tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Usa Compression (USAC)
NYSE:USAC
US Market
Advertisement

USA Compression (USAC) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
644 Followers

Top Page

USAC

USA Compression

(NYSE:USAC)

Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$26.00
▲(5.86%Upside)
USA Compression's score reflects its strong financial recovery and operational efficiency, tempered by significant financial risks from negative equity and high leverage. The earnings call highlighted robust operational performance but acknowledged ongoing market challenges. Technical indicators and valuation suggest caution, with the high dividend yield being a notable positive.
Positive Factors
Future growth prospects
USAC expects to order new units to be placed in-service and is already working on building a ~2026 order book.
Market conditions
USAC stands poised to benefit from macro tailwinds that should continue to drive financial and operational records.
Operational performance
USAC plans to add operating horsepower in FY25 and should benefit from CPI escalators and higher recontracting rates.
Negative Factors
Financial outlook
The partnership's initial FY25 adj EBITDA outlook was underwhelming, especially since annualizing USAC's 4Q24 result after a one-time $3mn tax credit would still imply FY25 EBITDA above the high-end of USAC's guidance range.
Spending efficiency
It has been difficult to connect USAC's outsized spend to actual horsepower / new unit additions.
Strategic clarity
USAC's messaging around growth has been less clear and at times contradictory, which is highlighted by the partnership's marked underperformance against AROC/KGS over the past year.

USA Compression (USAC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

USA Compression Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUSA Compression Partners, LP, a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership that provides natural gas compression services in terms of total compression fleet horsepower. The company offers compression services to oil companies and independent producers, processors, gatherers, and transporters of natural gas and crude oil, as well as operates stations. It primarily focuses on providing natural gas compression services to infrastructure applications, including centralized natural gas gathering systems and processing facilities. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneyUSA Compression makes money primarily by providing natural gas compression services to energy companies. The company's revenue model is based on long-term, fee-based contracts with its customers, which typically include fixed monthly payments and provisions for cost pass-throughs. This model ensures a steady and predictable cash flow, largely insulated from the direct volatility of natural gas prices. Significant revenue streams include service fees for equipment rental, operation, and maintenance. The company's earnings are also bolstered by strategic partnerships and contracts with major oil and gas producers, ensuring a steady demand for its services. Additionally, USA Compression invests in expanding its fleet and enhancing its service capabilities to capture a larger market share and respond to growing industry needs.

USA Compression Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 1.07%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of strong operational performance and growth alongside challenges from market uncertainties and softening commodity prices. Despite some setbacks, the company's operational metrics remained solid, and leadership was proactive in addressing potential issues.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue per Horsepower
The company reported a record average revenue per horsepower per month, highlighting strong revenue, adjusted gross margin, and average horsepower utilization.
Strong Adjusted Gross Margins
Adjusted gross margins were nearly 67%, consistent with the company's expectations and demonstrating strong operational efficiency.
Expansion and Maintenance Capital Expenditures
First quarter 2025 expansion capital expenditures were $22.2 million and maintenance capital expenditures were $10.9 million, focusing on reconfigurations and new horsepower.
Promotion of Chris Wauson
Chris Wauson was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, acknowledged for his leadership and 26 years of industry experience.
Strong Data Center Market
Major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and NVIDIA reaffirmed the strong demand in the data center market, supporting USA Compression's operations.
High Utilization Rate
The company maintained a high average utilization rate of 94.4%, consistent with the prior quarter.
Negative Updates
Softening Commodity Prices
Commodity prices have softened significantly, creating market uncertainty and potential impacts on production.
Tariff-Driven Market Uncertainty
The market is facing uncertainty due to tariffs, which could affect parts and materials business once current inventories are depleted.
Minimal Fleet Growth
Total fleet horsepower and revenue-generating horsepower were essentially flat on a sequential quarter basis, with only a 2% increase from a year ago.
Higher High-Yield Market Costs
The company noted a 50 basis point increase in the cost to issue notes compared to a few months ago, impacting refinancing strategies.
Company Guidance
During the USA Compression Partners' First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics and guidance for the year. The first quarter net income was reported at $20.5 million, with an operating income of $69.4 million. The company's average revenue per horsepower reached an all-time high of $21.06, representing a 6% increase year-over-year. Average active horsepower remained stable at 3.56 million, with a total fleet horsepower of approximately 3.9 million. The company maintained an adjusted EBITDA range of $590 million to $610 million and a distributable cash flow range of $350 million to $370 million. Expansion capital expenditures were projected to be back-end loaded, with a range of $120 million to $140 million, while maintenance capital was expected to fall between $38 million and $42 million. The leverage ratio was reported at 4.08 times, with a target to maintain it at or below 4 times debt to EBITDA. The company also highlighted its expansion strategy, including the order of 40,000 new horsepower, primarily to be delivered by year-end, and ongoing evaluations for future opportunities. Additionally, the company addressed the impact of tariff-driven market uncertainty, noting that current inventories should minimize short-term effects on parts and materials costs.

