Q4 2025 Natural Gas Services Group Earnings Call

March 17, 2026

Operator: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. Q4 Earnings Call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. Operator assistance is available at any time during this conference by pressing zero pound. I would now like to turn the call over to Ms. Anna Delgado. Please begin.

Speaker #2: At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. Operator assistance is available at any time during this conference by pressing 0 pound. I would now like to turn the call over to Ms. Hannah Delgado.

Speaker #2: Please begin.

Anna Delgado: Thank you, Luke, and good morning, everyone. Before we begin, I would like to remind you that during the course of this conference call, the company will be making forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that the actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Finally, the company can give no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Natural Gas Services Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Luke. And good morning, everyone. Before we begin, I would like to remind you that during the course of this conference call, the company will be making forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal security laws.

Speaker #3: Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Speaker #3: Finally, the company can give no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Natural Gas Services Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Speaker #3: Whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These and other risks are described in yesterday's earnings press release and in our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2025, and our Form 8-Ks.

Anna Delgado: These and other risks are described in yesterday's earnings press release and our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2025, and our Form 8-Ks. These documents can be found in the investors section of our website located at www.ngsgi.com. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially. In addition, our discussion today will reference certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted gross margin, among others. For reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measures under GAAP, please see yesterday's earnings release. I will now turn the call over to Justin Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer. Justin.

Speaker #3: These documents can be found in the investor section of our website, located at www.ngsgi.com. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially.

Speaker #3: In addition, our discussion today will reference certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted gross margin, among others. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measures under GAAP, please see yesterday's earnings release.

Speaker #3: I will now turn the call over to Justin Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer. Justin?

Justin Jacobs: Thank you, Anna, and good morning, everyone. Joining me today is Ian Eckert, our Chief Financial Officer. To start, I want to once again thank the entire NGS team for their continued dedication and hard work. Our results this year reflect the efforts of the entire organization. I especially want to recognize our field team. Their commitment to delivering exceptional uptime and reliability for our customers continues to be a defining strength of this company. As a result of our team's strong execution, NGS delivered another great quarter and record full year results in 2025. This performance also marks the third consecutive year in which we have taken market share in the rental compression industry. Our continued growth reinforces NGS' position as one of the fastest growing rental compression companies.

Speaker #4: Thank you, Anna, and good morning, everyone. Joining me today is Ian Eckert, our Chief Financial Officer. To start, I want to once again thank the entire NGS team for their continued dedication and hard work.

Speaker #4: Our results this year reflect the efforts of the entire organization. I especially want to recognize our field team. Their commitment to delivering exceptional uptime and reliability for our customers continues to be a defining strength of this company.

Speaker #4: As a result of our team's strong execution, NGS delivered another great quarter and record full-year results in 2025. This performance also marks the third consecutive year in which we have taken market share in the run-up depression industry.

Speaker #4: Our continued growth reinforces NGS's position as one of the fastest-growing rental compression companies, and as we enter 2026, we feel confident in our ability to drive further improvements and to continue to increase shareholder value.

Justin Jacobs: As we enter 2026, we feel confident in our ability to drive further improvements and to continue to increase shareholder value. Moving to our operating and financial performance in the Q4 and full year, we reached record levels of rented horsepower and utilization in 2025. Rented horsepower increased to approximately 563,000 by year-end 2025, a 14% increase over the prior year. Fleet utilization reached 84.9%, another high watermark for the company. In the Q4, rental revenue totaled $44.3 million, up roughly 16% year-over-year, reflecting continued fleet expansion and strong demand for large horsepower compression units. Adjusted EBITDA was $21.2 million for the quarter and $81 million for the full year.

Speaker #4: Moving to our operating and financial performance in the fourth quarter and full year, we reached record levels of rented horsepower and utilization in 2025.

Speaker #4: Rented horsepower increased to approximately 563,000 by year-end '25, a 14% increase over the prior year. Fleet utilization reached 84.9%, another high watermark for the company.

Speaker #4: In the fourth quarter, rental revenue totaled $44.3 million, up roughly 16% year over year, reflecting continued fleet expansion and strong demand for large horsepower compression units.

Speaker #4: Adjusted EBITDA was 21.2 million for the quarter and 81 million for the full year. Both are records for NGS, and the full-year number was at the high end of our guidance range, and I would note that we increased guidance three times during the course of the year.

Justin Jacobs: Both are records for NGS, and the full year number was at the high end of our guidance range, and I would note that we increased guidance 3 times during the course of the year. We also started our return of capital program in 2025. During the second half of the year, we initiated our inaugural dividend and subsequently increased it by 10% with the Q4 issuance. In total, approximately $2.6 million was returned to shareholders in the second half of the year. This reflects our confidence in the durability of our cash generation and our disciplined capital allocation strategy. Overall, our strong performance continues to be driven by fleet expansion, operational execution, pricing improvements, and the continued mix shift towards large horsepower compression units. Our strong year-over-year performance demonstrates the continued growth underway at NGS.

Speaker #4: We also started our return of capital program in 2025. During the second half of the year, we initiated our inaugural dividend and subsequently increased it by 10% with the fourth quarter issuance.

Speaker #4: In total, approximately $2.6 million was returned to shareholders in the second half of the year. This reflects our confidence in the durability of our cash generation and our disciplined capital allocation strategy.

Speaker #4: Overall, our strong performance continues to be driven by fleet expansion, operational execution, pricing improvements, and the continued makeshift towards large horsepower compression units. Our strong year-over-year performance demonstrates the continued growth underway at NGS.

Justin Jacobs: During 2025, we added approximately 70,000 hp, with more than half deployed in Q4. Large horsepower electric units represented approximately 30% of those additions. Looking ahead to 2026, we expect this continued momentum. We are currently contracted to deploy approximately 50,000 hp of new large horsepower compression units distributed relatively evenly throughout the year. Electric motor drive units are again expected to represent a similar percentage of the total horsepower additions as 2025. As we have consistently communicated, our growth investments remain focused on large horsepower and electric units, which generate higher returns and typically carry longer contract durations. At the same time, we remain committed to a capital allocation framework that combines organic growth, shareholder return of capital through dividends and share repurchases, and disciplined evaluation of strategic M&A opportunities.

Speaker #4: During 2025, we added approximately 70,000 horsepower, with more than half deployed in the fourth quarter. Large horsepower electric units represented approximately 30% of those additions.

Speaker #4: Looking ahead to 2026, we expect this continued momentum. We are currently contracted to deploy approximately 50,000 horsepower of new large horsepower compression units, distributed relatively evenly throughout the year.

Speaker #4: Electric motor drive units are again expected to represent a similar percentage of the total horsepower additions as 2025. As we have consistently communicated, our growth investments remain focused on large horsepower and electric units, which generate higher returns and typically carry longer contract durations.

Speaker #4: At the same time, we remain committed to a capital allocation framework that combines organic growth, shareholder return of capital through dividends and share repurchases, and disciplined evaluation of strategic M&A opportunities.

Justin Jacobs: Importantly, NGS continues to maintain leverage on the low end of our public compression peers, which provides us the flexibility to be offensive regardless of market conditions while also returning capital to shareholders. Turning to the broader market environment, demand for natural gas compression remains very strong, primarily driven by domestic oil production, particularly in liquid-rich basins such as the Permian. Looking forward, we see the benefit of several tailwinds, including increasing LNG export capacity and growing electricity consumption from data centers and AI-related infrastructure. We expect these structural changes to drive growth for at least the next several years. We are also monitoring geopolitical developments, including evolving policy and supply dynamics in Venezuela and Iran. While the ultimate impact on global oil markets and US production activity remains uncertain, we continue to evaluate these developments closely. Additionally, lead times for new large horsepower compression equipment remains long.

