SM Energy Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

SM Energy Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

OUTSTANDING EXECUTION CONTINUES

DENVER, May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SM Energy Company ("SM Energy" or the "Company") (NYSE: SM) today announced financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2018. Highlights include:

    --  New wells outperforming expectations. 19 new RockStar wells reached peak
        30-day IP rates that averaged 1,440 Boe/d per well (88% oil)
    --  Production exceeded guidance range. 113 MBoe/d average production, 42%
        oil. Midland Basin production was up 18% sequentially and 100%
        year-over-year
    --  Rapid margin expansion. $23.10 per Boe operating margin (pre-hedge) was
        the highest in 14 quarters, up 30% sequentially and up 68%
        year-over-year
    --  Strong earnings. Net income was $317.4 million; EPS was $2.81 and
        adjusted EPS was $0.07, per diluted common share; net cash provided by
        operating activities (GAAP) was $140.1 million and adjusted EBITDAX was
        $210.2 million (adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDAX are non-GAAP measures;
        see below for additional information)
    --  Significant reduction in net debt. $792 million in closed or pending
        asset sales year-to-date core up portfolio

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Ottoson comments: "New well results are positive across the board, continuing to demonstrate the quality of our Midland Basin assets and our excellent track record for strong operational execution. First quarter successes in reducing net debt and driving margin expansion underscore our long-term objectives to reduce leverage and drive a competitively high rate of cash flow growth."

SUMMARY WELL RESULTS

Results from new RockStar wells (18 of 19 have 10,000 foot laterals) that have reached their 30-day peak IP rates include:

    --  13 Wolfcamp A wells had average peak 30-day IP rates of approximately
        1,500 Boe/d per well (89% oil)
    --  4 Wolfcamp B wells had average peak 30-day IP rates of approximately
        1,250 Boe/d per well (84% oil)
    --  2 Lower Spraberry wells had average peak 30-day IP rates of
        approximately 1,485 Boe/d per well (87% oil), among the Company's
        strongest Lower Spraberry wells to date

FIRST QUARTER 2018 RESULTS

    --  Production of 10.14 MMBoe (112.7 MBoe/d) exceeded the Company's guidance
        range, reflecting strong performance from new wells in the Midland
        Basin, partially offset by reduced production in the Eagle Ford related
        to third party pipeline downtime.
    --  $37.76/Boe average realized price (before the effects of realized
        hedges) and $23.10/Boe operating margin are the highest since late 2014.
        Margin expansion is primarily the result of a higher percentage of oil
        in the production mix, as the Company continues its portfolio transition
        and focuses its development program on its highest return assets, as
        well as higher benchmark pricing for oil and NGLs.
        --  LOE of $4.95/Boe was lower than the Company's expectations due to
            higher volumes and the timing of well workovers and roadwork

First quarter of 2018 net income was $317.4 million or $2.81 per diluted common share, up from $74.4 million or $0.67 per diluted common share in the first quarter of 2017. Net income includes a $385.4 million gain on divestiture activity, following the sale of the majority of the Company's Powder River Basin assets for $500 million. Net income also includes a net derivative loss of $7.5 million, which includes $24.5 million in realized hedge losses.

First quarter of 2018 net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) was $140.1 million.

Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted common share and adjusted EBITDAX are non-GAAP measures. Please reference the reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures at the end of this release.

First quarter of 2018 adjusted net income was $8.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted common share, up from a net loss of ($19.6) million, or ($0.18) per diluted common share in the first quarter of 2017. The calculation of adjusted net loss excludes non-recurring items and items difficult to estimate, in order to present results that can be more consistently compared with prior periods and peer results. Specifically, first quarter adjustments remove the net gain on divestitures, non-cash derivative losses and abandonment and impairment charges.

First quarter of 2018 adjusted EBITDAX was $210.2 million, up from $172.0 million in the first quarter of 2017. Increased adjusted EBITDAX was primarily driven by a 68% increase in the operating margin compared with the prior year, partially offset by a 16% decline in production due to asset divestitures. Adjusted EBITDAX includes an accrual of $0.8 million to other expense that was a non-recurring charge.

