Q4 2023 Tutor Perini Corp Earnings Call
Operator: The Ultimate Parody Site! Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Tutor Perini Corporation fourth quarter 2023 earnings conference call. My name is Camilla, and I will be your coordinator for today. All participants are currently in a listen-only mode following management's prepared remarks.
Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the tutor Perini Corporation fourth quarter 2023 earnings Conference call.
My name is Camilla and I will be your coordinator for today.
All participants are currently in a listen only mode.
Following management's prepared remarks, we will be opening the call for a question and answer session.
Operator: We will be opening the call for a question and answer session. As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded for replay purposes. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad.
As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded for replay purposes.
If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference. Please press star zero on your telephone keypad.
Jorge Casado: I will now turn the conference call over to your host for today. Mr. Jorge Casado, Vice President of Investor Relations. Hello everyone, and thank you for joining us. With us today are Ronald Tutor, Chairman and CEO, Gary Smalley, President, and Ryan Soroka, Senior Vice President and CFO. Before we discuss our results, I will remind everyone that during this call, we will be making forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current assessment of existing trends and information. There is an inherent risk that our actual results could differ materially. You can find our disclosures about risk factors that could potentially contribute to such differences in our Form 10-K, which we are filing today. The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise, other than as required by law. Thank you, and I will now turn the call over to Ronald Tutor. Thank you, Jorge. Good day, and thank you all for joining us. Please pardon my raspy voice. I've had a head cold for a couple of days.
I will now turn the conference call over to your host for today, Mr. Jorge Casado, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please.
Please proceed.
Hello, everyone and thank you for joining us with US today are Ronald tutor, Chairman and CEO, Gary Smalley, President and Ryan Syroka, Senior Vice President and CFO before.
Before we discuss our results I'll remind everyone that during this call we will be making forward looking statements, which are based on management's current assessment of existing trends and information.
There is an inherent risk that our actual results could differ materially you can find our disclosures about risk factors that could potentially contribute to such differences in our Form 10-K, which we are filing today.
The company assumes no obligation to update forward looking statements, whether due to new information future events or otherwise other than as required by law.
Thank you and I will now turn the call over to Ronald tutor.
Thank you our hey, good day and thank you all for joining US. Please pardon my raspy voice I've had I had called for a couple of days.
Ronald N. Tutor: They all survived. Before I discuss our results for the year, I'd like to mention, for those of you that may not have heard or recall, that last November we announced that our board of directors approved the appointment of Gary Smalley, our former CFO, as president of Tutor Perini, and that Gary is expected to succeed me as CEO effective January 1st of next year. Turning now to our results, we had another year of mixed results in 2023, highlighted by record operating cash flow that was nearly 50% better than last year, as well as backlog that grew 28% year over year to $10.2 billion. We generated $308 million of operating cash in 2023, excuse me, compared to $207 million in 2022, with both years setting records as the highest results of any year since the 2008 merger between Tutor Soliba and Perini Corp. However, our earnings in 2023 were challenged due to certain adverse legal judgments or decisions throughout the year, primarily in the Northeast, and write-downs that resulted from the expedited settlement or resolution of various We sustain modest revenue growth in the civil and building segments, mostly offset by lower revenue in the specialty contractor segments.
But I'll survive.
Before I discuss our results for the year I'd like to mention for those of you that may not have heard of recall that last November we announced that.
At our board of directors approved the appointment of Gary Smalley, our former CFO is president of tutor Perini.
And then Gary as expected the seed me to succeed me as CEO effective January 1st of next year.
Turning now to our results we had another year of mixed results in 2023 highlighted by record operating cash flow that was nearly 50% better than last year.
As well as backlog that grew 28% year over year to a 10.2 billion dollar figure.
We generated 308 million of operating cash and 223 in 2023 excuse me.
Paired with 207 million in 2022 with both years setting records.
That's the highest results of any year since 2008 merger between tutors, the Libra and Perini Corporation.
Our earnings in 2023, where Jack we're challenge.
Due to certain adverse legal judgments or decisions throughout the year, primarily in the northeast.
Write downs that resulted from the expedited settlement or resolution of various dispute it matters.
Our consolidated revenue was up slightly in 2023 compared to 2022 still the math dramatically reduced from our typical years prior to the pandemic.
We sustained modest revenue growth in the civil and building segments, mostly offset by lower revenue in our specialty contractors segment.
Ronald N. Tutor: Ryan will discuss the financials in more detail a bit later. We made excellent progress on claims and dispute settlements in 2023, which helped us to deliver our record cash flow and reduce our unbilled receivables, or costs in excess, by 17 percent, or $234 million. We expect to continue resolving most of our remaining legacy disputes.
Ryan will discuss the financials in more detail a bit later.
We made excellent progress on claims in dispute settlements in 2023, which helped us to deliver our record cash flow and reduce our unbilled receivables or costs and access by 17%.
$234 million.
We expect it can take to resolve most of our remaining legacy legacy disputes.
Ronald N. Tutor: 2024 with only a hand, going into 2025, and thereby collecting substantial amounts of associated cash throughout this year and a certain amount in next year, for all of our legacy issues will be resolved and brought current. Last week, we began to utilize some of our excess cash generated since the latter part of 2023 to deleverage our balance sheet by paying down our term loan fee by approximately $91 million, bringing its balance to $276 million compared to its original $425 million. This paydown was not required until the first week in April, but we decided to pay it down early to capture interest savings over the next few months.
2024, with only a handful going into 2025.
Thereby collecting substantial amounts of associated cash throughout this year.
And a certain amount in the next year before all of our legacy legacy issues will be resolved and brought Kurt.
Last week, we began to utilize some of our excess cash generated since the latter part of 2023 to deleverage our balance sheet by paying down our term loan b by approximately 91.
Million, bringing its balance to 276 million compared to which original $425 million.
This pay down was not required until the first week in April, but we decided to pay it down early to capture interest savings over the next few months. Following this pay down we still have significant cash on hand, which isn't biscuit anticipated to be used for further debt reduction is part.
Ronald N. Tutor: Following this paydown, we still have significant cash on hand, which is anticipated to be used for further debt reduction, part of the current refinancing underway. We expect to successfully conclude this refinancing sometime between the middle and end of April. As I mentioned, our year-end backlog stood at $10.2 billion, up 28%, with strong growth largely driven by the award of the $2.95 billion Brooklyn Jail Project in New York. Other significant new awards and contract adjustments in 2023 included $788 million of additional funding for certain mass transit projects in California. $287 million of additional funding for two large health care projects in California, a $222 million military facilities project at Tinian International Airport and the Northern Mariana Islands, and $127 million of additional funding for a light rail project in Minnesota.
Of the current refinancing underway.
We expect to successfully conclude this refinancing some thought sometime between the middle and end of April.
As I mentioned, our year end backlog stood at $10.2 billion up 28% with strong growth largely driven by the award of the 2.95 billion dollar Brooklyn, J O project in New York.
Other significant new awards and contract adjustments in 2023 included 788 million of additional funding for certain mass transit projects in California.
287 million of additional funding for two large health care projects in California.
With 222 million dollar military facilities project Tinian International Airport.
Northern Mariana Islands, and 127 million of additional funding for our light rail project in Minnesota.
