Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Announces Fiscal First Quarter Results

  • The Company reported fiscal first quarter net income of $0.91 per diluted share; including select items(1) of $(0.20) per diluted share

  • Quarterly North America Solutions operating income increased $53 million sequentially, while direct margins(2) increased $57 million to approximately $260 million, as revenues increased by $75 million to $627 million and expenses increased by $18 million to $367 million

  • The North America Solutions segment exited the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 with 184 active rigs reflecting an increase in revenue per day of approximately $3,500/day or 12% to $33,000/day on a sequential basis, while direct margins(2) per day increased by roughly $3,000/day or almost 25% to $15,700/day

  • H&P's North America Solutions segment anticipates exiting the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 between 183-188 active rigs with the ability to get to 191 rigs during fiscal year 2023 dependent on customer demand

  • For the fiscal second quarter, the Company expects its North America Solutions direct margins(2) per day to increase by another 7%-15% on a sequential basis

  • In December 2022, the Company published its 2nd annual sustainability report maintaining the commitment to providing transparency to its various stakeholders

  • Fiscal year-to-date H&P has repurchased approximately 1.3(3) million shares for approximately $60(3) million at an average share price of roughly $47/share

  • On December 9, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company increased the maximum number of shares authorized to be repurchased in calendar year 2023 to five million common shares representing a one million share increase from the previous year's authorization

  • On December 9, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly base cash dividend of $0.25 per share and a supplemental cash dividend of $0.235 per share; both dividends are payable on February 28, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 14, 2023

TULSA, Okla., January 30, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE: HP) reported net income of $97 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, from operating revenues of $720 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to net income of $46 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, from operating revenues of $631 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The net income per diluted share for first quarter of fiscal 2023 and fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 include $(0.20) and $(0.03) of after-tax losses, respectively, comprised of select items(1). For the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, select items were comprised of:

  • $(0.20) of after-tax losses pertaining to a non-cash impairment for fair market adjustments to decommissioned rigs and equipment that are held for sale and non-cash fair market adjustments to our equity investments

Net cash provided by operating activities was $185 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to $117 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022.

President and CEO John Lindsay commented, "Almost a year has passed since we set into motion plans to achieve revenue per day in excess of $30,000 and direct margins of 50% in our NAS segment. These financial guideposts were established as proxies for what is required to generate favorable economic returns in this capital-intensive business. This recent quarter marks a milestone in achieving that revenue per day goal, and we are making strong progress towards the direct margin goal. The Company has made significant headway in just a year which has generated considerable shareholder value. Our first fiscal quarter results of 2023 show another strong sequential improvement in our financial performance and the continuation of momentum established in fiscal 2022.

"As expected, both the industry's and H&P's incremental rig adds during the December quarter moderated relative to what we have seen during the December quarters of the last two years. This is largely attributed to capital discipline exhibited by our customers and their desires to maintain capital budgets and improve more sustainable shareholder returns. We believe our customers' discipline has been positive for the overall economic health of this cyclical industry, enabling oilfield service companies, like ourselves, to better plan and mirror a similar discipline within our own business. Accordingly, we intend to maintain our plan of adding no more than 16 incremental rigs to our NAS rig count during fiscal 2023 dependent upon customer demand and will look for contract rollovers, also referred to as contractual or rig churn, to satisfy other points of rig demand. We anticipate financial results to remain on an upward trajectory, with direct margins per day during our second fiscal quarter moving closer towards our targeted margin levels. This trend continues to be driven by improved contract pricing impacting more of our fleet, especially with rollovers of term contracts even as incremental rig adds temper.

"Turning to the other operational segments, our Offshore Gulf of Mexico segment remains a steady, reliable contributor to the Company's overall financial performance; however, we do expect some variability later in the year as one rig's contract is set to expire in the fourth fiscal quarter. Regarding the International Solutions segment, the main concentration of the Company's expansion efforts here is centered around unconventional drilling, where we have extensive experience and can provide substantive value to customers with a compliment of people, processes, rigs and technology. We are moving forward on several fronts to set the Company up for future growth. Preparations to send a super-spec rig to Australia are well underway, as is the completion of our planned super-spec upgrades in Argentina in fiscal 2023. Efforts to grow our Middle East presence continue with the pursuit of additional work in the region and our operational hub, which should be stood up during the last half of fiscal 2023."

Senior Vice President and CFO Mark Smith also commented, "Maintaining a fiscally disciplined approach to the business remains a key tenet in our strategy and is a major driver behind the Company's improving financial results. This approach culminates with the 2023 supplemental shareholder return plan, which is projected to augment our established $1.00 per share annual base dividend with an expected supplemental dividend of $0.94 per share. Additionally, the plan allows the flexibility for further investment opportunities, additional supplemental dividends, and/or share repurchases. Along those lines, since the beginning of the fiscal year, we executed on what we view as opportunistic repurchases and bought back approximately 1.3 million shares for roughly $60 million. Additionally, our evergreen authorization to repurchase up to 4 million shares in any calendar year was increased for calendar 2023 by 1 million shares by our Board of Directors bringing the 2023 authorization to 5 million shares.