Speaker #4: Importantly, NGS continues to maintain leverage on the low end of our public compression peers, which provides us the flexibility to be offensive regardless of market conditions while also returning capital to shareholders.

Speaker #4: Turning to the broader market environment, demand for natural gas compression remains very strong, primarily driven by domestic oil production particularly in liquid-rich bays such as the Permian.

Speaker #4: Looking forward, we see the benefit of several tailwinds, including increasing LNG export capacity and growing electricity consumption from data centers and AI-related infrastructure. We expect these structural changes should drive growth for at least the next several years.

Speaker #4: We are also monitoring geopolitical developments, including evolving policy and supply dynamics, in Venezuela and Iran. While the ultimate impact on global oil markets and US production activity remains uncertain, we continue to evaluate these developments closely.

Speaker #4: Additionally, lead times for new large horsepower compression equipment remain long. The lead time for certain components on certain models are stretching well beyond one year.

Justin Jacobs: The lead time for certain components on certain models are stretching well beyond 1 year. These conditions support continued pricing strength, high utilization levels, and attractive long-term growth opportunities for compression providers. Within this environment, NGS continues to win market share due to our high reliability equipment, industry-leading service quality, strong customer relationships, and balance sheet flexibility. I'll move next to the specific growth and value drivers that continue to support the strong performance of NGS. First, fleet optimization. We continue to see strong performance in rental revenue per horsepower, which increased approximately 33% in Q4 compared to the prior year. This improvement reflects new unit deployments, contract renewals with increased rates, and the ongoing mix shift towards large horsepower units. Our record horsepower utilization of 84.9% demonstrates the strong demand environment for our fleet.

Speaker #4: These conditions support continued pricing strength, high utilization levels, and attractive long-term growth opportunities for compression providers. Within this environment, NGS continues to win market share due to our high reliability equipment, industry-leading service quality, strong customer relationships, and balance sheet flexibility.

Speaker #4: I'll move next to the specific growth and value drivers that continue to support the strong performance of NGS. First, fleet optimization. We continue to see strong performance in rental revenue per horsepower, which increased approximately 3% in the fourth quarter compared to the prior year.

Speaker #4: This improvement reflects new unit deployments, contract renewals with increased rates, and the ongoing makeshift toward large horsepower units. Our record horsepower utilization of 84.9% demonstrates the strong demand environment for our fleet.

Justin Jacobs: In addition, we are investing significant time to improve the collection and use of data in all aspects of our business. For our units in particular, these investments will further improve uptime, optimize gas flow, and will support predictive maintenance across our installed base. Second, asset utilization. In Q4, we received confirmation of $12.3 million of the income tax refund and associated interest, which was received in Q1 2026. This represents the successful monetization of another material non-operating asset. We were very pleased to finally receive the bulk of this receivable, which represents approximately $1 per share. We also continue to pursue the monetization of real estate assets, including the listing of our Midland office property. Third point is fleet expansion.

Speaker #4: In addition, we are investing significant time to improve the collection and use of data in all aspects of our business. For our units in particular, these investments will further improve uptime, optimize gas flow, and will support predictive maintenance across our installed base.

Speaker #4: Second, asset utilization. In the fourth quarter, we received confirmation of $12.3 million of the income tax refund and associated interest. Which was received in the first quarter of 2026.

Speaker #4: This represents the successful monetization of another material non-operating asset. We were very pleased to finally receive the bulk of this receivable, which represents approximately $1 per share.

Speaker #4: We also continue to pursue the monetization of real estate assets, including the listing of our Midland office property. Third point is fleet expansion. 2025 represented a significant year of fleet growth, and we entered 2026 with substantial contracted deployments already in place.

Justin Jacobs: 2025 represented a significant year of fleet growth, and we enter 2026 with substantial contracted deployments already in place. All new units being deployed are large horsepower compression equipment, including electric motor drive units. Finally, we continue to evaluate strategic and accretive acquisition opportunities. NGS remains well-positioned to pursue disciplined M&A, where it complements our existing operations and enhances shareholder value. With that, I'll turn the call over to Ian to review our financial results and balance sheet in more detail.

Speaker #4: All new units being deployed are large-horsepower compression equipment, including electric motor drive units. Finally, we continue to evaluate strategic and accretive acquisition opportunities.

Speaker #4: NGS remains well-positioned to pursue disciplined M&A where it complements our existing operations and enhances shareholder value. With that, I'll turn the call over to Ian to review our financial results and balance sheet in more detail.

Ian Eckert: Thank you, Justin, and good morning to everyone joining us today. As Justin emphasized, the NGS team delivered a very strong year for our shareholders, reflective of significant fleet expansion and strong operational performance. To recap the full year 2025, rental revenue totaled $164.3 million, representing an increase of $20.1 million or 14% year-over-year. Total revenue reached $172.3 million, increasing $15.6 million or approximately 10% compared to 2024. Total revenue growth was lower than rental revenue growth due to our exit from the Midland fabrication operations and our broader strategy to migrate away from non-core, low-margin fabrication activities.

Speaker #5: Thank you, Justin. And good morning to everyone joining us today. As Justin emphasized, the NGS team delivered a very strong year for our shareholders reflective of significant fleet expansion and strong operational performance.

Speaker #5: To recap the full year 2025, rental revenue totaled $164.3 million. Representing an increase of 20.1 million, or 14% year over year. Total revenue reached $172.3 million, increasing 15.6 million or approximately 10% compared to 2024.

Speaker #5: Total revenue growth was lower than rental revenue growth due to our exit from the Midland fabrication operations and our broader strategy to migrate away from non-core low-margin fabrication activities.

Ian Eckert: Adjusted rental gross margin totaled $99.6 million, an increase of $12.3 million or 14% year-over-year, reflecting continued growth of our rental fleet and improved pricing. Q4 adjusted rental gross margin improved 1.6% sequentially, or $25.9 million. During Q4, our adjusted rental gross margin percentage was 58.5%, which declined roughly 300 basis points compared to Q3 and was well below our expectations. All of this decline relates to a physical inventory adjustment recorded during Q4. Importantly, it does not reflect the ongoing economics of our business. In fact, as we move into 2026, we expect continued adjusted rental gross margin percentage expansion beyond the 2025 figure of 60.6%.

Speaker #5: Adjusted rental gross margin totaled $99.6 million, an increase of $12.3 million, or 14% year over year, reflecting continued growth of our rental fleet and improved pricing.

Speaker #5: Fourth quarter adjusted rental gross margin improved 1.6% sequentially, or 25.9 million. During the fourth quarter, our adjusted rental gross margin percentage was 58.5%. Which declined roughly 300 basis points compared to the third quarter, and was well below our expectations.

Speaker #5: All of this decline relates to a physical inventory adjustment recorded during the fourth quarter. Importantly, it does not reflect the ongoing economics of our business.

Speaker #5: In fact, as we move into 2026, we expect continued adjusted rental gross margin percentage expansion beyond the 2025 figure of 60.6%. This is driven by new large horsepower unit deployments, operating leverage from our growing horsepower base, and ongoing cost discipline.