FINANCIAL POSITION AND LIQUIDITY

At March 31, 2018, the outstanding principal balance on the Company's long-term debt included $2.8 billion in senior notes plus $172.5 million in senior convertible notes, with zero drawn on the Company's senior secured credit facility. At quarter-end, the Company had a cash balance of $643.3 million, providing for net debt of $2.3 billion. The Company's undrawn credit facility plus cash on hand provided $1.6 billion in liquidity.

Pro forma for the expected sales of the Company's North Dakota and Texas assets for $292.3 million, net debt at quarter-end would have been $2.0 billion.

Subsequent to quarter-end, the lenders on the Company's credit facility increased the borrowing base to $1.4 billion and aggregate lender commitments to $1.0 billion.

COMMODITY DERIVATIVES

For the last nine months of 2018, the Company currently has commodity derivatives in place for approximately 85% of expected oil production and 65% of expected gas production (NGLs are hedged by product). Additionally, the Company has Midland-Cushing basis hedges in place for approximately 70% of expected Permian oil production for the remainder of 2018 at just over $1.00 per Bbl.

SCHEDULE FOR FIRST QUARTER REPORTING

This release is accompanied by an investor presentation and pre-recorded call with transcript all posted to the Company's website. Please visit the Company's website at ir.sm-energy.com to access this additional first quarter detail.

Please join SM Energy management at 8:00 a.m. Mountain time/10:00 a.m. Eastern time on May 4, 2018, for the first quarter 2018 financial and operating results Q&A session. This discussion will be accessible via webcast (available live and for replay) on the Company's website at ir.sm-energy.com or by telephone at:

    --  Live (conference ID 9188439) - Domestic toll free/International:
        866-393-4306/734-385-2616
    --  Replay (conference ID 9188439) - Domestic toll free/International:
        855-859-2056/404-537-3406

The call replay will be available approximately one hour after the call until May 11, 2018.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. The words "anticipate," "budget," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "guidance," "plan," "project," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause SM Energy's actual results to differ materially from results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things, consummation of and expected proceeds from pending divestitures. General risk factors include the availability of and access to capital markets; the availability, proximity and capacity of gathering, processing and transportation facilities; the volatility and level of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids prices, including any impact on the Company's asset carrying values or reserves arising from price declines; uncertainties inherent in projecting future rates of production or other results from drilling and completion activities; the imprecise nature of estimating oil and natural gas reserves; uncertainties inherent in projecting future drilling and completion activities, costs or results; the uncertainty of negotiations to result in an agreement or a completed transaction; the uncertain nature of acquisition, divestiture, joint venture, farm down or similar efforts and the ability to complete any such transactions; the uncertain nature of expected benefits from the actual or expected acquisition, divestiture, joint venture, farm down or similar efforts; the availability of additional economically attractive exploration, development, and acquisition opportunities for future growth and any necessary financings; unexpected drilling conditions and results; unsuccessful exploration and development drilling results; the availability of drilling, completion, and operating equipment and services; the risks associated with the Company's commodity price risk management strategy; uncertainty regarding the ultimate impact of potentially dilutive securities; and other such matters discussed in the Risk Factors section of SM Energy's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak as of the date of this announcement. Although SM Energy may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

SM Energy Company is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in onshore North America. SM Energy routinely posts important information about the Company on its website. For more information about SM Energy, please visit its website at www.sm-energy.com.

SM ENERGY INVESTOR CONTACT

Jennifer Martin Samuels, jsamuels@sm-energy.com, 303-864-2507


                                                         SM ENERGY COMPANY

                                                  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

                                                           March 31, 2018

    Production Data
    ---------------

                                             For the Three Months Ended                    Percent
                                                    March 31,                          Change
                                                                                       Between
                                                                                       Periods
                                                                                       -------

                                                2018                   2017
                                                ----                   ----

    Average realized sales price, before the
     effects of derivative settlements:

    Oil (per Bbl)                                       $61.25                                      $47.55           29%

    Gas (per Mcf)                                        $3.14                                       $2.98            5%

