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FTAI Infrastructure Inc. (FIP)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q4 2024 showed mixed fundamentals: consolidated revenue was $80.764M and Adjusted EBITDA was $29.173M, with a widened GAAP loss driven by a $70.4M impairment charge .
  • Segment momentum remains solid: Transtar posted $19.395M Adjusted EBITDA, Jefferson $11.074M, Long Ridge (Power & Gas) $9.903M, while Repauno was $(0.595)M in Q4 .
  • Strategic pivot: Long Ridge was refinanced and fully consolidated; management now targets approximately $160M in annual EBITDA at the asset level, with upside from capacity revenues and behind-the-meter data centers .
  • 2025 catalysts: Jefferson’s three long-term contracts ($25M annual EBITDA) begin spring/summer; Repauno Phase 2 contracted to 40kbpd ($50M annual EBITDA); corporate refinancing planned to reduce fixed charges (10.5% bonds and ~14% preferred targeting an “8-handle”) .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • Long Ridge refinancing, equity buy-in, and repricing of power sale contracts to ~$43/MWh (+$15/MWh), plus higher capacity revenues beginning June 1, collectively driving ~$160M annual EBITDA at the asset level .
    • Jefferson signed/commencing three long-term contracts (~$25M annual EBITDA) and is negotiating additional conventional/renewable volumes; management sees a path to ~$120M annual EBITDA potential .
    • Repauno Phase 2 second NGL export contract signed, contracted to 40kbpd (~$50M annual EBITDA), with financing cleared for $300M tax-exempt debt at ~5–6% rates; Phase 2 can reach ~$70M annual EBITDA at full utilization .
    • Quote: “Pro forma for the Long Ridge transactions, we expect to generate approximately $160 million of annual EBITDA with the bulk of that figure locked in for the next 7 years.”
  • What Went Wrong

    • Consolidated GAAP loss widened in Q4 (Net loss attributable to stockholders $(137.236)M) due to impairment charges ($70.401M) and high interest expense ($33.312M) .
    • Long Ridge quarterly EBITDA dipped sequentially to $9.9M from $11.1M, with capacity factor down to 88% from 91% due to planned maintenance .
    • Repauno posted negative Q4 EBITDA ($(0.595)M); while pipeline is strong, earnings contribution awaits Phase 2 completion (mid-2026) .
    • Analyst concern: Transtar’s 2024 EBITDA growth (~7% YoY) below the long-term 15% target; management reiterated 15–20% organic growth in 2025, aided by tariffs and new business .

Financial Results

MetricQ4 2023Q4 2024
Revenue ($USD Millions)$81.440 $80.764
Net Loss Attributable to Stockholders ($USD Millions)$(48.193) $(137.236)
Basic EPS ($USD)$(0.47) $(1.24)
Diluted EPS ($USD)$(0.47) $(1.24)
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$33.294 $29.173
Net Income Margin (%)(−59.2%) (−169.9%)
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)40.9% 36.1%

Notes:

  • Net Income Margin (%) computed from net loss attributable to stockholders divided by total revenues using cited values .
  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%) computed from Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues using cited values .

Sequential EBITDA comparison:

MetricQ3 2024Q4 2024
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$36.9 $29.173

Segment Adjusted EBITDA (quarterly trend):

Segment EBITDA ($USD Millions)Q2 2024Q3 2024Q4 2024
Transtar (Railroad)$22.1 $21.1 $19.395
Jefferson Terminal$12.3 $11.8 $11.074
Repauno$(0.595)
Long Ridge (Power & Gas)$8.8 $11.1 $9.903
Four Core Segments Total$39.777

Segment details (Q4 2024):

SegmentNet Income Attributable ($USD Millions)Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)
Transtar (Railroad)$12.165 $19.395
Jefferson Terminal$(15.030) $11.074
Repauno$(4.179) $(0.595)
Long Ridge (Power & Gas)$(10.037) $9.903

