Energy Prospectus

Analyst Actions: Gulfport Energy Upgraded to Buy at Stifel, PT at $73; Shares Unchanged Early 08/14 07:41 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

08:41 AM EDT, 08/14/2013 (MidnightTrader) -- Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR:$52.56,00$0.89,001.72%) has been upgraded by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus to a Buy rating from Hold, reports Briefing.com.

The price target was set at $73 a share.

It has taken a while, but EV Energy Partners (NASDAQ: EVEP ) has finally found a buyer for some of its Utica acreage. The oil and gas MLP was able to sell 4,345 acres for a total of $56 million as part of a larger package with EnerVest, which is a quite impressive $12,900 per acre. The price is nearly 30% richer than some of Gulfport Energy (NASDAQ: GPOR ) recent acreage purchases. So, while the sale represents just a small portion of what EV Energy is looking to sell, it does kick off the process on a positive note.

See: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2 ... -doll.aspx

I am taking a hard look at REXX today, another Utica Shale small-cap worth a hard look.

more comments from Stifel upgrade---

Gulfport Energy upgraded at Stifel, sees next leg up in the next 6-9 months

Gulfport Energy (GPOR +2.4%) is upgraded to Buy from Hold with a $73 target price at Stifel Nicolaus, which sees last week's 9% drop in the stock when GPOR lowered its 2013 production guidance by 30% as a good entry point to build or add to positions.

The firm believes the upcoming acceleration in quarterly production volumes and the possible release of 2014 guidance with Q3 results will be the two key drivers that could cause the next leg up in the stock in the coming 6-9 months.