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Centuri Holdings, Inc. (CTRI)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 delivered a revenue beat and improved year-over-year profitability metrics, supported by record bookings ($1.20B+), backlog expansion to $4.5B, and stronger Electric segments; guidance for FY 2025 was affirmed, with management signaling trajectory toward the upper end of revenue range .
- Revenue was $550.1M vs $528.0M in Q1 2024 and above consensus ($537.6M*); adjusted diluted EPS of $(0.12) beat consensus ($(0.15)), while adjusted EBITDA of $24.2M came in below consensus ($29.2M) .
- U.S. Gas was pressured by harsher winter and mix, yielding negative gross margin (−7.5%), offset by strong Non-union Electric (gross margin 11.9%) and improving Union Electric; Canadian Gas margins were robust (17.8%) .
- Management emphasized record awards, a ~$12B opportunity pipeline, minimal expected tariff impact, and capital efficiency progress (net debt/adj EBITDA 3.5x; FCF improvement $44.6M vs prior year); catalysts include momentum in data center-related infrastructure and grid resiliency programs .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record bookings of over $1.2B drove a 2.2x book-to-bill and backlog growth to $4.5B; “Awards have been very strong and diverse…on track to deliver revenue at the upper end of the guidance range for the year” (CEO) .
- Non-union Electric revenue up 41.9% YoY to $137.1M with gross margin rising to 11.9% on higher crew counts, hours worked, and resiliency/storm work efficiency .
- Canadian Gas delivered 17.8% gross margin (vs 7.5% LY) despite modest revenue decline; management highlighted stronger contract structures and execution .
What Went Wrong
- U.S. Gas revenue fell 12.7% YoY to $197.7M; gross margin declined to −7.5% on weather-related inefficiencies and a slower start across certain customers .
- Offshore wind revenue declined $22.3M YoY within Union Electric as projects wound down; segment gross margin remained modest at 6.7% .
- Adjusted EBITDA of $24.2M missed consensus ($29.2M*), reflecting seasonal weakness and segment mix even as revenue and adjusted EPS beat .
Financial Results
Consolidated Performance (trend across prior two quarters to current)
Results vs Wall Street Consensus (S&P Global)
Values marked with an asterisk (*) retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment Breakdown (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)
KPIs and Balance Sheet/Cash Flow Highlights
Guidance Changes
Management indicated trajectory toward the upper end of revenue guidance on the back of backlog and high-probability work .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Our financial performance and commercial activity in the first quarter exceeded our expectations…results…reflect the hard work of our team…focus on our growth priorities” (CEO) .
- “Our sales pipeline…now approaching a total of $12 billion…we expect continued strength in capital spending by our customers despite recent macro uncertainty” (CEO) .
- “Record booking quarter with new bookings totaling $1.2 billion…book-to-bill ratio of 2.2x…backlog to $4.5 billion” (CEO) .
- “We do not foresee a material impact from tariffs on our business” (CFO) .
- “We are on track to deliver revenue at the upper end of the guidance range for the year” (CEO) .
Q&A Highlights
- Trajectory to upper end of revenue guidance despite weak U.S. Gas start: weather drove 8–9 lost days; recovery began in March/April; confidence across businesses to meet budgets (CEO) .
- U.S. Gas profitability strategy: diversify footprint toward Sun Belt to mitigate winter impacts; Q1 seasonally slow but full-year expectations intact (CEO/CFO) .
- Bookings cadence: continued strength into Q2; lumpiness expected with fewer MSA renewals in Q3; solid Q4 (CEO) .
- New MSAs and strategic bids: “sticking to the knitting” — same services, risk profile unchanged; mix includes displacing incumbents and expanded scopes as utilities spend more (CEO) .
- Non-union Electric storm mix: ~10% of segment revenue; margin gains largely from higher crews and hours, not solely storm work (CFO) .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025 revenue beat: $550.1M vs $537.6M consensus*; adjusted diluted EPS beat: $(0.12) vs $(0.15); adjusted EBITDA missed: $24.2M vs $29.2M .
- FY 2025 revenue consensus $2.863B* sits slightly above the company’s $2.60–$2.80B guidance; management commentary biases expectations toward the upper end, suggesting consensus may converge toward ~$2.8B absent macro shock*.
- Near-term estimate adjustments: Electric strength and backlog underpin revenue; U.S. Gas margin recovery expected from Q2; however, Q1 EBITDA miss may temper near-term EBITDA estimates even as management reaffirms the $240–$275M range .
Values marked with an asterisk (*) retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue and adjusted EPS beats alongside record bookings/backlog support confidence in reaching the upper end of FY revenue guidance; stock narrative hinges on sustained award momentum and execution in Electric .
- U.S. Gas weakness was weather-driven and transitory per management; monitor Q2/Q3 margin trajectory for confirmation of recovery .
- Electric segments are the growth engine: Non-union Electric benefited from higher crews/hours and resiliency programs; Union Electric bidding strong in industrial/substation/data center infrastructure .
- EBITDA miss vs consensus highlights sensitivity to mix and seasonality; watch capital efficiency initiatives (CapEx discipline, AR/DSO management) as levers to hit the $240–$275M adjusted EBITDA range .
- Bookings cadence likely lumpy (lighter Q3 for renewals), but Q2 and Q4 expected solid per management; near-term trading catalysts include additional MSAs/new bid wins and backlog updates .
- Limited tariff exposure and MSA-backed business model provide resilience amid macro uncertainty; supports medium-term thesis on regulated utility infrastructure spend .
- Action: Position for award/backlog updates and segment margin recovery; consider upside skew if Electric strength persists and U.S. Gas normalizes as guided .