Ian Eckert: This is driven by new large horsepower unit deployments, operating leverage from our growing horsepower base, and ongoing cost discipline. For the year, adjusted total gross margin was $100.5 million, representing a 14% increase year-over-year. Net income totaled $19.9 million or $1.57 per diluted share, representing record performance for the company. I would like to point out a few discrete items included within our 2025 results. First, we recorded a $2.6 million non-cash impairment charge related to our Midland headquarters property as we prepared the building for sale and began transitioning to an alternative leased office space. Second, we recognized $2.4 million in interest income during Q4, a result of the IRS confirming refund and interest amounts associated with our income tax receivable.

Speaker #5: For the year, adjusted total gross margin was $100.5 million, representing a 14% increase year over year. Net income totaled $19.9 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, representing record performance for the company.

Speaker #5: I would like to point out a few discrete items included within our 2025 results. First, we recorded a 2.6 million non-cash impairment charge related to our Midland headquarters property as we prepared the building for sale and began transitioning to an alternative leased office space.

Speaker #5: Second, we recognized $2.4 million in interest income during the fourth quarter. A result of the IRS confirming refund and interest amounts associated with our income tax receivable.

Ian Eckert: Our effective tax rate for 2025 was 24.9% compared to 20.5% in 2024. This increase is primarily attributable to higher state taxes resulting from changes in state apportionment. Looking ahead to 2026, assuming our operational footprint remains generally consistent, we expect our effective tax rate to be approximately 25%. Turning to the balance sheet, our income tax receivable increased to $14.1 million during Q4, reflecting the IRS confirmation of the refund and interest amounts owed to the company. Of this amount, $12.3 million was received during Q1 of 2026, leaving approximately $1.8 million outstanding, which relates to the 2019 tax year. As mentioned earlier, we recorded an impairment associated with our Midland office facility.

Speaker #5: And finally, our effective tax rate for 2025 was 24.9%, compared to 20.5% in 2024. This increase is primarily attributable to higher state taxes resulting from changes in state apportionment.

Speaker #5: Looking ahead to 2026, assuming our operational footprint remains generally consistent, we expect our effective tax rate to be approximately 25%. Turning to the balance sheet, our income tax receivable increased $14.1 million to $14.1 million during the fourth quarter, reflecting the IRS confirmation of the refund and interest amounts owed to the company.

Speaker #5: Of this amount, $12.3 million was received during the first quarter of 2026, leaving approximately $1.8 million outstanding which relates to the 2019 tax year.

Speaker #5: As mentioned earlier, we recorded an impairment associated with our Midland office facility. While the building remained in use at year-end, we expect it to be reclassified as assets held for sale during the first quarter of 2026, once the applicable accounting criteria are met.

Ian Eckert: While the building remained in use at year-end, we expect it to be reclassified as assets held for sale during Q1 2026 once the applicable accounting criteria are met. From a capital spending perspective, full year capital expenditures totaled $121.5 million, of which approximately $109.8 million is associated with growth capital expenditures for new large horsepower compression units. This placed our growth capital spending at the high end of our guidance range and reflects the continued expansion of our fleet to support strong customer demand. As Justin mentioned earlier, 2025 also marked the initiation of our dividend program with $2.6 million returned to shareholders during the second half of the year.

Speaker #5: From a capital spending perspective, full-year capital expenditures totaled $121.5 million, of which approximately $109.8 million is associated with growth capital expenditures for new large horsepower compression units.

Speaker #5: This placed our growth capital spending at the high end of our guidance range and reflects the continued expansion of our fleet to support strong customer demand.

Speaker #5: As Justin mentioned earlier, 2025 also marked the initiation of our dividend program with $2.6 million return to shareholders during the second half of the year.

Ian Eckert: We ended the year with strong liquidity and ample borrowing capacity, and our leverage remains at the low end of our public peer group, positioning the company well to support continued fleet expansion, shareholder returns, and acquisitions. In summary, our operating performance continues to translate into growth in Adjusted EBITDA, strong operating cash flows, and increasing scale across the business. At the same time, we remain disciplined in our capital allocation approach, investing in high return fleet expansion while maintaining a strong balance sheet and returning capital to shareholders. With that, I'll turn the call back to Justin for 2026 guidance and closing remarks.

Speaker #5: We ended the year with strong liquidity and ample borrowing capacity, and our leverage remains at the low end of our public peer group, positioning the company well to support continued fleet expansion, shareholder returns, and acquisitions.

Speaker #5: In summary, our operating performance continues to translate into growth in adjusted EBITDA, strong operating cash flows, and increasing scale across the business. At the same time, we remain disciplined in our capital allocation approach.

Speaker #5: Investing in high-return fleet expansion while maintaining a strong balance sheet and returning capital to shareholders. With that, I'll turn the call back to Justin for 2026 guidance and closing remarks.

Justin Jacobs: Thank you, Ian. We enter 2026 with record fleet utilization, significant contracted horsepower deployments, and a very active quoting pipeline. Based on this visibility, we are providing adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026 of $90.5 to 95.5 million. We expect continued organic growth in 2026, driven by large horsepower deployments, expanding customer relationships, and sustained industry demand for compression services. For 2026, we expect growth capital expenditures in the range of 55 to 70 million, which represents an increase of approximately 5 million at the low end of our prior expectations. This comes on top of hitting the high end of our range for growth CapEx in 2025. The 2026 increase, combined with the 2025 actual performance, shows that we continue to win new contracts to drive organic growth.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Ian. We enter 2026 with record fleet utilization, significant contracted horsepower deployments, and a very active quoting pipeline. Based on this visibility, we are providing adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026 of $90.5 million to $95.5 million.

Speaker #1: We expect continued organic growth in 2026, driven by large horsepower deployments, expanding customer relationships, and sustained industry demand for compression services. For 2026, we expect growth capital expenditures in the range of $55 to $70 million, which represents an increase of approximately $5 million at the low end of our prior expectations.

Speaker #1: This comes on top of hitting the high end of our range for growth capex in 2025. The 2026 increase, combined with the 2025 actual performance, shows that we continue to win new contracts to drive organic growth.

Justin Jacobs: Based on the forward growth capital guidance now provided by our public peers, 2026 will mark the fourth consecutive year that NGS has captured market share organically. This streak is a testament to the strong competitive position we have in the market. Maintenance capital expenditures are expected to be in the range between $15 and 18 million in 2026. Our 2025 maintenance capital came in at the low end of the guidance range, so we expect a little spillover into 2026, coupled with the capital requirements of a growing fleet. In closing, NGS delivered record results in 2025. We achieved record rented horsepower, record fleet utilization, and record adjusted EBITDA. Looking forward, we believe the company is well-positioned for continued growth and market share expansion.

Speaker #1: Based on the forward growth capital guidance now provided by our public peers, 2026 will mark the fourth consecutive year that NGS has captured market share organically.

Speaker #1: The streak is a testament to the strong competitive position we have in the market. Maintenance capital expenditures are expected to be in the range between $15 million and $18 million in 2026.

Speaker #1: Our 25 maintenance capital came in at the low end of the guidance range so we expect a little spillover into 2026 coupled with the capital requirements of a growing fleet.

Speaker #1: In closing, NGS delivered record results in 2025. We achieved record rented horsepower, record fleet utilization, and record adjusted EBITDA. Looking forward, we believe the company is well positioned for continued growth and market share expansion.

