Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial and Operating Results
First Quarter 2026 Highlights
- Rental revenue of
$47.1 million for the first quarter of 2026 represents a 21.1% year-over-year increase and a 6.3% sequential increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. - Net income of
$6.8 million , or$0.53 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to$4.9 million or$0.38 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2025 and$4.1 million , or$0.32 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2025. - Adjusted EBITDA of
$24.3 million for the first quarter of 2026, represents a 25.8% year-over-year increase and a 14.6% increase sequentially. - Commencing with the dividend payable in the second quarter 2026, the Company is increasing its quarterly dividend from
$0.11 to$0.15 per share, representing a 36% increase, in the second quarter 2026 reflecting confidence in the Company's cash generation and long-term outlook.
Management Commentary and Outlook
"NGS delivered an exceptional start to 2026, highlighted by record quarterly rental revenue, adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, and horsepower utilization," said
"During the first quarter, we added approximately 17,000 horsepower to the fleet, all of which was large horsepower equipment and a majority of which was electric motor drive. These additions reinforce our continued focus on high-return, longer contract duration large horsepower applications, and we remain committed to deploying at least 50,000 horsepower during 2026."
"Looking ahead, market fundamentals remain constructive. Recent customer commentary indicating improving oil production sentiment combined with midstream infrastructure build out to support increased natural gas production should drive material incremental demand for compression."
"NGS remains well positioned to capture a disproportionate share of this growth given our advanced technology, the quality of our fleet, and the strength of our service team. We remain disciplined in our capital allocation framework as we continue to invest in organic fleet expansion, evaluate accretive M&A opportunities, and look to increase return of capital to shareholders. Our leverage at quarter end is the lowest of the public comparable set—we maintain great flexibility to invest in growth and drive value for our shareholders."
Corporate Guidance — 2026 Outlook
The Company now expects 2026 Adjusted EBITDA of
| Outlook | |
| FY 2026 Adjusted EBITDA | |
| FY 2026 Growth Capital Expenditures | |
| FY 2026 Maintenance Capital Expenditures | |
The outlook for capital expenditures remains unchanged from last quarter. Growth capital expenditures for 2026 are expected in the range of
Consistent with prior periods, the Company remains committed to disciplined capital allocation and investing in assets that generate attractive long-term returns for shareholders. The company's balance sheet and liquidity position provide flexibility to fund organic fleet expansion, evaluate strategic and accretive M&A opportunities, and continue returning capital to shareholders.
2026 First Quarter Financial Results
Revenue: Total revenue for the three months ended
Gross Margins and Adjusted Gross Margins: Total gross margins, including depreciation expense increased to
Operating Income: Operating income for the three months ended
Net Income: Net income for the three months ended
Cash Flows: For the three months ended
Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA increased 25.8% to
Debt: Outstanding debt on our revolving credit facility as of
Selected data: The tables below show revenue by product line, gross margin and adjusted gross margin for the trailing five quarters. Adjusted gross margin is the difference between revenue and cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation.
