TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE: HP) reported net income of $85 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, from operating revenues of $688 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to net income of $95 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, from operating revenues of $677 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The net income per diluted share for the second and first quarters of fiscal year 2024 include net $0.00 and net $(0.03) of after-tax gains and losses, respectively, comprised of select items⁽¹⁾. For the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, select items were comprised of:

• $0.03 of after-tax gains related to the non-cash fair market value adjustments to our equity investments
• $(0.03) of after-tax losses related to research and development expenses associated with an asset acquisition

Net cash provided by operating activities was $144 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $175 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

President and CEO John Lindsay commented, "Fiscal second quarter results are reflective of the Company's continual focus on commercial economics through value delivery in our North America Solutions segment. The direct margins we have been generating in what has been, and continues to be, a somewhat choppy North America Solutions market are a testament to the value creation we provide for our customers. From our perspective, there has been a pronounced and necessary shift in the industry's historical behavior, that is moving its fiscal foundation toward a more sustainable and investable future. Along those lines, we are extremely pleased with the announcement we made during the quarter regarding expanding our presence in the Middle East, with the finalization of the contractual terms with Saudi Aramco for a seven-rig tender award.

"In the U.S. market, contractual churn is still prevalent and pushed our rig count just below the projected exit rate late in the quarter. This churn has been a product of the volatility created by a weaker natural gas market, some recent E&P consolidations, and a variety of other factors. Some of this natural gas volatility is reminiscent of this time last year; however, we believe the impact on our overall activity will be less this year going forward. That said, we do expect the underlying factors causing the churn in the market currently to persist resulting in what we expect to be a fairly stable outlook for our rig count through the third fiscal quarter. Furthermore, we expect stability and resiliency in our direct margins on a per day basis as well. We will remain focused on direct margins and believe the consistent and reliable drilling outcomes we provide to customers is what ultimately drives our market share.

"Regarding the International Solutions segment, our first rig awarded by Saudi Aramco last August is expected to arrive and commence operations later this summer. For the more recent seven-rig tender award, preparations are ongoing from both a rig and operational perspective with expectations that a majority of these rigs will arrive in Saudi Arabia during the fourth calendar quarter of 2024, and commence operations shortly thereafter. During these preparations we will continue to spend our 2024 budgeted capex towards this project and incur start-up operational expenses, which may disproportionately impact near-term international segment margins. We are looking forward to working with Saudi Aramco and believe we are at the beginning of a longer-term presence in the region. The Company's other international operations in South America and Australia are expected to remain relatively stable over the next quarter, as well as our Offshore Gulf of Mexico operations."

Senior Vice President and CFO Mark Smith also commented, "Returning cash to shareholders remains a capital allocation priority as the Company provided roughly $46 million in shareholder returns under its fiscal 2024 supplemental shareholder return plan during the quarter. There was approximately $4 million worth of shares repurchased during the quarter and $42 million paid to shareholders in the form of base and supplemental dividends, representing over a 4% yield. That said, we are cognizant that the current higher interest rate environment may be masking some of the longer-term attractiveness of our dividend yield and flexibility embedded in our supplemental shareholder return plan.

"Currently, we expect our rig count in the third fiscal quarter to average in the high-140 range, which is lower compared to the 155 rig average realized during the second fiscal quarter. To reiterate, this lower activity is a result of contractual churn and a weaker natural gas environment and as such has not deterred the Company's approach to pricing or the use of performance contracts to better recognize the total value H&P provides to our customers. We believe our commitment to preserving contract economics is reflected in our direct margin guidance for the upcoming quarter."

John Lindsay concluded, “Working closely with our customers and collaborating through the use of performance contracts is really driving improved and more reliable outcomes. Our people, FlexRigs, and technology solutions are key components of this success and will continue to be drivers of that success in the future."

Operating Segment Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024

North America Solutions:

This segment had operating income of $147.1 million compared to operating income of $144.5 million during the previous quarter. The increase in operating income was primarily attributable to a higher direct margin offset by higher depreciation expense associated with walking rig conversions and higher research and development expense, some of which related to a recent asset acquisition. Direct margin⁽²⁾ increased by $15.3 million to $271.4 million sequentially.

International Solutions:

This segment had operating income of $3.6 million compared to an operating income of $5.4 million during the previous quarter. The decrease in operating income was mainly due to modestly lower activity during the quarter. Direct margin⁽²⁾ during the second fiscal quarter was $8.4 million compared to $10.2 million during the previous quarter, and was higher than anticipated due to the financial results from our Argentina operations not being as negatively impacted by the local currency and inflationary environment as anticipated. Current quarter results included a $0.5 million foreign currency loss compared to a $1.8 million foreign currency loss in the previous quarter.

