Across the recent three months, 4 analysts have shared their insights on SM Energy (NYSE:SM), expressing a variety of opinions spanning from bullish to bearish.

The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.

	Bullish	Somewhat Bullish	Indifferent	Somewhat Bearish	Bearish
Total Ratings	0	2	2	0	0
Last 30D	0	1	0	0	0
1M Ago	0	0	1	0	0
2M Ago	0	0	1	0	0
3M Ago	0	1	0	0	0

Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $31.25, along with a high estimate of $49.00 and a low estimate of $19.00. A negative shift in sentiment is evident as analysts have decreased the average price target by 10.71%.

Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look

A clear picture of SM Energy's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.

Analyst	Analyst Firm	Action Taken	Rating	Current Price Target	Prior Price Target
Mike Scialla	Stephens & Co.	Raises	Overweight	$49.00	$48.00
Biju Perincheril	Susquehanna	Lowers	Neutral	$19.00	$21.00
Scott Hanold	RBC Capital	Lowers	Sector Perform	$29.00	$35.00
Tim Rezvan	Keybanc	Lowers	Overweight	$28.00	$36.00

Key Insights:

• Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to SM Energy. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
• Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of SM Energy compared to the broader market.
• Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.

Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of SM Energy's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.

Stay up to date on SM Energy analyst ratings.

Get to Know SM Energy Better

SM Energy Co is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and NGLs in Texas and Utah. Its portfolio is comprised of assets in the Midland Basin of West Texas, the Maverick Basin of South Texas, and the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah.

Financial Milestones: SM Energy's Journey

Market Capitalization: With restricted market capitalization, the company is positioned below industry averages. This reflects a smaller scale relative to peers.

Revenue Growth: SM Energy's remarkable performance in 3M is evident. As of 30 September, 2025, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 26.25%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Energy sector.

Net Margin: SM Energy's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 19.12% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.

Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 3.33%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns for shareholders.

Return on Assets (ROA): SM Energy's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 1.72%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.

Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.58.

Analyst Ratings: What Are They?

Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.

Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.

In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.