Justin Jacobs: Structural tailwinds for the compression industry remain strong, including LNG export growth, increasing natural gas power demand, and rising electricity consumption driven by data centers, excuse me, and AI infrastructure. Combined with our strong balance sheet and operational execution, these factors position NGS to continue investing in growth, increasing EBITDA and earnings, returning capital to shareholders, and pursuing strategic opportunities. Luke, we are now ready to open the call for questions.

Speaker #1: Structural tailwinds for the compression industry remain strong, including LNG export growth, increasing natural gas power demand, and rising electricity consumption driven by data centers—and AI infrastructure.

Speaker #1: Combined with our strong balance sheet and operational execution, these factors position NGS to continue investing in growth, increasing EBITDA on earnings, returning capital to shareholders, and pursuing strategic opportunities.

Speaker #1: Luke, we are now ready to open the call for questions.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we will conduct the question and answer session. If you would like to state a question, please go ahead and press seven pound on your phone now, and you'll be placed in the queue in the order received. You can press seven pound again at any time to remove yourself from the queue. We are now ready to begin. Our first question comes from Jim Rollyson with Raymond James. Go ahead, please.

Speaker #2: Thank you, gentlemen. At this time, we will conduct the question-and-answer session. If you would like to state a question, please go ahead and press 7-pound on your phone now, and you'll be placed in the queue in the order received.

Speaker #2: You can press 7-pound again at any time to remove yourself from the queue. We are now ready to begin. Our first question comes from Jim Rawlison with Raymond James.

Speaker #2: Go ahead, please.

Jim Rollyson: Hey, good morning, guys, and nice job and great finish to a pretty strong year here. Justin, in the press release, and I think Ian mentioned this, you mentioned large horsepower and electric motor drive assets are expected to expand rental gross margins. Maybe a little context, you know, relative to the 60.6% number you printed in 2025. What's the kind of guidance range embedded, as far as margins go?

Speaker #3: Hey, good morning, guys, and nice job and great finish to a pretty strong year here. Justin, in the press release—and I think Ian mentioned this—you mentioned large horsepower and electric motor drive assets are expected to expand rental gross margins.

Speaker #3: Maybe a little context: relative to the 60.6% number you printed in 2025, what's the kind of guidance range embedded as far as margins go?

Justin Jacobs: If we haven't given historically, nor are we going to this point give a specific guidance on the rental adjusted gross margin or gross margins overall. I think as we look at that 60.6, we will certainly see uplift from that. Generally, in past quarters, we've given kind of in the low 60s, and that's our expectation going forward. I would expect to see some modest uplift from that. Beyond mix shift, looking further out into the future, we'd like to see that number keep ticking up further.

Speaker #1: We haven't given historically, nor are we going to at this point, give a specific guidance on the rental adjusted gross margin or gross margins overall.

Speaker #1: I think as we look at that 60.6, we will certainly see uplift from that. Generally, in past quarters, we've given kind of in the low 60s.

Speaker #1: And that's our expectation going forward. So, I would expect to see some modest uplift from that. And then beyond makeshift, looking further out into the future, we'd like to see that number keep ticking up further.

Jim Rollyson: Thanks for the color. Appreciate that. Then as a follow-up, you know, a bunch of your peers have talked about extended lead times, especially for Cat. Guys are talking 110 to 120 weeks, which is more like two years instead of one. I know you guys have historically, or at least recently on the large horsepower side, been a big fan and customer of Waukesha, but you know, maybe you could talk about what you're seeing in lead times with them and generally, what's the current bottleneck across engines, compressors, fabrication, et cetera. Just kind of how that sets up for you specifically.

Speaker #3: Thanks for the color. Appreciate that. And then, as a follow-up, a bunch of your peers have talked about extended lead times, especially for CAT—talking 110 to 120 weeks, which is more like two years instead of one.

Speaker #3: I know you guys have historically released recently when the large horsepower side—been a big fan and customer of Waukesha. But maybe you could talk about what you’re seeing in lead times with them, and generally, what's the current bottleneck across engines, compressors, fabrication, etc.?

Speaker #3: Just kind of how that sets up for you, specifically.

Justin Jacobs: Yeah. What we're seeing in the lead times is particularly at the high end of the large horsepower from our perspective of what we offer in the fleet, that's where you're seeing those 100+ weeks. As we look in, you know, horsepower below that, but still well in large horsepower, we haven't seen significant changes over the past 3 to 6 months, and certainly nothing like what we've seen specifically from Caterpillar at that high end of the range for our fleet. As we look at the other major components and fabrication space, generally, I would say there's not a lot of change since, you know, 3, 6 months ago. It's probably creeping out a little bit.

Speaker #1: Yeah. What we're seeing in the lead times is particularly at the high end of the large horsepower from our perspective of what we offer in the fleet.

Speaker #1: That's where you're seeing those 100-plus weeks. As we look in horsepower below that, but still well in large horsepower, we haven't seen significant changes over the past three to six months and certainly nothing like what we've seen specifically from Caterpillar at that high end of the range of our fleet.

Speaker #1: As we look at the other major components and fabrication space, generally, I would say there's not a lot of change since three or six months ago.

Speaker #1: It's probably creeping out a little bit. But the 100-plus week, that is tied to engines at the high end of the range.

Justin Jacobs: the 100-plus weeks that's tied to engines at the high end of the range.

Jim Rollyson: Got it. Appreciate that. I'll turn it back. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Got it. Appreciate that. I'll turn it back. Thank you.

Justin Jacobs: Thank you, Jim.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Jim.

Operator: Our next question comes from Nathaniel Pendleton, Texas Capital.

Operator: Our next question comes from Nate Pendleton, Texas Capital.

Speaker #2: Our next question comes from Nate Pendleton, Texas Capital.

Nathaniel Pendleton: Good morning. Congrats on the strong quarter. Can you share your thoughts on how the competitive environment evolves with the new large horsepower units being so delayed, as you just talked about? Maybe how that can manifest for you guys as far as pricing and the potential M&A market due to that tightness.

Nate Pendleton: Good morning. Congrats on the strong quarter. Can you share your thoughts on how the competitive environment evolves with the new large horsepower units being so delayed, as you just talked about? Maybe how that can manifest for you guys as far as pricing and the potential M&A market due to that tightness.

Speaker #4: Good morning. Congrats on the strong quarter. Can you share your thoughts on how the competitive environment evolves with the new large horsepower units being so delayed, as you just talked about?

Speaker #4: And maybe how that can manifest for you guys as far as pricing and the potential M&A market due to that tightness?

Justin Jacobs: Thanks for joining, Nate. It's a rapidly evolving landscape, particularly at the high end of the horsepower. If you look back to, not just our call, but our competitors, our public competitors' calls in the Q3, you know, the lead times at that high end was, you know, up around half the number that that's set today. There are a number of different ways that we're able to address that. One is as a percentage of our fleet overall, that longest lead time item, we certainly have a good quantity of those units, but it's not far from a majority of our large horsepower.

Speaker #1: It is a—thanks for joining, Nate—it's a rapidly evolving landscape, particularly at the high end of the horsepower. If you look back to the not just our call, but our competitors, our public competitors' calls in the third quarter, the lead times at that high end was up around half the number that it's at today.

Speaker #1: So there are a number of different ways that we're able to address that. One is as a percentage of our fleet overall, that longest lead time item we certainly have a good quantity of those units.

Speaker #1: But it's not a—it's far from a majority of our large horsepower. And so in some of those still significant size equipment, but less than the high end, the lead times are significantly less than 100 weeks.