Ronald N. Tutor: We expect our backlog to grow substantially in 2024 and again in 2025 as we pursue and capture our share of a tremendous volume of Available Project Opportunities, many of which are supported by strong funding that is put in place at the state and local levels as well as the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law that was passed in 2021, for which funding is now flowing. We are tracking more than $75 billion in opportunities over the next three to four years, and 32 billion of which are expected this year and next. Some of the most significant near-term prospects include... $6 billion dry docked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in the state of Washington. The $2.6 billion DTX Transbay Transit Center project in downtown San Francisco. The $2 billion Honolulu Rail Transit Project, for which we had previously been the low bidder in 2020. The $2 billion Sites Reservoir Project in Northern California.
We expect our backlog to grow substantially in 2024 and again in 2025.
As we pursue and capture our share of a tremendous volume.
Of available project opportunities.
Many of which are supported by strong funding that is put in place at the state and local levels as well as the 1.2 trillion dollar by park partisan infrastructure law that was passed in 2021 for which funding is not flowing.
We are tracking more than $75 billion of opportunities over the next three to four years.
And 32 billion of which are expected this year and next.
Some of the most significant near term prospects include the six 6 billion dollar dry docked at Puget Sound Naval shipyard in the state of Washington.
The 2.6 billion dollar D T X train speed trends at center project in downtown San Francisco.
The $2 billion Honolulu Rail Transit project, which we had previously been the low bidder in 2020.
The $2 billion site's reservoir project in Northern California.
Ronald N. Tutor: The $1.8 billion South Jersey Light Rail in New Jersey. And again, the $1.5 billion Newark Airtrain, for which we had also been the low-bidder for some two years, and the $1 billion Inglewood Transit Connector Project in Southern California, which bids this sum regarding our prospective jail projects in New York City. The owner has just made a formal announcement that the Queen's facility was awarded to one of our competitors. So we were also shortlisted with one other team for the Manhattan Jail, which would be the most costly endeavor of all the facilities, which will bid for an award in the third or fourth quarter. I could go on and on, and I'm only talking about the mega project. However, others are worth knowing.
The $1.8 billion, South Jersey light rail in New Jersey.
And again, the 1.5 billion dollar Newark, Airtrain for which we had also been low bidder some two years ago.
And the $1 billion of Inglewood Transit connector project in Southern California.
Which bids this summer.
Regarding our perspective jailed projects in New York City.
The.
Owner has just made a formal announcement at the Queens facility.
Was awarded to one of our competitors.
So we were also shortlisted with one other team on the Manhattan jail, which would be the most costly endeavor of all facilities, which will bid and award in the third or fourth quarter.
I could go on and on and I'm only talking about the Mega projects, However, others worth no.
Ronald N. Tutor: They are an 800 million dollar... Kensico Tunnel, the $800 million Amtrak East River Tunnel Rehab, which we've already bid on and should hear the results any day. The $500 million Palisades Tunnel in New York and the $750 million Manhattan Tunnel in New York. That and a number of projects of that size, too many to mention. We are anticipating significant double-digit revenue growth in 2024, 80% of which will be sourced
They are at 800 million dollar.
Chico tunnel.
The $800 million Amtrak East River tunnel rehab, which we've already bid and you should hear the results any day.
The $500 million Palisades tunnel in New York, and the $750 million of Manhattan Toggle in New York.
That and a number of projects in that size too many to mention.
We are anticipating significant double digit revenue growth in 2024.
With 80% of which sourced by our existing backlog.
Ronald N. Tutor: We are expecting a return to positive earnings in 2024 and significantly higher earnings in 2025 and again in 2026. Based on our assessment of the current market and business outlook, we are establishing our initial EPS guidance for 2024 in the range of $0.85 to $1.10. As in prior years, our earnings are expected to be weighted more heavily in the second half of the year due to the anticipated timing of large activities as well as the typical business seasonality that is affected by the weather. Thank you, and with that, I'll turn the call over to Ryan to review the financial results. Thank you, Ron. And good afternoon, everybody.
We are expecting a return to positive earnings in 2024 and significantly higher earnings in 2025.
And again in 2026 based on our assessment of the current market and business outlook. We are establishing our initial EPS guidance for 2024.
In the range of 85 cents to $1 10.
As in prior years, our earnings are expected to be weighted more heavily in the second half of the year due to the anticipated timing of large activities as well as the typical business see seasonality.
That is affected by the weather, Thank you and with that I'll turn the call over to Ryan to review the financial results.
Thank you Rod and good afternoon, everybody I will start by discussing our results for the year, including a record operating cash after which I will review the fourth quarter, then I'll provide some commentary on our balance sheet, our 'twenty 'twenty four guidance assumptions and our refinancing.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: I will start by discussing our results for the year, including our record operating cash, after which I will review the fourth quarter. Then I'll provide some commentary on our balance sheet, our 2024 guidance assumptions, and our refinancing efforts. As Ron mentioned, operating cash is one of the major highlights of 2023. For the second year in a row, we achieved a record operating cash flow.
As Ron mentioned operating cash is one of the major highlights in 2023 for the second year in a row, we achieved a record operating cash flow and more impressive is the $308 million that we generated in 2023 with an increase of nearly 50% compared to the prior year record of $207 million in 2022.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: And more impressive is the $308 million that we generated in 2023, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the prior year record of $207 million in 2022. Our strong operating cash was driven by overall solid collection activities, including collections related to various settlements and dispute resolutions that we concluded in the latter part of 2022 and into 2023. Some of these were expedited settlements, as we continued with the focus we had begun in the latter part of 2022 on accelerating dispute resolutions and cash collections.
Strong operating cash was driven by overall solid collection activities, including collections related to various settlements and dispute resolutions that we concluded in the latter part of 2022 and then into 2023 seven.
Some of these were expedited settlements as we continued with the focus we have begun in the latter part of 2022 unexplored dispute resolutions in cash collections. In fact, we had a modest net favorable impact to earnings and cash generation in 2023 because of the various settlements concluded during the year compared to a significant unfavorable.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: In fact, we had a modest net favorable impact on earnings and cash generation in 2023 because of various settlements concluded during the year, compared to a significant unfavorable earnings impact related to settlements in 2022. We expect continued solid cash collections in 2024, much of which will be associated with the anticipated resolutions of various remaining disputes, and our cash generation should continue to be strong over the next several years as well. Our continued strong cash generation has already enabled us to begin utilizing some of the excess cash generated over the past several months to deleverage our balance sheet, something that we had indicated we planned to do in last quarter's conference call. As Ron said, last week we further paid down the balance of our Terminal B by approximately $91 million, a payment that was not due until the first week of April, but a payment that we decided to make early to save on interest expense.
Earnings impact related to settlements in 2022.
We expect continued solid cash collections in 2020 for much of which will be associated with and anticipate a resolution of various remaining disputes and our cash generation should continue to be strong over the next several years as well.
Our continued strong cash generation has already enabled us to begin utilizing some of the excess cash generated over the past several months to deleverage our balance sheet something that we had indicated we plan to do in last quarters Conference call as Ron said last week, we further paid down the balance of our terminal b by approximately $91 million of payment.
