Shares of Northern Oil & Gas (NOG) soared 6.42% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, following the company's impressive first-quarter results and announcement of a dividend increase. The independent oil and gas company has demonstrated resilience in a challenging market environment, attracting investor attention.

Northern Oil and Gas reported adjusted earnings of $1.33 per diluted share for Q1, surpassing the FactSet analyst consensus of $1.12. The company's revenue for the quarter ended March 31 reached $602.1 million, significantly higher than the $396.3 million reported a year earlier and beating analyst expectations of $559.6 million. This strong financial performance underscores the company's operational efficiency and ability to capitalize on favorable market conditions.

Adding to the positive sentiment, NOG's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share, representing a 12.5% increase year-over-year. This move signals management's confidence in the company's financial health and commitment to returning value to shareholders. Furthermore, Roth MKM maintained a Buy rating on Northern Oil And Gas, reinforcing investor confidence in the stock's potential. As energy prices remain volatile, NOG's strong results and shareholder-friendly actions appear to be driving the pre-market rally.