Liberty Energy Inc. (LBRT) Stock Crashed This Week: What Happened?

The energy sector has been on a rollercoaster ride this week, and Liberty Energy Inc. (LBRT) has been one of the most notable casualties. The company's stock price plummeted by 19.11% between March 27 and April 3, 2025, leaving investors scrambling for answers. The decline can be attributed to a combination of macroeconomic factors, industry-specific challenges, and company-specific issues. Let's delve into the details to understand why LBRT's stock crashed this week.



Global Trade War and Economic Slowdown

The global energy industry faced a significant setback due to escalating trade tensions and fears of an economic slowdown. China's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, including a 34% duty on all U.S. goods, led to a plunge in global oil prices by over 8%. This decline was the lowest since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. The U.S. natural gas price at Henry Hub also fell by around 7.5% amid broad market selling. These macroeconomic factors weighed heavily on energy prices, including those of Liberty Energy Inc.

OPEC+ Output Increases

Adding to the pressure, OPEC+ decided to accelerate plans for output increases, aiming to supply 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the market in May, up from the previously planned 135,000 bpd. This decision by OPEC+ further pressured oil prices, as increased supply can lead to lower prices. Goldman Sachs analysts sharply reduced their December 2025 forecasts, cutting Brent and WTI targets by $5 each to $66 and $62 per barrel, respectively.

Company-Specific Factors

Liberty Energy Inc. posted an adjusted EPS of $0.1 in Q4 2024, which was in line with market expectations. However, the company’s revenue of $943.57 million was down 11.8% year-over-year and missed estimates by $34.86 million. CEO Ron Gusek stated that oilfield service providers would face modest impacts to earnings from the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel imports. LBRT will pass these costs on to its customers, which could further hit the company’s earnings by forcing its clients to slow down drilling activity.

The Impact of Tariffs

Liberty Energy Inc. has responded to the Trump administration's tariffs on steel imports by acknowledging the potential modest impacts on its earnings. According to Ron Gusek, the CEO of Liberty Energy, the company will pass these costs on to its customers. This strategy aims to mitigate the potential impacts on its earnings by ensuring that the additional costs incurred due to the tariffs are not absorbed by the company but rather transferred to its clients. However, Gusek also noted that this could further hit the company's earnings by forcing its clients to slow down drilling activity. This indicates that while Liberty Energy is taking steps to manage the financial burden of the tariffs, there is a risk that the increased costs could lead to reduced demand for its services as customers adjust their operations in response to higher prices.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, Liberty Energy Inc. has shown resilience in the face of industry headwinds. The company's strategic pivot into power generation services, targeting data centers and industrial applications, represents a significant diversification opportunity. The planned deployment of 400 MW of additional power generation capacity by 2026 positions Liberty to capitalize on the fastest-growing power demand since 2000. This move could provide more stable revenue streams compared to cyclical fracking operations.



Conclusion

The 19.11% decline in Liberty Energy Inc. (LBRT) stock price between March 27 and April 3, 2025, was a result of a perfect storm of macroeconomic factors, industry-specific challenges, and company-specific issues. While the broader market trends contributed to the decline, LBRT's specific financial performance and company-specific challenges exacerbated its stock price decline. However, the company's strategic pivot and resilience in the face of industry headwinds suggest that it may be well-positioned to weather the storm and emerge stronger in the long run.