Consolidated Water Reports First Quarter 2024 Revenue up 21% to $39.7 Million, Driving Net Income from Continuing Operations of $6.9 Million or $0.43 Diluted EPS

Rhea-AI Summary

Consolidated Water (NASDAQ: CWCO) reported a 21% increase in Q1 2024 revenue, reaching $39.7 million. Net income from continuing operations was $6.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, up from $4.1 million or $0.26 per share in Q1 2023. Retail revenue increased by 11% to $8.6 million, services revenue surged by 37% to $17.4 million, and manufacturing revenue rose by 57% to $5.3 million.

Operational highlights include the substantial completion of an $81 million water treatment plant in Arizona and ongoing work on a $150 million desalination project in Hawaii. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $46.2 million, with working capital of $95.0 million. The company also noted a 10% increase in retail water volume sold in Grand Cayman.

Positive

• Revenue increased by 21% to $39.7 million.
• Net income from continuing operations rose to $6.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share.
• Retail revenue up 11% to $8.6 million.
• Services revenue increased 37% to $17.4 million.
• Manufacturing revenue surged 57% to $5.3 million.
• Gross profit increased by 31% to $13.9 million.
• Cash and cash equivalents stood at $46.2 million.
• Working capital was $95.0 million.
• Completion of an $81 million water treatment plant in Arizona.
• Ongoing work on a $150 million desalination project in Hawaii.
• 10% increase in retail water volume sold in Grand Cayman.

Negative

• Bulk segment revenue decreased by $0.7 million.
• A 2% decline in the volume of water sold by CW-Bahamas.
• Net loss from discontinued operations was $0.5 million.
• Decrease in the volume of water sold to the Water Authority - Cayman.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Consolidated Water's 21% revenue increase to $39.7 million signals strong performance across several segments. Notably, the services segment exhibited a 37% growth, driven by the impressive 93% increase in recurring revenue from operations and maintenance contracts. This indicates effective integration and performance of the acquired REC. The manufacturing segment also saw a substantial rise, with revenues increasing by 57%, reflecting heightened project activity and efficiency.

The net income from continuing operations stood at $6.9 million or $0.43 per diluted share, a significant rise from the previous year's $4.1 million or $0.26 per diluted share. This indicates improved profitability and operational efficiency. Moreover, maintaining a robust cash position of $46.2 million and working capital of $95 million reflects strong financial health and liquidity. Such financial metrics suggest potential for sustained growth and investor confidence.

Market Research Analyst

The surge in retail revenue by 11% to $8.6 million and services revenue by 37% to $17.4 million corroborates Consolidated Water's strategic focus on expanding its market presence. The company's entry into regions like Colorado and the ongoing projects in Hawaii and Arizona show a deliberate approach to target water-stressed areas, positioning it favorably amidst rising demand for sustainable water solutions. The completion of the pilot plant in Hawaii and anticipation of increased revenue from 2025 further strengthens its growth trajectory in the U.S. desalination market.

The increase in manufacturing revenue by 57% to $5.3 million also signifies robust project execution capabilities and higher project turnover. Investors can infer that the company is well-placed to capitalize on the growing need for advanced water treatment solutions, which could translate into long-term revenue streams and market share expansion.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CWCO), a leading designer, builder and operator of advanced water supply and treatment plants, reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. All comparisons are to the same prior year period unless otherwise noted.

The company will hold a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow to discuss the results (see dial-in information below).

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

• Total revenue up 21% to $39.7 million.
• Retail revenue up 11% to $8.6 million.
• Services revenue increased 37% to $17.4 million, with recurring services revenue generated from operations and maintenance contracts up 93% to $7.1 million.
• Manufacturing revenue increased 57% to $5.3 million. 
• Net income from continuing operations attributable to company stockholders was $6.9 million or $0.43 per diluted share, as compared to $4.1 million or $0.26 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2023.
• Cash and cash equivalents totaled $46.2 million and working capital was $95.0 million as of March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Operational Highlights

• Recognized $4.9 million in revenue on the construction of a $81 million water treatment plant in Goodyear, Arizona, being completed by the company’s subsidiary, PERC Water Corporation (PERC). The project was certified substantially complete in January 2024, with the remaining work planned for completion by the end of the second quarter of this year.
• Volume of retail water sold in the company’s licensed service area increased 10% to a record 267.6 million gallons.
• Continued construction of a new 2.6 million gallon per day Red Gate desalination plant in Grand Cayman and received substantial completion from the customer on May 1st.
• Continued piloting, design and permitting for a $150 million project to design, construct, operate and maintain a seawater desalination plant in Hawaii announced in June of last year.
• Recognized $1.8 million in operations and maintenance revenue from Ramey Environmental Compliance, Inc. (REC). REC was acquired by the company in October 2023 to create a new channel for expansion of the company’s presence in water-stressed regions in Colorado.

