Key Takeaways RPC posted Q3 adjusted EPS of $0.09, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05.Quarterly revenues rose to $447.1M, driven by gains in pressure pumping and coiled tubing.Technical Services profit increased to $24.4M, offsetting lower Support Services earnings.RPC Inc. (RES)  reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 9 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 5 cents. The bottom line remained flat year over year.Total quarterly revenues were $447.1 million, up from the ye ...

Core Insights - RPC, Inc. reported a sequential revenue increase of 6% to $447.1 million for Q3 2025, driven by improvements in service lines such as pressure pumping and downhole tools [5][10][12] - The company experienced a net income of $13.0 million, reflecting a 28% sequential increase, with diluted EPS rising to $0.06 [10][11] - Despite positive trends, the company anticipates challenges in Q4 due to declining oil prices and potential customer budget exhaustion [4][10] Financial Performance - Revenues for Q3 2025 were $447.1 million, up 6% from Q2 2025, with pressure pumping revenues increasing by 14% [5][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $72.3 million, a 10% increase sequentially, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.2% [10][12] - The cost of revenues increased by 5% to $334.7 million, primarily due to higher activity levels [6][10] Operational Highlights - The U.S. rig count averaged 540 in Q3 2025, down 5.4% from Q2 2025 and 7.8% from Q3 2024 [4] - Oil prices averaged $65.85 per barrel in Q3 2025, a slight increase of 1.7% from the previous quarter but down 14% year-over-year [4] - The company noted strong demand for downhole tools and coiled tubing services, with respective revenue increases of 5% and 19% [4][5] Cash Flow and Capital Allocation - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q3 2025 were $163.5 million, with no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility [13] - Year-to-date free cash flow was reported at $21.7 million, with net cash provided by operating activities totaling $139.5 million [13][31] - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on December 10, 2025 [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the second quarter of 2025, the company reported revenues of $2.2 billion, a 4% increase sequentially but a 1% decrease year-over-year [5][14] - Adjusted EBITDA was $252 million, representing 11.5% of sales, with margins pressured by a less favorable sales mix and inflationary cost headwinds [6][14] - Free cash flow generated during the quarter was $108 million, converting 83% of EBITDA to free cash flow over the last twelve months [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Energy Products and Services segment generated revenue of $1.03 billion, a 2% decrease compared to 2024, with adjusted EBITDA declining to $146 million or 14.2% of sales [17][18] - The Energy Equipment segment's revenue was $1.21 billion, nearly unchanged from 2024, but EBITDA increased by $16 million to $158 million, resulting in a 130 basis point increase in EBITDA margins to 13.1% [22][24] - Capital equipment sales accounted for approximately 62% of the Energy Equipment segment's revenue mix, up nearly eight percentage points year-over-year [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global drilling activity declined by 6% sequentially, with North American oil-directed rig counts down approximately 9% since March [8][9] - The company expects North American shale activity to drift modestly lower through year-end, while Saudi conventional drilling may not reaccelerate before 2026 [11] - The offshore drilling contractor customers expect utilization challenges to ease in 2026, with a forecast for year-over-year consolidated revenue to decline between 1% to 3% in Q3 [12][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three long-term trends: offshore production supplanting U.S. unconventional resources, accelerating demand for natural gas, and applying modern technologies for operational efficiencies [32] - Cost reduction initiatives are expected to remove over $100 million in annual costs by 2026, despite headwinds from tariffs and inflation [17][45] - The company is consolidating operations and exiting unprofitable product lines to improve margins and return on capital [48][49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical factors have made customers more cautious, impacting short-cycle activity [9][10] - Despite near-term challenges, management remains optimistic about the future, particularly regarding offshore activity and the demand for LNG and unconventional gas [12][32] - The company anticipates a meaningful recovery beginning in 2026, driven by increased offshore activity and demand for spare parts and upgrades [36][41] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 10.9 million shares for $150 million and paid a quarterly base dividend of $0.75 per share, totaling $135 million in dividends year-to-date [15] - Tariff expenses for the second quarter were approximately $11 million, with expectations for increases in the following quarters