Dycom Industries Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

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Provided by Quartr
May 24, 2023

There are 9 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good day and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Icom Industries Incorporated Q1 2024 Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. After the speakers' presentation, there will be a question and answer session. Then you will hear an automated message advising your hand is ready.

Operator

Please be advised that today's conference call is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Stephen Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead, sir.

Speaker 1

Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for attending this conference call to review our Q1 fiscal 2024 results. Going to Slide 2. During this call, we will be referring to a slide presentation, which can be found on our website's Investor Center main page.

Speaker 1

Relevant slides will be identified by number throughout our presentation. Today, we have on the call Drew DeFerrari, our Chief Financial Officer and Ryan Urness, our General Counsel. Now I will turn the call over to Ryan Urness. Thank you, Steve. All forward looking statements made during this conference call are provided pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Speaker 1

Forward looking statements include all comments reflecting our expectations, assumptions or beliefs about future events or performance that do not relate solely to historical periods. These forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current projections, including those risks is described in our annual report on Form 10 ks filed March 3, 2023, together with our other filings with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward looking statements are made solely as of the original broadcast date of this conference call, and we assume no obligation to update any forward looking statements.

Speaker 1

Steve? Thanks, Ryan. Now moving to Slide 4 and a review of our Q1 results. As we review our results, section of our website for a reconciliation of these non GAAP measures to their corresponding GAAP measures. Now for the quarter.

Speaker 1

Revenue was $1,045,000,000 an organic increase of 19.3%. As we deployed gigabit wireline networks, Wireless Wireline Converged Networks and Wireless Networks. This quarter reflected an increase in demand from 4 of our top 5 customers. Gross margin was 18.4 percent of revenue and increased 348 basis points compared to the Q1 of fiscal 2023. General and administrative expenses were 7.9 percent of revenue and all of these factors produced adjusted EBITDA of 113,500,000 or 10.9 percent of revenue and earnings per share of $1.73 compared to $0.65 in the year ago quarter.

Speaker 1

Liquidity was strong at $673,900,000 During the quarter, we repurchased 225,000 shares of our common stock. Now going to Slide 5. Today, major industry participants are constructing and wireline networks across broad sections of the country. These wireline networks are generally designed to provision gigabit network speeds to individual consumers and businesses either directly or wirelessly using 5 gs technologies. Industry have stated their belief that a single high capacity fiber network can most cost effectively deliver services to both consumers and businesses, enabling multiple revenue streams from a single investment.

Speaker 1

This view is increasing the appetite for fiber deployments and we believe that the industry effort to deploy high capacity fiber networks continues to meaningfully broaden the set of opportunities for our industry. Increasing access to high capacity telecommunications continues to be crucial to society, especially for rural America. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes over $40,000,000,000 for the construction of rural communications networks in unserved and underserved areas across the country. This represents an unprecedented level of support. In addition, substantially Allstates have commenced programs that will provide funding for telecommunications networks even prior to the initiation of funding under the Infrastructure Act.

Speaker 1

We are providing program management, planning, engineering and design, Aerial Underground Wireless Construction and Fulfillment Services for gigabit deployments. These services are being provided across the country in numerous geographic areas to multiple customers. These deployments include networks consisting entirely of wired network elements and converged Wireless Wireline Multi Use Networks. Fiber network deployment opportunities are increasing in rural America as new industry participants respond to emerging societal initiatives. We continue to provide integrated planning, engineering and design, procurement and construction and maintenance services to several industry participants.

Speaker 1

Macroeconomic conditions, including those impacting the cost of capital, may influence the execution of some industry plans. In addition, the market for labor remains tight in many regions around the country. Automotive and equipment supply chains remain challenged, particularly for the large truck chassis required for specialty equipment. Prices for capital equipment continue to increase. It remains to be seen how long these conditions may persist.

Speaker 1

We expect demand to continue to fluctuate amongst customers, including several customers whose deployments are accelerating into the second half of the year, offset in part by 2 customers whose capital expenditures have been more heavily weighted to the first half of this year. Within this context, we remain confident that our scale and financial strength position us well to deliver valuable service to our customers. Moving to Slide 6. During the quarter, revenue increased 19.3%. Our top 5 customers combined produced 65.5 revenue increasing 20.7% organically.

