Element Solutions (NYSE:ESI) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 18, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsBen Gliklich - CEOBhavesh Lodaya - US Chemicals Equity ResearchCarey Dorman - CFOFrank Mitsch - PresidentJosh Spector - Director of Equity ResearchVarun Gokarn - VP of Strategy and IntegrationConference Call ParticipantsAleksey Yefremov - Managing Director and Equity Research AnalystChris Parkinson - Managing Director and Senior Research AnalystDuffy Fischer - Chemicals Equity Research AnalystJohn Roberts - ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record adjusted EBITDA of $548 million for 2025, representing a 7% constant currency growth when excluding the impact of the graphics divestiture [13][20] - Adjusted EPS for the year reached a record $1.49, despite the graphics divestiture [14] - Net sales for 2025 were $2.6 billion, growing 6% organically [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The electronics segment saw organic growth of 10%, driven by AI and data center investments [10] - The Semiconductor Solutions business grew 13% organically, reflecting strong demand from advanced packaging applications [11] - The Specialties segment had organic growth of 4%, with modest volume improvement in core industrial and 9% year-over-year growth in energy solutions [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand from data center and high-performance computing markets drove 10% organic revenue growth in the electronics business [4] - The Specialty segment focuses on attractive niche markets, creating high-margin, recurring revenue streams [6] - The offshore hydraulic production fluid growth remained robust, contributing to the overall performance in the Specialties segment [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue focusing on operational excellence and integrating recent acquisitions, EFC and Micromax, to scale capacity for new products [22][23] - The strategy includes enhancing the portfolio through prudent capital allocation and targeting high-value growth opportunities in electronics [6][19] - The company aims to maintain a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility to support organic growth and strategic M&A [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects market conditions in 2026 to resemble late 2025, with continued strength in high-performance computing and leading-edge electronics [21] - There is an acknowledgment of potential volatility in top-line performance due to metal price fluctuations, but these are viewed as timing differences with no long-term impact on profit dollars [21] - The company anticipates high single-digit organic adjusted EBITDA growth for 2026, with adjusted EPS growth in the mid- to high-teens [22] Other Important Information - The company generated $256 million of adjusted free cash flow in 2025, with expectations of around 50% conversion of EBITDA to free cash flow in 2026 [18][86] - The company ended 2025 with $627 million in cash and a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.8 times [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin performance in the electronics business - Management acknowledged that metal price spikes impacted margins but expected incremental margins to normalize in 2026 [28][30] Question: Impact of rising memory prices - Management noted that while rising memory prices could affect consumer electronics, the demand surge from data centers would benefit the company [31][33] Question: New product adoption in 2026 - Management expressed confidence in new product traction and expected continued outperformance relative to market growth [36][39] Question: Specialty segment growth expectations - Management indicated that the EFC acquisition would enhance the specialty segment's growth and margins, with expectations of mid-single-digit growth [58] Question: Performance of Micromax and EFC in 2025 - Both acquisitions outperformed initial expectations, with Micromax achieving over 10% organic revenue growth [60][61] Question: Guidance for Q1 - Management provided a wider guidance range for Q1 due to potential metal price impacts and the integration of new acquisitions [52]