It was not due until the first week of April but the payment that we decided to make early to save on interest expense. After making this payment we still have significant cash available which is expected to be used for further debt reduction.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: After making this payment, we still have significant cash available, which is expected to be used for further debt reduction in conjunction with the refinancing of our senior notes. Revenue for 2023 was $3.9 billion, up slightly compared to $3.8 billion in 2022, primarily due to a lower amount of net unfavorable impacts related to settlements, litigation results, and other project charges in 2023 as compared to 2022. Civil segment revenue was $1.9 billion, up 9% compared to last year, primarily due to the absence of certain prior year unfavorable adjustments, as well as increased project execution activities on a mass transit project in California and various other projects in Guam and the northern Mariana Islands. Building segment revenue was $1.3 billion, up 5%, with growth driven by increased activities on various projects in California.
Further debt reduction in conjunction with the refinancing of our senior notes.
Yeah.
Revenue for 2023 was $3 9 billion up slightly compared to $3 8 billion in 2022, primarily due to a lower amount of net unfavorable impacts related to settlement litigation result, and other project charges in 2023 as compared to 2022.
Civil segment revenue was $1 9 billion up 9% compared to last year, primarily due to the absence of certain prior year unfavorable adjustments as well as increased project execution activities on a mass transit projects in California, and various other projects in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Building segment revenue was $1 3 billion up 5% with growth driven by increased activities on various projects in California.
The growth in the civil and building segment was mostly offset by a 15% decline and a specialty contractor segment with specialties revenue coming in at $694 million for 2020 three mainly due to decreased activities on the electrical and mechanical components and of completed transportation project.
In the North East.
Yeah.
We reported a reduced loss from construction operations at $115 million in 2020 three compared to a 205 million loss in 2022.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: The growth in the civil and building segment was mostly offset by a 15% decline in the specialty contractor segment, with specialty revenue coming in at $694 million for 2023, mainly due to decreased activities on the electrical and mechanical components of a completed transportation project in the Northeast. We reported a reduced loss from construction operations of $115 million in 2023 compared to a $205 million loss in 2022. Our results in both years were negatively impacted by net unfavorable adjustments on various projects, primarily due to changes in estimates resulting from recent negotiations, settlements, and legal judgments on certain disputed claims and unapproved change orders. Civil segment income from construction operations for 2023 was $199 million, up substantially compared to $21 million in 2022.
Our results in both years were negatively impacted by net unfavorable adjustments on various projects primarily due to changes in estimates, resulting from recent negotiations settlements and legal judgments on certain disputed claims and unapproved change orders Civil segment income from construction operations for 2023 was $199 million up.
<unk> compared to $21 million in 2022.
The strong improvement was driven by certain current year net favorable adjustments as well as higher volume on the projects I mentioned earlier and also the absence of significant prior year unfavorable adjustments.
The building segment posted a loss from construction operations of $91 million in 2023 compared to income from construction operations of $7 million in 2022.
The loss in 2023 was largely attributable to an adverse legal ruling in the first quarter of 2023 on a completed mixed use project in New York that resulted in a noncash pretax charge of $83 6 million.
Of which 72.2 million impacted the building segment and 11 4 million impacted the specialty contractor segment as well as an unfavorable adjustment of $14 6 million in the 2023 fourth quarter on a government building project in Florida due to increased costs associated with an external subcontractor.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: The strong improvement was driven by certain current-year net favorable adjustments, as well as higher volume on the projects I mentioned earlier, and also the absence of significant prior-year unfavorable adjustments. The building segment posted a loss from construction operations of $91 million in 2023, compared to an income from construction operations of $7 million in 2022. The loss in 2023 was largely attributable to an adverse legal ruling in the first quarter of 2023 on a completed mixed-use project in New York that resulted in a non-cash pre-tax charge of $83.6 million, of which $72.2 million impacted the building segment and $11.4 million impacted the specialty contractor segment, as well as an unfavorable adjustment of $14.6 million in the 2023 fourth quarter on a government building The specialty contractor segment posted a loss from construction operations of $145 million in 2023 compared to a loss of $168 million in 2022.
The specialty contract the specialty contractor segment posted a loss from construction operations of 145 million in 20th twenty-three compared to a loss of $168 million in 2022 the reduced loss from construction operations was primarily due to the reduced negative impact various unfavorable adjustments in 2023 as compared to.
In 2022.
We were significantly challenged once again in 2023 by charges in the specialty contractor segment related to various settlements or negotiations, partly due to our focus on expediting dispute settlements and cash collections and New York are focused that began in the latter part of 2022.
You can of course find further information about the various charges that negatively affected our results in 2023 and 2022 in our 10-K, which was filed today.
Note that the majority of the remaining larger disputes are expected to be resolved in 2024.
Corporate G&A expense of $75 million in 2023 compared to 62 million in 2022 with the increase primarily due to higher compensation related expenses charged to corporate in 2023 that were previously charged to the segments as well as higher outside professional fees. Other income was 17.
Billion dollars compared to $7 million last year, primarily due to a gain on sale of property in 2023 and interest expense for 2023 was $85 million compared to $70 million for 2022 with the increase driven by higher borrowing rates in 2023 on our revolver and term loan b.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: The reduced loss from construction operations was primarily due to the reduced negative impact of various unfavorable adjustments in 2023 as compared to 2022. However, we were significantly challenged once again in 2023 by charges in the specialty contractor segment related to various settlements and negotiations, partly due to our focus on expediting dispute settlements and cash collections in New York, a focus that began in the latter part of 2022. You can, of course, find further information about the various charges that negatively affected our results in 2023 and 2022 in our 10-K, which was filed today. Note that the majority of the remaining larger disputes are expected to be resolved in 2024. Boom! Boom! Boom!
We reported an income tax benefit of $55 million in 2020 three due to our significant pretax loss for the year and an effective tax rate of 31% compared to a larger tax benefit of $75 million with an effective tax rate of 28, 1% in 2022.
As we returned to profitability in 'twenty 'twenty four and in future years, the net operating losses generated in 2022 and 'twenty twenty-three will help reduce our cash outlays for future income taxes.
Net loss attributable to tutor Perini for 2023, it was 171 million or a loss of $3 30 per share compared to a net loss of $210 million or a loss of $4.09 per share in 2022. It was certainly another disappointing year for us in 2020 three from an earnings perspective, but as Ron met.
And we anticipate double digit revenue growth and a return to positive earnings in 'twenty 'twenty four with substantially stronger earnings expected in 2020, five and 'twenty 'twenty six.
Now, let's turn to the fourth quarter results.
Revenue for the fourth quarter was $1 billion up 13% compared to $907 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 civil.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: Corporate G&A expense was $75 million in 2023 compared to $62 million in 2022, with the increase primarily due to higher compensation-related expenses charged to corporate in 2023 that were previously charged to the segments, as well as higher outside professional fees. Other income was $17 million compared to $7 million last year, primarily due to a gain on the sale of property in 2020. An interest expense for 2023 was $85 million compared to $70 million for 2022, with the increase driven by higher borrowing rates in 2023 on a revolver and term loan B. We reported an income tax benefit of $55 million in 2023 due to our significant pre-tax loss for the year and an effective tax rate of 30.1%, compared to our larger tax benefit of $75 million with an effective tax rate of 28.1% in 2022.
