Expand Energy Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NASDAQ:EXE)

Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) was the target of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock traders purchased 24,993 put options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 262% compared to the typical volume of 6,902 put options.

Institutional Trading of Expand Energy

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp increased its position in Expand Energy by 74.6% in the fourth quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 234 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. grew its stake in shares of Expand Energy by 350.9% in the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 248 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Expand Energy by 255.6% in the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 256 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 184 shares during the last quarter. ESL Trust Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Expand Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Abound Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of Expand Energy by 890.0% in the 4th quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 297 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. 97.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

EXE has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their price objective on Expand Energy from $145.00 to $144.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Expand Energy in a report on Monday, December 29th. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Expand Energy from $136.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Expand Energy from $118.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, Stephens dropped their target price on shares of Expand Energy from $143.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Expand Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $130.29.

Expand Energy Stock Down 6.5%

Shares of EXE stock opened at $103.24 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $109.52 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $105.84. Expand Energy has a 52 week low of $91.01 and a 52 week high of $126.62. The stock has a market cap of $24.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.33 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28.

Key Expand Energy News

Here are the key news stories impacting Expand Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Tighter natural gas inventories increase near-term demand-price sensitivity for producers — a large 360 Bcf draw tightened supply and highlights the sector’s upside, which can help EXE’s revenue/earnings outlook. Does the Record Gas Draw Support a Bullish Case for Investors?
• Positive Sentiment: Management reaffirmed synergy, capital and operating outlook for Q4/2025 and the company emphasizes scale as North America’s largest gas producer; the board appointed experienced chairman Michael Wichterich as interim CEO and argues a Houston HQ will strengthen industry relationships — these points support continuity and longer‑term growth. Expand Energy announces CEO departure, to move headquarters to Houston
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts trimmed some price targets but maintain mostly positive ratings and a higher median target, which moderates panic selling risk and suggests Wall Street still sees upside if execution holds. Analysts Cut Expand Energy (EXE) Price Targets, Stay Positive
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4/2025 earnings and the company conference call (results due Feb 17, call Feb 18) are immediate catalysts — results and guidance will likely drive the next leg of the share move. Expand Energy Corporation Announces Headquarters Relocation to Houston, Texas, and Leadership Transition
• Negative Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha piece called for a board overhaul and rated the board negatively, arguing the CEO exit and Houston move raise governance and strategy concerns — that critique likely pressured sentiment. Expand Energy Needs A New Board Of Directors (Rating Downgrade)
• Negative Sentiment: Unusually large put buying (about 24,993 puts, ~262% above typical daily put volume) signals elevated short-term bearish bets and hedging activity, which can amplify downward price moves.
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Domenic Dell’Osso’s departure and the sudden leadership transition create near-term execution and perception risk despite an experienced interim CEO; media coverage (WSJ/Reuters) amplified uncertainty. CEO of Natural-Gas Giant Expand Energy Steps Down Amid Corporate Relocation

Expand Energy Company Profile

Expand Energy Corporation is an independent natural gas producer principally in the United States. Expand Energy Corporation, formerly known as Chesapeake Energy Corporation, is based in OKLAHOMA CITY.