Pulse Seismic Inc. (TSX:PSD) (OTCQX:PLSDF) (“Pulse” or the
“Company”) is pleased to report its financial and operating results
for the year ended December 31, 2024. The audited consolidated
financial statements, accompanying notes and MD&A are being
filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and will be available on Pulse’s
website at www.pulseseismic.com.
Pulse’s Board of Directors today approved a
quarterly dividend of $0.015 per share and additionally declared a
special dividend of $0.20 per share. The total of the dividends
will be approximately $10.9 million based on Pulse’s 50,837,863
common shares outstanding as of February 13, 2025, to be paid on
March 13, 2025, to shareholders of record on February 28, 2025.
This dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for Canadian
income tax purposes. For non-resident shareholders, Pulse’s
dividends are subject to Canadian withholding tax.
“We are very pleased with the Company’s 2024
financial performance, and what we have accomplished so far in
2025. We remain focused on returning capital to shareholders, as
deemed appropriate given the annual fluctuations inherent in our
business. So far in 2025 we have secured $17.5 million in sales and
today the Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $0.20
per share, in addition to the regular quarterly dividend,” stated
Neal Coleman, Pulse’s President and CEO. “In 2024, 76% of free
cashflow was allocated to dividends and share buybacks, and looking
back to Q4 2021, after repayment of the majority of the 2019
acquisition debt, we resumed dividends and share buybacks and have
declared $0.83 per share in dividends and decreased our share count
by three million,” Coleman concluded.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2024
- The return of capital to shareholders in 2024 including all
dividends declared in the year and shares purchased under the
Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB), totalled $9.5 million, and was 76%
of shareholder free cashflow generated for the year;
- Dividends of $0.10875 per share were declared in 2024. Regular
dividends declared and paid totalled $0.05875 per share. The
annualized regular dividend of $0.055 per share was increased by 9%
to $0.06 per share in the second quarter of the year. A special
dividend of $0.05 per share was paid in the third quarter of
2024;
- 1,784,000 shares were purchased during the year under the
Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) at an average price of $2.17 per
share, for total cost of approximately $3.9 million;
- Shareholder free cash flow(a) was $12.4 million ($0.24 per
share basic and diluted) compared to $24.8 million ($0.47 per share
basic and diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2023;
- EBITDA(a) was $15.5 million ($0.30 per share basic and diluted)
compared to $30.4 million ($0.57 per share basic and diluted) for
the year ended December 31, 2023;
- Net earnings were $3.4 million ($0.07 per share basic and
diluted) compared to net earnings of $15.0 million ($0.28 per share
basic and diluted) for 2023;
- Total revenue was $23.4 million compared to $39.1 million for
the year ended December 31, 2023; and
- At December 31, 2024, the Company had a cash balance of $8.7
million as well as $5.0 million of available liquidity on its
credit facility.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2024
- The regular quarterly dividend of $0.015 per share was paid in
the fourth quarter;
- A total of 97,700 shares were purchased under the NCIB in the
fourth quarter, at an average price of $2.32 per share and total
cost of approximately $226,000;
- Shareholder free cash flow was $2.4 million ($0.05 per share
basic and diluted) compared to $10.9 million ($0.21 per share basic
and diluted) in the fourth quarter of 2023;
- EBITDA was $3.8 million ($0.07 per share basic and diluted)
compared to $13.6 million ($0.26 per share basic and diluted) in
the fourth quarter of 2023;
- Net earnings were $774,000 ($0.02 per share basic and diluted)
compared to net earnings of $8.3 million ($0.16 per share basic and
diluted) in the fourth quarter of 2023; and
- Total revenue was $5.6 million compared to $16.9 million for
the three months ended December 31, 2023.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION |
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(Thousands
of dollars except per share data, |
Three months ended
December 31, |
Years ended December
31, |
numbers of
shares and kilometres of seismic data) |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
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Revenue |
5,576 |
16,861 |
23,379 |
39,127 |
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Amortization
of seismic data library |
2,263 |
2,270 |
9,090 |
9,103 |
Net
earnings |
774 |
8,307 |
3,391 |
15,007 |
Per share basic and diluted |
0.02 |
0.16 |
0.07 |
0.28 |
Cash
provided by operating activities |
2,337 |
7,001 |
14,195 |
23,524 |
Per share basic and diluted |
0.05 |
0.13 |
0.28 |
0.44 |
EBITDA
(a) |
3,785 |
13,592 |
15,496 |
30,431 |
Per share basic and diluted (a) |
0.07 |
0.26 |
0.30 |
0.57 |
Shareholder
free cash flow (a) |
2,440 |
10,946 |
12,408 |
24,829 |
Per share basic and diluted (a) |
0.05 |
0.21 |
0.24 |
0.47 |
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Capital
expenditures |
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Seismic data |
- |
- |
225 |
- |
Property and equipment |
- |
- |
45 |
28 |
Total
capital expenditures |
- |
- |
270 |
28 |
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Dividends |
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Regular dividends declared |
763 |
724 |
3,018 |
2,862 |
Special dividends declared |
- |
10,527 |
2,548 |
18,519 |
Total dividends declared |
763 |
11,251 |
5,566 |
21,381 |
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Normal
course issuer bid |
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Number of
