Leverage and Negative FCF Undermine Commodity-Led Earnings Recovery
Comstock Resources has demonstrated a sharp earnings recovery from 2024 losses, with net income swinging from -$126.3M in 2024Q2 to $136.5M in 2026Q1, driven by higher natural gas prices and operating leverage. However, the company's aggressive capital expendi...
Comstock Resources (CRK) retains a Buy rating, suitable only for aggressive, risk-tolerant investors due to ongoing free cash flow outspend through 2027. Recent SOCAR and Jones JV deals inject $1.65 billion in cash, reduce leverage, and provide $450 million in drilling cost coverage, easing near-term liquidity risk. Comstock's investment case hinges on structurally higher US natural gas prices and significant D&C cost reductions in the Western Haynesville by late 2027.
Comstock Resources on Tuesday said it plans to sell stakes in its Haynesville shale assets and related midstream business to Azerbaijan's SOCAR for $1.65 billion in cash, as the U.S. natural gas producer aims to reduce its debt.
FRISCO, TX, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE and NYSE Texas: CRK) ("Comstock" or the "Company") announced today that it has entered into a letter of intent with the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic ("SOCAR") under which SOCAR or a wholly owned subsidiary of SOCAR would acquire, subject to the terms of the letter of intent and a definitive purchase and sale agreement, (i) a non-operated working interest representing 20% of Comstock's interest in its Legacy Haynesville upstream assets, (ii) a non-operated working interest equal to 15% of Comstock's interest in its Western Haynesville upstream assets, reducing to 7.5% after five years and once SOCAR has achieved a 15% return on investment in those assets, and (iii) 15% of Comstock's 73% ownership interest in Pinnacle Gas Services LLC, which provides midstream services to the Western Haynesville, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.65 billion in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The letter of intent binds the parties to negotiate in good faith a definitive purchase and sale agreement, with the parties targeting execution by October 31, 2026, and a closing by year end, in each case subject to the progress of negotiations. Closing will be subject to customary conditions, including any required government and third-party approvals. The transaction will have an effective date of July 1, 2026.