Justin Jacobs: In some of those still significant size equipment, but less than the high end, the lead times are significantly less than 100 weeks, and that provides us an ability to continue our growth and meet customer needs. In terms of the impact in M&A and others, I think it's too early to really look at that. This is a relatively recent and pretty material change in the competitive landscape.

Speaker #1: And that provides us an ability to continue our growth and meet customer needs. In terms of the impact in M&A and other, I think it's too early to really look at that.

Speaker #1: This is a relatively recent and pretty material change in the competitive landscape.

Nathaniel Pendleton: Understood. Perhaps for Ian, I know you've been really involved in some of the blocking and tackling that goes on behind the scenes to deliver the improving results we've seen quarter after quarter. Can you talk about maybe some of the areas of opportunity that your team has been working on, from your perspective and maybe how that might manifest in the financials going forward?

Nate Pendleton: Understood. Perhaps for Ian, I know you've been really involved in some of the blocking and tackling that goes on behind the scenes to deliver the improving results we've seen quarter after quarter. Can you talk about maybe some of the areas of opportunity that your team has been working on, from your perspective and maybe how that might manifest in the financials going forward?

Speaker #4: Understood. And then, perhaps for Ian, I know you've been really involved in some of the blocking and tackling that goes on behind the scenes to deliver the improving results we've seen quarter after quarter.

Speaker #4: Can you talk about maybe some of the areas of opportunity that your team has been working on from your perspective and maybe how that might manifest in the financials going forward?

Ian Eckert: Yeah, sure, Nate. Thanks for joining the call today. So, you know, I'm gonna start with that physical inventory adjustment in Q4. You know, as part of that process, we identified a number of capability and process gaps within our warehouse operations. Importantly, we've already taken decisive actions to address those areas. You know, that includes targeted personnel changes, implementations of best practices, across our inventory management processes. While, you know, that's a one-time impact in Q4, I think those actions that were taken ultimately help us as we move into 2026. As those warehouse operations continue to mature, we expect to realize improved efficiencies, some degree of cost savings, which should ultimately help to support margin expansion going forward.

Speaker #1: Yeah, sure, Nate. Thanks for joining the call today. So, I'm going to start with that physical inventory adjustment in the fourth quarter. As part of that process, we identified a number of capability and process gaps within our warehouse operations.

Speaker #1: Importantly, we've already taken decisive actions to address those areas. And that includes targeted personnel changes and implementations of best practices across our inventory management processes.

Speaker #1: And while that's a one-time impact in the fourth quarter, I think those actions that were taken ultimately help us as we move into 2026.

Speaker #1: As those warehouse operations continue to mature, we expect to realize improved efficiencies and some degree of cost savings, which should ultimately help to support margin expansion going forward.

Nathaniel Pendleton: Got it. Thanks for taking my questions.

Nate Pendleton: Got it. Thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker #4: Got it. Thanks for taking my questions.

Justin Jacobs: Thanks, Nate.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Nate.

Operator: Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Selman Akyol with Stifel.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Selma Akel with Stifel.

Selman Akyol: Thank you. Good morning. A couple quick ones for me. As you think about the environment and the competition, and you noted sort of the longer lead times for the extremely high horsepower, is that giving you an opening at all to move beyond gas lift more into midstream? Are you seeing any opportunities for that?

Speaker #5: Thank you. Good morning. A couple of quick ones for me. So, as you think about the environment and the competition—and you noted sort of the longer lead times for the extremely high horsepower—does that give you an opening at all to move beyond gas lift, more into midstream?

Speaker #5: Are you seeing any opportunities for that?

Justin Jacobs: Well, and good morning, Selman. Thanks for joining. I've spoken on a number of the recent calls that when you look at our larger horsepower that's in centralized gas lift, and you look at our large horsepower overall, you know, we don't have any material applications in the midstream at this point. That has been a targeted area for us to focus on to add to our existing business. I can say that it is still early for us, but that we are seeing at least quoting activity in that area, and that it's up to us from an execution perspective to be able to go out and win that business.

Speaker #1: Well, I've—and good morning, Selma. Thanks for joining. I've spoken on a number of the recent calls that when you look at our larger horsepower that's in centralized gas lift, and you look at our large horsepower overall, we don't have any material applications in the midstream at this point.

Speaker #1: And that has been a targeted area for us to focus on to add to our existing business. And I can say that it is still early for us, but we are seeing at least quoting activity in that area.

Speaker #1: And it's up to us, from an execution perspective, to be able to go out and win that business. So it's been a focus area not just because of recent lead times, but because we think, and have thought for a number of quarters, that that's an opportunity for us because of the similarity of the equipment.

Justin Jacobs: It's been a focus area, not just because of recent lead times, but because we think and have thought for a number of quarters that that's an opportunity for us because of the similarity of the equipment.

Selman Akyol: Is that just a matter of pricing, or is it you need to get your first customer and then sort of prove you can do it and the reliability, and then you think more comes pretty rapidly?

Speaker #5: Is that just a matter of pricing, or is it that you need to get your first customer and then sort of prove you can do it in the reliability, and then you think more comes pretty rapidly?

Justin Jacobs: Uh-

Selman Akyol: Does that make sense?

Justin Jacobs: It does make sense. I think it is. You know, if you look at the evolution of our business, not over the last couple of quarters, but going back several years, you know, we are reasonably new entrants into you know, the 1,000-plus horsepower package market. Our first 3516s or north of 1,000 horsepower units, you know, are kind of 2018, 2019 timeframe. We first got into that business with Occidental Petroleum. Obviously, they are now our largest customer. We now have a material number of customers, including Devon Energy, where we are servicing with north of 1,000 horsepower units.

Speaker #5: Does that make sense?

Speaker #1: It does make sense. I think it is, if you look at the evolution of our business—not over the last couple of quarters, but going back several years—we are reasonably new entrants into the 1,000-plus horsepower package market.

Speaker #1: Our first 3516s, or north of 1,000-horsepower units, are kind of 2018, 2019 timeframe. And so we first got into that business with Occidental Petroleum. Obviously, they're now our largest customer.

Speaker #1: We now have a material number of customers, including Devon Energy, where we're servicing with north of 1,000 horsepower units. And I think it is a similar evolution there, of midstream is a logical next place for us to have looked to penetrate.

Justin Jacobs: I think it is a similar evolution there of midstream is a logical next place for us to have looked into penetrate. We have not done that yet, but I think getting that first customer is going to demonstrate that our equipment from a technology perspective and the service we provide, we should have a competitive advantage there as well.

Speaker #1: We have not done that yet. But I think getting that first customer is going to demonstrate that our equipment, from a technology perspective, and the service we provide, we should have a competitive advantage there as well.

Selman Akyol: Got it.

Justin Jacobs: That's how we approach it.

Speaker #5: Got it.

Speaker #1: So, that's how we approach it.

Selman Akyol: Got it. Okay. Thank you for that. Next, just sort of thinking about EBITDA growth, very robust in 2026. Clearly, you've got some monetization going on, and your CapEx is coming down, so your free cash flow is accelerating. I know you highlighted your inaugural dividend, and then you increased it in, you know, once already, and you've got this strong free cash flow coming. How should we be thinking about return of capital and dividend in particular, as we go through 2026 and beyond?

Speaker #5: Got it. Okay, thank you for that. And then next, just sort of thinking about EBITDA growth—very robust in '26. Clearly, you've got some monetization going on, and your CapEx is coming down.