    NGLs (per Bbl)                                      $25.53                                      $22.06           16%

    Per Boe                                             $37.76                                      $27.55           37%

    Average realized sales price, including
     the effects of derivative settlements:

    Oil (per Bbl)                                       $56.39                                      $44.97           25%

    Gas (per Mcf)                                        $3.39                                       $3.50          (3)%

    NGLs (per Bbl)                                      $19.44                                      $19.18            1%

    Equivalent (per Boe)                                $35.34                                      $27.55           28%

    Production:

    Oil (MMBbl)                                  4.3                                3.5                         21%

    Gas (Bcf)                                   25.2                               33.9                       (26)%

    NGLs (MMBbl)                                 1.7                                2.9                       (43)%

    MMBoe                                       10.1                               12.1                       (16)%

    Average daily production:

    Oil (MBbl/d)                                47.4                               39.2                         21%

    Gas (MMcf/d)                               280.2                              376.6                       (26)%

    NGLs (MBbl/d)                               18.6                               32.5                       (43)%

    MBoe/d                                     112.7                              134.4                       (16)%

    Per Boe data:

    Realized price, before the
     effects of derivative
     settlements                                        $37.76                                      $27.55           37%

    Lease operating expense                     4.95                               3.82                         30%

    Transportation costs                        4.63                               5.88                       (21)%

    Production taxes                            1.68                               1.17                         44%

    Ad valorem tax expense                      0.67                               0.55                         22%

    General and
     administrative(1) (2)                      2.73                               2.38                         15%
                                                ----                               ----

    Operating margin, before
     the effects of derivative
     settlements (2)                           23.10                              13.75                         68%

    Derivative settlement loss                (2.42)                                 -                     (100)%

    Operating margin,
     including the effects of
     derivative settlements
     (2)                                               $20.68                                      $13.75           50%
                                                        ======                                      ======           ===

    Depletion, depreciation,
     amortization, and                                  $12.87                                      $11.39           13%

    asset retirement obligation
     liability accretion


    (1) Includes non-cash stock-based compensation
     expense per Boe of $0.40 and $0.34 for the three-
     month periods ending March 31, 2018 and 2017,
     respectively.


    (2) Certain prior period amounts have been adjusted
     to conform to the current period presentation due
     to an accounting standards update.


                                                        SM ENERGY COMPANY

                                                FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

                                                         March 31, 2018

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    -------------------------------------

    (in thousands, except share
     data)                                            March 31,                  December 31,

                         ASSETS                              2018                             2017
                                                             ----                             ----

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                          $643,337                        $313,943

    Accounts receivable                                   192,562                            160,154

    Derivative assets                                      77,296                             64,266

    Prepaid expenses and other                              9,997                             10,752

    Total current assets                                  923,192                            549,115
                                                          -------                            -------

    Property and equipment (successful efforts
     method):

    Proved oil and gas properties                       5,824,014                          6,139,379

    Accumulated depletion,
     depreciation, and amortization                   (2,893,674)                        (3,171,575)

    Unproved oil and gas properties                     1,986,070                          2,047,203

    Wells in progress                                     405,549                            321,347

    Oil and gas properties held for
     sale, net                                            234,618                            111,700

    Other property and equipment,
     net of accumulated
     depreciation of $52,483 and
     $49,985, respectively                                112,972                            106,738

    Total property and equipment,
     net                                                5,669,549                          5,554,792
                                                        ---------                          ---------

    Noncurrent assets:

    Derivative assets                                      35,128                             40,362

    Other noncurrent assets                                32,119                             32,507
                                                           ------                             ------

    Total noncurrent assets                                67,247                             72,869
                                                           ------                             ------

    Total assets                                                     $6,659,988                      $6,176,776
                                                                     ==========                      ==========

               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:

    Accounts payable and accrued
     expenses                                                          $468,108                        $386,630

    Derivative liabilities                                181,068                            172,582

    Total current liabilities                             649,176                            559,212
                                                          -------                            -------

    Noncurrent liabilities:

    Revolving credit facility                                   -                                 -

