Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2020 Results, Provides Updated Capital Return Framework

HOUSTON, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) ("Cabot" or the "Company") today reported financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2020 and provided its updated capital return framework.

"Our results in 2020 demonstrated Cabot's ability to continue to generate profitability and positive free cash flow, even in the face of historically low natural gas prices, which is a testament to the tireless work of our dedicated employees who continue to deliver strong results from our safe, responsible, and sustainable operations in northeast Pennsylvania," stated Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Strong secular tailwinds from an improving natural gas supply and demand outlook are expected to drive a significant improvement in our financial performance in 2021, as we continue to focus on improving our financial returns, increasing our positive free cash flow generation, and further enhancing our capital return to shareholders."

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Fourth quarter 2020 daily production was 2,375 million cubic feet equivalent (Mmcfe) per day (100 percent natural gas), exceeding the high-end of the Company's guidance range. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company drilled 15.0 net wells, completed 15.0 net wells, and placed 7.0 net wells on production.

Fourth quarter 2020 net income was $131.2 million, or $0.33 per share, compared to $146.9 million, or $0.36 per share, in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2020 adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was $104.7 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to $120.8 million, or $0.30 per share, in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2020 EBITDAX (non-GAAP) was $229.8 million, compared to $300.3 million in the prior-year period.

Fourth quarter 2020 net cash provided by operating activities was $307.8 million, compared to $263.0 million in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2020 discretionary cash flow (non-GAAP) was $220.3 million, compared to $277.5 million in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2020 free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $122.9 million, compared to $109.5 million in the prior-year period.

Fourth quarter 2020 natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $1.90 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), a decrease of 12 percent compared to the prior-year period. Excluding the impact of derivatives, fourth quarter 2020 natural gas price realizations were $1.89 per Mcf, representing a $0.77 discount to NYMEX settlement prices. "While a warmer start to the winter heating season and higher storage levels resulted in wider than anticipated differentials across the Appalachian Basin during the fourth quarter, we remain optimistic that the improving outlook for lower end-of-season inventories will provide tailwinds for regional natural gas prices during 2021," commented Dinges. Fourth quarter 2020 operating expenses (including interest expense) decreased to $1.39 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe), a three percent improvement compared to the prior-year period.

Cabot incurred a total of $105.8 million of capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2020 including $97.6 million of drilling and facilities capital, $2.6 million of leasehold acquisition capital, and $5.6 million of other capital.

See the supplemental tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures including adjusted net income, discretionary cash flow, EBITDAX, free cash flow, net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio, and return on capital employed (ROCE).

Full-Year 2020 Financial Results

Full-year 2020 daily production was 2,344 Mmcfe per day (100 percent natural gas), exceeding the Company's full-year guidance range. The Company drilled 64.3 net wells, completed 77.3 net wells, and placed 69.2 net wells on production for the full-year 2020.

Full-year 2020 net income was $200.5 million, or $0.50 per share, compared to $681.1 million, or $1.64 per share, for the prior-year period. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the full-year 2020 was $214.0 million, or $0.54 per share, compared to $698.8 million, or $1.68 per share, for the prior-year period. Full-year 2020 EBITDAX (non-GAAP) was $719.3 million, compared to $1,408.6 million for the prior-year period.

For the full-year 2020, net cash provided by operating activities was $778.2 million, compared to $1,445.8 million for the prior-year period. Full-year 2020 discretionary cash flow (non-GAAP) was $685.0 million, compared to $1,360.8 million for the prior-year period. Full-year 2020 free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $109.1 million, compared to $563.1 million for the prior-year period. Full-year 2020 ROCE (non-GAAP) was 7.6 percent, compared to 22.2 percent for the prior-year period.

Full-year 2020 natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $1.68 per Mcf, a decrease of 31 percent compared to the prior-year period. Excluding the impact of derivatives, full-year 2020 natural gas price realizations were $1.64 per Mcf, representing a $0.44 discount to NYMEX settlement prices. Full-year 2020 operating expenses (including interest expense) decreased to $1.43 per Mcfe, a one percent improvement compared to the prior-year period.

Cabot incurred a total of $569.8 million of capital expenditures in 2020 including $546.7 million of drilling and facilities capital, $5.8 million of leasehold acquisition capital, and $17.3 million of other capital.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2020, Cabot had total debt of $1.1 billion and cash on hand of $140.1 million. The Company's net debt-to-adjusted capitalization ratio and net debt-to-trailing twelve months EBITDAX ratio were 31.0 percent and 1.4x, respectively, compared to 32.2 percent and 0.7x as of December 31, 2019. The Company currently has no debt outstanding under its credit facility, resulting in approximately $1.6 billion of liquidity.