Speaker #5: So your free cash flows are accelerating, and I know you highlighted your inaugural dividend, and then you increased it once already. And you've got this strong free cash flow coming.

Speaker #5: How should we be thinking about return of capital and dividend in particular as we go through '26 and beyond?

Justin Jacobs: You know, I would repeat comments that we've made on prior calls. I think on the initial call, or the call where after we initiated the dividend. That we have a good understanding of shareholders' desire for a consistent and increasing dividend. We were not going to provide specific guidance other than to make it clear we understood that. That's how I would think about how we and the board will approach return of capital overall, but the dividend specifically in 2026.

Speaker #1: There, I would repeat comments that we've made on prior calls, I think, on the initial call. We are the call where after we initiated the dividend, that we have a good understanding of shareholders' desire for a consistent and increasing dividend.

Speaker #1: And we were not going to provide specific guidance other than to make it clear we understood that. And that's how I would think about how we will we and the board will approach return of capital overall.

Speaker #1: But the dividend, specifically in 2026.

Selman Akyol: Okay. Thank you very much.

Speaker #5: Okay. Thank you very much.

Justin Jacobs: Thanks, Selman Akyol.

Justin Jacobs: Thanks, Selman.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Selma.

Operator: Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Tim Hotze, Petrie Partners.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much. Our next question comes from Tim Motel, Petra Company Management.

Tim Hotze: Good morning. I had a couple of comments because in the wake of Steve's retirement, I wanted to just make on the way in and wanted to just acknowledge him for a couple of things. One being, you know, building a balance sheet through some very tough years, and then also seeing the growth opportunity sort of 2019-20, which also became interesting, obviously. You know, signing up with Oxy and actually pivoting towards growth in large horsepower, which has obviously been a very good move. Then also kind of later on, but not that much later than 2020, obviously working with Justin to replace himself, and that has proven so far to be a very good choice.

Tim O’Tell: Good morning. I had a couple of comments because in the wake of Steve's retirement, I wanted to just make on the way in and wanted to just acknowledge him for a couple of things. One being, you know, building a balance sheet through some very tough years, and then also seeing the growth opportunity sort of 2019-20, which also became interesting, obviously. You know, signing up with Oxy and actually pivoting towards growth in large horsepower, which has obviously been a very good move. Then also kind of later on, but not that much later than 2020, obviously working with Justin to replace himself, and that has proven so far to be a very good choice.

Speaker #4: Good morning. I had a couple of comments because, in the wake of Steve's retirement, I wanted to just make on the way in and wanted to just acknowledge him for a couple of things.

Speaker #4: One being building a balance sheet through some very tough years and then also seeing the growth opportunity sort of '19, '20, which also became interesting, obviously.

Speaker #4: Signing up with Oxy and actually pivoting towards growth in the large horsepower, which is obviously been a very good move. And then also kind of later on, but not that much later than 2020, obviously, working with Justin to replace himself and that has proven so far to be a very good choice.

Tim Hotze: I wanted to kind of congratulate him on the way out. Then one other comment that I wanted to make before I get into a couple of questions is, I would still love to see some more detail around discretionary cash flow and discretionary cash flow per share and growth in that metric. A few of your competitors focus on that. I think it's appropriate. It's more indicative of economic earnings for the company, and would love to encourage you know more focus on that and a little bit more information around that. Thanks for letting me talk there.

Tim O’Tell: I wanted to kind of congratulate him on the way out. Then one other comment that I wanted to make before I get into a couple of questions is, I would still love to see some more detail around discretionary cash flow and discretionary cash flow per share and growth in that metric. A few of your competitors focus on that. I think it's appropriate. It's more indicative of economic earnings for the company, and would love to encourage you know more focus on that and a little bit more information around that. Thanks for letting me talk there.

Speaker #4: And so I wanted to kind of congratulate him on the way out. And then one other comment that I wanted to make before I get into a couple of questions is I would still love to see some more detail around discretionary cash flow and discretionary cash flow per share and growth in that metric.

Speaker #4: A few of your competitors focus on that. I think it's appropriate. It's more indicative of economic earnings for the company. And I would love to encourage more focus on that and a little bit more information around that.

Speaker #4: Thanks for letting me talk there.

Justin Jacobs: Yeah. Tim, maybe I just want to appreciate. Thank you for joining and appreciate your comments. Just to echo on the first point for Steve, and particularly the last part you put there. I think of Steve as really a quasi founder of this business. Having worked with him through the transition, he did an outstanding job. It was absolutely amazing for me, I think for the company, and a lot of credit is due to him there. Just wanted to echo your comments on that.

Speaker #1: Yeah. Tim, maybe I just to one, appreciate thank you for joining and appreciate your comments and just to echo on the first point for Steve.

Speaker #1: And particularly the last part you put there, I think of Steve as a really as a quasi-founder of this business. And having worked with him through the transition, he did an outstanding job.

Speaker #1: It was absolutely amazing for me and I think for the company. And a lot of credit is due to him there. So just wanted to echo your comments on

Tim Hotze: Yeah. Well, thanks for that, Justin. I think Steve, hopefully he's listening from home or can go listen to it at some point. Anyway, we appreciate you, and it was a very good run for a very good result. To a question that was just asked, and just kind of feeling you out in terms of how you're looking at things going forward in terms of the growth space. Midstream, you know, obviously you would be well suited to fill some of that bill. There are some competitors out there that you're gonna be aware of, and a few also that are not necessarily directly in the compression space, but in related spaces, that have been looking at actually power generation.

Tim O’Tell: Yeah. Well, thanks for that, Justin. I think Steve, hopefully he's listening from home or can go listen to it at some point. Anyway, we appreciate you, and it was a very good run for a very good result. To a question that was just asked, and just kind of feeling you out in terms of how you're looking at things going forward in terms of the growth space. Midstream, you know, obviously you would be well suited to fill some of that bill. There are some competitors out there that you're gonna be aware of, and a few also that are not necessarily directly in the compression space, but in related spaces, that have been looking at actually power generation.

Speaker #4: Yeah. Well, thanks for that, Justin. And I think Steve hopefully is listening from home or can go listen to it at some point and anyway, we appreciate you.

Speaker #4: And it's a very good run for a very good result. To a question that was just asked and just kind of feeling you out in terms of how you're looking at things going forward in terms of the growth space.

Speaker #4: Midstream, obviously, you would be well-suited to fill some of that bill. There are some competitors out there that you're going to be aware of.

Speaker #4: And a few also that are not necessarily directly in the compression space, but in related spaces. That have been looking at actually power generation.

Tim Hotze: You have, you know, the reciprocating engine on the front end, driven by natural gas to actually create pad power or maybe beyond pad power. I'm wondering how you look at those two trade-offs, if you're even considering the electric generation space, given kind of the wall of demand that's coming at us. Also, you know, related to that, I do wonder, this is maybe more of a question for your customers, but you're in that discussion, how the space looks at the fact that electric power will be tight, will be in demand, maybe short supply at times, and pricing on the power to drive the compression may also become an interesting topic. Could you talk to that for a minute?

Tim O’Tell: You have, you know, the reciprocating engine on the front end, driven by natural gas to actually create pad power or maybe beyond pad power. I'm wondering how you look at those two trade-offs, if you're even considering the electric generation space, given kind of the wall of demand that's coming at us. Also, you know, related to that, I do wonder, this is maybe more of a question for your customers, but you're in that discussion, how the space looks at the fact that electric power will be tight, will be in demand, maybe short supply at times, and pricing on the power to drive the compression may also become an interesting topic. Could you talk to that for a minute?

