Home on the Range; Where Deer, Antelope and Investors Play: Iron Mountain Incorporated (IRM), Range Resources Corp. (RRC)

Range Resources Corp. (NYSE:RRC) is one of the leading independent natural gas companies operating in the U.S.

In January 2013 they announced that their fourth quarter 2012-production volumes reached a record high of 844 Mmcfe (Millions of Cubic Feet Equivalent) per day. Fourth quarter 2012 production increased 35% over the year ago quarter; it was 7% higher than third quarter 2012.

Total production rose 35%; oil and NGL (Natural Gas Liquids) production increased 41% during the fourth quarter. Of importance to investors is that this oil and NGL production points towards Range Resources Corp. (NYSE:RRC)’s focus on their high return, liquids-rich plays. The company recognizes where there’s money to be made – they’re directing resources and programs to these plays for their and shareholders’ benefit. Investors should research companies that have the business acumen to recognize and go after profitable opportunities as they arise.

Mr. Jeff L. Ventura, Range Resources Corp. (NYSE:RRC) President and CEO, said, “The 41% increase in fourth quarter oil and NGL production reflects the high-quality nature of our large drilling inventory and positions us very well in the current commodity price environment. We expect increasing liquids production, coupled with our strong hedge position, to drive substantial cash flow growth in 2013 and longer term, our high-return inventory and low-cost structure to continue to drive shareholder value.”

What can investors take away from this? They can look at Range’s expectations for major cash flow growth, longer term. There is corporate confidence for healthy cash flows beyond this year. The company’s thinking long-term, and it’s something investors should be aware of as they consider an investment.

In addition, their production for full-year 2012 averaged 753 Mmcfe per day. This represents a 36% increase over 2011. This is the ninth consecutive year of double-digit production growth and the posting of record production each year. This represents consistently high performance and is a sign to potential investors that the company has a strong and forward-thinking management team.

Considering what these companies are accomplishing, it’s no wonder for investors that, despite nothing being a sure thing today, there “… seldom is heard a discouraging word… and the skies are not cloudy all day,” with stocks such as these.

The article Home on the Range; Where Deer, Antelope and Investors Play originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Michael Ugulini.

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