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RPC Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net loss of $3.1 million: The company reported a net loss of $3.1 million, or $0.02 per share, against net income of $13.0 million, or $0.06 per share, in the third quarter. Net loss margin was (0.7)%. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $0.04: Adjusted net income was $9.4 million and adjusted diluted EPS $0.04, against $16.8 million and $0.08 in the third quarter. Adjusted net income margin was 2.2%. Source
  • Cost of revenues rose on lower revenue: Cost of revenues was $336.6 million, up from $334.7 million despite lower revenue. Management cited about $12 million of year-to-date wireline cable purchases now expensed and job-mix materials costs. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin fell 230 basis points: Adjusted EBITDA was $55.1 million, against $67.8 million in the third quarter. Management said wireline cable expenses of about $4.6 million weighed on the quarter. Source
  • Holiday slowdowns reduced revenue: Management attributed the modest fourth quarter revenue declines primarily to holiday slowdowns. Source
  • Free cash flow of $52.9 million: Operating cash flow for 2025 was $201.3 million and free cash flow was $52.9 million. Free cash flow was $129.5 million in 2024. Source
  • Full-cycle returns remain the focus: Management said its focus remains on full-cycle returns through cost discipline, strategic capital deployment and positioning for long-term success. Source

“We experienced a solid start to the fourth quarter but encountered a weak December as a number of our customers reduced activity, particularly late in the month.”

Ben M. Palmer, RPC’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Quarterly cash dividend SourcePayable March 10, 2026 (record date February 10, 2026)$0.04 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Wireline cables are now expensed rather than capitalized from the fourth quarter of 2025, following a change in their estimated useful lives. Source
  • Ended: The company dissolved its non-qualified supplemental retirement plan, a dissolution announced earlier, and liquidated the related company-owned life insurance policies. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net loss of $3.1 million: The company reported a net loss of $3.1 million, or $0.02 per share, against net income of $13.0 million, or $0.06 per share, in the third quarter. Net loss margin was (0.7)%. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $0.04: Adjusted net income was $9.4 million and adjusted diluted EPS $0.04, against $16.8 million and $0.08 in the third quarter. Adjusted net income margin was 2.2%. Source
  • Revenue fell 5% sequentially: Revenues were $425.8 million, down 5% from the third quarter. Technical Services fell 4% and Support Services fell 18%, with snubbing and cementing growing within Technical Services. Source
  • Full-year revenue rose 15%: Full-year 2025 revenues rose 15% to $1.6 billion, mainly from the Pintail Completions acquisition. Full-year net income was $32.1 million, down 65%, and EPS was $0.15. Source

Segments and service lines

  • Technical Services earnings fell: Technical Services revenue was $405.2 million, down 4%, and operating income was $8.5 million, down 65%. Operating income was reduced by about $8 million from expensing wireline cables. Source
  • Support Services revenue fell 18%: Support Services revenue was $20.5 million, down 18%, and operating income was $1.7 million, down 63%. Lower revenue came from rental tools activity, particularly in December. Source
  • Downhole tools fell 9%: Thru Tubing Solutions downhole tools declined 9%, which management attributed to softer activity in the Rocky Mountain and International districts. Source
  • Pumping and wireline declined; snubbing grew: Cudd Energy Services pumping declined 6% and Pintail Completions wireline declined 3%. Cudd Pressure Control snubbing revenues grew 13%, partly offsetting those declines. Source
  • Tubular services revenue rose: Within Support Services, tubular services revenue increased sequentially and partly offset the decline in rental tools. Source

“As we enter 2026, we are focused on disciplined execution, leveraging our strong brands and diversified offerings.”

Ben M. Palmer, RPC’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and adjustments

  • Cost of revenues rose on lower revenue: Cost of revenues was $336.6 million, up from $334.7 million despite lower revenue. Management cited about $12 million of year-to-date wireline cable purchases now expensed and job-mix materials costs. Source
  • SG&A rose on employment incentives: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $47.7 million, up from $44.6 million, mainly from employment incentives and other employment-related costs. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin fell 230 basis points: Adjusted EBITDA was $55.1 million, against $67.8 million in the third quarter. Management said wireline cable expenses of about $4.6 million weighed on the quarter. Source
  • Acquisition employment costs non-cash: Acquisition related employment costs were about $7.3 million. The company described them as non-cash adjustments tied to Pintail costs contingent on continued employment. Source
  • High tax rate on insurance liquidation: Income tax provision was $3.2 million. The effective rate was unusually high, mainly from liquidating company-owned life insurance policies and non-deductible acquisition employment costs. Source
  • Q2 and Q3 wireline charges added back: Wireline cable adjustments totaled about $13.8 million year to date, with a net operating income impact of $8.3 million. The second and third quarter charges were added back to fourth quarter results. Source

Demand and activity

  • U.S. rig count rose sequentially: The average U.S. rig count was 548, up 8 from 540 in the third quarter and down 38 from 586 a year earlier. Source
  • Holiday slowdowns reduced revenue: Management attributed the modest fourth quarter revenue declines primarily to holiday slowdowns. Source
  • Rental tools jobs shifted into 2026: Patterson Services rental tools fell 22% in the quarter as several jobs shifted into early 2026. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Cash rose to $210.0 million: Cash and cash equivalents rose to $210.0 million from $163.5 million at the end of the third quarter. The $100 million revolving credit facility had no borrowings outstanding. Source
  • Free cash flow of $52.9 million: Operating cash flow for 2025 was $201.3 million and free cash flow was $52.9 million. Free cash flow was $129.5 million in 2024. Source
  • Share repurchases limited to tax withholding: Share repurchases for 2025 totaled $2.9 million, all related to tax withholding on restricted stock vesting. Source

Strategy and focus

  • Full-cycle returns remain the focus: Management said its focus remains on full-cycle returns through cost discipline, strategic capital deployment and positioning for long-term success. Source
  • Disciplined execution and diversified offerings: Management said the company enters 2026 focused on disciplined execution, leveraging its brands and diversified offerings. Source
  • Macro environment described as challenging: Management described the macro environment as challenging, with crude oil prices showing increased volatility due to recent geopolitical developments. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Oil price ($/barrel) Source$59.79
Natural gas ($/Mcf) Source$3.69
Capital expenditures, 2025 (thousands) Source$148,407
Dividends paid, 2025 Source$35.1 million
Share repurchases, 2025 Source$2.9 million

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management described the macro environment as challenging, with crude oil price volatility linked to geopolitical developments. Source
  • Demand: Management said a number of customers reduced activity in December, particularly late in the month. Source
  • Financial: Management said wireline cable expenses reduced adjusted EBITDA by about $4.6 million in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: In the third quarter, management said the remaining acquisition employment costs would be recognized equally over 10 quarters. The fourth quarter release does not restate this.
  • Not stated: In the third quarter, management said it would invest prudently and focus on full-cycle returns. The fourth quarter release does not state a status.
  • Not stated: In the third quarter, management said it had made and would continue incremental cost reductions. The fourth quarter release does not state a status.

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.