PC
PURE CYCLE CORP (PCYO)·Q4 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2025 revenue was $11.20M, net income $6.11M, and diluted EPS $0.25; EBITDA was $8.92M, supported by Phase 2C lot deliveries and higher tap fees and royalty income .
- Year-over-year, Q4 EPS fell to $0.25 from $0.27 and EBITDA decreased to $8.92M from $9.45M, reflecting timing of finished lot deliveries and cost pressures; management emphasized recurring water/wastewater and rental income strength as offsets .
- Management introduced FY26 guidance ranges: revenue $26–$30M and EPS $0.43–$0.52, with upside tied to Phase 2D/2E timing and industrial water sales; commercial interchange expected to materially expand land development in 2028 .
- No Wall Street consensus was available via S&P Global for EPS or revenue, so a formal beat/miss determination is not possible; investors should watch oil & gas royalties, tap sales cadence, and Phase 2D delivery milestones as near-term stock catalysts .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Completed delivery of finished lots in Phase 2C; builders began construction, and utility work progressed with road work for Phase 2D, setting up 2026 deliveries .
- Diversified earnings mix: recurring water/wastewater and single-family rental revenues provided stability; year-end net income exceeded internal forecast due to stronger oil & gas royalty income from six wells coming online in 2025 .
- “Our land development business model of delivering finished lots in annual increments…continues to differentiate us,” said CEO Mark Harding, highlighting steady absorption through housing headwinds .
What Went Wrong
- Housing affordability and market headwinds pushed some lot revenue recognition into FY26, contributing to Q4 YoY EBITDA and EPS declines .
- Increased cost of revenue driven by tariffs/inflation pressured margins, partly offset by lower G&A and higher royalty tailwind .
- Industrial water deliveries declined in FY25 versus FY24 (639 acre-feet vs. 1,818 acre-feet) due to reduced drilling activity; management expects stronger demand ahead as permits progress .
Financial Results
Quarterly Performance vs Prior Quarters
Q4 Year-over-Year Comparison
Segment Breakdown (FY 2025 vs FY 2024)
KPIs
Margin Metrics (Reference)
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Our land development business model of delivering finished lots in annual increments…provides a reliable, predictable model for housing…through weaker periods,” said CEO Mark Harding .
- “FY2025 net income exceeded forecast by ~$0.6M, driven by recurring utilities and higher oil & gas royalties, despite lower land activity,” management presentation noted .
- CFO Marc Spezialy: “Despite a decrease in lot delivery revenue our earnings growth showcased the strength of our underlying assets from royalty income… and water/wastewater tap sales” .
- On commercial interchange: permitting close to final; financing via metro district; plan to bond in 2026, construct in 2027, and materially expand commercial lot deliveries in 2028 .
Q&A Highlights
- Housing affordability: Entry-level positioning supports resiliency; builders continue building with incentive packages; Denver affordability remains challenging, but Sky Ranch price point is competitive .
- Land acquisitions: Preference for parcels where PCYO adds water utility value; Aurora is the only major alternative provider; unincorporated structure supports lower delivered home costs vs city annexation .
- Margin mix and EPS: 2025 EPS higher than forecast on near-100% margin royalties; 2026 EPS lower despite revenue growth due to mix vs 2025 royalty strength .
- Interchange competition: Adjacent developers will share costs pro rata; PCYO timing advantage, reimbursement expected as others come online .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus coverage for PCYO’s Q4 2025 was not available for EPS or revenue; “Primary EPS Consensus Mean,” “Revenue Consensus Mean,” and estimate counts returned no values, preventing a beat/miss assessment. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Implication: Absent formal consensus, investors should anchor expectations to management’s FY26 ranges and monitor intra-quarter indicators (lot delivery milestones, tap fees, industrial water sales cadence) .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue timing remains the primary driver of quarterly volatility; recurring utility and rental income mitigate cycle risk while royalties add upside when drilling activity is strong .
- Phase 2D execution and Phase 2E entitlements underpin FY26 revenue/EPS ranges; delivery pacing aligned to builder absorption is a central risk management lever .
- Watch industrial water and royalties: permitting/drilling at Lowry Ranch sets up 2026 volume recovery; this segment’s near-100% incremental margins materially influence EPS mix .
- Commercial interchange is a 2028 catalyst to more than double land development revenue, with commercial lot values ~2x residential—a multi-year valuation driver .
- Balance sheet optionality: $21.9M cash and a 6% CAB receivable provide liquidity for development and opportunistic land purchases; continued share repurchases reflect perceived undervaluation .
- Near term, expect steadier recurring revenue growth and continued tap sales; medium term, commercialization and SFR scaling (to >100 homes) broaden recurring base and support multiple expansion .
* Values retrieved from S&P Global.