SM Energy Management
Management criteria checks 1/4
SM Energy's CEO is Beth McDonald, appointed in Sep 2025, has a tenure of less than a year. total yearly compensation is $4.48M, comprised of 12.9% salary and 87.1% bonuses, including company stock and options. directly owns 0.009% of the company’s shares, worth $883.89K. The average tenure of the management team and the board of directors is 1.5 years and 1.2 years respectively.
Key information
Beth McDonald
Chief executive officer
US$4.5m
Total compensation
| CEO salary percentage | 12.88% |
| CEO tenure | 1yr |
| CEO ownership | 0.009% |
| Management average tenure | 1.5yrs |
| Board average tenure | 1.2yrs |
Recent management updates
Recent updates
Narrative Update • Sep 09
SM: Higher Production Guidance And Buybacks Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have raised their price target on SM Energy from $49.94 to $52.00, citing updated assumptions regarding fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E multiples. What's in the News SM Energy issued new production guidance for the third quarter of 2026, with expected total production of 39.5 MMBoe to 40.5 MMBoe and total production of 430 MBoe/d to 440 MBoe/d, including expected oil production of 230 MBbl/d to 240 MBbl/d.Seeking Alpha • Aug 26
SM Energy: Tailwinds From Fading Hedge Drag And Strong Oil Leverage
Summary SM Energy is rated a strong buy with a $59/share target, implying ~65% upside, based on discounted free cash flow modeling. The transformative Civitas acquisition more than doubled SM's acreage and production, but integration costs and assumed debt temporarily obscure free cash flow potential. Underwater oil hedges will weigh on results through 2026, but this headwind diminishes in 2027 and disappears by 2028, unlocking significant free cash flow. Valuation assumes a conservative $80/bbl oil and $3.30/MMBtu to $3.75/MMBtu gas; downside is limited unless long-term oil falls below $70/bbl, while upside exceeds $80/share in a bullish scenario. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Narrative Update • Aug 26
SM: Higher Cash Returns And Debt Redemption Will Support Future Upside
Analysts have lifted their fair value estimate for SM Energy from about $38.86 to roughly $41.13. This change reflects updated assumptions around discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E levels.
Narrative Update • Aug 12
SM: Future Cash Generation Will Reflect Stronger Volumes And Permian Efficiency Gains
Analysts have lifted their price target on SM Energy by $1 to $32. This reflects updated assumptions for fair value, a lower discount rate, adjusted revenue growth and profit margin expectations, and a higher future P/E multiple.Narrative Update • Jul 29
SM: Deep Permian Drilling And Rising Output Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have reduced their price target for SM Energy from about $57.52 to about $49.94, reflecting updated views on its revenue outlook, profit margins, and projected P/E multiple. What’s in the News for SM Energy SM Energy has begun deep-pay wildcat drilling in Crane County, Texas, within the southwestern Midland Basin, with two wells located within about a mile of the Dune Field waterflood project.Narrative Update • Jul 15
SM: Merger Synergies And Debt Reduction Will Support Future Shareholder Upside
Analysts have adjusted their fair value estimate for SM Energy from $40.79 to $38.86, reflecting a slightly lower discount rate and updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E. What’s in the News for SM Energy SM Energy reported first quarter 2026 oil equivalent production of 371,000 barrels per day, ahead of guidance, with capital expenditures 12% below expectations and adjusted earnings of US$1.55 per share, according to recent earnings coverage.Narrative Update • Jul 01
SM: Future Cash Generation And Rising Volumes Will Support Stronger Profitability
Analysts lifted their price target on SM Energy by $2, from $29.00 to $31.00, citing updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, discount rate, and future P/E. What’s in the News for SM Energy Recent coverage highlighted SM Energy as a cash-producing stock for long-term investors, focusing on its operations in Texas and Utah and its activity across oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, source: 3 Cash-Producing Stocks for Long-Term Investors.Narrative Update • Jun 16
SM: Merger Synergies And Higher Production Will Drive Future Shareholder Upside
Analysts have raised their price target for SM Energy stock from about $28.82 to roughly $40.79 per share, citing updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, discount rate, and future P/E multiples. What’s in the News for SM Energy SM Energy reported record 2025 operating cash flow, production, and oil volumes, with oil at 53% of total output, and completed a US$950m South Texas asset sale used to improve liquidity and support debt repayment efforts (Source: 2025 results coverage).Narrative Update • Jun 02
SM: Civitas Synergies And Debt Reduction Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have lifted their price target on SM Energy from $55.27 to $57.52, citing refreshed assumptions that combine a lower future P/E estimate with updated views on revenue growth, profit margins, and discount rates. What's in the News Q1 2026 results came in ahead of Wall Street expectations, with revenue of US$1.48b and adjusted earnings of US$1.55 per share, supported by higher production of 371.2 MBoe/d and integration of the Civitas merger.Analysis Article • May 19
