Gross margins have faced severe compression, falling from a peak of 20.7% in 2024Q2 to just 3.1% in 2026Q1, reflecting the difficulty of maintaining pricing power in a volatile offshore environment.
| Metric | TTM | Dec'25 | Dec'24 | Dec'23 | Dec'22 | Dec'21 | Dec'20 | Dec'19 | Dec'18 | Dec'17 | Dec'16 | Dec'15 | Dec'14 | Dec'13 | Dec'12 | Dec'11 | Dec'10 | Dec'09 | Dec'08 | Dec'07 | Dec'06 | Dec'05 | Dec'04 | Dec'03 | Dec'02 | Dec'01 | Dec'00 | Dec'99 | Dec'98 | Dec'97 | Dec'96 |
|---|
| Sales/Revenue | 1.3B | 1.29B | 1.36B | 1.29B | 873.1M | 674.73M | 733.55M | 751.91M | 739.82M | 581.38M | 487.58M | 695.8M | 1.11B | 876.56M | 846.11M | 1.4B | 1.2B | 1.46B | 2.15B | 1.77B | 1.37B | 799.47M | 543.39M | 396.27M | 302.7M | 227.14M | 181.01M | 161M | 151.9M | 109.4M | 76.1M |
| Revenue Growth % | -2.91% | -4.94% | 5.34% | 47.72% | 29.4% | -8.02% | -2.44% | 1.63% | 27.25% | 19.24% | -29.93% | -37.15% | 26.31% | 3.6% | -39.5% | 16.57% | -17.91% | -31.96% | 21.55% | 29.3% | 70.98% | 47.13% | 37.13% | 30.91% | 33.27% | 25.48% | 12.43% | 5.99% | 38.85% | 43.76% | 102.93% |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 1.16B | 1.13B | 1.14B | 1.09B | 822.48M | 659.34M | 653.65M | 614.07M | 618.13M | 519.22M | 441.07M | 929.58M | 763.12M | 615.88M | 796.19M | 1.07B | 1.17B | 1.22B | 1.77B | 1.25B | 851.52M | 516.4M | 371.48M | 304.19M | 248.91M | 160.23M | 94.92M | 103.1M | 93.1M | 68.2M | 48.8M |
| COGS % of Revenue | - | 87.68% | 83.84% | 84.47% | 94.2% | 97.72% | 89.11% | 81.67% | 83.55% | 89.31% | 90.46% | 133.6% | 68.93% | 70.26% | 94.1% | 76.36% | 97.19% | 83.36% | 82.28% | 70.93% | 62.29% | 64.59% | 68.36% | 76.76% | 82.23% | 70.54% | 52.44% | 64.04% | 61.29% | 62.34% | 64.13% |
| Gross Profit | 140.43M | 159.14M | 219.56M | 200.36M | 50.62M | 15.39M | 79.91M | 137.84M | 121.68M | 62.17M | 46.52M | -233.77M | 344.04M | 260.69M | 49.91M | 330.59M | 33.67M | 243.16M | 380.67M | 513.76M | 515.41M | 283.07M | 171.91M | 92.08M | 53.79M | 66.91M | 86.1M | 57.9M | 58.8M | 41.2M | 27.3M |
| Gross Margin % | 10.79% | 12.32% | 16.16% | 15.53% | 5.8% | 2.28% | 10.89% | 18.33% | 16.45% | 10.69% | 9.54% | -33.6% | 31.07% | 29.74% | 5.9% | 23.64% | 2.81% | 16.64% | 17.72% | 29.07% | 37.71% | 35.41% | 31.64% | 23.24% | 17.77% | 29.46% | 47.56% | 35.96% | 38.71% | 37.66% | 35.87% |
| Gross Profit Growth % | - | -27.52% | 9.59% | 295.84% | 228.82% | -80.74% | -42.03% | 13.28% | 95.74% | 33.64% | 119.9% | -167.95% | 31.97% | 422.26% | -84.9% | 881.8% | -86.15% | -36.12% | -25.9% | -0.32% | 82.08% | 64.66% | 86.69% | 71.18% | -19.61% | -22.29% | 48.7% | -1.53% | 42.72% | 50.92% | 135.34% |
| Operating Expenses | 96.78M | 94M | 92.13M | 94.43M | 76.75M | 63.45M | 66.88M | 69.84M | 70.29M | 63.26M | 65.93M | 57.28M | 92.52M | 82.27M | 94.42M | 99.59M | 111.58M | 130.85M | 826.23M | 101.01M | 116.76M | 61.38M | 48.88M | 35.92M | 32.78M | 21.32M | 51.53M | 33.8M | 25.4M | 18.7M | 13.6M |
| OpEx % of Revenue | - | 7.28% | 6.78% | 7.32% | 8.79% | 9.4% | 9.12% | 9.29% | 9.5% | 10.88% | 13.52% | 8.23% | 8.36% | 9.38% | 11.16% | 7.12% | 9.3% | 8.95% | 38.46% | 5.72% | 8.54% | 7.68% | 9% | 9.07% | 10.83% | 9.39% | 28.47% | 20.99% | 16.72% | 17.09% | 17.87% |
