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Archrock, Inc. (AROC)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Archrock delivered a strong Q1 2025 with revenue of $347.2M, GAAP EPS of $0.40 and adjusted EPS of $0.42; results beat S&P Global consensus on both EPS (+$0.05) and revenue (+$4.7M), driven by record contract operations margins, higher revenue per horsepower, and non-core asset sale gains . Consensus: EPS $0.37*, Revenue $342.5M*.
  • Management raised FY2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $790–$830M (from $750–$790M), increased cash available for dividend guidance, and lifted segment revenue/margin targets, reflecting Q1 outperformance and eight months of NGCS contribution; net income guidance was trimmed to include deal-related costs .
  • Fleet utilization remained at 96% with operating horsepower up ~70k sequentially (ex-asset sales); monthly revenue per horsepower reached a company record of $23.54, underscoring constructive pricing and mix .
  • Strategic progress: closed the NGCS acquisition (immediately accretive; ~2.25M shares issued; $299M cash funded via ABL), lifted buyback authorization by $50M to $65.2M capacity, and declared a $0.19 dividend (15% YoY increase) with 3.9x coverage .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • Record profitability: Contract operations adjusted gross margin held at 70% for the second consecutive quarter; adjusted EBITDA rose to $197.8M (57% of revenue) .
    • Strong pricing and utilization: 96% utilization, >70k sequential operating horsepower growth (ex-asset sales), and monthly revenue per horsepower reached $23.54—a company record .
    • Accretive consolidation and capital returns: Closed NGCS (immediately accretive to EPS and cash available for dividend), raised 2025 EBITDA guidance, maintained leverage at 3.2x, increased buyback authorization and declared a $0.19 dividend with 3.9x coverage .
    • Management quote: “Our outstanding first quarter results were driven by solid execution and our operational transformation… We maintained record equipment utilization… and delivered outstanding profitability in both business segments” .
  • What Went Wrong

    • GAAP net income guidance trimmed: FY2025 net income range lowered ($245–$285M vs $253–$293M prior) to reflect deal-related costs and assumptions, even as EBITDA guidance rose .
    • Maintenance CapEx outlook increased: FY2025 maintenance CapEx raised to $110–$120M (from $105–$115M) to reflect planned overhaul activity for the newly acquired fleet .
    • Macro uncertainty watch items: Management cited OPEC actions and tariff headlines as sources of short-term volatility; however, customers have not signaled changes to 2025 development plans to date .

Financial Results

Revenue, EPS, margins vs prior periods and estimates

MetricQ1 2024Q3 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Revenue ($M)$268.5 $292.2 $326.4 $347.2
Net Income ($M)$40.5 $37.5 $59.8 $70.9
GAAP Diluted EPS ($)$0.26 $0.22 $0.34 $0.40
Adjusted Net Income ($M)$40.5 $47.3 $61.5 $74.5
Adjusted EPS ($)$0.26 $0.28 $0.35 $0.42
Adjusted EBITDA ($M)$131.0 $150.9 $183.8 $197.8
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)49% 52% 56% 57%

Consensus vs. Actual (Q1 2025)

MetricConsensusActualDelta
Revenue ($M)$342.5*$347.2 +$4.7
Primary EPS ($)$0.37*$0.42 +$0.05

Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Segment breakdown

SegmentQ1 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Contract Operations Revenue ($M)$223.1 $286.5 $300.4
Contract Ops Adj. Gross Margin ($M)$145.3 $200.2 $210.6
Contract Ops Adj. Gross Margin (%)65% 70% 70%
Aftermarket Services Revenue ($M)$45.4 $40.0 $46.8
AMS Adj. Gross Margin ($M)$10.4 $9.1 $11.5
AMS Adj. Gross Margin (%)23% 23% 25%

KPIs

KPIQ1 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Total Available HP (MM)3.780 4.401 4.461
Total Operating HP (MM)3.593 4.227 4.283
Utilization (Spot, %)95% 96% 96%
Cash Available for Dividend ($M)$82.0 $118.1 $132.2
Dividend Coverage (x)3.2x 3.5x 3.9x
Dividend Per Share ($)$0.165 $0.190 $0.190
Leverage Ratio (x)3.2x (Mar-24) 3.3x (Dec-24) 3.2x (Mar-25)

Notes on non-GAAP: Q1 2025 GAAP net income included $3.9M transaction costs, $1.0M non-cash impairment, $0.7M restructuring; adjusted EBITDA included $7.3M net gains on asset sales; these adjustments supported adjusted EPS of $0.42 vs GAAP EPS of $0.40 .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious Guidance (Feb 24, 2025)Current Guidance (May 5, 2025)Change
Net Income ($M)FY 2025$253–$293 $245–$285 Lowered (deal costs)
Adjusted EBITDA ($M)FY 2025$750–$790 $790–$830 Raised
Cash Available for Dividend ($M)FY 2025$456–$471 $480–$495 Raised
Contract Ops Revenue ($M)FY 2025$1,200–$1,235 $1,260–$1,290 Raised
Contract Ops Adj. GM (%)FY 202568–71% 69–71% Raised low end
AMS Revenue ($M)FY 2025$190–$210 $190–$210 Maintained
AMS Adj. GM (%)FY 202522–24% 22–24% Maintained
SG&A ($M)FY 2025$147–$142 $149–$144 (as printed) Slightly higher
Growth CapEx ($M)FY 2025$330–$370 $330–$370 Maintained
Maintenance CapEx ($M)FY 2025$105–$115 $110–$120 Raised
Other CapEx ($M)FY 2025$35–$50 $35–$50 Maintained
DividendQ1 2025$0.19 declared (payable May 13) Declared

