10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2004

QUANTA SERVICES, INC. Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2004

Filed November 9, 2004For Securities:PWR

Summary

Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR) reported revenues of $463.1 million for the third quarter of 2004, a 6.2% increase year-over-year, largely driven by storm restoration services for electric power and gas customers in the Southeastern US. While total revenues remained relatively flat at $1.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to the prior year, profitability faced pressure. Gross profit for the nine-month period decreased by 10.1% to $131.5 million, and gross margin declined to 10.9% from 12.1%, impacted by increased insurance costs, pricing pressures, and project overruns. Financially, the company ended the period with $217.7 million in cash and equivalents. Significant balance sheet movements include an increase in accounts receivable and costs in excess of billings due to higher revenues and storm restoration work. The company also managed its debt, with long-term debt decreasing by $31.2 million due to repayments. Quanta Services highlights its focus on cost control, receivable collection, and service quality amidst challenging market conditions and anticipates increasing demand from electric power, gas, and telecommunications customers in 2005, while expecting continued decline from cable customers.

Key Highlights

  • 1Revenues for Q3 2004 increased by 6.2% to $463.1 million, primarily driven by storm restoration services for electric and gas utilities.
  • 2Year-to-date (nine months) revenues remained stable at approximately $1.2 billion, indicating a shift in revenue sources.
  • 3Gross profit for the nine-month period decreased by 10.1% to $131.5 million, and gross margin compressed from 12.1% to 10.9%, impacted by higher insurance costs and pricing pressures.
  • 4Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by 6.3% for the nine months, largely due to a significant reduction in bad debt expense compared to the prior year.
  • 5The company ended the quarter with $217.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, indicating a solid liquidity position.
  • 6Long-term debt was reduced by $31.2 million during the nine-month period, primarily through repayments.
  • 7The company anticipates increasing demand from electric power, gas, and telecommunications customers in 2005, while expecting continued decline from cable customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the revenue increase in the third quarter of 2004 was the significant volume of storm restoration services provided to electric power and gas customers in the Southeastern United States following four hurricanes.

The decrease in gross profit and margin for the nine-month period was attributed to increased casualty insurance expenses, pricing pressures on work performed for utility and cable customers, higher fuel and safety costs, and cost overruns and weather delays on certain projects in the first quarter. These were partially offset by higher-margin storm restoration services.

Long-term debt, including current maturities, decreased by $31.2 million compared to December 31, 2003, due to repayments of the term loan under the letter of credit facility and other long-term debt. The company has a substantial amount of convertible subordinated notes outstanding.

Quanta Services expects increasing demand for its services from electric power, gas, and telecommunications customers in 2005. Conversely, they anticipate a continued decline in demand from cable customers and relatively level demand from ancillary services customers.