Tidewater(TDW) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was $333.4 million, a decrease of approximately 3% from$ 345.1 million in Q4 2024 [32] - Net income for the quarter was $42.7 million, or$ 0.83 per share [32] - Average day rates increased to $22,303, slightly higher than the previous quarter [33] - Active utilization improved from 77.7% in Q4 2024 to 78.4% in Q1 2025 [33] - Gross margin was 50.1%, compared to 50.4% in Q4 2024, marking two consecutive quarters above 50% [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Day rates in the Americas improved by 8% and in the Middle East by almost 5% [37] - The Europe and Mediterranean region saw a decrease of about 4% in day rates due to seasonality [37] - Gross margin increased in the APAC and Middle East regions, while it decreased in Africa and Europe [37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Brazilian OSV market has strengthened significantly, while the U.K. North Sea and Mexico markets face demand-side challenges [23][25] - The Middle East and Africa markets showed steady improvements, with strong Q1 performance in Africa [27][28] - The overall OSV market remains above historical averages, although diverging trends are noted across regions [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company views share repurchase programs as a mechanism to return capital to shareholders and take advantage of market inefficiencies [8][10] - M&A remains a cornerstone of growth strategy, with a focus on unlevered returns and near-term free cash flow generation [10] - The company is optimistic about the long-term fundamentals of the offshore market despite current macroeconomic uncertainties [45] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the uncertainty regarding global growth is high, but they are familiar with navigating such situations [12] - There have been no canceled or delayed projects, indicating continued customer conviction [13] - The company expects 2025 to align with prior expectations, with opportunities in subsea construction and production-related activities [14] Other Important Information - The company generated approximately$ 95 million in free cash flow, the second highest since the offshore recovery began [8] - The company incurred $43.3 million in deferred drydock costs, significantly higher than the previous quarter [41] - The company has not observed any supplier price increases related to tariffs but is monitoring the situation closely [43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for offshore drilling contractors and subsea contractors - Management indicated that there have been no changes in customer outlook and expectations remain positive for 2026 and 2027 [50][54] Question: Participation in asset movement from North Sea to Brazil - Management expects to benefit from the movement of vessels to Brazil, which will tighten supply in the North Sea [58] Question: Forward margin guidance for Q2 - Management confirmed that Q2 revenue is expected to decline by about 5% sequentially, with margins at 44% [91] Question: Decision-making framework for stacking vessels - The decision to stack vessels is based on rate thresholds, visibility metrics, and region-specific factors [88] Question: Timeline for tenders - Tender timelines vary by customer, with some taking up to a year from issuance to execution [96]