Vladimir Dimitrov, CFA is a former strategy consultant within the field of brand and intangible assets valuation. During his career in the City of London he has been working with some of the largest global brands within the technology, telecom and banking sectors. He graduated from the London School of Economics and is interested in finding reasonably priced businesses with sustainable long-term competitive advantages.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consolidated adjusted EBITDA for 2025 was $219.2 million, down $53.6 million from the prior year, primarily due to changes in contract and spot coke sales, lower economics on the Granite City contract extension, and lower handling volumes [5][10] - The fourth quarter net loss attributable to SunCoke was $1 per share, down $1.28 compared to Q4 2024, mainly driven by one-time items totaling $0.85 per share net of tax [8][9] - Full year net loss attributable to SunCoke was $0.52 per share, down $1.64 from 2024, influenced by one-time items including non-cash asset impairment charges [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic coke business delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $170 million, down $64.7 million from the prior year, impacted by contract and spot coke sales mix and the Algoma breach [10] - The industrial services segment, including Phoenix Global, delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $62.3 million, an increase of $11.9 million year-over-year, primarily due to the addition of Phoenix Global [11] - Corporate and other expenses increased by $800,000 year-over-year to $13.1 million, reflecting results from legacy coal mining and Brazil coke-making businesses [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic coke segment is expected to deliver adjusted EBITDA between $162 million and $168 million in 2026, with sales of approximately 3.4 million tons [16][18] - Industrial services adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $90 million and $100 million in 2026, reflecting expectations for improved market conditions [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to utilize free cash flow to support capital allocation priorities, including paying down revolver balance and maintaining dividends [22][23] - The integration of Phoenix Global is progressing well, with expectations for growth potential in this business [7][23] - The company aims to maintain strong safety and environmental performance, which is central to delivering high-quality coke and industrial services [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates a meaningful recovery in 2026, supported by an optimized coke fleet and extended coke-making contracts [15] - The company expects consolidated adjusted EBITDA to be between $230 million and $250 million in 2026, with a focus on deleveraging and maintaining a gross leverage target below 3x [15][21] - Management highlighted the impact of ongoing litigation with Algoma, expecting to recover losses from the breach of contract [28][30] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $41 million to shareholders via dividends in 2025 and plans to continue this in 2026 [7] - Capital expenditures for 2025 were $66.8 million, slightly below the revised guidance of $70 million [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Status of litigation with Algoma - Management confirmed they are pursuing arbitration against Algoma for breach of contract and expect to prevail [28][30] Question: EBITDA contribution from Phoenix Global - Management affirmed the anticipated annual EBITDA contribution from Phoenix Global is still expected to be around $60 million, with synergies of $5 million-$10 million [32] Question: Haverhill One closure and potential reopening - Management stated that Haverhill One could be restarted but would require significant capital investment and about 12-18 months [42] Question: Impact of Middletown turbine failure - Management indicated that the turbine failure will have a $10 million impact in the first quarter, with no earnings from power production until it is operational again [46][48] Question: Expected improvement in tons handled in the industrial segment - Management noted that guidance includes a full year of the new KRT contract and modest recovery across both KRT and CMT [52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $56.7 million, down $9.4 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower coke sales volumes and market conditions [9][10] - Full-year consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $219.2 million, a decrease of $53.6 million compared to the previous year [9][10] - The net loss attributable to SunCoke for Q4 2025 was $1 per share, down from $1.28 per share in Q4 2024, driven by one-time items totaling $0.85 per share net of tax [8] - Full-year net loss attributable to SunCoke was $0.52 per share, down from $1.64 per share in 2024, impacted by one-time items totaling $0.97 per share net of tax [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic coke business delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $170 million, down $64.7 million from the prior year, affected by contract and spot coke sales mix changes and lower contract economics [10] - Industrial services segment, including Phoenix Global, delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $62.3 million, an increase of $11.9 million year-over-year, primarily due to the addition of Phoenix Global [11] - Corporate and other expenses increased by $800,000 year-over-year to $13.1 million, reflecting costs from legacy operations [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic coke segment is expected to deliver adjusted EBITDA between $162 million and $168 million in 2026, with sales of approximately 3.4 million tons [16][18] - Industrial services adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $90 million and $100 million in 2026, reflecting expectations for improved market conditions [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to utilize free cash flow to support capital allocation priorities, including paying down revolver balance and maintaining dividends [22] - Focus on seamless integration of Phoenix Global and exploring new growth