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DRIL-QUIP INC (DRQ)·Q1 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2024 revenue was $110.3M, down 12.7% sequentially vs Q4 2023 but up 21.4% year-over-year; gross margin rose to 28.9% (+147 bps q/q, +99 bps y/y), while adjusted EBITDA was $10.2M (down q/q, up y/y) .
- GAAP net loss was $20.0M (−$0.58 diluted EPS), driven largely by $19.0M of merger-related expenses tied to the pending Innovex combination; cash used in operations was $4.1M and free cash flow was −$8.9M .
- The company suspended guidance updates due to the Innovex merger and did not host an earnings call for Q1 2024, limiting near-term visibility; prior 2024 outlook from Q4 materials included revenue growth of 15–20% and adjusted EBITDA of $65–75M (press release) / $70–80M (investor presentation) .
- Operational highlights: Great North contributed $25.1M revenue; Subsea Product bookings disclosure tightened to “Net Subsea Product Bookings” ($41.1M), reflecting evolving procurement, with sequential revenue decline driven by lower Subsea Products connector/surface equipment sales and a delayed Subsea Service project in Europe .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Gross margin expanded to 28.9% (+147 bps q/q; +99 bps y/y) on favorable product mix in Subsea Products and Well Construction .
- Great North contributed $25.1M in Q1 revenue, supporting y/y top-line growth and segment breadth .
- Strategic and product milestones: first Great North wellheads delivered internationally (North Africa) and first SS-15 RLDe Rigid Lockdown Subsea Wellhead installation in Australia; ESG rating maintained at “A” (MSCI) .
Quote (Q4 2023 context highlighting momentum): “Strong performance in the fourth-quarter was great way to close out 2023... double-digit growth in both annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA” — Jeff Bird, CEO .
What Went Wrong
- Sequential revenue fell 12.7% q/q to $110.3M, primarily due to lower Subsea Product connector/surface equipment sales and a delayed Subsea Service project in Europe .
- GAAP net loss of $20.0M, with $19.0M merger-related expenses recognized in the quarter; adjusted EBITDA decreased $6.4M sequentially to $10.2M .
- Cash used in operations (−$4.1M) and FCF (−$8.9M) reversed Q4’s positive cash generation, reflecting working capital dynamics and capex cadence .
Financial Results
Consolidated Performance vs Prior Periods and YoY
Revenue Mix
Bookings and Disclosures
Notes: Beginning Q1 2024, DRQ reports Subsea Product bookings only and adds regular disclosures on MSAs to reflect evolving customer procurement strategies .
Guidance Changes
Discrepancy note: Q4 2023 press release cited adjusted EBITDA of $65–$75M for FY24, while the investor presentation indicated $70–$80M; no updated reconciliation provided before Q1 guidance suspension .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Strong performance in the fourth-quarter was great way to close out 2023 for Dril-Quip with double-digit growth in both annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA…” — Jeff Bird, President & CEO (Q4 2023) .
- “With improved reporting lines, leaner operations, and quicker delivery times… well positioned to capitalize on the ongoing offshore upcycle and drive future margins meaningfully higher.” — Jeff Bird (Q4 2023) .
- “Capacity constraints in the offshore rig market are introducing headwinds… customers have delayed product orders and service deliveries due to rig availability…” (Q3 2023) .
- Q1 2024: Company highlighted product and geographic milestones (North Africa, Australia) and maintained MSCI ESG “A”; emphasized Innovex merger, suspended guidance, and did not host a conference call .
Q&A Highlights
- The company did not host a Q1 2024 earnings call due to the pending Innovex merger; therefore, no Q&A was available for this period .
- Prior quarter calls were announced (Q4/Q3), but transcripts were not reviewed here; key themes inferred from press releases and investor materials include offshore upcycle momentum, rig availability constraints, and Great North integration .
Financial Results Detail and KPIs
Estimates Context
- Consensus estimates via S&P Global were unavailable for DRQ Q1 2024 due to missing Capital IQ mapping; as a result, comparisons to Wall Street consensus for revenue/EPS/EBITDA cannot be provided at this time. Values retrieved from S&P Global were unavailable due to mapping constraints.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mix-driven margin resilience: Despite a sequential revenue decline, gross margin expanded to 28.9% on favorable mix; watch for Subsea Products deliveries and Well Construction cadence to sustain margins .
- Merger overhang near term: $19.0M merger expense and suspended guidance/call create near-term uncertainty, but the Innovex combination is a potential strategic catalyst for scale and diversification .
- Great North momentum: Contribution grew to $25.1M in Q1 with first international deliveries; integration appears to be driving segment breadth and geographic reach .
- Bookings normalization: Q1 Net Subsea Product Bookings at $41.1M following a strong Q4 bookings print; expect volatility tied to rig schedules and customer procurement timing .
- Cash flow swing: From Q4 positive FCF to Q1 negative FCF; monitor working capital and capex pacing as management targets positive free cash flow over FY 2024 (pre-guidance suspension) .
- Narrative that moves the stock: Progress on merger timeline, clarity on combined entity guidance, and visibility into subsea project deliveries/rig availability are likely the key catalysts. Near-term, reduced disclosures and no call may weigh on sentiment; medium term, integration synergy and offshore cycle exposure underpin the thesis .