Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP)

[Timothy Smith]

Plains Exploration, has, in addition to the Eagle Ford, a presence in California, the Gulf Coast, and the Rocky Mountains. Plains has 58,000 net acres in the oil and wet gas windows of the play. Investopedia notes that Plains has set (and so far mostly met) company goals of growing total company revenue and production at double-digit rates through 2015 while growing Eagle Ford production at a compound annual rate of 52%.

Plains' financials show that as of the second quarter of 2012, quarterly revenue growth is over 10% year-over-year, total debt is $3.92 billion, and debt/equity is 104. The company has a strong $6.70 cash per share and good operating cash flow.

Plains, in addition to its oil and gas operations, has derivative assets and an investment in McMoRan Exploration (MMR) common stock, both which can significantly affect quarterly income.