Speaker 1

Demand increased from 4 of our top 5 customers. All other customers increased 16.7 percent organically. AT and T was our largest customer at 21.5 percent of total revenue 224,400,000 Lumin was our 2nd largest customer at 13% of revenue or 136,400,000 Lumin grew organically 70.4%, excluding operations sold to Bright Speed from the year ago period. This was our 5th consecutive quarter of organic growth with Looman. Revenue from Comcast was $120,600,000 or 11.5 percent of revenue.

Speaker 1

Comcast was DICOM's 3rd largest customer and grew organically 8.4%. Frontier was our 4th largest customer at $103,200,000 or 9.9 percent of revenue. Frontier grew 80.2% organically. And finally, Verizon was our 5th largest customer at $99,900,000 or 9.6 percent of revenue. Verizon grew 23.4 percent organically.

Speaker 1

This was our 3rd quarter of organic growth with Verizon. This is the 4th consecutive quarter where our top 5 customers grew organically in excess of 20% and the 17th consecutive quarter where all of our other customers in aggregate excluding the top five customers have grown organically. Of note, fiber construction revenue from electric utilities was $83,500,000 in the quarter and increased organically 20% year over year. We have extended our geographic reach and expanded our program management network planning services. In fact, over the last several years, we believe we have meaningfully increased the long term value of our maintenance and operations business, a trend which we believe will parallel our deployment of gigabit wireline direct and wirelesswireline converged networks.

Speaker 1

As those deployments dramatically increase the amount of outside plant network that must be extended and maintained. Now going to Slide 7. Backlog at the end of the Q1 was $6,316,000,000 versus $6,141,000,000 at the end of the January 2023 quarter, an increase of $175,000,000 Of this backlog, approximately 3,482,000,000 is expected to be completed in the next 12 months. Backlog activity during the Q1 reflects solid performance as we book new work and renewed existing work. We continue to anticipate substantial future opportunities across a broad array of our customers.

Speaker 1

During the quarter, we received from Frontier a construction and maintenance agreement in Wisconsin for charter rural fiber construction agreements in Indiana and North Carolina and construction agreements in California, Nevada and Montana from various rural providers, rural fiber construction agreements in Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kentucky and various utility line locating agreements in California, Indiana and New Jersey. Headcount was 15,375. Now I will turn the call over to Drew for his financial review and outlook. Thanks, Steve, and good morning, everyone. Going to Slide 8.

Speaker 1

Contract revenues were $1,045,000,000 and organic revenue increased 19.3%. Adjusted EBITDA was $113,500,000 or 10.9 percent of revenue compared to $63,700,000 or 7.3 percent of revenue. The adjusted EBITDA percentage increased 359 basis points compared to Q1 2023, and this exceeded the midpoint of our expectations by 110 basis points of gross margin and approximately 80 basis points of G and A expense, resulting from improved operating leverage and performance on the higher level of revenue in the quarter. Gross margin was 18.4 percent of revenue compared to 14.9% in Q1 2023. G and A expense was 7 point 9% of revenue in line with Q1 2023.

Speaker 1

Net income was $1.73 per share compared to $0.65 per share in Q1 last year. The increase in earnings reflects higher adjusted EBITDA, lower amortization and higher gains on asset sales, partially offset by higher depreciation, stock based compensation, interest expense and taxes. Going to Slide 9. Our financial position and balance sheet remains strong. We ended Q1 with $500,000,000 of senior notes, $328,100,000 of term loan and no revolver borrowings.

Speaker 1

Cash and equivalents were $71,400,000 and liquidity was strong at $673,900,000 Our capital allocation prioritizes organic growth followed by opportunistic share repurchases and M and A within the context of our historical range of net leverage. Going to Slide 10. Cash flows used in operating activities were $85,100,000 to support the sequential growth in Q1. Capital expenditures were $33,600,000 net of disposal proceeds and gross CapEx was 42,900,000 During Q1, we repurchased 225,000 shares of our common stock for 20,300,000 The combined DSOs of accounts receivable and net contract assets was 106 days, a reduction of 2 days sequentially as we had solid collections from customers during the quarter. Going to Slide 11.

Speaker 1

As we look ahead to the quarter ending July 29, 2023, we expect contract revenues to increase mid single digit as a percentage of contract revenues compared to Q2 of last year and non GAAP adjusted EBITDA percentage of contract revenues to increase 50 to 100 basis points as compared to Q2 2023. We also expect $12,200,000 of net interest expense, a 26% effective income tax rate and 29,700,000 diluted shares. Now I will turn the call back to Steve. Thanks, Drew. Moving to Slide 12.

