SunCoke Energy(US:SXC)2022-05-02 21:24Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter net income attributable to SunCoke was $0.35 per share, an increase of $0.15 compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by export coke sales [13] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2022 was $83.8 million, up $13.2 million from Q1 2021, attributed to higher margins on export sales and API2 price adjustments [13][11] - The gross leverage ratio stands at approximately 2.2 times on a trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA basis [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic Coke adjusted EBITDA was $76 million with sales of 962,000 tons of coke, driven by higher margins on export coke sales and a one-time benefit from lower cost carryover coal from 2021 [14] - The Logistics segment generated $12.6 million of adjusted EBITDA, an increase from $10.9 million in the prior year, due to API2 price adjustments and higher volumes at domestic terminals [16] - Logistics throughput volumes were 5.2 million tons, slightly down from 5.3 million tons in the prior year, with CMT handling approximately 600,000 fewer tons due to coal supply and rail delivery issues [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects to modestly exceed its domestic coke adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $229 million to $235 million [15] - The Logistics adjusted EBITDA guidance is also expected to be exceeded, with a range of $34 million to $40 million remaining unchanged [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on safely executing its operating and capital plans while increasing demand for services and new customers at domestic logistics terminals [21] - There is an emphasis on deleveraging the balance sheet and exploring growth opportunities both organically and through M&A, while maintaining discipline in capital allocation [24] - The company aims to continue building customer relationships in the foundry and export coke markets, which are seen as timely and opportunistic [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the strong commodity markets and the favorable backdrop for operations, despite challenges from wet winter weather [8] - The company anticipates continued strength in commodity markets and projects full-year results to modestly exceed the adjusted EBITDA guidance of $240 million to $255 million [25] - Future guidance will be reviewed at the end of the second quarter, with a focus on export sales clarity [39] Other Important Information - The company ended Q1 with a cash balance of approximately $80 million and a total liquidity position of around $300 million [19][20] - Capital expenditures for the quarter were approximately $13 million, with debt increasing by $14 million due to working capital requirements [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on cost inflation and CapEx for the year - Management acknowledged experiencing unexpected inflation in capital project work and has incorporated these impacts into the 2022 CapEx forecast [29] - On the OpEx side, efforts are being made to offset inflationary impacts, particularly in coal costs, which are a significant driver of operating expenses [30] Question: Focus on shareholder returns - The current focus is on deleveraging the balance sheet, with the board continuously evaluating opportunities for shareholder returns, including dividends [33] Question: Guidance for the next three quarters - Management indicated that guidance will be reviewed at the end of Q2, with uncertainty in global markets affecting export sales [39] Question: Adjusted EBITDA per ton on Domestic Coke - The higher adjusted EBITDA per ton was driven by success in the export market and a one-time benefit from coal carryover from 2021 [40] Question: Updates on rail transportation and labor costs - Logistics supply chain issues have improved, but management remains cautious about declaring full resolution [41] - General wage inflation is being observed, but nothing specific to SunCoke [43]