Verra Mobility Corp (VRRM) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Growth Amid Strategic ...

GuruFocus.com
28 Feb
  • Consolidated Revenue Growth: 5% increase in the fourth quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA: Increased 12% in the fourth quarter.
  • Adjusted EPS: Increased 38% over the prior year period.
  • Free Cash Flow: $22 million in the fourth quarter.
  • Net Leverage: Ended the year at 2.4x.
  • Share Repurchase: Nearly $150 million spent to repurchase about 5 million shares in the fourth quarter.
  • Commercial Services Revenue Growth: 4% increase in the fourth quarter.
  • Government Solutions Service Revenue Growth: 5% increase over the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • Total Revenue Including International Product Sales: Up about 10% over the prior year quarter.
  • Government Solutions Segment Profit Increase: 44% or 790 basis points over last year.
  • T2 Parking Solutions Revenue Decline: 13% decrease for the quarter.
  • Net Loss: $67 million for the quarter, reflecting a $97 million goodwill impairment charge.
  • Adjusted EPS for Q4 2024: $0.33 per share, a 38% increase year-over-year.
  • Cash Flows from Operating Activities: $40 million in the fourth quarter.
  • Full Year 2024 Revenue: Approximately $879 million.
  • Full Year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA: $402 million, representing a 46% margin.
  • Full Year 2024 Free Cash Flow: $153 million.
  • Commercial Services Full Year Revenue Growth: 9% over last year.
  • Government Solutions Full Year Revenue Growth: 9% increase over 2023.
  • T2 Systems Full Year Revenue Decline: Approximately 6% versus last year.
  • Net Debt Balance at Year-End: $968 million.
  • 2025 Revenue Guidance: $925 million to $935 million, approximately 6% growth.
  • 2025 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $410 million to $420 million, approximately 3% growth.
  • 2025 Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS Guidance: $1.30 to $1.35 per share.
  • 2025 Free Cash Flow Guidance: $175 million to $185 million.
  • Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with ALEX.

Release Date: February 27, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Verra Mobility Corp (NASDAQ:VRRM) reported a solid fourth quarter with consolidated revenue growth of 5%, adjusted EBITDA increased by 12%, and adjusted EPS increased by 38% over the prior year period.
  • The company ended the year with net leverage of 2.4x and invested nearly $150 million to repurchase about 5 million shares in the fourth quarter.
  • Government Solutions segment profit increased by 44% over last year, driven by a $4 million noncash charge in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a reduction in credit loss expense.
  • The company anticipates resilient travel volume consistent with forecasted GDP growth, supported by strong leisure and business travel demand.
  • Verra Mobility Corp (NASDAQ:VRRM) successfully refinanced its term loan debt twice, lowering its borrowing rate by 100 basis points over the course of the year, resulting in significant cash savings.

Negative Points

  • Commercial Services revenue and segment profit were negatively impacted by a prior year period adjustment of approximately $3 million related to tolling activity.
  • T2 Parking Solutions business experienced a revenue decline of about 13% for the quarter, driven by lower professional services and one-time hardware sales.
  • The company recorded a $97 million noncash impairment of goodwill attributed to the T2 business, reflecting challenges in aligning the current environment with the historic environment when the business was acquired.
  • Verra Mobility Corp (NASDAQ:VRRM) anticipates adjusted EBITDA to grow at a slower pace than revenue in 2025 due to investments in sales, product installs, and onetime costs related to ERP implementation.
  • Revenue from New York City, the largest Government Solutions customer, was essentially flat year-over-year as the company awaits the outcome of the competitive request for proposal for automated enforcement.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide more details on the volatility in the Commercial Services business due to weather and wildfires, and how you expect travel trends to impact quarterly revenues? A: Craig Conti, CFO, explained that TSA passenger volume is a good indicator for the business. The fourth quarter of 2024 closed at about 103% compared to the previous year. For 2025, they expect 102.5% for the year, with a slower start in the first quarter. The first quarter is expected to be down low single digits sequentially, the second quarter up low double digits, the third quarter up high single digits, and the fourth quarter down high single digits, resulting in high single-digit organic growth for Commercial Services.

Q: How are the new contracts from recent legislation impacting the Government Services business, and what are the win rates like? A: David Roberts, CEO, stated that while they don't disclose win rates, they are winning more than their fair share. The revenue from these contracts typically builds over 12 to 18 months. Craig Conti added that they expect low double-digit service revenue growth outside of New York City, with sequential growth each quarter.

Q: What is the status of RFPs for pilot programs in California cities, and when can we expect updates? A: David Roberts mentioned that San Jose has already issued an RFP, which they have responded to. Other cities like Oakland, L.A., and Long Beach are expected to issue RFPs in the next 3 to 6 months.

Q: Given 2025 is an investment year, what is the outlook for margin expansion in 2026 and beyond? A: Craig Conti explained that margin expansion depends on the pace of geographic expansion. For 2025, they expect some margin pressure due to ERP system implementation and costs associated with new geographies. However, they view Government Solutions as a 30% margin business in the long term.

Q: How does the speed camera pipeline compare to two years ago, and what are the expectations for bookings in 2025? A: Craig Conti confirmed that the pipeline remains strong, with significant TAM opportunities. While they can't predict exact bookings, they expect the pipeline to support low double-digit service revenue growth outside of New York City.

Q: What technology investments are being made to stay ahead in camera functionality and customer needs? A: David Roberts stated that they have a dedicated product engineering group working on current customer needs and global trends. They leverage internal teams and partners to enhance camera technologies.

Q: What is the penetration of all-inclusive pricing within the RAC partners, and how popular is it? A: David Roberts noted that all-inclusive pricing is location-driven and varies by airport. Craig Conti added that it is currently offered by two customers and continues to be a popular product with positive feedback.

Q: How confident are you in the flat revenue forecast for New York City, and what are the potential scenarios? A: David Roberts emphasized that they are in an RFP period and will wait for the city's decision. They are cautious about making specific forecasts until the program's expansion is confirmed.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Most Discussed

  1. 1
     
     
     
     
  2. 2
     
     
     
     
  3. 3
     
     
     
     
  4. 4
     
     
     
     
  5. 5
     
     
     
     
  6. 6
     
     
     
     
  7. 7
     
     
     
     
  8. 8
     
     
     
     
  9. 9
     
     
     
     
  10. 10