We have maintained our Neutral recommendation on
Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.
(
DO
), a major contract driller providing comprehensive offshore
drilling services to the global energy industry.
The company recently announced upbeat first quarter results,
which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate mainly on higher day rates
for its deepwater rigs.
We believe Diamond Offshore has solid fundamentals with
significant free cash flow potential and a clean balance sheet that
enhance the possibility of further share buybacks and/or special
dividends in the years ahead.
Diamond is aiming to increase its footprint in emerging markets
(such as Brazil and West Africa) to reap benefits from the recent
deepwater discoveries. The company's Brazilian backlog saw solid
growth with extensions on Ocean Valient at increased dayrates.
Another 15 rigs are already working for
Petrobras
(
PZE
). These are expected to enhance revenues for Diamond in view of
the increased demand in Brazil and the inability of the region to
develop a local offshore rig construction industry.
Again, the gradual improvement in the drilling market in the
Gulf of Mexico (especially after the deepwater drilling ban was
lifted), along with better bidding activity, will prove beneficial
for a contract drilling company like Diamond Offshore.
Moreover, Diamond has signed a new contract for Ocean Victory at
a dayrate of $419,500, up from the prior rate of $325,000. Further,
Ocean Saratoga is also moving to the GoM for a single well job.
These are expected to receive follow-on contracts, as the markets
offer immense growth potential.
Diamond is expanding its ultra deepwater leverage through the
construction of three drillships. The increasing demand in some
regions of West Africa and GoM is likely to benefit the existing
fleet along with the newbuilds -- Ocean Onyx scheduled for delivery
in the third quarter of 2013 - as they may be contracted at higher
dayrates.
However, Diamond Offshore remains leveraged to lower-spec
deepwater and midwater floater markets where we believe utilization
and dayrates could dampen over the next couple of years. Again, we
remain cautious due to the anticipated increase in newbuilds
entering the market over the next few years. Additionally, foreign
currency fluctuation is also a threat to the company's
profitability.
Diamond holds a Zacks #3 Rank, which is equivalent to a Hold
rating for a period of one to three months. It faces competition
from
Noble Corporation
(
NE
).
DIAMOND OFFSHOR (DO): Free Stock Analysis
Report
NOBLE CORP (NE): Free Stock Analysis Report
PETROBRAS EGY (PZE): Free Stock Analysis Report
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