HPK

Energy

HighPeak Energy, Inc. · Oil & Gas Exploration & Production · $990M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
26.6
Poor

HighPeak Energy, Inc. scores 26.6/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Energy Sector
HPK
26.6
Sector avg
43.5
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is HighPeak Energy, Inc.?

HighPeak Energy is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the Midland Basin in West Texas. Incorporated in 2018 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, it operates as a pure-play upstream energy producer.

HighPeak Energy acquires, explores, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids from acreage in the Midland Basin — one of the most prolific sub-basins within the broader Permian Basin. Revenue is generated almost entirely from the sale of hydrocarbons, making the company's financial performance closely tied to commodity prices. As a small-cap independent, it focuses capital on drilling and developing its existing acreage rather than diversifying across multiple basins.

HighPeak Energy was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

  • Crude oil production from Midland Basin acreage
  • Natural gas and natural gas liquids extraction
  • Proved reserve development and acreage expansion
  • Upstream exploration and production operations

Is HPK a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates HPK as Poor overall, placing it in the lowest tier of scored equities.

Among the five pillars, Risk and Valuation both register at a Neutral level — suggesting the stock is not dramatically mispriced relative to its fundamentals and that near-term balance-sheet stress is not the primary concern at this time.

Quality, Moat, and Growth all score Weak, reflecting limited competitive differentiation, constrained earnings quality, and a challenging growth profile typical of smaller independent E&P operators in a volatile commodity environment.

Pro members can view the full pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to understand exactly where HPK stands relative to sector peers. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does HPK pay dividends?

Yes — HighPeak Energy, Inc. pays a dividend.

HighPeak Energy does pay a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap independent E&P companies. For commodity-exposed producers, dividend sustainability depends heavily on oil price realizations and free cash flow generation. Investors should weigh the income component against the inherent cyclicality of upstream energy before treating the dividend as a reliable long-term income stream.

When does HPK report earnings?

HighPeak Energy reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

As a Midland Basin-focused producer, quarterly results are heavily influenced by realized commodity prices, production volumes, and capital expenditure decisions. Weak Quality and Growth pillar scores suggest earnings consistency has been a challenge relative to higher-rated peers in the energy sector.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance updates, visit HighPeak Energy's investor relations page directly.

HPK Price History

-37.5% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in HighPeak Energy, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$8,511
That's a -14.9% total return, or -3.2% annualized.

Based on HighPeak Energy, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

HPK Long-term Outlook

The combination of Weak Growth and Neutral Risk pillars paints a cautious fundamental picture for HPK. Production growth in the Midland Basin depends on sustained capital investment and favorable commodity prices — both of which introduce meaningful uncertainty for a small-cap operator. The Neutral Valuation label indicates the market has already discounted some of these challenges, but a Weak Moat means there is limited structural protection if conditions deteriorate.

Growth drivers

  • Continued development drilling on existing Midland Basin acreage
  • Potential upside from higher oil price realizations
  • Operational efficiency improvements in a mature, well-understood basin

Key risks

  • Commodity price volatility directly compressing revenue and cash flow
  • Limited competitive moat versus larger, better-capitalized Permian operators
  • Capital allocation constraints typical of small-cap E&P companies

HPK vs Peers

HPK operates alongside several other smaller independent energy producers, each with a distinct asset base and strategy.

OBEHPK scores lower
Obsidian Energy Ltd.

Obsidian Energy is a Canadian-based upstream producer, giving it a different regulatory and royalty framework compared to HPK's purely US Midland Basin focus.

VTSHPK scores lower
Vitesse Energy, Inc.

Vitesse Energy pursues a non-operated working interest model, participating in wells drilled by others rather than operating its own drilling program like HighPeak.

GRNTHPK scores lower
Granite Ridge Resources, Inc.

Granite Ridge takes a diversified non-operated approach across multiple US basins, contrasting with HPK's concentrated single-basin Midland strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HighPeak Energy do?

