Shares of Transocean Ltd. (RIG Quick QuoteRIG ) have dropped 18% since second-quarter 2021 earnings announcement on Aug 2.
Despite the company’s ability to minimize its debt-to-capitalization, sequentially, and its upbeat second-quarter contract drilling revenue guidance, which indicates growth from the sequential quarter’s reported figure, its shares declined primarily due to unpleasant bottom-line and top-line performances.
Behind the Earnings Headlines
Transocean reported an adjusted net loss of 18 cents per share for second-quarter 2021, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 15 cents. This underperformance reflects lower utilization.
However, Transocean reported break-even earnings in the year-ago period on impressive revenue efficiency and higher dayrates.
The offshore drilling powerhouse’s total revenues of $656 million fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $678 million. Also, the top line fell 29.5% from the year-earlier figure of $930 million.
Segmental Revenue Break-Up
Transocean’s Ultra-deepwater floaters contributed to 64.6% of the total contract drilling revenues while Harsh Environment floaters accounted for the remainder. In second-quarter 2021, revenues from Ultra-deepwater and Harsh Environment floaters totaled $424 million and $232 million, respectively, compared with the corresponding year-ago quarter’s reported figures of $636 million and $293 million.
Revenue efficiency was 98%, higher than 97.4% reported sequentially and the year-ago value of 97.2%.
Dayrates and Utilization
Average dayrates in the quarter rose to $369,400 from the year-ago level of $307,800. The company witnessed strong year-over-year average revenues per day from Harsh Environment floaters and Ultra-deepwater floaters. Overall, fleet utilization was 55% in the quarter, down from the prior-year period’s utilization rate of 66%.
Transocean Ltd. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Transocean Ltd. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Transocean Ltd. Quote
Backlog
Transocean’s backlog record of $7.3 billion for July reflects a decline of $1.6 billion from the year-ago figure.
Costs, Capex & Balance Sheet
Operating and maintenance costs decreased to $434 million from $525 million a year ago. The company spent $41 million on capital investment in the second quarter. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $153 million. The company had cash and cash equivalents worth $988 million as of Jun 30, 2021. Long-term debt was $6.99 billion with debt-to-capitalization of 38.2% as of the same date, declining from the sequential quarter’s 38.5%.
Guidance
For the third quarter of 2021, this offshore drilling contractor expects adjusted contract drilling revenues of $670 million, indicating growth from the sequentially reported figure of $656 million. It expects third-quarter operations and maintenance expenses of $427 million. Its G&A expenses are expected to be $40 million while capital expenditure including capitalized interest is estimated to be $90 million.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Transocean currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the energy space are Devon Energy Corporation (DVN Quick QuoteDVN ) , Matador Resources Company (MTDR Quick QuoteMTDR ) and Continental Resources, Inc. (CLR Quick QuoteCLR ) , each presently flaunting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.