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Tidewater Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 lowered, 1 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 4.9% sequentially: Revenue was $342.3 million, up 4.9% from the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Average day rate rose $655: Average day rate was $22,938 per day, up $655 or 2.9%, the largest sequential improvement since the third quarter of 2024. Source
  • 2026 guidance modestly revised lower: Revenue and gross margin guidance were revised lower, reflecting the WSUT closing delay and continued conflict-related operating costs. Source
  • Conflict costs for 2026 estimated: Management expects about $13.1 million of conflict-related costs in 2026, of which about $7.6 million is contractually billable to customers. Source
  • Gross margin ahead of expectations: Gross margin was 46.9% against 48.8% in the first quarter; management said it came in well ahead of its expectations. Source
  • Vessel supply may be insufficient: Management said the supply of available offshore vessels may be insufficient for the heightened demand it sees, as shown by leading-edge day rates. Source
  • Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Net cash from operating activities was $67.0 million and free cash flow $64.4 million, against $19.2 million and $34.4 million in the first quarter. Source
  • WSUT closing delayed to September: Closing of the Wilson Sons Ultratug acquisition is now expected around September 1, 2026, an approximately two-month delay. Source

“The second quarter of 2026 came in nicely above our expectations, driven by both revenue outperformance and lower-than-expected operating expenses.”

Quintin Kneen, Tidewater’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Source2026$1.42 to $1.47 billionLowered from $1.43 to $1.48 billion
Gross margin Source202649% to 50%Lowered from 49% to 51%
Conflict-related costs Source2026approximately $13.1 millionNew
Share repurchase Sourcenot stated$500 millionKept
WSUT acquisition closing Sourcenot statedaround September 1, 2026

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Revenue guidance range lowered by $10 million at each end, to $1.42 to $1.47 billion. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Upper end of the gross margin guidance range lowered from 51% to 50%. Source
  • New guidance: Conflict-related cost estimate for 2026 given in this release; it was not in the prior release. Source
  • Guidance kept: Share repurchase program authorization unchanged at $500 million. Source
  • New: Cash flow statement and free cash flow presentation revised to show exchange rate effects separately. Source

Results and guidance changes

  • Revenue rose 4.9% sequentially: Revenue was $342.3 million, up 4.9% from the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Average day rate rose $655: Average day rate was $22,938 per day, up $655 or 2.9%, the largest sequential improvement since the third quarter of 2024. Source
  • Term contract rate reached $24,341: The weighted average term contract rate rose about 7.5%, or $1,690 per day, to $24,341 as new fixtures accelerated from the first quarter. Source
  • Net income and Adjusted EBITDA reported: Net income was $21.7 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, against $6.1 million in the first quarter; Adjusted EBITDA was $133.8 million. Source
  • 2026 guidance modestly revised lower: Revenue and gross margin guidance were revised lower, reflecting the WSUT closing delay and continued conflict-related operating costs. Source

Segments and regions

  • Europe/Mediterranean revenue rose most: Europe/Mediterranean vessel revenue was $112.1 million, against $86.9 million in the first quarter, with vessel operating margin at 50.3% against 42.1%. Source
  • West Africa revenue and margin fell: West Africa vessel revenue was $77.3 million, against $85.8 million in the first quarter; vessel operating margin was 53.5% against 63.1%. Source
  • Americas revenue and margin fell: Americas vessel revenue was $54.0 million, against $58.5 million; vessel operating margin was 39.5% against 42.1%, with active vessels at 26 against 29. Source
  • Middle East revenue rose, margin eased: Middle East vessel revenue was $48.5 million, against $45.6 million, with margin at 37.6% against 41.0%. Asia Pacific revenue was $47.9 million, margin 45.4% against 49.9%. Source

“We anticipate that we will continue to see leading indicators of this supply and demand imbalance, as illustrated by this quarter’s weighted average leading edge day rate, as we progress through the remainder of 2026”

Quintin Kneen, Tidewater’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Costs and conflict-related expenses

  • Vessel operating costs rose: Vessel operating costs were $180.7 million, against $166.2 million in the first quarter. Source
  • Conflict costs below expectations, still elevated: Management said conflict-related costs in the quarter were below its expectations but remain somewhat above the pre-conflict cost structure. Source
  • Conflict costs for 2026 estimated: Management expects about $13.1 million of conflict-related costs in 2026, of which about $7.6 million is contractually billable to customers. Source
  • Reimbursements received on direct costs: The company submitted its first batch of invoices for direct conflict-related costs and received modest reimbursements, with more expected. Source
  • Wage schemes adjusted for conflict: Management said structural changes were made to wage schemes to limit the effect of conflict-related wage increases. Source
  • Acquisition-related costs declined: Acquisition, restructuring and integration costs were $1.1 million, against $1.9 million in the first quarter. Source