USA Compression Financial Statement Overview

Summary
USA Compression shows strong revenue growth and improved profitability, with a significant increase in cash flow generation. However, the negative equity position and high leverage pose risks that must be addressed for long-term stability.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The income statement shows a strong recovery with a consistent increase in revenue from $632.6M in 2021 to $966.4M in TTM 2025. The gross profit margin improved to 38.8% in TTM 2025, indicating effective cost management. The net profit margin also increased to 10%, reflecting enhanced profitability. However, the EBIT margin of 30.8% and EBITDA margin of 48.3% suggest room for further efficiency improvements.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals a concerning negative stockholders' equity of -$11.9M in TTM 2025, indicating potential financial instability. The debt-to-equity ratio is not meaningful due to negative equity, highlighting high leverage. Despite this, the company has managed to maintain a substantial asset base of $2.7B, suggesting potential for future recovery if debt levels are managed.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Cash flow analysis shows a strong operating cash flow of $330M in TTM 2025, supporting the company's operations. Free cash flow has grown significantly to $205.5M, indicating improved cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust, suggesting efficient conversion of income into cash. However, the high capital expenditures could pose a risk if not managed carefully.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue966.41M950.45M846.18M704.60M632.64M667.68M
Gross Profit375.24M372.97M315.37M233.59M199.49M222.78M
EBITDA466.75M560.03M485.65M406.06M379.85M-225.40M
Net Income96.51M99.58M68.27M30.32M10.28M-594.73M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.71B2.75B2.74B2.67B2.77B2.95B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.00K14.00K11.00K35.00K-18.55M2.00K
Total Debt2.55B2.51B2.35B2.12B1.99B1.95B
Total Liabilities2.73B2.72B2.55B2.78B2.77B2.13B
Stockholders Equity-11.90M27.76M183.05M-116.30M578.42M814.96M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow205.46M136.48M33.36M126.37M220.21M184.13M
Operating Cash Flow330.07M341.33M271.88M260.59M265.43M293.20M
Investing Cash Flow-121.48M-202.01M-232.65M-129.94M-39.19M-105.10M
Financing Cash Flow-208.59M-139.32M-39.26M-130.61M-226.24M-188.11M

USA Compression Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price24.56
Price Trends
50DMA
24.83
Negative
100DMA
24.90
Negative
200DMA
24.11
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.17
Positive
RSI
49.93
Neutral
STOCH
12.81
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For USAC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 24.56 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 24.46, below the 50-day MA of 24.83, and above the 200-day MA of 24.11, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.17 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 49.93 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 12.81 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for USAC.

USA Compression Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (44)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$306.23M18.066.77%22.64%78.46%
77
Outperform
$2.78B60.033.88%5.32%45.41%-37.84%
75
Outperform
$4.00B19.1817.89%3.85%20.14%43.55%
74
Outperform
$2.15B8.7813.18%2.34%-7.45%-44.88%
72
Outperform
$1.18B28.384.51%2.76%-4.91%-46.51%
64
Neutral
$2.89B36.74148.57%8.55%10.03%65.28%
44
Neutral
AU$1.46B-6.94-23.02%8.04%5.33%-26.92%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
USAC
USA Compression
24.83
3.35
15.60%
AROC
Archrock
23.01
2.34
11.32%
NGS
Natural Gas Services Group
24.44
4.31
21.41%
WTTR
Select Energy Services
9.78
-1.16
-10.60%
LBRT
Liberty Oilfield Services
13.25
-8.59
-39.33%
KGS
Kodiak Gas Services, Inc.
31.59
6.11
23.98%

USA Compression Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
USA Compression Approves New Compensation Package for VP
Neutral
Jul 3, 2025

On July 2, 2025, USA Compression GP, LLC’s Compensation Committee approved a new compensation package for Christopher W. Porter, the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. The package includes an annual base salary of $435,000, participation in an annual cash incentive plan, and a long-term equity incentive plan. Mr. Porter plans to relocate to the company’s Dallas headquarters by June 2026, and his employment agreement will be amended to remove his right to terminate due to relocation and will not be renewed at the end of its term.

The most recent analyst rating on (USAC) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on USA Compression stock, see the USAC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
USA Compression to Attend J.P. Morgan Conference
Neutral
Jun 20, 2025

USA Compression Partners, LP announced that its senior management will attend the J.P. Morgan Energy, Power, Renewables and Mining Conference on June 25. During this event, they plan to engage with the investment community, sharing presentation materials that will be available on their website. This participation underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining transparency with investors and stakeholders, potentially impacting its industry positioning by fostering investor relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (USAC) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on USA Compression stock, see the USAC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
USA Compression Engages at RBC Capital Conference
Neutral
May 30, 2025

On June 4, USA Compression‘s senior management attended the RBC Capital Markets Global Energy, Power & Infrastructure Conference, engaging with the investment community. This participation highlights the company’s active role in investor relations and could influence its market positioning and stakeholder engagement.

The most recent analyst rating on (USAC) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on USA Compression stock, see the USAC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
USA Compression Engages at Energy Infrastructure Conference
Neutral
May 16, 2025

On May 21, senior management from USA Compression Partners, LP attended the Energy Infrastructure Council CEO & Investor Conference, engaging with the investment community through a series of meetings. Presentation materials from these meetings were made available on the company’s website, highlighting their commitment to investor relations and transparency.

The most recent analyst rating on (USAC) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on USA Compression stock, see the USAC 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: Jul 24, 2025