Westlake Chemical Partners(WLKP) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For full year 2025, the company reported net income of $49 million or $1.38 per unit, a decrease of $13 million compared to 2024 [4][7] - Fourth quarter 2025 net income was $15 million or $0.41 per unit, consistent with the fourth quarter of 2024 [6][7] - Distributable cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $19 million, an increase of $4 million from $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 [7] - Full year 2025 MLP distributable cash flow was $53 million, down $14 million from $67 million in 2024 [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The decrease in net income for 2025 was attributed to lower production and sales volumes due to a planned turnaround at the Petro 1 facility [7][11] - The Ethylene Sales Agreement with Westlake was successfully renewed through 2027 without changes, ensuring stable cash flows [8][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained a consolidated cash balance of $68 million at the end of the fourth quarter [9] - Long-term debt stood at $400 million, with a consolidated leverage ratio below 1 time [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance long-term value through four growth levers: increasing ownership interest in OpCo, acquiring other income streams, organic growth through facility expansions, and negotiating higher fixed margins in the Ethylene Sales Agreement [12][13] - The absence of planned turnarounds in 2026 is expected to lead to production and sales volume growth, improving distributable cash flow and coverage ratios [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed satisfaction with the financial and operational performance in 2025, highlighting the stability provided by the Ethylene Sales Agreement [11] - The company anticipates a recovery in coverage ratios above 1.1 times in 2026 due to no planned turnarounds [20] Other Important Information - The company has made 46 consecutive quarterly distributions since its IPO in July 2014, with a 71% increase in distributions since the original minimum [10] - The fourth quarter distribution of $0.4714 per unit was paid on February 23, 2026 [9][10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Balance sheet and cash flow regarding distribution payments - Analyst inquired about the drawdown on receivables under the Investment Management Agreement and the expectation for distribution coverage in the new year [17] - Management clarified that the drawdown reflected turnaround costs and that operating reserves were sufficient to cover distributions, expecting coverage ratios to improve in 2026 [19][20] Question: Financing growth initiatives - Analyst asked how the company plans to finance potential growth opportunities [21] - Management indicated that financing would likely involve a drop-down structure, utilizing a combination of new unit issuance and leveraging the balance sheet [21]