Workflow
Icahn Enterprises(IEP) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The net asset value (NAV) decreased by 223millionfromthethirdquarterof2024,primarilyduetothedeclineinCVREnergyandanagreementtosellcertainpropertiesintherealestatesegment[7][10]Theinvestmentfundsweredownapproximately1.6223 million from the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to the decline in CVR Energy and an agreement to sell certain properties in the real estate segment [7][10] - The investment funds were down approximately 1.6% for the quarter, with the largest decliner being the investment in Caesars [11] - The company ended the quarter with 1.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents at the holding company and an additional 915millionatthefunds[12]BusinessLineDataandKeyMetricsChangesEnergysegmentEBITDAwas915 million at the funds [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Energy segment EBITDA was 99 million for Q4 2024, down from 204millioninQ42023,drivenbyreducedthroughputandlowercrackspreads[17]Therefiningmarginperthroughputbarreldecreasedto204 million in Q4 2023, driven by reduced throughput and lower crack spreads [17] - The refining margin per throughput barrel decreased to 8.37 from 15.01intheprioryearquarterduetolowercrackspreads[18]Theautomotivesegmentcontinuestolagduetopreviousselfinflictedissues,butanewCEOhasbeenappointedtoimplementstrategiesforimprovement[20]RealestateadjustedEBITDAdecreasedby15.01 in the prior year quarter due to lower crack spreads [18] - The automotive segment continues to lag due to previous self-inflicted issues, but a new CEO has been appointed to implement strategies for improvement [20] - Real estate adjusted EBITDA decreased by 5 million compared to the prior year quarter, driven by reduced sales of single-family homes [22] - Home fashions adjusted EBITDA increased by 2millionduetolowermaterialcostsandimprovedmanufacturingefficiencies[24]MarketDataandKeyMetricsChangesTheaveragerealizedgatepricesforureawere2 million due to lower material costs and improved manufacturing efficiencies [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average realized gate prices for urea were 229 per ton, while ammonia increased by 3% to 475pertoncomparedtotheprioryearquarter[18]CompanyStrategyandDevelopmentDirectionThecompanyisfocusedonbuildingassetvalueandmaintainingliquiditytocapitalizeonopportunitieswithinandoutsideexistingoperatingsegments[25]Themanagementemphasizesanactivismstrategy,leveragingtheIcahnbrandandhistorytodriveshareholdervalue[46]ManagementCommentsonOperatingEnvironmentandFutureOutlookManagementnotedthatcrackspreadshaverecentlyimproved,whichisapositivesignforCVREnergy[9]Thecompanyanticipatesthatchallengesintheautomotivesegmentwillberesolvedbythesecondhalfof2025[20]Themanagementisoptimisticaboutthepotentialresolutionofoutstandinglitigationregardingsmallrefineryexemptions,whichcouldremoveover475 per ton compared to the prior year quarter [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building asset value and maintaining liquidity to capitalize on opportunities within and outside existing operating segments [25] - The management emphasizes an activism strategy, leveraging the Icahn brand and history to drive shareholder value [46] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that crack spreads have recently improved, which is a positive sign for CVR Energy [9] - The company anticipates that challenges in the automotive segment will be resolved by the second half of 2025 [20] - The management is optimistic about the potential resolution of outstanding litigation regarding small refinery exemptions, which could remove over 300 million in liabilities [10] Other Important Information - The board maintained the quarterly distribution at 0.50perdepositoryunit[13]Thefundsendedthequarterapproximately220.50 per depository unit [13] - The funds ended the quarter approximately 22% net long, adjusting for refining hedges, the fund was 35% net long [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about hedge funds' net long position - The net long position was 22%, and 35% excluding energy hedges, with a previous position of net short 2% at the end of the third quarter [28][30] Question: Clarification on real estate segment's indicative net asset value adjustment - The significant increase in indicative net asset value was due to an agreement to sell certain properties that exceeded book value, leading to a 290 million increase [35][37] Question: Composition of properties contributing to the net asset value increase - Approximately $200 million of the increase was due to properties under sale agreement, with the rest attributed to appraisals of remaining assets [39]