Subsequent to the end of the year, the Company repaid $88.0 million of 5.42% senior notes that matured in January 2021.

2020 Emissions Intensity Reduction

"We are proud of our position as a leading supplier of natural gas, focused on supporting the goal of reducing total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while achieving energy independence in the United States. As the world moves to a low-carbon electric economy, the importance of natural gas--which is 100 percent of our production--should continue to steadily rise," noted Dinges. "From 2019 to 2020, we realized a 58 percent reduction in our GHG emissions intensity from 3.12 to 1.31 metric tons of CO(2)e per thousand barrels of oil equivalent (Mboe) and a 70 percent reduction in our methane emissions intensity from 0.083 to 0.025 percent, highlighting our industry-leading efficiency."

Capital Return Framework

Cabot also announced its updated capital return framework. The Company intends to implement a "base plus supplemental" dividend approach. Under this updated capital return framework, Cabot plans to continue to deliver its regular quarterly base dividend on the Company's common stock and to supplement its regular quarterly base dividends with an annual supplemental dividend to achieve its minimum capital return target of 50 percent of annual free cash flow. Any supplemental dividend is expected to be declared and paid annually, with the first payment expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2021. Any excess free cash flow above the minimum capital return target of 50 percent of annual free cash flow will be utilized for balance sheet enhancement, additional supplemental dividends, or opportunistic share repurchases, depending on market conditions. In 2021, Cabot plans to retire its $188 million of current debt maturities (including the $88 million tranche that was repaid in January) with a portion of its excess free cash flow.

"Our capital return framework reaffirms our commitment to returning a significant portion of our free cash flow to shareholders, while also preserving our balance sheet strength," said Dinges. "The supplemental component of this dividend approach allows us to focus on sustainable capital return that is appropriately tailored for where we are in the natural gas price cycle. We also expect to continue to grow our base dividend over time, as we have done five times since 2017. Our track record of generating positive free cash flow for the last five years, while far exceeding our annual target of returning at least 50 percent of free cash flow to shareholders, highlights our continued focus on disciplined capital allocation and enhancing returns to shareholders over time."

2021 Guidance

Cabot today reaffirmed its recently announced guidance for 2021. The Company's operating plan for the year is expected to deliver an average net production rate of 2,350 Mmcfe per day from a capital program of $530 to $540 million, representing a six percent reduction in capital spending year-over-year at the midpoint of the range. Cabot has also reaffirmed its first quarter 2021 production guidance range of 2,250 to 2,300 Mmcfe per day.

Conference Call Webcast

A conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss fourth quarter and full-year 2020 financial and operating results. To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading independent natural gas producer with its entire resource base located in the continental United States. For additional information, visit the Company's website at www.cabotog.com.

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The statements regarding future financial and operating performance and results, returns to shareholders, strategic pursuits and goals, market prices, future hedging and risk management activities, and other statements that are not historical facts contained in this report are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "project", "estimate", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "budget", "plan", "forecast", "outlook", "predict", "may", "should", "could", "will" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact thereof on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, the availability of cash on hand and other sources of liquidity to fund our capital expenditures, the repayment of our debt maturities and our dividends, actions by, or disputes among or between, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producer countries, market factors, market prices (including geographic basis differentials) of natural gas and crude oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, pipeline projects, legislative and regulatory initiatives, electronic, cyber or physical security breaches and other factors detailed herein and in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. In addition, the declaration and payment of any future dividends, whether regular quarterly base dividends or annual supplemental dividends, will depend on the Company's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. See "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for additional information about these risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

                                                                     
          
            OPERATING DATA




                                                           Quarter Ended                            Twelve Months Ended
                                             
            December 31,                 
             December 31,

                                                                                            ---

                                              2020                     2019              2020                       2019

                                                                                                                  ---

                 PRODUCTION VOLUMES


      Natural gas (Bcf)                      218.5                           226.1                                857.7     865.3


      Equivalent production
       (Bcfe)                                218.5                           226.1                                857.7     865.3


      Daily equivalent
       production (Mmcfe/day)                2,375                           2,457                                2,344     2,371




                 AVERAGE SALES PRICE


      Natural gas, including
       hedges ($/Mcf)                              $
            1.90                              $
            2.15            $
     1.68  $
     2.45