| Revenues |
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| Three months ended |
|||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rental | $ | 38,910 | $ | 39,580 | $ | 41,502 | $ | 44,334 | $ | 47,115 | |||||||||
| Sales | 1,927 | 750 | 471 | 844 | 491 | ||||||||||||||
| Aftermarket services | 546 | 1,052 | 1,428 | 971 | 861 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 41,383 | $ | 41,382 | $ | 43,401 | $ | 46,149 | $ | 48,467 | |||||||||
| Gross Margin | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rental | $ | 15,634 | $ | 15,294 | $ | 16,508 | $ | 16,346 | $ | 19,991 | |||||||||
| Sales | (181 | ) | (254 | ) | (75 | ) | (134 | ) | (250 | ) | |||||||||
| Aftermarket services | 264 | 310 | 244 | 283 | 342 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 15,717 | $ | 15,350 | $ | 16,677 | $ | 16,495 | $ | 20,083 | |||||||||
| Adjusted Gross Margin(1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rental | $ | 24,070 | $ | 24,052 | $ | 25,532 | $ | 25,940 | $ | 30,025 | |||||||||
| Sales | (89 | ) | (161 | ) | 23 | (14 | ) | (133 | ) | ||||||||||
| Aftermarket services | 275 | 332 | 273 | 304 | 356 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 24,256 | $ | 24,223 | $ | 25,828 | $ | 26,230 | $ | 30,248 | |||||||||
| Adjusted Gross Margin % | ||||||||||||||
| Three months ended | ||||||||||||||
| Rental | 61.9 | % | 60.8 | % | 61.5 | % | 58.5 | % | 63.7 | % | ||||
| Sales | (4.6 | )% | (21.5 | )% | 4.9 | % | (1.7 | )% | (27.1 | )% | ||||
| Aftermarket services | 50.4 | % | 31.6 | % | 19.1 | % | 31.3 | % | 41.3 | % | ||||
| Total | 58.6 | % | 58.5 | % | 59.5 | % | 56.8 | % | 62.4 | % | ||||
| Operating Statistics (at end of period): | ||||||||||||||
| Three months ended | ||||||||||||||
| Horsepower Utilized | 492,679 | 498,651 | 526,015 | 562,676 | 574,969 | |||||||||
| Total Horsepower | 603,391 | 596,322 | 625,686 | 662,542 | 661,872 | |||||||||
| Horsepower Utilization | 81.7 | % | 83.6 | % | 84.1 | % | 84.9 | % | 86.9 | % | ||||
| Units Utilized | 1,202 | 1,198 | 1,235 | 1,245 | 1,243 | |||||||||
| Total Units | 1,916 | 1,833 | 1,891 | 1,914 | 1,801 | |||||||||
| Unit Utilization | 62.7 | % | 65.4 | % | 65.3 | % | 65.0 | % | 69.0 | % | ||||
(1) For a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read "Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted Gross Margin" below.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure - Adjusted Gross Margin: "Adjusted Gross Margin" is defined as total revenue less costs of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization expense). Adjusted Gross Margin is included as a supplemental disclosure because it is a primary measure used by our management as it represents the results of revenue and costs (excluding depreciation and amortization expense), which are key components of our operations. Adjusted Gross Margin differs from gross margin, in that gross margin includes depreciation and amortization expense. We believe Adjusted Gross Margin is important because it focuses on the current operating performance of our operations and excludes the impact of the prior historical costs of the assets acquired or constructed that are utilized in those operations. Depreciation and amortization expense does not accurately reflect the costs required to maintain and replenish the operational usage of our assets and therefore may not portray the costs from current operating activity. Rather, depreciation and amortization expense reflects the systematic allocation of historical property and equipment costs over their estimated useful lives.
Adjusted Gross Margin has certain material limitations associated with its use as compared to gross margin. These limitations are primarily due to the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense, which is material to our results of operations. Because we use capital assets, depreciation and amortization expense is a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate revenue. In order to compensate for these limitations, management uses this non-GAAP measure as a supplemental measure to other GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of our performance. As an indicator of our operating performance, Adjusted Gross Margin should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, gross margin as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our Adjusted Gross Margin may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate Adjusted Gross Margin in the same manner.
The following table calculates our gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and reconciles it to Adjusted Gross Margin:
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 41,383 | $ | 41,382 | $ | 43,401 | $ | 46,149 | $ | 48,467 | |||||||||
| Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation | (17,127 | ) | (17,159 | ) | (17,573 | ) | (19,919 | ) | (18,219 | ) | |||||||||
| Depreciation allocable to costs of revenue | (8,539 | ) | (8,873 | ) | (9,151 | ) | (9,735 | ) | (10,165 | ) | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 15,717 | 15,350 | 16,677 | 16,495 | 20,083 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation allocable to costs of revenue | 8,539 | 8,873 | 9,151 | 9,735 | 10,165 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted Gross Margin | $ | 24,256 | $ | 24,223 | $ | 25,828 | $ | 26,230 | $ | 30,248 | |||||||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA: "Adjusted EBITDA" is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as well as an increase in inventory allowance, impairments, retirement of rental equipment, nonrecurring restructuring charges including severance and non-cash equity-classified stock-based compensation expenses. This term, as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because: (i) it is widely used by investors in the energy industry to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors; (ii) it helps investors to more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the impact of our capital structure and asset base from our operating structure; and (iii) it is used by our management for various purposes, including as a measure of operating performance, in presentations to our Board of Directors, and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are as follows: (i) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect all our cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments; (ii) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; (iii) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt and finance leases; and (iv) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any capital expenditures for such replacements.