Civil segment revenue was 459 billion up 5% compared to $440 million last year building segment revenue was $376 million up 15% from $327 million last year and specialty contractor segment revenue was 108 6 million up 33% compared to 140 million.
Last year, the revenue improvement across our businesses and across our business was largely attributable to fewer charges in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of 2022 for judgments and settlements.
Increased activities on certain civil segment projects in British Columbia in California, along with various building segment projects in California, and New York also contributed to the revenue revenue growth for the fourth quarter of 2023.
[laughter].
Civil segment income from construction operations for the fourth quarter of 2023, it was $28 million up substantially compared to $9 million for the same quarter last year. The strong improvement was primarily driven by the absence of prior year favorable charges on certain projects in the northeast and California.
The building segment posted a loss from construction operations of $7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a loss of $2 million for the fourth quarter of last year. The larger loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a current year unfavorable adjustment on a government facility project in Florida.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: As we return to profitability in 2024 and in future years, the net operating losses generated in 2022 and 2023 will help reduce our cash outlays for future income tax. The net loss attributable to Tutor Perini for 2023 was $171 million, or a loss of $3.30 per share, compared to a net loss of $210 million, or a loss of $4.09 per share, in 2022.
Partially offset by improved performance on other projects.
The specialty contractor segment posted a loss from construction operations of $24 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a loss of $86 million in the fourth quarter of last year at 2023 had fewer unfavorable adjustment than in the prior year.
[laughter].
In Corp, corporate G&A expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 19 million compared to $17 million for the same quarter last year.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: It was certainly another disappointing year for us in 2023 from an earnings perspective, but as Ron mentioned, we anticipate double-digit revenue growth and a return to positive earnings in 2024, with substantially stronger earnings expected in 2025 and 2026. Now, let's turn to the fourth quarter results. Revenue for the fourth quarter was $1 billion, up 13% compared to $907 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Civil segment revenue was $459 million, up 5% compared to $440 million last year. The building segment revenue was $376 million, up 15% from $327 million last year.
And other income for the fourth quarter was $5 million compared to $2 million last year.
Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $21 million compared to 20 of the $20 million last year.
Income tax benefit was $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to an income tax benefit of $28 million for the same quarter last year.
Net loss attributable to tutor perini for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $48 million or a loss of 91 cents per share compared to a net loss of $93 million or a loss of $1 80 per share in last year's fourth quarter.
Now I will address the balance sheet.
Our net debt as of December 31, 2023 was $519 million down $180 million or 26% compared to a net debt of 600 699 million at December 31, 2022, with a significant reduction due to our record cash flow in 2023.
As of December 31, 2023 we were in compliance with the covenants under our credit agreement and expect to continue to be in compliance in the future.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: And specialty contractor segment revenue was $186 million, up 33% compared to $140 million last year. The revenue improvement across our business was largely attributable to fewer charges in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of 2022 for judgments and settlement. Increased activities on certain civil segment projects in British Columbia and California, along with various building segment projects in California and New York, also contributed to the revenue growth for the fourth quarter of 2023. Civil segment income from construction operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $28 million, up substantially compared to $9 million for the same quarter last year. The strong improvement was primarily driven by the absence of prior year unfavorable charges on certain projects in the Northeast and California.
Next I'll provide some assumptions regarding our guidance.
G&A expense for 'twenty 'twenty four is expected to be between $265 million and 275 million depreciation and amortization expense is anticipated to be approximately 54 million in 2024 with depreciation at 52 million and amortization at two at $2 million.
Interest expense for 'twenty 'twenty four is expected to be approximately $83 million of which about $10 million will be noncash our effective income tax rate for 'twenty 'twenty four is expected to be approximately 22% to 24%.
We anticipate non controlling interest to be between $55 million and $65 million.
And we expect approximately 53 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding for 2024 and.
Capital expenditures are anticipated to be approximately $25 million to $30 million with about $5 million to $10 million of that being projects specific and owner funded.
Finally, as Ron mentioned, we are working to refinance our senior notes, we believe that our strong cash flow in 2023, continuing solid liquidity to date in 'twenty 'twenty four recent and further anticipated debt reductions and current credit market liquidity will allow us to complete our refinancing transactions by the end of April.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: The building segment posted a loss from construction operations of $7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a loss of $2 million for the fourth quarter of last year. The larger loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a current year unfavorable adjustment on a government facility project in Florida, partially offset by improved performance on other projects. The specialty contractor segment posted a loss from construction operations of $24 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a loss of $86 million in the fourth quarter of last year, as 2023 had fewer unfavorable adjustments than in the prior year. Corporate G&A expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $19 million compared to $17 million for the same quarter last year. And other income for the fourth quarter was $5 million, compared to $2 million last year. Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $21 million, compared to $20 million last year. The income tax benefit was $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to an income tax benefit of $28 million for the same quarter last year.
Thank you and with that I'll turn the call back over to Ron.
Thanks Ryan.
To recap we delivered another year of <unk>.
Significant operating cash flow strong backlog growth.
It made the necessary progress in settling in resolving the various disputed matters in 2023.
But our earnings were negatively impacted by certain charges associated with these resolutions.
As well as some negative court verdict that were unanticipated.
We believe that our operating cash flow will again continue to be strong and 24 in particular.
And also into 'twenty in 2025, as we resolve frankly the balance of the remaining legacy disputed matters, most of which will be accomplished by the end of this year and collected substantial associated cash there too.
We expect double digit revenue growth in 2024, as we continue to be in a strong bidding environment.
Yeah.
And that of course is reflected in our EPS guidance. We believe there will be even significantly higher earnings in 2025 and 26 as these new contract awards begin to generate.
Ryan Joseph Soroka: The net loss attributable to Tutor Perini for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $48 million, or a loss of $0.91 per share, compared to a net loss of $93 million, or a loss of $1.80 per share, in last year's fourth quarter. Now I will address the balance sheet. Our net debt as of December 31st, 2023 was $519 million, down $180 million, or 26% compared to our net debt of $699 million at December 31, 2022, with a significant reduction due to our record cash flow in 2023. As of December 31, 2023, we are in compliance with the covenants under our credit agreement and expect to continue to be in compliance in the future. Next, I'll provide some assumptions regarding our guidance. G&A expense for 2024 is expected to be between $265 million and $275 million. Depreciation and amortization expense is anticipated to be approximately $54 million in 2024, with depreciation at $52 million and amortization at $2 million. Interest expense for 2024 is expected to be approximately $83 million, of which about $10 million will be non-cash. Our effective income tax rate for 2024 is expected to be approximately 22% to 24%.
And if it can revenue associated with design build.
Our backlog is anticipated to grow this year significantly and next.
That is weird tracking and expect to capture certainly our share or more of the 32 billion of major near term opportunities with at best Limited competition.
Finally, we have begun to utilize some of our excess cash that we have been accumulating.
Continually reduce our debt.
Having paid down the term loan.
And having the cash available to reduce our bonds. We expect to successfully conclude our refinancing by the end of April.
Gary is here with us to participate in any questions. Thank you and I'll turn the call back to the operators.
Thank you we will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question. Please press star one on your telephone keypad.
Formations on wanting to keep that your line is another question Kim.
