Stable Low-Beta Stocks to Consider During Uncertain Times: JJSF, USAC, NGS & COCO
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 18 2025
0mins
Should l Buy NGS?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Investor Sentiment: Investors are gravitating towards safer, low-beta stocks due to anticipated market uncertainty, with companies increasingly using complex borrowing methods for funding.
Stock Screening Criteria: A screening process for low-volatility stocks includes criteria such as a beta between 0 and 0.6, positive price movement over the last month, a minimum trading price of $5, and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy).
Highlighted Stocks: Notable low-beta stocks include J & J Snack Foods Corp., USA Compression Partners, Natural Gas Services Group, and The Vita Coco Company, each positioned to benefit from current market trends.
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Analyst Views on NGS
Wall Street analysts forecast NGS stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 38.100
Low
33.00
Averages
39.33
High
45.00
Current: 38.100
Low
33.00
Averages
39.33
High
45.00
About NGS
Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. is a provider of natural gas compression equipment, technology, and services to the energy industry. The Company rents, operates and maintains natural gas compressors for oil and gas production and processing facilities. In addition, the Company designs and assembles compressor units for rental to its customers and provides aftermarket services in the form of call-out services on customer-owned equipment, as well as commissioning of new units for customers. Its rental compression units provide large, medium and small horsepower applications for conventional and unconventional oil and gas production. It also provides an exchange and rebuilds program for small horsepower screw compressors and maintains an inventory of new and used compressors to facilitate this part of its business. It has approximately 1,912 natural gas compressors in its rental fleet, totaling 598,840 horsepower.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Energy Sector Leads in 2026 with 36% YTD Return
- Energy Sector Performance: The energy sector boasts a year-to-date return of 36% in 2026, leading all sectors and demonstrating robust market performance amid increasing global economic uncertainties.
- Technology Sector Decline: In stark contrast, the technology sector has fallen over 7% year-to-date, reflecting a potential reassessment by investors towards energy stocks, which may lead to a shift in capital towards energy for higher returns.
- Portfolio Adjustments: Inside Edge Capital has increased its allocation to energy from 2% to 10% in its growth portfolio and from 6% to 14% in its equity income portfolio, indicating strong confidence in the long-term growth potential of the energy sector.
- Strong Archrock Outlook: Archrock (AROC), one of the largest natural gas compression companies in the U.S., is projected to have a dividend yield between 1.5% and 9% by 2025, with a net EPS CAGR exceeding 7%, underscoring its significance and growth potential within the energy value chain.
See More
Natural Gas Services Group Reports Record 2025 Results
- Performance Growth: Natural Gas Services Group achieved record results in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of market share growth in the rental compression industry, with rented horsepower increasing by 14% year-over-year, indicating strong market demand and competitive positioning.
- Revenue Increase: Rental revenue for the fourth quarter rose approximately 16% year-over-year, driven by fleet expansion and robust demand for large horsepower compression units, reflecting the company's strong market performance and customer trust.
- Capital Return Program: The company initiated a capital return program, including a 10% increase in its inaugural dividend in the fourth quarter, demonstrating confidence in cash generation and capital allocation strategy while maintaining low leverage for future growth flexibility.
- Challenges and Opportunities: Although the adjusted rental gross margin percentage declined by roughly 300 basis points due to inventory adjustments and lead times for new equipment exceeding one year, the company is actively addressing the evolving competitive landscape and enhancing operational efficiencies to support financial performance in 2026.
See More
Natural Gas Services Group Reports Record 2025 Earnings
- Record Performance: Natural Gas Services Group reported rental revenue of $164.3 million for 2025, a 14% year-over-year increase, while adjusted EBITDA reached $81 million, reflecting the company's sustained market share growth in the compression industry.
- Shareholder Return Program: The company initiated its first dividend program in 2025, increasing the dividend by 10% in Q4, returning approximately $2.6 million to shareholders in the second half of the year, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder value.
- Positive Outlook: Management provided adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026 between $90.5 million and $95.5 million, with plans to deploy 50,000 horsepower of new large compression units, further solidifying its market position.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Expected growth capital expenditures for 2026 are projected to range from $55 million to $70 million, with maintenance capital expenditures anticipated between $15 million and $18 million, reflecting the company's confidence and commitment to future growth.
See More
Natural Gas Services (NGS) Earnings Transcript
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Natural Gas Services Reports Q4 2025 Earnings and 2026 Guidance
- Earnings Performance: Natural Gas Services reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.32, missing estimates by $0.05, although revenue reached $44.3 million, a 9% year-over-year increase, exceeding expectations by $0.5 million, indicating resilience in revenue growth.
- Adjusted EBITDA Growth: The adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $21.2 million, reflecting a 17.6% year-over-year increase and a 1.6% sequential rise, showcasing the company's ongoing improvements in cost control and operational efficiency, which bolster future profitability.
- 2026 Financial Outlook: The company projects adjusted EBITDA for 2026 to be between $90.5 million and $95.5 million, demonstrating confidence in future growth, while planning to allocate $55 million to $70 million in growth capital expenditures to support strategic expansion.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Maintenance capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to range from $15 million to $18 million, a strategy aimed at ensuring ongoing optimization of the company's infrastructure, thereby supporting long-term business stability and growth potential.
See More
Cannell Capital Sells $11.79 Million in Cavco Industries Shares
- Transaction Overview: On February 17, 2026, Cannell Capital disclosed in an SEC filing the sale of 20,801 shares of Cavco Industries, valued at approximately $11.79 million, indicating a strategic reduction in exposure to the company.
