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Smart Sand Inc (SND)
NASDAQ:SND

Smart Sand (SND) AI Stock Analysis

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SND

Smart Sand

(NASDAQ:SND)

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Neutral 69 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:69Neutral
Price Target:
$5.00
▲(70.65% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by improving fundamentals and balance-sheet stability (revenue growth, sharply higher free cash flow, low leverage), reinforced by a strong technical uptrend. These positives are offset by weak profitability/returns and a high P/E valuation with no dividend support.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Sustained TTM revenue growth near 10% indicates recovering demand and effective commercial positioning. Over 2-6 months this supports utilization of in-basin assets, better fixed-cost absorption, and provides a platform to expand contracts and volumes as oilfield activity normalizes.
Free Cash Flow Improvement
A material rise in free cash flow points to stronger cash generation capabilities, enhancing liquidity and funding flexibility. Durable FCF improvement can finance capex, opportunistic buybacks or debt reduction, making the business more resilient across oilfield activity cycles.
Low Leverage / Stable Balance Sheet
Conservative leverage provides long-term financial flexibility, lowering refinancing and insolvency risk in a cyclical industry. A strong equity base allows the company to invest in mine capacity, logistics, or strategic initiatives without over-relying on external capital.
Negative Factors
Weak Profitability
Very low net margin and negative EBIT margin show limited ability to convert revenue into operating profits. Persistently thin or negative operating profitability constrains reinvestment, reduces buffer against cost inflation, and limits sustainable cash flow over cycles.
Low Returns on Equity
ROE near zero signals weak capital efficiency and limited shareholder value creation from deployed equity. Over months this suggests management faces challenges improving asset productivity or pricing power, potentially limiting strategic options and investor confidence.
Cash Conversion Weakness
Low conversion of earnings into operating cash implies earnings quality and working capital issues. Even with rising FCF, weak cash conversion can recur under stress, reducing internal funding for capex or debt service and forcing reliance on external financing in downturns.

Smart Sand (SND) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Smart Sand Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSmart Sand, Inc., an integrated frac sand supply and services company, engages in the excavation, processing, and sale of sands or proppant for use in hydraulic fracturing operations in the oil and gas industry in the United States. It also provides logistics services; and SmartSystems, a wellsite proppant storage solution. The company sells its products primarily to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, oilfield service companies, and industrial manufacturers. As of December 31, 2021, it had approximately 250 million tons of proven and probable recoverable sand reserves. Smart Sand, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneySmart Sand generates revenue through the sale of its industrial sand products, primarily frac sand, to oil and gas exploration and production companies. The company's revenue model is based on the volume of sand sold, with pricing influenced by demand in the energy market and competitive dynamics. Key revenue streams include direct sales to customers, long-term supply contracts with major energy companies, and spot market transactions. Additionally, Smart Sand benefits from its strategic partnerships and relationships with operators in the oil and gas industry, which help secure consistent demand and facilitate growth. The company also focuses on operational efficiency and cost management to enhance profitability.

Smart Sand Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 12, 2024
(Q3-2024)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed outlook. Positive aspects included a focus on free cash flow, shareholder returns, and strategic growth initiatives. However, challenges such as decreased sales volumes and revenue, alongside lower contribution margins and EBITDA, highlighted operational pressures. The company remains optimistic about future demand and pricing improvements, particularly in natural gas markets.
Q3-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Positive Free Cash Flow
Smart Sand reported positive free cash flow of $3.7 million for the third quarter and $11.7 million year-to-date. The company remains cash flow positive for 2024.
Special Dividend and Share Buyback
A special dividend of $0.10 per share was paid, and a share buyback plan of up to $10 million was announced, indicating a focus on returning capital to shareholders.
New Credit Facility
A new 5-year $30 million ABL credit facility was established with First Citizens Bank, providing efficient and flexible funding.
Sales Volume Increase
Sales volumes increased by 9% over 2023, with approximately 1.2 million tons delivered in the third quarter.
Decreased Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are down $11 million year-to-date, with total expected to be at or under $10 million for 2024, compared to $23 million in 2023.
Growth in Industrial Product Solutions
IPS sales volumes increased by 38% sequentially and are expected to grow from under 5% to around 10% of total sales volumes in 2025.
Negative Updates
Decrease in Sales Volumes and Revenue
Third quarter sales volumes decreased by 7% from the second quarter, with total revenues dropping from $73.8 million to $63.2 million.
Lower Contribution Margin and EBITDA
Contribution margin fell to $13.2 million from $19.8 million in the second quarter, with adjusted EBITDA dropping to $5.7 million from $11.9 million.
Non-Cash Charge and Increased Operating Expenses
A $1.1 million non-cash charge was incurred due to the closure of a Canadian facility, contributing to an increase in operating expenses to $11.4 million from $9.5 million.
Company Guidance
During Smart Sand's Q3 2024 earnings call, the company provided several financial metrics and guidance reflecting its performance and strategic initiatives. The company reported sales volumes of just under 1.2 million tons and an adjusted EBITDA of $5.7 million for the quarter. Positive free cash flow was reported at $3.7 million, contributing to a year-to-date free cash flow of $11.7 million. Despite a 7% decrease from the previous quarter, total revenues were $63.2 million, with a contribution margin of $13.2 million or $11.09 per ton sold. Smart Sand also highlighted a decrease in capital expenditures, down to $5.1 million year-to-date compared to $16.1 million in 2023, and anticipated total capital expenditures to remain under $10 million for 2024. The company announced a share buyback plan of up to $10 million and recently paid a special dividend of $0.10 per share, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders. Looking forward, Smart Sand expects a pickup in activity, especially in natural gas markets, and anticipates continued demand for Northern White Sand. They foresee fourth-quarter sand sales volumes ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 million tons and anticipate positive free cash flow for the year despite increased capital expenditures in the fourth quarter.

