Friday, October 14, 2022
InPlay Oil is a junior oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in Alberta focused on light oil production. The company operates long-lived, low-decline properties with drilling development and enhanced oil recovery potential as well as undeveloped lands with exploration possibilities. The common shares of InPlay trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IPO and the OTCQX Exchange under the symbol IPOOF.
Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
InPlay received Toronto Stock Exchange approval for a Normal Course Issuer Bid. Under the NCIB, InPlay may purchase and cancel up to 10% of public float of the shares of IPO on the TSX subject to a daily limit of 25% of the average daily trading volume. At current prices, the buyback would be approximately C$20 million if maxed out. Management believes the buyback is a prudent step given the energy market volatility and its belief that, at times, its stock is undervalued. We would note that the shares of IPO (and IPOOF on the OTC exchange) have declined 40% off of June peak levels despite very positive recent operational developments (see 9/29/2022 report). NCIB approval follows 9/28/22 comments that Board of Directors had approved a share buyback program.
The company has the cash flow and balance sheet to do a share buyback. At current energy price levels, we expect the company to generate approximately C$150 million in Adjusted Fund Flow, far exceeding recently-raised capital expenditures of C$70-72 million (up from C$18 million in 2020). The company has been paying down debt and expects to reduce its net debt to EBITDA ratio to 0.1-0.2 times by the end of 2022 (implying that the current net debt level of C$52 million will be reduced to C$15-30 million). Net debt, which represented 50% of total capitalization as recently as 2020, now represents less than 10% of capitalization. We believe management has adequate cash flow to continue to grow capital expenditures, pay down debt, and still initiate a share repurchase program.
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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.