Speaker 1

This quarter, we experienced solid activity and capitalized on our significant shrinks. 1st and foremost, we maintain significant customer presence throughout our markets. We are encouraged by the breadth in our business. Our extensive market presence has allowed us to be at the forefront of evolving industry opportunities. Telephone Deploying fiber to the home to enable gigabit high speed connections, increasingly rural electric utilities are doing the same, dramatically increased speeds for consumers are being provisioned and consumer data usage is growing, particularly upstream.

Speaker 1

Wireless construction activity in support of newly available spectrum bands continues this year. Federal and state support for rural deployments of Communications Networks is dramatically increasing in scale and duration. Cable operators are increasing fiber deployments in rural America. Capacity expansion projects are underway. Customers are consolidating supply chains creating opportunities for market share growth and increasing the long term value of our maintenance and operations business.

Speaker 1

As our nation and industry navigate economic uncertainty, We remain encouraged that a substantial number of our customers are committed to multiyear capital spending initiatives. We are confident in our strategies, the prospects for our company, the capabilities of our dedicated employees and the experience of our management team. Now operator, we will open the call for questions.

Operator

Thank you. First question will come from Steven Fisher of UBS. Your line is open.

Speaker 2

Thanks. Good morning and congratulations on a very nice result in the quarter. Steve, what do you make of some of these customers front end loading versus some that are accelerating into the second half. So to what extent do you think this is all just very idiosyncratic to each of these customers versus there being any particular message implied about sort of confidence in the overall outlook for investment?

Speaker 1

Yes. Sure, Steve. So I think for those that are moderating into the second half of the year, both have spoken recently at conferences and talked about How much work they were able to get done in the 4th calendar and 1st calendar quarter. And so I think that they were pleased with the amount of work that they were able to do. And so they have a somewhat more moderate outlook going into the second half of the year.

Speaker 1

I think that's offset by the number of customers who were ramping in the first half of this year with aggressive goals for increases year over year where the activity is picking up. One thing, Steve, that perhaps to give you a little more granularity is If you exclude those 2 customers from the rest of the customers and take a look at sequentially The growth in the rest of the customers, it's in line with what we saw or maybe even a little bit better than what we saw last year. So I didn't use the word idiosyncratic, but there are always factors that are going to cause some customers to vary around the trend line In a program that's or in a theme that's this big and of such an extended duration.

Speaker 2

Okay. So it doesn't necessarily change your view of what's still to come, just a little bit of near term shift in timing, it sounds like.

Speaker 1

I mean, in both cases, I think that those customers have reiterated their commitment to plans, have talked about what they'd like to get done next year. And I think we'll see a more normalized spending pattern next year. I mean, the weather last winter caused a little bit of change of seasonality depending on where a Particular customer was in the ramp up of their program. Okay.

Speaker 2

And then just a follow-up in terms of the margins, are there any specific drags that you're anticipating or already seeing in Q2 and how likely are these drags to sustain into the second half of the year. I know there's some debate about what the right consensus numbers are, but it seems like The consensus is already showing 160 basis points of improvement year over year in Q3. And for running at 50 to 100 for Q2. Is that sort of the way we should be thinking about what the potential is or So are there any near term drags to be aware of? And how does that kind of factor into the second half thinking at this point?

Speaker 1

Sure. So Steve, again, because we've had in the near term, we've had this moderation with a couple of customers that we've got to work our way through as the other customers are growing, we're taking a prudent view on the current quarter. I mean, we looked at the EPS consensus this morning, it looked achievable for Q2. And we're hopeful that as we work through this little bit of fluctuation that The earnings power of the company is improving. If you looked over the last four quarters, adjusted EBITDA was 10.5 That was the first time since 2019.

Speaker 1

We're working hard to improve it from there. But we do think we're on a path to greater earnings power as we put some headwinds that we've been dealing with for a while behind us.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Steve. Appreciate it.

Operator

Thank you. One moment while we get ready for the next question. And the next question is coming from Alan Thalhimer of Thompson Davis. Your line is open.

Speaker 3

Hey, good morning guys. Great quarter.

Speaker 1

Good morning, Adam.

Speaker 4

Thanks, Steve.

Speaker 3

I wanted to ask first on Bright Speed. Was there any project revenue in the Q1 sales figure or was that all maintenance that would have been done by Lumin?

Speaker 1

There was a lot of growth with both Bright Speed and Lumen. It's predominantly around their fiber programs. We're working hard to meet their expectations and they'd like To get a lot of work done.