opportunities across all business areas [23] - The company aims to maintain strong safety and environmental performance as a competitive advantage [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates a meaningful recovery in 2026, supported by an optimized coke fleet and extended contracts [15] - The company expects to generate positive free cash flow in 2026, with gross leverage targeted around 2.45x, below the long-term target of 3x [15] - Management highlighted challenges in 2025 due to market conditions but remains optimistic about future performance [15] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $41 million to shareholders via dividends in 2025 and plans to continue this in 2026 [7] - The integration of Phoenix Global is progressing well, with expectations for significant contributions in 2026 [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Status of litigation with Algoma regarding contract breach - Management confirmed ongoing arbitration with Algoma, expecting to recover losses from the breach, which could amount to up to $70 million [28][29] Question: Anticipated EBITDA contribution from Phoenix Global - Management affirmed expectations of an annual EBITDA contribution of roughly $60 million from Phoenix Global [31] Question: One-time integration costs incurred with Phoenix Global - One-time costs included site closure costs of about $3.9 million and transaction costs of approximately $600,000 [32] Question: Permanence of Haverhill One closure and potential reopening - Haverhill One closure is permanent unless significant capital investment is made, which is not currently justified [40] Question: Expected improvement in tons handled in the industrial segment - Guidance includes a full year of the new KRT contract and modest recovery across both KRT and CMT [49]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consolidated adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $56.7 million, down $9.4 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower coke sales volumes and market conditions [9][10] - Full year adjusted EBITDA for 2025 was $219.2 million, a decrease of $53.6 million from the previous year, driven by changes in contract and spot coke sales and lower economics on the Granite City contract extension [9][10] - The net loss attributable to SunCoke for Q4 2025 was $1 per share, down from $1.28 in Q4 2024, influenced by one-time items totaling $0.85 per share [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic coke business delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $170 million, down $64.7 million from the prior year, impacted by contract and spot coke sales mix and the Algoma breach [10][11] - The industrial services segment, including Phoenix Global, reported full-year adjusted EBITDA of $62.3 million, an increase of $11.9 million year-over-year, primarily due to the addition of Phoenix Global [11] - Corporate and other expenses increased by $800,000 year-over-year to $13.1 million, reflecting costs from legacy operations [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic coke segment is expected to deliver adjusted EBITDA between $162 million and $168 million in 2026, with sales of approximately 3.4 million tons [17][19] - Industrial services adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $90 million and $100 million in 2026, reflecting expectations for improved market conditions [20][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to utilize free cash flow to support capital allocation priorities, including paying down revolver balance and maintaining dividends [24][25] - SunCoke aims to continue integrating Phoenix Global and assess new growth opportunities across its business [25] - The company has extended key contracts, including the Granite City and Haverhill Two contracts, to ensure stable revenue streams [6][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates a meaningful recovery in 2026, supported by an optimized coke fleet and improved market conditions [16][24] - The company expects to generate positive free cash flow in 2026, with gross leverage targeted around 2.45x, below the long-term target of 3x [16][24] - Management highlighted the impact of recent weather conditions and operational challenges, including a turbine failure, on first-quarter results [47][48] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $41 million to shareholders via dividends in 2025 and plans to continue this practice in 2026 [6][24] - The integration of Phoenix Global is progressing well, with expected synergies contributing to future earnings [33][20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Status of litigation with Algoma regarding contract breach - Management confirmed ongoing arbitration with Algoma, expecting to recover losses from the breach, which could amount to up to $70 million [30][31] Question: Expected EBITDA contribution from Phoenix Global - Management affirmed the anticipated annual EBITDA contribution of approximately $60 million from Phoenix Global, along with expected synergies of $5 million to $10 million [33] Question: Future of Haverhill One facility - Management indicated that Haverhill One could be restarted but would require significant capital investment and is currently not economically viable [42][43] Question: Impact of Middletown turbine failure and weather on operations - Management noted that the turbine failure and severe weather have resulted in an estimated $10 million impact on first-quarter results [48][49] Question: Drivers of expected improvement in industrial segment handling volumes - Management attributed the expected improvement to a full year of the new KRT contract and modest recovery across both KRT and CMT [52]

The fourth quarter earnings season is more than halfway over, and the S&P 500 is on track for solid earnings growth. As of Feb. 6, 59% of S&P 500 (^GSPC) companies have reported fourth quarter results, according to FactSet data, and Wall Street analysts estimate a 13% increase in earnings per share for the fourth quarter. If that rate holds, it would represent the 10th consecutive quarter of annual earnings growth for the index and the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. S&P 500 earnings gr ...

