Core Insights - RPC Inc. reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 9 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 5 cents, with total quarterly revenues reaching $447.1 million, up from $337.7 million year-over-year, and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $400 million [1][8] Revenue Performance - The strong quarterly results were primarily driven by higher revenues across most service lines, with the largest gains coming from pressure pumping, followed by coiled tubing, downhole tools, and rental tools [2] Segmental Performance - Operating profit in the Technical Services segment increased to $24.4 million from $16.3 million year-over-year, mainly due to improved performance in pressure pumping and coiled tubing [3] - Operating profit in the Support Services segment decreased to $4.6 million from $5.3 million year-over-year [3] Overall Financials - Total operating profit for the quarter was $20.8 million, up from $19.2 million in the previous year [4] - The average domestic rig count was 540, reflecting a 7.8% decline year-over-year [4] - The average oil price was $65.85 per barrel, down 14% year-over-year, while the average price of natural gas rose to $3.04 per thousand cubic feet, up 44.8% from the same period in 2024 [4] Costs and Expenses - The cost of revenues increased to $334.7 million from $247.5 million in the prior-year period, and selling, general, and administrative expenses rose to $44.6 million from $37.7 million year-over-year [5] Capital Expenditure and Financial Position - RPC's total capital expenditure was $117.8 million, with cash and cash equivalents amounting to $163.5 million as of September 30, maintaining a debt-free balance sheet [6]

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]