      Natural gas, excluding
       hedges ($/Mcf)                              $
            1.89                              $
            2.05            $
     1.64  $
     2.29




                 AVERAGE UNIT COSTS ($/Mcfe)(1)


      Direct operations                            $
            0.08                              $
            0.09            $
     0.09  $
     0.09


      Transportation and
       gathering                              0.67                            0.66                                 0.67      0.66


      Taxes other than income                 0.02                            0.01                                 0.02      0.02



     Exploration                             0.02                            0.02                                 0.02      0.02


      Depreciation, depletion
       and amortization                       0.44                            0.47                                 0.46      0.47


      General and
       administrative
       (excluding stock-based
       compensation)                          0.08                            0.07                                 0.07      0.07


      Stock-based compensation                0.03                            0.03                                 0.05      0.04



     Interest expense                        0.05                            0.06                                 0.06      0.06



                                                   $
            1.39                              $
            1.43            $
     1.43  $
     1.44








     
              WELLS DRILLED(2)



     Gross                                     19                              25                                   74        96



     Net                                     15.0                            23.0                                 64.3      94.0




                 WELLS COMPLETED(2)



     Gross                                     15                              28                                   86        99



     Net                                     15.0                            26.0                                 77.3      97.0




              
                (1)                           Total unit
                                                            cost may
                                                            differ
                                                            from the
                                                            sum of the
                                                            individual
                                                            costs due
                                                            to
                                                            rounding.



              
                (2)                           Wells
                                                            drilled
                                                            represents
                                                            wells
                                                            drilled to
                                                            total
                                                            depth
                                                            during the
                                                            period.
                                                            Wells
                                                            completed
                                                            includes
                                                            wells
                                                            completed
                                                            during the
                                                            period,
                                                            regardless
                                                            of when
                                                            they were
                                                            drilled.

                                                                             
         
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)




                                                                                 
              
               Quarter Ended                                             Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                       
               December 31,                                      
              December 31,

                                                                                                                                                              ---


       
                
                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)      2020                                    2019                                        2020                2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                                               ---


       
                OPERATING REVENUES



       Natural gas                                                                      $
             413,107                                     $
            463,451                              $
          1,404,989  $
          1,985,240



       Gain (loss) on derivative instruments                                   43,621                                   (2,158)                                        61,404                             80,808



       Other                                                                       50                                        75                                           231                                229



                                                                               456,778                                   461,368                                     1,466,624                          2,066,277



       
                OPERATING EXPENSES



       Direct operations                                                       18,539                                    21,350                                        73,403                             76,958



       Transportation and gathering                                           145,539                                   149,974                                       571,102                            574,677



       Taxes other than income                                                  3,675                                     2,959                                        14,380                             17,053



       Exploration                                                              4,750                                     5,241                                        15,419                             20,270



       Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                96,497                                   106,439                                       390,903                            405,733



       General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation)         17,313                                    15,692                                        62,214                             64,090



       Stock-based compensation(1)                                              7,221                                     6,808                                        43,177                             30,780



                                                                               293,534                                   308,463                                     1,170,598                          1,189,561



       Earnings (loss) on equity method investments                                 -                                   69,302                                          (59)                            80,496



       (Loss) gain on sale of assets                                            (352)                                        2                                         (491)                           (1,462)




       
                INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                    162,892                                   222,209                                       295,476                            955,750



       Interest expense, net                                                   10,981                                    14,650                                        54,124                             54,952



       Other expense                                                               58                                       144                                           229                                574




       Income before income taxes                                             151,853                                   207,415                                       241,123                            900,224



       Income tax expense                                                      20,647                                    60,475                                        40,594                            219,154




       
                NET INCOME                                                          $
             131,206                                     $
            146,940                                $
          200,529    $
          681,070




       Earnings per share - Basic                                                          $
             0.33                                        $
            0.36                                   $
          0.50       $
          1.64



       Weighted-average common shares outstanding                             398,583                                   404,581                                       398,521                            415,514




              
                (1)                           Includes the
                                                            impact of
                                                            our
                                                            performance
                                                            share awards
                                                            and
                                                            restricted
                                                            stock.

