SunCoke Energy(US:SXC)2025-11-04 17:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - SunCoke Energy reported consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $59.1 million for Q3 2025, a decrease from $75.3 million in the prior year period [8][9] - Net income attributable to SunCoke was $0.26 per share, down $0.10 compared to the prior year, primarily due to a mix of contract and spot Coke sales and lower economics from the Granite City contract extension [7][8] - The company revised its consolidated adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025 to a range of $220 million to $225 million, reflecting the addition of five months of Phoenix results and the impact of a deferral of approximately 200,000 coke tons [5][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic Coke adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 was $44 million, down from $58.1 million in the prior year, with Coke sales volumes at 951,000 tons compared to 1,027,000 tons previously [9][10] - The new industrial services segment, which includes Phoenix Global, generated $18.2 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q3 2025, up from $13.7 million in the prior year [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The logistics business experienced lower volumes due to unfavorable market conditions, impacting the overall performance of the industrial services segment [12] - Total logistics handling volumes were 5.2 million tons, with Phoenix customer volume serviced at 3.8 million tons for the two months included in Q3 results [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is optimistic about 2026, expecting a full year of Phoenix Global adjusted EBITDA contribution and a modest recovery in the logistics business [18][35] - Active discussions are ongoing with U.S. Steel regarding the Granite City contract extension and with Cleveland-Cliffs for the Haverhill contract [34][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the enforceability of contracts and is pursuing legal remedies for the breach of contract by Algoma, which has impacted production and sales [24][25] - The company anticipates that 2026 results will improve over 2025, driven by strong fundamentals in its Coke business and the integration of Phoenix Global [19][35] Other Important Information - SunCoke ended Q3 2025 with a cash balance of $80.4 million and revolver availability of $126 million, indicating ample liquidity [13] - The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share, marking the 25th consecutive quarter of dividend announcements [5][6] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is your level of confidence that incremental deferrals won't occur? - Management indicated that the 200,000 tons are anticipated to be produced and stored for 2025, and they believe they have an enforceable contract with Algoma [22][23] Question: What do the remedies for the breach of contract currently look like? - Management stated they are working with counsel and pursuing all legal remedies to recover financial losses from the breach [24] Question: How confident are you in retaining the dividend and liquidity going forward? - Management clarified that the 200,000 tons is the total exposure for this year, not an annual basis, and expressed confidence in maintaining liquidity [26][27] Question: Can you discuss your strategy for 2026 if unable to renew Granite City and Haverhill production under a long-term contract? - Management remains optimistic for 2026, citing strong contracts at Middletown and Indiana Harbor, and ongoing discussions for Haverhill and Granite City [32][34]