    Senior Notes, net of
     unamortized deferred financing
     costs                                              2,770,979                          2,769,663

    Senior Convertible Notes, net
     of unamortized discount and
     deferred financing costs                             141,269                            139,107

    Asset retirement obligations                           85,407                            103,026

    Asset retirement obligations
     associated with oil and gas
     properties held for sale                              23,139                             11,369

    Deferred income taxes                                 178,423                             79,989

    Derivative liabilities                                 53,712                             71,402

    Other noncurrent liabilities                           45,786                             48,400
                                                           ------                             ------

    Total noncurrent liabilities                        3,298,715                          3,222,956
                                                        ---------                          ---------

    Stockholders' equity:

    Common stock, $0.01 par value -
     authorized: 200,000,000
     shares; issued and
     outstanding: 111,687,016 and
     111,687,016 shares,
     respectively                                           1,117                              1,117

    Additional paid-in capital                          1,747,035                          1,741,623

    Retained earnings (1)                                 980,444                            665,657

    Accumulated other comprehensive
     loss (1)                                            (16,499)                          (13,789)
                                                          -------                            -------

    Total stockholders' equity                          2,712,097                          2,394,608
                                                        ---------                          ---------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                                            $6,659,988                      $6,176,776
                                                                     ==========                      ==========


    1) The Company reclassified $3.0
     million of tax effects stranded in
     accumulated other comprehensive loss
     to retained earnings as of January
     1, 2018 due to an accounting
     standards update.


                                                        SM ENERGY COMPANY

                                                 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

                                                          March 31, 2018

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    -----------------------------------------------

    (in thousands, except per share
     data)                                                          For the Three Months Ended
                                                                            March 31,
                                                                            ---------


                                                                2018                         2017
                                                                ----                         ----

                                                                                 (as adjusted)

    Operating revenues and other income:

    Oil, gas, and NGL production
     revenue                                                            $382,886                               $333,198

    Net gain on divestiture activity                         385,369                                  37,463

    Other operating revenues                                   1,340                                   2,077
                                                               -----                                   -----

    Total operating revenues and other
     income                                                  769,595                                 372,738
                                                             -------                                 -------

    Operating expenses:

    Oil, gas, and NGL production
     expense                                                 120,879                                 138,046

    Depletion, depreciation,
     amortization, and asset retirement
     obligation liability accretion                          130,473                                 137,812

    Exploration(1)                                            13,727                                  11,817

    Abandonment and impairment of
     unproved properties                                       5,625                                       -

    General and administrative(1)                             27,682                                  28,817

    Net derivative (gain) loss(2)                              7,529                               (114,774)

    Other operating expenses                                   4,612                                   4,859
                                                               -----

    Total operating expenses                                 310,527                                 206,577
                                                             -------                                 -------

    Income from operations                                   459,068                                 166,161

    Interest expense                                        (43,085)                               (46,953)

    Loss on extinguishment of debt                                 -                                   (35)

    Other non-operating income
     (expense), net                                              409                                   (233)
                                                                 ---                                    ----

    Income before income taxes                               416,392                                 118,940

    Income tax expense                                      (98,991)                               (44,506)
                                                             -------                                 -------

    Net income                                                          $317,401                                $74,434
                                                                        ========                                =======


    Basic weighted-average common
     shares outstanding                                      111,696                                 111,258

    Diluted weighted-average common
     shares outstanding                                      112,879                                 111,329

    Basic net income per common share                                      $2.84                                  $0.67

    Diluted net income per common share                                    $2.81                                  $0.67

    Dividends per common share                                             $0.05                                  $0.05


    (1)  Non-cash stock-based compensation included in:

    Exploration expense                                                   $1,316                                 $1,408

    G&A expense                                                4,096                                   4,047

    Total non-cash stock-based
     compensation                                                         $5,412                                 $5,455
                                                                          ======                                 ======


    (2)  The net derivative (gain) loss line item
     consists of the following:

    Settlement (gain) loss                                               $24,528                                   $(7)

    Gain on fair value changes                              (16,999)                              (114,767)

    Total net derivative (gain) loss                                      $7,529                             $(114,774)
                                                                          ======                              =========