Smart Sand Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Revenue is growing (TTM +9.69%) and free cash flow improved sharply, supported by a stable balance sheet with low leverage (debt-to-equity 0.20). However, profitability is weak (net margin 0.26%, negative EBIT margin) and returns are limited (ROE 0.34%), which caps the score.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Smart Sand's income statement shows a positive revenue growth rate of 9.69% in the TTM, indicating a recovery trend. However, the gross profit margin has decreased compared to the previous year, and the net profit margin remains low at 0.26%. The EBIT margin is negative, reflecting operational challenges. Overall, while revenue is growing, profitability remains a concern.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet is relatively stable with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, indicating conservative leverage. The return on equity is low at 0.34%, suggesting limited profitability. The equity ratio is healthy, showing a strong equity base relative to total assets. Overall, the balance sheet reflects financial stability but limited returns.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals a significant improvement in free cash flow growth at 5285.24% in the TTM, indicating strong cash generation. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.23, suggesting cash flow challenges relative to earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio is also low, indicating limited cash conversion. Overall, cash flow generation is improving but remains a concern.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue335.47M311.37M295.97M255.74M126.65M122.34M
Gross Profit40.12M44.82M41.55M29.59M-15.91M18.12M
EBITDA24.10M31.75M27.29M24.98M-31.61M49.99M
Net Income3.90M2.99M4.65M-703.00K-50.67M37.95M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets343.07M341.55M346.30M360.00M374.02M427.68M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments5.08M1.55M6.07M5.51M25.59M11.72M
Total Debt38.59M37.22M43.75M44.54M55.20M63.44M
Total Liabilities103.20M97.74M104.03M116.53M132.86M138.87M
Stockholders Equity239.87M243.81M242.27M243.47M241.16M288.81M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow11.31M10.85M7.96M-7.31M21.22M16.92M
Operating Cash Flow22.78M17.86M30.99M5.42M32.44M25.54M
Investing Cash Flow-10.72M-6.92M-22.90M-18.21M-11.14M-8.56M
Financing Cash Flow-14.19M-15.46M-7.53M-7.29M-7.43M-7.90M

Smart Sand Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price2.93
Price Trends
50DMA
3.75
Positive
100DMA
2.92
Positive
200DMA
2.40
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.28
Negative
RSI
69.62
Neutral
STOCH
92.10
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SND, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 2.93 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4.14, below the 50-day MA of 3.75, and above the 200-day MA of 2.40, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.28 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 69.62 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 92.10 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SND.

Smart Sand Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$102.30M8.8111.89%16.61%-72.29%
69
Neutral
$204.66M48.671.61%18.98%
65
Neutral
$15.17B7.614.09%5.20%3.87%-62.32%
52
Neutral
$132.00M-20.97-5.18%7.46%-165.76%
50
Neutral
$58.33M-0.67-12.57%-45.75%
48
Neutral
$24.07M-0.642.59%16.02%
45
Neutral
$69.86M-20.49-19.81%-22.31%39.11%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SND
Smart Sand
4.65
2.41
107.59%
DWSN
Dawson Geophysical Company
2.07
0.67
47.86%
NCSM
Ncs Multistage Holdings
39.88
11.08
38.47%
NINE
Nine Energy Service
0.59
-0.57
-49.48%
KLXE
KLX Energy Services Holdings
2.78
-2.51
-47.45%
DTI
Drilling Tools International
3.80
0.62
19.50%

Smart Sand Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Smart Sand Initiates $10M Share Repurchase Plan
Neutral
Nov 20, 2025

On November 20, 2025, Smart Sand, Inc. implemented a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act to facilitate its $10 million share repurchase program. The plan allows for the purchase of up to $2.5 million in shares and will be active from December 8, 2025, until March 2, 2026, or until the full amount is used. This strategic move enables the company to repurchase shares during blackout periods and under insider trading laws, potentially impacting its stock price and market perception. The plan does not obligate the company to purchase a specific number of shares, and further plans may be adopted post-expiration.

The most recent analyst rating on (SND) stock is a Hold with a $3.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Smart Sand stock, see the SND 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: Jan 23, 2026