Range Resources (NYSE:RRC) is an independent producer of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) based in Fort Worth, Texas. Range shares rallied during the quarter, as the company reduced its debt load by roughly $1.0 billion following the divestiture of two non-core assets (Nora and Bradford County). The company is continuing to pursue a sale of its central-Oklahoma oil properties, which will likely be used to retire additional long-term debt. Other positives included improving natural gas price sentiment (for 2017) and a general thawing in the high yield debt markets. Falling drilling activity in the Marcellus and Utica shales (collective rig counts are down from 170 at peak to 40 at present) and the continued drop in domestic oil production, in time, should bring both oil and natural gas prices up closer to their marginal costs of production. In the interim, Range has 80% of its 2016 gas production hedged at $3.24/MMBtu and is locking in additional 2017 production with the current gas strip close to $2.85. We continue to believe Range will emerge from the downturn a significantly more efficient–and more valuable–company.
From Wallace Weitz (Trades, Portfolio)'s Weitz Value Fund 1st quarter 2016 commentary.
