MRC Global (MRC) Posts Narrower-than-Expected Loss In Q1

Renowned energy equipment and services company MRC Global Inc.’s (NYSE:MRC) first-quarter 2016 adjusted net loss of 10 cents was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 13 cents.

However, it must be noted that the company had posted adjusted net income of 28 cents last year. Weak customer demand due to unfavorable conditions in the oil and gas market, along with a strong U.S. dollar, partially offset the benefits from the company’s strategic growth initiatives.

Revenues

MRC Global’s revenues decreased 39.4% year over year to $783 million. The year-over-year decline was primarily attributable to reduced customers’ spending across all the three segments of the company due to weak natural gas and oil prices.

However, the top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $754 million.

Performance of the Segments

MRC Global’s first-quarter sales in the U.S. totaled $606 million, down 38% year over year. The decline was primarily attributable to weak customer spending in all three sectors of the company.

International sales aggregated $113 million, down 44% year over year. Lower project-related activities and deferral in the repair, maintenance and operational expenditure in the U.K., Norway, Singapore and Australia led to the decline in revenues. Moreover, a strong U.S. dollar was largely responsible for the year-over-year fall in revenues.

Revenues from Canada plunged 46% year over year to $64 million due to a strong U.S. dollar.

Revenues by Sector

For the first quarter, upstream sales were $231 million, down 58% year over year. Weak customer activity resulted in the year-over-year deterioration.

Midstream sales totaled $278 million in the first quarter, down 27% year over year. The company’s midstream sales decreased due to soft demand from transmission customers.

The company’s first-quarter downstream sales fell 25% year over year to $274 million. The year-over-year decline was primarily attributable to poor project activity.

Margins & Costs

Adjusted gross profit margin was 18.7%, marginally up from 18.6% in the year-ago quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $137 million, down from $159 million a year ago.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) totaled $19 million, down from $87 million in the prior-year quarter.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow

MRC Global exited the first quarter with cash balance of $121 million, up from $69 million as of Dec 31, 2015. At the quarter end, the company’s long-term debt, net of current portion, decreased to $510 million from $511 million at year-end 2015.

In the first quarter, MRC Global generated $58 million of cash from operating activities compared with $115 million generated in the prior-year quarter. Total capital expenditure was $10 million compared with $4 million at the end of first-quarter 2015.

Outlook

Despite the unfavorable market conditions, MRC Global expects to improve its business on the back of superior customer relationships, working capital optimization, operational expense management and balance sheet strengthening.

Stocks to Consider

MRC Global presently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the industry include Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE:MWA) , Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI) and Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:ABX) . All the three companies presently hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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