UPDATE: Citigroup Initiates Coverage on Rice Energy on Valuation

In a report published Tuesday, Citigroup analyst Robert S. Morris initiated coverage on

with a Neutral rating and $27.00 price target. In the report, Citigroup noted, “While Rice Energy exhibits the best debt-adjust per share growth metrics among our E&P coverage group, we believe the valuation offers only modest upside apart from extending its current drilling inventory and/or posting strong initial success in its Utica program. Based on its current leasehold position and future drilling plans, we peg the current drilling inventory at ~8 years, well below its larger Marcellus/Utica peers. However, a disproportionate amount of the 2014 budget has been earmarked for leasehold acquisitions. Also, Rice has yet to complete its first Utica horizontal well though strong results have been posted by others in the surrounding area.” Rice Energy closed on Friday at $23.88.