Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What is your evaluation of the stock SandRidge Energy?

Article Excerpt

SandRidge Energy, $6.89, symbol SD on New York (Shares outstanding: 409.9 million; Market cap: $2.8 billion; www.sandridgeenergy.com), is an Oklahoma City-based oil and gas firm. The company mainly explores for oil and natural gas in west Texas, the Cotton Valley Trend in east Texas, the Gulf Coast, the mid-continent region and the Gulf of Mexico. SandRidge and its subsidiaries own and operate gas-gathering and processing plants and carbon-dioxide treatment and transportation facilities. In addition, one of the company’s subsidiaries, wholly owned Lariat Services, Inc., owns and operates a drilling rig and a related oilfield services business. The company will likely be able to increase its oil and gas production. However, its $2.9-billion debt is a high 104% of its $2.8-billion market cap. Moreover, the company only holds cash of $4.6 million. Sandridge’s high debt and low cash reserves add considerable risk. Today’s lower oil prices heighten that risk. We don’t recommend SandRidge Energy. Energy. …