"During the quarter, as part of our international expansion strategic initiative, we evaluated the make-up and applicability for future work across our global rig fleet from the perspective that our international growth focus is centered around unconventional drilling. As a result, we decommissioned eight international rigs in Argentina and incurred a $12 million impairment charge. Going forward, the preponderance of our global onshore rig fleet is designed for unconventional drilling and we still plan to export six rigs to the Middle East after they are converted to walking configurations in the back half of fiscal year 2023.

"Ours is a dynamic business and expectations change and can often change quickly due to a variety of circumstances. In that regard, while we still expect to activate up to 16 rigs in our North America Solutions segment during fiscal 2023, the highest potential active rig count that we expect to achieve is now 191 due to the loss of a rig in a fire. Additionally, expectations on the timing of sending super-spec rigs to the Middle East and Australia were delayed a few months and hence so were the costs associated with those rig mobilizations resulting in our International Solutions direct margins being higher than anticipated for the first fiscal quarter."

John Lindsay concluded, "Through the hard work and dedication of our employees during this past year, we were able to take advantage of healthier industry conditions and H&P's fiscal discipline to improve the profitability of the Company. Working closely with customers to identify and then provide industry-leading drilling solutions, we are creating value for these customers and receiving compensation for the value we helped create. We will carry this mindset forward to the benefit of both customers and shareholders."

Operating Segment Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023

North America Solutions:

This segment had operating income of $145.3 million compared to operating income of $92.1 million during the previous quarter. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the continued benefit of healthy contract economics especially as rollovers of older term contracts drove improved average pricing across the fleet.

Direct margins(2) increased by $56.8 million to $260.3 million as both revenues and expenses increased sequentially. Quarterly operating results were impacted by the costs associated with reactivating rigs; $8.6 million in the first fiscal quarter compared to $7.5 million in the previous quarter.

International Solutions:

This segment had operating income of $1.6 million compared to an operating loss of $0.8 million during the previous quarter. Absent an impairment charge of $8.1 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the improvement in operating income was driven by the increase in revenue days and lower expenses primarily associated with rig mobilizations that were delayed.

Direct margins(2) during the first fiscal quarter were $13.8 million compared to $3.3 million during the previous quarter. Current quarter results included a $0.3 million foreign currency loss compared to a $1.2 million foreign currency loss in the previous quarter.

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

This segment had operating income of $6.7 million compared to operating income of $6.6 million during the previous quarter. Direct margins(2) for the quarter were $9.5 million compared to $9.4 million in the prior quarter.

Operational Outlook for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023

North America Solutions:

  • We expect North America Solutions direct margins(2) to be between $280-$300 million, which includes approximately $4.0 million in estimated reactivation costs

  • We expect to exit the quarter between approximately 183-188 contracted rigs

International Solutions:

  • We expect International Solutions direct margins(2) to be between $7-$10 million, exclusive of any foreign exchange gains or losses

  • International Solutions direct margins(2) are expected to be reduced by operating costs related to establishing our Middle East hub

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

  • We expect Offshore Gulf of Mexico direct margins(2) to be between $8-$10 million

Other Estimates for Fiscal Year 2023

  • Gross capital expenditures are still expected to be approximately $425 to $475 million;

    • approximately two-thirds expected for North America Solutions, including maintenance per active rig of $1.1 to $1.3 million and reactivating up to 16 super-spec rigs, of which six are planned walking conversions

    • approximately one-quarter for International Solutions, including five super-spec upgrades and six reactivations that will be also converted to walking capabilities for export from the U.S. fleet

    • remainder for corporate and information technology expenditures

    • ongoing asset sales include reimbursements for lost and damaged tubulars and sales of other used drilling equipment that offset a portion of the gross capital expenditures and are expected to total approximately $65 million in fiscal year 2023

  • Depreciation for fiscal year 2023 is still expected to be approximately $400 million

  • Research and development expenses for fiscal year 2023 are still expected to be roughly $28 million

  • General and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2023 are still expected to be approximately $195 million

  • Cash taxes for fiscal year 2023 are still expected to be approximately $190-$240 million

Select Items(1) Included in Net Income per Diluted Share

First quarter of fiscal year 2023 net income of $0.91 per diluted share included $(0.20) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

  • $(0.09) of non-cash after-tax losses pertaining to an impairment for fair market adjustments to decommissioned rigs and equipment that are held for sale

