Dive Beneath the Surface of Excel's Profits

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It's hard to argue with a three-bagger, but here goes nothing.

Back into double digits, Excel Maritime Carriers (NYSE: EXM) has more than tripled from its March 2009 low of $3 per share. For Fools that remained long shipping stocks through those trying periods of the sector's perfect storm, I am thrilled by the recovery. Just as I'm extremely wary of the broader equity rally, though, I remain entirely unconvinced that the storm has waned for some of the more indebted dry bulk shippers.

After a steady pounding of gut-wrenching headlines (guilty), Fools are no doubt delighted by Excel's headline earnings increase of 236%. Revenue soared to $222 million from $70 million. It sounds fantastic, and under any normal circumstances I would be branding this company the next DryShips (Nasdaq: DRYS). Oh wait... what happened to DryShips?

Let's begin by counting backwards from Excel's $118 million profit. If we subtract the $67.8 million relating to amortization of charters acquired with last year's Quintana acquisition, and a $51.5 million non-cash gain from additional amortization adjustments, the resulting picture for Excel's effective profitability leaves me unimpressed. In any event, the boost from these adjustments fails to erase the painful memory of that $335 goodwill writedown that so impaired the prior quarter's result.

Diving into operations, voyage revenues did 33% increase from the prior year as the fleet grew by leaps and bounds from an average 18 vessels to 47.8 operating . Again, under normal circumstances I would welcome the growth spurt, but with 13 vessels operating at woeful spot market rates, I smell revenue volatility in the air. Adding further uncertainty, Excel is awaiting delivery in 2010 of seven new Capesize vessels, but has inked charter contracts on only two. In contrast, Navios Holdings (NYSE: NM) awaits seven Capesize carriers of its own for delivery in 2009, but has work lined up for each one with default insurance to boot. All told, Excel has 67% of available fleet operating days covered by time charters through 2009, dropping to 55% for 2010. Navios, to continue the contrast, has booked 96.6% of its fleet for 2009 and 75.5% for 2010.

Both Excel and DryShips have managed to secure crucial debt covenant waivers to forestall repayment concerns, but their overall debt burdens continue to raise red flags. As Diana Shipping (NYSE: DSX) warns of sustained challenges to survival for indebted operators, the more defensively positioned operators like Diana, Navios, and Genco Shipping & Trading (NYSE: GNK) form a select group with enhanced survivability.

Further Foolishness:

• DryShips vs. Moby Debt
• Ulysses knows stormy weather
• Keeping an eagle's eye on Eagle