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Northern Oil And Gas (NOG)
NYSE:NOG

Northern Oil And Gas (NOG) AI Stock Analysis

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NOG

Northern Oil And Gas

(NYSE:NOG)

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Outperform 70 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
$29.00
▲(5.11% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/27/26
Overall score is driven primarily by improved financial footing and strong operating cash generation, supported by bullish technical trend signals and a high dividend yield. The score is capped by sharp 2025 profit compression, historically volatile free cash flow, and meaningful near-term uncertainty reflected in the wide 2026 guidance range and commodity realization headwinds.
Positive Factors
Balance-sheet strength and improved liquidity
Extension and upsized revolver plus material available liquidity and recent debt reduction materially improve financial flexibility. This durable funding capacity lowers refinancing risk, supports sustained dividends, opportunistic M&A and capital spending through commodity cycles over the next 2–6 months.
Strong operating cash generation
High adjusted EBITDA and positive free cash flow show the business converts production into cash reliably, enabling internal funding for development, ground‑game acquisitions and dividend coverage. Durable cash generation reduces near‑term reliance on capital markets amid commodity volatility.
Scale expansion via Utica transaction and ground game
The Utica acquisition and record ground‑game materially expand core inventory and development optionality, increasing future production runway and midstream integration. Greater scale in Appalachia and added locations strengthen long‑term growth potential independent of short quarter swings.
Negative Factors
Large non‑cash impairments
Substantial impairments signal reserve and asset valuations are sensitive to commodity prices, reducing reported equity and masking recurring cash profits. These write‑downs can constrain capital allocation optics, raise stakeholder scrutiny, and reflect structural exposure to price downturns over the medium term.
Compressed and volatile profitability
A collapse to low net margins after prior stronger years indicates earnings are highly cyclical and vulnerable to realizations, differentials and LOE. Persistent margin weakness reduces internal reinvestment capacity and heightens reliance on commodity hedges and acquisition‑led growth to sustain returns.
Guidance and operator‑activity uncertainty
As a non‑operated owner, NOG’s volumes and timing depend on third‑party operators. The bifurcated guidance reflects meaningful visibility risk, making cash flow and capital planning uncertain and increasing the chance of swings in dividends, buybacks or acquisition pacing over the next several quarters.

Northern Oil And Gas (NOG) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Northern Oil And Gas Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionNorthern Oil and Gas, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The company primarily holds interests in the Williston Basin, the Appalachian Basin, and the Permian Basin in the United States. As of December 31, 2021, it owned working interests in 7,436 gross producing wells; and had proved reserves of 287,682 million barrels of oil equivalent. The company is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
How the Company Makes MoneyNorthern Oil and Gas generates revenue primarily through the production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. The company typically receives revenue from the sale of hydrocarbons produced from its operated and non-operated wells. Key revenue streams include the sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. NOG also benefits from its partnership model, often acquiring interests in properties that are operated by other companies, allowing it to reduce operational risks and capital expenditures. Additionally, the company may engage in hedging activities to manage price volatility in the oil and gas markets, locking in prices for future production to stabilize cash flows. Significant partnerships with operators in its key areas enhance its ability to grow production and reserves, thereby contributing to its earnings.

