Globenewswire·2025-10-22 22:32Core Viewpoint - Precision Drilling Corporation reported its third quarter 2025 results, highlighting a resilient performance despite a challenging North American drilling market, with a focus on shareholder returns and fleet investments to meet customer demand [2][4][10]. Financial Highlights - Revenue for Q3 2025 was $462 million, a 3% decrease from $477 million in Q3 2024, outperforming industry declines of 15% in Canada and 7% in the U.S. [7][18]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $118 million, down 17.4% from $142 million in Q3 2024, impacted by higher operating costs and share-based compensation [7][18]. - Net earnings attributable to shareholders were a loss of $7 million, compared to a profit of $39 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to increased deferred income tax expenses [7][18]. - Cash provided by operations was $76 million, enabling the company to repay $10 million of debt and repurchase $9 million of common shares [7][18]. - Capital expenditures for Q3 2025 were $69 million, with a revised 2025 capital budget increased to $260 million from $240 million [7][18]. Operational Highlights - The company operated 68 drilling rigs in Canada, with strong demand for Super Triple and Super Single rig classes, expecting near full utilization during the winter season [6][10]. - U.S. activity increased by over 10% year-over-year, with 39 active rigs compared to 30 in Q1 2025, driven by strength in natural gas basins [8][26]. - International operations averaged seven active rigs, generating stable free cash flow [9][27]. Market Positioning - Precision's favorable positioning in U.S. natural gas and Canadian heavy oil markets, combined with technical expertise, has allowed the company to capture opportunities for capital deployment [4][10]. - The company plans to allocate 35% to 45% of free cash flow to share repurchases, having already repurchased $54 million in shares year-to-date [11][23]. Strategic Outlook - The company anticipates strong demand for its North American Super Series rigs, with expectations for winter drilling activity to meet or exceed last year's levels [25][29]. - In the U.S., the natural gas rig count has increased approximately 20% year-to-date, reflecting positive customer sentiment towards LNG off-take and AI demand [26][29]. - Internationally, the company maintains long-term contracts for its rigs, with expectations for stable operations through 2027 and 2028 [27][29].