Energy

D-Day at McDermott

After falling more than 10% in after-hours trading on Monday, shares of McDermott International Inc. (NYSE: MDR) were still down sharply Tuesday morning. This is after net income and revenue fell well short consensus estimates and the company withdrew its previous guidance.

For the fourth quarter, the engineering and construction specialist for the oil industry posted a diluted earnings per share (EPS) loss of $1.37 per share on revenues of $517.34 million. For the fourth quarter of 2012 the company posted EPS of $0.17 on revenues of $995.95 million. Fourth-quarter results compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for earnings of $0.15 a share and $825.61 million in revenues.

For the full year, McDermott posted an EPS loss of $2.19 on revenues of $2.8 billion, compared with EPS of $0.87 on revenues of $3.64 billion in 2012. The consensus estimates called for a net loss of $0.67 per share on revenues of $2.96 billion.

The company’s CEO said in the conference call:

[W]e are addressing some of the deepest challenges our company has seen in years. We are learning and growing from those challenges and restructuring both financially and operationally to ensure that we have the resources and the dynamic and accountable organization to achieve long-term success to best meet our customers’ needs.

The trouble is the company is seen as a low-quality operator that regularly underperforms expectations and faces cost overruns. The fact that management withdrew the forward guidance and has suspended the practice of offering guidance is a sign of serious problems. That along with the huge decline in revenue and operational problems means the company has a long slog ahead if it is to turn itself around.

Shares were down about 10% in early trading Tuesday, at $7.34 in a 52-week range of $6.68 to $11.38. More than three times the average daily volume had already changed hands. Thomson Reuters had a consensus target price for the shares at around $8.80 before the disappointing report.

Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good

Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.