[8-K] COMSTOCK RESOURCES INC Reports Material Event
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Comstock Resources reported a profitable first quarter of 2026 driven by higher margins and derivative gains. Total revenues and other operating income were $587.4 million, and net income was $112.5 million, compared with a net loss of $115.4 million a year earlier, or $0.38 per diluted share versus a $0.40 loss.
Adjusted net income, which excludes unrealized hedge impacts and certain items, was $44.5 million, or $0.15 per share, and adjusted EBITDAX was $251.3 million. Operating cash flow was $191.9 million, but heavy exploration, development, and midstream spending led to a free cash deficit after acquisitions and divestitures of $223.3 million.
Production totaled 97.9 Bcfe, with an average unhedged operating margin of 78% and 73% after hedging. The company drilled 17 operated Haynesville/Bossier wells and turned 13 to sales, including high-rate Western Haynesville wells with initial production rates up to 35 MMcf per day.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Comstock returned to profitability but funded growth with significant cash burn.
Comstock Resources generated Q1 2026 net income of $112.5 million versus a prior-year loss, on total revenues of $587.4 million. Adjusted net income was $44.5 million, and adjusted EBITDAX reached $251.3 million, reflecting strong underlying operations and a large unrealized hedge gain.
Production was 97.9 MMcfe with an unhedged operating margin of 78% and a hedged operating margin of 73%. Per-unit production costs were low at $0.93 per Mcfe, supporting attractive field-level economics despite realized hedging losses of $80.4 million.
The company invested heavily, with exploration and development capital expenditures of $343.3 million and midstream spending of $54.7 million, resulting in a free cash deficit after acquisitions of $223.3 million for Q1 2026. Subsequent filings may provide more detail on how this investment translates into future volumes and cash flow.
8-K Event Classification
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): |
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On May 5, 2026, Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of the press release announcing Comstock's earnings and operating results for this period and other matters is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
The earnings press release contains financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Comstock has provided reconciliations within the earnings release of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP that are presented in the earnings release.
The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit No. |
Description |
99.1 |
Press Release dated May 5, 2026 |
104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. |
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Date: |
May 5, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ ROLAND O. BURNS |
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Roland O. Burns |
Exhibit 99.1
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5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500 |
Frisco, Texas 75034 |
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Telephone: (972) 668-8834 |
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Contact: Ron Mills |
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VP of Finance and Investor Relations |
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Web Site: www.comstockresources.com |
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NEWS RELEASE |
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For Immediate Release
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER 2026 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS
FRISCO, TEXAS, May 5, 2026 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE; NYSE Texas: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Highlights of 2026's First Quarter
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026
Comstock's natural gas and oil sales in the first quarter of 2026 were $338.6 million (including realized hedging losses of $80.4 million). Operating cash flow (excluding changes in working capital) generated in the first quarter of 2026 was $191.9 million, and net income for the first quarter was $112.5 million or $0.38 per diluted share. The net income in the quarter included a pre-tax $82.8 million unrealized gain on hedging contracts held for price risk management resulting from the change in future natural gas prices since the fourth quarter of 2025. Excluding this item, exploration expense and gain from sale of assets, adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2026 was $44.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.
Comstock's production cost per Mcfe in the first quarter averaged $0.93 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.43 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.29 for lease operating costs, $0.10 for production and other taxes and $0.11 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock's unhedged operating margin was 78% in the first quarter of 2026 and 73% after hedging.
Drilling Results
Comstock drilled 17 (15.3 net) operated horizontal Haynesville/Bossier shale wells in the first quarter of 2026, which had an average lateral length of 10,714 feet. Comstock turned 13 (11.7 net) operated wells to sales in the first quarter of 2026.
Since its last operational update in February 2026, Comstock has turned 16 (14.6 net) operated Haynesville/Bossier shale wells to sales. These wells had initial production rates that averaged 30 MMcf per day. The completed lateral length of these wells averaged 11,773 feet.
Included in the wells turned to sales were six more successful Western Haynesville wells:
Well |
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Vertical Depth (feet) |
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Completed Lateral (feet) |
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Initial Production Rate (MMcf per day) |
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Hutto Rodell #1 |
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17,408 |
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8,261 |
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20 |
Bumpurs BHGJ #1 |
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16,074 |
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12,341 |
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32 |
Bumpurs NMH #1 |
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14,272 |
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11,325 |
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32 |
Pollard MBK #1 |
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15,850 |
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11,249 |
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25 |
Pollard TFG #1 |
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14,427 |
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12,710 |
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31 |
Kiker BK #1 |
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17,956 |
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9,355 |
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35 |
Earnings Call Information
Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on May 6, 2026, to discuss the first quarter 2026 operational and financial results. Investors wishing to listen should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live webcast. Investors wishing to participate in the conference call telephonically will need to register at:
https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIfdab657d67b245688283195b41fda6fb.
Upon registering to participate in the conference call, participants will receive the dial-in number and a personal PIN number to access the conference call. On the day of the call, please dial in at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection to the call. The conference call will also be broadcast live in listen-only mode and can be accessed via the website URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/p77w7mi4.
