On Wednesday, JPMorgan maintained a Neutral rating on shares of Cactus, Inc. (NYSE:WHD) stock, with a steady price target of $58.00. The investment firm anticipates an in-line second quarter 2024 earnings report for the oilfield services company, which is seen as a potentially positive outcome compared to its North American peers. Despite softer U.S. land activity than expected, Cactus's forecast is believed to remain robust.
The company's second-quarter guide was cautiously based on U.S. land rig count projections ranging from 550 to 575, against an average count of 583 and a current count of 560 as of June 28, according to data from Baker Hughes. JPMorgan's estimates for Cactus's second-quarter revenue and EBITDA are $275 million and $93 million, respectively, which are in line with the consensus expectations of $277 million and $94 million.
JPMorgan projects Cactus's revenue to remain flat sequentially for the second quarter of 2024, with EBITDA margins expected to decrease by 111 basis points to 33.7%. This anticipated decline is attributed to rising input costs impacting margins in the first half of the year, particularly for spoolable products.
In terms of business segments, Pressure Control is predicted to see a 1% quarter-over-quarter decline in revenue with EBITDA margins dropping by 64 basis points. Conversely, Spoolable Technologies is forecasted to experience a 3% revenue increase quarter-over-quarter, benefiting from seasonal advantages and increased sales to midstream and international clients.
However, Spoolable Technologies' EBITDA margins are expected to decrease by 253 basis points to 36.6% due to higher input costs. Looking ahead to the third quarter of 2024, JPMorgan estimates Cactus's EBITDA to be $97 million with margins improving by 83 basis points to 34.5%.
This forecast is supported by margin assumptions for Pressure Control and Spoolable Technology at 34.4% and 38.1%, respectively. Additionally, there is potential for Spoolable Technology margins to exceed 40%, aligning with performance levels from the second to the fourth quarter of 2023.
In other recent news, Cactus Inc . has reported solid financial results for Q1 2024, with revenues reaching $274 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $95 million. Despite a decrease in revenue from the Pressure Control segment, the Spoolable Technologies segment showed promising growth with increased sales and international activity.
The company also announced the appointment of Jay Nutt as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer. Nutt brings extensive experience from his previous roles at ChampionX Corporation, Apergy (NASDAQ:CHX) Corporation, TechnipFMC plc, and FMC Technologies (NYSE:FTI).
In the light of these recent developments, Cactus plans to expand internationally, particularly in the Middle East, and anticipates a meaningful entry into international markets by the next year. The company is also finalizing terms for a significant international order outside of the Middle East. These moves are part of Cactus's strategy for growth, despite a challenging macroeconomic backdrop.
InvestingPro Insights
As Cactus, Inc. (NYSE:WHD) navigates through an evolving oilfield services landscape, the company's financial health and market performance provide valuable insights for investors. According to InvestingPro data, Cactus boasts a strong market capitalization of $4.08 billion and an attractive P/E ratio of 20.18, which adjusts to a more favorable 17.57 for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. The company's revenue growth is impressive, with a 48.23% increase over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, highlighting its robust business model in a competitive sector.
InvestingPro Tips further underscore the company's strengths. Cactus not only holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, but it also has a track record of raising its dividend for 5 consecutive years, showcasing its commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, the company's cash flows can sufficiently cover interest payments, and its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, indicating a solid liquidity position.
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