Management Commentary

“In Q1, we reported a 21% increase in revenue to $39.7 million, reflecting strong growth across three of our four business segments,” stated company CEO, Rick McTaggart. “Our retail water segment benefited from a 10% increase in the volume of water sold to customers in our exclusive utility license area on Grand Cayman, with this increase largely due to resident population growth and less rainfall during the quarter.

“Our 37% growth in services segment revenue resulted from slightly higher design-build revenue along with a 93% increase in recurring operating and maintenance revenue generated by PERC and our newly acquired subsidiary, REC.

“In the first quarter, we recognized the addition of $1.8 million in operations and maintenance revenue from REC. REC’s stellar track record and industry reputation gives us a very effective new channel to provide design-build and operations services in water-stressed regions of Colorado. REC operates and maintains water and wastewater treatment plants and provides technical services to more than 100 clients in the mountain and eastern plains regions of Colorado which is very similar to PERC’s O&M business.

“PERC’s strong operating performance and revenue growth continues to significantly improve the results of our services segment and our top and bottom line. Its expanding presence in the Southwestern U.S. — a region that urgently needs new fresh water sources due to population growth and continued drought conditions — has positioned us for further growth and development in this important segment of our business.

“During the quarter, we continued our site investigation, engineering, permitting and public outreach under our contract to design, construct, operate and maintain a $150 million seawater desalination plant in Oahu, Hawaii. We completed the installation and commissioning of the Hawaii pilot plant during the quarter and on schedule.

“We anticipate recognizing significantly more revenue from the Hawaii project beginning in 2025, particularly in the second half when we expect to break ground on construction of the full plant. We believe our 50 years of experience in designing, building and operating many of the world’s most energy-efficient seawater desalination plants will ensure that this project is successful and will exceed the expectations of our client, the Board of Water Supply of Honolulu.

“We also believe our entrance into the U.S. desalination market in Hawaii positions us well for other opportunities we see emerging in the drought-stricken Western Continental U.S.

“Looking ahead, we remain very optimistic about our future growth prospects and for many reasons. This includes water sales growth in Grand Cayman and our Hawaii design-build-operate project underway, as well as the robust project bidding activity we continue to see in the Western U.S. We are currently pursuing a number of design and build projects which could begin in 2025 and subsequent years.

“We believe our highly efficient and aesthetically pleasing treatment plant designs, world-class operating and maintenance capabilities, and our innovative project delivery models are all superior to others and therefore provide us with strong competitive advantages. Combined with flourishing markets, we believe this all represents strong drivers for growth, increased profitability, and further strengthening of shareholder value.”

First Quarter 2024 Financial Summary

Revenue totaled $39.7 million, up 21% compared to $32.9 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily driven by increases of $0.9 million in the retail segment, $4.7 million in the services segment and $1.9 million in the manufacturing segment. The increase was partially offset due to a decrease of $0.7 million in the bulk segment.

Retail revenue increased primarily due to a 6% increase in the volume of water sold. The volume of water sold in the Cayman Water license area to retail end-user customers increased by 10% due to resident population growth and less rainfall on Grand Cayman in the first quarter of 2024. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in the volume of water sold directly to the Water Authority - Cayman.

The decrease in bulk segment revenue was due to a decrease of 2% in the volume of water sold by CW-Bahamas and lower energy costs, which decreased the energy pass-through component of the company’s bulk water rates.

The increase in services segment revenue was primarily due to plant construction revenue increasing 6% to $9.2 million. The company recognized approximately $4.9 million in revenue for the construction of the water treatment plant in Goodyear, Arizona.

Revenue generated under operations and maintenance contracts totaled $7.1 million in the first quarter of 2024, up 93% from the first quarter of 2023. REC contributed $1.8 million of the increase, with the remainder of the increase related to new PERC contracts.

The increase in manufacturing segment revenue was due to higher project activity.

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2024 was $13.9 million or 35% of total revenue, up 31% from $10.6 million or 32% of total revenue in the first quarter of 2023.

Net income from continuing operations attributable to stockholders for the first quarter of 2024 was $6.9 million or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.1 million or $0.26 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2023.

Net income attributable to Consolidated Water stockholders for the first quarter of 2024, which includes the results of discontinued operations, was $6.5 million or $0.40 per diluted share, up from net income of $3.8 million or $0.24 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2023.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $46.2 million as of March 31, 2024, with working capital of $95.0 million, debt of $0.3 million, and stockholders’ equity of $192.1 million.

