GTLS Q1 Earnings Call: Chart Maintains Guidance Amid Tariff Uncertainty and Broad Market Demand
Gas handling company Chart (NYSE:GTLS) met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 5.3% year on year to $1 billion. The company's full-year revenue guidance of $4.75 billion at the midpoint came in 2.5% above analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.71 per share was 6.4% below analysts' consensus estimates.
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Revenue: $1 billion vs analyst estimates of $1 billion (5.3% year-on-year growth, in line)
Adjusted EPS: $1.71 vs analyst expectations of $1.83 (6.4% miss)
Adjusted EBITDA: $231.1 million vs analyst estimates of $226.3 million (23.1% margin, 2.1% beat)
The company reconfirmed its revenue guidance for the full year of $4.75 billion at the midpoint
Management reiterated its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance of $12.50 at the midpoint
EBITDA guidance for the full year is $1.2 billion at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $1.16 billion
Operating Margin: 15.2%, up from 11.9% in the same quarter last year
Free Cash Flow was -$80.1 million compared to -$141.2 million in the same quarter last year
Backlog: $5.14 billion at quarter end, up 18.8% year on year
Market Capitalization: $7.87 billion
Chart's first quarter results reflected continued demand across key end markets, with management citing strong order activity in areas such as LNG, space exploration, and aftermarket services. CEO Jillian Evanko specifically pointed to operational efficiencies and improved project mix as drivers of margin expansion, while also highlighting sequential improvements in backlog and segment-level performance. The company's focus on cost controls and leveraging a flexible manufacturing footprint were emphasized as contributors to the quarter's performance.
Looking ahead, management reiterated its full-year revenue and profit guidance, despite uncertainty related to global tariffs and macroeconomic volatility. Evanko detailed mitigation strategies including regional sourcing, price increases in certain business lines, and a growing emphasis on aftermarket services, stating, 'We believe that we're well underway in mitigating these tariffs, and that gives us confidence.' Management also emphasized visibility provided by a diversified backlog and strong pipeline across industries such as data centers and carbon capture.
Chart's management attributed Q1 performance to a combination of diversified demand, operational improvements, and proactive tariff mitigation. Segment-specific trends and strategic actions shaped the quarter's outcomes and will influence the company's trajectory in 2025.
Aftermarket Services Growth: The Repair, Service & Leasing (RSL) segment, which now represents about a third of revenue and half of operating profit, benefited from expanded service agreements and increased digital tool adoption. Orders in RSL grew over 36% year-over-year, with management noting broad-based demand across retrofit, service, and spares.
Data Centers and AI Energy Demand: Chart's pipeline for data center solutions, including heat exchangers and cryogenic cooling, expanded to $400 million in potential opportunities over the next 12–18 months. Management added a dedicated commercial lead for this segment and cited increased customer discussions around energy-intensive AI projects.
Specialty Products Margin Recovery: Specialty Products achieved gross margin above 30% for the first time since 2022, driven by improved efficiencies and backlog conversion in hydrogen, water treatment, and power generation. Management expects further gains as recent capacity investments are absorbed.
Tariff Mitigation Actions: The company outlined steps such as regional sourcing, flexible manufacturing, selective price increases, and securing tariff exemptions to limit the impact of new trade measures. Most steel is sourced domestically, and backlog pricing is largely locked in for current projects.
Diversified End Market Exposure: Orders in space exploration, nuclear, and marine each exceeded full-year 2024 levels in just the first quarter, reflecting the company's broader presence across industries. Management highlighted this diversification as a buffer against potential weakness in industrial gas and hydrogen markets in the Americas.
Management anticipates that backlog visibility, proactive cost actions, and expansion into high-growth markets will shape Chart's performance for the remainder of the year.
Aftermarket Emphasis: A greater reliance on service and maintenance business provides recurring revenue streams and stability, even amid potential slowdowns in new equipment orders. Management expects this area to continue growing and to support margins.
Data Center and LNG Pipeline: Chart's addressable market in data centers and LNG projects is expanding, with a $1 billion potential LNG order pipeline and growing interest in cryogenic and energy efficiency solutions for AI infrastructure. Management views these as key growth engines.
Tariff and Macro Risks: While management has implemented mitigation strategies for tariffs and supply chain disruptions, ongoing global economic uncertainty and potential project delays in certain sectors (notably hydrogen and industrial gas in the Americas) remain watch areas.
Scott Gruber (Citigroup): Asked about Chart's exposure to China and how U.S.-based fabrication destined for China could be shifted. CEO Jillian Evanko explained that most manufacturing for China occurs locally and that recent tariff exemptions have reduced material exposure by about 40%.
Saurabh Pant (Bank of America): Inquired about macroeconomic risks and visibility into backlog coverage. Evanko highlighted diversification across end markets and a strong service business as factors supporting guidance, while noting hydrogen and industrial gas as risk areas.
Marc Bianchi (TD Cowen): Sought clarification on the effectiveness of tariff mitigation and whether guidance assumed any benefits. Evanko confirmed that guidance is based on gross tariff impact, with mitigation efforts already underway but not yet reflected in results.
Eric Stine (Craig-Hallum): Questioned the sustainability of recent growth in new end markets like space exploration. Evanko described an evolution toward greater visibility and recurring content across multiple sectors, supported by a growing backlog.
Benjamin Nolan (Stifel): Asked about the acceleration of LNG activity. Evanko confirmed increased customer urgency and identified a $1 billion LNG order pipeline, excluding certain large projects not yet in backlog.
Over the next few quarters, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the pace of large LNG and data center orders converting into backlog, (2) the sustainability of margin improvements in Specialty Products and RSL, and (3) the effectiveness of tariff mitigation as new trade policies are implemented. Developments in hydrogen and industrial gas demand in the Americas will also be key indicators for overall business momentum.
Chart currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 13.5×. Should you load up, cash out, or stay put? The answer lies in our free research report.
Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs.
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