B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments214.00M372.00M496.00M307.00M305.00M28.00M
Total Debt1.10B1.22B610.00M662.00M637.00M639.00M
Total Liabilities3.31B3.60B1.78B2.10B2.16B1.89B
Stockholders Equity3.52B3.54B2.22B1.86B1.69B1.18B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow678.00M610.00M468.00M678.00M466.00M59.00M
Operating Cash Flow712.00M610.00M653.00M690.00M660.00M106.00M
Investing Cash Flow-1.11B-1.08B-175.00M-317.00M-161.00M-37.00M
Financing Cash Flow206.00M343.00M-289.00M-371.00M-222.00M-58.00M

California Resources Corp Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price45.67
Price Trends
50DMA
41.44
Positive
100DMA
41.95
Positive
200DMA
47.11
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
1.07
Positive
RSI
57.25
Neutral
STOCH
18.32
Positive
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 45.67 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 45.64, above the 50-day MA of 41.44, and below the 200-day MA of 47.11, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 1.07 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 57.25 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 18.32 is Positive, 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 (44)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$4.60B9.6232.69%54.19%37.69%
CRCRC
75
Outperform
$4.07B8.2817.86%3.39%41.68%53.13%
MUMUR
75
Outperform
$3.27B8.807.54%5.67%-14.90%-27.53%
SMSM
72
Outperform
$2.87B3.5220.28%3.19%26.04%11.96%
BSBSM
70
Outperform
$2.76B14.2619.93%11.49%-12.71%-39.85%
63
Neutral
$3.63B16.69-16.01%10.44%-139.05%
44
Neutral
AU$1.36B-6.68-23.02%6.85%5.33%-26.92%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CRC
California Resources Corp
45.67
-5.19
-10.20%
MUR
Murphy Oil
22.93
-16.39
-41.68%
SM
SM Energy
25.10
-17.59
-41.20%
BSM
Black Stone Minerals
13.05
-1.20
-8.42%
VIST
Vista Oil & Gas SAB de CV
48.24
4.22
9.59%
GPOR
Gulfport Energy
204.60
54.28
36.11%

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.

The most recent analyst rating on (CRC) stock is a Buy with a $64.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on California Resources Corp stock, see the CRC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
California Resources Corp Elects Directors and Ratifies Auditor
Positive
May 6, 2025

At its 2025 Annual Meeting on May 2, California Resources Corporation elected nine directors and ratified KPMG LLP as its independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The company also approved executive officer compensation. In the first quarter of 2025, California Resources reported a net income of $115 million and returned $258 million to stakeholders. The company maintained steady production levels and is on track to achieve $185 million in merger synergies by the end of 2025. With a focus on carbon capture and storage, California Resources aims to inject CO₂ at its Elk Hills facility by year-end, reinforcing its strategy to generate sustainable free cash flow and support California’s decarbonization goals.

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: May 30, 2025