Despite the strategic benefits, EQT shares fell 4.2% to $53.27 in premarket trading, while Range shares rose 14.2% to $52.00. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2027, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. The merger reflects a broader trend of consolidation in the energy sector, with gas reserves at 30 of the largest U.S. producers increasing by 14% even as M&A spending declined by 70%, as noted by an EY study. This deal underscores the growing importance of natural gas in the U.S. energy landscape, particularly as demand for LNG and power generation continues to rise.