Hudson Technologies Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Hudson Technologies (NASDAQ: HDSN) reported its Q4 and full-year 2024 results, showing mixed performance amid challenging market conditions. The company ended 2024 with a strong balance sheet of $70.1 million in cash and no debt. Full-year revenues decreased 18% to $237.1 million, with gross margin compression to 28% from 39% in 2023, primarily due to HFC refrigerant price declines of up to 45%.

Despite market challenges, Hudson achieved an 18% increase in refrigerant reclamation volume and completed the strategic acquisition of USA Refrigerants in June 2024. The company's net income for 2024 was $24.4 million ($0.54 per basic share), compared to $52.2 million in 2023. During 2024, Hudson executed $8.1 million in stock buybacks, with $5.5 million occurring in Q4.

Positive

• Strong balance sheet with $70.1M cash and zero debt
• 18% increase in refrigerant reclamation volume
• Strategic acquisition of USA Refrigerants expanding recovery network
• $8.1M stock buyback completed
• Includes $2.3M non-recurring income from litigation settlement

Negative

• Revenue declined 18% to $237.1M
• Net income dropped 53% to $24.4M
• Gross margin compressed to 28% from 39%
• HFC refrigerant prices declined up to 45%
• Q4 operating loss of $3.2M vs $4.7M profit in 2023

Insights

Financial Analyst

Hudson Technologies' Q4 and full-year 2024 results reveal significant market challenges with revenue declining 18% to $237.1 million for the year and Q4 revenue down 23% to $34.6 million. The primary driver was a severe market pricing decline of up to 45% for certain HFC refrigerants, overwhelming modest volume gains. This pricing pressure compressed gross margins to 28% for the full year, down substantially from 39% in 2023.

Despite these headwinds, Hudson maintained overall profitability with $24.4 million in net income ($0.54 per basic share), though this represents a 53% decline from 2023's $52.2 million. The company's 18% increase in reclamation volume demonstrates execution on its core strategy of positioning for the HFC phasedown.

Hudson's balance sheet remains exceptionally strong with $70.1 million in cash and zero debt - a significant competitive advantage in this challenging environment. Management's decision to repurchase $8.1 million of common stock signals confidence in their long-term positioning, with $5.5 million of those repurchases occurring in Q4 alone.

The USA Refrigerants acquisition in June 2024 represents a strategic expansion of Hudson's reclamation capabilities at a critical industry inflection point. As virgin HFC supplies become increasingly constrained under regulatory phasedowns, Hudson is building infrastructure to capitalize on the growing gap between supply and demand through reclaimed refrigerants.

Environmental Industry Expert

Hudson's 2024 results reflect the complex dynamics of a refrigerant industry in transition. The 18% increase in reclamation volume is particularly significant against the backdrop of HFC phasedown regulations. This metric demonstrates Hudson's operational execution in its core environmental service at a critical inflection point for the industry.

The pricing challenges for HFCs (declining up to 45%) represent temporary market imbalances as the supply chain adjusts to regulatory-driven changes. Higher upstream inventory accumulation ahead of phasedown schedules created short-term oversupply, but this doesn't alter the fundamental trajectory toward reduced virgin HFC availability.

The USA Refrigerants acquisition has strategic environmental significance beyond financial considerations. By expanding Hudson's recovery network, the company strengthens its position in the circular economy for refrigerants - capturing more end-of-life gases that might otherwise be released. This expanded recovery infrastructure enables Hudson to scale reclamation as market dynamics inevitably shift toward greater reliance on reclaimed materials.

Long-term industry fundamentals remain aligned with Hudson's business model. As virgin HFC production quotas continue stepping down under the AIM Act, the installed equipment base will increasingly rely on reclaimed refrigerants. Hudson's focus on building reclamation capacity positions it to bridge the growing gap between diminishing virgin supply and ongoing service demand. The pricing pressures of 2024 reflect market adaptation rather than structural weakness in the reclamation value proposition.

• Strong unlevered balance sheet with $70.1 million in cash and no debt
• Repurchased $8.1 million of common stock in 2024
• Increased refrigerant reclamation volume by 18% in 2024
  

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudson Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HDSN) announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

Brian F. Coleman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Technologies, commented, “Our fourth quarter 2024 results reflected the seasonally slower sales activity we have historically seen outside of our nine-month selling season. Full year 2024 results reflected a challenging selling season in which market pricing for certain HFC refrigerants declined by up to 45% from last year’s levels which more than offset the slight gains we achieved in sales volume. The decline in refrigerant pricing was driven by higher than anticipated inventory levels up stream in the marketplace built up in advance of the HFC phaseout. During our many decades in this industry, we have successfully weathered unfavorable pricing environments by staying focused on what we can control – ensuring that our customers have the right refrigerants where and when they need them and promoting recovery and reclamation activities as our industry transitions to lower GWP equipment and refrigerants. We navigated 2024 with that focus and remain committed to our operating strategy. In fact, our overall reclaim activity increased 18% in 2024.