You May press star two if I can.
Most of your question from Kim.
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One moment please poll for questions.
Thank you. Our first question comes from the line of Steven Fisher with UBS. Please proceed with your question.
Hi, Good afternoon could you see the balance sheet continuing to improve and then Ron Hope you feel better soon.
Hum.
Wanted to just maybe start with unpacking, the fourth quarter a little bit.
We still had losses in two out of the three segments and can you just maybe break down for us how much of that.
Was projects that had some new charges on then versus what the the sort of the resolution of claims war that we're impacting losses. It seems like maybe there was a building project in Florida in the buildings segment driving that but I wasn't sure.
If there's any other kind of new project losses, there and similarly in the AR.
Ronald N. Tutor: We anticipate the non-controlling interest to be between $55 million and $65 million, and we expect approximately 53 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding for 2024. Additionally, capital expenditures are anticipated to be approximately $25 to $30 million, with about $5 to $10 million of that being project-specific and owner-funded. Finally, as Ron mentioned, we are working to refinance our senior notes. We believe that our strong cash flow in 2023, continuing solid liquidity to date in 2024, recent and further anticipated debt reductions, and current credit market liquidity will allow us to complete our refinancing transactions by the end of April. Thank you. And with that, I'll turn the call back over to Ron. Thanks, Ryan. To recap, we delivered another year of significant operating cash flow, strong backlog growth, and made the necessary progress in settling and resolving the various disputed matters. 2023.
In the specialty segment.
Well the building project in Florida, we find ourself with an unbounded sub that we've had that financed through the completion of this work so as to not impact our performance.
Candidly, we don't think there's any way to get the money back. So we took quite yet.
In the specialty group, we had continued significant write downs.
On the Newark job by both our mechanical and electrical subsidiaries.
If you could elaborate on anything beyond those that are specific to the fourth quarter, that's what I recall.
Yeah, Ryan I'll, let you go ahead.
Yeah to go on top of what Rod said, Yeah. We did continue to struggle in the specialty contractor segment there was.
Also our mechanical project in the North East and that that also took a charge in the fourth quarter and that that's also specifically disclosed in Form 10-K.
Oh, okay.
I'll dig those those out.
Maybe then who could.
A follow up with the civil it seems like there was maybe nothing in particular there.
Ronald N. Tutor: But our earnings were negatively impacted by certain charges associated with these resolutions, as well as some negative court verdicts that were unanticipated. We believe that our operating cash flow will again continue to be strong in 2024 in particular and also in 2025 as we resolve, frankly, the balance of the remaining legacy disputed matters, most of which will be accomplished by the end of this year, and collect the substantial associated cash thereto. We expect double-digit revenue growth in 2024 as we continue to be in a strong bidding environment, and that, of course, is reflected in our EPS guide. We believe there will be significantly higher earnings in 2025 and 2026 as these new contract awards begin to generate the significant revenue associated with the design bill.
Was there anything in particular that was weighing on the margins there are relative to what I think is the potential.
Potential for kind of double digit margin in the business and it just still trying to rebuild the book of business and improve the utilization there plus some seasonality or was there anything else in that segment are weighing all items in the quarter, where we're just coming back for Covid and two years of virtually nothing happening in the.
Civil business no disputes like the world stopped and it's back going again, and even though we were low bidder on over $11 billion worth of work in the last 18 months, none of which got awarded us over budget, they're all coming back on the market and where we really expect to get a.
Inefficient share of this new work. So we think our backlogs get them. He was gonna break every record and our revenue will go back to where it was more.
Okay. So maybe we can move on to the guidance.
Ronald N. Tutor: Our backlog is anticipated to grow significantly this year and next... As we are tracking and expect to capture certainly our share or more of the $32 billion of major near-term opportunity, with, at best, limited competition. Finally, we have begun to utilize some of our excess cash that we have been accumulating to continually reduce our debt, having paid down the term loan and having the cash available to reduce our bond. We expect to successfully conclude our refinancing by the end of April. Gary is here with us to participate in any questions.
And the double digit growth.
Just give us a sense of how that breaks out by segment are you expecting a double digit growth in each of the segments in 2024.
And you know kind of each quarter through the year and then I guess you said is more back end weighted but maybe you guys just starting with <unk>.
At the segment level.
I'll give you my sense first and then Ryan you can chip in with your knowledge of the numbers that I'm sure are better than mine.
The civil business will continue to grow, particularly as we add new work and it's very strong with no issues anywhere.
Operator: Thank you, and I'll turn the call back to the operator. Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone. The confirmation tone will indicate that your line is in the question, and you may press star 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the.
The building business is turning around dramatically not only the.
Prison in New York, but Rudolph and Sletten is in the process of transferring from.
[noise] Preconstruction activities major contract awards, we expect to see next year. So there's no question. The building business will go back to.
Significant profitability in the specialty business.
Simply restricted and continuing to be reduced to where other than FISC in Texas. Most of the work. They do is either with us or our subsidiaries and servicing the parent company.
Operator: One moment, please, while we poll for questions. (inaudible) Thanks. Good afternoon.
Unidentified Speaker: Good to see the balance sheet continuing to improve, and Ron, I hope you feel better soon. Thanks. I wanted to just maybe start unpacking the fourth quarter a little bit. We still had losses in two out of the three segments, and can you just maybe break down for us how much of that was projects that had some new charges on them versus what the resolutions of claims were that were impacting losses? It seemed like maybe there was a building project in Florida in the building segment driving that, but I wasn't sure if there were any other kind of new project losses there, and similarly in the specialty segment. On the Florida building project, we find ourselves with an unbonded sub that we've had to finance through to the completion of his work so as to not impact our performance. Candidly, we don't think there's any way to get the money back, so we took the hit.
Not out in the overall marketplace.
Okay.
Perfect. Okay, I agree with I agree with Ron on that.
Okay and to what extent does your EPS guidance include or exclude the impact of any.
Settlement, how should we think about that and then I guess my last question is are.
Are you expecting to incur losses than in any quarter of the year.
No its not by quarter, it's really.
We have we have made certain allowances for potential settlements and adverse judgments that we think are very safe.
But it's important to note that we believe that we're coming back to a reasonable degree of profitability were the years to follow significantly better because frankly there'll be no more litigation indoor dish boost try to saddle or to settle for less than what we're entitled to.
I see this Gary if I could just add to that another way to look at that as any any amount. That's recorded right. Now is where we think it's going to end up. So we don't think that we have any any charges at least not that we know of but you know.
Ronald N. Tutor: In the specialty group, we had continued significant write-downs on the Newark job by both our mechanical and electrical subsidiaries. And Gary, if you could elaborate on anything beyond those that were specific to the fourth quarter, that's what I recall. Yeah, Ryan Ollick.
It's hard to predict what settlement activity will be and what litigation outcomes might be even though we think it's.
It's likely or probable to be at the Pas, whose positions. We are at and then with our history of not always hitting guidance. We wanted to make sure that we built in enough contingency too to make guidance, a more reasonable and safer to to hit. So we we think there's adequate contingency there and as Ron.
Gary G. Smalley: Yeah, to go on top of what Ron said, you know, we did continue to struggle in the specialty contractor segment. There was also a mechanical project in the Northeast that also took a charge during the fourth quarter. And that's also specifically disclosed in Form 10-K. Okay, I'll dig those out.
