Genco Shipping (GNK) – Another solid quarter in the books


Friday, November 11, 2022

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, incorporated on September 27, 2004, transports iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along shipping routes through the ownership and operation of drybulk carrier vessels. The Company is engaged in the ocean transportation of drybulk cargoes around the world through the ownership and operation of drybulk carrier vessels. As of December 31, 2016, its fleet consisted of 61 drybulk carriers, including 13 Capesize, six Panamax, four Ultramax, 21 Supramax, two Handymax and 15 Handysize drybulk carriers, with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 4,735,000 deadweight tons (dwt). Of the vessels in its fleet, 15 are on spot market-related time charters, and 27 are on fixed-rate time charter contracts. As of December 31, 2016, additionally, 19 of the vessels in its fleet were operating in vessel pools.

Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Locking in shipping rates when prices were high is paying off. Genco reported revenues of $136 million for the 2022-3Q. While revenues were below 2021-3Q levels of $155 million, they were close to 2022-2Q levels and our expectations. TCE rates were $23,624 down slightly from the previous quarter due to lower spot rates, but reflective of management’s strategy of locking in rates for roughly 75% of shipping days. With spot rates now having fallen below $15,000, such a strategy is proving to have paid off.

Costs are rising but shipping rates are still well above Genco’s break-even point. Genco, like most of the industry, is facing higher costs as labor, steel, and fuel costs rise. That said, shipping rates (even lower spot rates) are well above Genco’s break-even point of roughly $9,000/shipping day. The company continues to generate large significant free cash flow which it has used to reduce debt ($261 million since 2021) and pay a dividend ($2.74 per share in the last four quarters). Free cash flow will most likely decline in future quarters, but should be ample enough to continue to reduce debt and pay a dividend. 


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This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Kratos Defense & Security (KTOS) – Overcoming Near-term Challenges


Tuesday, November 08, 2022

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

3Q22 Results. Revenue of $228.6 million, up 14% y-o-y, and in upper end of the $220-$230 million guidance. Revenue from acquisitions offset supply chain issues and staffing challenges. Adjusted EBITDA came in at $20 million, at the top end of guidance, versus $23.8 million a year ago. GAAP EPS loss was $0.06 and adjusted EPS net income was $0.08, compared to a net loss of $0.01 from continuing operations and adjusted EPS net income of $0.09, respectively, a year ago.

Where Have All the Workers Gone? An ongoing inability to hire the required planned direct labor base, both internally and by the Company’s subcontractors, is impacting the business and causing Kratos to take excess charges. Management believes the worst is behind the Company, but it remains to be seen.


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This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE) – Top line results surpass recently-lowered expectations but so do costs


Monday, November 07, 2022

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (“Eagle”) is a US-based drybulk owner-operator focused on the Supramax/Ultramax mid-size asset class, which ranges from 50,000 and 65,000 deadweight tons in size; these vessels are equipped with onboard cranes allowing for the self-loading and unloading of cargoes, a feature which distinguishes them from the larger classes of drybulk vessels and provides for greatly enhanced flexibility and versatility- both with respect to cargo diversity and port accessibility. The Company transports a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes around the world, including coal, grain, ore, pet coke, cement, and fertilizer. Eagle operates out of three offices, Stamford (headquarters), Singapore, and Hamburg, and performs all aspects of vessel management in-house including: commercial, operational, technical, and strategic.

Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Eagle reported 2002-3Q Net Revenues of $185.3 million on TCE rates of $28,099. We had recently lowered our net revenue estimate to $158.9 million based on an assumed TCE rate to $25,000. Higher-than-expected revenues reflect a high level of charter-in days (1000 versus our 600 assumption) and an impressive utilization rate of 99.7%. The company has 70% of fourth-quarter available days covered at $25,040 which compares favorably with our models.

But costs were higher. Eagle reported 2002-3Q voyage expenses of $40.8 million versus $30.3 million last year and our estimate of $25.6 million. Voyage operating expenses were $33.1 million versus $28.1 million and our $27.5 million estimate. G&A expenses were $9.7 million versus $7.9 million and our $8.4 million estimate.  Higher costs reflect industry trends but bear watching going forward.


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This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) – Implications of a Miss


Wednesday, November 02, 2022

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States. In addition, Great Lakes is fully engaged in expanding its core business into the rapidly developing offshore wind energy industry. The Company has a long history of performing significant international projects. The Company employs experienced civil, ocean and mechanical engineering staff in its estimating, production and project management functions. In its over 131-year history, the Company has never failed to complete a marine project. Great Lakes owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, comprised of approximately 200 specialized vessels. Great Lakes has a disciplined training program for engineers that ensures experienced-based performance as they advance through Company operations. The Company’s Incident-and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety management program is integrated into all aspects of the Company’s culture. The Company’s commitment to the IIF® culture promotes a work environment where employee safety is paramount.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

3Q22 Operating Results Disappoint. Revenue totaled $158.3 million down from $168.6 million last year and below management’s guidance of $160-$170 million. Gross margin was a shocking 2.4%, down from 21.5% in the year ago period, and management’s lower teens guidance. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $1.3 million versus $32.2 million last year and our $21.8 million estimate. The Company reported a loss of $9.9 million, or a loss of $0.15 per share, for the quarter, compared to our estimate of net income of $5.4 million, or $0.08 per share, and last year’s net income of $13.8 million, or $0.21 per share.

What Happened? Lack of “book and burn” business resulted in much lower utilization, pull forward spending on maintenance expenditures taking advantage of the idle vessels, skyrocketing diesel prices impacting the 20% of diesel costs not hedged, and site conditions that remained worse than anticipated.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Orion Group Holdings (ORN) – Post Call Commentary


Monday, October 31, 2022

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Why ORN? We believe the new management team, with its relevant industry experience, sees the robust end markets and opportunities to build the business, both organically and inorganically. We believe Orion is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the extraordinary market potential, both in the Marine sector and the Concrete business.

Near-term: Picking Low Hanging Fruit.  While the new management team sets a course for the business, they are taking advantage of low hanging fruit to improve near-term operational results, such as continued improvement in contracts and reducing overhead burden.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Orion Group Holdings (ORN) – 3Q22 First Look


Thursday, October 27, 2022

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

3Q22 Revenue. Revenue totaled $182.6 million, up 30.5% from $139.9 million in the third quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily driven by the start of large jobs awarded in the fourth quarter of 2021 in the marine segment, higher volume in the concrete segment, and the impact from claims and unapproved change orders recognized related to work primarily incurred in previous periods.

Gross Profit. Gross profit was  $13.4 million, as compared to  $6.6 million last year. Gross profit margin was 7.4%, as compared to 4.7%. The increase in gross profit dollars and margin was primarily driven by the impact from claims and unapproved change orders recognized related to work primarily incurred in previous periods, the release of discretionary project bonuses, and increased dredging activity as compared to the prior year period.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.