“As we move through 2025, we maintain our long-term view that the current phase down of HFC refrigerants creates a significant opportunity for our reclamation business. The installed base of HFC equipment will be operable for many years to come, and as the supply of virgin HFCs becomes limited, reclaimed HFCs will be needed to fill the anticipated supply/demand gap. With that in mind, we are intent on maximizing our recovery and reclamation capabilities, as evidenced by our strategic acquisition of USA Refrigerants in June 2024. Refrigerant recovery is integral to the reclamation process and the USA Refrigerants acquisition provides Hudson access to a previously untapped recovery network. This, coupled with our ongoing efforts to promote recovery in the field, has strengthened our reclaimed refrigerant supply chain. We are now better positioned to continue to grow our leadership position in the reclamation landscape.

“Our strong unlevered balance sheet with $70.1 million in cash and no debt at December 31, 2024 provides us the financial flexibility to continue executing on our three-pillar capital allocation strategy: invest in organic growth; explore acquisition opportunities; and opportunistically repurchase stock. During the fourth quarter, we repurchased $5.5 million of common stock under the stock buyback plan that was originally established in the third quarter of 2024. During full year 2024, the Company repurchased $8.1 million of common stock,” Mr. Coleman concluded.

Three Months Results

For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, Hudson reported:

• Revenues of $34.6 million, a decrease of 23% compared to revenues of $44.9 million in the comparable 2023 period. The decrease is related to decreased prices for certain refrigerants and lower DLA activity.
• Gross margin of 17%, compared to 31% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The gross margin compression in 2024 was predominately price driven.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $8.0 million compared to $8.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Operating loss of ($3.2) million, compared to operating income of $4.7 million in the prior year period.
• Net loss of ($2.6) million or ($0.06) per basic and diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net income of $3.9 million or $0.09 per basic and $0.08 per diluted share in the same period of 2023.
  

Full Year 2024 Results

For the full year ended December 31, 2024, Hudson reported:

• Revenues of $237.1 million, a decrease of 18% compared to revenues of $289.0 million for 2023. Revenues declined due to decreased selling prices for certain refrigerants, partially offset by slightly increased sales volumes. Additionally, as expected, revenue from the Company’s DLA contract during full year 2024 declined as compared to full year 2023 contract revenue, related to surge purchases of approximately $20 million recorded in 2023.
• Gross margin of 28%, compared to gross margin of 39% in full year 2023. The gross margin compression in 2024 was predominately price driven.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $33.0 million compared to $30.5 million in 2023. Included in the 2024 selling, general and administrative expenses are approximately $0.7 million of costs associated with the USA Refrigerants acquisition and IT expenses.
• Operating income of $29.3 million compared to operating income of $78.2 million in 2023.
• Net income of $24.4 million or $0.54 per basic and $0.52 per diluted share, compared to net income of $52.2 million or $1.15 per basic and $1.10 per diluted share in full year 2023. Net income in full year 2024 included approximately $2.3 million of non-recurring income, arising in part from proceeds of a litigation settlement.
  

Conference Call Information

Hudson Technologies will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2024 results.

Please visit this link at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register and receive dial-in and webcast details.

A replay of the teleconference will be available until April 5, 2025, and may be accessed by dialing (877) 481-4010. International callers may dial (919) 882-2331. Callers should use conference ID: 52007.

About Hudson Technologies

Hudson Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable refrigerant products and services to the Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration industry. For nearly three decades, we have demonstrated our commitment to our customers and the environment by becoming one of the first in the United States and largest refrigerant reclaimers through multimillion dollar investments in the plants and advanced separation technology required to recover a wide variety of refrigerants and restoring them to Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute standard for reuse as certified EMERALD Refrigerants™. The Company's products and services are primarily used in commercial air conditioning, industrial processing and refrigeration systems, and include refrigerant and industrial gas sales, refrigerant management services consisting primarily of reclamation of refrigerants and RefrigerantSide® Services performed at a customer's site, consisting of system decontamination to remove moisture, oils and other contaminants. The Company’s SmartEnergy OPS® service is a web-based real time continuous monitoring service applicable to a facility’s refrigeration systems and other energy systems. The Company’s Chiller Chemistry® and Chill Smart® services are also predictive and diagnostic service offerings. As a component of the Company’s products and services, the Company also generates carbon offset projects.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements contained herein which are not historical facts constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the laws and regulations affecting the industry, changes in the demand and price for refrigerants (including unfavorable market conditions adversely affecting the demand for, and the price of, refrigerants), the Company's ability to source refrigerants, regulatory and economic factors, seasonality, competition, litigation, the nature of supplier or customer arrangements that become available to the Company in the future, adverse weather conditions, possible technological obsolescence of existing products and services, possible reduction in the carrying value of long-lived assets, estimates of the useful life of its assets, potential environmental liability, customer concentration, the ability to obtain financing, the ability to meet financial covenants under its existing credit facility, any delays or interruptions in bringing products and services to market, the timely availability of any requisite permits and authorizations from governmental entities and third parties as well as factors relating to doing business outside the United States, including changes in the laws, regulations, policies, and political, financial and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and currency exchange rates, of countries in which the Company may seek to conduct business, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate any assets it acquires from third parties into its operations, and other risks detailed in the Company's 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "may", "plan", "should" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made.