due to changing trade policies [16][44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin outlook and potential recovery - Management acknowledged frustration with margin declines but expressed optimism about cost reduction plans and a recovery in 2026 as offshore activity increases [52][54] Question: Indicators for market recovery - Management indicated that increased contracts and activity in offshore drilling would signal a market recovery, with expectations for improved demand in 2026 [66][68] Question: Working capital and CapEx outlook - Management projected working capital as a percentage of revenue to be in the range of 27% to 29%, with CapEx expected to remain consistent with the previous year [70] Question: Market preparation and cost reduction initiatives - Management is preparing for a larger market and continuing cost reduction efforts, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and strategic sourcing [75][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues decreased by 1% to $333 million in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 [18] - EBITDA increased to $48.9 million from $46.1 million, with EBITDA margin rising by 100 basis points to 14.7% [22] - Diluted EPS remained flat at $0.06 [22] - Operating cash flow was $39.9 million, with free cash flow of $7.6 million after capital expenditures of $32.3 million [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pressure pumping revenues accounted for 40.1% of total revenues, while downhole tools represented 28.2%, coiled tubing 9.6%, cementing 8.3%, and rental tools 4.6% [19] - Pressure pumping revenues were flat sequentially, while other service lines collectively declined by 1% [6][18] - Rental tools saw a notable gain of approximately 7% [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted challenges in demand and utilization for Tier two diesel equipment, with a highly competitive pricing environment in the spot and semi-dedicated frac market [7] - The acquisition of Pentel is expected to increase the company's concentration in the Permian Basin to approximately 60% of total revenues [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to bolster less capital-intensive service lines through organic investments and acquisitions to drive growth and reduce volatility [11] - The strategic rationale for the Pentel acquisition includes improving margins, optimizing assets, and increasing operational scale through M&A [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed concerns about macro uncertainties driven by tariffs, which could impact equipment prices and overall industry capital spending [27] - Despite the challenges, the company maintains a strong balance sheet and ample liquidity to navigate volatility and pursue opportunities [28] Other Important Information - The company has filed an S-3 registration statement with the SEC for the Rollins family control group shares, which is viewed as good corporate housekeeping [25] - Steve Lewis has been elected to the Board of Directors, while Gary Rollins and Pam Rollins have retired [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the current pricing conversations in the pressure pumping market? - Management noted that while each cycle is different, customers are responding to lower oil prices, leading to discussions that are somewhat similar to prior periods of market softness [37][38] Question: What are the capital allocation priorities following the Pentel acquisition? - The focus is on accretive transactions, exposure to larger customers, and service lines with good free cash flow potential [39][40] Question: What is the expected revenue contribution from the Pentel business? - Pentel generated approximately $400 million in revenue in 2024, with quarterly revenues around $100 million [41] Question: Are there shifts in customer activity towards lower CapEx projects? - Management indicated it is too early to determine any significant shifts but acknowledged that such trends have occurred in prior cycles [46] Question: What is the visibility on job timelines for fracking? - Visibility varies by customer type, with semi-dedicated customers providing several months of visibility, while spot market customers offer much less [48] Question: Is there an uptick in gas-directed activity? - Management believes any increase in gas-directed activity is likely further down the road, although there are some early signs [51] Question: What are the company's thoughts on older equipment being sold by competitors? - The company has seen opportunities but prefers not to invest in used equipment, focusing instead on reallocating assets within its service lines [58] Question: What would trigger an acceleration in capital expenditures? - Capital expenditures will be based on market conditions and the need to maintain equipment, with potential for increased spending if accretive opportunities arise [60][62] Question: Is the company focused on consolidating the Permian market or open to other basins? - Management is open to opportunities in other basins, not solely focused on the Permian, and is exploring various potential acquisitions [64][65]