Core Viewpoint - SM Energy Company has successfully completed its all-stock merger with Civitas Resources, enhancing its position as a top 10 independent oil-focused producer in the U.S. [1][3] Group 1: Merger Details - The merger was approved by stockholders of both SM Energy and Civitas at special meetings on January 27, 2026 [1] - The combined company will continue to trade under the ticker symbol "SM" and retain the name SM Energy Company [1] Group 2: Leadership Changes - Beth McDonald has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer and joined the Board of Directors [2] - Blake McKenna has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer [2] - The Board of Directors has been expanded to 11 members, with six from SM Energy and five from Civitas [2] Group 3: Strategic Goals - The company aims to achieve annual synergies of $200 to $300 million and plans to execute a divestiture target of at least $1.0 billion over the next year [3] - These initiatives are expected to strengthen the balance sheet, accelerate capital returns to stockholders, and enhance equity value [3] Group 4: Upcoming Financial Reporting - SM Energy plans to report its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results and 2026 outlook after market close on February 25, 2026 [4] - A conference call is scheduled for February 26, 2026, to discuss these results [4][6]

Index Changes - S&P Dow Jones Indices will implement changes to the S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 indices effective January 30 and February 2, 2026 [1][3] - TTM Technologies (TTMI) will be added to the S&P MidCap 400, replacing Civitas Resources (CIVI), which is being acquired by SM Energy [1][3] - Amneal Pharmaceuticals (AMRX) will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600, replacing TTM Technologies [1][3] - Dutch Bros (BROS), Advanced Energy Industries (AEIS), and American Healthcare REIT (AHR) will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 on February 2, 2026, with Comerica (CMA), Cadence Bank (CADE), and PotlatchDeltic (PCH) being removed [1][3] - Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) and LegalZoom.com (LZ) will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600, replacing Advanced Energy Industries and Elme Communities (ELME), respectively [1][3] Acquisition Details - SM Energy is acquiring Civitas Resources, and the deal is expected to close soon, with SM Energy remaining in the S&P SmallCap 600 post-merger [3] - Rayonier is acquiring PotlatchDeltic, and will remain in the S&P MidCap 400 after the merger [3] - Fifth Third Bancorp is acquiring Comerica, which will also remain in the S&P MidCap 400 post-acquisition [3] - Huntington Bancshares is acquiring Cadence Bank, with Cadence being removed from the S&P MidCap 400 [3] - Elme Communities is undergoing liquidation activities, making it no longer suitable for the S&P SmallCap 600 [3]

Core Viewpoint - SM Energy and Civitas Resources have received stockholder approval for their all-stock merger, expected to close on January 30, 2026, pending customary closing conditions [1]. Group 1: Stockholder Votes - At the special meeting of SM Energy stockholders, approximately 76.5% of outstanding shares were represented, with 99.1% voting in favor of issuing SM Energy common stock to Civitas stockholders and 98.6% approving an amendment to increase authorized shares [2]. - At the special meeting of Civitas stockholders, approximately 82.9% of outstanding shares were represented, with 97.7% voting to adopt the merger agreement [3]. Group 2: Executive Comments - SM Energy's CEO Herb Vogel expressed satisfaction with the strong endorsement from stockholders, highlighting the merger's potential to create a leading oil and gas company with enhanced scale and top-tier assets, focusing on generating significant free cash flow and long-term value [4]. - Civitas' Interim CEO Wouter van Kempen noted that the merger combines two premier operators with exceptional assets and technical talent, strengthening their competitive position in high-return U.S. shale basins and unlocking meaningful synergies and free cash flow for sustainable growth [4]. Group 3: Company Backgrounds - SM Energy is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs primarily in Texas and Utah [5]. - Civitas Resources focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of crude oil and liquids-rich natural gas from its assets in the Permian Basin and the DJ Basin [6].

Group 1 - SM Energy Company (NYSE:SM) is recognized as one of the 10 Cheap Stocks with Huge Upside Potential, with a Buy rating reaffirmed by KeyBanc and a price target of $28 [1] - RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold lowered the price target from $35 to $29 while maintaining a Hold rating, reflecting updated estimates after the fourth-quarter commodity mark-to-market analysis [1][2] - Mizuho Securities analyst William Janela maintained a Buy rating but reduced the price target from $38 to $34, indicating an 82% upside potential from current levels, attributed to a slower activity pace compared to previous assumptions [3] Group 2 - SM Energy operates as an independent energy company involved in the exploration, production, acquisition, and development of gas, oil, and natural gas liquids in Texas, founded in 1908 and based in Denver, Colorado [4]

Core Viewpoint - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. has successfully closed the first tranche of its brokered private placement offering, raising gross proceeds of approximately $39.68 million through the issuance of 30,521,724 subscription receipts at a price of $1.30 each [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering is linked to the proposed acquisition of the Del Toro Silver Mine in Mexico from First Majestic Silver Corp. [2] - Each subscription receipt will convert into one common share upon meeting specific escrow release conditions, including necessary approvals [3]. - The gross proceeds from the first tranche, after deducting agents' fees, amount to approximately $38.57 million, which will be held in escrow until the release conditions are satisfied [4]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for the completion of the acquisition, exploration and development of Del Toro, and general working capital [5]. - The agents received a cash commission of approximately $2.03 million, with half of this amount placed into escrow [6]. Group 3: Regulatory and Compliance - The securities issued are subject to a four-month hold period and require final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange [7]. - A total of 219,250 subscription receipts were subscribed by certain directors and officers, amounting to gross proceeds of $285,025, which is classified as a related party transaction [8]. Group 4: Company Overview - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. focuses on precious metals development and exploration, particularly in the Guitarra mine and Tepic property in Mexico [10]. - The Guitarra mine has a processing facility that resumed commercial production in January 2025 [10]. - The Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource [11].

