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Diversified Energy Company (DEC)
NYSE:DEC

Diversified Energy Company (DEC) AI Stock Analysis

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DEC

Diversified Energy Company

(NYSE:DEC)

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Outperform 72 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$19.50
▲(19.41% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/26/26
The score is driven by improved—but still uneven—financial performance, complemented by a very attractive valuation (low P/E and high yield). Technicals support an uptrend, though momentum looks stretched (RSI/Stoch), and the earnings call was constructive on cash flow, deleveraging, and accretive M&A while still acknowledging meaningful leverage and execution risks.
Positive Factors
Strong adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow
High adjusted EBITDA and meaningful adjusted free cash flow provide durable internal funding for debt paydown, maintenance capex, and selective bolt-on M&A. These cash metrics underpin the business model’s ability to fund operations and returns without relying solely on external financing.
Negative Factors
Elevated net debt level
Substantial absolute net debt leaves the company exposed to commodity and interest-rate swings and requires continued execution on annual ~$300M debt paydown targets. Persistent leverage constrains flexibility for larger investments and raises refinancing and liquidity risk if cash flow weakens.
Read all positive and negative factors
Positive Factors
Negative Factors
Strong adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow
High adjusted EBITDA and meaningful adjusted free cash flow provide durable internal funding for debt paydown, maintenance capex, and selective bolt-on M&A. These cash metrics underpin the business model’s ability to fund operations and returns without relying solely on external financing.
Read all positive factors

Diversified Energy Company (DEC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Diversified Energy Company Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description
Diversified Energy Company PLC operates as an independent owner and operator of producing natural gas and oil wells primarily in the Appalachian Basin of the United States. The company is involved in the production, marketing, and transportation o...
How the Company Makes Money
DEC primarily makes money by producing and selling natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) from its operated well portfolio. Revenue is generated when produced volumes are sold into wholesale markets through marketing arrangements (...

Diversified Energy Company Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 26, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Aug 17, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a largely positive picture: record adjusted EBITDA ($956M), strong free cash flow ($440M), material production growth (exit ~1.25 Bcfe/day), successful POP monetizations (~$160–170M in 2025), and continued accretive M&A including the Sheridan bolt-on. The balance sheet has improved (leverage down to 2.3x) and liquidity (~$577M) supports near-term transactions. Key risks include a still-elevated net debt load (~$2.8B), $55M of transaction costs that reduced FCF, dependence on continued successful M&A/integration and variability in POP proceeds, along with broader commodity volatility. Overall, the positives and execution accomplishments significantly outweigh the risks discussed on the call.
Positive Updates
Record Adjusted EBITDA and Strong Margins
Total revenue of $1.83 billion and record adjusted EBITDA of $956 million for FY2025, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 58% (beat guidance).
Negative Updates
Elevated Net Debt and Ongoing Leverage
Net debt remains substantial at ~ $2.8 billion despite improvement; company is targeting a 2.0–2.5x net debt/EBITDA range (currently 2.3x), indicating continued leverage risk and reliance on deleveraging execution.
Read all updates
Q4-2025 Updates
Negative
Record Adjusted EBITDA and Strong Margins
Total revenue of $1.83 billion and record adjusted EBITDA of $956 million for FY2025, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 58% (beat guidance).
Read all positive updates
Company Guidance
The company said it has published full‑year 2026 guidance (prepared on the same metrics as 2025) but noted that the newly announced Sheridan Production acquisition is not included; management explicitly said portfolio‑optimization (POP) cash proceeds of roughly $100 million are expected to be included in 2026 adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow. For context, 2025 results (which beat guidance) were: total revenue $1.83 billion, adjusted EBITDA $956 million (58% margin), adjusted free cash flow $440 million (after ~$55 million of transaction costs), average production ~1.1 Bcfe/d with a December exit rate of ~1.25 Bcfe/d, net debt ~ $2.8 billion and leverage down to ~2.3x. Looking into 2026, management reiterated a net debt/EBITDA target range of 2.0–2.5x (and expects to continue repaying roughly $300 million of debt annually), confirmed liquidity of about $577 million to fund deals, and highlighted non‑op programs that should help offset declines (non‑op production expected to exit 2026 just over 12,500 BOE/d). Separately the Sheridan deal (expected to close in Q2 2026 and not in guidance) would add ~61 MMcfe/d, ~397 Bcfe of estimated reserves and an expected ~ $52 million of next‑12‑month EBITDA for a ~$245 million purchase price.

Diversified Energy Company Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials improved in 2025 (sharp revenue rebound, return to profitability, rebuilt equity, and positive free cash flow), but multi-year earnings volatility and inconsistent cash conversion versus profits keep overall quality in the mid-range.
Income Statement
58
Neutral
Balance Sheet
67
Positive
Cash Flow
62
Positive
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.61B794.84M868.26M1.92B977.04M
Gross Profit411.59M109.45M203.16M1.25B515.35M
EBITDA923.82M170.18M1.36B-476.50M-332.69M
Net Income341.90M-88.27M758.02M-625.41M-325.21M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.17B4.00B3.47B3.83B3.49B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments29.70M5.99M3.75M7.33M12.56M
Total Debt236.55M1.74B1.31B1.47B1.04B
Total Liabilities5.17B3.54B2.88B3.97B2.83B
Stockholders Equity984.06M452.68M585.81M-152.69M647.41M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow280.02M293.56M335.88M301.69M270.01M
Operating Cash Flow464.62M345.66M410.13M387.76M320.18M
Investing Cash Flow-820.17M-272.92M-239.37M-386.46M-625.87M
Financing Cash Flow448.40M-70.51M-174.34M-6.54M316.87M

Diversified Energy Company Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
84
Outperform
$1.34B18.5817.61%12.53%-12.51%-59.55%
76
Outperform
$1.76B11.7412.05%13.84%-2.71%-113.80%
72
Outperform
$1.23B3.0940.22%8.02%
65
Neutral
$15.17B7.614.09%5.20%3.87%-62.32%
65
Neutral
$2.83B54.121.69%8.18%1.51%-78.38%
$212.07M-675.44-20.86%-99.78%-103.13%
$1.09B13.61944.35%7.51%-14.84%-16.23%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DEC
Diversified Energy Company
16.70
6.38
61.77%
DMLP
Dorchester Minerals
27.84
2.51
9.90%
NOG
Northern Oil And Gas
26.94
5.92
28.19%
SJT
San Juan Basin Royalty
4.54
-0.60
-11.67%
SBR
Sabine Royalty
75.78
16.18
27.14%
KRP
Kimbell Royalty Partners
14.50
3.72
34.57%
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: Mar 26, 2026