SunCoke Energy, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (this “Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q”) contains certain forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, operations and industry that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements regarding our plans, objectives, expected future developments, expectations and intentions, and they involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, our future results and financial condition may differ materially from those we currently anticipate as a result of the factors we describe in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report on Form 10-K”), and as updated in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other quarterly and current reports, which are on file with the SEC and are available at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov)). Additionally, please see our “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” located elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is based on financial data derived from the financial statements prepared in accordance with the United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and certain other financial data that is prepared using a non-GAAP measure. For a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure to its most comparable GAAP component, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this Item 2.

Our MD&A is provided in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

Overview

SunCoke Energy, Inc. (“SunCoke Energy,” “SunCoke,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us”) is the largest independent producer of high-quality coke in the Americas, as measured by tons of coke produced each year, and has more than 60 years of coke production experience. Coke is produced by heating metallurgical coal in a refractory oven, which releases certain volatile components from the coal, thus transforming the coal into coke. Our coke is primarily used as a principal raw material in the blast furnace steelmaking process as well as in the foundry production of casted iron, and the majority of our sales are derived from blast furnace coke sales made under long-term, take-or-pay agreements. We also sell coke produced utilizing capacity in excess of that reserved for our long-term, take-or-pay agreements to customers in both the export and North American domestic coke markets seeking high-quality product for their blast furnaces. We have designed, developed and built, and we currently own and operate, five cokemaking facilities in the United States (“U.S.”) with collective nameplate capacity to produce approximately 4.2 million tons of blast furnace coke per year. Additionally, we designed and currently operate one cokemaking facility in Brazil under licensing and operating agreements on behalf of ArcelorMittal Brasil S.A. (“ArcelorMittal Brazil”), which has approximately 1.7 million tons of annual cokemaking capacity. Our cokemaking ovens utilize efficient, modern heat recovery technology designed to combust the coal’s volatile components liberated during the cokemaking process and use the resulting heat to create steam or electricity for sale.

We also own and operate a logistics business that provides export and domestic material handling and/or mixing services to steel, coke (including some of our domestic cokemaking facilities), electric utility, coal producing and other manufacturing based customers. Our logistics terminals, which are strategically located to reach Gulf Coast, East Coast, Great Lakes and international ports, have the collective capacity to mix and/or transload more than 40 million tons of coal and other aggregates annually and has storage capacity of approximately 3 million tons.

Market Discussion

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, our domestic coke plants continued to operate at full capacity. Higher sales volumes on our long-term, take-or-pay agreements and non-contracted blast coke were driven by the timing of sales. Our long-term, take-or-pay Domestic Coke sales agreements, which largely consume our capacity, are not impacted by the fluctuations of global coke prices. Non-contracted blast coke, which is produced utilizing capacity in excess of that reserved for long-term, take-or-pay Domestic Coke sales agreements, is sold in the global market and can be impacted by fluctuations of global coke prices.

During the current year period, the suppression of European energy needs, driven by mild weather conditions, and the stabilization of the global thermal coal supply in the prior year continued to negatively impact export coal volumes through Convent Marine Terminal (“CMT”).

First Quarter Key Financial Results

Our consolidated results of operations were as follows:

(Dollars in millions)

(1) See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for both the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation from GAAP to the non-GAAP measurement.

Higher blast coke sales, primarily driven by timing of shipments, were the primary driver of strong operating results during the three months ended March 31, 2024. This increase was offset by unfavorable coal-to-coke yields on our long-term, take-or-pay agreements and lower transloading volumes at CMT. Operating cash flows during the current period primarily reflect an unfavorable year-over-year change in primary working capital. See detailed analysis of the quarter's results throughout this MD&A.

Recent Developments and Items Impacting Comparability

There were no recent developments that occurred, or unusual events that significantly impacted comparability to the prior year period during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth amounts from the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively:

(Dollars in millions)

Sales and Other Operating Revenue and Costs of Products Sold and Operating Expenses. Sales and other operating revenue and costs of products sold and operating expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same prior year period, primarily driven by higher volumes on our blast coke sales due to the timing of shipments, which was partially offset by the pass-through of lower coal prices in our Domestic Coke segment.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were reasonably consistent with the prior year period.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased as a result of the expiration of the useful lives of assets in our Domestic Coke segment placed into service in prior periods.

Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net, benefited during the three months ended March 31, 2024 from lower average debt balances in the current year period and higher interest income of $0.4 million as compared to the same prior year period.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense during the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily reflects the absence of foreign taxes of $0.8 million recognized in the prior year period, and the establishment of a valuation allowance in the current year period related to foreign tax credits resulting in expense of $0.5 million. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further detail.

Noncontrolling Interest. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests represents a 14.8 percent third-party interest in our Indiana Harbor cokemaking facility and fluctuates with the financial performance of that facility.

Results of Reportable Business Segments

We report our business results through three reportable segments:

• Domestic Coke consists of our Jewell facility, located in Vansant, Virginia, our Indiana Harbor facility, located in East Chicago, Indiana, our Haverhill facility, located in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, our Granite City facility located in Granite City, Illinois, and our Middletown facility located in Middletown, Ohio.
• Brazil Coke consists of operations in Vitória, Brazil, where we operate the ArcelorMittal Brazil cokemaking facility.
• Logistics consists of CMT, located in Convent, Louisiana, Kanawha River Terminal (“KRT”), located in Ceredo and Belle, West Virginia, and Lake Terminal, located in East Chicago, Indiana. Lake Terminal is located adjacent to our Indiana Harbor cokemaking facility.

Corporate expenses that can be identified with a segment have been included in determining segment results. The remainder is included in Corporate and Other, including activity from our legacy coal mining business, which is not considered a reportable segment and therefore, not included in our segment information in Note 12. However, we have included Corporate and Other within our operating data below.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance, which is used by the chief operating decision maker as one of the measurements to evaluate the performance of each of our reportable segments. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for the reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for both the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation from GAAP to the non-GAAP measurement.

Segment Financial and Operating Data

The following tables set forth financial and operating data by segment:

(Dollars in millions)

(1) Corporate and Other, net is not a reportable segment.

(2) See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for both the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation from GAAP to the non-GAAP measurement.

(3) The production of foundry coke tons does not replace blast furnace coke tons on a ton for ton basis, as foundry coke requires longer coking time. The Domestic Coke capacity utilization is calculated assuming a single ton of foundry coke replaces approximately two tons of blast furnace coke.

(4) Reflects Domestic Coke Adjusted EBITDA divided by Domestic Coke sales volumes.

Analysis of Segment Results

Domestic Coke

The following table sets forth year-over-year changes in the Domestic Coke segment's sales and other operating revenues and Adjusted EBITDA results:

(Dollars in millions)

(1) Volumes during the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased due to the timing of shipments of our blast coke sales.

(2) Sales and other operating revenue decreased primarily as a result of the pass-through of lower coal prices on our long-term, take-or-pay agreements and lower sales pricing on our non-contracted blast coke sales. Adjusted EBITDA was also negatively impacted by the lower sales pricing on our non-contracted blast coke sales, as well as lower coal-to coke yields on our long-term, take-or-pay agreements. These decreases to Adjusted EBITDA were more than offset by the impact of lower coal prices on our non-contracted blast coke sales.

(3) Operating and maintenance costs increased as a result of timing of planned maintenance outages.

Logistics

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, sales and other operating revenues, exclusive of intersegment sales, were $20.6 million, compared to $21.1 million, in the corresponding prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA, inclusive of the impact of intersegment transactions, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $13.0 million, compared to $13.5 million in the corresponding prior year period. The decreases in Logistics results as compared to the same prior year period primarily reflect lower transloading volumes at CMT and lower ancillary revenue, partially offset by higher transloading pricing.

Brazil

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, sales and other operating revenue and Adjusted EBITDA were $8.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, which was reasonably consistent with the prior year period.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which was reasonably consistent with $9.2 million in the corresponding prior year period.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the GAAP results provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we have provided a non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA. Our management, as well as certain investors, use this non-GAAP measure to analyze our current and expected future financial performance. This measure is not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP and may be different from, or inconsistent with, non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on segment Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted for any impairments, restructuring costs, gains or losses on extinguishment of debt, and/or transaction costs (“Adjusted EBITDA”). EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered alternatives to net income or operating income under GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures in other businesses.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure in assessing operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it highlights trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP measures and because it eliminates items that have less bearing on our operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and they should not be considered a substitute for net income, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, which is its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP:

(Dollars in millions)

(1) Costs incurred as part of the granulated pig iron project with U.S. Steel.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary liquidity needs are to fund working capital and investments, service our debt, maintain cash reserves and replace partially or fully depreciated assets and other capital expenditures. Our sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facility (“Revolving Facility”) and, from time to time, debt and equity offerings. We believe our current resources are sufficient to meet our working capital requirements for our current business for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2024, we had $120.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and $350.0 million of borrowing availability under our Revolving Facility.

