Quest Resource (NASDAQ:QRHC) Announces Earnings Results

Quest Resource (NASDAQ:QRHC) posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The business services provider reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $63.78 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $66.30 million. Quest Resource had a negative net margin of 7.07% and a negative return on equity of 14.75%.

Here are the key takeaways from Quest Resource’s conference call:

• Third-quarter revenue was $63.8 million, up about 1% year over year and essentially flat sequentially. Growth in non-industrial markets and new business was offset by softer industrial volumes.
• Gross margin improved to 17.8% from 16.3% in the second quarter, and Adjusted EBITDA rose to $3.4 million from $2.8 million sequentially and $2.9 million a year earlier. Management attributed the gains to pricing, service-network optimization, and improving margins at newer accounts.
• Cost reductions continued to support profitability: SG&A fell 8% year over year in Q3 and 16% year to date, or nearly $5 million. The company expects to reinvest in sales and technology next year, while aiming to offset much of the added expense with efficiencies and new business.
• Management expects the usual Q4 seasonal decline in revenue and gross profit sequentially, particularly from industrial customers, but forecasts gross profit and margin above the prior-year quarter. It cited late-stage discussions with large national brands in non-industrial markets, while cautioning that deal timing is uncertain.
• Quest used $0.3 million in operating cash during Q3 and ended the quarter with about $1 million in cash, though it had $17.4 million available on its ABL facility. Temporary collection delays were resolved; year-to-date operating cash flow was $4.4 million and was used to reduce higher-interest debt, while DSO remained at 71 days versus a mid-60s target.

Quest Resource Trading Up 7.7%

Shares of NASDAQ QRHC traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $1.12. The company had a trading volume of 31,018 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,186. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.38. Quest Resource has a 52-week low of $0.81 and a 52-week high of $2.41.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Weiss Ratings downgraded Quest Resource from a “sell (d-)” rating to a “sell (e+)” rating in a research note on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Reduce”.

About Quest Resource

Quest Resource Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: QRHC) provides waste and recycling management services for commercial, industrial, and multi-location customers. The company helps organizations manage material collection, transportation, processing, recycling, reuse, and disposal through a network of third-party service providers.

Quest’s offerings are designed to help customers improve waste diversion, reduce landfill use, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainability and regulatory objectives.