FRISCO, TX, July 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE; NYSE Texas: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
Highlights of 2026's Second Quarter
Return of production growth in quarter with 16% growth over first quarter.
Sold a 27% noncontrolling common equity interest in Pinnacle Gas Services LLC ("Pinnacle") for $600 million and used the proceeds to redeem and retire all of Pinnacle's preferred equity securities and its outstanding indebtedness.
Turned five Western Haynesville wells to sales in the second quarter with an average lateral length of 9,679 feet and an average per well initial production rate of 33 MMcf per day.
Turned twelve Legacy Haynesville wells to sales during the second quarter with an average lateral length of 11,835 feet and an average per well initial production rate of 31 MMcf per day. Five of these wells were horseshoe wells.
Second quarter 2026 financial results:
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Natural gas and oil sales, including realized hedging gains, were $332 million for the quarter.
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Cash flows from operating activities was $170 million and operating cash flow before changes in working capital was $189 million or $0.65 per share.
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Net income available to the Company was $9 million, or $0.03 per share and adjusted net income available to the Company was $8 million or $0.03 per share for the quarter.
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Net income was $15 million and adjusted EBITDAX was $245 million.
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Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2026
Comstock produced 113.1 Bcfe in the second quarter of 2026, which increased 16% from the first quarter of this year and increased 1% from the same period in 2025. During the second quarter of 2026, Comstock realized $2.55 per Mcfe before hedging and $2.93 per Mcfe after hedging. Comstock's natural gas and oil sales in the second quarter of 2026 were $331.6 million (including realized hedging gains of $43.3 million). Cash flows from operating activities in the second quarter of 2026 was $170.2 million. Operating cash flow before changes in working capital generated in the second quarter of 2026 was $188.5 million, and net income available to the Company for the second quarter was $8.8 million or $0.03 per diluted share. The net income available to the Company in the quarter included a pre-tax $1.0 million unrealized gain on hedging contracts held for price risk management resulting from the change in future natural gas prices since the first quarter of 2026. Excluding this item, exploration expense and gain on sale of assets, adjusted net income available to the Company for the second quarter of 2026 was $8.3 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.
Comstock's production cost per Mcfe in the second quarter returned to normal levels and averaged $0.77 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.38 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.25 for lease operating costs, $0.06 for production and other taxes and $0.08 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock's unhedged operating margin was 70% in the second quarter of 2026 and 74% after hedging.
Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2026
For the six months ended June 30, 2026, production was down 7% to 1,166 MMcfe per day compared to the same period in 2025. Comstock realized $3.35 per Mcfe before hedging and $3.18 per Mcfe after hedging for its production of 211.0 Bcfe. Natural gas and oil sales for the six months ended June 30, 2026 totaled $670.2 million (including realized hedging losses of $37.1 million). Cash flows from operating activities for the first six months of 2026 was $442.2 million. Operating cash flow before changes in working capital generated in the first six months of 2026 was $380.4 million, and net income available to the Company was $116.2 million or $0.40 per diluted share. Net income available to the Company for the first six months of 2026 included a pre-tax $83.8 million unrealized gain on hedging contracts held for price risk management. Excluding this item and exploration expense and gain on sale of assets, adjusted net income available to the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $47.7 million, or $0.16 per diluted share.
Comstock's production cost per Mcfe for the six months ended June 30, 2026 averaged $0.85 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.40 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.27 for lease operating costs, $0.09 for production and other taxes and $0.09 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock's unhedged operating margin was 75% for the first six months of 2026 and 73% after hedging.
Drilling Results
Comstock drilled 17 (15.6 net) operated horizontal Haynesville/Bossier shale wells in the second quarter of 2026, which had an average lateral length of 11,104 feet. Comstock turned 16 (12.7 net) operated wells to sales in the second quarter of 2026.
