UP
USD Partners LP (USDP)·Q2 2023 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2023 revenue fell sharply year over year on reduced Hardisty contracted capacity, Stroud customer roll-off, FX headwinds, and Casper sale; total revenues were $19.47M, net income was $4.64M, Adjusted EBITDA was $5.80M, and DCF was $1.12M .
- The Board continued suspension of the quarterly distribution for Q2 and disclosed receipt of an NYSE minimum-price non-compliance notice (30-day average < $1.00), initiating a six‑month cure period .
- Liquidity: $10.29M cash and $79.1M undrawn capacity existed, but borrowing availability was constrained to ~5.5x TTM EBITDA, effectively limiting available borrowings (incl. cash) to ~$12M; senior credit facility amendment added forbearance and restrictions (no new borrowings/LOCs) .
- Commercial update: a three-month rail-to-truck trial began at Stroud in August to handle Uinta Basin waxy crude; success could lead to a longer-term take‑or‑pay agreement, offering a near-term volume catalyst .
- Estimates: S&P Global Wall Street consensus for Q2 2023 EPS/revenue was unavailable due to data constraints; results are assessed vs prior quarters/years in the absence of published estimates (Values retrieved from S&P Global – unavailable).
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Net income of $4.64M improved vs $3.81M in Q2 2022, aided by a higher non‑cash gain on interest rate derivatives and lower FX losses year over year .
- Operating costs declined across pipeline fees, subcontracted rail services, and O&M, reflecting lower throughput and Casper divestiture benefits .
- New commercial activity: three‑month Stroud rail‑to‑truck terminalling trial for Uinta waxy crude commenced in August, with take‑or‑pay minimums and potential long‑term agreement if successful .
- CEO tone constructive on commercial pipeline and refinancing: “we remain optimistic that this focus will lead to longer-term, take-or-pay commitments… [and]… engaged our bank group… executed an amendment and interim waiver… encouraged by our discussions to date” .
What Went Wrong
- Revenues down materially YoY due to Hardisty contract reductions, FX headwinds, Stroud customer contract termination effective July 1, 2022, and Casper sale at March-end .
- Operating cash outflow: Net Cash Used in Operating Activities was $(1.31)M for Q2 vs $6.22M in Q2 2022; DCF fell to $1.12M, pressured by higher cash interest and taxes .
- Distribution remained suspended and credit agreement restrictions limited financial flexibility; NYSE flagged minimum-price non-compliance, adding listing risk and potential investor overhang .
Financial Results
Consolidated Results vs Prior Quarters (GAAP and Non-GAAP)
Notes: EBITDA margin % (computed) = Adjusted EBITDA / Total revenues: Q4’22 ~64.5%, Q1’23 ~15.6%, Q2’23 ~29.8% (derived from cited values) .
Year-over-Year (Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022)
Revenue Breakdown (Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022)
Liquidity and Balance Sheet Snapshots
Guidance Changes
No formal revenue, margin, OpEx, OI&E, tax rate, or dividend guidance ranges were provided in Q2 materials .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Note: No Q2 2023 call transcript found; trends use Q4 2022 and Q1 2023 prior calls/releases vs Q2 2023 press release.
Management Commentary
- “During the second quarter, we remained focused on existing and new commercial opportunities… and we remain optimistic that this focus will lead to longer-term, take-or-pay commitments…” (Dan Borgen, CEO) .
- “…we have engaged our bank group… executed an amendment and interim waiver to our revolving credit agreement… encouraged by our discussions to date.” (Dan Borgen, CEO) .
- Stroud trial: “short-term agreement includes take-or-pay… trial period to test… waxy crude oil production out of the Uinta Basin… trial commenced in August 2023.” .
Q&A Highlights
(From Q1 2023 call; no Q2 transcript available)
- Distribution reinstatement timing: Management will evaluate quarterly; reinstatement depends on recontracting progress (extensions/new DRUbit commitments) and refinancing of the revolver .
- DRUbit commercialization: Advanced discussions with multiple customers; validation via performance, reliability, and improved netbacks with lower carbon footprint; timing depends on customers’ internal approvals .
- Stroud asset: Targeting Uinta waxy crude throughput starting Q3 2023 as scalable destination solution leveraging Cushing connectivity .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus for Q2 2023 EPS and revenue via S&P Global was unavailable due to data constraints (Values retrieved from S&P Global – unavailable).
- In the absence of published estimates, assess results vs prior year and prior quarter trends: revenues down YoY by ~$14.27M, Adjusted EBITDA down YoY by ~$5.79M; net income improved YoY by ~$0.83M due to derivative gains and lower FX losses .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue compression and lower Adjusted EBITDA reflect Hardisty capacity reductions, FX impacts, Stroud roll‑off, and Casper sale; the pivot to DRUbit contracts remains the central margin/volume recovery lever .
- Stroud’s waxy crude trial is the most immediate potential volume catalyst; success could translate to a take‑or‑pay longer‑term agreement, partially offsetting other terminal headwinds .
- Liquidity remains constrained by credit facility covenants and the Aug 8 amendment’s restrictions; asset-sale proceeds must repay debt, limiting flexibility; watch refinancing milestones ahead of facility maturity .
- Continued distribution suspension conserves cash amid recontracting and refinancing; any reinstatement likely contingent on signed long‑term contracts and improved DCF coverage .
- NYSE minimum‑price non-compliance introduces listing risk and potential trading volatility; cure period status will be a near-term stock narrative driver .
- Near-term trading: headlines around lender forbearance extensions, Stroud trial updates, and any DRUbit contract announcements will be primary catalysts; absence of estimates coverage may widen post‑print volatility .
- Medium-term thesis: If DRUbit expansion lands and Stroud converts to long‑term volumes, EBITDA stability could improve; otherwise, reduced capacity and covenant constraints may continue to pressure cash generation and listings .