Brookfield Business Partners L.P.(BBU) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated over $2 billion from its capital recycling program and repaid $1 billion of borrowings on its corporate credit facility [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $575 million, down from $844 million in the prior period, reflecting lower ownership in three businesses [15] - Adjusted EFO for the quarter was $284 million, benefiting from lower current tax expenses and interest expenses [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The industrial segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $316 million, down from $500 million in the prior period, but increased 17% year-over-year when including tax benefits [16] - The business services segment's adjusted EBITDA was $188 million, down from $228 million last year, impacted by the sale of a partial interest in dealer software services [17] - The infrastructure services segment's adjusted EBITDA was $104 million, down from $146 million in the same quarter last year, reflecting the sale of offshore oil services [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that public markets are at record highs and transaction activity is increasing, supported by declining global interest rates [7] - The feedback from the market regarding the corporate structure reorganization has been positive, with a nearly $1 billion increase in market cap since the announcement [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to simplify its corporate structure by converting all units and shares into a new publicly traded Canadian corporation to improve trading liquidity and accessibility for investors [5] - The focus remains on acquiring high-quality businesses and operationally transforming them into market leaders [6] - The company is leveraging AI to enhance operational capabilities and drive value creation [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism heading into the fourth quarter, noting the resilience of the global economy despite challenges [7] - The company is excited about the potential of AI to drive productivity improvements and is well-positioned to capitalize on these changes [6] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased just over $160 million of its units and shares as part of its buyback program [4] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $2.9 billion of pro forma liquidity at the corporate level [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is an IPO still the most likely path for BRK? - Management confirmed that an IPO is one option for monetizing BRK, but the capital markets environment in Brazil remains challenging [22] Question: Will BRK be more active in pursuing new concessions? - Management indicated that the focus has been on operational initiatives to increase margins and EBITDA rather than seeking new concessions [23] Question: Can you provide context on Latrobe's regulatory issues? - Management clarified that the issues are primarily disclosure-related and have not impacted the underlying fundamentals of the business [26] Question: What are the AI benefits across other large investments? - Management highlighted the potential of AI to improve operational performance and inventory management across various businesses [50] Question: What is the outlook for Dexco? - Management expressed optimism about Dexco's performance, noting signs of recovery in market demand [46]