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Kodiak Gas Services, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 9 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 4 lowered, 2 narrowed, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $224.5 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $224.5 million, up 28.5% on third quarter 2025 and up from $216.8 million in the second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA percentage was 55.9%. Source
  • Operating and discretionary cash flow rose: Net cash provided by operating activities was $196.3 million and discretionary cash flow was $158.5 million, up 35.9% on third quarter 2025. Source
  • Compression revenue up 7.2% on year: Compression Infrastructure revenue was $318.4 million, up 7.2% on $297.0 million a year earlier and up from $315.1 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Power revenue rose 27.6% sequentially: Power Infrastructure revenue was $42.0 million, a 27.6% rise on the second quarter's $32.9 million, the first quarter in which the segment reported revenue after the DPS acquisition. Source
  • Utilization 98.3% compression, 92.5% power: Compression fleet utilization was 98.3%, a 70 basis point increase on third quarter 2025. Power fleet utilization was 92.5%, up from 89.6% at June 30, 2026. Source
  • Compression adjusted margin held at 70%: Compression adjusted gross margin was 70.0%, unchanged from the second quarter and up from 68.3% a year earlier. Unadjusted gross margin was 47.5%. Source
  • 76 MW West Texas data center agreement: The company announced an agreement to provide 76 megawatts of behind-the-meter, baseload power capacity, including balance of plant, to a West Texas data center. Source
  • Growth and other capex fell to $189.4 million: Total growth and other capital expenditures were $189.4 million, against $254.9 million in the second quarter and $92.5 million in the third quarter of 2025. Power growth capital expenditures were $67.9 million. Source

“Our third quarter results reflect the continued strength and profitability across our core business segments,”

Mickey McKee, Kodiak's President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$840 million to $860 millionNarrowed, low end up from $830 million to $860 million
Discretionary cash flow SourceFull year 2026$580 million to $600 millionNarrowed, low end up from $570 million to $600 million
Compression Infrastructure revenue SourceFull year 2026$1,255,000 to $1,275,000
Compression Infrastructure adjusted gross margin percentage SourceFull year 202669.5% to 70.5%
Power Infrastructure revenue SourceFull year 2026$100,000 to $120,000 (thousands)
Power Infrastructure adjusted gross margin percentage SourceFull year 202665.0% to 70.0%
Other Services revenue SourceFull year 2026$125,000 to $160,000 (thousands)Kept
Other Services adjusted gross margin percentage SourceFull year 202612.0% to 15.0%Lowered from 13.0% to 16.0%
Maintenance capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$80,000 to $90,000 (thousands)Kept
Compression Infrastructure growth capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$290,000 to $310,000 (thousands)Raised from $280,000 to $300,000 (thousands)
Power Infrastructure growth capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$350,000 to $400,000 (thousands)Lowered from $400,000 to $450,000 (thousands)
Total growth capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$640,000 to $710,000 (thousands)Lowered from $680,000 to $750,000 (thousands)
Other capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$45,000 to $55,000 (thousands)Kept
Total growth and other capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$685,000 to $765,000 (thousands)Lowered from $725,000 to $805,000 (thousands)

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EBITDA and discretionary cash flow guidance were raised, with the low ends increased. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Power Infrastructure growth capital expenditures guidance was reduced, which also lowered total growth capital expenditures guidance. Source
  • Guidance raised: Compression Infrastructure growth capital expenditures guidance was increased slightly for incremental equipment deliveries. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Other Services adjusted gross margin percentage guidance was lowered to 12.0% to 15.0% from 13.0% to 16.0%. Source
  • New: The company announced an agreement to provide 76 megawatts of behind-the-meter power capacity to a West Texas data center. Source
  • New: Initial site work began and equipment setting started at the West Texas data center project. Source
  • New: On November 4, 2026, the Board extended the share repurchase program's expiration date to December 31, 2027. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $224.5 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $224.5 million, up 28.5% on third quarter 2025 and up from $216.8 million in the second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA percentage was 55.9%. Source
  • Net income was $71.5 million: Net income attributable to common shareholders was $71.5 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, against $52.0 million, or $0.53, in the second quarter and a loss in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Operating and discretionary cash flow rose: Net cash provided by operating activities was $196.3 million and discretionary cash flow was $158.5 million, up 35.9% on third quarter 2025. Source
  • Free cash flow was negative $28.1 million: Free cash flow was negative $28.1 million, compared with negative $87.5 million in the second quarter and positive $33.5 million in the third quarter of 2025. Source

Segment revenue

  • Compression revenue up 7.2% on year: Compression Infrastructure revenue was $318.4 million, up 7.2% on $297.0 million a year earlier and up from $315.1 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Power revenue rose 27.6% sequentially: Power Infrastructure revenue was $42.0 million, a 27.6% rise on the second quarter's $32.9 million, the first quarter in which the segment reported revenue after the DPS acquisition. Source
  • Other Services revenue up 60.6%: Other Services revenue was $41.4 million, up 60.6% on $25.8 million a year earlier and down from $43.1 million in the second quarter. Source

