EC
ENGLOBAL CORP (ENG)·Q1 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2024 revenue was $6.53M with gross margin of 7.1%, a sharp improvement from a gross loss in Q1 2023; net loss narrowed to $1.40M and diluted EPS was -$0.27 .
- SG&A expense fell materially to $2.02M, down $2.40M year over year as restructuring and exit from self-performed fabrication, construction and field services took effect .
- Backlog was ~$10.8M and bookings were ~$5.7M in Q1; management highlighted ongoing discussions with strategic partners and a path to profitability through better execution and cost discipline .
- No specific quantitative guidance was issued; liquidity has improved sequentially but going concern risk remains, mitigated in part by an amended credit agreement (term loan extended to July 2, 2025, rate cut to 8.0%, plus up to $1.0M revolving facility) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Gross margin turned positive to 7.1% vs. a gross loss in Q1 2023, driven by lower indirect costs and the decision to stop self-performing fabrication/field services .
- SG&A decreased $2.4M YoY (labor, rent, and lower bad debt), materially narrowing the operating loss .
- Management emphasized operational focus and potential strategic opportunities: “we believe we are on a path to profitability through improved operating efficiencies and a commitment to enhanced project execution” .
What Went Wrong
- Revenue declined 50.5% YoY to $6.53M as commercial revenue fell due to the exit of certain businesses; government services increased but did not offset commercial declines .
- Liquidity remains constrained and the company disclosed substantial doubt about going concern pending additional financing and sustained profitability .
- Legal exposure: a $1.3M breach-of-lease lawsuit was disclosed, with management disputing the claims but noting inherent litigation uncertainty .
Financial Results
Revenue, EPS, Margins vs. Prior Periods and Prior Year
Note: Q4 2023 quarterly specifics were not disclosed in our document set; annual 2023 data was provided but without quarterly breakdown .
Segment Breakdown (Q1 2024)
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Note: No Q1 2024 earnings call transcript was available in our document set; themes reflect press releases and 10‑Q commentary .
Management Commentary
- “ENGlobal continued to make progress in repositioning its business… While we posted a modest loss in the first quarter, we believe we are on a path to profitability through improved operating efficiencies and a commitment to enhanced project execution.” — William A. Coskey, P.E., Chairman & CEO .
- “We are actively pursuing new opportunities that, if successful, create a path for significant revenue and earnings growth… discussions with potential strategic partners that could be transformational” .
- “Gross profit margin of 19.4% in the third quarter was a vast improvement… the first positive quarter in over a year.” — Q3 2023 context .
- Strategic priorities include streamlined engineering services, higher-margin modular automation capabilities, and receivables collections to improve liquidity .
Q&A Highlights
- No earnings call transcript was available for Q1 2024 in our document catalog; no Q&A themes could be validated. External listings show press release distribution but do not provide a transcript for Q1 2024 .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates for Q1 2024 were unavailable for ENG in our data retrieval (Capital IQ mapping not present); as such, we cannot assess beats/misses vs. Wall Street consensus. Where estimates are required, note that consensus was unavailable via S&P Global for this issuer during the period.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Margin recovery is the core narrative: turning to positive gross margin and cutting SG&A materially improves operating leverage; sustained execution could drive breakeven if bookings/backlog convert at targeted margins .
- Revenue base reset: exiting self-performed fabrication and field services reduces revenue but should lift profitability quality; watch Commercial mix and Gov’t project cadence .
- Liquidity risk is still high despite the amended credit agreement; monitor receivables collections, backlog conversion, and potential strategic transactions for capital support .
- Backlog/bookings provide near-term visibility, but are lower than Q3; track award momentum and schedule timing (management expects majority of backlog in 2024) .
- Legal/litigation and internal control remediation add execution risk; diligence on process improvements and cash controls is critical to avoid working capital pressure .
- Near-term trading: stock likely reacts to margin improvements and capital actions; medium term thesis depends on sustained margin discipline, backlog growth, and resolving going concern headwinds .