Cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 decreased by $5.8 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily because of a reduction in capital expenditures, partially offset by a decrease in proceeds from the sale of assets.
Cash used for financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $136 thousand primarily as a result of cash paid for a finance lease, partially offset by lower cost of repurchases of the Company’s shares for taxes related to the vesting of restricted shares.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
The Company’s financial condition as of September 30, 2021 remains strong. We believe the liquidity provided by our existing cash and cash equivalents and our overall strong capitalization will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our requirements for at least the next twelve months. The Company’s decisions relating to the amount of cash to be used for investing and financing activities are influenced by our capital position, and the expected amount of cash to be provided by operations. RPC does not expect to utilize our revolving credit facility to meet these liquidity requirements.
The Company currently has a $100 million revolving credit facility that matures in July 2023, as recently amended. The facility contains customary terms and conditions, including restrictions on indebtedness, dividend payments, business combinations and other related items. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company further amended the revolving credit facility. Among other matters, the amendment (1) reduced the maximum amount available for borrowing from $125 million to $100 million, (2) decreased the minimum tangible net worth covenant level from not less than $600 million to not less than $400 million, and (3) increased the margin spreads and commitment fees payable by 37.5 and 5 basis points, respectively, at each pricing level of the applicable rate without any changes to the leverage ratios used to calculate such spreads. As of September 30, 2021, RPC had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, and letters of credit outstanding relating to self-insurance programs and contract bids totaled $17.7 million; therefore, a total of $82.3 million of the facility was available. The Company was in compliance with the credit facility financial covenants as of September 30, 2021. For additional information with respect to RPC’s facility, see Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
Cash Requirements
The Company currently expects that capital expenditures, excluding lease financed equipment, will be approximately $65 million, and will be directed mostly towards capitalized maintenance of our existing equipment and selected growth opportunities. During the third quarter of 2021, RPC made the strategic decision to add a Tier IV dual-fuel fleet. This fleet was put into service late in the third quarter and is reflected as a finance lease with a balloon payment at the end of 12 months. The actual amount of 2021 capital expenditures will depend primarily on equipment maintenance requirements, expansion opportunities, and equipment delivery schedules.
The Company has ongoing sales and use tax audits in various jurisdictions subject to varying interpretations of statutes. The Company has recorded the exposure from these audits to the extent issues are resolved or are reasonably estimable. There are issues that could result in unfavorable outcomes that cannot be currently estimated. See note Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Company’s Retirement Income Plan, a multiple employer trusteed defined benefit pension plan, provides monthly benefits upon retirement at age 65 to eligible employees. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company did not make a cash contribution to the plan and does not currently expect to make any additional contributions for the remainder of 2021.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company’s stock buyback program authorizes the aggregate repurchase of up to 41,578,125 shares, including an additional 10,000,000 shares authorized for repurchase by the Board of Directors on February 12, 2018. No shares have been purchased on the open market during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 8,248,184 shares remain available to be repurchased under the current authorization. The Company may repurchase outstanding common shares periodically based on market conditions and our capital allocation strategies considering restrictions under our credit facility. The stock buyback program does not have a predetermined expiration date.
On July 22, 2019, the Board of Directors voted to suspend RPC’s dividend to common stockholders. The Company expects to resume cash dividends to common stockholders, subject to the earnings and financial condition of the Company and other relevant factors. The Company has no timetable for the resumption of dividends.