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Hertz(HTZ) - 2024 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
HTZHertz(HTZ)2024-11-12 18:39

Financial Data and Key Metrics - Revenue for Q3 2024 was 2.6billion,withanadjustedcorporateEBITDAlossof2.6 billion, with an adjusted corporate EBITDA loss of 157 million [17] - Transaction days decreased by 4% year-over-year, while RPD (Revenue Per Day) remained relatively flat [17] - The company recorded a noncash asset impairment charge of just over 1billion,primarilyaffectingtheU.S.andEuropeanfleets[17][18]DPU(DepreciationPerUnit)forQ3was1 billion, primarily affecting the U.S. and European fleets [17][18] - DPU (Depreciation Per Unit) for Q3 was 537 per unit per month, with expectations for Q4 DPU to be in the 350to350 to 375 range [19] - The company aims to achieve a run rate DPU below 300bytheendof2025[19]BusinessLineDataandKeyMetricsThefleetstrategyfocusesonoptimizingutilization,reducingoutofservicevehicles,andimprovingassetreturns[10][11]Thecommercialteamisfocusedonimprovingcustomerexperience,demandgeneration,andfleetutilization[13][14]Thecompanyisimplementingarapidtestandlearnapproachtodrivecontinuousimprovementinrevenuedrivinginitiatives[13]MarketDataandKeyMetricsTheglobaltravelmacrosremainstrong,withpositivegrowthreflectedinTSAandairlineticketingdata[28]Supplyintheindustryisslightlyhigheratairports,leadingtoaslightdecreaseinratesinQ4,butoverall,demandandsupplyremainbalanced[38]CompanyStrategyandIndustryCompetitionThecompanysbacktobasicsstrategyisbuiltonthreepillars:fleet,revenue,andcostmanagement,withafocusonpeople,technology,andprocess[8]Thecompanyistransformingitsfleetmanagementtobemoreagileanddatadriven,aimingtoreduceDPUandimproveassetutilization[10][19]ThecompanyisfocusedondrivingpremiumRPD(RevenuePerDay)andimprovingoperationalexecutiontomaximizerevenueperunit[13][14]ManagementCommentaryonOperatingEnvironmentandFutureOutlookManagementisoptimisticabouttheprogressmadeinimprovingkeymetricssuchasEBITDA,RPD,andDOE(DirectOperatingExpense)spread[26]Thecompanyistargetinglongtermsustainableefficiencies,withafocusonreducingstructuralcostsandimprovingfleetutilization[21][26]Thecompanyexpectstoachieveitsrunratemetrics,includingDPUbelow300 by the end of 2025 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics - The fleet strategy focuses on optimizing utilization, reducing out-of-service vehicles, and improving asset returns [10][11] - The commercial team is focused on improving customer experience, demand generation, and fleet utilization [13][14] - The company is implementing a rapid test-and-learn approach to drive continuous improvement in revenue-driving initiatives [13] Market Data and Key Metrics - The global travel macros remain strong, with positive growth reflected in TSA and airline ticketing data [28] - Supply in the industry is slightly higher at airports, leading to a slight decrease in rates in Q4, but overall, demand and supply remain balanced [38] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company's back-to-basics strategy is built on three pillars: fleet, revenue, and cost management, with a focus on people, technology, and process [8] - The company is transforming its fleet management to be more agile and data-driven, aiming to reduce DPU and improve asset utilization [10][19] - The company is focused on driving premium RPD (Revenue Per Day) and improving operational execution to maximize revenue per unit [13][14] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management is optimistic about the progress made in improving key metrics such as EBITDA, RPD, and DOE (Direct Operating Expense) spread [26] - The company is targeting long-term sustainable efficiencies, with a focus on reducing structural costs and improving fleet utilization [21][26] - The company expects to achieve its run rate metrics, including DPU below 300, by the end of 2025 [26] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with liquidity of over 1.6billion,including1.6 billion, including 500 million in unrestricted cash and 1.1billioninavailablecreditcapacity[22]Thecompanyplanstobeactiveinthecapitalmarketsinthecomingmonthstomaintainliquiditycushion[22]Thecompanyhasmadeprogressinfleetrotation,withover401.1 billion in available credit capacity [22] - The company plans to be active in the