Boston, MA 03/24/2014 (wallstreetpr) – Shares of Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN) continue to benefit from the solid financial results which the company posted in the fourth quarter. In the process, the shares have been breaching previously set record prices and cementing new higher prices.
In the last session, shares closed at $46.57, up 2.02 percent. Earlier on the day shares surged to $46.62, establishing a new 52-week high. That session came on exceedingly high volume of shares changing hands. Last week trading of the stock was generally characterized with gains and attainment of new high prices.
Solid performance
Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN) is one of the largest and reputable producers of natural gas in the U.S. The company recently announced solid fourth quarter results which were helped by solid product growth, thus offsetting the poor prices.
Adjusted earnings in the quarter came in at $0.54, exceeding consensus estimate of $0.53. Revenue in the quarter was $649.37 million, which contrasted with revenue estimate of $865.53 million. Revenue was up more than 16 percent compared with the same quarter last year. Earnings per share in the same quarter last year was $0.44.
Wall Street is looking to the company posting earnings per share of $2.22 in the current fiscal year.
Looking ahead
Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN)’s fourth quarter benefited from increase in production which helped absorb the impact of unattractive prices. The company also managed earnings beat due to continued curb on expenses. Now the same efforts are expected to help the company achieve even higher earnings.
Increased production should help the company attract higher revenue in the current year. And if expenses are prevailed upon, significant positive impact is expected in the bottom line.
The stock of Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN) is currently rated “hold” on average at a price target of $44.43. The price target planted on the stock reflects potential downside when viewed against the current price of $46.57.
