Jefferies analyst Mark Lear raised his price target for Diamondback Energy to $177 after a new slide presentation provided detail on the company's new marketing arrangements that assure 70% of gross projected volumes move to the Gulf Coast in the second half of 2018 and 2019. The analyst notes that the deal locks in $5.5 per barrel better pricing in the second half of 2018 and $4 per barrel better in the first half of 2019 compared to his prior estimates. Diamondback's transportation agreements not only assure volume growth through 2019 but also lock in better pricing relative to Midland-Cushing basis futures, Lear tells investors in a research note.He keeps a Buy rating on the shares.