Northern Oil And Gas Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 25, 2026
(Q4-2025)
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% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Overall the call reflects a constructive operational and financial position—production and adjusted EBITDA grew, free cash flow was strong, liquidity was enhanced, and the company executed a record ground game and a strategically significant Utica/Antero acquisition. These positives are juxtaposed with notable near-term headwinds: large non-cash impairments driven by lower oil prices, weaker commodity realizations (especially gas realizations in Q4), some YoY oil production decline, and uncertainty around operator-driven activity and timing. Management conveyed confidence in dividend sustainability and a strategy built to capture upside as the cycle recovers. Taken together, the company appears well-positioned to navigate the downturn and capture future upside, though near-term volatility and accounting impairments remain notable risks.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow Strength
Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2025 was $1.63 billion (Q4 adjusted EBITDA $367 million). Free cash flow for the year was $424 million (Q4 free cash flow $43 million), demonstrating strong cash generation despite commodity headwinds.
Production Growth and Record Gas Volumes
Q4 average daily production was 140,000 BOE/day (up 7% sequentially and up 6% year-over-year). Full-year average production was 135,000 BOE/day (up 9% versus 2024). Appalachian JV gas production set a record for the third consecutive quarter at 392 MMcf/day in Q4 (up 11% sequentially and up 24% YoY).
Successful Ground Game and Acreage Expansion
NOG grew its organic footprint by over 12,000 net acres in 2025 and finished the year with ~12,300+ acres and 12.8 net wells. Q4 was a record quarter for ground game with over 6,000 net acres and 1.2 net wells across 33 transactions; the company evaluated over 700 opportunities during the year.
Strategic Utica/Antero Acquisition and Appalachian Scale-Up
Closed an integrated upstream and midstream Utica acquisition (joint with Infinity) that increases Appalachian footprint ~45% pro forma to ~90,000 net acres and adds over 100 identified gross locations on the Antero asset, providing additional development optionality.
Liquidity and Balance Sheet Actions
Extended revolver maturity from June 2027 to November 2030, upsized borrowing base to $1.975 billion and increased elected commitment to $1.8 billion. Issued $725 million notes at 7.875% and retired most 2028 notes; company reports over $1 billion of liquidity post-Utica close.
Operational Cost and Efficiency Improvements
Normalized lateral lengths around 13,000 feet and normalized well costs down nearly 5% quarter-over-quarter. Q4 lease operating expense (LOE) per BOE improved to $9.30 (down 5% vs Q3 and down 3% vs Q4 2024).
Capital Allocation and Discipline
Total CapEx for 2025 excluding non-budgeted acquisitions was $1.0 billion (including $174 million of ground game). Q4 CapEx excluding non-budgeted acquisitions was $270 million with ~44% to the Permian, 26% Williston, 8% Uinta and 22% Appalachian; ~ $193 million was organic development capital.
Dividend Positioning and Hedge Performance
Management emphasized dividend sustainability, stating the dividend is structured to be sustained in a significantly weaker environment. Adjusted EBITDA was up ~1% year-over-year despite oil prices averaging ~14% lower in 2025, credited to hedging and disciplined capital allocation.
Negative Updates
Material Non-Cash Impairments
GAAP results were negatively impacted by $703 million of non-cash impairment charges recorded during 2025 (including a $270 million Q4 impairment) driven by lower average oil prices under the full-cost ceiling test.
Weaker Realizations and Widening Differentials
Oil differentials widened to $5.05/bbl in Q4 (from $3.89 in Q3) and averaged $5.53/bbl for the year. Natural gas realizations declined to 58% of benchmark in Q4 and averaged 79% for the year (down from 93% in 2024), reflecting Waha weakness, lower NGL prices and adverse regional dynamics.
Oil Production Down Year-over-Year and Activity Uncertainty
Q4 oil production was 75,000 bbl/day (up 3% sequentially but down 5% year-over-year). Management highlighted significant uncertainty in 2026 activity with deferred completions, operator curtailments and 13 net wells elected but not yet spud, creating a wide range of potential outcomes in guidance.
Higher Maintenance and Workover Costs
Despite higher volumes, management reported increased workover and maintenance-related costs contributing to slightly higher annual LOE per BOE (full-year LOE $9.61, up 2% vs 2024).
Equity Performance and Market Multiple Compression
Management acknowledged equity total return was down in 2025 and referenced multiple compression for the stock amid declining oil prices and market skepticism, impacting shareholder returns despite operational progress.
Guidance Uncertainty and Wide Scenario Range
Company provided two distinct 2026 guidance scenarios (low activity vs high activity) reflecting significant visibility risk. The range reflects large uncertainty around timing of operator activity, potential curtailments, and reliance on the ground game to bridge gaps.
Company Guidance
Management issued two-case 2026 guidance (low‑activity and high‑activity) that spans production, operating expense and CapEx outcomes and assumes roughly 70–90 net wells for the year (current wells‑in‑process 45.6 net; 13 net wells elected but not spud; ~235 gross wells total), with activity mix targeted ~40% Permian / 25% Appalachia / 25% Williston / 10% Uinta. Wells and proposals are averaging ~13,000 ft laterals with normalized well costs down nearly 5% q/q and >95% of proposals elected; spending is expected to be front‑end loaded (~60/40 split) while well activity is ~even H1/H2, with a typical Q1 dip and a Q2 ramp. In the low case NOG expects lower oil volumes but materially lower spending and substantially larger free cash flow at today’s strip; in the high case it expects accelerated activity, fewer curtailments and higher TILs (management cited roughly $100–150M difference between low/high scenarios and on the order of $130–150M incremental cash per $5/bbl oil). Ground‑game remains a primary lever (2025 organic CapEx ~$1.0B with $174M ground‑game; Q4 CapEx $270M with ~$193M organic), and NOG says it has ample liquidity to execute either path (revolver borrowing base $1.975B, elected commitment $1.8B, revolver extended to Nov‑2030 and >$1B available liquidity post‑Utica close).