Since its last operational update in May 2026, Comstock has turned 17 (13.6 net) operated Haynesville/Bossier shale wells to sales. These wells had initial production rates that averaged 31 MMcf per day. The completed lateral length of these wells averaged 11,201 feet. Included in the wells turned to sales were five more successful Western Haynesville wells:
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| Initial | |||
Ericson KN #1 | 15,414 | 7,975 | 30 | |||
Jensen WW #1 | 14,272 | 9,243 | 31 | |||
Glass KG #1 | 14,972 | 11,182 | 35 | |||
Lotspeich BJ #1 | 17,903 | 9,805 | 34 | |||
Jones LA #1 | 16,069 | 10,191 | 33 |
Earnings Call Information
Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on July 30, 2026, to discuss the second quarter 2026 operational and financial results. Investors wishing to listen should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live webcast. Investors wishing to participate in the conference call telephonically will need to register at:
https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIb1b9c89894d24cf390641104a3f40885.
Upon registering to participate in the conference call, participants will receive the dial-in number and a personal PIN number to access the conference call. On the day of the call, please dial in at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection to the call. The conference call will also be broadcast live in listen-only mode and can be accessed via the website URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xprpo4xr.
If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available for twelve months beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT on July 30, 2026. The replay of the conference can be accessed using the webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xprpo4xr.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Information concerning the assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may affect the actual results can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") available on the Company's website or the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Comstock Resources, Inc. is a leading independent natural gas producer with operations focused on the development of the Haynesville shale in North Louisiana and East Texas. The Company's stock is traded on the NYSE and the NYSE Texas under the symbol CRK.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas sales | $ | 287,745 | $ | 339,225 | $ | 706,020 | $ | 751,511 | ||||||||
Oil sales | 476 | 741 | 1,234 | 1,443 | ||||||||||||
Total natural gas and oil sales | 288,221 | 339,966 | 707,254 | 752,954 | ||||||||||||
Gas services | 63,481 | 130,296 | 229,982 | 230,162 | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | 1,580 | — | 3,400 | — | ||||||||||||
Total revenues and other operating income | 353,282 | 470,262 | 940,636 | 983,116 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Production and ad valorem taxes | 7,196 | 10,555 | 17,621 | 21,734 | ||||||||||||
Gathering and transportation | 43,331 | 41,759 | 85,135 | 84,376 | ||||||||||||
Lease operating | 28,150 | 31,109 | 56,431 | 66,109 | ||||||||||||
Exploration | 4,427 | — | 13,770 | 2,150 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 167,432 | 158,379 | 308,964 | 326,270 | ||||||||||||
Gas services | 63,014 | 126,714 | 225,870 | 243,483 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 17,151 | 12,300 | 35,373 | 23,380 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 330,701 | 380,816 | 743,164 | 767,502 | ||||||||||||
Operating income | 22,581 | 89,446 | 197,472 | 215,614 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expenses): | ||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments | 44,365 | 235,847 | 46,761 | (94,492 | ) | |||||||||||
Other income | 259 | 2,100 | 522 | 2,439 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (55,042 | ) | (55,178 | ) | (108,103 | ) | (110,015 | ) | ||||||||
Total other income (expenses) | (10,418 | ) | 182,769 | (60,820 | ) | (202,068 | ) | |||||||||
Income before income taxes | 12,163 | 272,215 | 136,652 | 13,546 | ||||||||||||