The following tables reconciles our net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA:
| Three months ended |
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| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 4,854 | $ | 5,188 | $ | 5,784 | $ | 4,102 | $ | 6,763 | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 3,170 | 3,243 | 3,414 | 3,738 | 4,028 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | — | — | — | (2,444 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,482 | 1,597 | 1,779 | 1,745 | 2,156 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8,636 | 8,969 | 9,249 | 9,802 | 10,325 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairments | — | — | — | 2,600 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Inventory allowance | 61 | — | — | 1,053 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Retirement of rental equipment | 728 | — | — | — | 412 | ||||||||||||||
| Severance and restructuring charges | — | 89 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 359 | 579 | 612 | 576 | 579 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 19,290 | $ | 19,665 | $ | 20,838 | $ | 21,172 | $ | 24,263 | |||||||||
Conference Call Details: The Company will host a conference call to review its third-quarter results on
About
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements herein (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "could," "may," "will," "might," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions.
These forward–looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, many of which are outside the control of the Company. Forward–looking information includes, but is not limited to statements regarding: guidance or estimates related to EBITDA growth, projected capital expenditures; returns on invested capital, fundamentals of the compression industry and related oil and gas industry, valuations, compressor demand assumptions and overall industry outlook, and the ability of the Company to capitalize on any potential opportunities.
While the Company believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, investors are cautioned that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. Some of these factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
- conditions in the oil and gas industry, including the supply and demand for oil and gas and volatility in the prices of oil and gas;
- changes in general economic and financial conditions, inflationary pressures, the potential for economic recession in the
U.S. , tariffs and trade restrictions, including the imposition of new and higher tariffs on imported goods and retaliatory tariffs implemented by other countries onU.S. goods, and the potential effects on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; - our reliance on major customers;
- failure of projected organic growth due to adverse changes in the oil and gas industry, including depressed oil and gas prices, oppressive environmental regulations and competition;
- our inability to achieve increased utilization of assets, including rental fleet utilization and monetizing other non-cash balance sheet assets;
- failure of our customers to continue to rent equipment after expiration of the primary rental term;
- our ability to economically develop and deploy new technologies and services, including technology to comply with health and environmental laws and regulations;
- failure to achieve accretive financial results in connection with any acquisitions we may make;
- fluctuations in interest rates;
- our ability to make dividends, distributions and share repurchases;
- changes in regulation or prohibition of new or current well completion techniques;
- competition among the various providers of compression services and products;
- changes in safety, health and environmental regulations;
- changes in economic or political conditions in the markets in which we operate;
- the inherent risks associated with our operations, such as equipment defects, malfunctions, natural disasters and adverse changes in customer, employee and supplier relationships;
- our inability to comply with covenants in our debt agreements and the decreased financial flexibility associated with our debt;
- inability to finance our future capital requirements and availability of financing;
- cybersecurity threats, including increased use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies;
- capacity availability, costs and performance of our outsourced compressor fabrication providers and overall inflationary pressures;
- impacts of world events, such as acts of terrorism, the conflicts in
Iran ,Ukraine ,Venezuela and in the greaterMiddle East , and significant economic disruptions and adverse consequences resulting from possible long-term effects of potential pandemics and other public health crises; and - general economic conditions
In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to other various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except par value) (unaudited) |
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2026 |
2025 |
||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Current Assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,311 | $ | — | |||
| Trade accounts receivable, net of provision for credit losses | 22,950 | 18,497 | |||||
| Inventory, net of allowance for obsolescence | 21,780 | 20,647 | |||||
| Income taxes receivable and prepayments | 1,690 | 14,056 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 3,352 | 1,696 | |||||
| Assets held for sale | 10,986 | 2,227 | |||||
| Total current assets | 63,069 | 57,123 | |||||
| Long-term inventory, net of allowance for obsolescence | — | — | |||||
| Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 503,027 | 498,525 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 11,994 | 20,519 | |||||
| Other assets | 10,825 | 10,619 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 588,915 | $ | 586,786 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
| Current Liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 11,486 | $ | 14,048 | |||
| Accrued liabilities | 11,848 | 10,462 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 23,334 | 24,510 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 226,000 | 230,000 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 54,653 | 52,530 | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 4,394 | 5,030 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 308,381 | 312,070 | |||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | |||||||
| Preferred stock | — | — | |||||
| Common stock, 30,000 shares authorized, par value |
139 | 138 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 121,261 | 120,811 | |||||
| Retained earnings | 174,138 | 168,771 | |||||
| (15,004 | ) | (15,004 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 280,534 | 274,716 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 588,915 | $ | 586,786 | |||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except earnings per share) (unaudited) |
|||||||
| Three months ended | |||||||
| 2026 |
2025 |
||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||
| Rental | $ | 47,115 | $ | 38,910 | |||
| Sales | 491 | 1,927 | |||||
| Aftermarket services | 861 | 546 | |||||
| Total revenue | 48,467 | 41,383 | |||||
| Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization): | |||||||
| Rental | 17,090 | 14,840 | |||||
| Sales | 624 | 2,016 | |||||
| Aftermarket services | 505 | 271 | |||||
| Total cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 18,219 | 17,127 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 6,508 | 5,378 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 10,325 | 8,636 | |||||
| Inventory allowance | — | 61 | |||||
| Retirement of rental equipment | 412 | 728 | |||||
| Gain on disposition of assets, net | (70 | ) | (54 | ) | |||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 35,394 | 31,876 | |||||
| Operating income | 13,073 | 9,507 | |||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||
| Interest expense | (4,028 | ) | (3,170 | ) | |||
| Other income (expense), net | (126 | ) | (1 | ) | |||
| Total other expense, net | (4,154 | ) | (3,171 | ) | |||
| Income before income taxes | 8,919 | 6,336 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | (2,156 | ) | (1,482 | ) | |||
| Net income | $ | 6,763 | $ | 4,854 | |||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.39 | |||
| Diluted | $ | 0.53 | $ | 0.38 | |||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||
| Basic | 12,584 | 12,462 | |||||
| Diluted | 12,746 | 12,611 | |||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited) |
|||||||
| Three months ended | |||||||
| 2026 |
2025 |
||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 6,763 | $ | 4,854 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 10,325 | 8,636 | |||||
| Inventory allowance | — | 61 | |||||
| Retirement of rental equipment | 412 | 728 | |||||
| Gain on the disposition of assets, net | (70 | ) | (54 | ) | |||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 325 | 212 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 2,123 | 1,450 | |||||
| Stock-based compensation | 579 | 359 | |||||
| Provision for credit losses | 88 | 208 | |||||
| (Gain) loss on company owned life insurance | 125 | 17 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
| Trade accounts receivables | (4,541 | ) | 3 | ||||
| Inventory | (1,133 | ) | 647 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses, income taxes receivable and prepayments | 10,710 | 64 | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (1,380 | ) | 4,617 | ||||
| Other | (1,291 | ) | (535 | ) | |||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 23,035 | 21,267 | |||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Purchase of rental equipment, property and other equipment | (15,247 | ) | (19,256 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from disposition of assets, net | 37 | — | |||||
| (15,210 | ) | (19,256 | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Proceeds from credit facility borrowings | 9,000 | 6,000 | |||||
| Repayments of credit facility borrowings | (13,000 | ) | (8,000 | ) | |||
| Payments of debt issuance costs | (1 | ) | — | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 67 | — | |||||
| Payment of dividends | (1,385 | ) | — | ||||
| Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards | (195 | ) | (6 | ) | |||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | (5,514 | ) | (2,006 | ) | |||
| NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 2,311 | 5 | |||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD | — | 2,142 | |||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | 2,311 | $ | 2,147 | |||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |||||||
| Interest paid | $ | 3,653 | $ | 2,936 | |||
| Income taxes paid, net of refunds received | $ | (10,196 | ) | $ | 16 | ||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS: | |||||||
| Transfer of property and equipment to assets held for sale | $ | 8,759 | $ | — | |||
| Accrued purchases of property and equipment | $ | 228 | $ | 524 | |||

For More Information, Contact:Glenn Wiener , Investor Relations (432) 262-2700 IR@ngsgi.com
Source: Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.