Speaker 3

And question on Giga Power, is that What's your outlook for that? And would that revenue flow through AT and T or would you flow that through all other? I mean, Adam, I don't

Speaker 1

know that we have anything to say Specifically about that other than to say, we're encouraged when there are new Sources of capital that are attracted to the industry. And there's lots of capital flowing to support these builds.

Speaker 3

Okay. Just lastly on bead funding and timing of spend, do you have any thoughts on that?

Speaker 1

The last that I saw, they still expect the math to come out by the end of June, Depending on when that settles, there'll be an allocation of monies to the states. And I think by the end of the year, we'll have much better clarity around timing. I think what's important to note about BEAT, Adam, is it's really just one of A whole host of sources of public capital that's flowing into the business. So you have projects still funded by the CARES Act, Which was, I think, April of 2020, ARPA, which was April of 2021, RDOF that came out in the Q1 of 2021 And a number of states have pretty substantial broadband funds. And so for us, I think it's just another source of government support for a very big theme that's going to play out over a significant number of years.

Speaker 2

Great. Thanks, Steve.

Operator

Thank you. One moment while we prepare for the next question. And please wait for your name to be pronounced before you proceed with your question. The next question will be coming from Alex Rygiel of B. Riley.

Operator

Your line is open.

Speaker 5

Good morning, Steve. Very nice quarter.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Alex.

Speaker 6

In the past, you've talked about the duration of new contracts were shorter than historically. Has this trend continued? And can you discuss the impact on gross margins?

Speaker 1

I think what we said when we saw when we were seeing lots of Price pressures in the general economy, we were somewhat cautious to extend durations on agreements because we wanted to make Sure that we didn't put ourselves in a position where because of inflationary pressure, we couldn't deliver for the customer. I think as we talked about last quarter, it's still not an easy environment, but it's not as bad as it was. And so I think As long as we get the appropriate pricing, that our outlook on duration is probably a little more constructive than it was when fuel was $7 a gallon in California and wages were moving up pretty rapidly. Now it's Labor is still tight. It's a sub 4% unemployment world, but it's a little bit better than it was last summer.

Speaker 6

And then headcount declined a little bit in the quarter sequentially. Is that a trend that we should expect over the next couple of quarters?

Speaker 1

It's pretty random, Alex. I think it was down what 60 or 70 people sequentially and revenue was up Well over $100,000,000 So I don't think it's a lot to read into that. Thank

Speaker 3

you.

Operator

Thank you. One moment while we prepare for the next question. And our next question will be coming from Steve Eastman of Key Bank, your line

Speaker 3

is open.

Operator

I'm sorry, Sean Eastman of KeyBanc. Your line is open.

Speaker 7

Thank you. Thank you. So I just wanted to make sure we're interpreting the commentary on the several customers Kind of ramping into the second half versus the 2 that are more first half weighted. It sounds like what you're saying is The former is the order of magnitude on the former is larger than the 2 customers That are more first half weighted, so there's still an opportunity for second half revenues to exceed first half, but maybe the pace of growth is just not going to be able to Sustained versus what we saw in the Q1. Is that kind of what you're trying to say, Steve?

Speaker 1

Well, I mean, I think directionally that's in line, but these programs are accelerating. And when you have programs that are accelerating, once you get a cadence, you can build up Some pretty good revenue momentum. We just don't want to get ahead of that as we're seeing this transition In activity, short term, from couple of customers to a broader set of customers that are growing. And as I said, Sean, if we look at that broader set of customers sequentially, the growth rate from Q1 to Q2 that we expect for those customers this year will be in line or maybe better than the Sequential growth overall was last year, from Q1 to Q2.

Speaker 7

Okay. That's actually really helpful. And then moving over to the margins, clearly this 360 basis points of improvement in the Q1 is considerably better than the modest year over year expansion guidance. So would you be able to get into what's in that Year on year bridge. And just help us understand what we can extrapolate from that performance relative The balance of the year.

Speaker 1

Well, clearly, Sean, we got good operating leverage in the quarter where we had 19% organic growth, Which was more than we had expected. Again, weather was a factor. We had better Weathered to operate in February March than what we would typically seasonally see. I think that's reflected Some customers being pleased with how much they've got done in the 1st part of the year. I think as we go ahead, We're going to have a little bit of pressure as we see moderation with a couple of customers offset by the growth in others.

