Patterson-UTI Energy Inc logo

Patterson-UTI Energy Inc(PTEN)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$11.31
10/09/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for PTEN

10/09/2026: PTEN (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Patterson-UTI Energy is a major U.S.-based land drilling and completion service provider catering primarily to shale oil and gas operators. The company has a leading position in the industry, benefiting from a modern, technologically advanced rig fleet and increased scale following major mergers. Its core investment story revolves around its operational efficiency and the potential for margin expansion through proprietary drilling technologies. However, the stock faces significant risks from volatile commodity prices, intense competition, and the long-term energy transition. It is best suited for investors comfortable with the cyclical nature of energy services who prioritize thematic exposure to North American oil and gas activity.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is largely cyclical and tied to energy prices rather than secular expansion.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe stock often trends strongly with the underlying crude oil market cycle.
Value investorStrong fitThe stock often trades at valuation multiples that reflect the cyclical nature of the energy services industry.
Dividend investorMixed fitDividends are available but can be subject to management discretion during industry downturns.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe high volatility of the energy sector makes this an unsuitable pick for conservative investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe business is directly tied to the price of oil and natural gas.
Valuation riskMediumCyclical peaks can lead to overvaluation by market participants.
Competition risk (Oilfield services)HighThe industry is prone to price wars when drilling activity softens.
Business qualityMediumWhile operations are efficient, the business model is inherently capital-intensive and cyclical.
Dividend incomeMediumPayouts can be inconsistent depending on the commodity price environment.
Execution riskMediumSuccessful integration of large-scale acquisitions is critical for sustained performance.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -5.2%
Avg. Invested days 31
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 1.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/09/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
PTEN receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
PTEN has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong earnings growth (+90.3%) and solid cash generation (FCF margin 7.7%) are partially offset by negative revenue growth (-10.3%), weak profitability (net margin -1.9%), modest insider ownership of 1.92%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
PTEN's financial health is supported by moderate cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (7.7% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is PTEN's strongest growth driver at +90.3% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-10.3%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-25.1%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 115.9% and approximately 98.2% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.92% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 16.49%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 7.13%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 5.97%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.37%
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc 4.28%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
PTEN generates approximately $48 of gross profit, $-5 of operating income, and $77 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 9.65%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
PTEN has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 4.31B USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 13.93
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 13.93
Volume (30-day avg) 8.0M shares
Beta 0.78
52 Weeks Range 5.02 - 13.39
Updated Date 10/11/2026
52 Weeks Range 5.02 - 13.39
Updated Date 10/11/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 3.14%
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.24

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Contract DrillingDay-rate revenue for operating super-spec land drilling rigs.The company gets paid daily to drill wells for oil and gas producers.
Completion ServicesPressure pumping and stimulation services for well completion.Revenue is generated by performing the technical work needed to finish a well.
Geography (U.S. Onshore)Operations across major U.S. shale plays like the Permian Basin.Nearly all revenue is derived from the U.S. shale oil and gas sector.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 35.71
Enterprise Value 5.31B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.92
Enterprise Value 5.31B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.92
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.14
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 6.08
Shares Outstanding 381.38M
Shares Floating 374.55M
Shares Outstanding 381.38M
Shares Floating 374.55M
Percent Insiders 1.92
Percent Institutions 115.87

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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