  • $(0.11) of non-cash after-tax losses related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments

Fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 net income of $0.42 per diluted share included $(0.03) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

  • $0.02 of non-cash after-tax gains related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments

  • $0.01 of after-tax gains related to the sale of equipment

  • $(0.06) of after-tax losses related to a lump sum settlement for a distribution from the pension plan

Conference Call

A conference call will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) with John Lindsay, President and CEO, Mark Smith, Senior Vice President and CFO, and Dave Wilson, Vice President of Investor Relations, to discuss the Company’s first quarter fiscal year 2023 results. Dial-in information for the conference call is (800) 895-3361 for domestic callers or (785) 424-1062 for international callers. The call access code is ‘Helmerich’. You may also listen to the conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet by logging on to the Company’s website at http://www.helmerichpayne.com and accessing the corresponding link through the investor relations section by clicking on "Investors" and then clicking on "News and Events - Events & Presentations" to find the event and the link to the webcast.

About Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (H&P) (NYSE: HP) is committed to delivering industry leading levels of drilling productivity and reliability. H&P operates with the highest level of integrity, safety and innovation to deliver superior results for its customers and returns for shareholders. Through its subsidiaries, the Company designs, fabricates and operates high-performance drilling rigs in conventional and unconventional plays around the world. H&P also develops and implements advanced automation, directional drilling and survey management technologies. At December 31, 2022, H&P's fleet included 235 land rigs in the United States, 20 international land rigs and seven offshore platform rigs. For more information, see H&P online at www.helmerichpayne.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the registrant’s business strategy, future financial position, operations outlook, future cash flow, future use of generated cash flow, dividend amounts and timing, supplemental shareholder return plans and amounts of any future dividends, share repurchases, investments, active rig count projections, budgets, projected costs and plans, objectives of management for future operations, contract terms, financing and funding, capex spending, outlook for international markets, and actions by customers are forward-looking statements. For information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company’s SEC filings, including but not limited to its annual report on Form 10‑K and quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q. As a result of these factors, Helmerich & Payne, Inc.’s actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. We undertake no duty to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information changes in internal estimates, expectations or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

Helmerich & Payne uses its Investor Relations website as a channel of distribution for material company information. Such information is routinely posted and accessible on its Investor Relations website at www.helmerichpayne.com. Information on our website is not part of this release.

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Note Regarding Trademarks. Helmerich & Payne, Inc. owns or has rights to the use of trademarks, service marks and trade names that it uses in conjunction with the operation of its business. Some of the trademarks that appear in this release or otherwise used by H&P include FlexRig, which may be registered or trademarked in the United States and other jurisdictions.

(1) Select items are considered non-GAAP metrics and are included as a supplemental disclosure as the Company believes identifying and excluding select items is useful in assessing and understanding current operational performance, especially in making comparisons over time involving previous and subsequent periods and/or forecasting future periods results. Select items are excluded as they are deemed to be outside the Company's core business operations. See Non-GAAP Measurements.

(2) Direct margin, which is considered a non-GAAP metric, is defined as operating revenues less direct operating expenses and is included as a supplemental disclosure. We believe it is useful in assessing and understanding our current operational performance, especially in making comparisons over time. See Non-GAAP Measurements for a reconciliation of segment operating income(loss) to direct margin. Expected direct margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 is provided on a non-GAAP basis only because certain information necessary to calculate the cost comparable GAAP measure is unavailable due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the occurrence and the future financial statement impact of certain items. Therefore, as a result of the uncertainty and variability of the nature and amount of future items and adjustments, which could be significant, we are unable to provide a reconciliation of expected direct margin to the most comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable effort.

(3) During the first fiscal quarter of 2023 we repurchased 844,018 shares for $39,060,000. During our second fiscal quarter through January 27, 2023 we repurchased an additional 433,929 shares for $20,513,000.

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

2022

2022

2021

OPERATING REVENUES

Drilling services

$

717,170

$

629,031

$

407,534

Other

2,467

2,301

2,248

719,637

631,332

409,782

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

Drilling services operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization

428,251

410,968

299,652

Other operating expenses

1,126

1,222

1,182

Depreciation and amortization

96,655

99,055

100,437

Research and development

6,933

7,138

6,527

Selling, general and administrative

48,455

46,667

43,715

Asset impairment charges

12,097

4,363

Restructuring charges

742

Gain on reimbursement of drilling equipment

(15,724

)

(7,846

)

(5,254

)

Other (gain) loss on sale of assets

(2,379

)

(2,670

)

1,029

575,414

554,534

452,393

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

144,223

76,798

(42,611

)

Other income (expense)

Interest and dividend income

4,705

6,789

2,589

Interest expense

(4,355

)

(4,327

)

(6,114

)

