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Now (DNOW)
NYSE:DNOW

Now (DNOW) AI Stock Analysis

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DNOW

Now

(NYSE:DNOW)

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Neutral 54 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:54Neutral
Price Target:
$12.50
▲(12.41% Upside)
Action:DowngradedDate:03/03/26
The score is driven primarily by middling financial performance—solid revenue and cash generation but a sharp 2025 profitability setback and higher leverage risk. Technicals are notably bearish (below key moving averages with negative MACD), while valuation is weak due to losses and no dividend metric. Earnings-call commentary is cautiously constructive on synergies, liquidity and cash generation, but delayed guidance due to ERP/integration uncertainty caps the overall score.
Positive Factors
Scale expansion from MRC Global merger
The completed merger meaningfully enlarges DNOW's scale and purchasing power, expanding addressable markets across upstream, midstream, gas utilities, downstream and industrial end-markets. Larger scale supports supplier leverage, cross-sell opportunities and multi-year cost synergies ($70M target, $23M year-one) that can sustainably improve margins and competitive positioning.
Sustained revenue growth trend
DNOW reported its fifth consecutive year of revenue growth, driven by both legacy DNOW strength and contribution from MRC Global. Persistent top-line expansion across geographies and new end-markets demonstrates durable demand for distribution and supply-chain services, supporting long-term scale economics and the opportunity to convert revenue into higher operating leverage as integration progresses.
Positive cash generation and strong liquidity
Despite 2025 profitability disruption, DNOW produced positive operating and free cash flow and maintained substantial liquidity (cash plus an available credit facility). Consistent cash generation and ample facility capacity provide financial flexibility for integration investments, working capital support and disciplined capital returns (share repurchase program), underpinning multi-quarter resilience.
Negative Factors
Material ERP disruption in legacy MRC U.S.
The MRC U.S. Oracle ERP go-live created persistent operational problems—order delays, system slowness and impaired customer service—across a business that represents ~40% of consolidated activity. This is a structural execution risk: prolonged ERP instability can erode customer relationships, raise safety stock and permanent SG&A, and delay realization of projected synergies until systems stabilize.
Return to net loss and margin compression
A sharp swing to a GAAP net loss and multi-percentage-point gross margin deterioration highlight earnings volatility. Sustained margin weakness undermines ROE and free cash conversion, making it harder to deleverage and fund integration costs. Earnings instability also increases sensitivity to cyclical end-market slowdowns and reduces confidence in durable profitability improvement.
Elevated working capital and inventory build
A large inventory build and high working-capital-to-revenue ratio tie up cash and raise financing and operational risk. Higher safety stock and stretched receivables increase funding needs and margin exposure to inventory accounting. Until integration and ERP issues normalize turns and DSO, elevated working capital will constrain free cash flow and slow planned deleveraging.

Now (DNOW) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Now Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionDnow Inc. distributes downstream energy and industrial products for petroleum refining, chemical processing, LNG terminals, power generation utilities, and industrial manufacturing operations in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company offers its products under the DistributionNOW and DNOW brand names. It provides consumable maintenance, repair, and operating supplies; pipes, valves, fittings, flanges, gaskets, fasteners, electrical products, instrumentations, artificial lift, pumping solutions, valve actuation and modular process, and measurement and control equipment; and mill supplies, tools, safety supplies, and personal protective equipment, as well as applied products and applications, such as artificial lift systems, coatings, and miscellaneous expendable items. The company also offers original equipment manufacturer equipment, including pumps, generator sets, air and gas compressors, dryers, blowers, mixers, and valves; modular oil and gas tank battery solutions; and application systems, work processes, parts integration, optimization solutions, and after-sales support services. In addition, it provides supply chain and materials management solutions that include procurement, inventory planning and management, and warehouse management, as well as solutions for logistics, point-of-issue technology, project management, business process, and performance metrics reporting services. The company serves customers through a network of approximately 180 locations in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the energy industry, including drilling contractors, well-servicing companies, independent and national oil and gas companies, midstream operators, and refineries, as well as petrochemical, chemical, utilities, and other downstream energy processors; and industrial and manufacturing companies. NOW Inc. was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneyDNOW generates revenue primarily through the sale of industrial products and services to the energy sector, including oil and gas companies. The company's revenue model is based on multiple key streams: direct sales of products such as pipes, valves, fittings, and other equipment, as well as service contracts for logistics, inventory management, and procurement solutions. Additionally, DNOW benefits from strong partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers, allowing them to offer competitive pricing and a diverse product range. Seasonal fluctuations in oil and gas demand can impact revenue, but the company also seeks to diversify its earnings through strategic ventures and expansion into new markets.

