Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) Posts Disappointing Q3 Results. Is This a True Picture?
Oil drilling company Patterson-UTI Energy yet again posted disappointing quarterly numbers despite the oil drilling business growing leaps and bounds in North America.
The company provides two of the most essential services for shale drilling - high-specification rigs capable of handling complex shale jobs and pressure pumping services to frack shale wells and make them producing. Despite providing some critical services and being present right at the epicenter of booming shale production, the company’s net loss for Q3 grew by ~600% compared to the previous quarter, whereas the operating loss grew by ~790% during the same period.
One of the main reasons for this quarter may have fallen short is the decision to retire 42 of its older legacy rigs and take a $48.4 million impairment charge. The other major reason may have been the company’s increased capital expenditure in the last few quarters for upgrading the rigs, which resulted in high deprecation costs. These two non-cash expenses dented the bottom-line in a big way.
Despite the losses, the picture isn’t as bad as it looks, and it could be only a couple of tough quarters before it gets back on the growth track again.
Even though the company posted losses in last few quarters, it was still able to pay dividends and buy back shares worth $100 million so far this year – indicating the strong financial health of the company.
PTEN in upward trend: 10-day moving average moved above 50-day moving average on August 12, 2026
The 10-day moving average for PTEN crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on August 12, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 14 of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on August 10, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on PTEN as a result. In 65 of 86 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 76%.
PTEN moved above its 50-day moving average on August 10, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +4.11% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PTEN advanced for three days, in 241 of 310 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 78%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 147 of 182 cases where PTEN Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 81%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for PTEN moved out of overbought territory on September 03, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 34 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 21 of the 34 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 62%.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for PTEN turned negative on September 11, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 45 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 34 of the 45 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 76%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where PTEN declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 79%.
PTEN broke above its upper Bollinger Band on September 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 2 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 22 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.581) is normal, around the industry mean (1.592). P/E Ratio (51.000) is within average values for comparable stocks, (341.700). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.700) is also within normal values, averaging (3.755). Dividend Yield (0.030) settles around the average of (0.025) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.046) is also within normal values, averaging (1.811).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 36 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. PTEN’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 67 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. PTEN’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 64, placing this stock worse than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 92 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
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General Information
a provider of onshore contract drilling and pressure pumping services
Industry ContractDrilling
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