I think the most valuable member of the FTSE 250 has just become the bargain of the millennium!

After completing a transformational acquisition, our writer can’t understand why the share price of this FTSE 250 energy company isn’t higher.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

White female supervisor working at an oil rig

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Harbour Energy (LSE:HBR), the oil and gas producer, recently recorded the highest stock market valuation of any member of the FTSE 250. Its market cap is now (6 September) £715m ahead of British Land. Promotion to the FTSE 100 looks to be a certainty when the next reshuffle takes place.

The boost in value came after the completion on 4 September of its acquisition of the upstream assets of Wintershall Dea. As part of the deal, new shares were issued to the former owners of the German-based group.

Pre-dealPost-deal
Shares held by legacy shareholders770,387,788770,387,788
Shares issued to new shareholders921,202,238
Shares in circulation770,387,7881,691,590,026
Share price (£)2.862.80
Market cap (£bn)2.2034.736
Source: Harbour Energy and London Stock Exchange
Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Harbour Energy Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL6 Sep 20193 Apr 2025Zoom ▾Jan '20Jul '20Jan '21Jul '21Jan '22Jul '22Jan '23Jul '23Jan '24Jul '24Jan '25202020202021202120222022202320232024202420252025www.fool.co.uk

Both parties placed a value of $11.2bn (£8.5bn) on Wintershall’s assets. This comprises $4.15bn (£3.15bn) in new shares, the taking on of $4.9bn (£3.72bn) of debt and $2.15bn (£1.63bn) in cash.

Should you invest £1,000 in Gsk right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Gsk made the list?

See the 6 stocks

But what’s remarkable is that investors currently value the group at only £2.5bn more than they did before the acquisition!   

Surely this makes Harbour Energy the bargain of the decade… no, millennium?

Transformational?

As a result of the deal, production in 2024 is expected to increase to 470-485 kboepd (thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day). In 2023, Harbour’s North Sea assets yielded 186 kboped.

And operating costs are forecast to fall to $13-$14 boe from last year’s $16.

Using the mid-point of these figures, year-on-year production could increase by 156% and unit costs might fall by 16%. Surely this justifies more than a £2.5bn increase in market cap?

Perhaps investors are wary of the additional debt that has been taken on. At 30 June 2024, the company was in a net cash position.

Income investors will be pleased that the anticipated improvement in earnings enables the group’s directors to make a commitment to increase the annual dividend to 26.25 cents (19.9p) per share. Based on the current share price of 280p, this implies a yield of 7.1%.

As a shareholder, I also welcome the deal for other reasons.

Previously, Harbour was almost entirely dependent on North Sea oil and gas, which is being taxed heavily. The last government introduced an energy profits levy (EPL) — or ‘windfall tax’ — which took the company’s effective rate of tax to 75%. This could be increased to 78% in the October budget.

The group now has exposure to oil and gas fields in Norway, Argentina, North Africa and Germany. These fall outside the scope of the EPL.

A difficult industry

But investing in the energy sector can be risky. Commodity prices are notoriously volatile, which can affect earnings. It’s also costly finding new fields.

And there are operational dangers. BP, for instance, is still paying fines and compensation for the Deepwater Horizon explosion that took place in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

However, taking these challenges on board, I think Harbour Energy’s shares are significantly undervalued.

I suspect the muted reaction to the Wintershall deal could be a sign that the energy sector has fallen out of fashion and that ethical investing is starting to have an impact on the valuations of ‘dirty’ companies. It’s certainly the case that UK oil and gas companies are valued less highly than some of their American and European peers.

However, for the time being, I’m planning to hold on to my shares. 

Pound coins for sale — 31 pence?

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

James Beard has positions in Harbour Energy Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended British Land Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Our best passive income stock ideas

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

More on Investing Articles

artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

Up 272% in just a year, is Palantir stock just getting started?

This writer recognises that Palantir has grown its business very well -- but does the stock price offer him an…

Read more »

Runner standing at the starting point with 2025 year for starting in new year 2025 to achieve business planing and success concept.
Investing Articles

Up 50%? The Aston Martin share price forecast is mind-blowing! 

If analysts are right, the Aston Aston Martin share price could absolutely rocket in the year ahead. Harvey Jones says…

Read more »

Investing Articles

As the S&P 500 drops, here are 2 Stocks and Shares ISA holdings I’m watching

Our writer has different views on how President Trump's tariffs might affect these two US holdings in his Stocks and…

Read more »

Surprised Black girl holding teddy bear toy on Christmas
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Tesla stock at Christmas is now worth…

Tesla stock has been one of best-performing investments of the past decade. But things haven't gone to plan for investors…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Up 279% in 5 years, could Meta stock keep soaring?

Meta stock has more than tripled in five years. This writer sees lots to like about the business but also…

Read more »

Pink 3D image of the numbers '2025' growing in size
Investing Articles

25% total return in a year? Is now the perfect time to buy BP shares?

BP shares are on the front line of today's global economic and political uncertainty but analysts think they can still…

Read more »

Affectionate Asian senior mother and daughter using smartphone together at home, smiling joyfully
Investing Articles

With Cash ISA changes coming, could now be the time to consider buying shares?

Changes to the Cash ISA could lead to greater investment in the stock market. This could be a good thing…

Read more »

Investing Articles

These FTSE 100 dividend shares just got cheaper, thanks to President Trump!

Investors buying dividend shares can lock in bigger long-term yields when share prices take a tumble. These two just did…

Read more »