Core Viewpoint - The proposed sale of Civitas Resources, Inc. to SM Energy Company is under investigation to assess whether the transaction adequately values Civitas and the process leading to this valuation [1]. Group 1: Transaction Details - Civitas shareholders will receive 1.45 shares of SM Energy common stock for each share of Civitas owned [1]. Group 2: Legal Investigation - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC is investigating the proposed sale to determine if the consideration is adequate or if it undervalues Civitas [1]. - The law firm is inviting shareholders who believe the transaction undervalues the company to discuss their legal rights [2].

Company Performance - SM Energy closed at $19.13, reflecting a 2.3% increase from the previous trading session, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.19% [1] - Over the past month, SM Energy shares have decreased by 7.61%, underperforming the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 1.05% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.54% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The upcoming earnings release is expected to show an EPS of $0.89, which represents a 53.4% decline compared to the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is anticipated to be $792.61 million, indicating a 6.99% decrease from the same quarter of the previous year [2] Full Year Projections - For the full year, earnings are projected at $5.42 per share, reflecting a decrease of 20.29% from the prior year, while revenue is expected to remain flat at $3.28 billion [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent changes to analyst estimates for SM Energy are important, as upward revisions indicate positive sentiment regarding the company's business operations and profit generation capabilities [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which assesses these estimate changes, currently rates SM Energy as 3 (Hold) [6] Valuation Metrics - SM Energy is trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 5.73, which is below the industry average of 10.57, indicating a discount compared to its peers [7] - The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, to which SM Energy belongs, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 180, placing it in the bottom 27% of over 250 industries [7]

Core Viewpoint - SM Energy Company (NYSE:SM) is identified as a low-priced stock with significant upside potential, particularly following KeyBanc's revised price target of $28 from $36 while maintaining an Overweight rating due to increased confidence in the Civitas Resources Inc. merger [1]. Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, SM Energy reported a net income of $155.1 million, equating to $1.35 per diluted common share, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.30 per share [3]. - Total revenue for the quarter reached $846 million, aligning with market expectations [3]. - Total net daily production increased by 26% year-over-year, with oil production surging by 47%, highlighting the effectiveness of the company's acquisition and development strategies [3]. Strategic Insights - KeyBanc's confidence in SM Energy is based on three main pillars: robust free cash flow generation, a rapid deleveraging schedule, and a disciplined debt management plan [2]. - The merger with Civitas Resources, initially met with skepticism, has been validated through financial analysis and management discussions, reinforcing its strategic value [2]. Company Overview - SM Energy is an independent energy company focused on acquiring, exploring, developing, and producing oil, gas, and natural gas liquids primarily in Texas [4].

Core Insights - SM Energy Company (NYSE:SM) is recognized as one of the 12 best crude oil stocks to buy for dividends [1] Dividend Information - SM Energy declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, scheduled for payment on January 9, 2026, to stockholders on record as of December 26 [2][3] - The company currently has a robust annual dividend yield of 4.23% [3] Merger and Acquisition Developments - On December 18, SM Energy received early termination from the FTC regarding its merger with Civitas Resources, clearing a significant regulatory hurdle [4] - The merger, announced in November, will create a combined company with approximately 823,000 net acres and expected annual synergies of $200 million to $300 million [4] - The $12.8 billion transaction is one of the largest consolidations in the shale sector and is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2026 [4] Analyst Ratings and Price Target - KeyBanc lowered its price target for SM Energy from $36 to $28 but maintained an 'Overweight' rating on the shares, indicating confidence in the company's future performance [5] - The firm expects strong free cash flow, rapid deleveraging, and a prudent debt management strategy following the merger [5]

Core Viewpoint - SM Energy Company is identified as a promising investment opportunity with a potential upside of nearly 70% following its merger plans with Civitas Resources, valued at $12.8 billion [2][3]. Group 1: Analyst Consensus - SM Energy holds a Moderate Buy consensus from 9 analysts, consisting of 4 Buys and 5 Holds, with an average price target of $32.11, indicating a 68.56% upside from the current price of $19.05 [1]. Group 2: Merger Details - The merger with Civitas Resources is expected to enhance SM Energy's scale and capabilities, resulting in a combined company controlling approximately 823,000 net acres across US shale basins [2][3]. - The merger is projected to yield synergies of $200 to $300 million, translating into a net present value of $1 billion to $1.5 billion [3]. Group 3: Financial Projections - Post-merger, SM Energy anticipates generating $1.5 billion in free cash flow and $1 billion from divestitures, which will aid in debt reduction [4]. - The improved balance sheet is expected to support sustained capital returns and increase market capitalization, enhancing trading liquidity [4]. Group 4: Executive Commentary - CEO Herb Vogel emphasized that the merger creates a leading oil and gas company with enhanced scale, numerous value-adding synergies, and significant free cash flow, ultimately driving superior value to stockholders [5].