Safe Bulkers(SB) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, the company achieved adjusted earnings per share of $0.14, with a board-declared dividend of $0.05 per share [3][17] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $37.4 million, down from $40.7 million in Q4 2024 [17] - Daily vessel operating expenses increased by 13% to $5,683 in Q4 2025 compared to $5,047 in Q4 2024 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operated an average of 45 vessels in Q4 2025, earning an average time charter equivalent of $17,050, compared to 45.9 vessels earning $16,521 in Q4 2024 [18] - The company has a revenue backlog of $178 million, supporting debt service and shareholder returns [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The dry bulk fleet is projected to grow by about 3% in 2026, with the order book at approximately 11.4% of the current fleet [4] - Global dry bulk demand is forecasted to grow by 2%-3% in 2026, with cargo volumes expected to expand by 1%-2% [9][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company maintains a prudent balance between spot and time charter exposure to capture market opportunities while preserving cash flow visibility [3] - The fleet is focused on quality, with approximately 80% being Japanese-built, and an average fleet age of 10.5 years, which is younger than the global average [6][15] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted increased market volatility in the dry bulk market due to geopolitical reasons, but expressed optimism about the market's recovery [3][9] - The company anticipates that supply growth will marginally match demand for 2026, indicating a balanced market outlook [12] Other Important Information - The company has significant liquidity with $382 million in capital resources and a comfortable leverage of 34% [13][20] - The company has an active share repurchase program of 10 million shares [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fleet renewal and Capesize age - Management indicated that second-hand prices are rising, but quality tonnages are scarce, leading to a focus on newbuilds [24][25] Question: Time charter market appetite - Management noted that there is currently no interest in 2-3 year contracts, with the market just starting to improve [26][27]