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Patterson UTI Energy Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 7 new, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Q2 revenue increased 10% sequentially: Total Q2 2026 revenue reached $1.227 billion, up 10% from $1.117 billion in Q1, reflecting increasing activity levels and pricing momentum across the portfolio. Source
  • Pricing increased 10-15% year-to-date: U.S. Contract Drilling pricing strengthened with 10-15% increases on recently awarded term contracts compared to levels at start of year, reflecting customer interest in rig upgrades and tightening market conditions. Source
  • Adjusted gross profit increased 25% sequentially: Completion Services adjusted gross profit of $123 million in Q2 compared to $98 million in Q1, a 25% sequential increase driven by improved utilization and pricing, despite industry capacity remaining tight. Source
  • Fleet near full utilization with pricing momentum: Revenue per pump hour increased mid-single digit percentage sequentially, supported by improved core pressure pumping pricing and higher contribution from integrated completion services. Fleet was effectively sold out prior to recent industry activity increase. Source
  • Increased investment for rig reactivation and upgrades: Company increased capital expenditure budget during Q2 to fund reactivation and upgrade work for additional rigs already under signed contracts, positioning for continued growth into 2027 and beyond. Source
  • Strategic focus on Emerald natural gas technology: Management prioritizing investments in high-return, 100% natural gas Emerald direct drive technology, with continued decommissioning of diesel assets and no increase in active horsepower in second half of 2026. Source
  • Activity ramping faster than anticipated: Across drilling and completion services, activity levels ramping faster than initially expected, with company moving decisively to capture opportunities creating long-term value. Source
  • 2026 free cash flow to cover dividends: Management expects full-year 2026 free cash flow to more than cover dividend payments despite funding working capital and capital investments that strengthen earnings power over time. Source

“Activity is ramping faster than we initially expected, and we are moving decisively to capture opportunities that should create meaningful long-term value for Patterson-UTI.”

Andy Hendricks, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Drilling Services activity SourceThird quarter 2026approximately 100 rigs average U.S. rig countNew
Completion Services profitability SourceThird quarter 2026approximately $140 million adjusted gross profitNew
Drilling Products profitability SourceThird quarter 2026approximately $40 million adjusted gross profitNew
Other operations profitability SourceThird quarter 2026approximately $5 million adjusted gross profitNew
General and administrative expense SourceThird quarter 2026approximately $70 millionNew
Depreciation and amortization SourceThird quarter 2026approximately $225 millionNew
Capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026approximately $600 million net of asset salesKept
Quarterly dividend SourceQuarterly$0.10 per shareKept
Drilling Services profitability SourceThird quarter 2026approximately $145 million adjusted gross profitNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Company increased capital expenditure budget during Q2 to fund rig reactivation and upgrades, though total 2026 capex guidance remains at $600 million, representing strategic reallocation toward higher-return investments. Source
  • New: Company committed to completing strategic capital investments in Emerald natural gas direct drive technology and higher-grade assets, with no increase in active horsepower expected in second half of 2026. Source
  • Ended: Company exited Contract Drilling operations in Colombia, incurring a $20 million non-cash charge for inventory and asset write-downs related to older rig technology in the country. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2026 capital expenditure guidance remains at $600 million, consistent with guidance provided in Q1 despite increased investment activity during Q2. Source
  • New: Q3 2026 guidance provided showing stronger activity and profitability expectations than Q2 levels, with Drilling Services rig count expected to reach 100 rigs and adjusted gross profit improving to $145 million. Source

Sequential Revenue Growth and Profitability

  • Q2 revenue increased 10% sequentially: Total Q2 2026 revenue reached $1.227 billion, up 10% from $1.117 billion in Q1, reflecting increasing activity levels and pricing momentum across the portfolio. Source
  • Net income impacted by one-time charges: Q2 net loss of $20 million to common shareholders reflected $21 million non-cash charge for Colombia exit and $5 million noncontrolling investment write-down. Adjusted net income was $1 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA improved sequentially: Q2 adjusted EBITDA of $232 million represented solid operational performance, up from Q1 adjusted EBITDA of $205 million. Source

Drilling Services Activity and Pricing

  • Pricing increased 10-15% year-to-date: U.S. Contract Drilling pricing strengthened with 10-15% increases on recently awarded term contracts compared to levels at start of year, reflecting customer interest in rig upgrades and tightening market conditions. Source
  • Operating days and rig count stable: U.S. Contract Drilling operating days totaled 8,361 in Q2 with an average of 92 rigs operating. Activity strengthened throughout the quarter, with company exiting at 96 rigs. Source
  • Directional drilling and rental services strong: Directional Drilling delivered strong results driven in part by continued growth in downhole motor rental business, demonstrating strength in service portfolio. Source

