Star Bulk(SBLK) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported a net income of $65.2 million and an adjusted net income of $74.5 million, translating to an adjusted EPS of $0.16 [3] - Adjusted EBITDA was $126.4 million, indicating strong cash generation capacity [3] - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $22.7 million in Q4 2025 and approximately 1.9 million shares for $37.9 million in Q1 2026 [3][4] - A dividend of $0.37 per share was declared for Q4 2025, payable on March 19, 2026 [3] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The time charter equivalent (TCE) was $19,012 per day per vessel, with combined daily operating expenses and net cash G&A at $6,444 per day per vessel, resulting in a daily cash margin of approximately $12,570 per vessel [5] - Daily operating expenses for Q4 were $5,045 per vessel, and net cash G&A was $1,399 per vessel, both among the lowest in the peer group [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The dry bulk trade grew by 1.3% in volume and 2.1% in ton-miles during 2025, driven by record bauxite and minor bulk exports [20] - China's total dry bulk imports were flat in 2025, with a 4.2% decline in the first half offset by a 4.1% rebound in the second half [21] - Iron ore trade grew by 2.2% in 2025 and is projected to rise by 1.9% in 2026 [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company intends to distribute 100% of its free cash flow while maintaining a minimum cash balance of $2.1 million per vessel and a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share [4] - The capital allocation strategy includes dividends and opportunistic buybacks funded from vessel sales, reflecting confidence in future cash flow visibility [5] - The company is focused on maintaining a competitive capital return profile while enhancing shareholder value [5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate market volatility while enhancing per share value [9] - The company remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency through various initiatives [15] - The outlook for the dry bulk market is optimistic, supported by favorable supply conditions and easing trade tensions [27] Other Important Information - The company has approximately $459 million in cash and $1 billion in outstanding debt, with 27 debt-free vessels valued at approximately $630 million [4] - The fleet consists of 141 vessels with an average age of approximately 12.1 years, and the company plans to optimize the fleet through selective disposals [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on iron ore market demand and ton-mile expansion - Management noted strong trade on grains, with an expected increase of about 7.5%-8%, contributing to ton-mile growth [32] Question: Infrastructure projects in West Africa - There is an expectation of increased congestion in West Africa, with infrastructure upgrades anticipated to alleviate this in the long term [36] Question: Details on capital return policy - The decision to boost the dividend payout was influenced by strong share performance, with a focus on returning capital to shareholders [40]