Core Insights - First Atlantic Nickel Corp. is participating in the North American Stainless & Special Alloys Conference 2025 to showcase its Pipestone XL Nickel Alloy Project, which addresses the increasing demand for nickel, cobalt, and chromium production in North America [1][2][4] - The Pipestone XL Project features awaruite, a naturally magnetic nickel-iron-cobalt alloy mineral with approximately 77% nickel content, allowing for simplified processing methods that reduce energy requirements and environmental impacts [1][6][17] - The discovery of awaruite in Newfoundland represents a significant advancement in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities for the North American stainless-steel industry, which relies heavily on critical minerals [2][5][8] Company Overview - First Atlantic Nickel Corp. is focused on developing the Pipestone XL Nickel Alloy Project, which spans a 30-kilometer area in Newfoundland & Labrador and contains significant deposits of awaruite and chromium [27][28] - The project aims to establish a secure and reliable source of nickel production for various industries, including stainless steel, electric vehicles, aerospace, and defense [28] Industry Context - The North American stainless-steel industry faces strategic vulnerabilities due to its reliance on imported critical minerals such as chromium and nickel, with U.S. net import reliance at 74% for chromium and 83% for nickel [8][9] - The U.S. Geological Survey emphasizes the importance of developing domestic sources of critical minerals to mitigate supply chain risks, particularly for stainless steel production [5][8] Technical Advantages - Awaruite's unique properties allow for smelter-free processing through magnetic separation and flotation, significantly reducing environmental impacts compared to traditional nickel processing methods [6][10][17] - Recent drilling results confirm the scale and consistency of mineralization at the Pipestone XL Project, with significant nickel grades and potential for high-grade concentrate production [12][13] Supply Chain Implications - The Pipestone XL Project enables complete domestic processing of critical minerals, reducing dependence on overseas smelting and enhancing supply chain resilience for North American stainless steel producers [9][10] - The concentration of global critical mineral supply creates vulnerabilities for producers in North America and other G7 economies, highlighting the need for secure domestic sources [9][11]

Core Insights - First Atlantic Nickel Corp. is participating in the North American Stainless & Special Alloys Conference 2025 to showcase its Pipestone XL Nickel Alloy Project, which addresses the increasing demand for nickel, cobalt, and chromium production in North America [1][2][4] - The Pipestone XL Project features awaruite, a naturally magnetic nickel-iron-cobalt alloy mineral with approximately 77% nickel content, allowing for simplified processing methods that reduce energy consumption and environmental impact [1][7][19] - The discovery of awaruite in Newfoundland represents a significant advancement for the North American stainless-steel industry, which relies heavily on critical minerals [2][5] Company Overview - First Atlantic Nickel Corp. is focused on developing the Pipestone XL Nickel Alloy Project, which spans the 30-kilometer Pipestone Ophiolite Complex and contains significant awaruite and chromium mineralization [29][30] - The project aims to establish a secure and reliable source of nickel production for various industries, including stainless steel, electric vehicles, aerospace, and defense [30] Industry Context - The North American stainless-steel industry faces vulnerabilities due to its reliance on imported critical minerals, with the U.S. Geological Survey designating chromium, nickel, and cobalt as critical minerals [2][5][9] - The conference serves as a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing the competitiveness of the North American supply chain amid shifting geopolitical realities [4][10] Technical Advantages - Awaruite's sulfur-free composition allows for smelter-free processing through magnetic separation and flotation, significantly reducing environmental impacts compared to traditional nickel processing methods [7][19][20] - Recent drilling results indicate a consistent mineralization scale, with significant nickel grades achieved through magnetic separation techniques [14][15] Market Implications - The global concentration of critical mineral supply creates strategic vulnerabilities for stainless steel producers, highlighting the importance of domestic processing capabilities [10][12] - The U.S. has not produced chromium domestically since the 1960s, making First Atlantic's project crucial for establishing a reliable domestic supply chain [5][13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - SunCoke Energy reported consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $59.1 million for Q3 2025, a decrease from $75.3 million in the prior year period [8][9] - Net income attributable to SunCoke was $0.26 per share, down $0.10 compared to the prior year, primarily due to a mix of contract and spot Coke sales and lower economics from the Granite City contract extension [7][8] - The company revised its consolidated adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025 to a range of $220 million to $225 million, reflecting the addition of five months of Phoenix results and the impact of a deferral of approximately 200,000 coke tons [5][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic Coke adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 was $44 million, down from $58.1 million in the prior year, with Coke sales volumes at 951,000 tons compared to 1,027,000 tons previously [9][10] - The new industrial services segment, which includes Phoenix Global, generated $18.2 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q3 2025, up from $13.7 million in the prior year [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The logistics business experienced lower volumes due to unfavorable market conditions, impacting the overall performance of the industrial services segment [12] - Total logistics handling volumes were 5.2 million tons, with Phoenix customer volume serviced at 3.8 million tons for the two months included in Q3 results [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is optimistic about 2026, expecting a full year of Phoenix Global adjusted EBITDA contribution and a modest recovery in the logistics business [18][35] - Active discussions are ongoing with U.S. Steel regarding the Granite City contract extension and with Cleveland-Cliffs for the Haverhill contract [34][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the enforceability of contracts and is pursuing legal remedies for the breach of contract by Algoma, which has impacted production and sales [24][25] - The company anticipates that 2026 results will improve over 2025, driven by strong fundamentals in its Coke business and the integration of Phoenix Global [19][35] Other Important Information - SunCoke ended Q3 2025 with a cash balance of $80.4 million and revolver availability of $126 million, indicating ample liquidity [13] - The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share, marking the 25th consecutive quarter of dividend announcements [5][6] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is your level of confidence that incremental deferrals won't occur? - Management indicated that the 200,000 tons are anticipated to be produced and stored for 2025, and they believe they have an enforceable contract with Algoma [22][23] Question: What do the remedies for the breach of contract currently look like? - Management stated they are working with counsel and pursuing all legal remedies to recover financial losses from the breach [24] Question: How confident are you in retaining the dividend and liquidity going forward? - Management clarified that the 200,000 tons is the total exposure for this year, not an annual basis, and expressed confidence in maintaining liquidity [26][27] Question: Can you discuss your strategy for 2026 if unable to renew Granite City and Haverhill production under a long-term contract? - Management remains optimistic for 2026, citing strong contracts at Middletown and Indiana Harbor, and ongoing discussions for Haverhill and Granite City [32][34]

Strategic Partnership - Cleveland-Cliffs names South Korean steelmaker Posco as its new strategic partner [1] - The partnership follows a deal touted 10 days ago by the American steel producer [1]

Market Overview - The long steel products market in China is projected to experience significant growth from 2019 to 2031, with various product types showing different growth trends [3][4]. - Key categories of long steel products include rebar, wire rods, H-beams, angle steel, and channel steel, each with distinct growth trajectories [3][4]. Product Type Analysis - The sales volume of different types of long steel products in China is expected to increase significantly from 2019 to 2031, with specific forecasts for each product type [11]. - The market size for various long steel products is projected to grow, with detailed market share analysis provided for 2019, 2025, and 2031 [11]. Application Analysis - Long steel products are utilized across multiple applications, including construction, automotive, transportation, renewable energy, machinery, home appliances, and shipbuilding, with growth trends varying by application [4][11]. - The sales volume and market size for long steel products in different applications are expected to rise from 2019 to 2031, with specific forecasts available [11]. Industry Development Environment - The long steel products industry is influenced by various development trends, barriers to entry for manufacturers, driving factors, and constraints [11]. - A SWOT analysis of Chinese enterprises in the long steel products sector highlights strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats [11]. Supply Chain Analysis - The long steel products industry supply chain includes upstream, midstream, and downstream components, with insights into procurement, production, and sales models [11]. Major Manufacturers - Key manufacturers in the Chinese long steel products market include China Baowu Group, ArcelorMittal, Ansteel Group, and Shagang Group, with detailed analysis of their sales volumes, market shares, and revenue from 2019 to 2025 [4][11]. - The competitive landscape is characterized by varying levels of market concentration, with the top manufacturers holding significant market shares [11].