First Quarter Segment Results

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Retail				Bulk				Services				Manufacturing				Total
Revenue	$	8,624,938			$	8,342,094			$	17,417,611			$	5,304,747			$	39,689,390
Cost of revenue		3,551,344				5,565,258				12,668,939				4,025,826				25,811,367
Gross profit		5,073,594				2,776,836				4,748,672				1,278,921				13,878,023
General and administrative expenses		4,104,332				344,141				1,597,854				517,702				6,564,029
Income from operations	$	969,262			$	2,432,695			$	3,150,818			$	761,219				7,313,994
Other income, net																		418,184
Income before income taxes																		7,732,178
Provision for income taxes																		621,696
Net income from continuing operations																		7,110,482
Income from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests																		169,068
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders																		6,941,414
Net loss from discontinued operations																		(467,066	)
Net income attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders																	$	6,474,348

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Retail				Bulk				Services				Manufacturing				Total
Revenue	$	7,771,095			$	9,004,373			$	12,721,701			$	3,371,821			$	32,868,990
Cost of revenue		3,550,794				6,243,146				10,044,078				2,471,890				22,309,908
Gross profit		4,220,301				2,761,227				2,677,623				899,931				10,559,082
General and administrative expenses		4,177,107				352,975				1,088,672				417,908				6,036,662
Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net		(7,287	)			11,270				—				1,933				5,916
Income from operations	$	35,907			$	2,419,522			$	1,588,951			$	483,956				4,528,336
Other income, net																		157,059
Income before income taxes																		4,685,395
Provision for income taxes																		449,485
Net income from continuing operations																		4,235,910
Income attributable to non-controlling interests																		163,121
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders																		4,072,789
Net loss from discontinued operations																		(259,163	)
Net income attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders																	$	3,813,626

Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

The company has set May 28, 2024 as the date of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 3:00 p.m. Cayman Islands time (4:00 p.m. EDT) at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Holders of record of the company’s stock as of March 28, 2024 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.

Conference Call

Consolidated Water management will host a conference call tomorrow to discuss these results, which will include a question-and-answer period.

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern time (8:00 a.m. Pacific time)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-844-875-6913
International dial-in number: 1-412-317-6709
Conference ID: 6934674

Please call the conference telephone number five minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you require any assistance connecting with the call, please contact CMA at 1-949-432-7566.

A replay of the call will be available after 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through May 23, 2024, as well as available for replay via the Investors section of the Consolidated Water website at www.cwco.com.

Toll-free replay number: 1-877-344-7529
International replay number: 1-412-317-0088
Replay ID: 6934674

About Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.

Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. develops and operates advanced water supply and treatment plants and water distribution systems. The company designs, constructs and operates seawater desalination facilities in the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands, and designs, constructs and operates water treatment and reuse facilities in the United States. The company recently entered the U.S. desalination market with a contract to design, constructs, operate and maintain a seawater desalination plant in Hawaii.

The company also manufactures and services a wide range of products and provides design, engineering, management, operating and other services applicable to commercial and municipal water production, supply and treatment, and industrial water and wastewater treatment. For more information, visit cwco.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe", "estimate", "project", "intend", "expect", "should", "will" or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to (i) continued acceptance of the company's products and services in the marketplace; (ii) changes in its relationships with the governments of the jurisdictions in which it operates; (iii) the outcome of its negotiations with the Cayman government regarding a new retail license agreement; (iv) the collection of its delinquent accounts receivable in the Bahamas; and (v) various other risks, as detailed in the company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For more information about risks and uncertainties associated with the company’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of the company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting the company’s Secretary at the company’s executive offices or at the “Investors – SEC Filings” page of the company’s website at http://ir.cwco.com/docs. Except as otherwise required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Contact:
David W. Sasnett
Executive Vice President and CFO
Tel (954) 509-8200
Email Contact

Investor Relations Contact:
Ron Both or Grant Stude
CMA Investor Relations
Tel (949) 432-7566
Email Contact

