Legal Probe Sends SandRidge Energy Incs Stock Down 10%

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: It has been a rough couple of days for SandRidge Energy investors. First, the company reported poorly received first-quarter results Wednesday evening. To make matters worse, it then revealed in its 10-Q filing Thursday night that it is the target of an antitrust grand jury probe relating to how it leased oil and gas properties in Oklahoma. This revelation sent the stock down more than 10% when the market opened this morning.

SD Price data by YCharts

So what: The probe is part of an ongoing investigation of possible antitrust law violations by the company relating to the purchase or lease of land for drilling rights. The transactions in question date back to 2012 when the company was led by former CEO Tom Ward.

The antitrust accusations are similar to those brought by the government against Chesapeake Energy and Encana over the past year due to their leasing practices prior to 2012 in the state of Michigan. The interesting connection between the two is the fact that Ward co-founded Chesapeake Energy with Aubrey McClendon before he took over SandRidge. This hints that there is a connection to his alleged aggressive tactics and those allegedly used by Chesaepake. That said, Chesapeake and Encana have now both settled their case in Michigan, without admitting to any wrongdoing. So, it remains to be seen if the next target of the U.S. Department of Justice, SandRidge Energy, will see its case end with a similar fate.

Now what: Given the fact that Chesapeake and Encana recently settled an antitrust suit in Michigan for a total of $30 million suggests that this is likely a minor issue for SandRidge. However, that doesn't mean that issue won't drag out for a while, nor does it mean that SandRidge didn't do anything wrong. That said, SandRidge has many more pressing other issues to address, chief among which is its ability to grow amid weak oil prices.

The article Legal Probe Sends SandRidge Energy Incs Stock Down 10% originally appeared on Fool.com.

Matt DiLallo owns shares of SandRidge Energy. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.