Speaker #4: So you have the reciprocating engine on the front end driven by natural gas to actually create pad power or maybe beyond pad power. And I'm wondering how you look at those two trade-offs if you're even considering the electric generation space given kind of the wall of demand that's coming at us.

Speaker #4: And also related to that, I do wonder this has made me more of a question for your customers, but you're in that discussion. How the space looks at the fact that electric power will be tight, will be in demand, maybe short supply at times.

Speaker #4: And pricing on the power to drive the compression may also become an interesting topic. Could you talk to that for a minute?

Justin Jacobs: Sure. Happy to. On the power gen space, that's an area that we have looked at from an acquisition perspective, and looked at a couple of specific opportunities. Some of the similarities are relatively straightforward in terms of the service model, the equipment, the rental nature of the equipment, at least in certain applications. We understand that is a similar market. I think what we've seen from one of our public competitors, you know, shows that. You know, as we look at it, some of our questions, you know, really relate to, are we gonna see the same long-term applications as compression?

Speaker #1: Sure, happy to. So, on the power gen space, that's an area that we have looked at from an acquisition perspective, and we've looked at a couple of specific opportunities.

Speaker #1: And the some of the similarities are relatively straightforward in terms of the service model, the equipment, the rental nature of the equipment, at least in certain applications.

Speaker #1: And so we understand that it is a similar market. I think what we've seen from one of our public competitors shows that. As we look at it, some of our questions really relate to: are we going to see the same long-term applications as compression?

Justin Jacobs: We have not seen a business, at least that we've looked at yet in the power gen space, that have a similar application length that we do, particularly with our large horsepower. We're gonna continue to look at it very closely and, I'm sure, look at additional opportunities. As with kind of all M&A, you know, you never know exactly what will happen. It's kind of the sun, the moon, the stars. It's certainly on our radar, but you know, those are kind of how we look at it.

Speaker #1: And we have not seen businesses, at least that we've looked at yet in the power gen space, that have a similar application length that we do—particularly with our large horsepower.

Speaker #1: And so we're going to continue to look at it very closely, and I'm sure we'll look at additional opportunities. And as with all M&A, you never know exactly what will happen.

Speaker #1: It's kind of a sun and the moon and the stars. So it's certainly on our radar, but those are kind of how we look at it.

Tim Hotze: Okay, great. Actually, I kind of expected something along those lines, but wanted to feel you out a little bit on that because we haven't discussed that point. Another question I have, and this might be a little bit more for Ian than you, Justin. You mentioned Oxy and, you know, Steve kind of engaged with them and started to support a lot of capital for that particular customer in the kind of 2019, 2020, 2021 space in terms of some of it going online. One of the things I'm noticing on the maintenance CapEx level is that that's creeping up. I'm wondering if maybe you could talk to this a little bit.

Tim O’Tell: Okay, great. Actually, I kind of expected something along those lines, but wanted to feel you out a little bit on that because we haven't discussed that point. Another question I have, and this might be a little bit more for Ian than you, Justin. You mentioned Oxy and, you know, Steve kind of engaged with them and started to support a lot of capital for that particular customer in the kind of 2019, 2020, 2021 space in terms of some of it going online. One of the things I'm noticing on the maintenance CapEx level is that that's creeping up. I'm wondering if maybe you could talk to this a little bit.

Speaker #4: Okay. Great. And actually, I kind of expected something along those lines, but wanted to feel you out a little bit on that because we haven't discussed that might be a little bit more for Ian than you, Justin.

Speaker #4: You mentioned Oxy, and Steve kind of engaged with them and started to support a lot of capital for that particular customer in the kind of 2019, 2020, 2021 space, in terms of some of the going online.

Speaker #4: And one of the things I'm noticing on the maintenance CapEx level is that that's creeping up. I'm wondering if maybe you could talk to this a little bit.

Tim Hotze: I'm wondering if some of that maintenance CapEx is kind of associated with that, the initial bolus of that significant allocation of capital to the Oxy, you know, footprint. Whether we would should expect that to, you know, level out for a few years until the next big bolus comes, you know, reaches, let's say, five years. If that's on a trajectory that is likely to build, you know, as we go forward kind of more or less ratably or steadily with the, you know, trailing the growth that you've put up the last couple of years.

Tim O’Tell: I'm wondering if some of that maintenance CapEx is kind of associated with that, the initial bolus of that significant allocation of capital to the Oxy, you know, footprint. Whether we would should expect that to, you know, level out for a few years until the next big bolus comes, you know, reaches, let's say, five years. If that's on a trajectory that is likely to build, you know, as we go forward kind of more or less ratably or steadily with the, you know, trailing the growth that you've put up the last couple of years.

Speaker #4: I'm wondering if some of that maintenance CapEx is kind of associated with the initial bolus of that significant allocation of capital to the Oxy footprint.

Speaker #4: And whether that, whether we would, should expect that to level out for a few years until the next big bolus comes—reaches, let's say, five years.

Speaker #4: Or if that's on a trajectory that is likely to build as we go forward, kind of more or less readily or steadily, with the trailing growth that you've put up the last couple of years.

Justin Jacobs: Hi, Tim. Thanks for joining us.

Ian Eckert: Hi, Tim. Thanks for joining us.

Speaker #3: Hi, Tim. Thanks for joining us. And I think you hit on a key point here. We've seen significant fleet horsepower growth over the last half-decade.

Tim Hotze: Morning.

Tim O’Tell: Morning.

Justin Jacobs: You know, I think you hit on a key point here. We've seen significant fleet horsepower growth over the last half a decade. Your assumption is correct. The initial tranche of those large horsepower units are coming up on some key maintenance events that require maintenance capital, hence the increase that we see year-over-year from 2025 to 2026. I believe you can expect that to continue gradually ticking upward, given the significant horsepower we've put in place over the last five years.

Ian Eckert: You know, I think you hit on a key point here. We've seen significant fleet horsepower growth over the last half a decade. Your assumption is correct. The initial tranche of those large horsepower units are coming up on some key maintenance events that require maintenance capital, hence the increase that we see year-over-year from 2025 to 2026. I believe you can expect that to continue gradually ticking upward, given the significant horsepower we've put in place over the last five years.

Speaker #3: And your assumption is correct. The initial tranche of those large horsepower units are coming up on some key maintenance events that require maintenance capital.

Speaker #3: Hence, the increase that we see year on year from 25 to 26. I believe you can expect that to continue gradually ticking upward, given the significant horsepower we put in place over the last five years.

Tim Hotze: Okay.

Tim O’Tell: Okay.

Justin Jacobs: Just for-

Tim Hotze: Yeah. Thanks, Tim.

Tim O’Tell: Yeah. Thanks, Tim.

Speaker #1: We just heard Tim, I know you know this well, but as we kind of talk to our broader public shareholder base just to make sure they understand, the maintenance cycle here specifically for the engines, you're looking at a major maintenance every three and a half years thereabouts.

Justin Jacobs: Tim, I know you know this well, but as we, you know, kind of talk to our broader public shareholder base, just to make sure they understand, you know, the maintenance cycle here, specifically for the engines. You know, you're looking at, you know, major maintenance every 3.5 years thereabout. 3.5 years, you have a good size one. At 7 years, you have a little bit bigger in terms of cost. Then the other components, you know, are roughly around that. You know, our expectation with the growing fleet size that, you know, it will gradually drift up, in proportion with our growth in fleet.