Now Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 20, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call presents a mixed but cautiously constructive outlook. Positive takeaways include the completed merger that materially expands scale and addressable markets, full-year revenue growth (+19% YoY) and strong adjusted EBITDA ($209M), record legacy DNOW profitability (EBITDA $199M, 8.2% margin), healthy liquidity and positive operating cash flow. Early cost-synergy realization ($23M year-one) and traction on revenue synergies (cross-selling, data center entry) are encouraging. Offsetting these positives are material and ongoing operational disruptions from an Oracle ERP implementation at legacy MRC Global U.S. that have driven sequential revenue declines, significant Q4 merger-related charges (net loss of $147M) and elevated working capital/inventory levels, which led management to delay 2026 guidance. Management has mobilized remediation teams, is fast-tracking system stabilizations and is executing tactical mitigations (routing projects through DNOW systems, help desk support, temporary staffing), but uncertainty remains until ERP issues are resolved. Overall, the fundamentals (cash, scale, margin track record, synergy upside) are supportive, yet near-term execution risk from ERP and integration-related costs tempers confidence.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Merger with MRC Global Completed and Strategic Scale Expansion
Merger closed on November 6, 2025, materially increasing scale, geographic footprint and sector diversification (upstream, midstream, gas utilities, downstream, industrial). Management expects long-term value creation from combined purchasing power, expanded addressable market and operational efficiencies; cost synergy target remains $70,000,000 over three years with accelerated year-one savings now expected to reach $23,000,000 (vs prior $17,000,000 plan for 2026).
Full-Year Revenue Growth
Consolidated full-year 2025 revenue of $2,800,000,000, up $447,000,000 or 19% year-over-year. Fourth-quarter revenue reported as $959,000,000, up ~51% (driven by $388,000,000 MRC Global stub period contribution). This represents DNOW's fifth consecutive year of revenue growth (with and without MRC contribution).
Strong Adjusted EBITDA and Record Legacy DNOW Profitability
Adjusted EBITDA for full-year 2025 was $209,000,000 (7.4% of revenue). Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $61,000,000 (6.4% of revenue). Legacy DNOW (standalone) delivered a record full-year EBITDA of $199,000,000 and EBITDA margin of 8.2%, its best annual profitability since going public.
Healthy Liquidity and Manageable Leverage
Year-end liquidity of $588,000,000 (cash $164,000,000 plus $424,000,000 available on the credit facility). Net debt of $247,000,000 and leverage ratio of 1.2x with total debt of $411,000,000. Credit facility capacity of $850,000,000 extends into November 2028.
Positive Cash Generation and Capital Allocation Discipline
Full-year cash provided by operating activities of $155,000,000 (Q4 operating cash flow $83,000,000). Full-year capital expenditures $25,000,000. Management reactivated a $160,000,000 share repurchase authorization and repurchased $10,000,000 in Q4 (cumulative repurchases $37,000,000 under prior $100,000,000 program).
International Growth and New End-Market Wins (Data Centers)
Legacy MRC Global International achieved four consecutive years of growth averaging ~10% annual growth to 12/31/2025 and delivered its strongest year since 2018. DNOW expanded into data centers (entered Jan 2025) and is supplying core PVF and pump products to 11 customers across four data center markets, creating incremental industrial opportunities.
Early Revenue Synergies and Cross-Sell Traction
Post-merger cross-selling and inventory access are already generating benefits: improved win rates driven by expanded in-house inventory, reduced lead times via in-house valve automation, and initial process solutions engagement (pumps, valve actuation, measurement & instrumentation) targeting downstream, midstream and gas utility opportunities.
Negative Updates
Significant ERP Implementation Issues at MRC Global U.S.
Oracle ERP implementation (go-live 08/06/2025) in legacy MRC Global U.S. has produced material operational disruptions leading to revenue and profitability declines in Q3 and Q4. Issues include system slowness, order processing delays, impaired customer service, higher safety stock and increased resource requirements. U.S. MRC Global represents roughly 40% of DNOW's business, and management delayed issuing forward guidance until stabilization.
Q4 Net Loss Driven by Merger-Related Charges
Reported net loss in Q4 of $147,000,000, largely due to merger-related impacts: approximately $50,000,000 of transaction-related costs, a $12,000,000 CTA reclassification (non-cash), and $135,000,000 of acquisition-related inventory step-up (cost of products) recognized in Q4. Management expects an additional ~$41,000,000 of inventory step-up charges in Q1.
Sequential and Yearly Declines in Certain Legacy Segments
Legacy DNOW U.S. fourth-quarter revenue was $47,000,000, down ~10% sequentially. Legacy DNOW International full-year revenue was $222,000,000, down 7.5% year-over-year due to fewer projects and exit of certain countries as part of restructuring.
Margin Pressure from MRC Contribution and Inventory Accounting
Adjusted gross profit for Q4 was $217,000,000 (22.6% of revenue) vs 23.2% in prior year; variance largely attributable to MRC Global contribution. LIFO accounting change (applied retrospectively) and LIFO charges of $9,000,000 in Q4 ($27,000,000 full-year) along with inventory step-up amortization weighed on gross margin and adjusted results.
SG&A and Transaction-Related Expense Spike
SG&A for the quarter was $226,000,000, up $114,000,000 sequentially. Approximately $75,000,000 of the increase relates to MRC Global partial-period activity and ~$50,000,000 to transaction-related expenses recognized in the quarter (partially offset by ~$5,000,000 asset sale gains).
Elevated Working Capital and Inventory Build
Inventory at end of Q4 was $1,192,000,000 (up $833,000,000 vs prior year) driven by MRC Global contribution; Q4 annualized inventory turns were ~3x. Working capital (excluding cash) as a percentage of annualized Q4 revenue was 29.7% (legacy working capital ~15–15.8%). Accounts receivable $174,000,000 with DSO at 83 days (legacy DNOW DSO 63 days). Accounts payable increased to $603,000,000.
Deferred Guidance and Operational Uncertainty
Management elected to delay sequential and full-year 2026 guidance due to persistent ERP implementation challenges and the current integration phase, citing limited visibility and predictability in MRC Global U.S. operations until stabilization is achieved.
Company Guidance
DNOW said it is delaying sequential and full‑year 2026 guidance due to persistent ERP issues in legacy MRC Global U.S. operations and the early stage of integration, and will reinstate guidance once MRC U.S. operations achieve operational stability and predictability; in the meantime management provided several quantifiable planning metrics: a three‑year cost‑synergy target of $70.0M with an updated expectation of $23.0M in cost savings by the end of year one (versus the prior $17.0M for 2026), a projected 2026 effective tax rate of roughly 26%–27%, modeled working capital (ex‑cash) to approach ~25% of revenue (versus 29.7% at year‑end 4Q and legacy ~15.0%–15.8%), target deleveraging toward net cash from a year‑end net debt of $247.0M (1.2x leverage) and total debt of $411.0M, ample liquidity of $588.0M (cash $164.0M + $424.0M available on the credit facility), expected 2026 cash generation in the ~$100M–$200M range, and continued capital discipline (FY‑2025 cash from operations $155.0M, capex $25.0M); they also highlighted FY‑2025 and Q4 results that shape near‑term expectations—FY‑2025 revenue $2.8B, Q4 revenue $959.0M, adjusted EBITDA FY‑2025 $209.0M (7.4% of revenue) and Q4 $61.0M (6.4%), legacy DNOW record EBITDA $199.0M (8.2% of revenue), adjusted Q4 net income $23.0M ($0.15/share) versus a GAAP Q4 net loss of $147.0M (including ~$50.0M transaction costs, $12.0M CTA charge and $135.0M inventory step‑up with ~$41.0M remaining), inventory $1,192.0M (4Q annualized turns ~3x), A/R $174.0M (DSO 83 days; legacy DNOW DSO 63 days), A/P $603.0M, and a reactivated $160.0M share repurchase program (prior $100.0M program had $37.0M repurchased, including $10.0M in 4Q).

