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STEP Energy Services (TSE:STEP)
TSX:STEP
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STEP Energy Services (STEP) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:STEP

STEP Energy Services

(TSX:STEP)

Rating:54Neutral
Price Target:
C$4.50
▲(8.43% Upside)
STEP Energy Services' overall stock score reflects a challenging financial performance with declining revenues and profitability, offset by positive cash flow management and debt reduction. Technical indicators suggest weak momentum, while valuation metrics are unattractive due to recent losses. The earnings call provides some optimism with strategic initiatives and technological advancements, but significant challenges remain.
Positive Factors
Balance Sheet Improvements
The company has done a tremendous job on its balance sheet over the past few years, including over $200 million of debt repayments since 2019.
Debt Reduction
Large client receipts near the end of Q4 helped reduce net debt to $52.7 million, down from $60.7 million in Q3/24.
Future Earnings Potential
Q1 should improve as producer budgets reset, with Canada expected to help offset ongoing headwinds in the U.S. business.
Negative Factors
Market Dynamics
Q4 represented a softer quarter, impacted by year-end budget exhaustion, competitive market dynamics in the US, and some added transaction-related costs.
Oversupply Concerns
The U.S. market faces oversupply issues which keeps the analyst on the sidelines for now.
Revenue and Margin Decline
U.S. Revenue declined approximately 17% quarter-over-quarter to $37 million while EBITDA margins fell to negative 8%.

STEP Energy Services (STEP) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

STEP Energy Services Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSTEP Energy Services is a leading oilfield service company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, specializing in providing coiled tubing, fluid and nitrogen pumping, and hydraulic fracturing services. Serving the North American oil and gas sector, STEP Energy Services is committed to delivering high-quality and reliable services that enhance the efficiency and productivity of exploration and production operations for its clients.
How the Company Makes MoneySTEP Energy Services makes money through the provision of specialized oilfield services, including coiled tubing, fluid and nitrogen pumping, and hydraulic fracturing. The company primarily generates revenue by offering these services to exploration and production companies within the oil and gas industry. Revenue streams are driven by contracts and agreements with oil and gas producers that require these technical services to enhance their operational capabilities. Additionally, STEP may engage in partnerships or strategic alliances that enable it to expand its service offerings or enter new markets, thereby contributing to its earnings. The company's financial performance is influenced by factors such as oil and gas prices, demand for its services, and its ability to maintain and grow its client base.

STEP Energy Services Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -5.25%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
While the company showcased significant technological advancements and reduced its debt, there were notable declines in revenue and net income, alongside challenges from terminated operations and margin pressures. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency and capture market opportunities.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Debt Reduction
Net debt decreased significantly to $44 million from approximately $85 million in the prior quarter, reflecting effective financial management.
Innovation in Technology
Introduction and positive client response to NGx, Canada's first 100% natural gas reciprocating engine designed for fully natural gas-powered fracturing operations.
Operational Efficiency
High utilization levels and strong client relationships maintained despite industry shifts, with continued growth in the adoption of new technology like Coil Plus for extended lateral mills.
Positive Market Positioning
STEP holds approximately a 30% market share in the Montney and is well-positioned to capture anticipated growth in the fracturing market in Canada.
Negative Updates
Revenue Decline
Consolidated revenues decreased to $228 million from the prior quarter's $308 million, influenced by the spring breakup and transition impacts.
Decreased Net Income
Net income reduced to $6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $24 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the prior quarter.
Margin Pressure
Adjusted EBITDA margin fell to 15% from 19% in the prior quarter, impacted by reduced pricing and ongoing cost pressures.
Termination of U.S. Fracturing Operations
No revenue from U.S. fracturing operations due to winding down process, bringing short-term challenges.
Company Guidance
During the Q2 2025 conference call, STEP Energy Services provided guidance for the rest of the year, emphasizing their strategic focus on operational excellence and innovation. Despite a decrease in consolidated revenues to $228 million from the previous quarter's $308 million, the company highlighted its resilience, maintaining high utilization levels and strong client relationships. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at $35 million with a 15% margin, while net income was $6 million or $0.08 per diluted share. The company ended the quarter with a net debt of $44 million, a significant reduction from $85 million in the prior quarter. Looking forward, STEP plans to leverage its innovative Coil Plus technology and the NGx pump to enhance operational efficiency and adapt to fluctuating market conditions. They anticipate a sequential increase in EBITDA for Q3, driven by higher margins on services where clients supply their own sand. The focus on reducing balance sheet leverage and cautious optimism for the remainder of 2025 were underscored, with an expectation of flat to down sequential revenues due to shifts in client sand supply.