| Selling, General & Admin | 78.72M | 75.94M | 91.65M | 94.43M | 76.75M | 63.45M | 61.08M | 69.84M | 70.29M | 63.26M | 65.93M | 57.28M | 92.52M | 82.27M | 94.42M | 99.59M | 122.08M | 130.85M | 184.71M | 151.38M | 119.58M | 62.79M | 48.88M | 35.92M | 32.78M | 21.32M | 20.8M | 13.2M | 15.8M | 11.2M | 8.3M |
| SG&A % of Revenue | - | 5.88% | 6.75% | 7.32% | 8.79% | 9.4% | 8.33% | 9.29% | 9.5% | 10.88% | 13.52% | 8.23% | 8.36% | 9.38% | 11.16% | 7.12% | 10.17% | 8.95% | 8.6% | 8.56% | 8.75% | 7.85% | 9% | 9.07% | 10.83% | 9.39% | 11.49% | 8.2% | 10.4% | 10.24% | 10.91% |
| Research & Development | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| R&D % of Revenue | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other Operating Expenses | 1000K | 18.06M | 479K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.8M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -625K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 641.52M | -50.37M | -2.82M | -1.41M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30.73M | 20.6M | 9.6M | 7.5M | 5.3M |
| Operating Income | 43.65M | 65.14M | 127.44M | 105.93M | -26.14M | -48.06M | 13.03M | 68M | 51.54M | -1.13M | -63.23M | -307.36M | 261.76M | 179.03M | -68.48M | 235.53M | -94.66M | 203.81M | -445.56M | 412.74M | 398.64M | 221.69M | 123.03M | 56.16M | 21.01M | 45.59M | 34.57M | 24.1M | 33.4M | 22.5M | 13.7M |
| Operating Margin % | 3.35% | 5.04% | 9.38% | 8.21% | -2.99% | -7.12% | 1.78% | 9.04% | 6.97% | -0.19% | -12.97% | -44.17% | 23.64% | 20.42% | -8.09% | 16.84% | -7.89% | 13.94% | -20.74% | 23.35% | 29.16% | 27.73% | 22.64% | 14.17% | 6.94% | 20.07% | 19.1% | 14.97% | 21.99% | 20.57% | 18% |
| Operating Income Growth % | - | -48.89% | 20.3% | 505.28% | 45.61% | -468.95% | -80.84% | 31.92% | 4661.33% | 98.21% | 79.43% | -217.42% | 46.2% | 361.43% | -129.08% | 348.83% | -146.44% | 145.74% | -207.95% | 3.54% | 79.82% | 80.19% | 119.07% | 167.32% | -53.91% | 31.87% | 43.44% | -27.84% | 48.44% | 64.23% | 251.28% |
| EBITDA | 177.11M | 252.52M | 264.64M | 270.05M | 116.55M | 93.46M | 146.73M | 180.72M | 162.06M | 107.61M | 50.95M | -186.96M | 371.1M | 277.57M | 28.72M | 546.63M | 222.46M | 466.43M | -104.44M | 751.17M | 594.57M | 334.9M | 227.44M | 126.95M | 65.76M | 80.12M | 65.3M | 44.7M | 43M | 30M | 19M |
| EBITDA Margin % | 13.61% | 19.55% | 19.48% | 20.94% | 13.35% | 13.85% | 20% | 24.03% | 21.91% | 18.51% | 10.45% | -26.87% | 33.52% | 31.67% | 3.39% | 39.08% | 18.54% | 31.91% | -4.86% | 42.5% | 43.5% | 41.89% | 41.85% | 32.04% | 21.73% | 35.27% | 36.07% | 27.76% | 28.31% | 27.42% | 24.97% |
| EBITDA Growth % | -32.14% | -4.58% | -2% | 131.7% | 24.71% | -36.31% | -18.8% | 11.51% | 50.6% | 111.21% | 127.25% | -150.38% | 33.7% | 866.53% | -94.75% | 145.72% | -52.31% | 546.6% | -113.9% | 26.34% | 77.54% | 47.25% | 79.15% | 93.04% | -17.92% | 22.7% | 46.08% | 3.95% | 43.33% | 57.89% | 183.58% |
| D&A (Non-Cash Add-back) | 133.46M | 187.38M | 137.2M | 164.12M | 142.69M | 141.51M | 133.71M | 112.72M | 110.52M | 108.75M | 114.19M | 120.4M | 109.34M | 98.53M | 97.2M | 311.1M | 317.12M | 262.62M | 341.12M | 338.42M | 195.92M | 113.22M | 104.41M | 70.79M | 44.76M | 34.53M | 30.73M | 20.6M | 9.6M | 7.5M | 5.3M |
