Group 1 - Precision Drilling (PDS) closed at $53.58, with a 7.9% gain over the past four weeks, and a mean price target of $70.3 indicating a 31.2% upside potential [1] - The average price targets from analysts range from a low of $51.70 to a high of $87.60, with a standard deviation of $10.04, suggesting variability in estimates [2] - Analysts show strong agreement on PDS's ability to report better earnings, with a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions indicating potential upside [4][11] Group 2 - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PDS has increased by 20.8% over the past month, with no negative revisions, reflecting growing optimism about the company's earnings prospects [12] - PDS holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] - While consensus price targets may not be reliable for predicting exact gains, they can provide a directional guide for price movement [14]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights Precision Drilling (PDS) as a strong candidate for value investors due to its attractive valuation metrics and earnings outlook [2][7]. Valuation Metrics - Precision Drilling (PDS) has a P/E ratio of 12.48, significantly lower than the industry average of 22.84, indicating potential undervaluation [4]. - The P/B ratio for PDS is 0.63, compared to the industry average of 0.75, suggesting that PDS is trading at a favorable valuation relative to its book value [5]. - PDS's P/S ratio stands at 0.54, which is lower than the industry's average of 0.68, further supporting the notion that PDS may be undervalued [6]. Earnings Outlook - The strength of Precision Drilling's earnings outlook, combined with its favorable valuation metrics, positions it as a compelling value stock in the current market [7].

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED) | (Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars) | | | June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ASSETS | | | | | | Current assets: | | | | | | Cash | $ | 46,698 | $ | 73,771 | | Accounts receivable | | 318,610 | | 378,712 | | Inventory | | 45,722 | | 43,300 | | Assets held for sale | | — | | 5,501 | | Total current assets | | 411,030 | | 501,284 | | Non-current assets: | | | | | | Deferred tax assets | | 2,11 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $108 million, exceeding expectations, driven by strong drilling activity in Canada and improved activity in the U.S. [4][5] - Revenue decreased by 5% year-over-year to $407 million, while net earnings were $60 million or $1.21 per share, marking the twelfth consecutive quarter of positive earnings [5][11] - Funds from operations were $104 million, and cash provided by operations was $147 million [5][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S., drilling activity averaged 33 rigs in Q2, an increase of three rigs from the previous quarter, with operating days up 13% [6][7] - Daily operating margins in the U.S. were $9,026, an increase of $666 from Q1, exceeding guidance [6] - In Canada, drilling activity averaged 50 rigs, with daily operating margins of $15,306, up $883 from Q2 2024 [8] - The Completion and Production Services segment saw adjusted EBITDA of $10 million, down 18% year-over-year due to a 23% decrease in well service hours [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Internationally, drilling activity averaged seven rigs, with average day rates increasing by 4% year-over-year to $53,129 [8] - The overall market for oil and gas has seen increased prices, with rig counts stable or up in key basins like Haynesville and Marcellus [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to increase its capital expenditures for 2025 from $200 million to $240 million, focusing on sustaining infrastructure and upgrades [9][12] - Precision Drilling aims to reduce debt by $700 million between 2022 and 2027, having already reduced $525 million [13] - The company is focusing on maximizing free cash flow and has implemented cost reduction plans to manage expenses effectively [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about customer demand for gas-directed drilling, with expectations of increased rig activity in the U.S. [14][15] - The outlook for the remainder of 2025 has improved significantly, with strong customer demand for rig upgrades and term contracts [14][15] - Management noted that while macro uncertainties persist, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on market opportunities [14][15] Other Important Information - The company has a strong liquidity position of approximately $530 million, with a net debt to trailing twelve-month EBITDA ratio of 1.3 times [11] - The company is committed to reducing its debt and returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth in the U.S. Market - Management noted that the growth in gas-based work is primarily driven by private companies, with expectations to increase rig counts to 40-45 over time [38][40] Question: Canadian Market Dynamics - Management discussed the oversupply in the double rig segment and the need for consolidation among service providers to improve pricing discipline [42][45] Question: Contract Durations and Upgrades - Management clarified that most rig upgrades do not require long-term contracts to recoup costs, with many upgrades expected to generate returns within six months to a year [52][54] Question: Future Rig Capabilities - Management indicated that upgraded rigs will reach peak capabilities, allowing for efficient drilling of longer laterals in key basins [70][73] Question: Customer Interest in Electrification - There is currently limited interest from Canadian operators in electrifying service rigs, although there is some interest in high-line power drilling rigs [81] Question: Breakdown of Rig Upgrades - The majority of the 22 rig upgrades are targeted in the Haynesville, Marcellus, Montney, and Canadian heavy oil basins [86]

