RigNet Inc Is Still Trying to Find Its Footing

RigNet (NASDAQ: RNET) continues to muddle along as the energy industry begins a slow recovery process from one of its deepest downturns in decades. Revenue, for example, was down double digits from last year's second quarter, though up slightly from the first quarter. Meanwhile, its net loss did the opposite, improving versus the year-ago quarter but deepening sequentially. On the plus side, the company continues to generate free cash flow, expand its market share, and diversify into new markets, which positions it to deliver better results in future quarters.

RigNet results: The raw numbers

What happened with RigNet this quarter? 

RigNet seemed to take two steps forward and two back.

  • While revenue slumped versus the year-ago quarter it did rise 2.3% sequentially. Driving that sequential increase was a $2.1 million improvement from its systems integration and automation (SI&A) segment, which grew revenue to $6.1 million during the quarter. That offset a $1 million decrease in managed systems revenue, which was $43.1 million during the quarter. Meanwhile, the reduction versus the prior year was the result of a $7.2 million drop in managed systems revenue that more than offset a $1.4 million increase in SI&A revenue. The driver of the decline in the managed systems segment was the continued weakness in the offshore drilling sector.
  • RigNet's net loss improved year over year primarily due to lower general and administrative costs, which fell from $13.6 million to $9.9 million. However, the company's loss more than doubled from last quarter due in part to a higher cost of revenue and an increase in selling and marketing costs.
  • That said, while RigNet's net loss improved versus last year, its underlying earnings and cash flow went in the opposite direction. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) fell from $8.6 million to $6.1 million while un-levered free cash flow declined from $4 million to $1.1 million. Furthermore, both numbers were down from last quarter when adjusted EBITDA was $7.2 million, and un-levered free cash flow was $4.1 million.
  • RigNet ended the quarter with a solid balance sheet consisting of $42.7 million in cash against just $38.6 million in long-term debt.

What management had to say 

CEO Steven Pickett commented on the company's second-quarter results and what lies ahead by saying:

As Pickett points out, RigNet has been active in the mergers and acquisitions market over the last few months. In May, the company acquired Cyphre, which is a cyber security company that diversifies its offerings to customers. It followed that up in July by purchasing DTS, which provides comprehensive communications and IT services to the onshore, offshore, and maritime industries. Finally, it spent $22.2 million to buy ESS, which provides wireless communications services via satellite networks to midstream companies. RigNet was able to use free cash flow and its solid balance sheet to make transactions that will grow its product portfolio and diversify its revenue stream and customer base.

Looking forward 

One of RigNet's goals in response to the oil market downturn was to diversify its business away from the offshore drilling industry given that sector's muted growth prospects in the near term. Its recent acquisitions are certainly a step in the right direction. With the ESS deal, for example, the company has now become the leader in providing communications services to the North American midstream sector, which tends to generate steadier cash flow because fee-based contracts underpin these assets. Furthermore, the sector has ample growth ahead of it given the forecast that the U.S. and Canada need to spend $26 billion per year to build additional energy infrastructure assets over the next two decades. The hope is that the new markets like midstream will drive growth in the coming years and eventually more than offset the business it has lost offshore, which could take years to get back to where it was.

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Matt DiLallo owns shares of RigNet. The Motley Fool recommends RigNet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.