Speaker 1

But as we get deeper into the year, I think what I take away from the margins over the last four quarters being north of 10% is that the trend line and earnings power that we've had for a long time in the business is reasserting itself after a period that was pretty difficult. So we're encouraged.

Speaker 7

Okay. And one last one, Steve. Just with the broader customer base kind of publicly Identifying higher build costs and zoning in on the labor side in particular. I just want to make sure I understand how to interpret that relative to the DUI model. Maybe just kind of help clear the air on how that translates into the DICOM model, how we should think about that those comments?

Speaker 1

Yes. So Sean, we talked about it on the last quarter too and I'm not going to respond back to any or comment Specifically on any individual customer, but as the builds progress, there's always a mix of different types of passings. So let's say, aerial passings where we place fiber on poles, buried passings where we place the fiber in the ground or where we Serve multiple dwelling units like apartment complexes and condominiums. And all of those different types of deployments have different costs. And so as mix changes over time, it's not unusual, For example, in any given period for say underground or buried construction to increase and that does require more labor.

Speaker 1

And so if you look at the overall impact on cost per homes passed, it's really in our view that the mix changes over time. And with that mix change, the amount of labor that's required and the amount of or the portion of the bill that's labor related can increase, But it just reflects the mix.

Speaker 7

Understood. Thank you. I'll turn it over.

Operator

Thank you for your question and one moment while we prepare for the next question. The next question that we have is coming from Bret Stilman of D. A. Davidson. Your line is open.

Speaker 4

Thanks. Good morning, Steve. It's Drew. Hey, Steve. I mean, you grew 19% off of a pretty difficult comparison of last year.

Speaker 4

Is there a way for us to think about the contribution of sort of higher value or contract pricing for your services after all this inflation versus deeper penetration of your services?

Speaker 1

I mean, Sean, we go through contract renewals and have discussions with customers periodically. We're not going to talk about pricing in specific or generally other than Is the cost that it takes to get the work done.

Speaker 4

Okay. And then maybe Steve, you just speak to your ability to pivot crude from those customers with more sort of front half weighted spending to those in the back half loaded Spending just maybe more so your ability to manage some of that under absorption that comes with some of this oscillation between customers?

Speaker 1

As we said, anytime you deal with some moderation, there's going to be some costs that get hung up for a little bit. I think we're pleased that of the breadth of the business and the amount of demand that we see across the industry and Additional investment that's flowing in that we're going to work hard to stay busy.

Speaker 4

Okay. Thank

Operator

you. Thank you for your question. The next question that we have is coming from Christian Schwab of Craig Hallum. Your line is open.

Speaker 8

Hey, good morning guys. Steve, I'm curious in the underground fiber work with the broadening of the customer base and significant state investments, Is there any shift in mix of bearing the fiber from an increase in what I would call middle mile and long haul fiber initiatives and outlook on a go forward basis. Are you seeing that or not?

Speaker 1

Yes, Kristen, it's a great question. So clearly, when you start deploying lots of fiber in rural America, there's not a whole lot of middle mile fiber. And so part a portion of these programs really is middle mile, before you can do the distribution portion of the network. I think a number of customers who are participating both as incumbents in a particular geography as well as a state or federal recipient of support is often looking at that middle mile investment against 2, 3, 4 separate pools of capital that can fund it. So I think we will see larger projects initially now, not forever.

Speaker 1

Eventually the middle mile gets built and then the focus is clearly around homes passed. But that's a The dynamic you described is pretty typical when you want to deploy fiber in a region Of the country or the state where there's very little fiber right now.

Speaker 8

And how would you expect any type of profitability differences between middle mile work and Say distributionlast mile work?

Speaker 1

In rural America, Christian, there's really it's the same activity, it's the same work Functions, it's the same environmental conditions you're operating within. And so we've not historically seen it to be a big difference.

Speaker 8

Great. No other questions. Thanks, Steve.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you for your question. One moment while we prepare for the next question. And our next question will be coming from Eric Lukow of Wells Fargo. Your line is open.

Speaker 5

Thanks for the question. Steve, I wanted to touch on the cable folks. So Comcast and Charter had some nice growth in the quarter. I guess, are you seeing more activity on Edge Outs or DOCSIS 4.0 upgrades or maybe some of the rural programs like Charter has been doing with RDOF? Any color on what you're Shane from the cable sector.

