Helmerich & Payne (HP) reported a solid fourth quarter and a robust full-year 2024 performance despite a choppy macro environment. Q4 2024 revenue of $693.8 million and net income of $75.5 million translated to EPS of $0.75, with EBITDA of $233.5 million and a 26.6% gross margin. The company demonstrated operating discipline and a durable North America (NA) margin profile, aided by performance-based contracts and a focus on value-driven drilling solutions. The standalone results were complemented by strategic developments, notably a pronounced push into international onshore growth and the transformative KCA Deutag acquisition, which is expected to close around December 31, 2024 or shortly thereafter. HP underscored a disciplined capital allocation plan for 2025, with CapEx guidance of $290â$325 million (roughly 85% allocated to NA), a target to delever, and a continued base dividend of $100 million while suspending the supplemental dividend to accelerate debt reduction.
Management highlighted that North America Solutions delivered healthy direct margins (~$275 million in NA Direct Margin for Q4) and a stable per-day revenue environment (~$39,100). Consolidated free cash flow for the year stood at $62.8 million in Q4, with full-year free cash flow and cash generation supporting debt reduction and balance-sheet strengthening. The company expects NA margins to remain flat in Q1 2025, with a relatively flat rig count supported by a backlog of roughly $700 million under term contracts. International margins were guided to be broadly flat in Q1 2025, with Saudi Arabia progressing on FlexRig deployments and the first Saudi unconventional spud completed. HP remains focused on safety, reliability, and technology-enabled productivity as the core drivers of margin durability while recognizing that market cyclicality and regulatory developments (notably the KCA Deutag closing dynamics and Saudi rig suspensions) pose near-term headwinds.