SM Energy Co saw a price increase of 5.01%, crossing above the 5-day SMA, while the broader market faced declines with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.81% and the S&P 500 down 0.14%.
This rise is attributed to the announcement of the acquisition of Civitas Resources, where shareholders will receive 1.45 shares of SM Energy for each share of Civitas. This deal has raised concerns about the fairness of the transaction, but it reflects a strategic move by SM Energy to expand its portfolio, which may attract investor interest despite the overall market weakness.
The implications of this acquisition could lead to increased investor confidence in SM Energy's growth potential, especially if the transaction is perceived positively by Civitas shareholders and the market at large.
Wall Street analysts forecast SM stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SM is 30.00 USD with a low forecast of 23.00 USD and a high forecast of 42.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
8 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast SM stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SM is 30.00 USD with a low forecast of 23.00 USD and a high forecast of 42.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 19.180
Low
23.00
Averages
30.00
High
42.00
Current: 19.180
Low
23.00
Averages
30.00
High
42.00
Susquehanna
Neutral
downgrade
$21 -> $19
2026-01-26
New
Reason
Susquehanna
Price Target
$21 -> $19
AI Analysis
2026-01-26
New
downgrade
Neutral
Reason
Susquehanna lowered the firm's price target on SM Energy to $19 from $21 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm updated targets in the exploration and production group as part of a Q4 preview. The oil market remains oversupplied following the unwinding of OPEC's voluntary production cuts, which will put downward pressure on pricing when paired with soft demand growth globally, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Susquehanna dropped its 2026 West Texas Intermediate price assumption to $60 per barrel from $65. It remains bullish on long-term demand story for natural gas as well as growing power demand from data centers and electrification.
Mizuho
William Janela
Outperform
downgrade
$38 -> $34
2026-01-09
Reason
Mizuho
William Janela
Price Target
$38 -> $34
2026-01-09
downgrade
Outperform
Reason
Mizuho analyst William Janela lowered the firm's price target on SM Energy to $34 from $38 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares ahead of the Q4 report. The firm cites the company's modestly reduced activity pace versus its prior model for the target drop.
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Wolfe Research
Outperform
to
Peer Perform
downgrade
2025-11-03
Reason
Wolfe Research
Price Target
2025-11-03
downgrade
Outperform
to
Peer Perform
Reason
Wolfe Research downgraded Civitas Resources (CIVI) to Peer Perform from Outperform after the company and SM Energy (SM) announced an all-stock merger agreement. The firm no longer sees Civitas trading on standalone fundamentals given its plans to merge with SM Energy where its valuation will be influenced by a deal conversion price. The firm added that the deal suggests a lack of interest for Civitas' DJ assets, and believes that there may be questions as to why management did not wait to see if it could execute on more consistent operational performance after CEO Doyle left in early August.
Susquehanna
Charles Minervino
Neutral
maintain
$24 -> $27
2025-10-20
Reason
Susquehanna
Charles Minervino
Price Target
$24 -> $27
2025-10-20
maintain
Neutral
Reason
Susquehanna analyst Charles Minervino raised the firm's price target on SM Energy to $27 from $24 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm, which is updating estimates and price targets before Q3 earnings for its E&P coverage, is lowering its Q4 WTI price assumption to $62.50 per barrel, while maintaining its 2026 assumption at $65 per barrel.
About SM
SM Energy Company is an independent energy company. The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) in the states of Texas and Utah. Its asset portfolio comprises assets in the Midland Basin of West Texas, the Maverick Basin of South Texas, and the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah. Its Midland Basin assets are located in the Permian Basin in West Texas, are comprised of over 110,000 net acres, and include its RockStar assets in Howard and Martin counties, Sweetie Peck assets in Upton and Midland counties, and Klondike assets in Dawson and northern Martin counties. Its South Texas assets are comprised of over 155,000 net acres located in Dimmit and Webb counties, Texas. Its overlapping acreage position in South Texas covers a portion of the western Eagle Ford shale and Austin Chalk formations. Its Uinta Basin assets comprise over 63,300 net acres located in northeastern Utah.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