If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available for twelve months beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT on May 6, 2026. The replay of the conference can be accessed using the webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/p77w7mi4.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Information concerning the assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may affect the actual results can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") available on the Company's website or the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Comstock Resources, Inc. is a leading independent natural gas producer with operations focused on the development of the Haynesville shale in North Louisiana and East Texas. The Company's stock is traded on the NYSE and the NYSE Texas under the symbol CRK.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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Three Months Ended |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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Revenues: |
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Natural gas sales |
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$ |
418,275 |
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$ |
412,286 |
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Oil sales |
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758 |
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702 |
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Total natural gas and oil sales |
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419,033 |
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412,988 |
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Gas services |
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166,501 |
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99,866 |
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Gain on sale of assets |
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1,820 |
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— |
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Total revenues and other operating income |
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587,354 |
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512,854 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Production and ad valorem taxes |
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10,425 |
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11,179 |
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Gathering and transportation |
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41,804 |
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42,617 |
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Lease operating |
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28,281 |
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35,000 |
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Exploration |
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9,343 |
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2,150 |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
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141,532 |
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167,891 |
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Gas services |
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162,856 |
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116,769 |
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General and administrative |
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18,222 |
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11,080 |
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Total operating expenses |
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412,463 |
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386,686 |
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Operating income |
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174,891 |
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126,168 |
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Other Expenses: |
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Gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments |
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2,396 |
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(330,339 |
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Other income |
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263 |
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339 |
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Interest expense |
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(53,061 |
) |
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(54,837 |
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Total other expenses |
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(50,402 |
) |
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(384,837 |
) |
Income (loss) before income taxes |
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124,489 |
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(258,669 |
) |
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes |
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(11,990 |
) |
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143,276 |
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Net income (loss) |
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112,499 |
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(115,393 |
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
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(5,049 |
) |
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(5,885 |
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Net income (loss) available to the Company |
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$ |
107,450 |
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$ |
(121,278 |
) |
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Net income (loss) per share: |
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Basic |
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$ |
0.38 |
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$ |
(0.40 |
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Diluted |
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$ |
0.38 |
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$ |
(0.40 |
) |
Weighted average shares outstanding: |
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Basic |
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291,317 |
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290,303 |
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Diluted |
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291,317 |
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290,303 |
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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Natural gas production (MMcf) |
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97,855 |
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115,029 |
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Oil production (Mbbls) |
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11 |
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10 |
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Total production (MMcfe) |
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97,919 |
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115,091 |
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Natural gas sales |
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$ |
418,275 |
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$ |
412,286 |
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Natural gas hedging settlements (1) |
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(80,388 |
) |
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(7,959 |
) |
Total natural gas including hedging |
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337,887 |
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404,327 |
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Oil sales |
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758 |
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|
702 |
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Total natural gas and oil sales including hedging |
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$ |
338,645 |
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$ |
405,029 |
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Average natural gas price (per Mcf) |
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$ |
4.27 |
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$ |
3.58 |
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Average natural gas price including hedging (per Mcf) |
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$ |
3.45 |
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$ |
3.52 |
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Average oil price (per barrel) |
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$ |
68.91 |
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$ |
70.20 |
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Average price (per Mcfe) |
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$ |
4.28 |
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$ |
3.59 |
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Average price including hedging (per Mcfe) |
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$ |
3.46 |
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$ |
3.52 |
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Production and ad valorem taxes |
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$ |
10,425 |
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$ |
11,179 |
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Gathering and transportation |
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41,804 |
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|
42,617 |
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Lease operating |
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28,281 |
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35,000 |
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Cash general and administrative (2) |
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10,778 |
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|
6,640 |
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Total production costs |
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$ |
91,288 |
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$ |
95,436 |
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|
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Production and ad valorem taxes (per Mcfe) |
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$ |
0.10 |
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$ |
0.10 |
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Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe) |
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0.43 |
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0.37 |
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Lease operating (per Mcfe) |
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0.29 |
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|
