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Noble (NE) Q4 Loss Narrower Than Expected, Revenues Fall Y/Y
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Noble Corporation (NE - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2018 loss of 36 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 41 cents. However, the figure was wider than the year-ago quarter’s loss of 29 cents.
Noble Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Total revenues in the quarter declined to $309.9 million from $329.6 million in the prior-year quarter. However, quarterly revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $287 million. Contract Drilling Services fell 9% year over year and contributed $292 million to total revenues.
Lower dayrates for drillships, jackups and semi-submersibles affected quarterly results. This was partially offset by increase in total rig utilization.
In 2018, the company reported a loss of $1.84 per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.88. The leading contract drilling company reported a loss of $1.14 cents in 2017.
In 2018, total revenues declined to $1,082.8 million from $1,236.9 million in 2017. Nonetheless, the figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,060.0 million.
Q4 Operating Highlights
Net loss from continuing operations was $30.8 million, wider than a net loss of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Total rig utilization increased to 75% from the year-ago quarter’s level of 58%. The overall average dayrate declined to $176,443 from $213,664 in the year-ago quarter.
The average dayrate for drillships of $294,864 was substantially lower than $378,709 in the prior-year quarter. Average capacity utilization was 72% compared with 60% in the year-ago quarter.
The average dayrate for the company's jackups was $121,949 compared with $134,413 in the prior-year quarter. Average capacity utilization rose to 94% from the year-ago quarter’s level of 76%.
The average dayrate for the company's semi-submersibles was $112,434 compared with $261,661 in the prior-year quarter. Average capacity utilization jumped to 25% from the year-ago quarter’s level of 17%.
For 2019, about 62% of the available rig days were committed, including 49% of the floating rig days and 75% of the jackup rig days.
Backlog
As of Dec 31, 2018, total backlog was approximately $2.4 billion.
Financials
At the end of the fourth quarter, the company had a cash balance of $375.2 million and long-term debt of $3,877.4 million. Debt-to-capitalization ratio was 45.4% compared with 41.8% in the year-ago quarter.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Noble currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the energy sector can opt for some better-ranked stocks as given below.
CrossAmerica Partners L.P. (CAPL - Free Report) is involved in the wholesale distribution of motor fuels, consisting of gasoline and diesel fuel. The company delivered average positive earnings surprise of 436.7% in the last four quarters. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
San Antonio, TX-based NuStar Energy L.P. (NS - Free Report) is a midstream energy company. For 2019, the bottom line, which has witnessed three upside revisions in the past 30 days, is expected to grow 64.2% year over year. The company currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Madrid, Spain-based Repsol, S.A. (REPYY - Free Report) is an integrated energy company. The bottom line for 2019 is expected to increase 13.7% year over year. The company delivered average positive earnings surprise of 9% in the trailing four quarters. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
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Noble (NE) Q4 Loss Narrower Than Expected, Revenues Fall Y/Y
Noble Corporation (NE - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2018 loss of 36 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 41 cents. However, the figure was wider than the year-ago quarter’s loss of 29 cents.
Noble Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Noble Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Noble Corporation Quote
Total revenues in the quarter declined to $309.9 million from $329.6 million in the prior-year quarter. However, quarterly revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $287 million. Contract Drilling Services fell 9% year over year and contributed $292 million to total revenues.
Lower dayrates for drillships, jackups and semi-submersibles affected quarterly results. This was partially offset by increase in total rig utilization.
In 2018, the company reported a loss of $1.84 per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.88. The leading contract drilling company reported a loss of $1.14 cents in 2017.
In 2018, total revenues declined to $1,082.8 million from $1,236.9 million in 2017. Nonetheless, the figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,060.0 million.
Q4 Operating Highlights
Net loss from continuing operations was $30.8 million, wider than a net loss of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Total rig utilization increased to 75% from the year-ago quarter’s level of 58%. The overall average dayrate declined to $176,443 from $213,664 in the year-ago quarter.
The average dayrate for drillships of $294,864 was substantially lower than $378,709 in the prior-year quarter. Average capacity utilization was 72% compared with 60% in the year-ago quarter.
The average dayrate for the company's jackups was $121,949 compared with $134,413 in the prior-year quarter. Average capacity utilization rose to 94% from the year-ago quarter’s level of 76%.
The average dayrate for the company's semi-submersibles was $112,434 compared with $261,661 in the prior-year quarter. Average capacity utilization jumped to 25% from the year-ago quarter’s level of 17%.
For 2019, about 62% of the available rig days were committed, including 49% of the floating rig days and 75% of the jackup rig days.
Backlog
As of Dec 31, 2018, total backlog was approximately $2.4 billion.
Financials
At the end of the fourth quarter, the company had a cash balance of $375.2 million and long-term debt of $3,877.4 million. Debt-to-capitalization ratio was 45.4% compared with 41.8% in the year-ago quarter.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Noble currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the energy sector can opt for some better-ranked stocks as given below.
CrossAmerica Partners L.P. (CAPL - Free Report) is involved in the wholesale distribution of motor fuels, consisting of gasoline and diesel fuel. The company delivered average positive earnings surprise of 436.7% in the last four quarters. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
San Antonio, TX-based NuStar Energy L.P. (NS - Free Report) is a midstream energy company. For 2019, the bottom line, which has witnessed three upside revisions in the past 30 days, is expected to grow 64.2% year over year. The company currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Madrid, Spain-based Repsol, S.A. (REPYY - Free Report) is an integrated energy company. The bottom line for 2019 is expected to increase 13.7% year over year. The company delivered average positive earnings surprise of 9% in the trailing four quarters. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
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