Had noted before we expect 'twenty four 'twenty five to be years, where all of these things go get behind us and we're not talking about these you know in a couple of years from now.
And are you. Thanks, Gerry how are you expecting to be profitable in the first quarter.
Ronald N. Tutor: Maybe then, if we could follow up with the civil. It seems like there was, you know, maybe nothing in particular there. You know, was there anything in particular that was weighing on the margins there relative to what I think is the potential for a kind of double-digit margin in the business? Is it just, you know, still trying to rebuild the book of business and improve the utilization there, plus some seasonality? Or is there anything else in that segment that weighs on the margins of the quarter? We're just coming back from COVID for two years, virtually nothing happening in the civil business, no disputes, like the world stopped and it's back going again, and even though we were the lowest bidder on over 11 billion dollars worth of work in the last 18 months, none of which got awarded as over budget, they're all coming back on the market, and we really expect to get a significant share of this new work.
Yes, or are planning to be profitable in each quarter and you know when you asked one he and as Ryan noted runs answer was spot on with respect to two growth I'd I'd look at it this way growth really strong in in civil are quite strong and in building as well and.
And not quite as strong, but still respectively are at a respectable level in its specialty and as both year round noted.
You know, we will gain strength as a year.
You know progresses due to our seasonality, but we do expect out of the gate to be.
Modestly profitable.
Perfect I'll turn it over thank you very much.
Our next question comes from the line of Kevin Lee with Western Alliance Bank quite please proceed with your question.
Hi, Good afternoon, gentlemen, appreciate your time, Oh, just one quick housekeeping I know in previous quarters, you guys have disclosed or quantified. The charges that you guys had to take in any given quarter are is there a number by any chance for those noncash charges or prostate impairments for Q4.
Ronald N. Tutor: So we think our backlog is going to break every record, and our revenue will go back to where it was. Okay, so maybe we can move on to the guidance and the double-digit growth. Can you just give us a sense of how that breaks out by segment? Are you expecting double-digit growth in each of the segments in 2024 and, you know, kind of each quarter through the year? Well, I mean, I guess he says it's more back-end weighted, but maybe, I guess, just starting with, you know, the segment level.
Yes.
Yeah. So.
Again, the more significant and material items are gonna be disclosed in the K. So in the segment footnote as well in the MD&A. So I think we touched upon the.
Two largest earlier related to that the building segment projects in Florida.
Mechanical project in the northeast and as far as the like the aggregate total we do that for the year, but there's no fourth quarter disclosure that that's required in the case, so you'll only see the aggregate of let's say settlements or judgments or things like that for the year. Okay. Thanks, Kara and thanks, Ryan and lastly, maybe if you could talk about.
The project flows that you guys are seeing out there I know.
Ronald N. Tutor: I'll give you my sense first, and then Ryan, you can chip in with your knowledge of the numbers that I'm sure are better than mine. The civil business will continue to grow, particularly as we add new work, and it's very strong with no issues anywhere. The building business is turning around dramatically, not only the prison in New York, but Rudolph and Slutton are in the process of transferring from pre-construction activities, major contract awards we expect to see next year, so there's no question the building business will go back to very significant profitability, and the specialty business is simply restricted and continuing to be reduced to where, other than Fisk and Texas. Most of the work they do is either with us or our subsidiaries in servicing Perfect.
There've been quiet there were quite a few projects, namely the one the toll road in Maryland that got broken up you know could you maybe speak about the flow of our infrastructure spending and I guess that the funding that comes with that and if you're seeing that in terms of.
The progress with current Rfps and projects that you're bidding on it is what the timing of those should be like and if and when we might anticipate hearing or words of such sort things. So.
We're bidding all the time and we're waiting any day for the $800 million Amtrak tunnel that we bid two months ago.
We're going to be bidding the inglewood billions dollar trend.
Transit project in the second quarter, the hard job at 2 billion at the end of the second quarter or just.
We're bidding these major jobs is significant with never more than two other bidders that in most cases, one other better.
Ronald N. Tutor: I agree with Ron on that. Okay, and to what extent does your EPS guidance include or exclude the impact of any settlements? How should we think about that? And then, I guess my last question is, are you expecting to incur losses in any quarter of the year? No, it's not by quarter.
So the competition is diminished and it certainly seen as an opportunity.
And we're still hopefully going to be attacking the jobs, we've already been blowout and there's an unprecedented number of large projects hitting the marketplace, where the competition is very limited.
Ronald N. Tutor: It's really, we have made certain allowances for potential settlements and adverse judgments that we think are very safe. But it's important to note that we believe that we're coming back to a reasonable degree of profitability with years to follow significantly better because, frankly, there'll be no more litigation and disputes to try to settle or to settle for less than what we're entitled to. I see this, Gary, if I could just add to that. Another way to look at that is that any amount that's recorded right now is where we think it's going to end up. So we don't think that we have any charges, at least not that we know of.
Alright. Thanks.
Thanks, Kevin.
Our next question comes from the line of Michael Dahl with Midocean Partners. Please proceed with your question.
Hey, everyone. Thanks for taking the time just wanted to.
They get a little bit if I look at your billings in excess of cost of liability and compare that to either backlog or revenue seems to be at historical levels nearly double any other time in history, which to me would imply a fair amount of overbuilding.
Structurally changed in the business or should we expect this portion of the working capital reverse to more normalized levels.
Well the way to explain it is simple we have been.
Gary G. Smalley: But it's hard to predict what settlement activity will be and what litigation outcomes might be, even though we think it's likely or probable to be at the positions we are at. And then, with our history of not always hitting guidance, we want to make sure that we have built in enough contingency to make guidance more reasonable and safer to hit. So we think there's adequate contingency there, and as Ron noted before, we expect 24 and 25 to be years where all these things get behind us, and we're not talking about them, you know, in a couple of years from now.
Basically.
<unk> argued with and successfully been able to dictate higher mobilization payments on the theory, we don't work on our dollars we work on the owners.
And in most cases the projects have put much higher mobilization payments anywhere from eight to 10 per cent. When most jobs had nominal one to three per cent mobilizations that and the fact, we as most contractors try to stay ahead of the owner's money.
Yeah.
On the theory that there's no reason for us to invest our capital to building owners project.
So that's it's about the simplest way to sum that up and I think that trend will continue.
Okay.
That should reverse now.
Gary G. Smalley: And are you, thanks Gary, are you expecting to be profitable in the first quarter? Yes, our plan is to be profitable in each quarter, and you know when you asked Ron, as Ryan noted, Ron's answer was spot-on with respect to growth. I'd look at it this way, growth really strong in civil, quite strong in building as well, and not quite as strong but still respectably at a respectable level in specialty, and as both you and Ron noted, we'll gain strength as the year progresses due to our seasonality, but we do expect out of the gate to be modestly profitable. Terrific. I'll turn it over to you. Thank you very much.
And then just as you think about the refinancing what do you think the optimal leverage is for the business in the near term then more over the intermediate term.
Just given a lot of your peers.
Deleverage in that cash or very little leverage positions.
How does that cause that go into how you structure, a refinancing well, we hope to reduce the bond issue principal significantly we've reduced the term loan.
