Parsons (PSN) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 30, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company Participants Dave Spille - SVP, IRCarey Smith - President, CEO & ChairwomanMatt Ofilos - CFOMariana Pérez Mora - DirectorTobey Sommer - Managing DirectorSheila Kahyaoglu - Aerospace & Defense and Airlines Equity ResearchAlex Dwyer - AVP - Equity Research Conference Call Participants Andrew Wittmann - Senior Research AnalystGautam Khanna - AnalystJosh Sullivan - Managing Director & Equity Research Analyst Operator Ladies and gentlemen, th ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter revenue was $3.4 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $271 million, representing a 20% year-over-year increase [10][11] - Full year 2024 revenue reached $12.3 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $1.6 billion, also a nearly 20% year-over-year increase [11][38] - Fourth quarter adjusted EPS was $1.44, more than double last year's fourth quarter [10][38] - Cash flow from operations for the full year was $1.1 billion, with net debt reduced by over $700 million [11][39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Communications Segment**: Fourth quarter revenues increased by 28% year-over-year to $975 million, with EBITDA up 67% [18][42] - **Power Delivery Segment**: Fourth quarter revenues rose by 16% year-over-year, with expectations for double-digit growth in 2025 [21][52] - **Pipeline Segment**: Fourth quarter revenue was $430 million, with a forecasted decline in 2025 due to the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline [24][49] - **Clean Energy and Infrastructure Segment**: Fourth quarter revenue was the highest in the segment's history, up 18% year-over-year, with EBITDA more than doubling [26][45] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Backlog at year-end totaled $14.3 billion, an increase of over $400 million sequentially and nearly $2 billion year-over-year [40] - Non-pipeline revenue increased by 21% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, with non-pipeline EBITDA improving by 57% [12][11] - The company expects 2025 non-pipeline revenues to increase by 14% and EBITDA to grow over 25% [14][55] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth, with potential tuck-in acquisitions to accelerate goals [63] - There is a strong emphasis on improving margins across all segments, with a goal of reaching $15 billion in revenue with double-digit margins [109] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on significant opportunities in communication, power delivery, and clean energy sectors [29][124] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the unprecedented demand for services across all segments, driven by fundamental needs rather than short-term trends [16][15] - The company anticipates continued backlog growth in all segments throughout 2025, despite potential lumpiness in project awards [81][80] - There is optimism regarding the pipeline business, with expectations for revenue in 2026 to exceed 2024 levels [61][155] Other Important Information - The company has successfully reduced days sales outstanding (DSO) to 60 days, down from 68 days in the previous quarter [39] - The company is preparing for future workforce needs with over 30 dedicated trading facilities across the country [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pipeline business revenue expectations for 2026 - Management confirmed expectations for 2026 revenues in the Pipeline segment to exceed 2024 levels, citing increased optimism among customers [61][62] Question: Clean Energy margins and execution - Margins were driven by execution, with management indicating potential for exceeding guidance in 2025 [66][68] Question: Backlog growth in all segments - Management expressed confidence in backlog growth across all segments in 2025, despite historical lumpiness [81][80] Question: Communications segment growth profile - Management indicated that growth in the Communications segment is driven by new contracts and existing customer demand, with limited reliance on BEADs funding [82][84] Question: Margin improvement confidence - Management attributed margin improvement to a combination of factors, including increased revenue and operational efficiency [105][109] Question: Capacity for large transmission projects - Management stated readiness to take on additional large projects, with expectations for awards in 2025 [129][130] Question: Renewable business backlog and timing - Management confirmed strong backlog in renewables with no significant delays expected due to policy uncertainty [156]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter revenue was $3.4 billion, adjusted EBITDA was $271 million, a 20% year-over-year increase, and adjusted EPS was $1.44, more than double last year's fourth quarter [6][7]. - For the full year 2024, revenue was $12.3 billion, adjusted EBITDA was $1.06 billion, also an almost 20% year-over-year increase, and full year adjusted EPS was $3.95 [7][24]. - Cash flow from operations for 2024 was $1.1 billion, with net debt reduced by over $700 million for the year [7][25]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Communications segment revenue increased by 28% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, with EBITDA up 67% [11]. - Power Delivery segment revenue grew by about 16% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, with expectations for double-digit growth in 2025 [13]. - Clean Energy and Infrastructure segment revenue was up 18% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, with EBITDA more than doubling [15][29]. - Pipeline segment revenue was down year-over-year and sequentially, with guidance for 2025 revenue at approximately $1.8 billion [14][30]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog at year-end totaled $14.3 billion, an increase of over $400 million sequentially and almost $2 billion year-over-year, representing a record level for the company [25][26]. - The company expects non-pipeline revenues to increase by 14% and non-pipeline EBITDA to grow over 25% in 2025, supported by strong customer demand [8][9]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cultivating the best talent in the industry and preparing the workforce for future demands [10]. - There is a strong emphasis on modernizing and rebuilding America's infrastructure, with a diversified business model that allows for integrated solutions at scale [19][20]. - The company aims to improve margins significantly while maintaining strong revenue growth, which is expected to lead to substantial value creation for stakeholders [21][20]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the unprecedented level of demand across all segments, indicating that this is not a short-term bubble but a fundamental need for infrastructure support [10]. - The company anticipates continued backlog growth in all segments during 2025, despite potential lumpiness in project awards [56]. - Management highlighted optimism regarding the pipeline business, expecting revenues in 2026 and beyond to exceed 2024 levels [40][116]. Other Important Information - The company has successfully advanced acquisition integration efforts and strengthened its balance sheet through debt reduction [22]. - The company is committed to maximizing return on investment while supporting organic growth, with share repurchases remaining opportunistic [35]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Pipeline business revenue expectations for 2026 - Management confirmed that they expect pipeline revenues in 2026 to exceed 2024 levels due to increased optimism and project activity [40]. Question: M&A strategy given strong cash flow - The focus will be on organic growth first, with potential tuck-in acquisitions considered to meet goals more quickly [42]. Question: Clean Energy segment margins - Margins were driven by execution, with expectations for continued improvement in 2025 [44][46]. Question: Backlog growth in all segments - Management expects backlog growth in every segment during 2025, despite historical lumpiness in project awards [56]. Question: Growth profile in Communications - The growth is primarily driven by new contracts and existing customer demand, with limited reliance on new funding sources [57][60]. Question: Capacity for large transmission projects - The company is prepared to take on additional large projects and is optimistic about securing more contracts in 2025 [94]. Question: Pipeline margins and revenue guidance - The guidance reflects a decline in revenue due to fixed costs, but management remains confident in margin capabilities [96][97].