Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Announces Fiscal Third Quarter Results

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE: HP) reported net income of $95 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, from operating revenues of $724 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, compared to net income of $164 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, from operating revenues of $769 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The net income per diluted share for the third and second quarters of fiscal 2023 include $(0.16) and $0.29 of after-tax losses and gains, respectively, comprised of select items⁽¹⁾. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, select items were comprised of:

• $0.05 of non-cash after-tax gains related to the change in estimates of certain liabilities
• $(0.21) of after-tax losses related to the non-cash change in the fair value of certain contingent liabilities, the sales of rigs and related equipment that were held for sale and the scrapping of excess equipment, and non-cash fair market adjustments to our equity investments

Net cash provided by operating activities was $293 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, which included $37 million in tax payments, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $141 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, which included $114 million in tax payments.

President and CEO John Lindsay commented, "H&P's financial results for the third fiscal quarter were significant for a few reasons. First, they demonstrate that we are achieving economic returns in the low-to-mid teens which are just above of our cost of capital. Second, these financial results were achieved during a period when rig activity was declining primarily due to weak natural gas prices, so our emphasis on contract economics rather than market share drove the Company's financial performance this quarter. Finally, the results reflect a behavioral change that has transpired broadly within the energy industry, and is guided by fiscal prudence and capital allocation.

"Uncertainty around the macro-outlook for crude oil and natural gas prices maintained an underlying sense of apprehension in the U.S. drilling market during the quarter. Recently however, some of this uncertainty has receded, and we are starting to see signs of optimism on the horizon. In the near term, we believe that U.S. rig activity declines will likely continue into the September ended quarter, albeit at a more modest pace than experienced thus far this calendar year. These declines appear to be more of a function of customer budget and production discipline rather than a reaction to short-term commodity price movements. For the quarter ending in December, we expect to see an increase in contracting activity as our customers refresh their capital budgets for 2024, and we have already received indications they may increase activity. Looking forward into the medium to longer term, we believe there will be an increase in the demand for rigs relative to current levels due to fundamental supply and demand dynamics inherent in the industry.

"In the face of recent rig count declines, we have been able to remain firm on our contractual economics by working with customers on alternative contracting models, such as performance contracts. Having the operational confidence in our ability to consistently execute enables H&P to enter into alternative contractual arrangements, which can result in win-win economics for both the customer and H&P. Even with these ongoing efforts, we are anticipating our NAS margins in the fourth fiscal quarter to regress slightly as the rigs idled during the second half of our fiscal year have been mainly in the spot market and had contractual margins above the overall average. The absence of those rigs and their associated margins will contribute to, what we believe will be, a nominal decline for NAS margins in the upcoming quarter. We anticipate this decline will be transitory based on expectations for rig additions and some term contract rollovers benefiting margins in the December ended quarter.

"Expanding our international footprint remains a core strategy for the Company, although one that is unfolding at a slower pace which is typical in international markets compared to the U.S. Our rig in Australia is scheduled to commence drilling soon, and we look forward to demonstrating our expertise in drilling efficiencies and providing value-added drilling solutions to our customer. Additionally, we are sending a second rig to the Middle East in anticipation of hearing results regarding our participation in a recent tender. Activities in our other international markets look to remain relatively steady for the foreseeable future."

Senior Vice President and CFO Mark Smith also commented, "Macro-economic issues experienced earlier this calendar year lingered during our third fiscal quarter and were reflected at the company level by a declining rig count. Notwithstanding, the Company kept the focus on generating economic returns despite this market backdrop and executing our capital allocation strategy, including the 2023 Supplemental Shareholder Return Plan. In addition to the planned base and supplemental dividends during the third fiscal quarter, we continued to opportunistically repurchase shares. Specifically, the Company repurchased approximately 3.2 million shares for roughly $103 million in the fiscal quarter, bringing the total fiscal 2023 year-to-date share repurchases to approximately 6.5 million shares for roughly $249 million, representing approximately 6% of the shares outstanding.

"Looking ahead, we are still very early in the process of establishing our fiscal 2024 capital budget, but preliminary estimates suggest our fiscal 2024 budget will be at least at this year's level considering fiscal 2023 capex deferrals, projected maintenance capex and walking rig conversions. When completed, the budget will serve as a basis for determining and refreshing our shareholder return plans for fiscal 2024. Flexibility, not only with capital allocation within a fiscal year, but from one year to the next, were important components of the inaugural design of the Company's supplemental shareholder return plan. As such, we expect the plan for fiscal 2024 will be developed taking into consideration various factors, some of which may be the same or different from those used to establish the plan for fiscal 2023."

John Lindsay concluded, “We remain optimistic that the political and economic uncertainty over the past several quarters impacting the global crude oil and natural gas markets is indeed abating. During the third fiscal quarter, we once again achieved returns in excess of our cost of capital and moving forward, our focus will remain on maintaining these levels of returns by delivering better well economic outcomes for our customers. This level of performance is possible because of the service attitude of our people and their ability to deliver value through drilling efficiencies and technology in collaboration with our customers."

Operating Segment Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023

North America Solutions:

This segment had operating income of $169.5 million compared to operating income of $182.1 million during the previous quarter. The decrease in operating income was primarily attributable to a decline in activity levels during the quarter, which also caused direct margin⁽²⁾ to decrease by $19.2 million to $276.9 million sequentially. Despite the absolute decreases in operating income and direct margin⁽²⁾, revenue per day and direct margin⁽²⁾ per day showed sequential increases quarter over quarter.

International Solutions:

This segment had an operating loss of $1.4 million compared to operating income of $4.0 million during the previous quarter. The decline in operating income was mainly due a lower active rig count and the associated direct margins⁽²⁾. Direct margin⁽²⁾ during the third fiscal quarter was $3.3 million compared to $8.6 million during the previous quarter.