| EBIT | 45.09M | 65.26M | 115.97M | 28.87M | -55.01M | -47.15M | 30.74M | 76.5M | 47.99M | 996K | -60.59M | -449.19M | 285.17M | 177.65M | -77.29M | 243.84M | 67.81M | 319.65M | -398.6M | 412.74M | 398.64M | 221.69M | 123.03M | 56.16M | 21.01M | 45.59M | 34.57M | 24.05M | 33.4M | 22.5M | 13.7M |
| Net Interest Income | -11.84M | -22.78M | -22.63M | -17.34M | -18.95M | -23.2M | -28.53M | -8.33M | -13.75M | -18.78M | -31.24M | -26.91M | -17.86M | -32.9M | -48.16M | -70.18M | -65.59M | -56.73M | -92.45M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interest Income | 2.38M | 0 | 11.27M | 4.02M | 1.23M | 288K | 825K | 2.61M | 3.24M | 2.59M | 2.09M | 2.07M | 4.79M | 1.17M | 548K | 2.08M | 1.41M | 923K | 2.42M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interest Expense | 14.22M | 22.78M | 33.9M | 21.36M | 20.18M | 23.49M | 29.36M | 10.94M | 16.99M | 21.37M | 33.33M | 28.98M | 22.64M | 34.06M | 48.71M | 99.95M | 86.71M | 51.49M | 81.41M | 59.44M | 34.63M | 7.56M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Income/Expense | -21.25M | -22.66M | -45.37M | -98.42M | -49.04M | -22.59M | -11.64M | -2.44M | -20.55M | -19.24M | -30.68M | -170.81M | 765K | -20.72M | -57.48M | 84.94M | -69.05M | 58.18M | -49.44M | 111.95M | 206.63M | 5.9M | 2.66M | -3.49M | -1.97M | -1.15M | 312K | 1.3M | 3.7M | -200K | -700K |
| Pretax Income | 22.4M | 42.48M | 82.06M | 7.51M | -75.18M | -70.64M | 1.38M | 65.56M | 31M | -20.37M | -93.92M | -478.17M | 262.52M | 143.59M | -125.96M | 147.98M | -163.71M | 261.99M | -495M | 524.69M | 605.27M | 227.59M | 125.69M | 52.67M | 19.04M | 44.44M | 34.88M | 25.4M | 37.1M | 22.3M | 13M |
| Pretax Margin % | 1.72% | 3.29% | 6.04% | 0.58% | -8.61% | -10.47% | 0.19% | 8.72% | 4.19% | -3.5% | -19.26% | -68.72% | 23.71% | 16.38% | -14.89% | 10.58% | -13.64% | 17.92% | -23.04% | 29.69% | 44.28% | 28.47% | 23.13% | 13.29% | 6.29% | 19.56% | 19.27% | 15.78% | 24.42% | 20.38% | 17.08% |
| Income Tax | 8.05M | 11.65M | 26.43M | 18.35M | 12.6M | -8.96M | -18.7M | 7.86M | 2.4M | -50.42M | -12.47M | -101.19M | 66.97M | 31.61M | -59.16M | 14.9M | -39.6M | 95.82M | 89.98M | 174.93M | 257.16M | 75.02M | 43.03M | 18.99M | 6.66M | 15.5M | 11.55M | 8.5M | 13M | 7.8M | 4.6M |
| Effective Tax Rate % | 35.93% | 27.43% | 32.2% | 244.24% | -16.76% | 12.68% | -1352.21% | 11.99% | 7.74% | 247.52% | 13.28% | 21.16% | 25.51% | 22.02% | 46.97% | 10.07% | 24.19% | 36.57% | -18.18% | 33.34% | 42.49% | 32.96% | 34.24% | 36.06% | 35% | 34.89% | 33.13% | 33.46% | 35.04% | 34.98% | 35.38% |
| Net Income | 14.35M | 30.83M | 55.64M | -10.84M | -87.78M | -61.68M | 22.17M | 57.92M | 28.6M | 30.05M | -81.44M | -376.98M | 195.05M | 109.92M | -46.3M | 129.98M | -126.99M | 156.05M | -630.85M | 320.48M | 347.39M | 152.57M | 82.66M | 34.21M | 12.38M | 28.93M | 23.33M | 16.9M | 24.1M | 14.5M | 8.4M |
| Net Margin % | 1.1% | 2.39% | 4.1% | -0.84% | -10.05% | -9.14% | 3.02% | 7.7% | 3.87% | 5.17% | -16.7% | -54.18% | 17.62% | 12.54% | -5.47% | 9.29% | -10.58% | 10.68% | -29.36% | 18.13% | 25.41% | 19.08% | 15.21% | 8.63% | 4.09% | 12.74% | 12.89% | 10.5% | 15.87% | 13.25% | 11.04% |