                                                    SM ENERGY COMPANY

                                            FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

                                                     March 31, 2018

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
     Flows
    -----------------------------------------

    (in thousands)                                          For the Three Months Ended
                                                                    March 31,
                                                                    ---------


                                                        2018                         2017
                                                        ----                         ----

                                                                         (as adjusted)

    Cash flows from operating activities:

    Net income                                                  $317,401                              $74,434

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities:

    Net (gain) loss on
     divestiture activity                          (385,369)                               (37,463)

    Depletion, depreciation,
     amortization, and asset
     retirement obligation
     liability accretion                             130,473                                 137,812

    Abandonment and impairment
     of unproved properties                            5,625                                       -

    Stock-based compensation
     expense                                           5,412                                   5,455

    Net derivative (gain) loss                         7,529                               (114,774)

    Derivative settlement gain
     (loss)                                         (24,528)                                      7

    Amortization of debt
     discount and deferred
     financing costs                                   3,866                                   4,946

    Loss on extinguishment of
     debt                                                  -                                     35

    Deferred income taxes                             98,366                                  33,225

    Other, net                                       (2,527)                                  3,376

    Changes in current assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable                              (4,464)                                 30,407

    Prepaid expenses and other                           755                                     178

    Accounts payable and
     accrued expenses                                (8,825)                                (5,497)

    Accrued derivative
     settlements                                     (3,579)                                  2,838
                                                      ------                                   -----

    Net cash provided by
     operating activities                            140,135                                 134,979
                                                     -------                                 -------


    Cash flows from investing activities:

    Net proceeds from the sale
     of oil and gas properties                       490,780                                 744,333

    Capital expenditures                           (301,521)                              (154,401)

    Acquisition of proved and
     unproved oil and gas
     properties                                            -                               (75,105)

    Net cash provided by
     investing activities                            189,259                                 514,827
                                                     -------                                 -------


    Cash flows from financing activities:

    Proceeds from credit
     facility                                              -                                397,500

    Repayment of credit
     facility                                              -                              (397,500)

    Cash paid to repurchase
     Senior Notes                                          -                                (2,344)

    Cash paid for
     extinguishment of debt                                -                                   (13)

    Other, net                                             -                                  (160)
                                                         ---                                   ----

    Net cash used in financing
     activities                                            -                                (2,517)
                                                         ---                                 ------


    Net change in cash, cash
     equivalents, and
     restricted cash                                 329,394                                 647,289

    Cash, cash equivalents, and
     restricted cash at
     beginning of period                             313,943                                  12,372
                                                     -------                                  ------

    Cash, cash equivalents, and
     restricted cash at end of
     period                                                     $643,337                             $659,661
                                                                ========                             ========


                                  SM ENERGY COMPANY

                           FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

                                    March 31, 2018

    Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-
     GAAP)(1)
    ----------------------

    (in thousands)


     Reconciliation                    For the Three Months Ended
     of net                     EBITDAX
     income                     (Non-
     (GAAP) and                 GAAP)
     net cash
     provided
     by
     operating
     activities
     (GAAP) to
     adjusted
                                               March 31,

                                     2018                     2017


    Net income
     (GAAP)                                  $317,401                         $74,434

    Interest
     expense                       43,085                             46,953

    Interest
     income(2)                      (849)                             (335)

    Income tax
     expense                       98,991                             44,506

    Depletion,
     depreciation,
     amortization,
     and asset
     retirement
     obligation
     liability
     accretion                    130,473                            137,812

    Exploration(3)(4)              12,411                             10,409

    Abandonment
     and
     impairment
     of unproved
     properties                     5,625                                  -

    Stock-
     based
     compensation
     expense                        5,412                              5,455

    Net
     derivative
     (gain)
     loss                           7,529                          (114,774)

    Derivative
     settlement
     gain
     (loss)                      (24,528)                                 7

    Net gain on
     divestiture
     activity                   (385,369)                          (37,463)

    Loss on
     extinguishment
     of debt                            -                                35

    Other                               7                              4,986
                                      ---                              -----