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes | 2,837 | (141,487 | ) | (9,153 | ) | 1,789 | ||||||||||
Net income | 15,000 | 130,728 | 127,499 | 15,335 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (6,234 | ) | (5,886 | ) | (11,283 | ) | (11,771 | ) | ||||||||
Net income available to the Company | $ | 8,766 | $ | 124,842 | $ | 116,216 | $ | 3,564 | ||||||||
Net income per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.05 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.05 | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 291,612 | 290,604 | 291,465 | 290,455 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 291,612 | 294,247 | 291,465 | 294,026 |
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||
Natural gas production (MMcf) | 113,069 | 112,164 | 210,924 | 227,193 | ||||||||||||
Oil production (Mbbls) | 5 | 13 | 16 | 23 | ||||||||||||
Total production (MMcfe) | 113,102 | 112,238 | 211,021 | 227,329 | ||||||||||||
Natural gas sales | $ | 287,745 | $ | 339,225 | $ | 706,020 | $ | 751,511 | ||||||||
Natural gas hedging settlements (1) | 43,333 | 4,286 | (37,055 | ) | (3,673 | ) | ||||||||||
Total natural gas including hedging | 331,078 | 343,511 | 668,965 | 747,838 | ||||||||||||
Oil sales | 476 | 741 | 1,234 | 1,443 | ||||||||||||
Total natural gas and oil sales including hedging | $ | 331,554 | $ | 344,252 | $ | 670,199 | $ | 749,281 | ||||||||
Average natural gas price (per Mcf) | $ | 2.54 | $ | 3.02 | $ | 3.35 | $ | 3.31 | ||||||||
Average natural gas price including hedging (per Mcf) | $ | 2.93 | $ | 3.06 | $ | 3.17 | $ | 3.29 | ||||||||
Average oil price (per barrel) | $ | 95.20 | $ | 57.00 | $ | 77.13 | $ | 62.74 | ||||||||
Average price (per Mcfe) | $ | 2.55 | $ | 3.03 | $ | 3.35 | $ | 3.31 | ||||||||
Average price including hedging (per Mcfe) | $ | 2.93 | $ | 3.07 | $ | 3.18 | $ | 3.30 | ||||||||
Production and ad valorem taxes | $ | 7,196 | $ | 10,555 | $ | 17,621 | $ | 21,734 | ||||||||
Gathering and transportation | 43,331 | 41,759 | 85,135 | 84,376 | ||||||||||||
Lease operating | 28,150 | 31,109 | 56,431 | 66,109 | ||||||||||||
Cash general and administrative (2) | 8,792 | 6,771 | 19,570 | 13,411 | ||||||||||||
Total production costs | $ | 87,469 | $ | 90,194 | $ | 178,757 | $ | 185,630 | ||||||||
Production and ad valorem taxes (per Mcfe) | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.10 | ||||||||
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe) | 0.38 | 0.37 | 0.40 | 0.37 | ||||||||||||
Lease operating (per Mcfe) | 0.25 | 0.28 | 0.27 | 0.29 | ||||||||||||
Cash general and administrative (per Mcfe) | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.09 | 0.06 | ||||||||||||
Total production costs (per Mcfe) | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.85 | $ | 0.82 | ||||||||
Unhedged operating margin | 70 | % | 73 | % | 75 | % | 75 | % | ||||||||
Hedged operating margin | 74 | % | 74 | % | 73 | % | 75 | % | ||||||||
Gas services revenue | $ | 63,481 | $ | 130,296 | $ | 229,982 | $ | 230,162 | ||||||||
Gas services expenses | 63,014 | 126,714 | 225,870 | 243,483 | ||||||||||||
Gas services margin | $ | 467 | $ | 3,582 | $ | 4,112 | $ | (13,321 | ) | |||||||
Natural Gas and Oil Capital Expenditures: | ||||||||||||||||
Unproved property acquisitions | $ | 20,409 | $ | 9,932 | $ | 39,449 | $ | 19,616 | ||||||||
Total natural gas and oil properties acquisitions | $ | 20,409 | $ | 9,932 | $ | 39,449 | $ | 19,616 | ||||||||
Exploration and Development: | ||||||||||||||||
Development leasehold | $ | 4,006 | $ | 5,295 | $ | 7,374 | $ | 8,851 | ||||||||
Exploratory drilling and completion | 174,359 | 130,997 | 349,134 | 231,104 | ||||||||||||
Development drilling and completion | 199,356 | 123,991 | 357,915 | 269,569 | ||||||||||||
Other development costs | 12,707 | 7,919 | 19,277 | 8,434 | ||||||||||||
Total exploration and development capital expenditures | $ | 390,428 | $ | 268,202 | $ | 733,700 | $ | 517,958 |
(1) Included in gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments in operating results.