We Think That There Are More Issues For SM Energy (NYSE:SM) Than Just Sluggish Earnings
The subdued market reaction suggests that SM Energy Company's ( NYSE:SM ) recent earnings didn't contain any surprises...Narrative Update • May 18
SM: Higher Production And Payouts Will Mask Weaker Future Profitability
Analysts have maintained SM Energy's price target at $29.00, citing updated assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E that reflect a more refined view of the company's risk profile and earnings potential. What's in the News SM Energy issued new production guidance for the second quarter of 2026, targeting total production of 39 MMBoe to 41 MMBoe.Narrative Update • May 03
SM: Future Margins And Capital Returns Will Shape Balanced Share Outlook
Analysts have adjusted their price target on SM Energy from $22.00 to $29.00, citing revised assumptions for revenue growth, profit margin, discount rate, and future P/E as the key drivers of this change. What's in the News BofA Securities, Inc.Narrative Update • Apr 18
SM: Civitas Merger And New CEO Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have adjusted their price target for SM Energy slightly higher, to approximately $55.27 from about $55.01, reflecting updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E multiples. What's in the News Civitas Resources Inc.Narrative Update • Apr 04
SM: Civitas Merger And New CEO Will Shape Future Upside
Analysts have raised their price target on SM Energy from $48.00 to about $55.01, citing updated assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E expectations. What's in the News SM Energy completed a $12.8b merger with Civitas Resources, creating a combined oil and gas producer operating in Utah, Texas and Colorado's Denver Julesburg Basin.Narrative Update • Mar 21
SM: Post Merger Profit Margin Assumptions Will Pressure Future Share Performance
Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for SM Energy from $19.00 to $22.00, citing updated assumptions for profit margin, discount rate, revenue growth, and future P/E as key drivers of the new price target. What's in the News Civitas Resources Inc.Narrative Update • Mar 07
SM: Merger Integration And Production Outlook Will Shape Future Shareholder Upside
Analysts have trimmed their price target on SM Energy to $28.82 from $31.42, citing updated assumptions that reflect a lower discount rate, adjusted revenue growth expectations, higher projected profit margins, and a higher future P/E multiple. What's in the News SM Energy completed its merger with Civitas Resources in a transaction valued at $12.8b, with the combined company operating oil and natural gas assets in Utah, Texas and Colorado's Denver Julesburg Basin, and continuing to trade on the NYSE under the SM ticker (Executive Changes: CEO).Narrative Update • Feb 21
SM: Merger Synergies And Margin Pressure Will Constrain Future Share Performance
Analysts have adjusted their price target on SM Energy from $27.00 to $19.00, reflecting updated views on the company’s growth outlook, margin profile, and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News SM Energy closed a $12.8b merger with Civitas Resources Inc.Narrative Update • Feb 07
SM: Civitas Merger And New Leadership Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have adjusted their price target on SM Energy to reflect an unchanged fair value estimate of $48.00, together with updated assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E that indicate a different mix of risk and earnings than before. What's in the News SM Energy completed a $12.8b merger with Civitas Resources on January 30, 2026, creating a combined oil and gas producer operating in Utah, Texas and Colorado's Denver Julesburg Basin (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Jan 23
SM: Production Guidance And Buybacks Will Support Future Shareholder Upside
Analysts have trimmed their price target for SM Energy by about $1 to reflect updated assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E. What's in the News SM Energy has scheduled a special or extraordinary shareholders meeting for January 27, 2026, which could bring proposals that affect capital structure, governance, or other corporate matters (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Jan 09
SM: Share Repurchases And Production Guidance Will Support Future Shareholder Upside
Analysts have trimmed their price target on SM Energy from about US$33.50 to roughly US$32.33, citing updated assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E as the key drivers of the change. What's in the News SM Energy has scheduled a Special or Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting for January 27, 2026, giving investors a key date to watch for company level decisions (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Dec 24
SM: Merger Talks And 2025 Production Outlook Will Drive Upside Potential
Analysts have trimmed their price target on SM Energy to approximately $48.00 from about $56.36. This reflects a view that sharply higher projected revenue growth is likely to be offset by expectations for lower profit margins and a more conservative valuation multiple.Narrative Update • Dec 10
SM: Merger Talks And Share Repurchases Will Drive Future Shareholder Upside
