Smart Sand Inc(SND)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
2-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 21 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+1.15% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$5.26
09/28/2026
(24-hour delay)

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*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for SND

09/28/2026: SND (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

Smart Sand Inc is a specialized player in the North American industrial sand market, focusing on proppant production and logistics for the energy sector. The company's strengths lie in its integrated logistics network and proprietary well-site delivery technology, which aim to provide cost-effective solutions for oilfield operators. While it faces significant challenges from commodity price volatility and regional competition, its commitment to operational efficiency remains its primary investment narrative. Investors should carefully weigh the cyclical nature of the oil and gas sector against the company's efforts to diversify through service-oriented logistics. It may suit investors comfortable with high-volatility energy equities who monitor rig counts closely.

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 limited by the mature, cyclical nature of the North American shale proppant market.
Momentum investorMixed fitThe stock often reacts to cyclical energy sector tailwinds, making it conditional on broader oil and gas market trends.
Value investorStrong fitThe company's valuation is often suppressed, potentially offering value if the energy cycle enters a significant expansionary phase.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company does not provide a reliable dividend stream, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorWeak fitSignificant exposure to oil and gas commodity price volatility makes this a high-beta, high-risk equity.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock is highly sensitive to fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas.
Valuation riskMediumMarket sentiment can lead to wide swings in valuation regardless of underlying operational performance.
Competition risk (In-basin sand suppliers)HighThe rise of local, in-basin sand suppliers has eroded the price premium for Northern White sand.
Business qualityMediumThe company operates in a capital-intensive industry with historically thin margins during market downturns.
Dividend incomeLow / noneInvestors should not rely on this company for income generation.
Execution riskMediumOperational success relies on efficient logistics and infrastructure management at well sites.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

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

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -25.21%
Avg. Invested days 31
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
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Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 09/28/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
SND receives a 3-star rating based on the available scored pillars. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, soft analyst coverage, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
SND has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid cash generation (FCF margin 9.9%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-55.0%), moderate revenue growth (+6.0%), soft profitability (net margin 0.4%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
SND's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (9.9% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is SND's strongest growth driver at +199.6% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (+6.0%, moderate) and earnings growth (-55.0%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 46.5% and approximately 61.1% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 30.73% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Gendell Jeffrey L 7.38%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 2.79%
Acadian Asset Management LLC 2.26%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 2.08%
Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership 1.88%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
SND generates approximately $108 of gross profit, $-15 of operating income, and $99 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses explain the 2-star rating, with solid cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 124.08%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
SND 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 Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 221.75M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 20.92
1Y Target Price 3
Price to earnings Ratio 20.92
1Y Target Price 3
Volume (30-day avg) 243.0K shares
Beta 0.35
52 Weeks Range 1.92 - 5.79
Updated Date 09/27/2026
52 Weeks Range 1.92 - 5.79
Updated Date 09/27/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.25

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Proppant SalesSale of processed Northern White sand to oilfield operators for hydraulic fracturing.The company makes money when oil companies are actively drilling and pumping oil, which requires sand to keep cracks open.
Logistics and TerminalsRail transportation, storage, and last-mile delivery services for sand.Efficiently moving heavy sand to remote locations is a value-added service that creates a distinct revenue stream.

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 20.92
Forward PE 48.08
Enterprise Value 248.13M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.57
Enterprise Value 248.13M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.57
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.64
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 6.32
Shares Outstanding 42.40M
Shares Floating 25.89M
Shares Outstanding 42.40M
Shares Floating 25.89M
Percent Insiders 30.73
Percent Institutions 46.5

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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.

About Smart Sand Inc

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters Yardley, PA, United States
IPO Launch date 2016-11-04
CEO & Director Mr. Charles Edwin Young
Sector Energy
Industry Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Full time employees 318
Full time employees 318

Smart Sand, Inc., a fully integrated frac and industrial sand supply and services company, provides mine to wellsite proppant supply and logistics solutions to its frac sand customers in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Sand and SmartSystems. The Sand segment offers frac sand and industrial products solutions. The SmartSystems segment rents its patented SmartSystems equipment and offers related services, as well as provides portable wellsite storage and management solutions. The company engages in the excavation, processing, and sale of sand or proppant for use in hydraulic fracturing operations. The company markets its products and services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, oilfield service companies, and diversified industrial and commercial customers. Smart Sand, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Yardley, Pennsylvania.