Management attributed the EBITDA raise to Q1 outperformance and 8 months of NGCS contribution ($30M uplift at midpoint), while net income guidance embeds transaction-related costs .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q-2: Q3 2024; Q-1: Q4 2024)Current Period (Q1 2025)Trend
AI/data center-driven gas demand“Expanding opportunity set” incl. power generation for AI/data centers ; EIA 2–3% production growth, AI onshoring noted Continues as a long-term demand driver; compression infrastructure investment needed Positive, sustained
Supply chain & tariffsLead times normalized (42–44 weeks); tariffs a risk but not material Tariff impacts estimated low-single-digit; 2025 orders largely price-locked; reflected in plan Manageable risk
Pricing & utilizationPricing higher QoQ; margin expansion ambition 15% YoY rev/HP increase; long-term contract opportunities ; Q1 monthly revenue/HP record; pricing increases moderating amid tight market Still constructive
Electrification (EMD)EMD mix to 40–50% of newbuild CapEx over time Leader in EMD; 2025 focus on large midstream & EMD; power availability is gating item Expanding selectively
M&A integrationTOPS closed; integration on track; accretive NGCS closed May 1; immediately accretive; modeled ~sub-7x multiple; no synergies modeled yet Scale-up underway
Macro/regulatoryStrong LNG, midstream buildout thesis OPEC/tariff headlines monitored; no 2025 customer plan changes Watchful but steady
Regional trendsPermian-led growth; incremental Haynesville Permian highest compression intensity; small Haynesville exposure (2–3% of fleet) Permian-led

Management Commentary

  • Strategy and quality: “Our outstanding first quarter results were driven by solid execution and our operational transformation from prior and ongoing investments in our high-quality asset base and innovative processes and technology” — Brad Childers, CEO .
  • Market and backlog: “We have a substantial contracted backlog for 2025, and we are booking units for 2026… our fleet remains fully utilized at 96%” .
  • Capital allocation: “We are committed to our prudent and returns-based capital allocation approach… dividend coverage remains over 3.0x… Board… approved an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program by an additional $50 million” .
  • Profit drivers: “Results further benefited from $7 million in net asset sale gains… and higher total adjusted gross margin dollars for contract operations and aftermarket services on a sequential basis” — Doug Aron, CFO .

Q&A Highlights

  • Macro sensitivity and actions: Management is monitoring OPEC-driven oil volatility and tariffs but noted no customer changes to 2025 plans; should activity moderate, Archrock can quickly flex OpEx/CapEx to protect cash flow .
  • Pricing and contracts: Pricing increases have moderated after catching up for inflation, but tight utilization supports returns; opportunity to extend contract terms where appropriate, while meeting customers “where they are” across tenures .
  • NGCS deal math: Guidance uplift implies ~$30M EBITDA contribution for 8 months; purchase multiple just under 7x with backlog coming online by mid-year; no synergies modeled yet .
  • Permian vs. dry gas: Permian remains most compression-intensive; Haynesville is 2–3% of fleet and not expected to grow materially for Archrock; bookings remain ~70–80% Permian .
  • Electrification: ~30% of newbuild CapEx dedicated to electric units; power availability is the gating factor; Archrock is agnostic gas drive vs. electric and can deliver both .

Estimates Context

  • Q1 2025 beat consensus on both EPS and revenue: EPS $0.42 vs $0.37*, revenue $347.2M vs $342.5M*; four estimates for each metric . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
  • Potential estimate revisions: Raised FY2025 Adjusted EBITDA and segment revenue/margin guidance, plus NGCS accretion, likely drive upward revisions to EBITDA/FCF; maintenance CapEx uplift and inclusion of transaction costs may temper net income/EPS revisions .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Core operating momentum intact: High utilization, record revenue/HP, and 70% contract ops margins underpin durable profitability into 2025 .
  • Guidance reset upward where it counts: EBITDA and cash available for dividend ranges increased; net income range lower largely on deal-cost assumptions .
  • Visible growth pipeline: Backlog fully supports 2025 plan; 2026 bookings underway with constructive pricing dynamics .
  • Accretive consolidation: NGCS closed with immediate accretion; leverage remains disciplined at 3.2x; buyback authorization increased .
  • Watch items: Tariff pass-throughs (low single-digit) and oil macro; maintenance CapEx lifted for acquired fleet overhauls; management prepared to flex OpEx/CapEx if activity slows .
  • Dividend strength: $0.19/share quarterly dividend with 3.9x coverage in Q1 supports continued return growth as profits expand .
  • Tactical angle: Post-beat and guidance raise, the narrative is about sustained margin quality and backlog conversion; any datapoints on EMD power availability and large-horsepower starts are incremental catalysts .