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Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 17 March 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue eased, EPS rose: Total revenue was $132.1 million, down 1% from $134.0 million. Net income from continuing operations was $1.16 per diluted share, against $1.12 in 2024. Source
  • Retail volume reached a record: Retail water sold rose 8.3% to a record 1.09 billion gallons. Retail revenue reached $33.6 million, up 6% from $31.7 million. Source
  • Construction revenue declined: Services revenue fell 9% to $46.3 million. Plant construction revenue fell on two 2024 projects, a $2.9 million drop in Hawaii pilot-phase revenue, and a $1.3 million Red Gate contract. Source
  • Gross margin up in every segment: Management said consolidated gross margin rose 2.6 percentage points, with improvement in each segment. Source
  • Permitting delay moved revenue later: Management described the permitting delay as common for multi-agency projects of this scale and said it was not caused by company failures. Source
  • Construction expected to add growth later: Management expects the construction phase to add substantially to revenue and earnings growth in later reporting periods. Source

“Our retail, bulk and manufacturing revenues and operating incomes in 2025 were consistent with our expectations,”

Consolidated Water CEO, Rick McTaggart

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Construction service revenue SourceUntil Hawaii construction beginsbelow the record achieved in 2023
Revenue from two new plant awards SourcePrimarily 2026combined value approximately $15.6 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Management said the permitting-related deferral moved Hawaii project revenue recognition and cash flows into later periods. Source
  • New: The Cayman Islands government granted a new concession confirming exclusive potable water rights in the Grand Cayman utility's service area. Source
  • New: The West Bay seawater desalination plant expansion was completed, adding 1 million gallons per day of production capacity. Source
  • New: The Honolulu Board of Water Supply confirmed the Kalaeloa plant can produce water matching its current supply quality with no detrimental impact. Source

Full-year results and growth drivers

  • Revenue eased, EPS rose: Total revenue was $132.1 million, down 1% from $134.0 million. Net income from continuing operations was $1.16 per diluted share, against $1.12 in 2024. Source
  • Reported EPS lower with discontinued operations: Including discontinued operations, net income was $18.3 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, compared with $28.2 million, or $1.77, in 2024. Source
  • Gross profit rose to 37%: Gross profit was $48.4 million, or 37% of revenue, compared with $45.6 million, or 34%, in 2024. Management attributed the increase to retail and manufacturing revenue and lower bulk cost of revenue. Source

Segments and regions

  • Retail volume reached a record: Retail water sold rose 8.3% to a record 1.09 billion gallons. Retail revenue reached $33.6 million, up 6% from $31.7 million. Source
  • Bulk revenue slipped on pass-through: Bulk revenue was $33.5 million, down less than 1%. Bulk gross profit rose in dollars and as a percentage of revenue. Source
  • Manufacturing revenue rose 6%: Manufacturing revenue reached $18.7 million, up from $17.6 million in 2024. The 17,500-square-foot facility expansion completed in the third quarter of 2025 is cited as enhancing throughput. Source

“However, our services revenue from continuing operations did not meet our expectations due to a permitting delay related to our 1.7 million gallon per day seawater desalination plant project in Kalaeloa, Hawaii.”

Consolidated Water CEO, Rick McTaggart

Services and construction

  • Construction revenue declined: Services revenue fell 9% to $46.3 million. Plant construction revenue fell on two 2024 projects, a $2.9 million drop in Hawaii pilot-phase revenue, and a $1.3 million Red Gate contract. Source
  • O&M revenue grew 9%: O&M revenue reached $32.1 million, from PERC and REC, a new southern California municipal client, and added federal client services under a contract ending this month. Source
  • Design and consulting revenue declined: Design and consulting revenue fell by $2.3 million after a major plant commissioning and startup contract was completed in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source

Margins and costs

  • Gross margin up in every segment: Management said consolidated gross margin rose 2.6 percentage points, with improvement in each segment. Source
  • Manufacturing margin reached 34.8%: Manufacturing gross margin rose 4.6 percentage points to 34.8%, which management linked to higher-margin products and production efficiency. Source
  • Net income up despite services shortfall: Management said consolidated net income from continuing operations increased 4% compared with 2024. Source

“Although our services segment revenue was less than expected, total revenue on a consolidated basis was relatively consistent from the previous year.”

Consolidated Water CEO, Rick McTaggart

Demand, awards and customers

  • Two plant awards secured: Two water treatment plant awards total about $15.6 million: a $3.9 million drinking water expansion in Colorado and an $11.7 million wastewater recycling plant in California. Source
  • Cayman population and business growth: Management attributed the growth in retail customers to ongoing population and business activity on Grand Cayman. Source
  • Customer accounts rose 6.6%: Customer accounts in the license area grew 6.6%, alongside significantly lower rainfall, which drove the retail revenue increase. Source

Kalaeloa, Hawaii project

  • Design reached 100% in Q4: Design of the 1.7 million gallon per day Kalaeloa plant for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply was completed in the fourth quarter. Remaining permits are the focus. Source
  • Permitting delay moved revenue later: Management described the permitting delay as common for multi-agency projects of this scale and said it was not caused by company failures. Source
  • Construction expected to add growth later: Management expects the construction phase to add substantially to revenue and earnings growth in later reporting periods. Source

Cash, dividends and board

  • Cash and working capital higher: Cash and equivalents reached $123.8 million at year end, with working capital of $141.9 million and stockholders’ equity of $221.7 million. Source
  • Quarterly dividend raised 27.3%: The quarterly dividend rose 27.3% to $0.14 per share from the third quarter of 2025. Dividends declared for 2025 totaled $0.53 per share, against $0.41. Source
  • Three independent directors joined board: Kim Adamson, Maria Elena Giner and Gerónimo Gutiérrez Fernández joined the board, effective October 1, 2025. Source

Diversified business model

  • Diversified segments expected to improve results: Management said its diversified business segments are expected to keep delivering improved results to shareholders in the year ahead. Source
  • U.S. businesses cited for growth potential: Management pointed to growth potential in its U.S.-based manufacturing, design-build and O&M businesses. Source
  • Caribbean bulk water described as stable: Management described the Caribbean-based bulk water business as providing long-term, stable recurring revenue. Source

Coming up, as management said on 17 March 2026

  • Hawaii permits needed before construction: Management is focused on obtaining the remaining permits so the client can issue a notice to proceed with construction, expected later this year. Source
  • Annual meeting set for June 1: The Annual General Meeting is set for June 1, 2026 in Grand Cayman, with shareholders of record as of April 2, 2026 entitled to vote. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Customer growth Source6.6% increase in customer accounts in license area
Load growth Source8.3% increase in retail water volume to 1.09 billion gallons

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Management said the company continues to work on the Hawaii permitting process and respond to regulatory inquiries to mitigate schedule impacts. Source
  • Regulatory: The Grand Cayman utility is in discussions with the regulator for a new operating license, and the existing license remains in effect until one is granted. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Delayed: The prior release said construction would commence early 2026. The current release says construction activities were deferred and revenue shifted to later periods.
  • Met: Management said all major project milestones other than the permitting were achieved, and the design was completed. Source
  • Met: The 17,500-square-foot manufacturing facility expansion, expected last quarter to enhance efficiency, is now described as having done so. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.