(2) Excludes stock-based compensation.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||
ADJUSTED NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income available to the Company | $ | 8,766 | $ | 124,842 | $ | 116,216 | $ | 3,564 | ||||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments | (1,032 | ) | (231,561 | ) | (83,816 | ) | 90,819 | |||||||||
Exploration expense | 4,427 | — | 13,770 | 2,150 | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | (1,580 | ) | — | (3,400 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Adjustment to income taxes | (2,330 | ) | 140,873 | 4,919 | (14,419 | ) | ||||||||||
Adjusted net income available to the Company(1) | $ | 8,251 | $ | 34,154 | $ | 47,689 | $ | 82,114 | ||||||||
Adjusted net income available to the Company per share(2) | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.28 | ||||||||
Diluted shares outstanding | 291,612 | 294,247 | 291,465 | 294,026 | ||||||||||||
ADJUSTED EBITDAX: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 15,000 | $ | 130,728 | $ | 127,499 | $ | 15,335 | ||||||||
Interest expense | 55,042 | 55,178 | 108,103 | 110,015 | ||||||||||||
Income taxes | (2,837 | ) | 141,487 | 9,153 | (1,789 | ) | ||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | 167,432 | 158,379 | 308,964 | 326,270 | ||||||||||||
Exploration | 4,427 | — | 13,770 | 2,150 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments | (1,032 | ) | (231,561 | ) | (83,816 | ) | 90,819 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 8,359 | 5,529 | 15,803 | 9,971 | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | (1,580 | ) | — | (3,400 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Total Adjusted EBITDAX (3) | $ | 244,811 | $ | 259,740 | $ | 496,076 | $ | 552,771 | ||||||||
OPERATING CASH FLOW BEFORE CHANGES IN WORKING CAPITAL(4): | ||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 170,205 | $ | 347,564 | $ | 442,170 | $ | 522,310 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in accounts receivable | 11,542 | (34,978 | ) | (61,952 | ) | (1,318 | ) | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in other current assets | 12,148 | (25,322 | ) | 2,949 | (25,881 | ) | ||||||||||
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses | (5,390 | ) | (77,628 | ) | (2,764 | ) | (46,487 | ) | ||||||||
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital | $ | 188,505 | $ | 209,636 | $ | 380,403 | $ | 448,624 |
(1) Adjusted net income available to the Company is presented because of its acceptance by investors and by Comstock management as an indicator of the Company's profitability excluding non-cash unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, exploration expense and other unusual items.
(2) Adjusted net income available to the Company per share is calculated to include the dilutive effects of unvested restricted stock pursuant to the two-class method and performance stock units pursuant to the treasury stock method.
(3) Adjusted EBITDAX is presented in the earnings release because management believes that adjusted EBITDAX, which represents Comstock's results from operations before interest, income taxes, and certain non-cash items, including depreciation, depletion and amortization, unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments and exploration expense, is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by certain investors and financial analysts.
(4) Operating cash flow before changes in working capital is presented in the earnings release because management believes it to be useful to investors as a measure of operating cash generation of the Company based on the revenues and expenses that were related to the period versus the period when the revenues were received or expenses paid while enhancing comparability across periods. Operating cash flow before changes in working capital is not a measure of Comstock's liquidity or actual cash generation.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 45,008 | $ | 23,930 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 180,593 | 242,545 | ||||||
Derivative financial instruments | 53,156 | 19,206 | ||||||
Other current assets | 59,804 | 75,257 | ||||||
Total current assets | 338,561 | 360,938 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 6,756,314 | 6,215,494 | ||||||
Goodwill | 335,897 | 335,897 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 71,684 | 94,733 | ||||||
Derivative financial instruments | 22,230 | — | ||||||
$ | 7,524,686 | $ | 7,007,062 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 503,111 | $ | 501,695 | ||||
Accrued costs | 171,187 | 153,248 | ||||||
Operating leases | 37,598 | 46,937 | ||||||
Derivative financial instruments | — | 27,636 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 711,896 | 729,516 | ||||||
Long-term debt | 3,098,770 | 2,809,066 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 495,428 | 437,098 | ||||||
Long-term operating leases | 33,570 | 47,692 | ||||||
Asset retirement obligation | 21,444 | 20,787 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 4,361,108 | 4,044,159 | ||||||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
Common stock | 146,810 | 146,527 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,191,881 | 1,376,053 | ||||||
Accumulated earnings | 1,240,446 | 1,124,230 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Comstock | 2,579,137 | 2,646,810 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest | 584,441 | 316,093 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 3,163,578 | 2,962,903 | ||||||
$ | 7,524,686 | $ | 7,007,062 |