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

This segment had operating income of $0.1 million compared to operating income of $3.1 million during the previous quarter. Direct margin⁽²⁾ for the quarter was $2.9 million compared to $6.0 million in the previous quarter and was lower than expected due primarily to one rig moving onto full rate later in the quarter than anticipated.

Operational Outlook for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024

North America Solutions:

• We expect North America Solutions direct margins⁽²⁾ to be between $255-$275 million
• We expect to exit the quarter between approximately 145-151 contracted rigs

International Solutions:

• We expect International Solutions direct margins⁽²⁾ to be between $(2)-$2 million, exclusive of any foreign exchange gains or losses, but inclusive of approximately $10-$12 million of rig preparation and start-up expense related to our Saudi Arabia operations

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

• We expect Offshore Gulf of Mexico direct margins⁽²⁾ to be between $5-$8 million

Other Estimates for Fiscal Year 2024

• Gross capital expenditures are now expected to be approximately $500 million;
  • ongoing asset sales that include reimbursements for lost and damaged tubulars and sales of other used drilling equipment offset a portion of the gross capital expenditures, and are still expected to total approximately $50 million in fiscal year 2024
• Depreciation for fiscal year 2024 is now expected to be approximately $405 million
• Research and development expenses for fiscal year 2024 are now expected to be roughly $37 million
• General and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2024 are now expected to be approximately $240 million
• Cash taxes to be paid in fiscal year 2024 are still expected to be approximately $150-$200 million

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

Second quarter of fiscal year 2024 net income of $0.84 per diluted share included a net impact $0.00 per share in after-tax gains and losses comprised of the following:

• $0.03 of non-cash after-tax gains related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments
• $(0.03) of after-tax losses related to research and development expenses associated with an asset acquisition

First quarter of fiscal year 2024 net income of $0.94 per diluted share included $(0.03) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

• $(0.03) of non-cash after-tax losses related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments

Conference Call

A conference call will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024 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 second quarter fiscal year 2024 results. Dial-in information for the conference call is (800) 267-6316 for domestic callers or (203) 518-9708 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 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 March 31, 2024, H&P's fleet included 233 land rigs in the United States, 22 international land rigs and seven offshore platform rigs. For more information, see H&P online at .

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, future share repurchases, investments, active rig count projections, projected costs and plans, objectives of management for future operations, contract terms, financing and funding, capex spending and budgets, outlook for domestic and international markets, future commodity prices, and future customer activity and relationships 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 and other disclosures in 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 . Information on our website is not part of this release.

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 reimbursements) less direct operating expenses (less reimbursements) 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 third quarter of fiscal 2024 is provided on a non-GAAP basis only because certain information necessary to calculate the most 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 second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2024, H&P repurchased approximately 102 thousand shares for approximately $3.9 million.

Segment operating income for all segments is a non-GAAP financial measure of the Company’s performance, as it excludes gain on sale of assets, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses and corporate depreciation. The Company considers segment operating income (loss) to be an important supplemental measure of operating performance for presenting trends in the Company’s core businesses. This measure is used by the Company to facilitate period-to-period comparisons in operating performance of the Company’s reportable segments in the aggregate by eliminating items that affect comparability between periods. The Company believes that segment operating income (loss) is useful to investors because it provides a means to evaluate the operating performance of the segments and the Company on an ongoing basis using criteria that are used by our internal decision makers. Additionally, it highlights operating trends and aids analytical comparisons. However, segment operating income (loss) has limitations and should not be used as an alternative to operating income or loss, a performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP, as it excludes certain costs that may affect the Company’s operating performance in future periods.

Income from discontinued operations was presented as a separate line item on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2023. To conform with the current fiscal year presentation, we reclassified amounts previously presented in Income from discontinued operations, which were not material, to Other within Other income (expense) on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2023.

The following table reconciles operating income per the information above to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF DIRECT MARGIN

Direct margin is considered a non-GAAP metric. We define "direct margin" as operating revenues (less reimbursements) less direct operating expenses (less reimbursements). Direct margin is included as a supplemental disclosure because we believe it is useful in assessing and understanding our current operational performance, especially in making comparisons over time. Direct margin is not a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should therefore be considered only as supplemental to such GAAP financial measures.

The following table reconciles direct margin to segment operating income (loss), which we believe is the financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP that is most directly comparable to direct margin.

View source version on businesswire.com: