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Usa Compression (USAC)
NYSE:USAC
US Market

USA Compression (USAC) AI Stock Analysis

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USA Compression

(NYSE:USAC)

61Neutral
USA Compression's overall stock score reflects a strong performance in revenue growth and cash flow generation, which are offset by concerns over high leverage and valuation. The stock is also impacted by neutral technical indicators and a mixed outlook from the earnings call, with positive operational metrics but challenges from market uncertainties. The high dividend yield provides support, but the high P/E ratio raises valuation concerns.
Positive Factors
Financial benefits
USAC plans to add operating horsepower in FY25 and should benefit from CPI escalators and higher recontracting rates.
Future growth prospects
USAC expects to order new units to be placed in-service and is already working on building a ~2026 order book.
Operational strength
The strength of USAC's operational outlook is driven by strong utilization and tariff growth trajectory, leading to raised estimates.
Negative Factors
Financial performance
The partnership's initial FY25 adj EBITDA outlook was underwhelming, especially since annualizing USAC's 4Q24 result after a one-time $3mn tax credit would still imply FY25 EBITDA above the high-end of USAC's guidance range.
Spending challenges
It has been difficult to connect USAC's outsized spend to actual horsepower / new unit additions.
Strategic communication
USAC's messaging around growth has been less clear and at times contradictory, which is highlighted by the partnership's marked underperformance against AROC/KGS over the past year.

USA Compression (USAC) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

USA Compression Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUSA Compression Partners, LP (USAC) is a leading provider of natural gas compression services in the United States. Operating primarily in the energy sector, the company focuses on large-horsepower infrastructure applications for natural gas and crude oil production, processing, and transportation. USA Compression's core services include renting and maintaining compression equipment to enhance the movement of natural gas through pipelines, supporting the efficient and reliable delivery of energy resources.
How the Company Makes MoneyUSA Compression generates revenue primarily through long-term, fee-based contracts with energy producers, processors, and transporters who require compression services to facilitate the movement and processing of natural gas. The company leases large-scale compression units to its clients, ensuring reliable operation and maintenance as part of its service offering. This business model provides a steady stream of income, as clients typically engage in multi-year contracts, ensuring predictable cash flows. USA Compression's strategic partnerships and customer relationships within the energy sector also play a significant role in driving its revenue growth and market presence.

USA Compression Financial Statement Overview

Summary
USA Compression exhibits strong revenue growth and improved net profitability, highlighting a positive trajectory in its income statement. However, the balance sheet reveals high leverage with minimal equity, posing financial stability risks. Despite these concerns, the company's cash flow is robust, with significant operating and free cash flow, indicating strong cash management and operational efficiency. Overall, the financial health is mixed, with strengths in cash flow and income growth offset by balance sheet leverage concerns.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The company has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with an increase from $846 million in 2023 to $950 million in 2024. The gross profit margin is notably high at 100% due to total revenue equaling gross profit, indicating no cost of goods sold. Net profit margin improved to 8.63% in 2024, showcasing enhanced profitability. However, the EBITDA margin dropped significantly from 57.39% in 2023 to 16.37% in 2024, indicating rising operating expenses. Overall, strong revenue growth and improved net profitability contribute to a solid income statement performance.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The company's balance sheet shows a concerning debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42 in 2024, compared to 12.84 in 2023, due to a significant decrease in stockholders' equity. The equity ratio is weak at 1.01% in 2024, indicating high leverage with most assets financed by debt. Although liabilities decreased, the minimal equity base raises concerns about financial stability. This high leverage poses a potential risk to financial health and flexibility.
Cash Flow
85
Very Positive
Operating cash flow increased to $341 million in 2024 from $271 million in 2023, reflecting robust cash generation. The free cash flow growth rate is impressive, and the operating cash flow to net income ratio of 4.16 in 2024 indicates strong cash-generating capabilities relative to net income. The company's ability to generate free cash flow and manage capital expenditures effectively supports a strong cash flow position.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
950.45M846.18M704.60M632.64M667.68M
Gross Profit
372.97M315.37M233.59M199.49M222.78M
EBIT
294.45M231.98M-64.28M-95.26M-76.09M
EBITDA
560.03M485.65M406.06M379.85M-225.40M
Net Income Common Stockholders
82.03M68.27M30.32M10.28M-594.73M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
14.00K11.00K35.00K-18.55M2.00K
Total Assets
2.75B2.74B2.67B2.77B2.95B
Total Debt
11.68M2.35B2.12B1.99B1.95B
Net Debt
11.66M2.35B2.12B2.01B1.95B
Total Liabilities
2.72B2.55B2.78B2.77B2.13B
Stockholders Equity
27.76M183.05M-116.30M578.42M814.96M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
341.33M33.36M126.37M220.21M184.13M
Operating Cash Flow
341.33M271.88M260.59M265.43M293.20M
Investing Cash Flow
-202.01M-232.65M-129.94M-39.19M-105.10M
Financing Cash Flow
-139.32M-39.26M-130.61M-226.24M-188.11M

USA Compression Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price24.06
Price Trends
50DMA
24.85
Negative
100DMA
25.07
Negative
200DMA
23.23
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.16
Negative
RSI
48.68
Neutral
STOCH
68.08
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For USAC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 24.06 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 24.35, below the 50-day MA of 24.85, and above the 200-day MA of 23.23, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.16 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 48.68 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 68.08 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for USAC.

