RPC, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results And Declares Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend
ATLANTA, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RPC, Inc. (NYSE:RES) ("RPC" or the "Company"), a leading diversified oilfield services company, announced its unaudited results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.
* Non-GAAP and adjusted measures, including adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share (diluted), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, and free cash flow are reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measures in the appendices of this earnings release.
* Sequential comparisons are to 2Q:24. The Company believes quarterly sequential comparisons are most useful in assessing industry trends and RPC's recent financial results. Both sequential and year-over-year comparisons are available in the tables at the end of this earnings release.
Third Quarter 2024 Results
Revenues decreased 7% sequentially to $337.7 million
Net income was $18.8 million, down 42% sequentially, and diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) was $0.09; net income margin decreased 330 basis points sequentially to 5.6%
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was $55.2 million, down 19% sequentially; Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 240 basis points sequentially to 16.4%
Results reflected lower utilization and pricing in pressure pumping, while the Company's other service lines' revenues were generally more stable
The Company remained debt-free and paid $8.6 million in dividends in 3Q:24, ending the quarter with $277 million in cash
Management Commentary
"The third quarter saw sequentially lower revenues and profits in a challenging oilfield services market," stated Ben M. Palmer, RPC's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Oil prices and rig count were each sequentially lower in the quarter, adding headwinds to an already competitive marketplace. Similar to the second quarter, our non-pressure pumping service line revenues were generally more resilient, posting a moderate 4% decline in aggregate, while pressure pumping revenues were down low double-digits. In this lackluster environment, spot market pumping customers contributed to whitespace on our calendar with industry consolidation putting pressure on our business, while our broader service lines and more diversified, larger customers have been more steady. Our tier 4 dual fuel assets remain highly utilized with good visibility, while older equipment utilization and demand has been soft. We will continue to take measured cost actions to preserve margins until industry conditions improve."
"As we close out the year, we look forward to expanding some of our innovative new products and services in coiled tubing and downhole tools to capitalize on attractive opportunities. Our appetite for high-quality acquisitions remains high, and we are encouraged by the availability of actionable transactions. We maintain a strong balance sheet, with nearly $280 million in cash and no debt at the end of the third quarter, to support existing businesses, potential M&A and dividend payments," concluded Palmer.
Selected Industry Data (Source: Baker Hughes, Inc., U.S. Energy Information Administration)
3Q:24
2Q:24
Change
% Change
3Q:23
Change
% Change
U.S. rig count (avg)
586
603
(17)
(2.8)
%
649
(63)
(9.7)
%
Oil price ($/barrel)
$
76.57
$
81.78
$
(5.21)
(6.4)
%
$
82.17
$
(5.60)
(6.8)
%
Natural gas ($/Mcf)
$
2.10
$
2.07
$
0.03
1.4
%
$
2.59
$
(0.49)
(18.9)
%
3Q:24 Consolidated Financial Results (Sequential Comparisons versus 2Q:24)
Revenues were $337.7 million, down 7%. Revenues for pressure pumping, the Company's largest service line, declined 12%, while all other service lines combined decreased 4%. Pressure pumping revenues decreased primarily due to lower asset utilization in a highly competitive marketplace, with softness in the Company's spot and semi-dedicated customer base. We experienced lower overall activity as well as the negative impact of customer consolidation and associated acquisition of certain customers. Coiled tubing revenues also decreased as specialized plug and abandonment work from the second quarter did not repeat in the third quarter; however, the Company does expect revenues for this unique service to be a meaningful opportunity in 2025. Service lines such as cementing, downhole tools and rental tools were flat-to-slightly lower in the quarter.
Cost of revenues, which excludes depreciation and amortization of $31.8 million, was $247.5 million, down from $262.3 million. These costs decreased during the quarter generally in line with revenues, with the largest decreases coming from lower employment costs as a result of headcount reductions, as well as maintenance and repairs, and materials and supplies.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $37.7 million, up slightly from $37.4 million.
Interest income totaled $3.5 million, reflecting a higher average cash balance.
Income tax provision was $4.7 million, or 19.9% of income before income taxes.
Net income and diluted EPS were $18.8 million and $0.09, respectively, down from $32.4 million and $0.15, respectively, in 2Q:24. Net income margin decreased 330 basis points sequentially to 5.6%.
Adjusted EBITDA was $55.2 million, down from $68.5 million, reflecting lower revenues, particularly in pressure pumping, and the associated negative operating leverage and fixed cost absorption; Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 240 basis points sequentially to 16.4%.
Non-GAAP adjustments: there were no adjustments to GAAP performance measures in 3Q:24 other than those necessary to calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (see Appendices A, B and C).
Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Cash and cash equivalents were $276.9 million at the end of 3Q:24, with no outstanding borrowings under the Company's $100 million revolving credit facility, with $16.5 million subject to outstanding letters of credit.
Net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow were $255.2 million and $75.8 million, respectively, year-to-date through 3Q:24.
Payment of dividends totaled $25.8 million year-to-date through 3Q:24. The Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on December 10, 2024, to common stockholders of record at the close of business on November 11, 2024.
Share repurchases totaled $9.9 million year-to-date through 3Q:24.
Segment Operations: Sequential Comparisons (versus 2Q:24)
Technical Services performs value-added completion, production and maintenance services directly to a customer's well. These services include pressure pumping, downhole tools, coiled tubing, cementing, and other offerings.
Revenues were $313.5 million, down 8%
Operating income was $16.3 million, down 46%
Results were driven primarily by lower activity levels in pressure pumping and the related negative leverage of fixed costs, particularly labor
Support Services provides equipment for customer use or services to assist customer operations, including rental tools, and pipe inspection services and storage.
Revenues were $24.2 million, up 7%
Operating income was $5.3 million, up 21%
Results were driven by higher activity in tubular services and the high fixed-cost nature of these service lines
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
June 30,
September 30,
September 30,
September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2024
2023
2024
2023
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
Revenues:
Technical Services
$
313,492
$
341,484
$
303,069
$
1,011,370
$
1,145,078
Support Services
24,160
22,669
27,348
68,268
77,865
Total revenues
$
337,652
$
364,153
$
330,417
$
1,079,638
$
1,222,943
Operating income:
Technical Services
$
16,344
$
30,198
$
18,912
$
78,498
$
199,462
Support Services
5,286
4,379
6,861
13,264
21,425
Corporate expenses
(4,216)
(2,447)
(4,840)
(11,083)
(14,593)
Pension settlement charges
—
—
—
—
(18,286)
Gain on disposition of assets, net
1,790
3,338
1,778
6,342
7,729
Total operating income
$
19,204
$
35,468
$
22,711
$
87,021
$
195,737
Interest expense
(261)
(99)
(101)
(594)
(246)
Interest income
3,523
3,343
1,450
9,831
6,003
Other income, net
1,005
732
804
2,504
2,196
Income before income taxes
$
23,471
$
39,444
$
24,864
$
98,762
$
203,690
Conference Call Information
RPC, Inc. will hold a conference call today, October 24, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results for the quarter. Interested parties may listen in by accessing a live webcast in the investor relations section of RPC, Inc.'s website at www.rpc.net. The live conference call can also be accessed by calling (888) 440-5966, or (646) 960-0125 for international callers, and use conference ID number 9842359. For those not able to attend the live conference call, a replay will be available in the investor relations section of RPC, Inc.'s website beginning approximately two hours after the call and for a period of 90 days.
About RPC
RPC provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services and equipment primarily to independent and major oilfield companies engaged in the exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties throughout the United States, including the Gulf of Mexico, mid-continent, southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions, and in selected international markets. RPC's investor website can be found at www.rpc.net.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements and information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements that look forward in time or express management's beliefs, expectations or hopes. In particular, such statements include, without limitation: our plans to continue to take measured cost actions to preserve margins until industry conditions improve; our plans to expand some of our innovative new products and services in coiled tubing and downhole tools to capitalize on attractive opportunities; our appetite for high-quality acquisitions, and the availability of actionable transactions; our ability to support existing businesses, potential M&A and dividend payments; and our expectation that revenues for coiled tubing service will be a meaningful opportunity in 2025. Risk factors that could cause such future events not to occur as expected include the following: the price of oil and natural gas and overall performance of the U.S. economy, both of which can impact capital spending by our customers and demand for our services; business interruptions due to adverse weather conditions; changes in the competitive environment of our industry; political instability in the petroleum-producing regions of the world; the actions of the OPEC oil cartel; our customers' drilling and production activities; the risk that our assessments, such as regarding the oversupplied nature of oilfield services, will turn out incorrect; and our ability to identify and complete acquisitions and/or other strategic investments or transactions. Additional factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates, and expectations are contained in RPC's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
For information about RPC, Inc., please contact:
Mark Chekanow, CFA, Vice President Investor Relations(404)
Michael L. Schmit, Chief Financial Officer(404)
RPC INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands except per share data)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
June 30,
September 30,
September 30,
September 30,
2024
2024
2023
2024
2023
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
REVENUES
$
337,652
$
364,153
$
330,417
$
1,079,638
$
1,222,943
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