From what we're projecting and cash flows over the next two to three years, there's no reason not to reduce our leverage to two seasonal lows. The interest rates are so terrible.
There's no reason to borrow if we're going to generate this level of cash flow.
Because the company is well financed as we speak so the additional cash generated over the next two years I can't think of a better way to use it to reduce debt further, particularly at these absurd interest rates.
Kevin Lee: Our next question comes from the line of Kevin Lee with Western Alliance Bank Corp. Please proceed with your question. Hi, good afternoon, gentlemen.
Okay, great. Thank you.
Okay.
And I might add as well as the drag the interest is on our earnings.
Kevin Lee: Appreciate your time. Just one quick housekeeping question. I know in previous quarters you guys had disclosed or quantified the charges that you guys had to take in any given quarter. Is there a number, by any chance, for those non-cash charges or project impairments for Q4? Yeah.
Our next question comes from the line of.
<unk> with Bank of America. Please proceed with your question.
Oh, good afternoon, and thanks for taking my questions Oh and also thanks for that update on Tonight.
Few more you did note that the markets are strong no high yield a lot of money. That's being raised also on the private side, maybe you could just talk a little bit more about your framework around.
Kind of what you think your optimal.
It looks like.
Gary G. Smalley: So again, the more significant and material items are going to be disclosed in the K, and the segment footnote is in the MD&A. So, I think we touched upon the two largest earlier related to that, the building segment project in Florida and a mechanical project in the Northeast. And as far as the aggregate total, we do that for the year, but there's no fourth quarter disclosure that's required in the case. So, you'll only see the aggregate of, let's say, settlements or judgments or things like that for the year. Okay. Thanks, Gary. Thanks, Ryan.
Especially in light of kind of cash collections is expected to be strong.
This year, you want to speak to that I assume that means.
Currently in the second quarter refinancing as opposed to future.
Yeah, So you're looking at.
Hey.
Oh, Yeah, I mean, I was more looking at like Whoa.
Well, what's the structure of that what is what is your debt structure going to look like is it going to be bonds is it gonna be loans, I mean, especially like in light of the fact that you don't want to pay a high interest rates you kind of noted that and that you kind of expect cash collections this year or next year et cetera.
In the short term, we paid the term loan from 420 million to 260 give or take a million.
We intend to reduce the bond issue when we reset the bonds be it private or bugs, but significantly less than the $500 million and that's correct. So that takes place in 60 days. So as we continue to collect cash there's no reason to even stay with those levels of debt.
Ronald N. Tutor: And lastly, maybe if you could talk about kind of the project flows that you guys are seeing out there. I know there have been quite a few projects, namely the one, the toll road in Maryland that got broken up. You know, could you maybe speak about the flow of infrastructure spending and the funding that comes with it? And if you're seeing that in terms of the progress with current RFPs and projects that you're bidding on, what the timing of those should be like, and when we might anticipate hearing of awards of such a sort. Thanks.
We'll reduce it as it's appropriate given the liquidity needs.
The excess of cash.
And as far as how that looks structurally Abe it really depends on you know.
It's a little too early for us to know that right now we're looking at all options and we're progressing down.
No different paths and so we'll know a little bit more than you know maybe a couple of weeks.
But.
Ronald N. Tutor: We're bidding all the time, and we're waiting any day for the $800 million Amtrak tunnel that we bid two months ago. We're going to be bidding the Englewood billion dollar transit Project in the second quarter, the hard job at $2 billion at the end of the second quarter. We are bidding these major jobs of significance, with never more than two other bidders and, in most cases, one other.
You know if it's on the public side, we expect that as Ron said a much reduced.
Bond issuance and if it's on the private side then it could take a lot of different forms with.
Back to that loan in the end were not taken off the books of the possibility of a of a complete a recapitalization.
Depends on the the demand out there and and the terms are so again, we're looking at all options right now.
Ronald N. Tutor: So the competition is diminished, and it's certainly seen as an opportunity. And we're still, hopefully, going to be attacking the jobs we've already been losing. And there's an unprecedented number of large projects hitting the marketplace where the competition is very limited. All right, thanks. Thanks, Kevin.
That was very thorough thank you for that and you answered my follow up question on essentially a term loan.
I guess.
You also provider costs in excess of billings and good to see that trend lower.
Longer term, where do you where do you expect those what's like a normalized level of costs in excess of billings and when do you expect to reach that level.
Michael O'Dell: My next question comes from the line of Michael O'Dell with Mid-Ocean Partners. Please proceed with your question. Hey, everyone.
Assuming we get our revenue back up to five and a half billion or more which were which was where it was and should be back there hopefully within the next 12 to 15 months.
Michael O'Dell: Thanks for taking the time. I just wanted to dig in a little bit. If I look at your billings in excess of cost liability and compare that to either backlog or revenue, it seems to be at historical levels and nearly double any other time in history, which to me would imply a fair amount of overbilling. Has something structurally changed in the business? Or should we expect this portion of working capital to reverse to more normalized levels? Well, the way to explain it is simple.
Think of normalized amount, let's see I E is always kind of hover around 5% of revenue. So it would be if it was me to project 250 to 300 million of of <unk>.
Costs in excess disputed matters out wherever you want to classify them.
Would be something reasonable ours got out of control exacerbated by at two year hiatus in the courts, thanks to Covid, where our world just stopped.
Ronald N. Tutor: We have basically... argued with and successfully been able to dictate higher mobilization payments. On the theory that we don't work on our dollars; we work on the owners. And in most cases, the projects have put much higher mobilization payments, anywhere from 8 to 10 percent, when most jobs have a nominal 1 to 3 percent mobilization. That and the fact we, as most contractors, try to stay ahead of the owner's money, on the theory that there's no reason for us to invest in ARCTAP to build an owner's project, about the simplest way to sum it up, and I think that trend will continue Okay, you didn't expect that to reverse.
As they accumulate it and didn't resolve Conversely by the end of this year, we expect to see I E.
Be reduced dramatically from where it is even now.
Everything is finally coming to an end.
The owners either habit trial date, or they're asking for mediation can't be stalled off anymore.
Yeah.
Yeah. So so a D. As Ron was saying the cause is 5% that's really more focused on those things that are in dispute resolution.
And we're always going to have a little bit of C. I E that is more timing related or or a short term being negotiated with unapproved change over change orders that are not being disputed threep, though opponents to it.
Ronald N. Tutor: And then just as you think about the refinancing, what do you think the optimal leverage is for the business, you know, in the near term and then more over the intermediate term, just given a lot of your peers have de-leveraged their net cash or very little leverage positions? How does that go into how you structure a refinancing? Well, we hope to reduce the bond issue principle significantly. We've reduced the term loan, and from what we're projecting in cash flows over the next two to three years, there's no reason not to reduce our leverage to seasonal lows. The interest rates are so terrible that there's no reason to borrow if we're going to generate this level of cash flow because the company is well financed as we speak. So the additional cash generated over the next two years, I can't think of a better way to use it than to reduce debt further, particularly at these absurd interest rates. Okay, great. Thank you.
Yeah.
Okay.
So the 5% is the really the disputed bucket that Ron mentioned.
Okay.
