Ensign Resource Service Group (ESI-T)

A small-cap energy service stock caught in challenging times. Carries a lot of debt.

He continues to hold. While there is little corporate insider buying in other stocks Ensign energy is the exception where the CEO has has made significant purchases recently. However ESI is commodity based.

He likes snakes and ladders but there are no ladders here. There is uncertainty with tariffs but this is oversold with the general market. It claims to have paid down $400 million of debt and is ahead of the plan.

The oil and gas service sector has had a dip because of tariff concerns but has recovered. It continues to be very diversified and has half of its rigs in the U.S. It is expected to pay down another $200 million in debt this year.

Oil/gas dipped on fears of US tariffs, but have recovered. ESI is diversified with half their rigs in the US. It's the third year of their 3-year debt repayment plan.

It has been on an aggressive debt pay-down schedule which should be completed by next December. This would mean transferring value from debt holders to equity holders. It should have additional improvements on the operational front.          Buy 4  Hold 2  Sell 0

Will hold it. ESI is a play on them lowering their $600 million of debt, and they are on target.

It is paying down debt at $200 million per year and is half-way through the process of paying off the total of $600 million. When debt is paid off and it is generating $200 million excess capital it can use this capital for dividends and share buybacks. As they approach this point we should see the stock price increase. It is worth about $450 million today.          Buy 7  Hold 2  Sell 0

From its recent results there is investor concern over whether they can pay down $200 million in debt that they had planned to do this year but management says they can. Total debt is $600 million. With a $500 million market cap, its free cash flow yields 40% and it trades at a decent value today.

It anticipated $200 million in free cash flow and achieved this. It is reflected in the price so he would hold back on new buying.

Still likes it. Has a price-free cash flow ratio of 2. Revenues depend on commodity prices, but the Oil Patch has become much more stable. They continue to pay down debt, so down the road can raise the dividend. Shares are down because sentiment to oil services is negative, and the company carries debt.

It has been a very volatile stock. The price is lower than a few years ago even though the debt situation is better now along with higher natural gas and oil prices. Analysts are targeting a price increase of 125% over the next 12 months.

Sideways looking pattern. Hard to predict future of stock. Doesn't seem to be going anywhere. If fails $2.00 mark, could be more downside. 5/10 rating. 

It is in the energy services business.There has been a big drop in the rig count in the U.S. However the number of uncompleted holes is at a ten year low so new drilling will be needed. Also the price of natural gas is recovering. It is generating $200 million in free cash flow this year and the market cap is $400 million.

Service names have been strong, but this one has lagged. Debt issue. Leading edge rates are falling in US and Canada. Better opportunities in oil names.