SunCoke Energy(SXC) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $56.7 million, down $9.4 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower coke sales volumes and market conditions [9][10] - Full-year consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $219.2 million, a decrease of $53.6 million compared to the previous year [9][10] - The net loss attributable to SunCoke for Q4 2025 was $1 per share, down from $1.28 per share in Q4 2024, driven by one-time items totaling $0.85 per share net of tax [8] - Full-year net loss attributable to SunCoke was $0.52 per share, down from $1.64 per share in 2024, impacted by one-time items totaling $0.97 per share net of tax [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic coke business delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $170 million, down $64.7 million from the prior year, affected by contract and spot coke sales mix changes and lower contract economics [10] - Industrial services segment, including Phoenix Global, delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $62.3 million, an increase of $11.9 million year-over-year, primarily due to the addition of Phoenix Global [11] - Corporate and other expenses increased by $800,000 year-over-year to $13.1 million, reflecting costs from legacy operations [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic coke segment is expected to deliver adjusted EBITDA between $162 million and $168 million in 2026, with sales of approximately 3.4 million tons [16][18] - Industrial services adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $90 million and $100 million in 2026, reflecting expectations for improved market conditions [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to utilize free cash flow to support capital allocation priorities, including paying down revolver balance and maintaining dividends [22] - Focus on seamless integration of Phoenix Global and exploring new growth opportunities across all business areas [23] - The company aims to maintain strong safety and environmental performance as a competitive advantage [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates a meaningful recovery in 2026, supported by an optimized coke fleet and extended contracts [15] - The company expects to generate positive free cash flow in 2026, with gross leverage targeted around 2.45x, below the long-term target of 3x [15] - Management highlighted challenges in 2025 due to market conditions but remains optimistic about future performance [15] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $41 million to shareholders via dividends in 2025 and plans to continue this in 2026 [7] - The integration of Phoenix Global is progressing well, with expectations for significant contributions in 2026 [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Status of litigation with Algoma regarding contract breach - Management confirmed ongoing arbitration with Algoma, expecting to recover losses from the breach, which could amount to up to $70 million [28][29] Question: Anticipated EBITDA contribution from Phoenix Global - Management affirmed expectations of an annual EBITDA contribution of roughly $60 million from Phoenix Global [31] Question: One-time integration costs incurred with Phoenix Global - One-time costs included site closure costs of about $3.9 million and transaction costs of approximately $600,000 [32] Question: Permanence of Haverhill One closure and potential reopening - Haverhill One closure is permanent unless significant capital investment is made, which is not currently justified [40] Question: Expected improvement in tons handled in the industrial segment - Guidance includes a full year of the new KRT contract and modest recovery across both KRT and CMT [49]