HighPeak Energy is an independent upstream oil and gas company that acquires, explores, develops, and produces hydrocarbons in the Midland Basin of West Texas. Its revenue comes from selling crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids extracted from its Permian Basin acreage.

Does HPK pay dividends?

Yes, HighPeak Energy pays a regular dividend. This is notable for a small-cap independent E&P company. However, dividend sustainability in the upstream energy sector is closely tied to commodity prices and free cash flow, so income-focused investors should monitor those factors carefully.

When does HPK report earnings?

HighPeak Energy follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence. For the exact timing of upcoming results and any pre-announced guidance, the company's investor relations page is the most reliable source.

Is HPK a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates HPK as Poor overall. The Quality, Moat, and Growth pillars all score Weak, while Risk and Valuation are Neutral. This profile suggests meaningful fundamental challenges. Pro members can access the full breakdown to make a more informed assessment.

Is HPK overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for HPK is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither clearly expensive nor deeply discounted relative to its fundamentals. Given the Weak Quality and Growth scores, a Neutral valuation does not necessarily imply a margin of safety.

How does HPK compare to its competitors?

HPK is a single-basin Midland operator competing against peers like Obsidian Energy, Vitesse Energy, and Granite Ridge Resources. Competitors differ in geography, operating model, and basin diversification. UQS Score comparisons across these tickers are available on each company's individual page.

What is HPK's market cap bracket?

HighPeak Energy is classified as a small-cap company. This places it among the smaller publicly traded upstream energy producers, which typically means less liquidity, higher volatility, and greater sensitivity to commodity price swings than large-cap peers.

Who founded HighPeak Energy?

HighPeak Energy was incorporated in 2018. Founding and leadership details are publicly available through the company's SEC filings and investor relations materials, which provide the most accurate and current information.

Is HPK a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score rates HPK as Poor. Weak scores across Quality, Moat, and Growth suggest the company currently lacks the durable characteristics — such as competitive advantages and consistent earnings — that typically support long-term compounding. The full analysis is available to Pro members.

What is the main competitive advantage of HighPeak Energy?

HighPeak Energy's primary positioning is its concentrated acreage in the Midland Basin, one of the most productive oil-producing regions in the US. However, the UQS Moat pillar scores Weak, indicating that this geographic focus has not yet translated into a durable competitive advantage relative to peers.

What sector does HPK belong to?

HPK belongs to the Energy sector, specifically the upstream oil and gas exploration and production sub-industry. You can explore other [Energy sector stocks scored by UQS](/sector/energy) to see how HPK compares within its broader peer group.

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Pro Analysis

HPK — Score History

1520253035Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 15 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 12, 202626.611.210.05.734.6100.0+0.7
Apr 29, 202625.930.210.05.441.357.0+0.2
Apr 22, 202625.730.210.04.741.357.0-1.5
Apr 19, 202627.235.610.05.541.357.0+0.1
Apr 18, 202627.135.610.05.041.357.0+4.8
Apr 16, 202622.334.510.05.041.326.2+0.2
Apr 15, 202622.134.310.05.041.325.7+0.5
Apr 14, 202621.633.310.05.041.323.80.0
Apr 11, 202621.633.410.05.041.323.9-0.1
Apr 10, 202621.733.410.05.041.324.0+0.1

HPK — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

11.2/100 (25%)

HighPeak Energy, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityModerate

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

5.3/100 (20%)

HighPeak Energy, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Risk

34.6/100 (15%)

HighPeak Energy, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

100.0/100 (15%)

HighPeak Energy, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

10/100 (25%)

HighPeak Energy, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for HPK.

Score Composition

Quality
11.2×25%2.8
Growth
5.3×20%1.1
Risk
34.6×15%5.2
Valuation
100.0×15%15.0
Moat
10.0×25%2.5
Total
26.6Poor

Financial Data

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How is the HPK UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for HighPeak Energy, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses HighPeak Energy, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether HighPeak Energy, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.