Completion Services Pricing and Utilization

  • Adjusted gross profit increased 25% sequentially: Completion Services adjusted gross profit of $123 million in Q2 compared to $98 million in Q1, a 25% sequential increase driven by improved utilization and pricing, despite industry capacity remaining tight. Source
  • Fleet near full utilization with pricing momentum: Revenue per pump hour increased mid-single digit percentage sequentially, supported by improved core pressure pumping pricing and higher contribution from integrated completion services. Fleet was effectively sold out prior to recent industry activity increase. Source
  • Integrated services and Power Solutions growth: Adjusted gross profit increased across all service lines, with strongest percentage increase coming from Power Solutions natural gas fueling business, demonstrating benefits of integrated service offering. Source

Drilling Products International and Domestic Growth

  • Strongest quarterly revenue since Ulterra acquisition: Q2 Drilling Products revenue of $91 million was the strongest since completing the Ulterra acquisition in 2023, with international revenue reaching a company record despite Middle East headwinds. Source
  • U.S. revenue per rig near record levels: U.S. revenue per industry rig approached record levels in Q2, reflecting strong execution across multiple points in the rig-count cycle and improved utilization. Source

Capital Investment Strategy and Technology

  • Increased investment for rig reactivation and upgrades: Company increased capital expenditure budget during Q2 to fund reactivation and upgrade work for additional rigs already under signed contracts, positioning for continued growth into 2027 and beyond. Source
  • Strategic focus on Emerald natural gas technology: Management prioritizing investments in high-return, 100% natural gas Emerald direct drive technology, with continued decommissioning of diesel assets and no increase in active horsepower in second half of 2026. Source
  • 2026 capex guidance maintained at $600 million: Despite increased investment activity, total 2026 capital expenditure guidance remains approximately $600 million net of asset sales, representing disciplined allocation of capital. Source

Commodity Environment and Market Momentum

  • Activity ramping faster than anticipated: Across drilling and completion services, activity levels ramping faster than initially expected, with company moving decisively to capture opportunities creating long-term value. Source
  • Industry capacity remains tight: Completion Services industry capacity remained tight throughout Q2 despite recent increase in rig count, as completion demand typically follows drilling activity with three- to six-month lag. Source

Cash Flow, Working Capital and Shareholder Returns

  • Working capital increased with higher activity: Stronger activity pace in first half 2026 required larger working capital investment to support higher customer demand. Seasonally, working capital headwinds typically reverse in second half of the year. Source
  • 2026 free cash flow to cover dividends: Management expects full-year 2026 free cash flow to more than cover dividend payments despite funding working capital and capital investments that strengthen earnings power over time. Source
  • Quarterly dividend maintained at $0.10 per share: Company declared quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, maintaining dividend rate and demonstrating commitment to shareholder returns. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • Completion Services pricing increases expected to continue: Customer discussions around price increases remain very constructive, with additional pricing improvements expected in Q3 compared to Q2. Source
  • Emerald natural gas technology adoption momentum building: Growing customer interest in company's new Emerald natural gas direct drive technology expected to add value through integrated completion services. Source
  • Capital investments to support 2027 and beyond growth: Additional growth capital investments announced during Q2 expected to support continued growth into 2027 and beyond while strengthening technology leadership. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty creating commodity price volatility, which management notes has continued into Q3 and could impact customer spending decisions and activity levels. Source
  • Demand: Middle East operations facing increased costs for personnel and logistics, with some disruption to product delivery and reduction in offshore activity from geopolitical events.
  • Financial: Working capital requirements increased significantly in H1 2026 to support higher customer activity, creating cash flow headwind before expected reversal in second half. Source
  • Demand: Recent increase in rig count has not yet fully translated to completion service demand, which typically follows drilling with three- to six-month lag, creating timing uncertainty. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: CFO reiterates commitment made in Q1 that full-year 2026 free cash flow will more than cover dividend payments despite funding working capital and capital investments. Source
  • On track: Management confirms 2026 capital expenditure guidance of $600 million net of asset sales remains consistent despite increased investment during Q2 for rig reactivation and technology. Source
  • On track: Company continues decommissioning diesel equipment and will not increase active horsepower during second half of 2026, maintaining strategic focus on high-return natural gas investments. Source
  • On track: Company pursuing strategic investments in equipment and digital technology announced in Q1 to enhance long-term sustainable operating advantage, prioritizing Emerald natural gas technology. 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.