KPIs:

KPIQ3 2024Q4 2024
Long Ridge Capacity Factor (%)99% 88%
Jefferson Revenue ($USD Millions)$19.7 $21.2
Jefferson Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$11.8 $11.1
Repauno Phase 2 Contracted Volumes (bpd)40,000
Repauno Phase 2 Contracted EBITDA ($USD Millions, annual)~$50

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Long Ridge power sale price (hedges)Multi-year~$42/MWh targeted in reset ~$43/MWh achieved Raised
Long Ridge incremental capacity revenue2025–26 season (effective June 1, 2025)~$32M annual at asset level (implied; $16M at 50% share) ~$30M annual at asset level Slightly lowered (mechanics/timing)
Long Ridge annual EBITDA (asset level)Ongoing~$160M (bulk locked for ~7 years) New, consolidating 100%
Long Ridge data center behind-the-meterOngoing+$50–$75M annual EBITDA potential New disclosure
Repauno Phase 2 capacity/EBITDAMid-2026 startCapacity up to ~75kbpd; ~$75M potential Contracted 40kbpd; ~$50M contracted; up to ~$70M at full utilization Clarified mix; contracted base set
Repauno Phase 2 financing rate20255–6% tax-exempt expected 5–6% tax-exempt approved by NJEDA Maintained; de-risked
Jefferson annual EBITDA potential2025+In excess of ~$100M ~$120M target potential Raised
Transtar organic EBITDA growth2025~15% ~15–20% Raised
Common dividendQ4 2024$0.03/share $0.03/share (pay 3/26; record 3/14) Maintained
Corporate refinancing (holdco bonds)2024–2025“7-handle” contemplated post Long Ridge/Repauno “8-handle,” aiming low-8% new debt; preferred from ~14% to ~8% More conservative rate; still accretive
Repauno cavern permits (Phase 3)2024–2025“Second half 2024” target “By end of Q1 2025” expected; Phase 3 could add ~$100M EBITDA Timing slipped; scale reaffirmed

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q2 2024, Q3 2024)Current Period (Q4 2024)Trend
AI/data centers power demandPJM capacity auction up ~10x; Long Ridge capacity revenue +$32M; active behind-the-meter discussions Long Ridge repriced hedges to ~$43/MWh; capacity payments +$30M; behind-the-meter data center deals expected “in coming months,” potential +$50–$75M EBITDA Strengthening momentum; monetization nearer-term
Tariffs/macro (U.S. Steel)Monitoring Nippon Steel deal and union approval developments Tariffs expected to benefit Transtar volumes; management sees 15–20% organic growth in 2025 Macro tailwind to Transtar
Regulatory/legal (permits, FERC/PJM)Repauno Phase 2 financed via tax-exempt; cavern permits targeted 2H 2024; Long Ridge swap reset plan NJEDA greenlight for $300M tax-exempt; Repauno cavern permits expected by end Q1 2025; FERC fast-tracking uprates to 505MW Regulatory path de-risking; uprate support
Jefferson product performanceRecord throughput (215 kbpd) and waxy crude export pioneer; two long-term contracts starting 2025 ($20M EBITDA) Three contracts commencing spring/summer 2025 (~$25M EBITDA) and negotiating NGL/renewables; ammonia contract in place Growing contracted base; expanding product slate
Repauno NGL exportsPhase 2 scope expanded to ~75kbpd; ~$75M EBITDA potential Second Phase 2 contract signed; contracted 40kbpd (~$50M EBITDA); full capacity up to ~$70M Commercial traction; clarified economics
M&A (Transtar focus)Evaluating three opportunities; freight rail assets at ~15x multiples Pipeline increased to ~6 opportunities; expectation to announce a deal within ~3 months; debt financing attractive Pipeline expanding; financing supportive

