Weatherford International(WFRD) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, the company generated $99 million of adjusted free cash flow with a conversion rate of 36.8% [14][15] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 is expected to be between $274 million and $287 million, improving upon prior levels [19] - The net leverage ratio is approximately 0.5 times, with liquidity around $1.6 billion [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America saw a slight sequential increase due to seasonal recovery in Canada, but U.S. land operations declined [5][6] - Latin America improved revenues by 10% sequentially, primarily driven by Mexico, although revenues are still down approximately 60% year-over-year [6][8] - The MENA and Asia regions posted another quarter of sequential growth, led by the UAE, Qatar, Australia, and Thailand [6][7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted rising pricing pressure in several markets, particularly in commodity services, with the Middle East being the most affected [27] - Customer spending trends for the next year remain uncertain, with expectations of continued softness in the first half of 2026 [11][12] - OPEC Plus is adding supply back to the market, increasing pressure on the global oil supply-demand balance [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cost optimization and has reduced headcount by over 2,000, lowering annualized personnel expenses by more than $145 million [12][16] - A multi-year cost optimization program is in place to achieve sustainable productivity gains through technology and lean processes [22] - The company is committed to not chasing market share at the expense of unfavorable cash outcomes, focusing instead on margin expansion [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about slight improvements in Mexico and the potential for growth in the MENA-Asia region [6][11] - The overall market remains soft, with expectations of year-on-year comparisons being down in the first half of 2026 [11][12] - The company is confident in its ability to manage through the current cycle and emerge stronger [23] Other Important Information - The company has paid four quarterly dividends of $0.25 per share and repurchased approximately $193 million worth of shares over the past five quarters [8] - A significant contract was awarded in Brazil for $147 million, showcasing the strength of the company's technology [9] - The company is undergoing a full-scale ERP cloud-based implementation expected to enhance operational efficiencies [74] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing pressure in certain markets - Management noted pricing pressure primarily in commodity services, particularly in the Middle East, but not as much in differentiated product lines [27][28] Question: Recovery in Saudi Arabia - Management indicated that Saudi Arabia is expected to see a rebound in activity, primarily driven by gas, with oil activity also contributing [33][34] Question: Mexico's payment situation - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding payments from Mexico, noting recent positive developments and a payment received [40][42] Question: DRE margins improvement - Management attributed margin improvements to stabilization in Latin America and increased activity levels, particularly in the Middle East [46][47] Question: Free cash flow guidance - Management indicated that the $100 million free cash flow guidance includes conservatism, with potential for higher outcomes depending on payments from Mexico [51][54] Question: Overall spend levels for 2026 - Management suggested that the first half of 2026 may be soft, with a rebound expected in the second half, particularly in offshore markets [60][62] Question: Cost optimization impact on margins - Management discussed both cyclical and structural aspects of cost optimization, emphasizing the importance of maintaining margins despite market headwinds [66][68] Question: Impact of intelligent completions technology - Management expressed excitement about new technologies, which are expected to improve margins and cash flow conversion [70][71] Question: ERP implementation benefits - Management highlighted that the ERP implementation will rethink business processes and is expected to enhance margins and operational efficiencies [74]