And that is expected something on top of that so maybe like 10% something like 500 or 600, something like that maybe you don't know about south Florida five per cent for disputes I'd had no more than 2% for time being opened changes in negotiations.
See I think the disputed claims as always the lion's share of it. So if you wanted to add another 100 million on top of $2 50 to 300 that should be the Max.
That's very clear and last one is just stopped.
You kind of mentioned that there's 32 billion of projects out there with limited competition, and you're kind of saying typically youll see one or two bidders I mean.
And what have you seen as your typical like win rate.
And then given the limited competition, how do you expect go forward, that's going to change your longer term margins working capital requirements.
Abraham Raul Landa: And I might add, as well as the drag interest is on our earnings. Our next question comes from the line of Abe Landa with Bank of America. Please proceed with your question. Good afternoon.
Changes in our disputes et cetera anything.
Help us think about a company called one of the things that has happened in the last three years.
And Unfortunately, we got practically everything we bid over a period of 14 15 months. It resulted in 11 and a half a billion of new work all of which got rejected over budget all of which is coming back out to bid. What we've also done given the limited comp limited.
Abraham Raul Landa: Thanks for taking my questions. And also, thanks for that update on finance. And I have a few more.
Gary G. Smalley: You did note that the markets are strong, you know, high yield, a lot of money is being raised also on the private side. Can you just talk a little bit more about your framework around, kind of what you think your optimal debt looks like, especially in light of cash collections expected to be strong? Gary, do you want to speak to that?
Petition we were going to every owner because once you get over a $1 billion, there's only two or three companies.
Gary G. Smalley: I assume that means currently in the second quarter refinancing as opposed to.., future. Yeah, that's what you're looking at. Uh, yeah, I mean, I was more looking at, like... What is your debt structure going to look like? Is it going to be bonds?
<unk> four orders in the U S that can even bid it let alone do it.
So we go into their terms and we dictate changes the terms on the theory, if you're a very onerous terms you either change or we won't bid.
Ronald N. Tutor: Is it going to be loans? I mean, especially in light of the fact that you don't want to pay high interest rates, you kind of noted that, and that you kind of expect cash collections this year, next year, etc.? Well, in the short term, we paid the term loan from $420 million to $260 million, give or take a million. We intend to reduce the bond issue when we reset the bonds, be it private or public, significantly less than $500 million.
And they're usually faced with two bidders so if one of them withdraws, they only get one bit.
So we've been able to affect almost every change that is required an onerous contract terms.
Heretofore in the past when they had four or five bidders on every job. The owners that will then don't bet. If you don't like or contract well the warm has turned.
And do you have like a typical win rate or is it given to the threats 50.
Ronald N. Tutor: And that's current, so that takes place in 60 days. So as we continue to collect cash, there's no reason to even stay with those levels of debt. We'll reduce it as it's appropriate, given the liquidity needs and the excess of cash. And as far as how that looks structurally, Abe, it really depends on, you know, it's a little too early for us to know that right now. We're looking at all options, and we're progressing down, you know, different paths. And, you know, so we'll know a little bit more in, you know, maybe a couple of weeks.
Or something like that I cant give your win rate I would say if we took all the billions of dollars and up that we bid I could probably dig it out but I'd I'd guess, we were a 50% win rate or better.
Okay.
Thank you there are no further questions at this time I would like to turn the floor back over to CEO Ronald tutor for closing comments.
Thank you so much for your patience hopefully, giving you information that's helpful and until the next quarter. Thank you.
Gary G. Smalley: But, you know, if it's on the public side, we expect, as Ron said, a much reduced bond issuance, and if it's on the private side, then it could take a lot of different forms with respect to that loan and the, and we're not taking off the books. The possibility of a complete Recapitalization really depends on the demand out there and the terms. So again, we're looking at all options right now. That was very thorough. Thank you for that, and you answered my follow-up question on the potential term loan. I guess you also provide your costs in excess of billions. Good to see that trend going lower.
This concludes today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.
Mhm.
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Ronald N. Tutor: Longer term, where do you expect them? What's the normalized level of costs in excess of billions? And when do you expect them to reach those levels?
Yeah.
Hum.
Yes.
Ronald N. Tutor: Assuming we get our revenue back up to $5.5 billion or more, which was where it was and should be back there, hopefully, within the next 12 to 15 months, I think a normalized amount of CIE is always going to hover around 5% of revenue. So if it was me to project $250 million to $300 million... of Costs in Excess Disputed Matters, however you want to classify it, would be something reasonable. Ours got out of control, exacerbated by a two-year hiatus in the courts, thanks to COVID, where our world just stopped as the costs accumulated and didn't resolve. Conversely, by the end of this year, we expect CIE to be reduced dramatically from where it is even now. Everything's finally coming to an end.
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Gary G. Smalley: The owners either have a trial date, or they're asking for mediation. They can't be stalled any longer. Yeah, so Abe, as Ron was saying, the 5%, that's really more focused on those things that are in dispute resolution. And we're always going to have a little bit of CIE that is more timing-related or short-term being negotiated with unapproved change orders that are not being disputed. There are three components to it.
Yeah.
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Ronald N. Tutor: So the 5% is really the disputed bucket that Ron mentioned. And then it's expected something on top of that, maybe like 10%, so something like 500, 600, something like that. No, no, no. No, no, let's lower it. If it was 5% for disputes, I'd add no more than 2% for timing and open changes in negotiations. See, the disputed claims are always the lion's share.
Ronald N. Tutor: So if you wanted to add another $100 million on top of $250 million to $300 million, that should be the maximum. That's very clear. And the last one is just.
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Abraham Raul Landa: You kind of mentioned that there are 32 billion projects out there with limited competition. You're kind of saying, typically, you only see one to two bidders.
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Ronald N. Tutor: What have you seen as your typical, like, win rate? And then, given the limited competition, how do you expect to go forward that's going to change your longer-term margins and working capital requirements? Well, one of the things that have happened in the last three years, and unfortunately, we got practically everything we bid over a period of 14, 15 months that resulted in $11.5 billion of new work, all of which got rejected over budget, all of which is coming back out to bid. What we've also done, given the limited competition, is gone to every owner because once you get over a billion dollars, there's only two or three companies, including foreign So we go into their terms, and we dictate changes to terms in the theory.
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Ronald N. Tutor: If you have any objection to the owner's terms, you either change them or you won't bid. And they're usually faced with two bidders, so if one of them withdraws, they only get one bid. So we've been able to affect almost every change that is required in the owner's contract terms. And heretofore, in the past, when they had four or five bidders on every job, the owner's attitude was, well, then don't bid if you don't like our contract. Well, the worm has turned. And do you have a typical win rate, or is it given 2 to 3, it's 50 to a third, something like that? I can't give you a win rate, but I would say if we took all the billion dollars that we bid, I could probably dig it out, but I'd guess we have a 50% win rate or better.
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Ronald N. Tutor: Thank you. Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the floor back over to CEO Ronald Tutor for closing comments. Thank you so much for your patience, hopefully we've given you information that's helpful, and until the next quarter, thank you. This concludes today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation. [inaudible] https://www.youtube.com.au [inaudible] ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? © The Ultimate Parody Site! [inaudible] ?? ?? ?? ?? [inaudible] ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
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