Northern Oil And Gas Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Balance sheet strength is the key support (improved leverage and materially higher equity), and operating cash flow remains strong. Offsetting this, profitability compressed sharply in 2025 (net margin ~1.6%) and free cash flow has been volatile (negative for several years before turning positive in 2025), with some 2025 data-consistency flags noted in the statements.
Income Statement
58
Neutral
Revenue has expanded meaningfully from 2020 to 2025 (annual growth positive in most years, with 2025 up ~13%), showing a stronger scale than the earlier period. However, profitability has become far less consistent: net margin fell sharply from very strong levels in 2022–2024 to a low ~1.6% in 2025, and several margin fields for 2025 appear missing/zeroed, limiting confidence in the latest-year margin quality. Overall, the income profile looks cyclical—strong in 2022–2024, but a clear profit compression in 2025.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
Leverage improved substantially versus earlier years: debt-to-equity moved from highly leveraged levels in 2021–2022 to around ~0.90–1.02 in 2023–2024, and the latest 2025 data shows no debt (as reported). Equity has grown materially over time (from a deficit in 2020 to >$2.1B in 2025), supporting balance-sheet resilience. The main caution is data consistency in 2025 (debt reported at zero while assets remain sizable), and returns on equity cooled to ~1.8% in 2025 after much stronger levels in 2022–2024.
Cash Flow
64
Positive
Operating cash flow is consistently strong and covers earnings well (roughly 2.6–3.1x in 2022–2024; ~2.8x in 2025), indicating good cash conversion and non-cash charges typical for the sector. The key weakness is free cash flow volatility: it was negative in 2021–2024, then jumped sharply positive in 2025, with the reported free cash flow growth extremely large in magnitude (suggesting a major swing year-over-year). Overall cash generation is solid, but free cash flow stability is a risk.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.10B2.16B1.91B1.99B975.09M
Gross Profit675.20M835.98M913.86M1.32B586.49M
EBITDA1.05B1.58B1.62B1.11B206.44M
Net Income38.76M520.31M922.97M773.24M6.36M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets5.41B5.60B4.48B2.88B1.52B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments14.30M8.93M8.20M2.53M9.52M
Total Debt0.002.37B1.84B1.53B803.44M
Total Liabilities3.28B3.28B2.44B2.13B1.31B
Stockholders Equity2.13B2.32B2.05B745.26M215.13M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.51B-283.19M-661.93M-431.36M-197.32M
Operating Cash Flow1.51B1.41B1.18B928.42M396.47M
Investing Cash Flow-1.25B-1.67B-1.86B-1.40B-634.43M
Financing Cash Flow-247.46M266.83M684.69M467.37M246.06M

Northern Oil And Gas Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price27.59
Price Trends
50DMA
23.71
Positive
100DMA
22.85
Positive
200DMA
24.51
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.99
Positive
RSI
61.41
Neutral
STOCH
55.69
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NOG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 27.59 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.08, above the 50-day MA of 23.71, and above the 200-day MA of 24.51, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.99 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 61.41 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 55.69 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for NOG.

Northern Oil And Gas Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$3.21B11.8226.57%9.94%-0.75%-29.40%
72
Outperform
$5.51B4.1014.33%4.38%34.93%-11.85%
70
Outperform
$2.68B70.741.74%8.18%1.51%-78.38%
65
Neutral
$15.17B7.614.09%5.20%3.87%-62.32%
64
Neutral
$3.82B21.553.21%5.78%32.31%-122.30%
61
Neutral
$3.04B16.089.58%31.67%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
NOG
Northern Oil And Gas
27.59
1.02
3.84%
SM
SM Energy
23.13
-5.81
-20.07%
BSM
Black Stone Minerals
15.10
1.84
13.90%
CRGY
Crescent Energy Company Class A
11.66
0.54
4.86%
BKV
BKV Corporation
31.33
11.93
61.49%

Northern Oil And Gas Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Northern Oil And Gas Expands Utica Assets and Liquidity
Positive
Feb 24, 2026

On February 23, 2026, Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. closed its previously announced joint acquisition of non-operated upstream and midstream interests in Ohio Utica Shale assets from Antero Resources and Antero Midstream. Under amended purchase agreements signed on February 22, 2026, Northern took a 40% interest in both the upstream and midstream assets, with Infinity Natural Resources increasing its stake to 60%.

Northern’s share of the unadjusted purchase price was set at $320 million for the upstream assets and $160 million for the midstream assets, and the company paid $464.5 million in cash at closing, funded with cash on hand, operating free cash flow and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. On February 23, 2026, Northern also amended its credit agreement, lifting the borrowing base to $1.975 billion and elected commitments to $1.8 billion, effectively adding about $200 million in liquidity to support its expanded Utica footprint and overall growth strategy.

The most recent analyst rating on (NOG) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Northern Oil And Gas stock, see the NOG Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Northern Oil and Gas Acquires Antero Assets for Growth
Positive
Dec 8, 2025

On December 5, 2025, Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. and Infinity Natural Resources entered into agreements to jointly acquire upstream and midstream assets from Antero Resources Corporation and Antero Midstream Corporation for a total of $1.2 billion. Northern will hold a 49% stake in these assets, which include significant oil and gas properties in Ohio’s Utica Shale, and expects substantial production growth and cash flow increases through the end of the decade. This acquisition enhances Northern’s natural gas profile and positions it for long-term growth, with Infinity operating the assets.

The most recent analyst rating on (NOG) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Northern Oil And Gas stock, see the NOG Stock Forecast page.

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: Feb 27, 2026