Top picks for a natural gas rebound

Article Excerpt

Natural-gas prices are up 48.3%, to $3.56 U.S. per thousand cubic feet, after falling to a low of $2.40 in early September. Producers have cut back on drilling in response to lower prices. This has lowered inventories. As well, an improving economy is lifting demand. Gas-weighted Cimarex and Devon trade at reasonable multiples to their forecast cash flows, based on today’s prices. Both have low debt and steady development spending. This puts them in a good position to prosper, even if natural-gas prices falter. CIMAREX ENERGY $43.10 (New York symbol XEC; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (303-295-3995; www.cimarex.com; Shares outstanding: 83.4 million; Market cap: $3.6 billion) is an oil and gas explorer and producer that mainly operates in the U.S. Natural gas makes up 70% of its production. Cimarex has properties in western Oklahoma; Kansas; the upper Gulf Coast regions of Texas and southern Louisiana; the Permian Basin area of western Texas; and the Gulf of Mexico. In the three months ended June 30, 2009,…