Analyst Ratings February 23, 2026

Raymond James Upholds Outperform on Tidewater After $500M Brazilian Fleet Purchase

Analyst keeps $75 price objective as Tidewater adds 22 platform supply vessels and projects a material EBITDA contribution

By Jordan Park TDW
Raymond James Upholds Outperform on Tidewater After $500M Brazilian Fleet Purchase
TDW

Raymond James has maintained an Outperform rating and a $75.00 price target on Tidewater Inc following the company’s announced acquisition of Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore and affiliate Atlantic Offshore Services for $500 million, inclusive of assumed low-cost debt. The deal brings a 22-vessel platform supply fleet heavily tied to Brazil, with management and Raymond James citing meaningful near-term revenue and EBITDA contribution once the acquisition closes in the second quarter of 2026.

Key Points

  • Tidewater signed an agreement to acquire Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore and Atlantic Offshore Services for $500 million, including assumption of WSUT’s low-cost debt; the package includes 22 platform supply vessels, 19 Brazilian-built and 21 currently active in Brazil.
  • Management projects about $220 million of revenue and approximately 58% gross margins from WSUT in the first year, with the deal expected to add around $14 million in annual G&A and imply roughly $114 million of EBITDA.
  • Raymond James analyst James Rollyson maintained an Outperform rating and a $75.00 price target; Tidewater shares were trading at $76.30, up 45% year-to-date and near their 52-week high, while cited analysis characterizes the stock as appearing undervalued with a Financial Health Score rated as 'GREAT'.

Raymond James reiterated its Outperform rating and a $75.00 price target on Tidewater Inc (NYSE: TDW) after the company disclosed the purchase of Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore (WSUT) and Atlantic Offshore Services for $500 million, a figure that includes the assumption of WSUT’s existing, low-cost debt.

The transaction transfers ownership of a combined fleet of 22 platform supply vessels to Tidewater. Nineteen of those vessels were built in Brazil, and 21 of the 22 are presently active within Brazilian waters.

Tidewater CEO Quintin Kneen described the deal as "another milestone for the country," noting that the Brazilian offshore vessel market ranks among the largest and most compelling globally. Management projects the transaction will close in the second quarter of 2026.

Company forecasts indicate WSUT should contribute roughly $220 million in revenue during its first full year under Tidewater ownership, with gross margins around 58% in that period. On a cost side, the acquisition is expected to add approximately $14 million in annual general and administrative expenses. Combining those projections implies roughly $114 million of EBITDA attributable to the deal in the initial year.

Raymond James analyst James Rollyson left the firm's recommendation unchanged, preserving the Outperform rating and the $75.00 target price. At the time of the note, Tidewater shares were trading at $76.30, representing a 45% gain year-to-date and trading near the stock's 52-week high.

Analytical coverage referenced in the company note indicates that, despite recent strength in the share price, the stock appears undervalued at current levels under the cited analysis, and Tidewater's Financial Health Score is characterized as "GREAT." Additional detailed valuation metrics and supplemental research content are available through the referenced analysis platform, including ProTips and Pro Research Reports covering TDW and a broad universe of U.S. equities.


Sectors impacted - The acquisition directly affects the offshore vessel services and maritime support segments, with knock-on relevance to companies operating in Brazil's offshore market.

Timing - The parties expect to complete the transaction in the second quarter of 2026, pending customary closing conditions.

Risks

  • Closing timing and conditions - the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, and any delay or unmet closing conditions could affect the timing of projected revenue and EBITDA contributions.
  • Forecast sensitivity - the assumed first-year contributions of approximately $220 million in revenue and 58% gross margins drive the implied $114 million of EBITDA; actual operational performance could differ from these projections.
  • Debt assumption and integration costs - the acquisition includes the assumption of WSUT’s existing debt and is expected to add about $14 million of annual G&A, which could affect net benefits if costs or financing terms vary.

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