Range Resources (NYSE:RRC) is an independent producer of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) based in Fort Worth, Texas. Natural gas producers’ end markets went from bad to worse during the fourth quarter. Domestic oversupply worsened thanks to extremely mild winter weather. Per consultancy RBN Energy, heating demand (as measured by heating degree days) was 25% below its 30-year average through the first nine full weeks of winter. This lack of demand pushed local natural gas prices to roughly $1.00 throughout much of the Northeast. The near-term pain will negatively impact Range’s 2016 cash flows but should help accelerate the decline in drilling activity across the Marcellus Shale. Range successfully executed the sale of its Nora assets for $876 million just before year end, providing the company with some additional cushion to navigate what looks like another tough couple of quarters ahead. Longer-term, we continue to like Range’s asset quality and management, and believe both natural gas and oil prices are well below equilibrium price levels. We purchased additional shares over the past quarter on price weakness.
From Wallace Weitz (Trades, Portfolio)'s fourth quarter 2015 Value Fund commentary.
