Core Insights - Liberty Energy Inc. (LBRT) has significantly underperformed over the past year, with a decline of approximately 39.7%, making it one of the worst performers in its sector and sub-industry [1][2][18] - The broader Oil & Gas Field Services sub-industry saw a decline of 13.6%, while the Oil & Energy sector faced a decrease of 4.3%, highlighting LBRT's negative performance relative to its peers [2] Performance Overview - LBRT's performance is starkly contrasted by companies like Ranger Energy Services (RNGR), which maintained stable performance without losses [1] - ProPetro Holding (PUMP) and Oceaneering International (OII) also experienced declines of around 37.2% and 12.2%, respectively, but LBRT's decline is more pronounced [2] Headwinds Impacting Performance - LBRT is highly concentrated in completions services, making it vulnerable to the volatile boom-bust cycles of North America's shale activity, unlike competitors with more diversified operations [5][10] - Management has guided for a sequential decline in revenues and adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 due to reduced customer activity and pricing pressures [6][8] - The company faces significant pricing pressure in the completions market, with management noting "unconstructive" pricing behavior among peers [9] Market Conditions - The core business of LBRT is heavily tied to North American oil and gas completions, which are expected to slow down in the latter half of the year due to producer discipline [10] - The company acknowledges that the current slowdown will lead to increased equipment cannibalization and attrition, exacerbated by persistent overcapacity in the pressure pumping market [13] Customer Dependence and Analyst Sentiment - LBRT's strategy involves deepening relationships with a limited number of large customers, increasing customer concentration risk [14] - Over the past 60 days, analysts have revised earnings estimates downward for LBRT, indicating growing bearish sentiment regarding its earnings outlook [15][17] Long-Term Prospects - The power business initiatives are still in early stages, with minimal revenue contributions expected in the near term, creating uncertainty for future earnings [11][18] - Unless the company demonstrates improved financial results and operational stability, it may be advisable for investors to consider other opportunities within the oil and gas sector [19]

Liberty Energy's Performance and Strategy - Liberty Energy is the 4th largest North American Oilfield Services (OFS) company[7, 39] - The company boasts a 12-year average Cash Return on Capital Invested (CROCI) of 24%[11, 39] - Liberty's Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is $11 billion, with a net income of $431 million and EPS of $250[39] - Liberty has repurchased 13% of its shares since July 2022[35, 39] - The company's annualized dividends are payable at $028 per share[39] Energy Market Dynamics and Liberty's Position - Hydrocarbons still account for 85% of global energy consumption[64, 65] - Liberty expects 90% of its fleets to be primarily natural gas-powered by the end of 2024[29] - Liberty's lateral feet completed have increased by 27% since 2022[24] Return of Capital Program - Liberty has returned $388 million through buybacks[35] - The company's cumulative return of capital is $459 million[35] - Since 2021, Liberty's return of capital is over $600 million[35]