Core Insights - Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) reported better-than-expected Q3 results, surpassing forecasts in both earnings and revenue, leading to an optimistic outlook for Q4 [3] - The company returned $162 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the first three quarters of 2025, with a declared dividend of $0.08 per share for Q4 2025 [4] - Stifel raised PTEN's price target from $8 to $9 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating on its shares due to the company's resilient performance [3] Company Overview - Patterson-UTI Energy is a leading provider of drilling and completion services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States and select countries [2] Financial Performance - The company demonstrated a strong financial performance in Q3, exceeding market expectations and providing a positive Q4 guidance [3] - The commitment to return at least 50% of its annual free cash flow to shareholders indicates a shareholder-friendly approach [4]