capital markets in the coming months to maintain liquidity cushion [22] - The company has made progress in fleet rotation, with over 40% of the fleet now in the model year 2024-2025 range [49][50] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you expand on the expectation of DPU below 300 and the level of confidence? [30] - The company sees a path to sustainable sub-300DPUduetonormalizedmarketconditions,advancedfleetpurchases,andimprovedfleetmanagementstrategies[31][32]Thecompanyisconfidentinachievingthistargetbyoptimizingfleetmix,shorteningholdperiods,andleveragingretailsaleschannels[31][32]Question:Howdoyoubalancecostcuttingwithscalability?[34]Thecompanyisfocusedonoperatingthefleetwithinthedemandcurvewhiledrivingdemandgenerationtoenablescaling[35][36]Question:WhataretheratetrendsinOctoberandNovember,andhowdoyouseethemgoingintonextyear?[38]Demandremainsstrong,withslightlyhighersupplyatairportsleadingtoaslightdecreaseinrates,butoverall,theindustryremainsbalanced[38]Question:Canyouexplainthekeyconsiderationsrelatedtotheimpairmentcharge?[39]Theimpairmentwasdrivenbythedeclineinfleetresidualvaluesandtheacceleratedfleetrotationinitiative,withthechargenotfullyaligningbookvaluetomarketvalue[40]Question:WhatistheoutlookforpricingandRPDlevelsinthenext23years?[42]ThecompanyisfocusedonimprovingRPU(RevenuePerUnit)byfleetingunderthedemandcurveanddrivingpremiumRPD,withopportunitiestosweatassetsmore[43]Question:Howfaralongareyouinthefleetrefresh,andwhatareyourplansforcapitalmarkets?[47]Thecompanyisover40300 DPU due to normalized market conditions, advanced fleet purchases, and improved fleet management strategies [31][32] - The company is confident in achieving this target by optimizing fleet mix, shortening hold periods, and leveraging retail sales channels [31][32] Question: How do you balance cost-cutting with scalability? [34] - The company is focused on operating the fleet within the demand curve while driving demand generation to enable scaling [35][36] Question: What are the rate trends in October and November, and how do you see them going into next year? [38] - Demand remains strong, with slightly higher supply at airports leading to a slight decrease in rates, but overall, the industry remains balanced [38] Question: Can you explain the key considerations related to the impairment charge? [39] - The impairment was driven by the decline in fleet residual values and the accelerated fleet rotation initiative, with the charge not fully aligning book value to market value [40] Question: What is the outlook for pricing and RPD levels in the next 2-3 years? [42] - The company is focused on improving RPU (Revenue Per Unit) by fleeting under the demand curve and driving premium RPD, with opportunities to sweat assets more [43] Question: How far along are you in the fleet refresh, and what are your plans for capital markets? [47] - The company is over 40% through the fleet refresh and plans to be active in the capital markets to maintain liquidity [49][52] Question: Will the impairment impact adjusted EBITDA going forward? [55] - The impairment is a noncash charge and will not affect future EBITDA, but it will reduce excess depreciation in future quarters [55] Question: What is the impact of hurricanes on the quarter? [68] - The hurricanes had a net benign impact on the quarter, with demand fluctuations around the storms but no significant overall effect [68] Question: How is the fleet refresh being approached in terms of liquidity and OEM deals? [69] - The company has taken a long-term view on fleet rotation, with liquidity not being a restrictor in optimizing the fleet [70][71] Question: What is the plan to achieve low 30s DOE per transaction day? [72] - The company is focused on process improvements, data optimization, and leveraging technology to achieve sustainable cost efficiencies [73][74] Question: What are the efforts around utilization and where will the benefits materialize? [77] - The company is working on reducing waste, improving fleet-commercial coordination, and optimizing off-peak demand to drive utilization and improve ARPU [78][79] Question: What is the total cost target in the back-to-basics plan? [80] - The company has not provided a formal dollar amount but is targeting a run rate of low $30s for DOE per day, with gradual progress expected [81]