Genie Energy Q3 Earnings Fall Y/Y on Cost Pressures, Revenues Rise

Core Viewpoint - Genie Energy Ltd. reported solid revenue growth in Q3 2025, but faced significant margin compression due to rising energy costs, leading to a decline in profitability and investor sentiment [1][2][14]. Financial Performance - Revenues increased by 23.6% year over year to $138.3 million, marking a record quarterly total for the company [2]. - Gross profit declined by 20.8% year over year to $30 million, with adjusted EBITDA dropping 39.5% to $8.2 million [3]. - Net income attributable to common stockholders fell by 33.9% to $6.7 million, resulting in a diluted EPS of 26 cents compared to 38 cents a year ago [3]. Segment Analysis - Genie Retail Energy (GRE) reported a revenue growth of 25.1% to $132.4 million, driven by higher electricity usage and customer growth, but faced margin pressure with operating income dropping 32.4% to $10.2 million [4][5]. - Genie Renewables (GREW) posted revenues of $6 million, slightly down from $6.1 million, with Diversegy showing strong growth but overall profitability impacted by increased investments [6][7]. Cost and Margin Dynamics - Management attributed margin compression to rising wholesale energy prices and a lower-margin municipal aggregation contract, which is expected to expire soon [5]. - Electricity costs per kilowatt hour rose by 20% year over year, while natural gas costs surged by 137%, leading to a negative gross margin on gas sales [12]. Financial Position & Capital Returns - The company maintained a strong balance sheet with $206.6 million in cash and marketable securities, and total debt remained modest at $8.8 million [8]. - Genie Energy repurchased about 124,000 shares of Class B stock for $2 million and paid a quarterly dividend of 7.50 cents per share [9]. Management Commentary & Outlook - Management expressed optimism for a gradual improvement in margins supported by stabilizing commodity prices and a greater mix of high-consumption electric meters [11]. - The company reaffirmed its 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $40-$50 million, albeit at the low end of the range [12]. Strategic Developments - Genie Energy continued to optimize its capital structure and reaffirmed its quarterly dividend policy and share repurchase program [13]. - Investor focus will likely be on the recovery of GRE's margins and execution in renewable energy projects as the company transitions into 2026 [15].