                                          
              
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)




                                    (In thousands)                    December 31,                                   December 31,
                                                                              2020                            2019

    ---                                                                                                       ---


       
                ASSETS



       Current assets                                                                 $
              415,715                       $
       568,248


        Properties and equipment, net
         (Successful efforts method)                                     4,044,606                         3,855,706



       Other assets                                                        63,211                            63,291



                                                                                     $
              4,523,532                     $
       4,487,245





                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



       Current liabilities                                                            $
              202,226                       $
       241,034


        Current portion of long-term
         debt                                                              188,000                            87,000


        Long-term debt, net
         (excluding current
         maturities)                                                       945,924                         1,133,025


        Deferred income taxes                                              774,195                           702,104



       Other liabilities                                                  197,480                           172,595


        Stockholders' equity                                             2,215,707                         2,151,487



                                                                                     $
              4,523,532                     $
       4,487,245


                                                                      
         
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)




                                                            
            
           Quarter Ended                                                Twelve Months Ended
                                                                 
          December 31,                                       
                December 31,

                                                                                                                                      ---

                                    (In thousands)          2020                                2019                                2020                   2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                  ---

                     CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES



       Net income                                                $
        131,206                                       $
              146,940                        $
        200,529   $
      681,070


        Depreciation,
         depletion and
         amortization                                     96,497                               106,439                                         390,903                  405,733


        Deferred income tax
         expense                                          25,264                                55,421                                          71,777                  244,418


        Loss (gain) on sale of
         assets                                              352                                   (2)                                            491                    1,462


        Exploratory dry hole
         cost                                              1,621                                 2,220                                           3,632                    2,236


        (Gain) loss on
         derivative
         instruments                                    (43,621)                                2,158                                        (61,404)                (80,808)


        Net cash received in
         settlement of
         derivative
         instruments                                       1,689                                23,519                                          35,218                  138,450


        Distribution of
         earnings from equity
         method investments                                    -                                3,115                                                                  15,725


        Stock-based
         compensation and
         other                                             6,592                                 6,289                                          40,796                   29,009


        Income charges not
         requiring cash                                      727                              (68,555)                                          3,020                 (76,530)


        Changes in assets and
         liabilities                                      87,515                              (14,564)                                         93,273                   85,026



        Net cash provided by
         operating activities                            307,842                               262,980                                         778,235                1,445,791





                     CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES


        Capital expenditures                            (97,425)                            (167,672)                                       (575,847)                (788,368)


        Proceeds from sale of
         assets                                              493                                   199                                             828                    2,600


        Investment in equity
         method investments                                    -                                (361)                                           (35)                 (9,338)


        Distribution of
         investment from
         equity method
         investments                                           -                                   72                                                                   1,728


        Proceeds from sale of
         equity method
         investments                                           -                              249,463                                         (9,424)                 249,463



        Net cash provided by
         (used in) investing
         activities                                     (96,932)                               81,701                                       (584,478)                (543,915)





                     CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES


        Net borrowings
         (repayments) of debt                           (28,000)                                                                            (87,000)                 (7,000)


        Treasury stock
         repurchases                                           -                            (172,417)                                                               (519,863)


        Dividends paid                                  (39,858)                             (40,793)                                      (159,390)                (145,515)


        Tax withholding on
         vesting of stock
         awards                                          (3,109)                                  (3)                                        (9,459)                (10,590)


        Capitalized debt
         issuance costs                                        -                                  (1)                                                                (7,412)


        Net cash used in
         financing activities                           (70,967)                            (213,214)                                       (255,849)                (690,380)



        Net increase
         (decrease) in cash,
         cash equivalents and
         restricted cash                                          $
        139,943                                       $
              131,467                       $
        (62,092)  $
      211,496


Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). However, we believe certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide financial statement users with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods. In addition, we believe these measures are used by analysts and others in the valuation, rating and investment recommendations of companies within the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry. See the reconciliations throughout this release of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the periods indicated.

We have also included herein certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. Due to the forward-looking nature of these non-GAAP financial measures, we cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures, such as future impairments and future changes in capital. Accordingly, we are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures. Reconciling items in future periods could be significant.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share are presented based on our belief that these non-GAAP measures enable a user of the financial information to understand the impact of these items on reported results. Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income plus gain and loss on sale of assets, gain and loss on derivative instruments, gain and loss on sale of equity method investment, stock-based compensation expense, severance expense, interest expense related to income tax reserves and tax effect on selected items. Additionally, this presentation provides a beneficial comparison to similarly adjusted measurements of prior periods. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income and earnings per share, as defined by GAAP.