    Adjusted
     EBITDAX
     (Non-
     GAAP)(4)                     210,188                            172,025
                                  -------                            -------

    Interest
     expense                     (43,085)                          (46,953)

    Interest
     income(2)                        849                                335

    Income tax
     expense                     (98,991)                          (44,506)

    Exploration(3)(4)            (12,411)                          (10,409)

     Amortization
     of debt
     discount
     and
     deferred
     financing
     costs                          3,866                              4,946

    Deferred
     income
     taxes                         98,366                             33,225

    Other, net
     (4)                         (2,534)                           (1,610)

    Changes in
     current
     assets and
     liabilities                 (16,113)                            27,926
                                  -------                             ------

    Net cash
     provided
     by
     operating
     activities
     (GAAP)(4)                               $140,135                        $134,979
                                             ========                        ========


               (1) Adjusted
                EBITDAX
                represents net
                income (loss)
                before interest
                expense,
                interest income,
                income taxes,
                depletion,
                depreciation,
                amortization and
                asset retirement
                obligation
                liability
                accretion
                expense,
                exploration
                expense,
                property
                abandonment and
                impairment
                expense, non-
                cash stock-
                based
                compensation
                expense,
                derivative gains
                and losses net
                of settlements,
                gains and losses
                on divestitures,
                gains and losses
                on
                extinguishment
                of debt, and
                certain other
                items.  Adjusted
                EBITDAX excludes
                certain items
                that we believe
                affect the
                comparability of
                operating
                results and can
                exclude items
                that are
                generally one-
                time in nature
                or whose timing
                and/or amount
                cannot be
                reasonably
                estimated.
                Adjusted EBITDAX
                is a non-GAAP
                measure that we
                present because
                we believe it
                provides useful
                additional
                information to
                investors and
                analysts, as a
                performance
                measure, for
                analysis of our
                ability to
                internally
                generate funds
                for exploration,
                development,
                acquisitions,
                and to service
                debt.  We are
                also subject to
                financial
                covenants under
                our Credit
                Agreement based
                on adjusted
                EBITDAX ratios.
                In addition,
                adjusted EBITDAX
                is widely used
                by professional
                research
                analysts and
                others in the
                valuation,
                comparison, and
                investment
                recommendations
                of companies in
                the oil and gas
                exploration and
                production
                industry, and
                many investors
                use the
                published
                research of
                industry
                research
                analysts in
                making
                investment
                decisions.
                Adjusted EBITDAX
                should not be
                considered in
                isolation or as
                a substitute for
                net income
                (loss), income
                (loss) from
                operations, net
                cash provided by
                operating
                activities, or
                other
                profitability or
                liquidity
                measures
                prepared under
                GAAP.  Because
                adjusted EBITDAX
                excludes some,
                but not all,
                items that
                affect net
                income (loss)
                and may vary
                among companies,
                the adjusted
                EBITDAX amounts
                presented may
                not be
                comparable to
                similar metrics
                of other
                companies.  Our
                credit facility
                provides a
                material source
                of liquidity for
                us.  Under the
                terms of our
                Credit
                Agreement, if we
                failed to comply
                with the
                covenants that
                establish a
                maximum
                permitted ratio
                of senior
                secured debt to
                adjusted EBITDAX
                and a minimum
                permitted ratio
                of adjusted
                EBITDAX to
                interest, we
                would be in
                default, an
                event that would
                prevent us from
                borrowing under
                our credit
                facility and
                would therefore
                materially limit
                our sources of
                liquidity.  In
                addition, if we
                are in default
                under our credit
                facility and are
                unable to obtain
                a waiver of that
                default from our
                lenders, lenders
                under that
                facility and
                under the
                indentures
                governing our
                outstanding
                Senior Notes and
                Senior
                Convertible
                Notes would be
                entitled to
                exercise all of
                their remedies
                for default.


               (2) Interest
                income is
                included within
                the other non-
                operating income
                (expense), net
                line item on the
                Company's
                condensed
                consolidated
                statements of
                operations.