Now Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Revenue growth is strong into 2025, and operating/free cash flow remained positive, but profitability deteriorated sharply with a return to net losses and margin compression. Balance sheet leverage is still manageable, yet debt rose meaningfully versus prior years, increasing risk if margins do not rebound.
Income Statement
54
Neutral
Revenue has grown strongly into 2025 (up ~16% in 2025 vs. essentially flat in 2024), but profitability deteriorated materially: the company moved from positive net income in 2024 ($81M) to a net loss in 2025 (-$89M), with negative operating profit and compressed gross margin (about 17% in 2025 vs. ~23% in 2023–2024). While the multi-year top-line trajectory is positive since 2021, earnings volatility (including large losses in 2020 and again in 2025) reduces confidence in consistency.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
Leverage looks manageable on a debt-to-equity basis in 2025 (~0.30), but it increased sharply versus 2023–2024 (near ~0.04), signaling a meaningful step-up in balance sheet risk. Equity remains sizable ($2.24B in 2025), providing a cushion, but negative return on equity in 2025 reflects the return to losses and weak profitability support for the higher debt load.
Cash Flow
66
Positive
Cash generation is a relative bright spot: operating cash flow remained positive in 2025 ($155M) and free cash flow was also positive ($134M). However, cash flow weakened versus 2024 (free cash flow down ~24%), and results have shown variability historically (including negative free cash flow in 2022). Overall, the company is still producing cash, but the downshift alongside 2025 net losses is a key watch item.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.82B2.37B2.32B2.14B1.63B
Gross Profit478.00M535.00M535.00M506.00M357.00M
EBITDA-48.00M153.00M166.00M160.00M39.00M
Net Income-89.00M81.00M247.00M128.00M5.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.92B1.62B1.53B1.32B1.10B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments164.00M256.00M299.00M212.00M313.00M
Total Debt669.00M42.00M41.00M38.00M32.00M
Total Liabilities1.69B493.00M466.00M476.00M392.00M
Stockholders Equity2.24B1.12B1.06B842.00M711.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow134.00M289.00M171.00M-9.00M25.00M
Operating Cash Flow155.00M298.00M188.00M0.0030.00M
Investing Cash Flow-590.00M-304.00M-48.00M-87.00M-96.00M
Financing Cash Flow339.00M-33.00M-55.00M-10.00M-6.00M