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

This segment had operating income of $4.7 million compared to operating income of $6.7 million during the previous quarter. Direct margin⁽²⁾ for the quarter was $7.3 million compared to $9.3 million in the prior quarter as a rig demobilized as expected.

Operational Outlook for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023

North America Solutions:

• We expect North America Solutions direct margins⁽²⁾ to be between $230-$250 million
• We expect to exit the quarter between approximately 141-147 contracted rigs

International Solutions:

• We expect International Solutions direct margins⁽²⁾ to be between $8.0-$11.0 million, exclusive of any foreign exchange gains or losses

Offshore Gulf of Mexico:

• We expect Offshore Gulf of Mexico direct margins⁽²⁾ to be between $6.0-$8.0 million

Other Estimates for Fiscal Year 2023

• Gross capital expenditures are now expected to be approximately $400 million, exclusive of ongoing asset sales that include reimbursements for lost and damaged tubulars and sales of other used drilling equipment that offset a portion of the gross capital expenditures and are now expected to total approximately $70 million in fiscal year 2023
• Depreciation for fiscal year 2023 is now expected to be approximately $385 million
• Research and development expenses for fiscal year 2023 are still expected to be roughly $30 million
• General and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2023 are still expected to be approximately $205 million
• Cash taxes for fiscal year 2023 are now expected to be approximately $180-$205 million, of which $156 million has been paid through June 30, 2023

Select Items⁽¹⁾ Included in Net Income per Diluted Share

Third quarter of fiscal year 2023 net income of $0.93 per diluted share included $(0.16) in after-tax losses comprised of the following:

• $0.05 of non-cash after-tax gains related to the change in estimates of certain liabilities
• $(0.03) of non-cash after-tax losses related to the change in the fair value of certain contingent liabilities
• $(0.04) of after-tax losses related to the sales of rigs and related equipment that were held for sale and the scrapping of excess equipment
• $(0.14) of non-cash after-tax losses related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments

Second quarter of fiscal year 2023 net income of $1.55 per diluted share included $0.29 in after-tax gains comprised of the following:

• $0.29 of non-cash after-tax gains related to fair market value adjustments to equity investments

Conference Call

A conference call will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) with John Lindsay, President and CEO, Mark Smith, Senior Vice President and CFO, and Dave Wilson, Vice President of Investor Relations, to discuss the Company’s third quarter fiscal year 2023 results. Dial-in information for the conference call is (800) 895-3361 for domestic callers or (785) 424-1062 for international callers. The call access code is ‘Helmerich’. You may also listen to the conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet by logging on to the Company’s website at http://www.helmerichpayne.com and accessing the corresponding link through the investor relations section by clicking on “Investors” and then clicking on “News and Events - Events & Presentations” to find the event and the link to the webcast.

About Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (H&P) (NYSE: HP) is committed to delivering industry leading levels of drilling productivity and reliability. H&P operates with the highest level of integrity, safety and innovation to deliver superior results for its customers and returns for shareholders. Through its subsidiaries, the Company designs, fabricates and operates high-performance drilling rigs in conventional and unconventional plays around the world. H&P also develops and implements advanced automation, directional drilling and survey management technologies. At June 30, 2023, H&P's fleet included 233 land rigs in the United States, 22 international land rigs and seven offshore platform rigs. For more information, see H&P online at www.helmerichpayne.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the registrant’s business strategy, future financial position, operations outlook, future cash flow, future use of generated cash flow, dividend amounts and timing, supplemental shareholder return plans and amounts of any future dividends, future share repurchases, investments, active rig count projections, budgets, projected costs and plans, objectives of management for future operations, contract terms, financing and funding, capex spending, outlook for domestic and international markets, and actions by customers are forward-looking statements. For information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections and other disclosure in the Company’s SEC filings, including but not limited to its annual report on Form 10‑K and quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q. As a result of these factors, Helmerich & Payne, Inc.’s actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. We undertake no duty to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information changes in internal estimates, expectations or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

Helmerich & Payne uses its Investor Relations website as a channel of distribution for material company information. Such information is routinely posted and accessible on its Investor Relations website at www.helmerichpayne.com. Information on our website is not part of this release.

Note Regarding Trademarks. Helmerich & Payne, Inc. owns or has rights to the use of trademarks, service marks and trade names that it uses in conjunction with the operation of its business. Some of the trademarks that appear in this release or otherwise used by H&P include FlexRig, which may be registered or trademarked in the United States and other jurisdictions.

(1) Select items are considered non-GAAP metrics and are included as a supplemental disclosure as the Company believes identifying and excluding select items is useful in assessing and understanding current operational performance, especially in making comparisons over time involving previous and subsequent periods and/or forecasting future periods results. Select items are excluded as they are deemed to be outside the Company's core business operations. See Non-GAAP Measurements.

(2) Direct margin, which is considered a non-GAAP metric, is defined as operating revenues (less reimbursements) less direct operating expenses (less reimbursements) and is included as a supplemental disclosure. We believe it is useful in assessing and understanding our current operational performance, especially in making comparisons over time. See Non-GAAP Measurements for a reconciliation of segment operating income(loss) to direct margin. Expected direct margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 is provided on a non-GAAP basis only because certain information necessary to calculate the most comparable GAAP measure is unavailable due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the occurrence and the future financial statement impact of certain items. Therefore, as a result of the uncertainty and variability of the nature and amount of future items and adjustments, which could be significant, we are unable to provide a reconciliation of expected direct margin to the most comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable effort.

(3) During the third fiscal quarter of fiscal 2023, H&P repurchased approximately 3.2 million shares for roughly $103 million; fiscal year to date the Company has repurchased approximately 6.5 million shares for approximately $249 million