RCM Technologies, Inc. (RCMT) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
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Overview
The earnings call highlights several challenges: flat gross profit, declining EBITDA and EPS, high medical costs, canceled orders, increased legal expenses, and volatile margins. The absence of a share repurchase program and macroeconomic uncertainties add to the concerns. Although healthcare and school revenue show growth, the overall sentiment is negative due to financial difficulties and risks. The Q&A reveals high tax rates and management's avoidance of specific impact details, further dampening sentiment. The negative aspects outweigh the positives, leading to a likely negative stock price reaction.
Key Financial Performance
Consolidated Gross Profit Q4 2024 $21.6 million, flat compared to Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 gross profit was $79.8 million, up from $76.7 million in fiscal 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA Q4 2024 $6.3 million, down from $8.9 million in Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 adjusted EBITDA was $25.9 million, down from $26.6 million in fiscal 2023.
Adjusted EPS Fiscal 2024 $2.03, down from $2.04 in fiscal 2023.
Engineering Gross Profit Q4 2024 $5.2 million, down from $6.1 million in Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 gross profit was $22.5 million, up from $20.6 million in fiscal 2023.
Engineering Gross Margin Q4 2024 19.7%, down from 27.0% in Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 gross margin was 23.4%, down from 24.3% in fiscal 2023.
IT, Life Sciences and Data Solutions Gross Profit Q4 2024 $3.9 million, down from $4.5 million in Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 gross profit was $14.7 million, down from $16.2 million in fiscal 2023.
IT, Life Sciences and Data Solutions Gross Margin Q4 2024 40.0%, up from 38.7% in Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 gross margin was 37.5%, down from 38.2% in fiscal 2023.
Health Care Gross Profit Q4 2024 $12.5 million, up from $11.0 million in Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 gross profit was $42.5 million, up from $39.9 million in fiscal 2023.
Health Care Gross Margin Q4 2024 30.0%, up from 29.8% in Q4 2023. Fiscal 2024 gross margin was 29.8%, up from 29.3% in fiscal 2023.
School Revenue Q4 2024 $34.9 million, up from $29.8 million in Q4 2023.
Non-School Revenue Q4 2024 $6.2 million, down from $6.9 million in Q4 2023. Adjusted for a long-term care group reduction, revenue would be $5.6 million in 2024 versus $5.5 million in Q4 2023.
Days Sales Outstanding (DSOs) 92 DSOs for Q4 2024, improved from 114 DSOs in Q3 2023.
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Operating Highlights
New Product Launches: Thermal Kinetics has successfully designed and launched a new plant expansion program primarily focused on the ethanol industry, resulting in an equipment order for $3.5 million.
Behavioral Health Services: Surging demand for behavioral health services in schools has positioned RCM as a leader in addressing this critical need.
Novel Solution Chemistry Development: Thermal Kinetics has completed an Engineering order to develop novel solution chemistry for a planned lithium facility in the U.S.
Market Expansion in K-12: RCM Health Care is experiencing growth in existing school district partnerships and has a robust pipeline of new school districts and clients.
Energy Services Expansion: Energy Services has secured a third EPC project in Europe and is negotiating several new projects.
Aerospace & Defense Growth: Aerospace & Defense group has increased headcount by 20% in Q4 2024 and expects continued growth through new multiyear contracts.
Operational Efficiencies in Managed Services: Q4 managed services growth reflects cost savings measures, including offshore delivery and productivity tools.
Improved Trade Accounts Receivables: DSOs improved from 114 to 92, indicating better management of trade accounts receivables.
Strategic Shift to AI and ML: 2025 will see a shift from traditional IT services to deployment of AI and ML tools for process automation.
Focus on Behavioral Health: Schools are prioritizing mental and behavioral health support, leading to increased demand for specialized providers.
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Risk or Challenges
Macroeconomic Uncertainty: The company is navigating through a period of increased macroeconomic uncertainty, which poses risks to business operations and growth.
High Medical Costs: Abnormally high medical costs related to the self-insured medical plan increased SG&A expenses by approximately $1.25 million.
Canceled Orders: A significant industrial process equipment order was abruptly canceled midway through the project, resulting in a $900,000 reduction in gross profit.
Legal Expenses: Increased legal fees and settlement costs from a class action lawsuit regarding California wages added about $450,000 in SG&A expenses.
Accounts Receivable Issues: A large school client stopped payment due to administrative issues, leading to an estimated $6 million accounts receivable balance exceeding normalized levels. Another client in IT, Life Sciences, and Data Solutions also stopped payments, with an estimated $3.8 million accounts receivable balance exceeding normalized levels.
Volatile Gross Margins: Engineering gross margins were very low due to a high mix shift of lower-margin work and other expenses, with expectations of volatility in future margins.
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Guidance & Outlook
Strategic Initiatives: The fourth quarter demonstrated strong top line momentum as many of our strategic initiatives gained traction. The company is witnessing a resumption of growth in hours and increasing activity throughout most of the business.
