Select Water Solutions COO Sells 110,000 Shares Amid Cash Burn Concerns
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Executive Sale Details: Michael Skarke, COO of Select Water Solutions, sold 110,000 shares for approximately $1.91 million over two open-market transactions on May 11 and 12, 2026, indicating potential concerns regarding the company's cash flow situation.
- Ownership Impact: This sale represented 23.37% of Skarke's direct holdings, leaving him with 360,738 shares, which is about 72.2% of his pre-sale capacity, suggesting he still retains some confidence in the company despite the record-high sale volume.
- Company Financial Overview: Select Water Solutions reported a total revenue of $1.4 billion and a net income of $21.34 million for 2026, yet faced a negative free cash flow of $67 million, with capital expenditure guidance ranging from $200 to $250 million, highlighting financial pressures despite a 33.6% year-over-year growth in water infrastructure revenue.
- Market Outlook Analysis: While Skarke's sale may raise concerns about the company's future, its competitive advantage in water management and chemical solutions remains strong, particularly with increasing demand from large E&P customers, necessitating careful evaluation of the current market environment's impact on long-term growth.
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Analyst Views on WTTR
Wall Street analysts forecast WTTR stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 18.010
Low
12.00
Averages
14.67
High
18.00
Current: 18.010
Low
12.00
Averages
14.67
High
18.00
About WTTR
Select Water Solutions, Inc. is a provider of sustainable water and chemical solutions for the energy industry. The Company’s segments include Water Infrastructure, Water Services and Chemical Technologies. The Water Infrastructure segment consists of the Company’s fixed infrastructure assets, including operations associated with its water distribution pipeline infrastructure, its water recycling solutions, and its produced water pipeline gathering systems. The Water Services segment consists of the Company’s services businesses, including water sourcing, water transfer, flowback and well testing, fluids hauling, water monitoring, water containment and water network automation. The Chemical Technologies segment provides technical solutions, products and expertise related to chemical applications in the oil and gas industry. It develops, manufactures, manages logistics and provides a full suite of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, and cementing.
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.
- Executive Share Sale: Michael Skarke, EVP & COO of Select Water Solutions, sold 110,000 shares directly for approximately $1.91 million over two open-market transactions on May 11 and 12, 2026, representing 23.37% of his direct holdings.
- Market Performance Insight: The weighted average sale price was $17.40 per share, while the market close on May 12, 2026, was $18.05, indicating Skarke's decision to sell near the upper end of the recent price range, although he retains significant holdings, suggesting confidence in the company's future.
- Growth Potential: Select Water Solutions reported a 33.6% year-over-year increase in water infrastructure revenue, as the company strategically shifts its revenue mix towards higher-margin, contracted income, highlighting its competitive advantage and strong market demand in the energy sector.
- Financial Caution: Despite positive infrastructure growth prospects, the company reported negative free cash flow of $67 million last quarter, with capital expenditure guidance for 2026 ranging from $200 to $250 million, prompting investors to carefully consider the risks of investing in the current energy market.
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- Executive Sale Scale: Michael Skarke, EVP of Select Water Solutions, sold 110,000 shares for approximately $1.91 million over two open-market transactions on May 11 and 12, 2026, marking his largest individual open-market sale to date, indicating a significant market engagement.
- Ownership Impact: This sale represented 23.37% of Skarke's direct holdings, leaving him with 360,738 shares, which is about 72.2% of his pre-transaction capacity, suggesting he maintains a substantial stake in the company.
- Company Financial Overview: Select Water Solutions reported a total revenue of $1.40 billion and a net income of $21.34 million for 2026, with a dividend yield of 1.46%, reflecting the company's stability and growth potential in the water management and chemical solutions sector.
- Market Outlook Analysis: While Skarke's sale may raise concerns, the company has seen a 33.6% year-over-year growth in water infrastructure revenue and is shifting towards higher-margin contracted revenue, showcasing its competitive advantage and long-term growth potential in the energy sector.
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- Executive Sale Details: Michael Skarke, COO of Select Water Solutions, sold 110,000 shares for approximately $1.91 million over two open-market transactions on May 11 and 12, 2026, indicating potential concerns regarding the company's cash flow situation.
- Ownership Impact: This sale represented 23.37% of Skarke's direct holdings, leaving him with 360,738 shares, which is about 72.2% of his pre-sale capacity, suggesting he still retains some confidence in the company despite the record-high sale volume.
- Company Financial Overview: Select Water Solutions reported a total revenue of $1.4 billion and a net income of $21.34 million for 2026, yet faced a negative free cash flow of $67 million, with capital expenditure guidance ranging from $200 to $250 million, highlighting financial pressures despite a 33.6% year-over-year growth in water infrastructure revenue.
- Market Outlook Analysis: While Skarke's sale may raise concerns about the company's future, its competitive advantage in water management and chemical solutions remains strong, particularly with increasing demand from large E&P customers, necessitating careful evaluation of the current market environment's impact on long-term growth.
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- First Delivery Milestone: LibertyStream successfully delivered its first tonne of lithium carbonate from the Select Water Solutions facility in Howard County, Texas, marking a transition from site production to customer delivery, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the U.S. lithium market.
- Production Capacity Growth: The lithium carbonate product meets customer technical specifications, with an anticipated annual production capability of up to 1,000 tonnes by the end of 2026, showcasing LibertyStream's potential for expansion in lithium extraction and refining.
- Technological Integration Advantage: LibertyStream's Lithium Carbonate Operating Facility was completed ahead of schedule in March 2026, incorporating key learnings from previous field operations to improve production consistency and reduce operational risks.
- Market Strategic Positioning: This delivery not only represents a significant step in customer qualification but also lays the groundwork for LibertyStream's expansion in Texas and North Dakota, supporting its strategic plan to replicate its lithium extraction and refining model across high-volume oilfield basins.
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- Price Growth Trend: Select Water Solutions, Inc. (WTTR) has seen a 43.8% increase in stock price over the past 12 weeks, reflecting investors' sustained confidence in its potential upside, thereby enhancing its appeal for short-term investing.
- Short-Term Price Stability: The stock has risen by 17.1% in the last four weeks, ensuring the continuity of its price trend, indicating that it still possesses upward potential in the near term.
- High Trading Signal: WTTR is currently trading at 91.1% of its 52-week high-low range, suggesting it may be on the verge of a breakout, further attracting investor attention.
- Strong Fundamental Support: With a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), WTTR ranks in the top 5% of over 4,000 stocks, and its average broker recommendation of #1 indicates high market optimism regarding its near-term performance.
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