               (3) Stock-based
                compensation
                expense is a
                component of
                exploration
                expense and
                general and
                administrative
                expense on the
                accompanying
                condensed
                consolidated
                statements of
                operations.
                Therefore, the
                exploration line
                items shown in
                the
                reconciliation
                above will vary
                from the amount
                shown on the
                Company's
                accompanying
                condensed
                consolidated
                statements of
                operations for
                the component of
                stock-based
                compensation
                expense recorded
                to exploration
                expense.


               (4) Certain prior
                period amounts
                have been
                adjusted to
                conform to the
                current period
                presentation on
                the condensed
                consolidated
                financial
                statements due
                to accounting
                standards
                updates.


                                      SM ENERGY COMPANY

                               FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

                                        March 31, 2018

    Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
     (Non-GAAP)
    --------------------------

    (in thousands, except per
     share data)

                                           For the Three Months Ended
                                                   March 31,
                                                   ---------


                                         2018                     2017
                                         ----                     ----

    Net income
     (GAAP)                                      $317,401                          $74,434

    Net
     derivative
     (gain)
     loss                               7,529                          (114,774)

    Derivative
     settlement
     gain
     (loss)                          (24,528)                                 7

    Net gain
     on
     divestiture
     activity                       (385,369)                          (37,463)

     Abandonment
     and
     impairment
     of
     unproved
     properties                         5,625                                  -

    Loss on
     extinguishment
     of debt                                -                                35

    Other,
     net(1)                               807                              4,986

    Tax effect
     of
     adjustments(2)                    86,710                             53,142
                                       ------                             ------

    Adjusted
     net
     income
     (loss)
     (Non-
     GAAP)(3)                                      $8,175                        $(19,633)
                                                   ======                         ========


    Diluted
     net
     income
     per
     common
     share
     (GAAP)                                         $2.81                            $0.67

    Net
     derivative
     (gain)
     loss                                0.07                             (1.03)

    Derivative
     settlement
     gain
     (loss)                            (0.22)                                 -

    Net gain
     on
     divestiture
     activity                          (3.41)                            (0.34)

     Abandonment
     and
     impairment
     of
     unproved
     properties                          0.05                                  -

    Loss on
     extinguishment
     of debt                                -                                 -

    Other,
     net(1)                              0.01                               0.04

    Tax effect
     of
     adjustments(2)                      0.76                               0.48

    Adjusted
     net
     income
     (loss)
     per
     diluted
     common
     share
     (Non-
     GAAP)(4)                                       $0.07                          $(0.18)
                                                    =====                           ======


    Basic
     weighted-
     average
     common
     shares
     outstanding
     (GAAP)                           111,696                            111,258

    Diluted
     weighted-
     average
     common
     shares
     outstanding
     (GAAP)                           112,879                            111,329

    Note: Amounts may not
     calculate due to rounding.


    (1) For the three-month period ended March 31,
     2018, the adjustment is related to bad debt
     expense and an accrual for a non-recurring
     matter.  For the three-month period ended March
     31, 2017, the adjustment is related to
     impairment of materials inventory and the change
     in the Net Profits Plan liability.  These items
     are included in other operating expenses on the
     Company's condensed consolidated statements of
     operations.


    (2) The tax effect of adjustments is calculated
     using a tax rate of 21.9% and 36.1% for the
     three-month periods ended March 31, 2018, and
     March 31, 2017, respectively.  These rates
     approximate the Company's statutory tax rate for
     the respective periods, as adjusted for ordinary
     permanent differences.


    (3) Adjusted net income (loss) excludes certain
     items that the Company believes affect the
     comparability of operating results.  Items
     excluded generally are non-recurring items or
     are items whose timing and/or amount cannot be
     reasonably estimated.  These items include non-
     cash and other adjustments, such as derivative
     gains and losses net of settlements,
     impairments, net (gain) loss on divestiture
     activity, materials inventory loss, and gains or
     losses on extinguishment of debt.  The non-GAAP


    (4) For periods where the Company reports
     adjusted net loss, basic weighted-average
     common shares outstanding are used in the
     calculation of adjusted net loss per diluted
     common share.

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SOURCE SM Energy Company