Core Viewpoint - PBF Energy has experienced a significant decline in share value, losing 45% over the past year due to operational challenges, including a major fire at its Martinez refinery and a downturn in the industry [1]. Company Performance - The company’s shares have underperformed, reflecting a 45% decrease in value over the last year [1]. - The fire at the Martinez refinery has been a critical factor contributing to the company's struggles [1]. Industry Context - The broader industry is facing challenges, which have impacted PBF Energy's performance [1].

Group 1 - CVR Energy has faced a challenging year due to weak refining margins and high turnaround costs, leading to the elimination of its dividend [1] - Recently, there are signs of improvement in the refining environment, which may positively impact the company's performance [1] - The stock has been under pressure but could present a favorable risk/reward profile for contrarian investors [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a second quarter net income attributable to shareholders of $208 million or $1.1 per diluted share, with adjusted net income of $322 million or $1.7 per diluted share compared to $150 million or $0.78 per diluted share in the same period of 2024 [15][16] - Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $665 million compared to $406 million in 2024 [16] - The company returned $145 million in cash to shareholders, consisting of $50 million in share repurchases and $95 million in regular dividends [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the refining segment, adjusted EBITDA was $476 million compared to $187 million in 2024, driven by higher adjusted refinery gross margins [16] - The Renewables segment reported adjusted EBITDA of negative $2 million, impacted by lower sales volumes and margins, with total sales volumes of 55 million gallons compared to 64 million gallons in 2024 [17][18] - The Marketing segment delivered $25 million in EBITDA, up from $15 million in 2024, driven by higher margins [18] - The Lubricants and Specialties segment reported EBITDA of $55 million, down from $97 million in 2024, primarily due to lower base oil margins and sales volumes [19] - The Midstream segment reported adjusted EBITDA of $112 million, slightly up from $110 million in the same period last year [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved an operating expense per throughput barrel of $7.32, nearing its goal of $7.25 per barrel [10] - The refining throughput averaged 616,000 barrels per day for the second quarter, down from 635,000 barrels per day in 2024 due to turnaround activities [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on improving reliability, optimization, and integration, with a commitment to return excess cash to shareholders [8][14] - The company plans to continue executing its strategy with one remaining turnaround scheduled at the Puget Sound refinery [10] - The company is optimistic about refining margins, particularly in distillates, and believes its overall strategy is delivering organic growth [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the fundamentals of each business, including refining, and noted improvements in reliability and operational performance [104][105] - The company anticipates continued strength in refining margins and is positioned well to take advantage of market opportunities [13][40] Other Important Information - The company has approximately $750 million remaining on its share repurchase authorization and has reduced its share count by over 58 million shares since the Sinclair acquisition [13] - The Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, payable on September 4, 2025 [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Understanding strong performance in refining and capture rates - Management highlighted improvements in crude performance and flexibility in crude slate, contributing to strong capture rates despite market headwinds [24][26] Question: Balancing shareholder returns and bolt-on opportunities - Management reiterated commitment to shareholder returns while also pursuing organic growth opportunities, indicating a balance can be achieved [30][31] Question: Renewable diesel credits and market structure - Management confirmed recognition of producers' tax credits and expressed optimism about future market structure improvements for renewable diesel [35][40] Question: Operational performance and turnaround improvements - Management noted significant improvements in turnaround performance and reliability, indicating a successful operational excellence journey [42][45] Question: M&A perspective and market opportunities - Management stated a focus on bolt-on opportunities in marketing and lubricants, while being cautious about the current M&A landscape [72][74] Question: Renewable diesel sustainable EBITDA and SREs - Management expressed confidence in renewable diesel positioning and acknowledged potential impacts of SREs on RIN prices, indicating ongoing monitoring of the situation [96][100]

Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - **Industry**: APAC Energy & Chemicals - **Focus**: Impact of China's regulatory changes on refining and petrochemical sectors Key Points 1. **Assessment of Old Facilities**: Several Chinese provinces have initiated assessments of old refining and petrochemical facilities, defined as those over 20 years old or at the end of their design service life. Regulators will decide on relocation, renovation, or closure based on these assessments [1][2][3] 2. **Potential Capacity Closure**: The potential closure of Chinese refining capacity is viewed positively for non-China refiners, as it may reduce the risk of increased oil product exports from China. Companies highlighted include Reliance Industries, HPCL, and BPCL, which are rated as "Buy" [2][3] 3. **Current Capacity Statistics**: Approximately 30% of China's current crude distillation unit (CDU) capacity consists of old facilities. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) dominate this segment, typically exhibiting higher energy efficiency due to ongoing capacity upgrades [3][10] 4. **Chemical Sector Outlook**: Despite potential closures in the Chinese chemical sector, the existing surplus is expected to persist. Companies such as Lotte Chem, PTTGC, PCHEM, and Hanwha Solutions maintain "Sell" ratings due to this ongoing surplus [2][12] 5. **Chemical Capacity Data**: Old facilities account for 9-13% of mainland China's capacity in key chemical products like ethylene. However, closures would only address about 7% of the global surplus in ethylene, indicating insufficient impact on global supply-demand balance [12][15][16] Additional Insights - **Energy Efficiency Considerations**: The assessment of old facilities includes energy efficiency metrics, which are generally higher for SOEs compared to private entities [3][10] - **Market Implications**: The anticipated closures could lead to a tighter market for non-China refiners, potentially increasing their margins and market share [2][3] - **Regulatory Challenges**: The implementation of closures may face challenges without significant fiscal support and changes in local government incentives [2] Conclusion The regulatory changes in China regarding old refining and petrochemical facilities could have significant implications for both local and international markets. While the potential closure of capacity is seen as beneficial for non-China refiners, the chemical sector may continue to struggle with surplus issues.

Core Insights - Phillips 66 (PSX) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $2.38 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.66, and improved from $2.31 in the same quarter last year [1] - Total quarterly revenues reached $33.5 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $30.5 billion, although this represents a decline from $38.9 billion year-over-year [1] Financial Performance - The better-than-expected quarterly results were primarily driven by increased refining volumes and higher realized refining margins globally, despite lower contributions from the chemicals and midstream segments [2] - Total costs and expenses decreased to $32.4 billion from $37.6 billion in the prior year, while the projection was $27.3 billion [10] - The company generated $845 million of net cash from operations, down from $2,097 million in the year-ago period, with capital expenditures totaling $587 million and dividends paid out amounting to $487 million [11] Segmental Results - **Midstream**: Adjusted pre-tax earnings were $731 million, down from $753 million year-over-year but exceeded the estimate of $305.1 million, affected by lower transportation volumes and property taxes [3] - **Chemicals**: Adjusted pre-tax earnings fell to $20 million from $222 million in the prior year, missing the estimate of $198.3 million due to lower margins from decreased sales prices [4] - **Refining**: Adjusted pre-tax earnings increased to $392 million from $302 million year-over-year, surpassing the estimate of $303.2 million, attributed to higher refining margins and volumes [5] - **Marketing & Specialties**: Adjusted pre-tax earnings rose to $660 million from $415 million, beating the projection of $345.6 million, driven by higher marketing fuel margins [7] - **Renewable Fuels**: The segment reported an adjusted pre-tax loss of $133 million, wider than the $55 million loss in the prior year, and missing the projected earnings of $3.4 million [8] Refining Margins - Realized refining margins increased to $11.25 per barrel from $10.01 year-over-year, with notable increases in the Central Corridor and Gulf Coast [6] Financial Condition - As of June 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents stood at $1.1 billion, with total debt at $20.9 billion, reflecting a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 42% [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second quarter reported earnings were $877 million or $2.15 per share, with adjusted earnings of $973 million or $2.38 per share, reflecting a significant recovery from a prior quarter's adjusted loss of $368 million [15][17] - Operating cash flow was $845 million, with cash flow excluding working capital at $1.9 billion, indicating strong operational performance [16][18] - Net debt to capital ratio stood at 41%, influenced by the acquisition of Coastal Bend assets for $2.2 billion [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Refining assets operated at 98% utilization, the highest since 2018, with clean product yield exceeding 86% and market capture at 99% [7][9] - Midstream generated adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1 billion, on track to meet the $4.5 billion annual EBITDA target by 2027 [7][12] - Marketing and Specialties reported its strongest quarter since 2022, contributing to a robust capital allocation framework [8][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Year-to-date market capture improved by 5% compared to the first half of the previous year, with the second quarter PSX market indicator just over $11 per barrel [10][17] - The organization expects the global O&P utilization rate in Chemicals to be in the mid-90s, while worldwide crude utilization is anticipated to be in the low to mid-90s [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on enhancing refining competitiveness, driving organic growth in midstream, reducing debt, and returning over 50% of net operating cash flow to shareholders [13][14] - Strategic investments include the acquisition of Coastal Bend and capacity expansion projects, aimed at enhancing midstream returns [12][14] - The management emphasizes a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence to drive long-term shareholder value [11][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in capturing market opportunities and achieving strategic priorities by 2027, despite challenges in the chemicals segment [6][14] - The company anticipates a strong margin environment in refining, supported by low U.S. inventories and seasonal demand [61][93] - Management acknowledged the need to adapt operations in renewable fuels due to regulatory changes and weak margins, while also exploring opportunities for profitability [78][80] Other Important Information - The company returned over $900 million to shareholders in the quarter, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns [8][16] - The addition of three new Board members is expected to enhance strategic discussions and decision-making processes [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strategy after recent shareholder engagement - Management remains committed to the integrated company strategy, with ongoing evaluations of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value [22][23] Question: Debt levels and mid-cycle assumptions - Current debt levels are viewed as manageable, with plans to reduce debt through operational cash flow and asset dispositions [33][34] Question: Refining performance improvements - The significant quarter-over-quarter improvement in refining was attributed to disciplined focus on clean product yield and utilization rates [39][40] Question: Chemicals and renewable fuels outlook - Chemicals are expected to recover as market conditions stabilize, while renewable fuels face challenges but are being strategically managed [72][78] Question: Midstream exposure to Permian growth - The company maintains confidence in its midstream volumes, supported by a robust contract portfolio and ongoing expansion projects [86][87] Question: Operating synergies and market conditions - Operating synergies are generally stable, with opportunities for improvement in various market environments [88][90]

Financial Performance - The company delivered $392 million in adjusted pre-tax income [2] - Refining utilization rates reached the highest level since 2018 [2] - The company achieved the lowest cost per barrel since 2021 [2] Operational Efficiency - The company maximized market capture [2] - Record yield in clean products was achieved in the first half of the year [2] - The company is putting more crude through refineries and obtaining cleaner, higher-value products [3]

Financial Performance - Philip 66 earnings reached $238 per share [1] - Revenue totaled $335 billion, exceeding expectations [1] - Realized margin per barrel increased by approximately 124% [2] - Adjusted pre-tax income from refining was $392 million [4] - Midstream adjusted pre-tax earnings amounted to $731 million [6] - Marketing and specialties business delivered $660 million of pre-tax net income [7] Operational Efficiency - Refining achieved its highest utilization rates since 2018 [1][4] - Lowest cost per barrel since 2021 was achieved [1][4] - Record yield in clean products was achieved in the first half of the year [4] Strategic Decisions - The company is winding down its Los Angeles refinery due to challenging inefficiencies and lack of profitability, incurring $239 million of pre-tax accelerated depreciation [1][18][20] - Philip 66 is focused on maximizing shareholder value and believes in its integrated structure [8][10] - Three new board members were added, two nominated by Elliot and one nominated by Philip 66 [10][11]

Diesel-refining margins may cool off a touch from very high levels, but are still likely to end up above long-run averages https://t.co/yNBklE8Aqz ...

Core Insights - Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $2.28 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.73, but down from $2.71 in the same quarter last year [1][9] - Total revenues for the quarter decreased to $29,889 million from $34,490 million year-over-year, although it surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $27,838 million [1][2] Financial Performance - The increase in refining margins per barrel and lower total cost of sales contributed to better-than-expected results, despite a decline in refining throughput and renewable diesel sales volumes [2] - Adjusted operating income in the Refining segment rose to $1,270 million from $1,229 million year-over-year, driven by higher refining margins [3] - The Ethanol segment reported an adjusted operating profit of $54 million, down from $103 million, impacted by decreased ethanol margins [3] - The Renewable Diesel segment experienced an operating loss of $79 million, compared to an operating income of $112 million in the prior year, due to a decline in sales volumes and margins [4] Throughput Volumes - Valero's refining throughput volumes totaled 2,922 thousand barrels per day, down from 3,010 thousand barrels per day year-over-year, but exceeded the estimate of 2,908.5 thousand barrels per day [5] - The Gulf Coast region contributed 63% to total throughput, with the Mid-Continent, North Atlantic, and West Coast regions accounting for 14.5%, 13.5%, and 9% respectively [6] Margins and Costs - Refining margin per barrel increased to $12.35 from $11.14 year-over-year, while refining operating expenses per barrel rose to $4.91 from $4.45 [7] - Total cost of sales decreased to $28,640 million from $33,051 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower material costs [8] Capital Investment and Balance Sheet - Capital investment for the second quarter totaled $407 million, with $371 million allocated for sustaining the business [10] - At the end of the second quarter, Valero had cash and cash equivalents of $4.5 billion, total debt of $8.4 billion, and finance-lease obligations of $2.3 billion [10]