We may, from time to time, seek to retire or purchase additional amounts of our outstanding equity and/or debt securities through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. Refer to “Part II Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.”

During the first quarter of 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor's Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (“DCMWC”) requested SunCoke to provide additional collateral of approximately $32.0 million to secure certain of its black lung obligations. SunCoke exercised its right to appeal the DCMWC’s determination and provided additional information supporting the Company’s position in May 2020 and February 2021. If the Company’s appeal is unsuccessful, the Company may be required to provide additional collateral to receive its self-insurance reauthorization from the DCMWC, which could potentially reduce the Company’s liquidity. Additionally, on January 19, 2023, the Department of Labor issued a new proposed rule that would require self-insured companies to post collateral in the amount of 120 percent of the company's total expected lifetime black lung obligations as determined by the DCMWC. While this new proposed rule is not effective, if finalized, it could potentially reduce the Company's liquidity. We submitted comments on this proposed rule and will continue to monitor any impact to the Company. See further discussion in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.

Cash Flow Summary

The following table sets forth a summary of the net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

(Dollars in millions)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $20.2 million to $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease primarily reflects an unfavorable year-over-year change in primary working capital, which is comprised of accounts receivable, inventories, and accounts payable, driven by the timing of shipments as compared to the prior year period and the impact of changes in coal pricing, partially offset by the timing of coal purchases.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $15.1 million and $22.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Both periods primarily reflect ongoing capital expenditures.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities increased $0.3 million to $14.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding prior year period. This increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by an increase in dividends paid of $2.3 million as compared to the prior year period, as a result of an increase to the dividend per share amount, which was partially offset by lower cash distributions made to noncontrolling interests of $1.5 million.

Dividends

On February 1, 2024, SunCoke's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share of the Company's common stock. This dividend was paid on March 1, 2024, to stockholders of record on February 15, 2024.

Additionally, on May 1, 2024, SunCoke's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share of the Company's common stock. This dividend will be paid on June 3, 2024, to stockholders of record on May 15, 2024.

Covenants

As of March 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants. We do not anticipate a violation of these covenants nor do we anticipate that any of these covenants will restrict our operations or our ability to obtain additional financing. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for details on debt covenants.

Capital Requirements and Expenditures

Our operations are capital intensive, requiring significant investment to upgrade or enhance existing operations and to meet environmental and operational regulations. The level of future capital expenditures will depend on various factors, including market conditions and customer requirements, and may differ from current or anticipated levels. Material changes in capital expenditure levels may impact financial results, including but not limited to the amount of depreciation, interest expense and repair and maintenance expense.

Our capital requirements have consisted, and are expected to consist, primarily of:

• Ongoing capital expenditures required to maintain equipment reliability, the integrity and safety of our coke ovens and steam generators and to comply with environmental regulations. Ongoing capital expenditures are made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets in order to maintain the existing operating capacity of the assets and/or to extend their useful lives and also include new equipment that improves the efficiency, reliability or effectiveness of existing assets. Ongoing capital expenditures do not include normal repairs and maintenance expenses, which are expensed as incurred;
• Expansion capital expenditures to acquire and/or construct complementary assets to grow our business and to expand existing facilities as well as capital expenditures made to grow our business through new markets or enable the renewal of a coke sales agreement and/or logistics service agreement and on which we expect to earn a reasonable return; and
• Environmental remediation project expenditures required to implement design changes to ensure that our existing facilities operate in accordance with existing environmental permits.

The following table summarizes our capital expenditures:

(Dollars in millions)

(1) Reflects actual cash payments during the periods presented for our capital requirements.

Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no significant changes to our accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a summary of these policies.

Recent Accounting Standards

There have been no new accounting standards material to SunCoke Energy that have been adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

There have been no material changes to the Company's exposure to market risk previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

There have been no material changes with respect to risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.