US
UNITED STATES ANTIMONY CORP (UAMY)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 revenue rose 128% year over year to $7.00M; gross profit increased 302% to $2.37M and gross margin expanded to 34% from 19% . Net income was $0.55M versus a loss in Q1 2024, reflecting pricing tailwinds in antimony and improved zeolite operations .
- Versus Wall Street consensus, UAMY missed Q1 2025 revenue ($7.00M vs $8.32M*) and EPS ($0.00 vs $0.01*), with EBITDA slightly below expectations ($0.66M vs $0.70M*) as ramp costs and higher opex offset price realization benefits. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Management tightened FY 2025 revenue guidance to $40–$50M (from $35–$50M) and highlighted operational catalysts: Madero smelter restart (target ~200 tons/month in 2025), Thompson Falls capacity expansion to >300 tons/month by year-end, and Alaska ore supply beginning late summer, collectively targeting ~500 tons/month throughput in 2025 .
- Stock-relevant narrative: integrated antimony supply chain formation, government/DoD engagement, and potential Russell 2000 inclusion were emphasized as visibility and institutional interest catalysts .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Strong pricing and mix in antimony drove segment revenue to $5.93M (+140% YoY) and segment operating income to $1.14M; average sales price per pound rose to $16.34 while gross profit per pound expanded to $6.68 . “Antimony…part of the increased demand for critical minerals…We reopened our Mexico antimony operations…expanding our operations…start operations soon on our mining claims in Alaska.”
- Zeolite improved: revenue +82% to $1.10M; tons sold +67%; average cost per ton fell 39%, turning gross profit positive ($179k) as maintenance burdens abated .
- Balance sheet strengthened: cash grew to $18.75M; working capital improved to $20.12M; minimal debt (~$0.30M) .
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What Went Wrong
- Q1 2025 missed consensus revenue and EPS (and EBITDA slightly), reflecting lower antimony volumes due to ore contract/logistics delays and added costs for ramp-up and new personnel . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Operating expenses increased $0.95M YoY to $2.01M (new management costs ~$$0.75M, project costs ~$0.32M), diluting operating margin despite gross margin expansion .
- Antimony ore supply constraints created inventory build and timing issues; volumes were lower YoY despite pricing gains, with inventory carried into Q2 for throughput catch-up .
Financial Results
Quarterly Trend and Estimates Comparison
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
YoY Comparison (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)
Segment Breakdown (Q1 2025)
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Sales were $7 million…Gross margin increased from 19% last year to 34% this year…drivers were higher average sales price with lagging ore costs…more efficient operations in our zeolite business…offset in part by higher antimony ore costs.”
- “We’re going to start operations soon on our mining claims in Alaska…We reopened our Mexico antimony operations…We’re expanding our operations to process antimony.”
- “This expansion…to be completed prior to year-end, will improve throughput capacity…by more than six times…fueled primarily from our own feedstock originating out of Alaska.”
- “Catalysts…1) closing of a DoD grant…3) Alaska supply beginning in late summer…4) completion of our expansion plans in Thompson Falls…6) continued operating and financial results improvements.”
Q&A Highlights
- Capacity build timeline: Thompson Falls expansion targeted by YE 2025; contractor selected; operations to continue during build .
- Alaska logistics: permits near completion; trucking backhaul to reduce rates; stockpiling plan for winter continuity .
- Tariffs: antimony currently exempt; no anticipated tariff impact across U.S./Canada/Mexico flows .
- Competitive landscape: few credible new smelter projects given supply uncertainty; UAMY focused on vertical integration .
- Throughput plan: exit 2025 targeting ~500 tons/month (200 Mexico, 300 Montana); potential next-phase capacity beyond 2025 subject to government alignment .
- Margin tailwinds: Q2 expected higher throughput using inventory bought at lower prices vs current market, supporting margins .
- Capex: Thompson Falls upgrade ~<$15M (DoD grant hoped to fund predominantly); Alaska capex minimal initially .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025: Revenue $7.00M vs consensus $8.32M* (miss); EPS $0.00 vs $0.01* (miss); EBITDA $0.66M vs $0.70M* (slight miss). Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Sequential trend: Q4 2024 revenue beat consensus ($6.87M vs $4.47M*); Q3 2024 actual $2.57M* reflects supplier shutdown and mix effects discussed in earlier calls . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Pricing strength and margin expansion are clear, but near-term consensus misses reflect timing of ore deliveries, ramp costs, and elevated opex; expect Q2 throughput/margins to benefit from Q1 inventory purchased below current market .
- Strategic pivot to vertical integration is advancing: Alaska supply (~late summer), Madero restart (~200 tpm), and Thompson Falls expansion (>300 tpm) underpin medium-term volume growth and margin durability .
- Guidance tightening ($40–$50M FY 2025) signals confidence in execution despite supply/logistics volatility; catalysts include potential DoD funding and expanded international supply sources .
- Zeolite business is improving operationally with positive gross profit and sales initiatives (water treatment, cattle feed, concrete fly ash replacement), adding optionality and diversification .
- Balance sheet resilience (cash $18.75M, working capital $20.12M, minimal debt) supports capex and ramp without immediate equity needs, though ATM remains available for programmatic funding if required .
- Trading implications: near-term results may remain sensitive to supply timing and build-out execution; medium-term thesis centers on vertical integration, capacity scale, U.S. critical minerals positioning, and potential government contracts .
- Monitor Q2/Q3: evidence of Alaska ore shipments, throughput at both smelters, margin realization from lower-cost inventory, and any DoD developments; these are likely stock-moving events .