Investor Relations Contact: John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau IMS Investor Relations (203) 972-9200 jnesbett@imsinvestorrelations.com

Company Contact: Brian F. Coleman, President & CEO Hudson Technologies, Inc. (845) 735-6000 bcoleman@hudsontech.com

Hudson Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except for share and par value amounts)
		December 31,
		2024			2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	70,134		$	12,446
Trade accounts receivable – net			13,629			25,169
Inventories			96,247			154,450
Income tax receivable			6,284			5,438
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			9,218			7,492
Total current assets			195,512			204,995
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation			21,554			19,375
Goodwill			62,280			47,803
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization			14,100			14,771
Right of use asset			6,878			6,591
Other assets			2,328			3,137
Total Assets		$	302,652		$	296,672
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable		$	8,692		$	23,399
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			33,813			31,537
Accrued payroll			3,704			3,615
Other short-term liabilities			1,600			—
Total current liabilities			47,809			58,551
Deferred tax liability			4,076			4,558
Long-term lease liabilities			4,917			4,790
Total Liabilities			56,802			67,899
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, shares authorized 5,000,000: Series A Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value ($100 liquidation preference value); shares authorized 150,000; none issued or outstanding			—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares authorized 100,000,000; issued and outstanding: 44,284,374 and 45,502,380 respectively			443			455
Additional paid-in capital			110,792			118,091
Retained earnings			134,615			110,227
Total Stockholders’ Equity			245,850			228,773
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		$	302,652		$	296,672

Hudson Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
			Three months ended December 31,								Twelve months ended December 31,
			2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues			$	34,643			$	44,856			$	237,118			$	289,025
Cost of sales				28,869				30,886				171,410				177,518
Gross profit				5,774				13,970				65,708				111,507
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative				7,998				8,532				33,017				30,542
Amortization				1,022				698				3,390				2,793
Total operating expenses				9,020				9,230				36,407				33,335
Operating (loss) income				(3,246	)			4,740				29,301				78,172
Other income (expense)				527				(246	)			2,726				(8,352	)
Income (loss) before income taxes				(2,719	)			4,494				32,027				69,820
Income tax (benefit) expense				(154	)			549				7,639				17,573
Net (loss) income			$	(2,565	)		$	3,945			$	24,388			$	52,247
Net (loss) income per common share – Basic			$	(0.06	)		$	0.09			$	0.54			$	1.15
Net (loss) income per common share – Diluted			$	(0.06	)		$	0.08			$	0.52			$	1.10
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – Basic				44,863,767				45,496,296				45,329,789				45,385,433
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – Diluted				44,863,767				47,446,365				47,076,477				47,338,231

Hudson Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Amounts in thousands)
		For the years ended December 31,
		2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	24,388			$	52,247
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			2,997				2,989
Amortization of intangible assets			3,390				2,793
Impairment of long lived assets			441				2,120
Lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustment			3,028				(2,259	)
Allowance for doubtful accounts			(766	)			659
Amortization of deferred finance cost			228				726
Loss on extinguishment of debt			—				3,427
Share based compensation			842				2,306
Deferred tax expense			(482	)			4,314
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable			12,306				(4,957	)
Inventories			60,248				(6,814	)
Prepaid and other assets			(1,144	)			(3,182	)
Lease obligations			(92	)			—
Income taxes receivable			(846	)			(5,277	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(12,727	)			9,455
Cash provided by operating activities			91,811				58,547
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for acquisition			(20,670	)			—
Additions to property, plant, and equipment			(5,300	)			(3,580	)
Cash used in investing activities			(25,970	)			(3,580	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuances of common stock and exercises of stock options			—				39
Repurchase of common shares			(8,146	)			—
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options			(7	)			(694	)
Payment of deferred financing cost			—				—
Proceeds from long term debt			—				—
Repayment of long-term debt			—				(47,161	)
Cash used in financing activities			(8,153	)			(47,816	)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			57,688				7,151
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			12,446				5,295
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	70,134			$	12,446
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for interest		$	690			$	4,475
Cash paid for income taxes		$	8,990			$	18,536
Property and equipment included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities		$	655				337

FAQ

What caused Hudson Technologies (HDSN) revenue decline in 2024?

HDSN's revenue declined 18% due to up to 45% lower HFC refrigerant prices and reduced DLA contract revenue, despite slightly increased sales volumes.

How much stock did Hudson Technologies (HDSN) repurchase in Q4 2024?

Hudson Technologies repurchased $5.5 million of common stock in Q4 2024, contributing to total buybacks of $8.1 million for the full year.

What was Hudson Technologies' (HDSN) cash position at the end of 2024?

HDSN reported $70.1 million in cash with no debt as of December 31, 2024.

How did Hudson Technologies' (HDSN) reclamation business perform in 2024?

HDSN increased its refrigerant reclamation volume by 18% in 2024 and strengthened its position through the USA Refrigerants acquisition.

What were Hudson Technologies' (HDSN) earnings per share in 2024?

HDSN reported earnings of $0.54 per basic share and $0.52 per diluted share for full-year 2024.