shares purchased and cancelled |
97,700 |
59,500 |
1,784,000 |
1,005,006 |
Cost of
shares purchased and cancelled |
227 |
112 |
3,880 |
1,943 |
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Weighted
average shares outstanding |
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Basic and diluted |
50,878,652 |
52,647,740 |
51,448,985 |
53,237,569 |
Shares
outstanding at period-end |
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50,837,863 |
52,621,863 |
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Seismic
library |
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2D in kilometres |
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829,207 |
829,207 |
3D in square kilometres |
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65,310 |
65,310 |
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FINANCIAL POSITION |
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December 31, |
December
31, |
(Thousands of dollars except working capital ratio) |
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2024 |
2023 |
Working
capital |
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9,222 |
7,468 |
Working
capital ratio |
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5.1:1 |
1.5:1 |
Cash and
cash equivalents |
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8,722 |
15,948 |
Total
assets |
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21,516 |
41,249 |
EBITDA |
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15,496 |
30,431 |
Shareholders’ equity |
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18,295 |
25,655 |
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(a) The Company’s continuous disclosure
documents provide discussion and analysis of “EBITDA”, “EBITDA per
share”, “shareholder free cash flow” and “shareholder free cash
flow per share”. These financial measures do not have standard
definitions prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be
comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies. The
Company has included these non-GAAP financial measures because
management, investors, analysts and others use them as measures of
the Company’s financial performance. The Company’s definition of
EBITDA is cash available for interest payments, cash taxes,
repayment of debt, purchase of its shares, discretionary capital
expenditures and the payment of dividends, and is calculated as
earnings (loss) from operations before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization. The Company believes EBITDA assists
investors in comparing Pulse’s results on a consistent basis
without regard to non-cash items, such as depreciation and
amortization, which can vary significantly depending on accounting
methods or non-operating factors such as historical cost. EBITDA
per share is defined as EBITDA divided by the weighted average
number of shares outstanding for the period. Shareholder free cash
flow further refines the calculation of capital available to invest
in growing the Company’s 2D and 3D seismic data library, to repay
debt, to purchase its common shares and to pay dividends by
deducting non-discretionary expenditures from EBITDA.
Non-discretionary expenditures are defined as non-cash expenses,
debt financing costs (net of deferred financing expenses amortized
in the current period), net restructuring costs and current tax
provisions. Shareholder free cash flow per share is defined as
shareholder free cash flow divided by the weighted average number
of shares outstanding for the period. These non-GAAP financial
measures are defined, calculated and reconciled to the nearest GAAP
financial measures in the Management's Discussion and Analysis.
OUTLOOK
Pulse’s ability to predict future revenue
generation has always been challenging due to the nature of the
business, which naturally fluctuates from year to year. That said,
Pulse has had a strong start to the year having closed $17.5
million in sales, representing approximately 75% of sales in 2024.
There are generally a mix of positive and negative factors
influencing the industry which contributes to the challenge, and at
this time in particular, uncertainty concerning 2025 is high.
Positive factors in 2024, and recent projections into 2025 include
high levels of M & A activity, approximately $19.4 billion in
2024 compared to $16.5 billion in 2023, while the latest annual
forecast by Sayer Energy Advisors for 2025 is approximately $15.0
billion. There were continuing high volumes of land sales in
Alberta in 2024: approximately $365 million, down only slightly
from the $370 million in 2023, and significantly higher than in
recent years going back to before the 2014-2015 industry downturn.
In British Columbia, land sales which had been paused since May
2021 finally resumed in December 2024. New infrastructure, such as
the TMX pipeline expansion which was completed in 2024 has already
provided increased export capacity and is a driver of increased
drilling activity. The Canadian Association of Energy Contractors,
in November 2024 forecast an increase to 6,604 wells to be drilled
in 2025, an approximate 7% increase over 2024. The pending
completion of LNG Canada’s liquified natural gas export facility is
expected to contribute to the forecast increase in drilling and may
lead to an improvement in Canadian natural gas prices. The positive
factors are offset by factors that create uncertainty for the
future, including economic, political, and environmental concerns.
It is clear that Canada needs to continue to build pipelines and
increase natural gas egress, to support the country’s energy
security, as well as to secure new buyers of Canadian energy. The
impacts of the recent change in administration in the United States
and the uncertainty around energy tariffs and trade policy,
together with Canadian federal government leadership changes are
contributing to the lack of clarity for the future.
Pulse, as previously stated, has low visibility
regarding future seismic data library sales levels, regardless of
industry conditions. The Company remains focused on business
practices that have served throughout the full range of conditions.
The Company maintains a strong balance sheet, has zero debt, no
capital spending commitments, and a disciplined and rigorous
approach to evaluating growth opportunities. This 15-person
company, led by an experienced and capable management team,
operates with a low-cost structure and focuses on developing
excellent client relations as well providing exceptional customer
service. Pulse’s strong financial position, high leverage to
increased revenue in its EBITDA margin and careful management of
its cash resources have resulted in the return of capital to
shareholders through regular and special dividends and the
repurchase of its shares.
CORPORATE PROFILE
Pulse is a market leader in the acquisition,
marketing and licensing of 2D and 3D seismic data to the western
Canadian energy sector. Pulse owns the largest licensable seismic
data library in Canada, currently consisting of approximately
65,310 square kilometres of 3D seismic and 829,207 kilometres of 2D
seismic. The library extensively covers the Western Canada
Sedimentary Basin, where most of Canada’s oil and natural gas
exploration and development occur.
For further information, please contact:
Neal Coleman, President and CEO Or Pamela
Wicks, Vice President Finance and CFO Tel.: 403-237-5559
Toll-free: 1-877-460-5559 E-mail: info@pulseseismic.com. Please
visit our website at www.pulseseismic.com
This document contains information that
constitutes “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking
statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within
the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking
information is often, but not always, identified by the use of
words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”,
“forecast”, “target”, “project”, “guidance”, “may”, “will”,
“should”, “could”, “estimate”, “predict” or similar words
suggesting future outcomes or language suggesting an outlook.
The Outlook section herein contain
forward-looking information which includes, but is not limited to,
statements regarding:
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The outlook of the Company for the year ahead, including future
operating costs and expected revenues; |
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Recent events on the political, economic, regulatory, and legal
fronts affecting the industry’s medium- to longer-term prospects,
including progression and completion of contemplated pipeline
projects; |
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The Company’s capital resources
and sufficiency thereof to finance future operations, meet its
obligations associated with financial liabilities and carry out the
necessary capital expenditures through 2025; |
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Pulse’s capital allocation
strategy; |
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Pulse’s dividend policy; |
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Oil and natural gas prices and
forecast trends; |
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Oil and natural gas drilling
activity and land sales activity; |
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Oil and natural gas company
capital budgets; |
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Future demand for seismic
data; |
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Future seismic data sales; |
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Pulse’s business and growth
strategy; and |
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Other expectations, beliefs,
plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, information and statements
about possible future events, conditions, results and performance,
as they relate to the Company or to the oil and natural gas
industry as a whole. |
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By its very nature, forward-looking information
involves inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and
specific, and risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and
other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Pulse does
not publish specific financial goals or otherwise provide guidance,
due to the inherently poor visibility of seismic revenue. The
Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these
statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual
results to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives,
expectations and anticipations, estimates and intentions expressed
in such forward-looking information.
These factors include, but are not limited
to:
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Uncertainty of the timing and volume of data sales; |
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Volatility of oil and natural gas
prices; |
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Risks associated with the oil and
natural gas industry in general; |
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The Company’s ability to access
external sources of debt and equity capital; |
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Credit, liquidity and commodity
price risks; |
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The demand for seismic data
and; |
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The pricing of data library
licence sales; |
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Cybersecurity; |
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Relicensing (change-of-control)
fees and partner copy sales; |
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Environmental, health and safety
risks; |
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Federal and provincial government
laws and regulations, including those pertaining to taxation,
royalty rates, environmental protection, public health and
safety; |
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Competition; |
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Dependence on key management,
operations and marketing personnel; |
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The loss of seismic data; |
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Protection of intellectual
property rights; |
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The introduction of new products;
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Climate change. |
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Pulse cautions that the foregoing list of
factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive.
Additional information on these risks and other factors which could
affect the Company’s operations and financial results is included
under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual
information form, and in the Company’s most recent audited annual
financial statements, most recent MD&A, management information
circular, quarterly reports, material change reports and news
releases. Copies of the Company’s public filings are available on
SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
When relying on forward-looking information to
make decisions with respect to Pulse, investors and others should
carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties
and potential events. Furthermore, the forward-looking information
contained in this document is provided as of the date of this
document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to
update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking
information, except as required by law. The forward-looking
information in this document is provided for the limited purpose of
enabling current and potential investors to evaluate an investment
in Pulse. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking
information may not be appropriate, and should not be used, for
other purposes.
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