SunCoke Energy, Inc. (NYSE:SXC) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

And frankly, Nathan, the second quarter was a record for us. It was — we had exceptional performance. We couldn’t be more pleased with that, but we really can’t forecast based on record performance. So we’ll have more clarity at the end of the third quarter, and we’ll certainly reassess it at that time. But those are some of the factors driving our guidance here.

Nathan Martin: Okay. I appreciate that, Katherine. And I apologize if I missed it. You just mentioned Logistics volumes. Did you guys provide any updated sales guidance for the Logistics segment?

Shantanu Agrawal: Nathan, the guidance for Logistics volumes are unchanged at this point.

Nathan Martin: Okay. Shantanu, I think it was 22 million tons kind of overall, and I think the split was — remind me. I think it was something like 12 million ex CMT, so 10 million ex CMT?

Shantanu Agrawal: Yes. I think you’re right.

Nathan Martin: Okay. And maybe just — you mentioned a comment on API2 benefit, Katherine. I guess, you said the benefit probably will be down sequentially based on where we see averages so far. Is that true? And then it would be great to get some color on what you guys are seeing from an export coal standpoint from your coal partners given that — the decline. Thanks.

Katherine Gates: Oh, sure, Nathan. So yes, what I said was that we’ve seen the API2 prices kind of fall during the quarter. But when we look to third quarter, we won’t see that same benefit that we saw in the first half, but we also don’t expect that to just completely drop off. So there’ll be some benefit for us in the third quarter but certainly not at the level that we were in, in the first half. And as we know and as we took into account with our guidance, the export markets, they are weak right now and they are volatile. And so we fully took that into account in saying that we would be at the high end of our guidance range.

Nathan Martin: Okay. So export markets for coal specifically are weak is what you’re saying or just logistics in general?

Shantanu Agrawal: Hey, Nathan. I mean, I think you’re talking about the coal. I think Katherine was talking about the export market of metallurgical coke. On the coal side, yes, I mean we have seen a slight drop-off in the volumes similar to the — pricing and volume go hand-in-hand together. So there is a drop up in volume, but given that we are guiding to our volume guidance being unchanged, we feel that there’s not going to be a significant drop-off, but definitely seeing a little bit of softening in the second half both in volume and pricing.

Nathan Martin: Got it, Shantanu. And that was obviously what I was looking for there by confirming that you have not changed your full year logistics shipment guidance in the face of maybe some weakness we’re seeing right now. Okay. Perfect. And then maybe just one last one. You guys completed the foundry coke expansion project at Jewell on time, on budget. So congratulations there. Are there any other projects on the horizon for ’24 or beyond? Just trying to think about potential for growth CapEx on top of maintenance, which I think you guys previously pegged at around $80 million, $85 million, if that does still hold true. Thank you.

Katherine Gates: Right. So beyond our regular maintenance CapEx, really the growth CapEx that we’re contemplating is for the GPI project, if we’re able to move forward with that project. And as — we are still working with U.S. Steel on that. So that’s what we contemplate out ahead for purposes of growth CapEx.