Investor expectations for normalized frac sand earnings power are now more reasonable, but lofty valuations suggest stocks are still pricing in solid medium term recovery, "which is hardly a given," Jefferies analyst Saurabh Pant tells investors in a research note titled "Fractured Sand, Squeezed Out Equity Value." Further, high debt "continues to crowd out equity value" and limited free cash flow improvement suggests more downside for frac sand pure-plays Hi-Crush Partners (HCLP) and Smart Sand (SND), adds the analyst. He views U.S. Silica (SLCA) as "more defensive" and finds it "interesting" on free cash flow yield, but says the stock lacks positive catalysts. Pant sees "continued oversupply, weak earnings and thus further downside to equity" values. The analyst lowered his price target for Hold-rated Covia (CVIA) to $4 from $7, for Underperform-rated Hi-Crush to $2.50 from $5, for Underperform-rated Smart Sand to $2 from $2.50 and for Hold-rated U.S. Silica to $13 from $16