Gain (loss) on investment securities

(15,091

)

2,253

47,862

Loss on extinguishment of debt

(60,083

)

Other

(660

)

(8,949

)

(542

)

(15,401

)

(4,234

)

(16,288

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

128,822

72,564

(58,899

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

32,395

27,532

(7,568

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

96,427

45,032

(51,331

)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes

718

507

(31

)

Income tax expense

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

718

507

(31

)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

97,145

$

45,539

$

(51,362

)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

0.91

$

0.42

$

(0.48

)

Income from discontinued operations

0.01

Net income (loss)

$

0.92

$

0.42

$

(0.48

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

0.90

$

0.42

$

(0.48

)

Income from discontinued operations

0.01

Net income (loss)

$

0.91

$

0.42

$

(0.48

)

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

105,248

105,292

107,571

Diluted

106,104

106,078

107,571

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31,

September 30,

(in thousands except share data and share amounts)

2022

2022

ASSETS

Current Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

229,186

$

232,131

Restricted cash

42,472

36,246

Short-term investments

118,457

117,101

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $6,242 and $2,975, respectively

512,681

458,713

Inventories of materials and supplies, net

90,761

87,957

Prepaid expenses and other, net

83,506

66,463

Assets held-for-sale

1,551

4,333

Total current assets

1,078,614

1,002,944

Investments

220,892

218,981

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,942,059

2,960,809

Other Noncurrent Assets:

Goodwill

45,653

45,653

Intangible assets, net

65,398

67,154

Operating lease right-of-use asset

38,539

39,064

Other assets, net

20,693

20,926

Total other noncurrent assets

170,283

172,797

Total assets

$

4,411,848

$

4,355,531

LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

145,784

$

126,966

Dividends payable

51,540

26,693

Accrued liabilities

272,247

241,151

Total current liabilities

469,571

394,810

Noncurrent Liabilities:

Long-term debt, net

542,932

542,610

Deferred income taxes

537,264

537,712

Other

116,136

113,387

Noncurrent liabilities - discontinued operations

800

1,540

Total noncurrent liabilities

1,197,132

1,195,249

Shareholders' Equity:

Common stock, $0.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized, 112,222,865 shares issued as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, and 104,898,566 and 105,293,662 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively

11,222

11,222

Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued

Additional paid-in capital

512,928

528,278

Retained earnings

2,494,106

2,473,572

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(11,816

)

(12,072

)

Treasury stock, at cost, 7,324,299 shares and 6,929,203 shares as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively

(261,295

)

(235,528

)

Total shareholders’ equity

2,745,145

2,765,472

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

4,411,848

$

4,355,531

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

2022

2021

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income (loss)

$

97,145

$

(51,362

)

Adjustment for (income) loss from discontinued operations

(718

)

31

Income (loss) from continuing operations

96,427

(51,331

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

96,655

100,437

Asset impairment charges

12,097

4,363

Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs

322

239

Loss on extinguishment of debt

60,083

Provision for credit loss

3,358

(112

)

Stock-based compensation

8,273

6,218

(Gain) loss on investment securities

15,091

(47,862

)

Gain on reimbursement of drilling equipment

(15,724

)

(5,254

)

Other (gain) loss on sale of assets

(2,379

)

1,029

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

188

(17,750

)

Other

7,692

(4,489

)

Changes in assets and liabilities

(36,603

)

(49,276

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations

185,397

(3,705

)

Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations

(22

)

(13

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

185,375

(3,718

)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Capital expenditures

(96,027

)

(44,014

)

Other capital expenditures related to assets held-for-sale

(3,877

)

Purchase of short-term investments

(41,641

)

(47,083

)

Purchase of long-term investments

(16,237

)

(9,015

)

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

40,758

37,777

Proceeds from asset sales

30,978

21,483

Net cash used in investing activities

(82,169

)

(44,729

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Dividends paid

(51,764

)

(27,320

)

Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards

(9,483

)

(4,113

)

Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition of business

(250

)

(250

)

Payments for early extinguishment of long-term debt

(487,148

)

Make-whole premium payment

(56,421

)

Share repurchases

(39,060

)

(60,358

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(100,557

)

(635,610

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

2,649

(684,057

)

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

269,009

936,716

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

271,658

$

252,659

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

SEGMENT REPORTING

Three Months Ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

(in thousands, except operating statistics)

2022

2022

2021

NORTH AMERICA SOLUTIONS

Operating revenues

$

627,163

$

552,315

$

341,034

Direct operating expenses

366,855

348,769

256,568

Depreciation and amortization

89,814

92,200

93,621

Research and development

7,059

7,195

6,568

Selling, general and administrative expense

14,190

12,015

10,829

Asset impairment charges

3,948

1,868

Restructuring charges

...