Traders Purchase High Volume of Expand Energy Put Options (NASDAQ:EXE)

Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Stock traders acquired 11,605 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 51% compared to the average volume of 7,692 put options.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Expand Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Expand Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. grew its stake in shares of Expand Energy by 379.6% in the 1st quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 259 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Ascentis Independent Advisors bought a new position in Expand Energy in the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Expand Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Expand Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 97.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Expand Energy from $120.00 to $117.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Expand Energy from $145.00 to $138.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. Raymond James Financial dropped their price target on Expand Energy from $147.00 to $141.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 5th. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Expand Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 14th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $111.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Freedom Broker upgraded Expand Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $123.00.

Key Expand Energy News

Here are the key news stories impacting Expand Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Expand Energy’s third-quarter production slightly exceeded expectations, while management maintained its full-year 2026 production guidance midpoint. The company is also approximately 67% hedged for fourth-quarter 2026 gas volumes and 55% hedged for 2027, helping protect cash flow from weak spot and futures prices. Expand Energy: Hedges And Marketing Income Help Partially Offset Weak Natural Gas Prices
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects higher marketing and commercial income following the Twin Eagle integration and is targeting $500 million in marketing EBITDA by 2028. This could diversify earnings beyond upstream gas production. EXE Q3 Earnings Call Eyes Marketing Growth Amid Gas Price Weakness
• Positive Sentiment: Recent quarterly results reportedly beat analyst expectations, supporting the view that EXE’s operating execution remains strong despite the commodity environment. The company also plans to pay its quarterly dividend on December 3, 2026. Expand Energy Releases Q3 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Truist raised its price target to $122 and maintained a buy rating, while Bernstein increased its target to $139, indicating meaningful potential upside in those analysts’ models. Truist Financial price target update
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst revisions were mixed: Morgan Stanley lowered its target to $123 but kept an overweight rating, UBS reduced its target to $117 while retaining buy, and JPMorgan cut its target to $121. These changes suggest continued confidence in EXE, but more cautious valuation assumptions. Analyst price target updates
• Negative Sentiment: Weaker natural-gas prices prompted Expand Energy to curb some production and could weigh on realized revenue and margins. The increased purchase of put options also signals elevated near-term hedging or bearish trading interest. Expand Energy curbs some production on weaker natural gas prices

Expand Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Expand Energy stock opened at $90.44 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $20.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.62 and a beta of 0.41. Expand Energy has a twelve month low of $83.25 and a twelve month high of $126.62. The company’s fifty day moving average is $92.06 and its 200 day moving average is $96.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

Expand Energy (NASDAQ:EXE) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $3.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.85 billion. Expand Energy had a return on equity of 10.69% and a net margin of 19.78%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Expand Energy will post 8.54 EPS for the current year.

Expand Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 12th will be paid a $0.5750 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 12th. This represents a $2.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Expand Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 19.86%.

Expand Energy Company Profile

Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) is an independent energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company’s activities include drilling and operating unconventional oil and gas wells, primarily in major shale formations.

Expand Energy was formed through the combination of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Southwestern Energy Company, a transaction completed in October 2024. Chesapeake’s portfolio included assets in the Marcellus, Haynesville and Eagle Ford shale plays, while Southwestern was also a major operator in the Appalachian and Haynesville regions.