Media Contact:
Tim Randall
CMA Media Relations
Tel (949) 432-7572
Email Contact

CONSOLIDATED WATER CO. LTD. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	March 31,				December 31,
	2024				2023
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	46,177,641			$	42,621,898
Accounts receivable, net		41,764,256				38,226,891
Inventory		4,181,593				6,044,642
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,766,319				4,056,370
Contract assets		23,340,495				21,553,057
Current assets of discontinued operations		542,257				211,517
Total current assets		118,772,561				112,714,375
Property, plant and equipment, net		54,848,748				55,882,521
Construction in progress		819,420				495,471
Inventory, noncurrent		5,005,026				5,045,771
Investment in OC-BVI		1,262,474				1,412,158
Goodwill		12,861,404				12,861,404
Intangible assets, net		3,189,092				3,353,185
Operating lease right-of-use assets		2,052,610				2,135,446
Other assets		3,227,950				3,407,973
Long-term assets of discontinued operations		21,126,898				21,129,288
Total assets	$	223,166,183			$	218,437,592
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	11,148,185			$	11,604,369
Accrued compensation		4,337,849				3,160,030
Dividends payable		1,578,080				1,572,655
Current maturities of operating leases		381,423				456,865
Current portion of long-term debt		183,382				192,034
Contract liabilities		5,459,342				6,237,011
Deferred revenue		261,242				317,017
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		453,081				364,665
Total current liabilities		23,802,584				23,904,646
Long-term debt, noncurrent		149,824				191,190
Deferred tax liabilities		83,931				530,780
Noncurrent operating leases		1,735,851				1,827,302
Other liabilities		153,000				153,000
Total liabilities		25,925,190				26,606,918
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders' equity
Redeemable preferred stock, $0.60 par value. Authorized 200,000 shares; issued and outstanding 44,025 and 44,297 shares, respectively		26,415				26,578
Class A common stock, $0.60 par value. Authorized 24,655,000 shares; issued and outstanding 15,828,929 and 15,771,545 shares, respectively		9,497,357				9,462,927
Class B common stock, $0.60 par value. Authorized 145,000 shares; none issued		—				—
Additional paid-in capital		92,431,605				92,188,887
Retained earnings		90,113,086				85,148,820
Total Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders' equity		192,068,463				186,827,212
Non-controlling interests		5,172,530				5,003,462
Total equity		197,240,993				191,830,674
Total liabilities and equity	$	223,166,183			$	218,437,592

CONSOLIDATED WATER CO. LTD. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024				2023
Revenue	$	39,689,390			$	32,868,990
Cost of revenue		25,811,367				22,309,908
Gross profit		13,878,023				10,559,082
General and administrative expenses		6,564,029				6,036,662
Gain on asset dispositions and impairments, net		—				5,916
Income from operations		7,313,994				4,528,336
Other income (expense):
Interest income		334,142				113,644
Interest expense		(33,501	)			(37,844	)
Profit-sharing income from OC-BVI		20,250				14,175
Equity in the earnings of OC-BVI		57,316				35,558
Other		39,977				31,526
Other income, net		418,184				157,059
Income before income taxes		7,732,178				4,685,395
Provision for income taxes		621,696				449,485
Net income from continuing operations		7,110,482				4,235,910
Income from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests		169,068				163,121
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders		6,941,414				4,072,789
Loss from discontinued operations		(467,066	)			(259,163	)
Net income attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$	6,474,348			$	3,813,626
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders
Continuing operations	$	0.44			$	0.26
Discontinued operations		(0.03	)			(0.02	)
Basic earnings per share	$	0.41			$	0.24
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders
Continuing operations	$	0.43			$	0.26
Discontinued operations		(0.03	)			(0.02	)
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.40			$	0.24
Dividends declared per common and redeemable preferred shares	$	0.095			$	0.085
Weighted average number of common shares used in the determination of:
Basic earnings per share		15,828,929				15,723,595
Diluted earnings per share		15,984,548				15,888,028

FAQ

What was Consolidated Water's Q1 2024 revenue?

Consolidated Water's Q1 2024 revenue was $39.7 million, an increase of 21% year-over-year.

What was the net income from continuing operations for CWCO in Q1 2024?

The net income from continuing operations for CWCO in Q1 2024 was $6.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share.

How much did CWCO's services revenue increase in Q1 2024?

CWCO's services revenue increased by 37% to $17.4 million in Q1 2024.

What was the increase in retail water volume sold in Q1 2024?

The retail water volume sold in Q1 2024 increased by 10% to 267.6 million gallons.

How much cash and cash equivalents did CWCO have as of March 31, 2024?

CWCO had $46.2 million in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024.

What was CWCO's working capital as of March 31, 2024?

CWCO's working capital as of March 31, 2024, was $95.0 million.

What were the key projects mentioned in CWCO's Q1 2024 report?

Key projects include the substantial completion of an $81 million water treatment plant in Arizona and a $150 million desalination project in Hawaii.

How did CWCO's bulk segment perform in Q1 2024?

CWCO's bulk segment revenue decreased by $0.7 million in Q1 2024.