Tuesday, USAC (NYSE: USAC) received a continued Neutral rating from Citi, with its stock price target remaining unchanged. The firm acknowledged that USA Compression Partners LP (NYSE:USAC)'s adjusted EBITDA of $146 million was consistent with both Citi's projection of $144 million and the $143 million average estimate.
The company's revenue-generating horsepower saw an approximate increase of 45,000 quarter over quarter, aligning with market expectations. Furthermore, USAC's revenue per horsepower per month has seen an upward trend, reaching an average of $20.60 for the third quarter of 2024.
USAC has confirmed its EBITDA guidance for 2024 to be between $565 million and $585 million, with the higher end of this range deemed achievable based on the year-to-date performance. However, this morning's focus has shifted to the company's revised capital expenditure guidance. USAC has raised its growth capital expenditure forecast for 2024 by about $40 million, now expecting it to be in the range of $240 million to $250 million.
The increased capital expenditure is attributed to costs related to preparing active compression units for redeployment after being returned by a customer, as well as the heightened expenses for converting idle units to active status. The company's press release highlighted these factors as the primary drivers behind the updated capex guidance.
The reiteration of the EBITDA guidance and the increase in capital expenditure guidance are both crucial financial indicators for USAC as they navigate through the fiscal year. The company's ability to maintain steady revenue per horsepower and manage the costs associated with equipment turnover will be key in achieving their financial targets for 2024.
"In other recent news, USA Compression Partners reported record-breaking financial results for the second quarter of 2024, including historic highs in revenues, adjusted gross margin, and adjusted EBITDA. The company's net income was reported at $31.2 million, with operating income at $77.4 million.
Despite these robust results, Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities maintained a cautious outlook for USA Compression Partners, lowering its price target from $26.00 to $25.00, while maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock.
In light of these recent developments, USA Compression Partners revised its financial guidance for the full year 2024, with increased net income and adjusted EBITDA ranges. The company also plans to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 horsepower of uncontracted fleet assets for the remainder of 2024, indicating continued growth expectations in the natural gas compression market."
InvestingPro Insights
To complement the analysis of USA Compression Partners LP's (USAC) recent performance and guidance, InvestingPro data offers additional insights into the company's financial health and market position.
USAC's stock is currently trading near its 52-week low, which could present an interesting entry point for investors considering the company's stable business model. This is particularly noteworthy given that USAC has maintained dividend payments for 7 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns even in challenging market conditions.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that USAC pays a significant dividend to shareholders, which aligns with the company's history of consistent payouts. This could be attractive to income-focused investors, especially considering the company's expectation of net income growth this year.
It's worth noting that while USAC is trading at a high earnings multiple, it has been profitable over the last twelve months, and analysts predict continued profitability this year. This suggests that despite the increased capital expenditure guidance, the market maintains confidence in USAC's ability to generate returns.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 5 additional tips that could provide further context to USAC's financial outlook and market position.
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