| Net Income Growth % | -83.12% | -44.59% | 613.35% | 87.65% | -42.31% | -378.18% | -61.72% | 102.53% | -4.84% | 136.9% | 78.4% | -293.28% | 77.44% | 337.43% | -135.62% | 202.36% | -181.37% | 124.74% | -296.85% | -7.75% | 127.7% | 84.58% | 141.64% | 176.38% | -57.22% | 24.03% | 38.02% | -29.88% | 66.21% | 72.62% | 211.11% |
| Net Income (Continuing) | 14.35M | 30.83M | 55.64M | -10.84M | -87.78M | -61.68M | 20.08M | 57.7M | 28.6M | 30.05M | -81.44M | -376.98M | 195.55M | 111.98M | -66.8M | 133.08M | -17.5M | 166.17M | -580.25M | 349.77M | 348.12M | 152.57M | 82.66M | 33.68M | 12.38M | 28.93M | 23.33M | 16.9M | 24.1M | 14.5M | 8.4M |
| Discontinued Operations | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -95.26M | 0 | 0 | 0 | -29.29M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minority Interest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.85M | 3.46M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25.06M | 26.03M | 28.14M | 25.04M | 22.2M | 322.63M | 263.93M | 59.8M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EPS (Diluted) | 0.10 | 0.21 | 0.36 | -0.07 | -0.58 | -0.41 | 0.13 | 0.38 | 0.19 | 0.20 | -0.73 | -3.58 | 1.85 | 1.04 | -0.44 | 1.22 | -1.22 | 0.96 | -6.96 | 3.34 | 3.87 | 1.86 | 0.39 | 0.16 | 0.06 | 0.14 | 0.11 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.07 | 0.05 |
| EPS Growth % | -81.37% | -41.67% | 601.39% | 87.62% | -41.46% | -415.38% | -65.79% | 100% | -5% | 127.4% | 79.61% | -293.51% | 77.88% | 336.36% | -136.07% | 200% | -227.08% | 113.79% | -308.38% | -13.7% | 108.06% | 376.92% | 143.75% | 173.04% | -58.14% | 27.27% | 62.72% | -43.67% | 74.42% | 44.84% | 216.67% |
| EPS (Basic) | - | 0.21 | 0.37 | -0.07 | -0.58 | -0.41 | 0.13 | 0.39 | 0.19 | 0.20 | -0.73 | -3.58 | 1.85 | 1.04 | -0.44 | 1.23 | -1.22 | 1.01 | -6.96 | 3.52 | 4.07 | 1.94 | 0.41 | 0.17 | 0.06 | 0.14 | 0.11 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.07 | 0.05 |
| Diluted Shares Outstanding | 147.16M | 148.45M | 154.7M | 150.92M | 151.28M | 150.06M | 149.9M | 149.58M | 146.83M | 145.3M | 111.61M | 105.42M | 105.05M | 105.18M | 104.45M | 104.95M | 103.86M | 105.72M | 90.65M | 95.94M | 89.87M | 82.2M | 211.2M | 211.2M | 211.2M | 211.2M | 211.2M | 249.84M | 204.4M | 168.89M | 176.84M |
| Basic Shares Outstanding | 147.16M | 148.35M | 151.99M | 150.92M | 151.28M | 150.06M | 148.99M | 147.54M | 146.7M | 145.29M | 111.57M | 105.3M | 105.03M | 105.03M | 104.45M | 104.53M | 103.86M | 99.14M | 90.65M | 90.09M | 84.61M | 77.44M | 203.17M | 203.17M | 203.17M | 203.17M | 203.17M | 243.17M | 201.38M | 168.89M | 176.84M |
| Dividend Payout Ratio | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.87% | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Vessel utilization and seasonality
As indicated by the most recent quarterly data, Helix Energy Solutions Group experienced a 3.6% revenue growth in 2026Q1, yet this follows a period of inconsistent performance where top-line figures fluctuated significantly, suggesting that project-based revenue recognition remains highly sensitive to seasonal offshore activity and vessel availability.