Growth in K-12 Services: A key driver of growth has been the surging demand for behavioral health services in schools, with RCM positioned as a leader in addressing this critical need.
Corrections Clients: The corrections sector demonstrated impressive growth in 2024, with expectations for further expansion in the year ahead.
Energy Services: Energy Services demonstrated robust annual growth, with ongoing negotiations for large-scale projects including grid modernization and data center developments.
Aerospace & Defense: The Aerospace & Defense group continued to win business on new programs, resulting in a 20% increase in headcount in Q4 2024.
2025 Revenue Expectations: The company anticipates double-digit growth on adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2025.
Gross Margin Expectations: Engineering gross margins are expected to land between 24.0% and 28.0%.
DSO Goals: The goal for Days Sales Outstanding (DSOs) is to get under 80 by the end of fiscal 2025.
Client Growth: The company expects to solidify additional clients and program wins in 2025.
Financial Projections: The company will provide more guidance as the year progresses, with another call scheduled in May.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Share Repurchase Program: RCM Technologies has not announced any share repurchase program during the call.
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Key Q&A
Q:Was any of the extra costs realized in the tax rate, given that it was over 50% this quarter?
A:The tax rate in the fourth quarter is a function of the tax rate for the year. The effective tax rate for the company overall is 34.0%, which is high and abnormal for us. This is driven by permanent differences related to deferred tax liabilities. We should not see a tax rate near 34% next year; it should be well below 30%.
Q:Do you have a range of what a normal tax rate might be?
A:A normal range would be 26% to 29%, with a midpoint of around 26.5%. If we were above 27.5% next year, it would surprise me.
Q:Can you provide details on the specific cost on Engineering?
A:The total cost is $900,000, which is a combination of increased direct costs and lost revenue due to a canceled order.
Q:Did the canceled order have anything to do with the change in administration?
A:No, there are no political factors involved; it's just a nuance with a particular client.
Q:Are you seeing any effects from DOGE or headlines affecting your clients?
A:No direct impact on RCM. While DOGE may affect the IT environment, we don't see a direct link to any major impact on our business.
Q:Are you looking towards double-digit bottom line growth every quarter or for the full year?
A:We strive to grow our adjusted EBITDA in the low double digits every quarter. We don't see any reason why we can't accomplish that in 2025.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided giving a direct answer regarding the specific impact of DOGE on their business, stating it could have a general impact on the IT environment but not on RCM specifically.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
Aerospace Defense
EPC
Energy Services
Engineering order
IEEE PES
TK
Test Center
account
agreement
campaign
client expansion
cost
delivery
district
effort
environment
equipment order
example
gallon
health service
line expectation
negotiation
order project
power
professional
program
provider school
quality service
relationship
requirement
resumption hour
service contract
talent
target
test
tool
traction
utility
RCMT Transcript
RCM Technologies, Inc. (RCMT) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown11-6
The earnings call reveals mixed performance: strong growth in school revenue and engineering gross profit, but declines in non-school revenue and life sciences gross profit. Margins are mixed, with some improvement but also declines. The Q&A highlights uncertainties, like visa issues for foreign candidates and persistent high medical costs. Despite optimistic long-term guidance, immediate concerns and lack of clear execution details temper positive sentiment. Without a market cap, a neutral prediction accounts for these balanced positives and negatives.
RCM Technologies, Inc. (RCMT) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive8-7
The earnings call presented a mix of positive and negative elements. Revenue growth and strategic expansions are promising, particularly in engineering and healthcare sectors. Despite some revenue declines and delayed cash flows, the company maintains strong gross margins and cash flow recovery. The Q&A section revealed positive analyst sentiment towards strategic partnerships and market positioning. Although immigration challenges and lack of clear dividend plans pose risks, the overall outlook, including optimistic growth projections and strategic market positioning, suggests a positive stock price movement over the next two weeks.
Earnings call transcript: RCM Technologies Q1 2025 beats EPS forecast, stock surges
Positive5-8
The earnings call reveals strong financial performance with increased gross profit, EBITDA, and EPS. Positive growth in K-12 services and aerospace sectors, alongside reduced net debt and improved cash flow, indicate robust operational health. Despite some margin variability, guidance remains optimistic. The share repurchase plan further supports stock price appreciation. The Q&A section didn't reveal significant risks, supporting a positive outlook. However, lack of specific guidance and margin concerns temper expectations, placing the prediction in the 'Positive' range (2% to 8%).
RCM Technologies, Inc. (RCMT) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown3-13
The earnings call highlights several challenges: flat gross profit, declining EBITDA and EPS, high medical costs, canceled orders, increased legal expenses, and volatile margins. The absence of a share repurchase program and macroeconomic uncertainties add to the concerns. Although healthcare and school revenue show growth, the overall sentiment is negative due to financial difficulties and risks. The Q&A reveals high tax rates and management's avoidance of specific impact details, further dampening sentiment. The negative aspects outweigh the positives, leading to a likely negative stock price reaction.
RCMT Report
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