Speaker 1

Yes, Eric, I think we're pleased with our progress against all of those opportunities that you outlined. Both major cable operators spoke recently at conferences and focused on their edge out and rural strategies, But they also are deploying capital and we're participating in that to expand existing network capacity. So in general, We see things picking up.

Speaker 5

Yes. That's good to hear. And just related to BEAT, I know it's been touched on. I mean, there we've heard Some chatter that concerns around labor supply, will there be enough to support both the metro and suburban builds in addition to the more rural builds that seem to be accelerating the next Couple of years. How do you think about like kind of your headcount today?

Speaker 5

And do you think there's enough kind of industry capacity to support another 15 plus 1,000,000 homes or whatever the ultimate number will be in rural America over the next 5 to 10 years? Yes.

Speaker 1

I think, Eric, the way we're looking at BEAT is, again, as we said earlier, is it really is an extension of an increase in government Funding that really started with the CARES Act, ran through RDOF and ARPA and continues with state funds. And so I think capacity in that part of America with those funding sources is increasing and the bigger the installed base, the greater the industry's ability To grow, doesn't mean it's going to be easy, but if you look at our work that we do for electric utilities, I think on a trailing basis, it's very close to $300,000,000 in revenue, that resource base, for the most part didn't exist 5, 6 years ago. So I think as long as the economics are right, reflecting the amount of investment that's required to create capacity And we have the right length of time in order to make that investment. We and lots of others will be pleased to help get the network built, Because I would say rural America is probably in their mind waited long enough.

Speaker 5

Yes, fair enough. And just one last one for me, Steve, kind of a bigger picture question. So the Gigapower JV with AT and T is kind of an open access model that we've seen Rolled out a lot more in Europe. I guess, what are your thoughts on whether that can be kind of a successful model in terms of their ability to Not just sell the fiber network to AT and T, but add additional tenants onto it as well.

Speaker 1

Yes, Eric, I think what I would say is without Comments on any customer specific model is that when you have a theme in the economy that's as big as creating digital infrastructure to serve homes, irregardless of their location, whether they're urban, suburban or rural, There's going to be lots of experimentation around different ways to create value around that societal trend. And you've highlighted 1, there are others that are out there. And that's why I think if you look at the next 5 or 10 years in this industry, It's going to be more exciting than any time certainly in my career and probably ever. So I just think it just shows how dynamic our industry is given the demand For the service.

Speaker 5

Okay. Thanks, Steve. Appreciate it.

Operator

Thank you for your questions. And one moment while we proceed with the next questions. And the next question is coming from Alan Mitrani of Sylvan Link Asset Management. Your line is open.

Speaker 6

Hi, thank you. The issue with your earnings last number of years has really been gross margin. It seems like finally we've rolled off some of those From contracts and other issues and you got energy down to

Speaker 5

a level where you've been able to

Speaker 6

get the price increases and whatever cost cuts you've done. Is that the way you feel? You feel like we're past a milestone as it relates to gross margin?

Speaker 1

Well, this is a service business, Alan. You're always working Hard to make it better. There are always challenges. I think a couple of years ago, we probably would not have anticipated the amount of labor inflation in the general economy. But in terms of things that are inside the business through some challenging programs.

Speaker 1

I think we're back on a more normalized earnings trend and we're working hard to make it better.

Speaker 6

Okay. Can you talk about the competitive dynamics in terms of other contractors or the bidding environment that you're seeing? Does your access to capital help you? You guys raised a lot of money. You're paying extra interest costs.

Speaker 6

You hadn't put it all to work really. Just talk about that versus other contractors?

Speaker 1

Yes. Look, I would say a couple of things. 1, we're pleased with Our competitive positioning, I was looking this morning that over the last four quarters to April, we grew just under $700,000,000 organically, pretty sizable increase in that growth alone would be a pretty sizable industry participant. I would say there's certainly anecdotal data that would tell you that the community banking challenges will disproportionately impact smaller private companies. Not great, probably shouldn't be that way, but In the past, that's certainly what we've seen.

Speaker 1

And we are pleased that we raised capital when we did in 2021 at attractive rates. And we've been also pleased that we've been able to put it to work organically and through share repurchases. So I think we're in a good spot To compete doesn't mean that we'll ever earn business Just on the balance sheet because we've got to serve the customer well, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

Speaker 3

Great. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. This concludes the Q and A session for today. And I would turn the call back over to management for closing remarks.

Speaker 1

Well, we thank everybody for your time and attention, and we look forward to speaking to you again in August on our Q2 earnings call. Thank you.

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