Margins and operating profit

  • Gross margin ahead of expectations: Gross margin was 46.9% against 48.8% in the first quarter; management said it came in well ahead of its expectations. Source
  • Gross margin down on conflict costs: Management said gross margin was down modestly from the first quarter due to costs associated with the conflict in the Middle East. Source
  • Vessel operating margin eased: Vessel operating margin was $159.0 million, or 46.8% of vessel revenue, against $157.2 million, or 48.6%, in the first quarter. Source
  • Operating income below year-earlier level: Operating income was $62.5 million, against $80.9 million in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Foreign exchange swung to a loss: Foreign exchange was a $0.7 million loss, against an $11.7 million gain in the second quarter of 2025; income tax expense was $25.1 million. Source

“To date, we’ve yet to experience any material activity disruptions in the region”

Quintin Kneen, Tidewater’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Fleet, utilization and drydocking

  • Utilization above expectations: Total fleet utilization was 79.2% against 77.7% in the first quarter; management said the increase was largely related to drydock timing moving later in the year. Source
  • Highest utilization and day rate in memory: Management said the company realized its highest utilization and day rate in recent memory during the second quarter, with no material disruptions in the Middle East to date. Source
  • Largest PSV class drove day rates: PSV over 900 day rates rose to $27,429 from $25,917; management attributed the day rate improvement mainly to its largest class of PSVs. Source
  • Active vessels and stacking: Active vessels averaged 200, unchanged from the first quarter; total average fleet was 206 and stacked vessels 6, against 7. Source
  • Drydock starts fell: Vessels commencing drydock fell to 15 from 25 in the first quarter. Source

Demand and offshore market

  • Customer talks point to broader pick-up: Management said customer conversations point to a broad pick-up in offshore activity through 2026 and into 2027, with tendering picking up materially. Source
  • Vessel supply may be insufficient: Management said the supply of available offshore vessels may be insufficient for the heightened demand it sees, as shown by leading-edge day rates. Source
  • Demand drivers poised for growth: Management said production support, subsea and EPCI support, and drilling support demand are all poised for continued growth. Source
  • New projects take years to develop: Management said projects developed in response to regional energy security considerations have lead times measured in years, not months. Source

Cash flow and capital

  • Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Net cash from operating activities was $67.0 million and free cash flow $64.4 million, against $19.2 million and $34.4 million in the first quarter. Source
  • Drydock payments fell: Cash paid for deferred drydock and survey costs was $23.3 million, against $36.4 million in the first quarter. Source
  • Cash balance increased: Cash and cash equivalents were $613.5 million at June 30, 2026, against $552.3 million at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Buyback authorization unchanged at $500 million: The $500 million share repurchase authorization remains outstanding; the six-month cash flow statement shows no common stock purchases in 2026. Source
  • Cash flow presentation revised: Exchange rate effects on cash are now shown as a separate item, and prior-year amounts were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Source
  • Common shares and warrants outstanding: Common shares outstanding were 49,754,957 at June 30, 2026, with 21,400 New Creditor Warrants and 50,865 GulfMark Creditor Warrants in the money. Source

WSUT acquisition and integration

  • WSUT closing delayed to September: Closing of the Wilson Sons Ultratug acquisition is now expected around September 1, 2026, an approximately two-month delay. Source
  • Integration continuing before closing: Management said integration efforts have continued during the interim and it expects a swift integration onto the Tidewater platform, as in prior acquisitions. Source
  • Geographic footprint cited: Management said geographic diversification of the fleet and onshore infrastructure in every major offshore market provide a distinct advantage. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 August 2026

  • WSUT closing expected around September 1: Management said it anticipates closing the WSUT transaction around September 1, 2026. Source
  • Conflict costs to continue in Middle East: Management expects to keep incurring conflict-related costs in the Middle East, with further reimbursements expected on direct costs. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Average vessels, total fleet Source206
Average vessels, active fleet Source200
Stacked vessels, average Source6
Utilization, total fleet Source79.2%
Utilization, active fleet Source81.4%
Average day rate Source$22,938 per day
Weighted average leading edge day rate Source$24,341
Vessel revenues Source$339,731 thousand
Vessel operating costs Source$180,746 thousand
Fuel, lube and supplies Source$21,046 thousand

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Recovery of conflict-related direct costs depends on billing customers; reimbursements received so far are modest, per management. Source
  • External: Management cited ongoing volatility and uncertainty in the global energy landscape from the Middle East conflict and its associated disruptions. Source
  • Operational: Management said operating costs remain above the cost structure before the conflict, though declining. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Delayed: Earlier expectation was closing by the end of the second quarter; management later cited an approximately two-month delay in the closing.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected elevated operating expense to persist until the conflict is resolved; this release describes costs as elevated but declining.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected energy security needs to drive activity beyond pre-conflict expectations; this release describes customer talks pointing to a broad pick-up.

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.