- Holding Adjustment: Following this transaction, Cannell Capital's stake in Cavco Industries decreased to 11,360 shares, valued at $6.71 million, reflecting a drop in its investment proportion from 9% to 3.25%, signaling a reassessment of risk tolerance.
- Financial Performance: Cavco Industries reported $581 million in quarterly revenue, an 11% increase year-over-year, yet its factory-built housing gross margin slipped to 21.7%, highlighting pressures from increased competition and rising costs.
- Market Outlook: While Cavco Industries remains a strong player in affordable housing with a solid balance sheet and active buyback programs, future housing demand, financing conditions, and margin discipline will be critical factors influencing its stock price.
See More
Energy Sector Leads in 2026 with 36% YTD Return
- Energy Sector Performance: The energy sector boasts a year-to-date return of 36% in 2026, leading all sectors and demonstrating robust market performance amid increasing global economic uncertainties.
- Technology Sector Decline: In stark contrast, the technology sector has fallen over 7% year-to-date, reflecting a potential reassessment by investors towards energy stocks, which may lead to a shift in capital towards energy for higher returns.
- Portfolio Adjustments: Inside Edge Capital has increased its allocation to energy from 2% to 10% in its growth portfolio and from 6% to 14% in its equity income portfolio, indicating strong confidence in the long-term growth potential of the energy sector.
- Strong Archrock Outlook: Archrock (AROC), one of the largest natural gas compression companies in the U.S., is projected to have a dividend yield between 1.5% and 9% by 2025, with a net EPS CAGR exceeding 7%, underscoring its significance and growth potential within the energy value chain.
See More
Natural Gas Services Group Reports Record 2025 Results
- Performance Growth: Natural Gas Services Group achieved record results in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of market share growth in the rental compression industry, with rented horsepower increasing by 14% year-over-year, indicating strong market demand and competitive positioning.
- Revenue Increase: Rental revenue for the fourth quarter rose approximately 16% year-over-year, driven by fleet expansion and robust demand for large horsepower compression units, reflecting the company's strong market performance and customer trust.
- Capital Return Program: The company initiated a capital return program, including a 10% increase in its inaugural dividend in the fourth quarter, demonstrating confidence in cash generation and capital allocation strategy while maintaining low leverage for future growth flexibility.
- Challenges and Opportunities: Although the adjusted rental gross margin percentage declined by roughly 300 basis points due to inventory adjustments and lead times for new equipment exceeding one year, the company is actively addressing the evolving competitive landscape and enhancing operational efficiencies to support financial performance in 2026.
See More
Natural Gas Services Group Reports Record 2025 Earnings
- Record Performance: Natural Gas Services Group reported rental revenue of $164.3 million for 2025, a 14% year-over-year increase, while adjusted EBITDA reached $81 million, reflecting the company's sustained market share growth in the compression industry.
- Shareholder Return Program: The company initiated its first dividend program in 2025, increasing the dividend by 10% in Q4, returning approximately $2.6 million to shareholders in the second half of the year, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder value.
- Positive Outlook: Management provided adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026 between $90.5 million and $95.5 million, with plans to deploy 50,000 horsepower of new large compression units, further solidifying its market position.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Expected growth capital expenditures for 2026 are projected to range from $55 million to $70 million, with maintenance capital expenditures anticipated between $15 million and $18 million, reflecting the company's confidence and commitment to future growth.
See More
Natural Gas Services (NGS) Earnings Transcript
See More
Natural Gas Services Reports Q4 2025 Earnings and 2026 Guidance
- Earnings Performance: Natural Gas Services reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.32, missing estimates by $0.05, although revenue reached $44.3 million, a 9% year-over-year increase, exceeding expectations by $0.5 million, indicating resilience in revenue growth.
- Adjusted EBITDA Growth: The adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $21.2 million, reflecting a 17.6% year-over-year increase and a 1.6% sequential rise, showcasing the company's ongoing improvements in cost control and operational efficiency, which bolster future profitability.
- 2026 Financial Outlook: The company projects adjusted EBITDA for 2026 to be between $90.5 million and $95.5 million, demonstrating confidence in future growth, while planning to allocate $55 million to $70 million in growth capital expenditures to support strategic expansion.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Maintenance capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to range from $15 million to $18 million, a strategy aimed at ensuring ongoing optimization of the company's infrastructure, thereby supporting long-term business stability and growth potential.
See More
Cannell Capital Sells $11.79 Million in Cavco Industries Shares
- Transaction Overview: On February 17, 2026, Cannell Capital disclosed in an SEC filing the sale of 20,801 shares of Cavco Industries, valued at approximately $11.79 million, indicating a strategic reduction in exposure to the company.
- Holding Adjustment: Following this transaction, Cannell Capital's stake in Cavco Industries decreased to 11,360 shares, valued at $6.71 million, reflecting a drop in its investment proportion from 9% to 3.25%, signaling a reassessment of risk tolerance.
- Financial Performance: Cavco Industries reported $581 million in quarterly revenue, an 11% increase year-over-year, yet its factory-built housing gross margin slipped to 21.7%, highlighting pressures from increased competition and rising costs.
- Market Outlook: While Cavco Industries remains a strong player in affordable housing with a solid balance sheet and active buyback programs, future housing demand, financing conditions, and margin discipline will be critical factors influencing its stock price.
See More
