Kodiak Gas Services(KGS) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted EBITDA of $175 million for Q3 2025, impacted by over $5 million in non-recurring SGA expenses related to the divested Mexico business [14][24] - The net loss attributable to common shareholders for Q3 was $14 million or $0.17 per diluted share, while adjusted net income was $31.5 million or $0.36 per diluted share [24][25] - Discretionary cash flow for the quarter was $117 million, an increase of approximately $14 million compared to the same quarter last year [17][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The contract services segment generated a year-over-year revenue increase of 4.5% and a quarter-over-quarter increase of 1.2% [20] - Contract services adjusted gross margin percentage increased by 230 basis points to 68.3%, reflecting higher pricing and lower operating expenses [15][22] - The company added approximately 60,000 new horsepower in Q3, with 40% being electric motor-driven units [10][60] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company successfully exited all international operations, divesting its assets in Mexico, which included approximately 19,000 operating horsepower [7][9] - The demand for large horsepower compression remains strong, particularly in the Permian Basin, with new pipeline projects expected to increase gas takeaway capacity [11][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company implemented a new ERP system to enhance operational efficiency and visibility, which is foundational for future AI initiatives [5] - The strategic focus is on high-grading the fleet and concentrating efforts on U.S. markets, which are believed to offer higher returns and lower operating risks [8][9] - The company plans to continue returning capital to shareholders, having returned over $90 million in Q3 through share repurchases and dividends [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving annual revenue margin and adjusted EBITDA guidance despite challenges from the sale of Mexico operations [18][28] - The outlook for 2026 is positive, with expectations for continued revenue growth and margin improvement driven by strong demand in the natural gas sector [13][29] Other Important Information - The company achieved a credit agreement leverage ratio of around 3.8 times at quarter-end, with expectations to exit the year at about 3.6 times [27] - The board declared an increased dividend of $0.49 per share, maintaining a coverage ratio of 2.9 times [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more detail about how the backlog is shaping up and your thoughts on fleet additions and pricing power? - Management indicated that they are not ready to provide guidance for 2026 yet but feel good about their current contracts and growth plans [32][33] Question: Is larger scale M&A something on your radar? - Management confirmed they would consider larger M&A opportunities, especially after recent strategic actions that have positioned the company well [34][36] Question: Can you update on the station construction opportunities? - Management noted a resurgence in contract activity and a strong backlog for station construction projects, particularly in the power sector [40][44] Question: What are the implications of lead times exceeding 60 weeks for equipment? - Management expects this demand to positively influence pricing and indicated ongoing constructive pricing discussions with customers [46][49] Question: Will divestments continue at a lower pace now that international operations are sold? - Management confirmed that divestitures will slow down and that exiting lower-margin businesses will help overall margins [50][52] Question: How much of the new horsepower added is electric? - Approximately 40% of the new horsepower added in Q3 was electric, but there are challenges with power access in the Permian Basin affecting future electric-driven compression orders [58][61] Question: What is the outlook for other basins besides the Permian? - Management noted increased activity and opportunities in other basins, including the Northeast and Eagle Ford, alongside the Permian [83]