STEP Energy Services Financial Statement Overview

Summary
STEP Energy Services operates in a challenging sector with mixed financial performance. The income statement shows pressure on profits and revenue growth, while the balance sheet indicates strong equity support but faces leverage concerns. Cash flow is a strength with robust operational cash conversion.
Income Statement
62
Positive
STEP Energy Services shows mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) reveals a gross profit margin of 9.36% and a negative net profit margin of -1.64%. The company has struggled with revenue growth, showing a decline compared to the previous period. EBIT and EBITDA margins are moderate at 4.70% and 10.98%, respectively, indicating operational challenges amidst a competitive industry landscape.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable equity base with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, suggesting moderate leverage. Return on Equity (ROE) has been erratic, moving from negative to positive, now at -3.93% in the TTM. The equity ratio of 55.18% signifies good asset backing by equity, yet the company faces risks from its fluctuating debt levels and equity returns.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
The cash flow statement indicates strong operational cash flow relative to net income, with a ratio of -7.78, highlighting effective cash generation despite net losses. Free cash flow growth has been inconsistent, yet the company maintains a healthy free cash flow to net income ratio of -2.60, emphasizing its capability to manage expenses and investments effectively.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue939.19M954.97M945.72M989.02M536.31M368.94M
Gross Profit84.50M110.19M116.14M147.59M17.76M-33.41M
EBITDA96.05M129.35M163.31M221.38M54.55M-41.74M
Net Income-20.06M1.76M50.42M94.78M-28.13M-119.36M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets613.52M580.63M606.52M682.53M483.85M479.86M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.23M4.36M1.78M2.79M3.70M1.27M
Total Debt69.37M84.47M113.63M162.98M205.33M220.35M
Total Liabilities222.82M210.11M250.97M376.50M306.41M275.28M
Stockholders Equity390.70M370.53M355.55M306.03M177.44M204.58M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow45.64M51.72M66.43M39.62M21.60M28.98M
Operating Cash Flow112.65M146.06M171.61M122.60M58.85M46.80M
Investing Cash Flow-67.62M-92.57M-108.98M-66.44M-30.71M-16.55M
Financing Cash Flow-44.64M-50.98M-63.90M-57.77M-25.67M-36.50M

STEP Energy Services Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price4.15
Price Trends
50DMA
4.31
Negative
100DMA
4.11
Positive
200DMA
4.36
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.04
Positive
RSI
34.70
Neutral
STOCH
19.33
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:STEP, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 4.15 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4.36, below the 50-day MA of 4.31, and below the 200-day MA of 4.36, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.04 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 34.70 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 19.33 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for TSE:STEP.

STEP Energy Services Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$1.02B10.4920.50%3.33%-2.14%-6.88%
79
Outperform
C$457.76M7.1111.66%3.01%14.74%62.76%
74
Outperform
C$168.91M4.2220.27%18.15%-75.41%
65
Neutral
$14.81B7.143.01%5.53%4.29%-62.49%
61
Neutral
$10.54M0.40-2.30%400.00%-82.87%
54
Neutral
C$309.71M151.92-5.02%-6.25%-129.86%
52
Neutral
C$288.59M29.621.53%-4.63%-92.13%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:STEP
STEP Energy Services
4.15
-0.04
-0.95%
TSE:HWO
High Arctic Energy Services
0.83
-0.66
-44.30%
TSE:TCW
Trican Well Service
5.79
0.90
18.31%
TSE:TOT
Total Energy Services
13.02
3.74
40.30%
TSE:SHLE
Source Energy Services Ltd
13.75
0.65
4.96%
TSE:CFW
Calfrac Well Services
3.42
-0.61
-15.14%

STEP Energy Services Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
STEP Energy Services Reports Q2 2025 Financial Results
Negative
Aug 6, 2025

STEP Energy Services Ltd. reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, showing consolidated revenue of $228 million, slightly down from $231.4 million in the same period of 2024. The company’s net income decreased to $5.9 million from $10.5 million in the previous year, reflecting a challenging quarter marked by reduced activity levels compared to the first quarter, which is typically the busiest for the industry. Despite these challenges, STEP continues to maintain a strong operational presence with significant horsepower capacity and active coiled tubing units, positioning itself for future growth in the energy services sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:STEP) stock is a Hold with a C$5.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on STEP Energy Services stock, see the TSE:STEP Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
STEP Energy Services to Release Q2 2025 Results and Host Conference Call
Neutral
Jul 4, 2025

STEP Energy Services Ltd. announced it will release its second quarter 2025 financial results on August 6, 2025, followed by a conference call on August 7 to discuss the results. This announcement is significant as it provides stakeholders with insights into the company’s financial performance and operational strategies, potentially impacting its market positioning and investor relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:STEP) stock is a Hold with a C$5.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on STEP Energy Services stock, see the TSE:STEP Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
STEP Energy Services Announces Board Leadership Changes Following AGM
Positive
Jun 5, 2025

STEP Energy Services announced the results of its 2025 annual general meeting, where seven directors were elected with overwhelming support. The board appointed Jeremy Gackle as chair and Edward LaFehr as lead director, with committee positions also confirmed. This leadership update is poised to strengthen STEP’s governance as it continues to provide innovative and reliable services to its clients in the energy sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:STEP) stock is a Hold with a C$5.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on STEP Energy Services stock, see the TSE:STEP 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: Aug 20, 2025