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Blade(BLDE) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-05 13:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company announced a sale of the Blade passenger business to Joby Aviation for up to $125 million, which is expected to create long-term value for stakeholders [6][9] - Medical revenue grew 17.6% year-over-year to a record $45.1 million in Q2 2025, driven by new transplant center customers and increased demand [18][26] - Adjusted EBITDA margin for the medical segment rose to 13.4% in Q2 2025, compared to 11.4% in Q1 2025, but declined from 14.4% in Q2 2024 [18][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The medical business accounted for approximately 60% of revenue in 2024, up from 12% in 2020, and contributed about 85% of the segment's adjusted EBITDA [6][9] - The passenger business saw a 5.5% decrease in short-distance revenue year-over-year, primarily due to lower revenue in the US segment [20] - The passenger segment adjusted EBITDA tripled year-over-year from $800,000 to $2.4 million, driven by improved flight margins and lower SG&A expenses [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company exited the Canadian market in August 2024, impacting short-distance revenue in the US [20] - European operations showed strong revenue growth due to realignment with local partners and operational changes [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on its medical division as a standalone entity, which will be renamed Strata Critical Medical, emphasizing its growth potential in the medical sector [6][9] - A disciplined capital allocation strategy is planned, supported by approximately $200 million in cash from the passenger business sale [12][26] - The company is entering a long-term partnership with Joby Aviation to access eVTOL aircraft for medical use, enhancing its service offerings [15][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth prospects of the medical business, expecting mid-teens revenue growth in the second half of 2025 [26] - The company anticipates improved fleet uptime and adjusted EBITDA margins in the medical segment, projecting margins of approximately 15% [26] - Management noted that the divestiture is expected to be neutral to adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow on a go-forward basis [25][26] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with no debt and $113.4 million in cash and short-term investments [25] - The financial impact of the divestiture is expected to be adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow neutral, supported by estimated corporate cost efficiencies of $7 million [10][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the current priorities for capital allocation post-transaction? - Management highlighted opportunities in M&A and organic growth, emphasizing the need for capital to scale the business effectively [29][30] Question: Are there any operational impacts from the divestiture on the medical segment? - Management stated that the company is set up for success as a standalone entity and expects the partnership with Joby to add significant value [32][33] Question: Why was the passenger business sold now? - Management indicated that the market was discounting the value of the passenger business, and the divestiture allows for a clearer focus on the high-growth medical segment [37][38] Question: What is the growth outlook for the medical business? - Management expressed optimism about organic growth driven by new technologies and services, aiming for high teens adjusted EBITDA margins in the long term [41][43] Question: How is the business trending quarter to date? - Management reported strong performance in July, with no signs of seasonal slowdown yet [44] Question: What are the tax implications of the transaction? - Management noted that they have enough NOLs to offset capital gains from the divestiture, expecting minimal cash tax impact [46]