“Given the high visible demand for large horsepower compression and the robust commercial pipeline of power projects, we remain highly confident in the long-term trajectory of both platforms”

Mickey McKee, Kodiak's President and Chief Executive Officer

Fleet, utilization and power capacity

  • 102 thousand horsepower added: The company added 102 thousand horsepower of new, large compression units to revenue-generating horsepower, which totaled 4,515,584 hp at quarter end. Source
  • Utilization 98.3% compression, 92.5% power: Compression fleet utilization was 98.3%, a 70 basis point increase on third quarter 2025. Power fleet utilization was 92.5%, up from 89.6% at June 30, 2026. Source
  • Gensets gaining pricing and longer stays: Management said Power gensets are seeing meaningful pricing increases and staying on location longer, which it described as greater revenue visibility and returns. Source
  • Power revenue-generating capacity reached 382 MW: Power revenue-generating capacity rose to 382 MW from 363 MW, and revenue-generating units rose to 140 from 129 at June 30, 2026. Source

Margins and costs

  • Compression adjusted margin held at 70%: Compression adjusted gross margin was 70.0%, unchanged from the second quarter and up from 68.3% a year earlier. Unadjusted gross margin was 47.5%. Source
  • Efficiencies offset inflationary pressure: Management attributed the Compression margin to increased operating efficiencies from its focus on technology and cost discipline, which offset inflationary pressures. Source
  • Power adjusted gross margin 75.2%: Power Infrastructure gross margin was 65.8% and adjusted gross margin was 75.2%, compared with 47.6% and 64.5% in the second quarter. Source
  • Other Services margin percentage lower: Other Services adjusted gross margin was $4.7 million, or 11.3% of revenue, against 14.7% a year earlier and $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Depreciation down, SG&A up: Depreciation and amortization was $75.6 million, down from $78.7 million in the second quarter. Selling, general and administrative expense rose to $43.0 million from $40.9 million. Source

“We recently achieved a significant milestone in our Power Infrastructure by commencing initial site work and beginning equipment setting at our data center project in West Texas, which will provide stable revenue in 2027.”

Mickey McKee, Kodiak's President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and data center pipeline

  • High demand for large horsepower: Management cited high visible demand for large horsepower compression and a commercial pipeline of power projects, and said it remains highly confident in both platforms. Source
  • 76 MW West Texas data center agreement: The company announced an agreement to provide 76 megawatts of behind-the-meter, baseload power capacity, including balance of plant, to a West Texas data center. Source
  • Data center site work and equipment setting began: Initial site work began and equipment setting started at the West Texas data center project, which management said will provide stable revenue in 2027. Source

Capital spending and funding

  • Growth and other capex fell to $189.4 million: Total growth and other capital expenditures were $189.4 million, against $254.9 million in the second quarter and $92.5 million in the third quarter of 2025. Power growth capital expenditures were $67.9 million. Source
  • Nine-month equity proceeds of $836.1 million: The nine-month cash flow statement shows $836.1 million of net proceeds from issuance of common stock, against $576.0 million for the DPS acquisition, net of cash acquired. Source
  • Nine-month property spending rose: Purchases of property, plant and equipment were $544.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, against $262.6 million a year earlier. Source

Dividend and share repurchases

  • Quarterly dividend $0.51 per share: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.51 per share, a 4.1% increase over the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • About $31.7 million left for buybacks: Approximately $31.7 million remains available for share repurchases under the program. Source

Debt, liquidity and DPS timing

  • Leverage ratio 3.1x at quarter end: The credit agreement leverage ratio was 3.1x for the third quarter of 2026. Total debt outstanding was $2.8 billion at September 30, 2026. Source
  • Liquidity of $1.7 billion: Total liquidity including cash was $1.7 billion, and $1.6 billion was available under the ABL Facility, at September 30, 2026. Source
  • Full-year guidance includes DPS for three quarters: Full-year 2026 guidance includes three quarters of the DPS acquisition's financial impact, reflecting the April 1, 2026 closing date. Source

Coming up, as management said on 9 November 2026

  • Data center revenue expected in 2027: Management said the West Texas data center project will provide stable revenue in 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Capital plan SourceFull-year 2026 total growth and other capital expenditures guidance of $685,000 to $765,000 (thousands)

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Timing of new equipment deliveries led to a reduction in Power Infrastructure growth capital expenditures guidance. Source
  • External: Management cited inflationary pressures on Compression operating costs, offset by operating efficiencies. Source
  • Financial: Discretionary cash flow guidance assumes no change to SOFR futures, so changes in that rate are outside the guidance assumption. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release described a multi-year turbine order for one gigawatt, to be delivered by 2030. The current release does not state delivery status.
  • Not stated: The prior release described a clear path toward more than two gigawatts of power generation capacity by the end of the decade. The current release does not restate progress.
  • Not stated: Management described the data center project as a plan that will provide stable revenue in 2027. The status against that timing is not stated. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.