Financial Highlights - Precision Drilling anticipates a robust 2025 free cash flow yield potential of 25%[10, 11] - Analyst estimates for 2025 free cash flow are $226 million, against an equity market cap of $921 million[12] - The company aims to reduce total debt by at least $100 million in 2025[19, 23] - The long-term debt reduction target is increased to $700 million from 2022-2027, with $452 million already paid as of March 31, 2025[19, 23] - The company is on track to achieve a Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of less than 10x[23] Operational Performance - Precision Drilling is the 1 land driller in Canada with 98 highly desirable rigs and a top land driller in the US with 104 rigs (66 Super Spec)[9] - The company is also the 1 well service provider in Canada with 153 rigs[9] - Canadian day rate margins have increased by 67% over the last 3 years[51] - US day rate margins have increased by over 60% in the last 3 years[66] - In Canada, Precision's Super Triples & Super Singles are nearly fully utilized[23] Strategic Priorities - Maximize free cash flow and enhance shareholder returns are key strategic priorities for 2025[18] - The company plans to allocate 35-45% of free cash flow to share repurchases in 2025, moving towards 50% of free cash flow for direct shareholder returns[19] - Grow revenue in existing service lines through disciplined capital deployment, strict cost management, and opportunistic tuck-in acquisitions[19, 20]

Core Viewpoint - Precision Drilling reported quarterly earnings of $0.77 per share, significantly beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.02 per share, although this is a decrease from $1.05 per share a year ago, indicating a substantial earnings surprise of +3,950.00% [1] Group 1: Earnings and Revenue Performance - The company posted revenues of $293.87 million for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.15%, but down from $313.7 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Precision Drilling has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times and topped consensus revenue estimates just once [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - Precision Drilling shares have declined approximately 12.7% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 8.6% [3] - The company's earnings outlook will be crucial for future stock performance, with current consensus EPS estimates at $1.00 for the coming quarter and $3.89 for the current fiscal year [7] Group 3: Industry Context - The Oil and Gas - Drilling industry is currently ranked in the bottom 5% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may negatively impact stock performance [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, suggesting that investors should monitor these revisions closely [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Precision Drilling Corporation reported stronger than anticipated financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2025, driven by excellent free cash flow, new contracts, and strong demand for its Super Series rig fleet [2][5][21]. Financial Highlights - Revenue for Q2 2025 was $407 million, a decrease of 5.3% from $429 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to lower U.S. and international activity [6][14]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $108 million, down 6.1% from $115 million in the same quarter last year, with a consistent EBITDA margin of 27% [6][21]. - Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $16 million or $1.21 per share, compared to $21 million or $1.44 per share in Q2 2024, marking the 12th consecutive quarter of positive earnings [5][21]. - Cash provided by operations was $147 million, allowing the company to repay $74 million of debt and repurchase $14 million of common shares [7][21]. Operational Highlights - The average number of active drilling rigs in Canada was 50, slightly up from 49 in Q2 2024, while U.S. active rigs averaged 33, down from 36 [8][16]. - Canadian revenue per utilization day increased to $37,725 from $36,075 year-over-year, driven by customer-funded rig upgrades [6][21]. - U.S. revenue per utilization day decreased to $31,113 from $33,227, reflecting lower industry activity [6][21]. - International operations generated $36 million in revenue with seven active rigs, down from eight in Q2 2024 [10][21]. Strategic Initiatives - The company revised its 2025 capital budget to $240 million from $200 million to support upgrades of 22 Super Series rigs, responding to increased customer demand [12][26]. - Precision aims to maximize free cash flow through disciplined capital deployment and enhance shareholder returns via debt reduction and share repurchases [22][26]. - The company is positioned to further adjust capital spending based on evolving customer demand, with a focus on technological advancements in its rig fleet [12][22]. Market Outlook - In Canada, increased takeaway capacity from the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is expected to support heavy oil activity, while LNG Canada’s first shipment is anticipated to drive demand for Super Triple rigs [27][30]. - In the U.S., natural gas drilling is expected to increase as customers become more optimistic about LNG off-take and AI demand, with a focus on natural gas basins like Haynesville and Marcellus [28][30]. - Internationally, the company maintains a steady level of activity with five rigs in Kuwait and two in Saudi Arabia, under long-term contracts extending into 2027 and 2028 [10][29].

