EOG Resources Analysis – 2015 Annual Update $EOG
Benjamin Graham taught that Intelligent Investors must do a thorough fundamental analysis of investment opportunities to determine their intrinsic value and inherent risk.  This is best done by utilizing a systematic approach to analysis that will provide investors with a sense of how a specific company compares to another company or by reviewing the 5 Most Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor – May 2015. By using the ModernGraham method one can review a company’s historical accomplishments and determine an intrinsic value that can be compared across industries.  What follows is a stock analysis showing a specific look at how EOG Resources (EOG) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): EOG Resources, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, EOG), explores for, develops, produces and markets crude oil and natural gas. The Company operates in producing basins in the United States, Canada, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad), the United Kingdom, The People’s Republic of China (China) and the Argentine Republic (Argentina), among others. EOG’s total estimated net proved reserves were approximately 2,119 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe), of which approximately 901 million barrels (MMBbl) were crude oil and condensate reserves, approximately 377 MMBbl were natural gas liquids (NGLs) reserves and approximately 5,045 billion cubic feet, or 841 MMBoe, were natural gas reserves. In the Eagle Ford, the Company produced net volumes of approximately 142 thousand barrels per day (MBbld) of crude oil and condensate. The Company is also engaged in drilling in the The Rocky Mountain area.
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 2/7
- Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion -Â PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 -Â FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years -Â FAIL
- Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years -Â PASS
- Earnings Growth – earnings per share has increased by at least 1/3 over the last 10 years using 3 year averages at beginning and end of period -Â FAIL
- Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 -Â FAIL
- Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 -Â FAIL
Enterprising Investor – must pass at least 4Â of the following 5 tests or be suitable for a defensive investor: Score = 3/5
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 -Â PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 -Â FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years -Â FAIL
- Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend -Â PASS
- Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago – PASS
Valuation Summary
Key Data:
| Recent Price | $88.75 |
| MG Value | $37.86 |
| MG Opinion | Overvalued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $32.88 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $19.27 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 15.32% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$22.81 |
| PEmg | 39.14 |
| Current Ratio | 1.55 |
| PB Ratio | 2.77 |
Balance Sheet – March 2015
| Current Assets | $4,793,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $3,095,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $6,394,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $34,692,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $0 |
| Total Liabilities | $17,222,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 545,000,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2015 (estimate) | -$0.70 |
| 2014 | $5.32 |
| 2013 | $4.02 |
| 2012 | $1.06 |
| 2011 | $2.05 |
| 2010 | $0.32 |
| 2009 | $1.09 |
| 2008 | $4.86 |
| 2007 | $2.19 |
| 2006 | $2.62 |
| 2005 | $2.57 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2015 (estimate) | $2.27 |
| 2014 | $3.35 |
| 2013 | $2.15 |
| 2012 | $1.43 |
| 2011 | $1.78 |
| 2010 | $1.84 |
Dividend History
Conclusion:
As this stock analysis shows, the company is not suitable for either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, the insufficient earnings growth or stability over the last ten years, and the high PEmg and PB ratios.  The Enterprising Investor is concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets and the lack of earnings stability over the last five years.  As a result, value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should explore other opportunities.  As for a valuation, the company appears to be overvalued after seeing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) grow from $1.78 in 2011 to only an estimated $2.27 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth does not support the market’s implied estimate of 15.32% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value well below the price.
The next part of the analysis is up to individual investors, and requires discussion of the company’s prospects.  What do you think?  What value would you put on EOG Resources (EOG)?  Where do you see the company going in the future?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.
Disclaimer:  The author did not hold a position in any company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours.  Logo taken from Wikipedia for the sole purpose of identifying the company; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.
