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Tuesday, Precision Drilling (NYSE:PDS) Corporation (PD:CN) (NYSE: PDS) retained its Outperform rating and Cdn$123.00 price target from analysts at ATB Capital Markets following a corporate update. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains a "GREAT" financial health score of 3.3, with liquid assets exceeding short-term obligations. The company, currently trading below its Fair Value, disclosed its 2024 debt repayment achievements, updates on its Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) program, and its fourth-quarter operational and financial performance.
Precision Drilling announced it had reduced its debt by Cdn$176 million in 2024, aligning with the midpoint of its previously stated guidance of Cdn$150 million to Cdn$200 million. The firm also reiterated its goal to lower debt by Cdn$600 million between 2022 and 2026, revealing that it has already cut Cdn$435 million over the past three years, leaving Cdn$165 million to meet its target.
In 2024, the company also reduced its shares outstanding by 4% by executing Cdn$75 million in share buybacks, which represents 5.5% of its current market capitalization. The company's shareholder-friendly approach is reflected in its impressive 20% free cash flow yield and attractive P/E ratio of 5.3. While details of the 2025 capital allocation program are pending and expected to be announced with the fourth-quarter results in February, management anticipates strong free cash flow (FCF) for 2025. The company plans to continue reducing debt and increase its share buyback allocation.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, Precision Drilling achieved drilling margins in the United States and Canada that were consistent with its previous guidance. The company reported a share-based compensation expense of Cdn$15 million, which was lower than the Cdn$20 million expected by ATB Capital Markets analysts.
Canadian rig activity for the quarter was slightly below expectations, with an average of 65 rigs compared to the anticipated 70. However, the company has started the first quarter of 2025 with 78 active rigs in Canada and expects to reach the low to mid-80s during the peak of the quarter, aligning with analyst projections. In the U.S., the company anticipates mid-30s rig activity in the first half of 2025.
Overall, ATB Capital Markets views these updates as largely consistent with the current consensus expectations in the market. With EBITDA of $399.44 million in the last twelve months and strong financial metrics, InvestingPro subscribers can access 8 additional key insights and a comprehensive Pro Research Report that provides deep-dive analysis of Precision Drilling's financial position and growth prospects.
In other recent news, Precision Drilling Corporation has made notable strides in achieving its fiscal targets for 2024. The company reported that it has successfully met its debt repayment goals and completed its share repurchase program, indicating a strong financial position. Precision Drilling also unveiled updates on its capital allocation strategy, emphasizing continued investment in high-performance drilling technology to boost operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
In its recent third-quarter earnings call, Precision Drilling showcased significant financial and operational growth, with a year-over-year increase in revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and net earnings. The company's strategic focus remains on upgrading its rig fleet and reducing debt, while adhering to a disciplined approach to capital allocation.
Precision Drilling's recent developments also highlight its commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and shareholder returns. The company anticipates a busy 2025, driven by increased customer activity, and expects high utilization of its rigs in Canada to continue into early 2025.
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