Management Commentary

  • “We now have line of sight across our portfolio on approximately $195 million of incremental locked-in annual EBITDA under executed contracts… which… represents total company annual EBITDA of approximately $323 million.”
  • “We will sell power at an average price of $43 per megawatt hour compared to $28… resulting in approximately $50 million of annual incremental EBITDA… higher capacity payments result in approximately $30 million… [and] excess gas sales… $10–$20 million… adding it up, we forecast Long Ridge to generate approximately $160 million [annual].”
  • “At Jefferson, we have $25 million of long-term annual EBITDA commencing this year under 3 contracts… If we're successful… we'll be in a position to post annual EBITDA of approximately $120 million.”
  • “We signed our second contract for Phase 2, bringing our total committed volumes to 40,000 barrels per day or $50 million of annual EBITDA… Phase 2 can contribute up to $70 million of annual EBITDA once complete.”
  • “Our existing bonds… have a coupon at 10.5%… fixed preferred… about 14%… I think new debt today comes with an 8 handle, hopefully, low 8s.”

Q&A Highlights

  • Jefferson mix and contribution: Management highlighted negotiations across crude (waxy Utah), NGLs, and ammonia; ammonia second opportunity could double volumes; NGL exports via Jefferson South seen as highly accretive .
  • Long Ridge timing: Full ~$160M annual EBITDA expected in consolidated results by Q3 2025; partial in Q1, full ownership in Q2, with capacity revenues starting June 1 .
  • Transtar/U.S. Steel: Any ownership outcome at U.S. Steel seen as neutral-to-positive; Nippon’s investment commitments viewed favorably .
  • Corporate refinancing savings: Target to reduce fixed charges materially (10.5% bonds and ~14% preferred toward “low 8s”), with launch anticipated in early April .
  • Repauno cavern permits and monetization: Permits expected by end Q1 2025; Phase 3 could add ~$100M EBITDA; potential to monetize once permitted and underway .
  • Shortline rail M&A: Large fragmented addressable market (~500 short-lines); pricing high but platform synergies allow FIP to capture more EBITDA; debt markets are “most aggressive” financing freight rail .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global/Capital IQ Wall Street consensus (EPS, revenue, EBITDA) for Q4 2024 was not retrievable at time of analysis due to a data interface request limit; therefore, estimate comparisons are unavailable.
  • Given the lack of available consensus figures, we cannot quantify beats/misses versus Street for Q4 2024 at this time.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Near-term inflection: Long Ridge’s hedge repricing, capacity payments, and consolidation to 100% ownership underpin ~$160M annual EBITDA at the asset level with visibility for ~7 years—key driver of 2025 consolidated EBITDA ramp .
  • Jefferson execution: Contracts commencing spring/summer 2025 (~$25M annual EBITDA) plus pending NGL/renewable initiatives support a credible path toward ~$120M annual EBITDA potential—watch for additional contract announcements .
  • Repauno commercialization: Phase 2 is now contracted to 40kbpd (~$50M EBITDA) with low-cost tax-exempt financing approved; Phase 3 cavern permits by end Q1 2025 could unlock ~$100M incremental EBITDA and optionality for monetization .
  • Transtar growth and M&A: Management targets 15–20% organic EBITDA growth in 2025, aided by tariffs and third-party expansion; a near-term acquisition announcement is expected, with debt financing likely accretive .
  • Balance sheet catalysts: Planned corporate refinancing (bonds/preferred) in Q2 aims to reduce fixed charges (10.5%/~14% toward “low 8s”), increasing cash flow to common shareholders—execution is a potential stock catalyst .
  • Watch list items: Data center behind-the-meter transactions at Long Ridge in coming months (potential +$50–$75M EBITDA), FERC-fast-tracked uprate to 505MW, and PJM capacity demand trends—all supportive of Long Ridge valuation .
  • Risk checks: High interest expense and impairments pressured GAAP results in Q4; sequential EBITDA softness at Long Ridge due to maintenance; Repauno remains pre–Phase 2 earnings until mid-2026—monitor execution milestones .