MD
Mastech Digital, Inc. (MHH)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 delivered resilient top-line growth with consolidated revenues up 3.2% year-over-year to $48.3M, and gross margin up 80bps to 26.7% as IT Staffing margin expansion offset softer Data & Analytics utilization .
- Versus consensus, revenue modestly beat while EPS missed: Revenue $48.3M vs $47.7M*; Non-GAAP diluted EPS $0.06 vs $0.10*; GAAP diluted EPS was a loss of ($0.12), driven by $1.4M severance expense .
- Both segments grew YoY: Data & Analytics (D&A) +11% to $9.0M with $11.7M bookings; IT Staffing +2% to $39.4M, despite a 15 consultant decline, with bill rates rising to 84.5–85.5% from 83.5% in Q4 and 79% YoY .
- Liquidity remained strong: $24.7M cash, no bank debt, and $23.7M revolver availability; DSO at 56 days, within target .
- Near-term catalysts: buyback program extension with 423k shares remaining, and an expanded Informatica partnership to accelerate AI-led data modernization initiatives .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- IT Staffing gross margin improved to 22.7% from 21.6% YoY; consolidated gross margin rose to 26.7% (+80bps YoY) on pricing discipline and mix .
- D&A bookings were healthy at $11.7M, and segment revenue grew 11% YoY to $9.0M, reflecting enterprise demand for AI-driven modernization .
- Management expanded its strategic partnership with Informatica to co-develop industry accelerators and a joint AI/Data outcomes lab, strengthening differentiation in enterprise AI/data programs .
- “Together, we are equipping enterprises to modernize their data ecosystems, unlock AI-driven insights, and accelerate digital transformation outcomes at scale.” — CEO Nirav Patel .
What Went Wrong
- EPS missed consensus as GAAP diluted EPS was ($0.12) and Non-GAAP was $0.06 vs $0.10*; severance expense of $1.4M weighed on earnings .
- D&A gross margin fell to 44.1% (from 46.4% YoY) due to lower utilization and a one-time reserve adjustment on a fixed-bid project (~200bps impact) .
- Demand in IT Staffing was muted with billable consultant base down by 15 in Q1; macro uncertainty has clients acting with caution, muting contingent workforce projects .
Financial Results
Segment Breakdown
KPIs
Actual vs Consensus
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO tone: “We have kicked off 2025 on a strong note… both of our key operating segments delivered YoY revenue growth… expanded partnership with Informatica… to accelerate AI-led transformation initiatives for clients globally.” .
- Macro stance: “We are mindful of prevailing macroeconomic market conditions… decision-making becoming more deliberate… we’re approaching the months ahead with measured caution.” .
- CFO (liquidity): “On March 31, 2025, we had $24.7M cash, no bank debt, and $23.7M availability under our revolver. DSO was 56 days.” .
- Earnings drivers: “Consolidated gross margins improved 80bps YoY… GAAP net loss ($1.4M) included $1.4M severance; Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.06.” .
- D&A margin color: “Gross margins… impacted by lower utilization and a one-time reserve adjustment on a fixed-bid project… ~2 percentage points.” .
Q&A Highlights
- D&A margin headwinds: One-time reserve on a fixed-bid project and lower utilization reduced D&A gross margin by ~200bps in Q1 .
- Informatica partnership detail: Co-develop industry accelerators and pursue joint solution-building; expected to enhance differentiation and deal flow .
- Buybacks: 423k shares remain authorized; prior blackout periods limited repurchases; management expects to be more active going forward .
- Consultant metrics: IT Staffing billable headcount ended at 991; demand was broad-based with notable traction in healthcare/life sciences .
- Bill rates: Trending between 84.5–85.5% vs 83.5% in Q4 and 79% YoY, reflecting higher rates on new assignments and skill mix .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025: Revenue beat consensus ($48.3M vs $47.7M*), while EPS missed ($0.06 vs $0.10*). GAAP diluted EPS was ($0.12), impacted by $1.4M severance .
- Recent trend: Q3 2024 beat on both revenue and EPS; Q4 2024 beat EPS but missed revenue; Q1 2025 showed resilient revenue vs softer EPS as margins faced one-time and utilization headwinds .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue resiliency with YoY growth in both segments, aided by pricing discipline; watch for normalization in D&A utilization to restore margins .
- EPS miss was largely driven by severance; adjusted profitability (Non-GAAP EPS $0.06) remains intact as margins expanded YoY at the consolidated level .
- Strengthened Informatica partnership is a strategic lever to drive high-quality enterprise AI/data pipeline; monitor conversion to bookings and margin mix .
- IT Staffing bill rates are rising; as macro spend reopens, staffing can rebound quickly, providing near-term operating leverage .
- Liquidity is robust (cash $24.7M, no debt), with buyback capacity (423k shares) offering capital return optionality; management signaled increased repurchase activity .
- Near-term risk: client caution and one-time D&A project reserve; medium-term thesis hinges on AI-first modernization demand and execution on transformation initiatives .
- Monitoring list: D&A margin recovery, bookings cadence, consultant count trajectory, and evidence of Informatica partnership-driven deal wins .