DU
Delek US Holdings, Inc. (DK)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 was weak on refining but solid in midstream: revenue fell to $2.37B as crack spreads compressed and Krotz Springs turnaround weighed; reported EPS was $(6.55) driven by a $212.2M goodwill impairment; Adjusted EPS was $(2.54) and Adjusted EBITDA was $(23.2)M .
- Logistics delivered record performance: segment Adjusted EBITDA rose to $107.2M (vs. $99.4M LY; $106.1M in Q3), buoyed by Delaware Gathering, rate increases, W2W dropdown and H2O Midstream contribution .
- Strategic actions advance “sum-of-the-parts”: EOP now expected at the high end of $80–$120M run-rate (~$120M) in 2H’25; DKL initiated 2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $480–$520M and authorized up to $150M in DKL unit repurchases from DK, aiding deconsolidation efforts .
- Q1 2025 outlook points to throughput ramp (notably at Krotz Springs post-turnaround) and higher OpEx driven by Gravity consolidation, throughput, nat gas prices and maintenance; mgmt emphasized cost discipline and EOP delivery .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Logistics strength and diversification: Logistics Adjusted EBITDA reached $107.2M, up year-on-year, aided by Delaware Gathering, annual rate increases, W2W dropdown and H2O Midstream close in September .
- EOP momentum and guidance: “We… now expect to be at the high end of original target run-rate in 2H'2025,” with a $120M target for cash flow improvement (vs. original $80–$120M) .
- Strategic separation and capital framework: DKL 2025 EBITDA guidance of $480–$520M and a $150M DKL unit repurchase authorization from DK; mgmt reiterated commitment to dividends and buybacks (“we are doing buybacks at Q1 of 2025”) while progressing deconsolidation .
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What Went Wrong
- Refining underperformance: Refining Adjusted EBITDA was $(69.6)M (vs. $(4.4)M LY; $10.2M in Q3), driven by lower crack spreads and Krotz Springs turnaround; total refining production margin per bbl fell to $3.71 (vs. $6.86 LY; $4.88 in Q3) .
- Supply & marketing headwinds: Q4 “Supply, marketing and other” was a $(34.6)M loss, including ~$12M wholesale weakness (seasonal demand) and $(22)M supply impact, though management noted Y/Y improvement vs. Q4’23 .
- Non-cash impairment and cash burn: $212.2M goodwill impairment drove GAAP loss; cash from operations was $(163.5)M (including $(71.1)M unfavorable working capital movements) .
Financial Results
Segment Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)
Refining KPIs
Per-Refinery Production Margin ($/bbl), Q4 2024
Notes: Q4 GAAP net loss includes $212.2M goodwill impairment; other non-GAAP adjustments include “other inventory impact,” restructuring costs, and unrealized RINs hedging .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We… now expect to be at the high end of original target run-rate in 2H'2025” for EOP cash flow improvements .
- “Deconsolidation… is happening and will happen as we speak… we also increased the distribution that DK gets from DKL… announced… buyback… up to $150 million” of DKL units from DK .
- “In Krotz Springs… we have demonstrated improved crude capacity, product mix and liquid yield… planned throughput for the first quarter is in the 83,000 to 86,000 barrels per day range” .
- On El Dorado: “asset is the most significant beneficiary of our EOP… $50 million of low-hanging fruits… confident about our ability to translate this progress to numbers sooner than later” .
- OpEx bridge for Q1: Gravity consolidation, higher throughput, higher natural gas, and planned Big Spring maintenance explain the guidance step-up .
Q&A Highlights
- El Dorado improvement roadmap: $50M EOP at El Dorado focused on product slate (more jet), converting heavy bottoms to light products, logistics to new markets, and yield recovery (reformer, FCC, asphalt) .
- Deconsolidation strategy and capital tools: DKL growth via bolt-ons (H2O, Gravity), organic (gas plant, sour gas/AGI), and the $150M DKL unit buyback authorization to facilitate tax-efficient separation while benefiting DKL FCF .
- Supply/marketing seasonality: Q4 DKTS loss driven by seasonal inland demand weakness; management highlighted ~$10M Y/Y improvement and ongoing optimization to support 2025 EOP .
- OpEx guidance clarity: Q1 OpEx higher due to Gravity consolidation, higher throughput, elevated nat gas, and planned maintenance (Big Spring) .
- Capital allocation: Maintain dividend; active buybacks into Q1’25 at current valuation; balanced approach to balance sheet and repurchases .
Estimates Context
- We attempted to retrieve S&P Global (Capital IQ) consensus estimates for EPS and revenue (Q2–Q4 2024) but hit a daily request limit; as a result, we cannot present vs-consensus “beat/miss” analytics for Q4 this time. We will update once access resumes.
- Based on reported results, Adjusted EPS $(2.54) and revenue $2.374B provide the baseline for future comparison to Street expectations .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Logistics resilience offsets refining volatility: DKL continues to compound, with 2025 EBITDA guided to $480–$520M and >70% third-party mix underpinning multiple expansion potential and DK’s SOTP thesis .
- Near-term refining headwinds but improving setup: Krotz Springs turnaround behind the company with Q1 ramp; El Dorado targeted $50M EOP-driven uplift; Tyler/Big Spring margins remained comparatively stronger in Q4 .
- EOP is the core 2025 catalyst: With EOP now targeted at the high end (~$120M), cost/margin actions should lower breakeven and support stronger FCF in 2H’25 .
- Deconsolidation path is clearer: DKL unit buyback authorization, bolt-on acquisitions (H2O, Gravity), and organic projects (gas plant, AGI) are practical steps to accelerate economic separation with tax efficiency .
- Liquidity and leverage: Year-end cash of $735.6M and consolidated net debt $2.03B (DK ex-DKL net debt ~$160M) provide flexibility, though Q4 cash burn and higher consolidated net debt warrant monitoring pending EOP and refining recovery .
- Dividend maintained and buybacks ongoing: $0.255 quarterly dividend reaffirmed; mgmt executing repurchases into Q1’25, signaling confidence in intrinsic value .
- Watch Q1 execution: Throughput ramp (esp. KS), OpEx discipline amid Gravity consolidation and nat gas, and progress on El Dorado EOP are the near-term stock drivers .
Additional Q4 2024 Press Releases and Disclosures
- Dividend declaration: $0.255 per share quarterly dividend payable March 10, 2025 (record date March 3, 2025) .
- DKL Gravity Water Midstream closing: $285M consideration (~$200M cash + ~2.175M DKL units) closed Jan 2, 2025, enhancing water midstream scale and third-party mix .
- Slides highlight 1Q25 guidance and DKL’s 2025 EBITDA guide; also AGI FID at Libby plant and additional Midland acreage dedications .
All figures and statements are sourced from Delek’s SEC filings, earnings materials, and transcripts as cited above.