                                                                                
              
           Quarter Ended                        Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                      
           December 31,                     
          December 31,




       
                
                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)     2020                               2019           2020                  2019

    ---


       As reported - net income                                                        $
         131,206                     $
        146,940                      $
          200,529  $
        681,070



       Reversal of selected items:



       Loss (gain) on sale of assets                                             352                                  (2)                      491                     1,462



       (Gain) loss on derivative instruments(1)                             (41,932)                              25,677                  (26,186)                    57,642



       (Gain) loss on sale of equity method investment                                                          (66,412)                        24                  (66,412)



       Stock-based compensation expense                                        7,221                                6,808                    43,177                    30,780



       Severance expense                                                                                                                                             2,521



       Interest expense related to income tax reserves                                                                                                             (3,052)



       Tax effect on selected items                                            7,825                                7,739                   (4,000)                  (5,233)




       Adjusted net income                                                             $
         104,672                     $
        120,750                      $
          214,035  $
        698,778




       As reported - earnings per share                                                   $
         0.33                        $
        0.36                         $
          0.50     $
        1.64



       Per share impact of selected items                                     (0.07)                              (0.06)                     0.04                      0.04




       Adjusted earnings per share                                                        $
         0.26                        $
        0.30                         $
          0.54     $
        1.68




       Weighted-average common shares outstanding                            398,583                              404,581                   398,521                   415,514




              
                (1)                           This amount
                                                            represents
                                                            the non-
                                                            cash mark-
                                                            to-market
                                                            changes of
                                                            our
                                                            commodity
                                                            derivative
                                                            instruments
                                                            recorded in
                                                            Gain (loss)
                                                            on
                                                            derivative
                                                            instruments
                                                            in the
                                                            Condensed
                                                            Consolidated
                                                            Statement of
                                                            Operations.

Return on Capital Employed

Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is defined as Adjusted Net Income (defined above) plus after-tax net interest expense divided by average capital employed, which is defined as total debt plus stockholders' equity. ROCE is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when evaluating our profitability and the efficiency with which we have employed capital over time. ROCE is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, as defined by GAAP.

                                                                  Twelve Months Ended December 31,



                               (In thousands)          2020                                          2019

    ---

        Interest expense, net                                  $
         54,124                                   $
        54,952


        Interest expense
         related to income tax
         reserves (1)                                                                                3,052



       Tax benefit                                (12,367)                                       (13,241)



        After-tax interest
         expense, net (A)                            41,757                                          44,763




        As reported -net
         income                                     200,529                                         681,070


        Adjustments to as
         reported -net
         income, net of tax                          13,506                                          17,708



        Adjusted net income
         (B)                                        214,035                                         698,778




        Adjusted net income
         before interest
         expense, net (A + B)                                 $
         255,792                                  $
        743,541





        Total debt -beginning                               $
         1,220,025                                $
        1,226,104


        Stockholders' equity -
         beginning                                2,151,487                                       2,088,159



        Capital employed -
         beginning                                3,371,512                                       3,314,263




        Total debt -ending                        1,133,924                                       1,220,025


        Stockholders' equity -
         ending                                   2,215,707                                       2,151,487



        Capital employed -
         ending                                   3,349,631                                       3,371,512




        Average capital
         employed (C)                                       $
         3,360,572                                $
        3,342,888





        Return on average
         capital employed
         (ROCE) (A + B) /C                    7.6
            %                                 22.2
            %




              
                (1)                           Interest
                                                            expense
                                                            related to
                                                            income tax
                                                            reserves is
                                                            included in
                                                            the
                                                            adjustments
                                                            to as
                                                            reported -
                                                            net income,
                                                            net of tax.

Discretionary Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation

Discretionary Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities excluding changes in assets and liabilities. Discretionary Cash Flow is widely accepted as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company's ability to generate cash which is used to internally fund exploration and development activities, pay dividends and service debt. Discretionary Cash Flow is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies that use the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities or have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. Discretionary Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity, or an alternative to net income, as defined by GAAP.

Free Cash Flow is defined as Discretionary Cash Flow (defined above) less capital expenditures and investment in equity method investments. Free Cash Flow is an indicator of a company's ability to generate cash flow after spending the money required to maintain or expand its asset base. Free Cash Flow is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies. Free Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity, or an alternative to net income, as defined by GAAP.