The erratic revenue trajectory appears to be a function of the company's reliance on project-based well intervention work, which is inherently lumpy. Investors should monitor whether the recent growth represents a sustainable recovery or merely a timing benefit from project completions that may not repeat in subsequent quarters.
Based on reported financial statements, the company's gross margin has faced significant pressure, dropping to 3.1% in 2026Q1 from a peak of 20.7% in 2024Q2, which highlights the difficulty of maintaining pricing power amidst high fixed-cost vessel operations and fluctuating utilization rates across the fleet.
The sharp contraction in gross margins suggests that Helix Energy Solutions Group lacks the pricing leverage to fully pass through rising operating costs to its clients. This margin profile indicates that the company's profitability is highly vulnerable to even minor declines in vessel utilization, as fixed costs remain largely static regardless of revenue volume.
According to the income statement analysis, the company's operating income has frequently dipped into negative territory, such as the -$13.3 million reported in 2026Q1, demonstrating that the current cost structure is not sufficiently optimized to generate consistent operating leverage during periods of lower revenue throughput.
The inability to maintain positive operating margins during revenue dips suggests that the company's SG&A and vessel-related overhead are not scaling efficiently. This lack of operating leverage implies that the company may struggle to achieve meaningful earnings growth unless it can significantly improve its utilization rates or reduce its fixed-cost burden.
As evidenced by the recent net loss of $13.4 million in 2026Q1, the company's bottom-line performance appears inconsistent, raising concerns that the current business model may be unable to generate sustained profitability without a structural shift in day rates or a permanent increase in decommissioning demand.
Short-term volatility in net income, exacerbated by periodic losses, suggests that the company's earnings quality is currently low. Investors should be wary of the potential for continued margin erosion if the company cannot secure more stable, long-term contracts to offset the inherent risks of its project-based service model.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying HLX stock.
For fiscal year 2025, Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (HLX) reported total revenue of $1.29B. This represents a 1597.1% increase compared to $76.1M in 1996.
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (HLX) is profitable, generating $30.8M in net income for the fiscal year ending 2025 with a net profit margin of 2.4%.
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (HLX) reported an operating income of $65.1M, resulting in an operating profit margin of 5.0%. This margin reflects the operational efficiency of the business before interest and taxes.
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (HLX) generated $159.1M in gross profit for the year, representing a gross profit margin of 12.3%. This demonstrates the company's core pricing power and production efficiency.