Now Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price11.12
Price Trends
50DMA
13.87
Negative
100DMA
13.84
Negative
200DMA
14.43
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.88
Positive
RSI
29.45
Positive
STOCH
15.96
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DNOW, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 11.12 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 12.27, below the 50-day MA of 13.87, and below the 200-day MA of 14.43, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.88 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 29.45 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 15.96 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for DNOW.

Now Risk Analysis

Now disclosed 10 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Now reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Now Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$2.07B12.2143.60%1.32%
73
Outperform
$1.93B29.704.60%-1.24%337.41%
66
Neutral
$5.05B20.227.25%1.78%-12.05%-46.45%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
62
Neutral
$1.74B-22.93-4.02%10.12%20.68%-112.42%
54
Neutral
$2.07B-3.49-5.25%3.18%-53.71%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DNOW
Now
11.12
-4.06
-26.75%
XPRO
Expro Group Holdings
16.96
6.38
60.30%
LBRT
Liberty Energy
31.14
16.84
117.82%
AESI
Atlas Energy Solutions
13.98
-3.42
-19.66%
FLOC
Flowco Holdings Inc Class A
23.11
-0.90
-3.76%

Now Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
DNOW Announces Planned Board Transition as Director Departs
Neutral
Feb 27, 2026

On February 25, 2026, DNOW Inc. announced that Board member Rodney Eads has notified the company he will not stand for reelection at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, and will step off the Board when his current term expires at that meeting. The company emphasized that Eads’ departure is not due to any disagreement over operations, policies or practices, suggesting an orderly governance transition and signaling stability in its strategic direction.

The Board of Directors publicly thanked Eads for his dedicated service, underscoring a cordial separation and continuity of boardroom relations. For investors and other stakeholders, the announcement frames the upcoming board change as routine succession rather than a sign of internal conflict or strategic upheaval.

The most recent analyst rating on (DNOW) stock is a Buy with a $16.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Now stock, see the DNOW Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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.Date of analysis: Mar 03, 2026