USAC

We rate USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC) as a Reduce with a composite score of 46.7/100 at a current price of $26.87. The quantitative profile shows weakness across multiple dimensions, suggesting limited upside potential and elevated risk of underperformance relative to peers over the next 12 months.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in stability (64th percentile) and value (54th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in investment (29th percentile) and momentum (37th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a No Moat rating (39/100), Low uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation.

Key items to watch: momentum to confirm whether the current price trend has legs. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

USA Compression Partners, LP holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 46.7/100 places it at rank #2540 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $2.9B in market capitalization, USA Compression Partners, LP is a mid-cap player in the Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Revenue is growing at 6%, though momentum at the 37th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 69% (+13.9pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 31% (+13.5pp vs sector) and net margins of 10.4%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 15%. This conversion rate is typical for the sector, suggesting a standard cost structure without notable efficiency advantages or disadvantages.

At a current price of $26.87, USA Compression Partners, LP is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 54/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. Valuation metrics are mixed, with no strong signal of mispricing in either direction.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 31.9x (a 89% premium to the sector median of 16.9x), EV/EBITDA of 9.9x (at a premium), P/S of 3.3x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis finds only partially justified by current fundamentals.

We assign a Low uncertainty rating to USA Compression Partners, LP. The company exhibits strong financial stability with a beta of 0.86, and a stability factor in the 64th percentile. The predictable nature of the business model and solid financial position reduce the range of potential outcomes, giving us confidence in our fair value estimate.

We identify no major risk factors at this time. The company's stability factor sits at the 64th percentile with quality at the 44th percentile, both of which support our low-risk assessment. The absence of material leverage, profitability, or volatility concerns reduces the likelihood of a permanent capital loss scenario.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 69% provide a buffer against cost pressures; above-average stability (64th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics; a 8.95% dividend yield anchors total return. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate USA Compression Partners, LP's capital allocation as Poor. Key concerns include low returns on equity (-3498.6%). Exemplary capital allocators generate ROE above 20% and maintain conservative leverage — USA Compression Partners, LP significantly underperforms these benchmarks, raising questions about management's ability to create shareholder value.

Investors should scrutinize management's reinvestment decisions and balance sheet trajectory before committing capital. Poor capital allocation often compounds over time: overlevered balance sheets limit strategic flexibility, while low returns on capital destroy shareholder value. We would need to see sustained improvement in profitability metrics and balance sheet discipline before considering an upgrade.

In summary, USA Compression Partners, LP receives a Reduce rating with a composite score of 46.7/100 (rank #2540 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a No Moat (39/100, trend: stable), Low uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 46/100.

Our analysis does not support a constructive view on USA Compression Partners, LP at this time. The combination of limited competitive advantages, low uncertainty, and poor capital allocation suggests unfavorable risk-reward at current levels. We recommend investors avoid new positions and existing holders consider reducing exposure.