0.30 |
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Cash general and administrative (per Mcfe) |
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0.11 |
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|
0.06 |
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Total production costs (per Mcfe) |
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$ |
0.93 |
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$ |
0.83 |
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Unhedged operating margin |
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78 |
% |
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|
77 |
% |
Hedged operating margin |
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73 |
% |
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|
76 |
% |
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Gas services revenue |
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$ |
166,501 |
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$ |
99,866 |
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Gas services expenses |
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|
162,856 |
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|
|
116,769 |
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Gas services margin |
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$ |
3,645 |
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$ |
(16,903 |
) |
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Natural Gas and Oil Capital Expenditures: |
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Unproved property acquisitions |
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$ |
19,040 |
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$ |
9,684 |
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Total natural gas and oil properties acquisitions |
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$ |
19,040 |
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$ |
9,684 |
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Exploration and Development: |
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Development leasehold |
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$ |
3,368 |
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$ |
3,556 |
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Exploratory drilling and completion |
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|
174,775 |
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|
100,107 |
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Development drilling and completion |
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|
158,559 |
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|
145,578 |
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Other development costs |
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|
6,570 |
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|
|
515 |
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Total exploration and development capital expenditures |
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$ |
343,272 |
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$ |
249,756 |
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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Three Months Ended |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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ADJUSTED NET INCOME: |
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Net income (loss) |
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$ |
112,499 |
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$ |
(115,393 |
) |
Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments |
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(82,784 |
) |
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|
322,380 |
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Exploration expense |
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9,343 |
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|
|
2,150 |
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Gain on sale of assets |
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(1,820 |
) |
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|
— |
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Adjustment to income taxes |
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|
7,249 |
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|
|
(155,292 |
) |
Adjusted net income (1) |
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$ |
44,487 |
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$ |
53,845 |
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Adjusted net income per share (2) |
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$ |
0.15 |
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$ |
0.18 |
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Diluted shares outstanding |
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|
291,317 |
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|
293,633 |
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ADJUSTED EBITDAX: |
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Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
112,499 |
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|
$ |
(115,393 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
53,061 |
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|
|
54,837 |
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Income taxes |
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|
11,990 |
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|
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(143,276 |
) |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
|
|
141,532 |
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|
|
167,891 |
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Exploration |
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|
9,343 |
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|
|
2,150 |
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Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments |
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(82,784 |
) |
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|
322,380 |
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Stock-based compensation |
|
|
7,444 |
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|
|
4,442 |
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Gain on sale of assets |
|
|
(1,820 |
) |
|
|
— |
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Total Adjusted EBITDAX (3) |
|
$ |
251,265 |
|
|
$ |
293,031 |
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands)
|
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Three Months Ended |
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2026 |
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2025 |
|
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OPERATING CASH FLOW (1): |
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|
|
|
|
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Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
112,499 |
|
|
$ |
(115,393 |
) |
Reconciling items: |
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Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments |
|
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(82,784 |
) |
|
|
322,380 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
11,990 |
|
|
|
(143,276 |
) |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
|
141,532 |
|
|
|
167,891 |
|
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs |
|
|
3,037 |
|
|
|
2,944 |
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
7,444 |
|
|
|
4,442 |
|
Gain on sale of assets |
|
|
(1,820 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Operating cash flow |
|
$ |
191,898 |
|
|
$ |
238,988 |
|
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable |
|
|
73,494 |
|
|
|
(33,660 |
) |
Decrease in other current assets |
|
|
9,199 |
|
|
|
559 |
|
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
(2,626 |
) |
|
|
(31,141 |
) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
271,965 |
|
|
$ |
174,746 |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
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|||||
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2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
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FREE CASH FLOW (DEFICIT)(2): |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Operating cash flow |
|
$ |
191,898 |
|
|
$ |
238,988 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Exploration and development capital expenditures |
|
|
(343,272 |
) |
|
|
(249,756 |
) |
Midstream capital expenditures |
|
|
(54,692 |
) |
|
|
(48,668 |
) |
Other capital expenditures |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
) |
Contributions from midstream partner |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
59,500 |
|
Free cash deficit from operations |
|
$ |
(206,126 |
) |
|
$ |
(22 |
) |
Acquisitions |
|
|
(19,040 |
) |
|
|
(9,684 |
) |
Proceeds from divestitures |
|
|
1,820 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Free cash deficit after acquisition and divestiture activities |
|
$ |
(223,346 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,706 |
) |
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
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ASSETS |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
14,785 |
|
|
$ |
23,930 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
169,051 |
|
|
|
242,545 |
|
Derivative financial instruments |
|
|
50,178 |
|
|
|
19,206 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
56,050 |
|
|
|
75,257 |
|
Total current assets |
|
|
290,064 |
|
|
|
360,938 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
6,491,565 |
|
|
|
6,215,494 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
335,897 |
|
|
|
335,897 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
|
83,112 |
|
|
|
94,733 |
|
Derivative financial instruments |
|
|
39,058 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
7,239,696 |
|
|
$ |
7,007,062 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
552,967 |
|
|
$ |
501,695 |
|
Accrued costs |
|
|
100,810 |
|
|
|
153,248 |
|
Operating leases |
|
|
43,263 |
|
|
|
46,937 |
|
Derivative financial instruments |
|
|
14,882 |
|
|
|
27,636 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
711,922 |
|
|
|
729,516 |
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
2,947,607 |
|
|
|
2,809,066 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
449,088 |
|
|
|
437,098 |
|
Long-term operating leases |
|
|
39,538 |
|
|
|
47,692 |
|
Asset retirement obligation |
|
|
21,125 |
|
|
|
20,787 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
4,169,280 |
|
|
|
4,044,159 |
|
Stockholders' Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock |
|
|
146,848 |
|
|
|
146,527 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
1,378,963 |
|
|
|
1,376,053 |
|
Accumulated earnings |
|
|
1,231,680 |
|
|
|
1,124,230 |
|
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Comstock |
|
|
2,757,491 |
|
|
|
2,646,810 |
|
Noncontrolling interest |
|
|
312,925 |
|
|
|
316,093 |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
|
|
3,070,416 |
|
|
|
2,962,903 |
|
|
|
$ |
7,239,696 |
|
|
$ |
7,007,062 |
|