Steve Sausnik, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers. Steve, uh, it's good to have you on. So, is that really the way you read this market right now.Is that, uh, investors are kind of blindly riding momentum and the aggressive parts of this market, not paying attention to the the macro fundamentals. Good afternoon, Mike. I I don't I wouldn't say blindly.I just this is the strategy that's worked is you know one of the questions that that I threw back at people when when the when the discussion was how is t ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, total revenues were $45.0 million, a 20% increase year-over-year, with international revenue up by 280%, Canada up by 20%, and the U.S. up by 18% [21][22] - For the full year 2024, revenues reached $162.6 million, a 14% increase compared to 2023, with adjusted gross margin improving to 41% from 39% [23] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $8.2 million, up from $2.5 million in Q4 2023, while full-year adjusted EBITDA was $22.3 million, significantly higher than $11.9 million in 2023 [26][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved its highest ever revenue outside of North America in 2024, with international revenue doubling from 5% to 10% of total revenue [12] - Adjusted gross profit for Q4 2024 was $19.4 million, with an adjusted gross margin of 43%, up from 37% in Q4 2023, driven by higher margin international revenues [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a significant increase in international revenue, which reached an all-time high of $16.5 million in 2024 [23] - The U.S. revenue for Q1 2025 is expected to be between $8 million and $9 million, while Canadian revenue is projected to be between $32 million and $34 million [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow revenue in excess of underlying market activity in 2025, focusing on international markets and new technology introductions [18] - Strategic objectives include enhancing operational efficiency, improving employee engagement, and generating free cash flow [19] - The company is actively looking for M&A opportunities to integrate small tech-related businesses that align with its strategic goals [56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects customer activity in 2025 to be flat to down in the U.S., with slight increases in Canada and core international markets [30] - The strengthening of the U.S. dollar is anticipated to negatively impact revenue and adjusted EBITDA for 2025 [31] - The company is monitoring potential trade actions and has plans to mitigate impacts from increased tariffs [33] Other Important Information - The company ended 2024 with a cash balance of nearly $26 million and expects to generate positive free cash flow in 2025 [36][37] - Capital expenditures for 2025 are expected to be between $1.5 million and $2 million, with free cash flow after distributions projected at $7 million to $10 million [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the cadence for the year and spring breakup in Canada - Management expects 2025 seasonality to mimic 2024, with typical activity patterns anticipated [43][44] Question: Factors driving margin expansion - Margin expansion was driven by international growth, operating leverage, and cost reduction actions taken in 2023 [48][50] Question: Interest in small tech-related businesses for M&A - The company is actively looking for M&A opportunities that align strategically and operationally [56][58] Question: R&D developments and upcoming market introductions - Exciting technologies are in development, with some nearing prototype stage and potential market introduction [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales for Q4 2024 were $477 million, down from $513 million in the prior year, reflecting a 7% decrease [12][24] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $55 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.6%, compared to $53.9 million and 10.5% in the prior year [12][15] - Full-year 2024 consolidated sales totaled $2.09 billion, a decrease of 3% from $2.15 billion in 2023 [14][24] - Full-year adjusted EBITDA was a record $261.6 million, with a margin of 12.5%, up from 11.9% in the prior year [15][16] - Diluted earnings per share for 2024 were $2.46, down from $4.14 in the prior year [16] - Operating cash flow for 2024 was $119.4 million, compared to $146.1 million in the prior year [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Railroad Utility Products and Services (RUPT) sales were flat year-over-year at $216 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $18 million and an 8% margin [24][25] - Performance Chemicals (PC) sales decreased to $148 million from $164 million, with adjusted EBITDA remaining flat at $29 million [28][29] - Carbon Materials and Chemicals (CMC) sales were $114 million, down from $132 million, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to $9 million from $4 million in the prior year [31][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - RUPT achieved record sales for the year, increasing by $45 million or 5%, while PC sales decreased by $20 million or 3% [24][25] - CMC sales decreased by $87 million or 15% compared to the prior year [24][25] - The average pricing of major products was down 13%, and average coal tar costs were down 18% [33][34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to focus on cost control and efficiency gains across all business segments in response to market share loss and economic uncertainty [49] - A virtual investor day is scheduled for September 18, 2025, to unveil the details of the 2030 strategic plan [17][71] - The company aims for a net leverage ratio of 2 to 3 times, with expectations to end 2025 at or below 3 times leverage [38][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed disappointment in falling short of financial expectations for Q4 and full year 2024, citing volume slowdowns and market share loss as key factors [8][9] - The outlook for 2025 includes expectations of earnings improvement driven by top-line growth and cost containment measures [10][11] - Management remains cautiously optimistic about customer sentiment and market conditions, particularly in the North American market [46][47] Other Important Information - The company reported a 5% reduction in its global workforce, expected to result in over $10 million in savings for 2025 [10] - The board authorized a new $100 million stock repurchase program and increased the quarterly dividend to $0.08 per share [36][41] - The company was recognized by Newsweek as one of America's most responsible companies for the fifth consecutive year [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is your competitor strategy regarding market share loss in Performance Chemicals? - Management indicated that the market share loss was anticipated and attributed to competitors diversifying their supply chains and investing in capacity [78][80] Question: Are there immediate plans for investment in Utility and Industrial Products? - Management stated that previous investments are expected to provide growth opportunities, but no immediate capital needs are foreseen [84][88] Question: What is the expected impact of the Stickney plant closure on sales? - The closure is expected to result in a loss of approximately $30 million to $35 million in sales, but it will not impact creosote production [97][99] Question: How will free cash flow be allocated in 2025? - Management plans to allocate free cash flow towards share repurchases and debt paydown, aiming to reduce leverage significantly [107][110] Question: What improvements are expected in the RUPS segment regarding crosstie volumes? - Management projected an 8% increase in crosstie volumes for 2025, with expectations for higher pricing as well [111][112]

Fourth-Quarter 2024 Financial and Operational Supplement February 26, 2025 Notice to Investors Certain statements in this earnings supplement contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 including, without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans, and objectives regarding anticipated financial and operating results, asset divestitures, estimated reserves, drilling locations, capital expenditures, p ...