Core Viewpoint - The market anticipates a year-over-year decline in earnings for Precision Drilling due to lower revenues, with a focus on how actual results compare to estimates [1][3]. Earnings Expectations - Precision Drilling is expected to report a quarterly loss of $0.02 per share, reflecting a significant year-over-year change of -101.9% [3]. - Revenues are projected to be $290.53 million, which is a decrease of 7.4% from the same quarter last year [3]. Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 16.67% lower in the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. - The Most Accurate Estimate aligns with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of 0% [12]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 [10]. - Precision Drilling currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, making it challenging to predict an earnings beat conclusively [12][13]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Precision Drilling was expected to post earnings of $1.57 per share but delivered $1.53, resulting in a surprise of -2.55% [14]. - Over the past four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times [15]. Market Reaction - The stock may rise if earnings exceed expectations, while a miss could lead to a decline [2]. - Other factors beyond earnings results can also influence stock movement, making it essential to consider various elements before making investment decisions [16][18].

Company Overview - Precision Drilling Corporation is a leading provider of safe and environmentally responsible services to the energy industry, offering access to an extensive fleet of Super Series drilling rigs [4] - The company has commercialized an industry-leading digital technology portfolio known as Alpha™, which utilizes advanced automation software and analytics to deliver efficient, predictable, and repeatable results for energy customers [4] - Precision also provides well service rigs, camps, and rental equipment, supported by a comprehensive mix of technical support services and skilled personnel [4] Upcoming Financial Results - Precision intends to release its 2025 second quarter results after the market closes on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 [1] - A conference call is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. MT (1:00 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to discuss the results [1] - Participants can register for the conference call to receive a dial-in number and unique PIN for questions [1] Webcast and Replay - The conference call will also be webcast, and a replay will be available on Precision's website for 12 months [2]

Financial Highlights - Precision Drilling anticipates a free cash flow yield potential of approximately 25% in 2025[11] - Analyst estimates for 2025 free cash flow are $226 million, against an equity market cap of $937 million, resulting in an estimated FCF yield of 24%[12] - The company aims to reduce total debt by at least $100 million in 2025[19] - A long-term debt reduction target has been increased to $700 million from 2022-2027, with $452 million already paid as of March 31, 2025[23] Operational Performance - Precision Drilling is the 1 land driller in Canada with 98 highly desirable rigs and a top land driller in the US with 104 rigs (66 Super Spec)[9] - The company is also the 1 well service provider in Canada with 153 rigs[9] - Canadian day rate margins have increased by 67% over the last 3 years[51] - US day rate margins have increased by over 60% in the last 3 years[66] Strategic Priorities - Maximize free cash flow and enhance shareholder returns are key strategic priorities for 2025[18] - The company plans to allocate 35%-45% of free cash flow to share repurchases in 2025 and is moving towards 50% of free cash flow for direct shareholder returns[19] - The company is focused on growing revenue in existing service lines through disciplined capital deployment, strict cost management, and opportunistic consolidating tuck-in acquisitions[19, 20]