Speaker #1: And three and a half years, you have a good-sized one at seven years, you have a little bit bigger in terms of cost. And then the other components, are roughly around that.

Speaker #1: And so our expectation with the growing fleet size that it will gradually drift up in proportion with our growth in fleet.

Tim Hotze: Right. That makes perfect sense. Obviously, it's taking a bit of a step up and, you know, that it probably helps to actually set the table for that as we go forward. Also, you know, that kind of circles back to my comment on discretionary cash flow and discretionary cash flow per share growth as we go forward. Then I'm also. This is another question kind of for Ian, is physical inventory adjustment that you took in Q4, is there more of that to come as we go into the front end of 2026 to kind of set the table for, you know, growth in adjusted gross margin again?

Tim O’Tell: Right. That makes perfect sense. Obviously, it's taking a bit of a step up and, you know, that it probably helps to actually set the table for that as we go forward. Also, you know, that kind of circles back to my comment on discretionary cash flow and discretionary cash flow per share growth as we go forward. Then I'm also. This is another question kind of for Ian, is physical inventory adjustment that you took in Q4, is there more of that to come as we go into the front end of 2026 to kind of set the table for, you know, growth in adjusted gross margin again?

Speaker #4: Right. And that makes perfect sense. But obviously, it's taking a bit of a step up and it probably helps to actually set the table for that as we go forward.

Speaker #4: Also, that kind of circles back to my comment on discretionary cash flow and discretionary cash flow for sure. Growth as we go forward. And then I'm also this is another question kind of for Ian, is physical inventory adjustment that you took in the fourth quarter, is there more of that to come as we go into the front end of '26 to kind of set the table for growth in adjusted gross margin again?

Tim Hotze: Is that really basically behind us, and going forward, it's just actually tuning up operations more than anything else?

Tim O’Tell: Is that really basically behind us, and going forward, it's just actually tuning up operations more than anything else?

Speaker #4: Or is that really basically behind us? And going forward, it's just actually tuning up operations more than anything else.

Justin Jacobs: Yeah, that's very much behind us at this point in time. That was a one-time impact in the Q4. Moving forward, I don't expect continued physical inventory adjustments of that scale.

Ian Eckert: Yeah, that's very much behind us at this point in time. That was a one-time impact in the Q4. Moving forward, I don't expect continued physical inventory adjustments of that scale.

Speaker #3: Yeah, that's very much behind us at this point in time. That was a one-time impact in the fourth quarter. Moving forward, I don't expect continued physical inventory adjustments to that scale.

Tim Hotze: Great. Okay. Thanks. I think that's all I have right now. Thank you, gentlemen. Another good quarter setting up for another interesting and fruitful year. Thanks.

Tim O’Tell: Great. Okay. Thanks. I think that's all I have right now. Thank you, gentlemen. Another good quarter setting up for another interesting and fruitful year. Thanks.

Speaker #4: Great. Okay. Thanks. I think that's all I have right now. Thank you, gentlemen, and another good quarter—setting up for another interesting and fruitful year.

Justin Jacobs: Thanks, Tim. Appreciate you joining.

Speaker #4: Thanks.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Tim. Appreciate you joining.

Operator: Thank you very much. Again, if you have any questions, please go ahead and press seven pound. Our next question comes from Rob Brown with Lake Street Capital Markets. Go ahead, please.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much. And again, if you have any questions, please go ahead and press 7 pound. Our next question comes from Rob Brown.

Speaker #2: Lakestreet Capital Markets. Go ahead, please.

Rob Brown: Good morning. Wanted to follow up on your comments about increased quoting activity. Can you give us a sense of what areas are the most active and maybe the ability to expand? I think you said 50,000 horsepower this year. You know, how early do you have to get the quotes in to expand that 50,000, and what could it be?

Speaker #4: Good morning. One of the follow-up on your comments about increased quoting activity, could you just put a sense of what areas are the most active and maybe the ability to expand?

Speaker #4: I think you said 50,000 horsepower this year. How early do you have to get the quotes in to expand that 50,000? And what could it be?

Justin Jacobs: When I look at the quoting activity overall, at least from a geographic perspective, it's certainly dominated by Permian Basin as our existing business is. Really no difference there, from where we operate today. In terms of applications, this was said earlier in the call, one of the questions. We are seeing opportunities in the midstream, but we haven't won one of those yet. On the 50,000, you know, just to confirm though, that is contracted growth that we all are, you know, expected to set in 2026.

Speaker #1: Well, I look at the quoting activity overall, at least from a geographic perspective, it's certainly dominated by Permian Basin as our existing business is.

Speaker #1: And so really no difference there from where we operate today. In terms of applications, this was set on the earlier in the call. One of the questions we are seeing opportunities in the midstream, but we haven't won one of those yet.

Speaker #1: On the 50,000, just to confirm, that is contracted growth that we are expected to set in 2026. So we're seeing a mix of existing customers, larger existing customers in terms of quoting some customers that are very large companies, but relatively small customers for us where the quoting activity is far, far in excess of the amount of business that we have with them today.

Justin Jacobs: You know, we're seeing a mix of existing customers, larger existing customers in terms of quoting, some customers that are very large companies, but relatively small customers for us, where the quoting activity is far in excess of the amount of business that we have with them today. Some new customers in there, a number of whom we've already won some units with. It's, I would generally describe it as broad-based.

Speaker #1: And then some new customers in there a number of whom we've already won some units with. So it's I would generally describe it as broad-based.

Rob Brown: Great. Okay. Thank you. Just on the comments around the natural gas demand, some of the demand drivers there. I guess, do you foresee a better utilization in your smaller horsepower fleet from that? Or how does that impact kind of your business?

Speaker #4: Great. Okay. Thank you. And then just on the comments around the natural gas demand some of the demand drivers there, I guess, do you foresee a better utilization in your smaller horsepower fleet from that?

Speaker #4: Or how does that impact kind of your business?

Justin Jacobs: I would say that we have not modeled that really into our forward guidance. I think it's a reasonable expectation that we will see it. We just haven't included that in. As our business is increasingly becoming dominated by large horsepower units, the impact to the business will be. It could be, you know, a reasonable amount, but I wouldn't describe it as particularly significant in relative to the overall size of the business.

Speaker #1: I would say that we have not modeled that really into our forward guidance. I think it's a reasonable expectation that we will see it.

Speaker #1: We just haven't included that in. And as our business is increasingly becoming dominated by large horsepower units, the impact to the business will be it could be a reasonable amount, but I wouldn't describe it as particularly significant in relative to the overall size of the business.

Rob Brown: Okay, great. Thank you. I'll turn it over.

Speaker #4: Okay. Great. Thank you. I'll turn it over.

Justin Jacobs: Appreciate it, Rob. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Appreciate it, Rob. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you very much. Again, if you have any questions, please press seven pound. I don't see any other questions here.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much. And again, if you have any questions, please press 7 pound. I don't see any other questions, sir.

Justin Jacobs: Thank you, Luke. Thank you all for your questions and for your continued interest in NGS. We sincerely appreciate your support, and look forward to updating you on our progress next quarter. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Well, thank you, Luke. And thank you all for your questions and your continued interest in NGS. We sincerely appreciate your support and look forward to updating you on our progress next quarter.

Speaker #1: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you, everyone. This concludes today's conference call. Thank you for attending.

Q4 2025 Natural Gas Services Group Earnings Call

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