USA Compression Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (57)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
NGNGS
76
Outperform
$311.62M18.386.77%22.64%78.46%
73
Outperform
$4.50B21.5517.89%2.73%20.14%43.55%
71
Outperform
$1.98B8.1113.18%2.45%-7.45%-44.88%
69
Neutral
$1.03B24.754.51%3.05%-4.91%-46.51%
KGKGS
67
Neutral
$3.12B67.503.88%4.53%45.41%-37.84%
61
Neutral
$2.83B35.99148.57%8.73%10.03%65.28%
57
Neutral
$7.18B3.26-3.67%5.68%0.47%-50.25%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
USAC
USA Compression
24.24
1.48
6.50%
AROC
Archrock
25.45
4.81
23.30%
NGS
Natural Gas Services Group
24.87
1.59
6.83%
WTTR
Select Energy Services
8.53
-1.60
-15.79%
LBRT
Liberty Oilfield Services
12.24
-11.34
-48.09%
KGS
Kodiak Gas Services, Inc.
35.52
7.95
28.84%

USA Compression Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -0.99%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of strong operational performance and growth alongside challenges from market uncertainties and softening commodity prices. Despite some setbacks, the company's operational metrics remained solid, and leadership was proactive in addressing potential issues.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue per Horsepower
The company reported a record average revenue per horsepower per month, highlighting strong revenue, adjusted gross margin, and average horsepower utilization.
Strong Adjusted Gross Margins
Adjusted gross margins were nearly 67%, consistent with the company's expectations and demonstrating strong operational efficiency.
Expansion and Maintenance Capital Expenditures
First quarter 2025 expansion capital expenditures were $22.2 million and maintenance capital expenditures were $10.9 million, focusing on reconfigurations and new horsepower.
Promotion of Chris Wauson
Chris Wauson was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, acknowledged for his leadership and 26 years of industry experience.
Strong Data Center Market
Major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and NVIDIA reaffirmed the strong demand in the data center market, supporting USA Compression's operations.
High Utilization Rate
The company maintained a high average utilization rate of 94.4%, consistent with the prior quarter.
Negative Updates
Softening Commodity Prices
Commodity prices have softened significantly, creating market uncertainty and potential impacts on production.
Tariff-Driven Market Uncertainty
The market is facing uncertainty due to tariffs, which could affect parts and materials business once current inventories are depleted.
Minimal Fleet Growth
Total fleet horsepower and revenue-generating horsepower were essentially flat on a sequential quarter basis, with only a 2% increase from a year ago.
Higher High-Yield Market Costs
The company noted a 50 basis point increase in the cost to issue notes compared to a few months ago, impacting refinancing strategies.
Company Guidance
During the USA Compression Partners' First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics and guidance for the year. The first quarter net income was reported at $20.5 million, with an operating income of $69.4 million. The company's average revenue per horsepower reached an all-time high of $21.06, representing a 6% increase year-over-year. Average active horsepower remained stable at 3.56 million, with a total fleet horsepower of approximately 3.9 million. The company maintained an adjusted EBITDA range of $590 million to $610 million and a distributable cash flow range of $350 million to $370 million. Expansion capital expenditures were projected to be back-end loaded, with a range of $120 million to $140 million, while maintenance capital was expected to fall between $38 million and $42 million. The leverage ratio was reported at 4.08 times, with a target to maintain it at or below 4 times debt to EBITDA. The company also highlighted its expansion strategy, including the order of 40,000 new horsepower, primarily to be delivered by year-end, and ongoing evaluations for future opportunities. Additionally, the company addressed the impact of tariff-driven market uncertainty, noting that current inventories should minimize short-term effects on parts and materials costs.

USA Compression Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
USA Compression Engages at Energy Infrastructure Conference
Neutral
May 16, 2025

On May 21, senior management from USA Compression Partners, LP attended the Energy Infrastructure Council CEO & Investor Conference, engaging with the investment community through a series of meetings. Presentation materials from these meetings were made available on the company’s website, highlighting their commitment to investor relations and transparency.

The most recent analyst rating on (USAC) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on USA Compression stock, see the USAC Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on USAC Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, USAC is a Neutral.

USA Compression’s overall stock score reflects a strong performance in revenue growth and cash flow generation, which are offset by concerns over high leverage and valuation. The stock is also impacted by neutral technical indicators and a mixed outlook from the earnings call, with positive operational metrics but challenges from market uncertainties. The high dividend yield provides support, but the high P/E ratio raises valuation concerns.

To see Spark’s full report on USAC stock, click here.

Executive/Board Changes
USA Compression Appoints Julie McEwen as VP and Controller
Neutral
Feb 28, 2025

On February 27, 2025, USA Compression GP, LLC, the general partner of USA Compression Partners, LP, announced the appointment of Julie A. McEwen as Vice President and Controller, effective March 4, 2025. Ms. McEwen, who has been with the Partnership since 2011, previously served as Controller and Director of SEC Reporting. Her appointment reflects a continuation of her leadership within the company, with no changes to her compensation or any familial or business arrangements influencing her selection.

Business Operations and Strategy
USA Compression Engages Investors at J.P. Morgan Conference
Neutral
Feb 20, 2025

USA Compression Partners, LP announced its participation in the J.P. Morgan Global Leveraged Finance Conference on February 24 and 25. During this event, senior management planned to engage with the investment community, with presentation materials made available on the company’s website. This move signifies the company’s efforts to engage with investors and potentially strengthen its market position.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.