Motor Oil (MORr.AT) 1Q25: Strong utilization rates and higher qtd refining margins; Negative FCF’25 keeps us Neutral rated

Investment Rating - The report maintains a Neutral rating for Motor Oil (MORr.AT) with a 12-month price target of €25.00, reflecting a potential upside of 6.1% from the current price of €23.56 [1][16]. Core Insights - Motor Oil reported an adjusted EBITDA of €216 million for 1Q25, which is 6% above the consensus estimate of €204 million, driven by strong marketing results, while adjusted net income was €96 million, slightly below the consensus of €99 million [1][17]. - The refining production volumes were strong at 2,695 kt, exceeding expectations, and total sales volumes were 2,920 kt, which was slightly below expectations [2][22]. - The adjusted refining margin for 1Q25 was reported at US$65/ton, slightly above the expected US$60/ton, leading to an adjusted EBITDA of €152 million for the Refining division [2][22]. - The company managed to maintain a total utilization rate of 90% of its refinery's nominal capacity, exceeding the guidance of 65-80% post-fire [2][22]. Financial Performance - The total revenue for 1Q25 was reported at €2,679 million, with operating expenses of €2,463 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA of €216 million [21]. - The company experienced a negative free cash flow (FCF) of -€260 million in 1Q25, attributed to high capital expenditures and operating cash flow challenges [19][23]. - For FY25, Motor Oil revised its capex guidance down to €500 million from €560 million, primarily due to the deferral of spending on renewable projects [15][27]. Future Outlook - The adjusted refining margin is expected to increase to $82/ton in 2Q25, driven by seasonal demand and supply constraints [14][26]. - The company anticipates receiving approximately €215 million in insurance compensation related to the fire incident, which is expected to support cash flow in the upcoming quarters [15][27]. - Motor Oil's strategic plan includes a multi-pillar decarbonization strategy targeting 2 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with significant investments planned in renewable power and electric mobility [36][37].