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On Thursday, JPMorgan revised its price target for Patterson-UTI Energy (NASDAQ:PTEN), lowering it from $14.00 to $12.00 while maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock.
The adjustment stems from the company's continued encounter with unbooked time in its hydraulic fracturing calendar, which is anticipated to persist for the remainder of the year.
According to the firm, Patterson-UTI Energy's management is choosing to focus on profit margins rather than trying to keep up utilization rates in a highly competitive spot market.
Patterson-UTI Energy, at a recent analyst dinner in New York City, recognized weaker conditions in their fracturing segment. The company now expects a slight decline in third-quarter gross profit for Completion Services, contrary to their earlier guidance which projected a slight improvement. The increased unbooked time and some higher costs specific to July were identified as the main reasons for the revised guidance.
In terms of their Drilling Services, the company is currently operating 106 rigs, which is one less than at the end of July during the second-quarter earnings call, and five less than the second-quarter exit rate. Nevertheless, the company has indicated stable pricing trends for both their advanced specification drilling rigs and premium dual fuel fracturing equipment.
Management has also indicated a reduction in capital expenditures for 2024, now projecting to spend $700 million, which is below the previous forecast of less than $740 million. This decision reflects a strategic emphasis on cost control and reduced maintenance capital expenditures in the face of lower activity levels.
Furthermore, Patterson-UTI Energy remains committed to generating and returning substantial cash to shareholders, particularly in the North American market where spending is softening. The company views stock buybacks as an attractive option for using surplus cash, especially given the stock's appealing valuation (forecasted 2024 free cash flow yield of approximately 15% based on revised estimates). As of the end of August, the company had repurchased $265 million worth of stock since the start of the year, which includes $35 million in the third quarter to date.
In other recent news, Patterson-UTI Energy reported stable drilling rig counts in August 2024, maintaining an average of 107 operating rigs in the United States. This aligns with the company's two-month average of 108 rigs ending in August 2024. In financial highlights, the company's Q2 2024 earnings report revealed a total revenue of $1.348 billion, a net income of $11 million, and an adjusted EBITDA of $324 million.
Analysts have recently revised their outlook on Patterson-UTI, with ATB Capital Markets lowering its target from $12.00 to $11.00 while maintaining an Outperform rating. Similarly, both JPMorgan and RBC Capital Markets reduced their targets from $15.00 to $14.00.
The company also announced an agreement to retain James M. Holcomb, the Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer, through 2026, with a transition to an advisory role planned until 2030.
Other recent developments include a potential decrease in expected U.S. rig activity and Completion Services gross profits for Q3 of 2024, prompting ATB Capital Markets to revise its EBITDA forecasts for the company, decreasing them by 3% for 2024 and 8% for 2025. Despite these adjustments, Patterson-UTI Energy continues to anticipate increased activity in gas-related drilling in 2025.
InvestingPro Insights
Amidst the challenges faced by Patterson-UTI Energy (NASDAQ:PTEN), including unbooked time and a focus on profit margins, InvestingPro data and tips offer additional insights into the company's financial health and stock performance. The company's market capitalization stands at approximately $3.1 billion, with a P/E ratio of 23.95, which adjusts to a more favorable 14.13 when looking at the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This suggests a potential undervaluation of the stock when considering the company's profitability over the past year.
Investors may also find comfort in the company's substantial revenue growth, which has surged by 77.86% in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. Despite the volatile stock price movements and recent poor performance, with a 1-month price total return of -15.33%, the company has proven its ability to maintain dividend payments for 21 consecutive years, offering a current dividend yield of 4.06%. This commitment to shareholder returns, along with the company's history of profitability and aggressive share buybacks, may signal a resilient approach to navigating market uncertainties.
For those seeking more in-depth analysis, InvestingPro provides additional tips, such as the company's liquid assets exceeding short-term obligations and the expectation of profitability this year. There are further insights available on InvestingPro, with a total of 10 tips for Patterson-UTI Energy, which can be accessed for those looking for a comprehensive investment assessment.
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