Analysts have modestly reduced their price target on SM Energy from 33.92 dollars to 33.50 dollars. This reflects slightly lower assumptions for revenue growth and profit margins, even as valuation multiples edge higher.Narrative Update • Nov 26
SM: Merger Prospects and Leadership Transition Will Unlock Shareholder Value
Analysts have revised their price target for SM Energy, lowering it from $36.64 to $33.92. This change is based on updated forecasts for revenue growth and profit margins.Narrative Update • Nov 12
SM: Planned Merger and Leadership Transition Will Drive Future Performance
Analysts have lowered their price target for SM Energy from $37.54 to $36.64, citing reduced projections for revenue growth even though profit margins remain stable. What's in the News Civitas Resources Inc.Analysis Article • Nov 10
SM Energy's (NYSE:SM) Weak Earnings May Only Reveal A Part Of The Whole Picture
Investors were disappointed by SM Energy Company's ( NYSE:SM ) latest earnings release. We did some further digging and...Narrative Update • Oct 29
Merger Prospects And Rising Oil Output Will Drive Future Gains
Analysts have slightly lowered their price target for SM Energy from $38.62 to $37.54. They cite more cautious estimates for revenue growth and profit margins as the reason for the adjustment.Narrative Update • Oct 14
Uinta Basin Production Will Rise Despite Operational Hurdles
Narrative Update: SM Energy Analyst Price Target Adjustment Analysts have revised SM Energy’s fair value estimate downward from $40.00 to $38.62 per share. This adjustment is due to more conservative revenue growth assumptions, which are partially offset by improved profit margin projections and a lower future price-to-earnings ratio.CEO Compensation Analysis
| Date | Total Compensation | Salary | Company Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 30 2026 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Mar 31 2026 | n/a | n/a | US$131m |
| Dec 31 2025 | US$4m | US$576k | US$648m |
| Sep 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$727m |
| Jun 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$813m |
| Mar 31 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$821m |
| Dec 31 2024 | US$4m | US$162k | US$770m |
Compensation vs Market: Beth's total compensation ($USD4.48M) is below average for companies of similar size in the US market ($USD14.74M).
Compensation vs Earnings: Beth's compensation has increased by more than 20% in the past year.
CEO
Beth McDonald (47 yo)
1yr
Tenure
US$4,475,172
Compensation
Ms. Elizabeth Anne McDonald, also known as Beth, was Chief Operating Officer of SM Energy Company from September 9, 2024 until January 30, 2026 and serves as its President since September 8, 2025 and is it...
Leadership Team
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | 1yr | US$4.48m | 0.0090% $ 883.9k | |
| Executive VP & CFO | 18yrs | US$3.86m | 0.18% $ 17.6m | |
| Executive VP | 3.7yrs | US$2.55m | 0.0062% $ 606.9k | |
| Executive VP & COO | less than a year | no data | 0.0013% $ 122.8k | |
| VP, Controller & Principal Accounting Officer | 1.5yrs | no data | 0.0015% $ 152.2k | |
| Vice President of Investor Relations | no data | no data | no data | |
| Vice President of Marketing | 3.2yrs | no data | no data | |
| Vice President of Human Resources | 2.7yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior Vice President of Finance | 1.5yrs | no data | 0.0054% $ 528.4k | |
| Senior Vice President of Utah Business Unit | 1.5yrs | no data | 0.012% $ 1.2m | |
| Vice President of Exploration & Geoscience | no data | no data | no data | |
| Senior Vice President of DJ Business Unit | less than a year | no data | no data |
1.5yrs
Average Tenure
44.5yo
Average Age
Experienced Management: SM's management team is not considered experienced ( 1.5 years average tenure), which suggests a new team.
Board Members
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | less than a year | US$4.48m | 0.0090% $ 883.9k | |
| Independent Director | 12.2yrs | US$300.02k | 0.020% $ 2.0m | |
| Independent Director | 12.1yrs | US$330.02k | 0.030% $ 3.0m | |
| Independent Director | 2.6yrs | US$285.04k | 0.015% $ 1.5m | |
| Independent Chairman of the Board | 20.2yrs | US$428.70k | 0.051% $ 5.0m | |
| Independent Director | less than a year | no data | 0.034% $ 3.4m | |
| Independent Director | less than a year | no data | 0.060% $ 5.8m | |
| Independent Director | less than a year | no data | 0.029% $ 2.8m | |
| Independent Director | less than a year | no data | 0.041% $ 4.0m | |
| Independent Director | 1.8yrs | US$280.02k | 0.0053% $ 517.6k |
1.2yrs
Average Tenure
60.5yo
Average Age
Experienced Board: SM's board of directors are not considered experienced ( 1.2 years average tenure), which suggests a new board.
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/09/16 03:55 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/09/16 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/06/30 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
| |
| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
|
|
| Market Prices | 30 years |
| |
| Ownership | 10 years |
| |
| Management | 10 years |
| |
| Key Developments | 10 years |
|
* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
Learn about the who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
SM Energy Company is covered by 44 analysts. 12 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Joseph Allman | Baird |
| Jeffrey Robertson | Barclays |
| Rudolf Hokanson | Barrington Research Associates, Inc. |