                                                 
           
                Quarter Ended                         Twelve Months Ended
                                                           December 31,                           
           December 31,



                              (In thousands)     2020                                   2019          2020                      2019

    ---

        Net cash provided by
         operating activities                         $
             307,842                       $
       262,980                          $
       778,235  $
       1,445,791


        Changes in assets and
         liabilities                         (87,515)                                  14,564                  (93,273)                 (85,026)



        Discretionary cash
         flow                                 220,327                                  277,544                   684,962                 1,360,765


        Capital expenditures                 (97,425)                               (167,672)                 (575,847)                 (788,368)


        Investment in equity
         method investments                                                             (361)                     (35)                  (9,338)



        Free cash flow                                $
             122,902                       $
       109,511                          $
       109,080    $
       563,059


EBITDAX Calculation and Reconciliation

EBITDAX is defined as net income plus interest expense, other expense, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization (including impairments), exploration expense, gain and loss on sale of assets, non-cash gain and loss on derivative instruments, earnings and loss on equity method investments, cash distributions received from equity method investments, and stock-based compensation expense. EBITDAX is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when evaluating our ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur debt without regard to financial or capital structure. EBITDAX is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities or net income, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity.

                                                    
              
          Quarter Ended                       Twelve Months Ended
                                                          
          December 31,                    
          December 31,



                                  (In thousands)     2020                              2019          2020                     2019

    ---


       Net income                                          $
        131,206                     $
       146,940                         $
      200,529    $
       681,070



       Plus (less):


        Interest expense, net                      10,981                              14,650                   54,124                   54,952



       Other expense                                  58                                 144                      229                      574


        Income tax expense                         20,647                              60,475                   40,594                  219,154


        Depreciation, depletion
         and amortization                          96,497                             106,439                  390,903                  405,733



       Exploration                                 4,750                               5,241                   15,419                   20,270


        Loss (gain) on sale of
         assets                                       352                                 (2)                     491                    1,462


        Non-cash (gain) loss on
         derivative instruments                  (41,932)                             25,677                 (26,186)                   57,642


        (Earnings) loss on equity
         method investments                                                         (69,302)                       59                 (80,496)


        Equity method investment
         distributions                                                                 3,187                                           17,453


        Stock-based compensation                    7,221                               6,808                   43,177                   30,780




       EBITDAX                                             $
        229,780                     $
       300,257                         $
      719,339  $
       1,408,594


Net Debt Reconciliation

The total debt to total capitalization ratio is calculated by dividing total debt by the sum of total debt and total stockholders' equity. This ratio is a measurement which is presented in our annual and interim filings and we believe this ratio is useful to investors in determining our leverage. Net Debt is calculated by subtracting cash and cash equivalents from total debt. Net Debt and the Net Debt to Adjusted Capitalization ratio are non-GAAP measures which we believe are also useful to investors since we have the ability to and may decide to use a portion of our cash and cash equivalents to retire debt. Additionally, as we may incur additional expenditures without increasing debt, it is appropriate to apply cash and cash equivalents to debt in calculating the Net Debt to Adjusted Capitalization ratio.

                                 (In thousands)   December 31,                           December 31,
                                                          2020                         2019

    ---

        Current portion of long-
         term debt                                               $
       188,000                            $
        87,000


        Long-term debt, net                            945,924                      1,133,025




       Total debt                                             $
       1,133,924                         $
        1,220,025


        Stockholders' equity                         2,215,707                      2,151,487



        Total capitalization                                   $
       3,349,631                         $
        3,371,512





       Total debt                                             $
       1,133,924                         $
        1,220,025


        Less: Cash and cash
         equivalents                                 (140,113)                     (200,227)




       Net debt                                                 $
       993,811                         $
        1,019,798





       Net debt                                                 $
       993,811                         $
        1,019,798


        Stockholders' equity                         2,215,707                      2,151,487



        Total adjusted
         capitalization                                        $
       3,209,518                         $
        3,171,285




        Total debt to total
         capitalization ratio                   33.9
            %                36.2
            %


        Less: Impact of cash and
         cash equivalents                        2.9
            %                 4.0
            %



        Net debt to adjusted
         capitalization ratio                   31.0
            %                32.2
            %

                                                                          
            
            Capital Expenditures




                                                   
              
          Quarter Ended                                      Twelve Months Ended
                                                         
          December 31,                               
              December 31,



                                  (In thousands)    2020                             2019                          2020                 2019

    ---

        Cash paid for capital
         expenditures                                       $
        97,425                               $
            167,672                     $
     575,847  $
     788,368


        Change in accrued capital
         costs                                    10,022                            (4,306)                                 (2,465)              (2,870)


        Exploratory dry hole cost                (1,621)                           (2,220)                                 (3,632)              (2,236)



        Capital expenditures                               $
        105,826                               $
            161,146                     $
     569,750  $
     783,262


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SOURCE Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation