Westlake Chemical Partners (WLKP) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 02, 2025 01:00 PM ET Company Participants Johnathan Zoeller - VP & TreasurerJean-Marc Gilson - President, CEO & DirectorM. Steven Bender - EVP & CFOMatthew Blair - Managing Director Operator Good afternoon. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Westlake Chemical Partners First Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call. During the presentation, all participants will be in a listen only mode. After the speakers' remarks, you will be inv ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Westlake Partners reported a net income of $5 million or $0.14 per unit for Q1 2025, which is $10 million lower than Q1 2024 due to lower production and sales volume from the planned turnaround at Petro one [6][7] - Consolidated net income, including OpCo's earnings, was $42 million on consolidated net sales of $238 million [7] - Distributable cash flow for the quarter was $5 million or $0.13 per unit, a decrease of $12 million compared to Q1 2024 [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The planned turnaround at the Petro one ethylene unit in Lake Charles, Louisiana, resulted in lower production and sales volume, impacting overall earnings [6][7] - The partnership maintained a strong leverage ratio of approximately one times, with long-term debt at $400 million [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The partnership's predictable fee-based cash flow structure continues to provide stability amid global trade tensions and market volatility [10][11] - The ethylene sales agreement with Westlake ensures predictable cash flows, covering 95% of OpCo's production [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to evaluate growth opportunities through increasing ownership interest in OpCo, acquiring other qualified income streams, and organic growth through facility expansions [11] - The focus remains on providing long-term value and distributions to unitholders while maintaining safe operations and environmental stewardship [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged intensified global trade tensions creating uncertainty but emphasized the stability provided by the ethylene sales agreement [10] - The successful completion of the Petro one turnaround positions the company for solid production levels in the future [10][11] Other Important Information - The partnership has maintained 43 consecutive quarterly distributions since its IPO in July 2014, with a cumulative distribution coverage ratio of approximately 1.1 times [8][9] - The first quarter distribution of $0.04 per unit will be paid on May 29, 2025, to unitholders of record on May 13, 2025 [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Financial impact of the Q1 turnaround at TETRA one - Management indicated that the impact was as planned, with the unit down for February and March, and elevated interest rates may have affected loan obligations [15][16] Question: Evaluation difference between Westlake and Westlake LP - Management noted that while the parent company has seen valuation compression, the value proposition remains strong over the business cycle, and the valuation differential remains elevated [17][18]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Westlake Partners reported a net income of $5 million or $0.14 per unit for Q1 2025, which is $10 million lower than Q1 2024 due to lower production and sales volume from the planned turnaround at Petro one [6][8] - Consolidated net income, including OpCo's earnings, was $42 million on consolidated net sales of $238 million [8] - Distributable cash flow for the quarter was $5 million or $0.13 per unit, a decrease of $12 million compared to Q1 2024 [8][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The planned turnaround at the Petro one ethylene unit in Lake Charles, Louisiana, resulted in lower production and sales volume, impacting overall earnings [6][8] - The partnership maintained a strong leverage ratio of approximately one times, with long-term debt at $400 million [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that global trade tensions have intensified, creating uncertainty for businesses and investors, which may lead to market volatility [11] - The ethylene sales agreement provides a predictable fee-based cash flow structure, supporting financial performance despite market conditions [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to evaluate growth opportunities through increasing ownership interest in OpCo, acquisitions of other income streams, and organic growth through facility expansions [12] - The focus remains on maintaining a strong balance sheet and conservative financial metrics while providing long-term value and distributions to unitholders [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the stability of cash flows due to the fixed margin ethylene sales agreement, which mitigates market volatility [6][11] - The successful completion of the Petro one turnaround positions the company for solid production levels in the future [12] Other Important Information - The partnership has made 43 consecutive quarterly distributions since its IPO in July 2014, with a cumulative distribution coverage ratio of approximately 1.1 times [10][12] - The first quarter distribution of $0.04 per unit will be paid on May 29, 2025 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: The financial impact of the Q1 turnaround at TETRA one seems significant. Can you explain? - Management indicated that the impact was as planned, with the unit down for February and March, and elevated interest rates may have also affected performance [17][18] Question: Is there still enough valuation difference to justify keeping Westlake healthy around? - Management noted that while the parent company has seen some valuation compression, the value proposition remains strong over the business cycle [19][20]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for the first quarter of 2025 were $378 million, representing a 12% increase year-over-year [11] - Sales volume increased by approximately 7%, driven by improved operational performance and higher granular ammonium sulfate sales [11] - Adjusted EBITDA was $52 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.7% [12] - Adjusted earnings per share increased to $0.93, up $1.49 compared to the prior year [12] - Free cash flow was negative $23 million, an improvement of $49 million year-over-year [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Plant Nutrients segment, ammonium sulfate prices increased by 34% year-over-year, supported by higher energy costs and tighter supply-demand conditions [18] - The nylon business experienced a slow start but saw orders and pricing pick up, with stable domestic demand amid macroeconomic factors [21] - In Chemical Intermediates, acetone prices declined sequentially and year-over-year, but remained above cycle averages [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The North American corn planting season is expected to reach 95 million acres, supporting strong nutrient demand [19] - Domestic nylon demand remained stable, but global oversupply conditions continued to pressure pricing [22] - Acetone demand is expected to improve in the second quarter following downstream turnarounds and seasonal improvements [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational excellence and maintaining high utilization rates to capture competitive cost advantages [6] - Continued investment in growth and enterprise initiatives is aimed at sustainably improving through-cycle profitability [9] - The company is well-positioned as a U.S.-based manufacturer aligned with domestic supply chains and energy markets [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the underlying industry fundamentals supporting nutrient demand despite higher raw material prices [19] - The company is navigating a dynamic environment while focusing on cash flow management and disciplined investments [30] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy balance sheet to enable strategic capital allocation [30] Other Important Information - The company received approximately $39 million in aggregated insurance proceeds related to the 2019 PES cumene supplier shutdown [9] - Capital expenditures for 2025 are forecasted to be between $145 million and $155 million, with a focus on maintaining operational safety and sustainability [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Tactical moves in response to uncertainty - Management indicated that they are focused on delivering for customers and right-sizing inventory buffers without increasing inventory levels [38][39] Question: Assurance of sulfur supply - Management stated that they have a broad supply mix for sulfur and anticipate that supply will be ample for their needs [42] Question: Outlook for ammonium sulfate post-spring demand - Management confirmed a robust order book and expects record volume for the fertilizer year, with a focus on domestic demand growth [66] Question: Nylon market share and tariffs - Management noted that while tariffs could lead to higher costs, they are monitoring the engineering plastic demand closely and focusing on execution [61][62] Question: CapEx and acquisition opportunities - Management expressed interest in evaluating inorganic opportunities as they expect to bring base CapEx back in line after completing larger projects [69]

Quaker Chemical (KWR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 02, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company Participants Jeffrey Schnell - Vice President, Investor RelationsJoseph Berquist - President and Chief Executive OfficerTom Coler - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial OfficerKevin Estok - Equity Research Senior AssociateJon Tanwanteng - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Mike Harrison - Managing Director and Senior Chemicals AnalystArun Viswanathan - Senior Equity Analyst Operator As a reminder, this conference ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for the first quarter of 2025 were $378 million, representing a 12% increase year-over-year, with sales volume up approximately 7% driven by improved operational performance and higher granular ammonium sulfate sales [9][10] - Adjusted EBITDA was $52 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.7%, while adjusted earnings per share increased to $0.93, up $1.49 from the prior year [10][11] - Free cash flow was negative $23 million, an improvement of $49 million compared to the prior year, with cash flow from operations increasing by $48 million [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Plant Nutrients segment, nitrogen fertilizer pricing increased amid higher energy costs, with ammonium sulfate prices up 34% year-over-year [16][17] - The nylon business experienced a slow start but saw orders and pricing pick up, supported by lower benzene costs [20][21] - Chemical Intermediates faced declining acetone prices due to higher input costs, but demand is expected to improve as downstream turnarounds complete [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The North American corn planting season is expected to reach 95 million acres, supporting strong demand for ammonium sulfate [18][19] - Domestic nylon demand remained stable, but global oversupply conditions continue to pressure pricing [22][23] - The chemical intermediates market is mixed, with demand across ag chemicals, electronics, and European paints and coatings remaining varied [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational excellence and maintaining high utilization rates to capture competitive cost advantages [6][7] - Continued investment in growth and enterprise initiatives is aimed at sustainably improving through-cycle profitability [7][14] - The company is well-positioned as a U.S.-based manufacturer aligned with domestic supply chains and energy markets [8][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the current dynamic environment and emphasized the importance of cash flow management [28] - The company is monitoring potential impacts on demand across end markets and is focused on delivering on controllable factors [28] - There is optimism regarding the growth prospects in the Plant Nutrients business, particularly with the anticipated increase in corn acreage [19][20] Other Important Information - The company received approximately $39 million in insurance proceeds related to the 2019 PES cumene supplier shutdown, with a final settlement of $26 million in Q1 2025 [7][10] - The company is maintaining a healthy balance sheet and ample liquidity to support reinvestment and growth [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Tactical moves in response to uncertainty - Management indicated that they are focused on delivering for customers and managing inventory levels without significantly increasing them [35][36] Question: Concerns about sulfur supply - Management stated that supply-demand conditions for sulfur are balanced, and they have a broad vendor mix to ensure supply [39] Question: Outlook for ammonium sulfate post-spring demand - Management confirmed that they are focused on maximizing granular sales during the current season and will evaluate fundamentals as the season progresses [41][42] Question: Adjusting marketing emphasis for nylon amid demand weakness - Management clarified that they are focused on serving domestic demand and optimizing their product mix to navigate the current oversupply environment [44][45] Question: Patent infringement proceedings regarding EZ Block additives - Management provided an overview of the patent protection for their EZ Block product and the ongoing legal proceedings [49][50] Question: Market share opportunities due to tariffs on nylon - Management noted that while tariffs could impact costs, they are monitoring the situation closely and focusing on execution for the remainder of the year [58][60] Question: Ammonium sulfate volume expectations - Management anticipates a record volume for the fertilizer year, driven by robust planting and application rates [63][64] Question: CapEx and acquisition opportunities - Management indicated that they are looking to align CapEx with organic opportunities while evaluating potential inorganic opportunities as well [66]

Earnings Presentation 1Q 2025 1 First Quarter 2025 Highlights Operational Milestones $2.5 billion cash position provides significant optionality 1Q 2025 Financial Results $2.8B Net Sales $288M EBITDA(1) $2.5B Cash, Equivalents and Investments(2) (1) Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income (Loss), Income from Operations and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities can be found on page 11 (2) Includes investments in available-for-sale securities 2 • 1Q'25 PEM EBITDA impacted by $100 million of YoY higher feed ...

Ecovyst (ECVT) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 01, 2025 11:00 AM ET Company Participants Gene Shiels - Director of Investor RelationKurt Bitting - CEO & DirectorMike Feehan - CFOHamed Khorsand - Principal Conference Call Participants John McNulty - MD - Chemicals AnalystPatrick Cunningham - AnalystNone - AnalystDaniel Rizzo - Analyst Operator Good morning. My name is Madison, and I will be your conference operator today. Welcome to the ECOVIST First Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Call and Webcast. Please not ...

Ecovyst (ECVT) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 01, 2025 11:00 AM ET Speaker0 Good morning. My name is Madison, and I will be your conference operator today. Welcome to the ECOVIST First Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Call and Webcast. Please note, today's call is being recorded and should run approximately one hour. Currently, all participants have been placed in a listen only mode to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question and answer period. I would now like to ha ...

In its upcoming report, Westlake Chemical (WLK) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $0.70 per share, reflecting a decline of 47.8% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $2.92 billion, representing a year-over-year decrease of 1.9%.Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 9.8% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections du ...