AI
ABM INDUSTRIES INC /DE/ (ABM)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 FY25 delivered modest top-line growth and stable profitability: revenue rose 2.2% to $2.11B, adjusted EPS was $0.87 (vs. $0.86 LY), and adjusted EBITDA was $120.6M with a 5.9% margin, while GAAP EPS was $0.69 (vs. $0.70 LY) .
- Management raised the lower end of FY25 adjusted EPS guidance to $3.65–$3.80 (from $3.60–$3.80) and maintained adjusted EBITDA margin at 6.3%–6.5%; interest expense guidance increased to $80–$84M (from $76–$80M) .
- Segment mix was favorable: Technical Solutions revenue +22% and Aviation +8% offset slight declines in B&I and M&D; Education grew 2%; ATS strength was driven by microgrids and a $490M backlog cited on the call .
- Free cash flow was temporarily negative ($123M) due to ERP-related invoicing reviews in B&I and M&D, with management expecting collections normalization and catching up during the year .
- Potential stock catalysts: guidance raise (lower end), ATS momentum/backlog, Aviation new wins, and ERP benefits as cash conversion normalizes; offsets include higher interest expense guide and lingering B&I/M&D softness early in the year .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- ATS and Aviation led growth; ATS revenue +22% YoY on strong microgrids, Aviation +8% on healthy demand and new wins; Education +2% .
- Adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA improved YoY: $0.87 vs. $0.86 and $120.6M vs. $116.7M; management lifted the lower end of FY25 EPS guidance .
- Strategic execution: ERP rollout to B&I and M&D, ABM Connect data platform, and a refreshed brand; management expects efficiency and analytics benefits post-implementation .
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What Went Wrong
- Free cash flow was -$122.9M on ERP-driven invoicing delays; net cash from operations -$106.2M .
- Slight revenue declines persisted in B&I (-1.0%) and M&D (-1.6%) as market headwinds and selective contract decisions weighed on growth .
- Higher interest outlook: FY25 interest expense guidance increased by $4M to $80–$84M, which modestly tightens the P&L outlook despite stronger segments .
Financial Results
Segment performance (Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24):
KPIs and balance sheet/cash flow:
Estimates vs. actuals:
- S&P Global consensus for Q1 FY25 (revenue/EPS) was unavailable at time of analysis due to SPGI rate limits; we could not determine beat/miss vs. consensus. Values retrieved from S&P Global were unavailable at run time.*
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We posted 2% organic revenue growth and delivered adjusted EPS of $0.87… we are raising the lower end of our full year adjusted EPS guidance and now see adjusted EPS between $3.65 and $3.80.” — Scott Salmirs, CEO .
- “We successfully launched our cloud-based ERP system in the first quarter for B&I and M&D… temporary delays in cash flow… expect improvement next quarter and full normalization in the second half… drive significant cost efficiencies… and provide real-time analytics and reporting.” — Scott Salmirs .
- “ABM Connect… consolidates facility, financial, equipment, IoT and service data to provide actionable insights… streamlining airport operations… ensuring compliance… optimizing asset performance with predictive maintenance.” — Scott Salmirs .
- “Adjusted EBITDA increased 3% to $120.6 million… ATS operating margin increased 420 bps to 8.2%… supported by $490 million of backlog.” — Earl Ellis, CFO .
- “We anticipate Q2 will have a significant increase in cash flow versus Q1… and in the back half we’ll catch up… to deliver full-year cash flows.” — Earl Ellis (ERP collections) .
Q&A Highlights
- B&I and office leasing context: Management highlighted a 24% sequential uptick in high-quality office leasing in Q4 CY24 and improving net absorption, supporting an H2 FY25 growth view in B&I .
- Federal exposure: Minimal risk; limited exposure mainly in mission-critical with special clearance; not in broad stationary engineering across federal buildings .
- Labor costs and supply: ~50% union labor with 3–4% increases locked for 3+ years; non-union wage increases largely passed through to clients; enhanced TA systems reduced time-to-hire .
- ERP cash flow mechanics: Manual invoice QC in Q1 delayed billings; collections expected to pick up in Q2 and normalize for full-year FCF delivery .
- ATS cadence: Microgrids strong; bundled energy solutions still tied to rates, showing incremental pickup; outlook strengthens as rates ease .
- M&D: Lapped major client rebalancing; passed on a ~$50M low-margin opportunity; expect mid-single-digit organic growth in H2 as new wins activate .
- Aviation: Scope largely resilient to small changes in traveler volumes; bookings and pipeline remain strong despite airline commentary .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus for Q1 FY25 EPS and revenue was not retrievable at run time due to SPGI rate limits, so we cannot assess beat/miss versus Street for the quarter. Values retrieved from S&P Global were unavailable at run time.*
- FY25 framework changes to consider for models: raised lower end of adjusted EPS ($3.65–$3.80), unchanged adjusted EBITDA margin (6.3%–6.5%), and higher interest expense ($80–$84M) .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mix tailwinds intact: ATS (microgrids, data centers) and Aviation continue to outgrow the portfolio, underpinning EPS resilience even as B&I/M&D lag early in the year .
- Guidance de-risked at the low end: Raising the floor of FY25 EPS while holding margin targets signals confidence in H2 trajectory across B&I and M&D .
- Watch cash conversion: ERP-driven invoicing delays pressured Q1 FCF; management expects sequential improvement in Q2 and normalization in H2—key for valuation and buyback flexibility .
- Interest headwind modest but real: Higher interest expense guide partially offsets operating momentum; monitor balance sheet and rate sensitivity .
- Aviation pipeline broadening: New airport and airline contracts and ABM Connect differentiation support sustained growth and margin improvement .
- CRE inflection in sight: Upticks in leasing and net absorption in Class A office support B&I stabilization and potential H2 growth .
- Selectivity remains a positive: Passing on low-margin deals bolsters long-run returns and supports steady margin execution .
Sources: ABM Q1 FY25 8-K and press release, earnings call transcript, and prior quarter press releases and 8-Ks .
Footnote: *SPGI/Capital IQ consensus unavailable at run time due to rate limits; estimates context will be updated when accessible. Values retrieved from S&P Global.