Elizabeth I. Loveman
Thank you, J.C. I will start with some high-level comments about our consolidated fourth quarter financial results compared to 2024. In the 2025 fourth quarter, we generated consolidated gross profit of $12,000,000, an increase of 42% year over year, while our fourth quarter revenues of $66,800,000 increased 5%. We reported consolidated operating profit of $7,600,000, up from $3,900,000 in 2024, driven by improvements at all three of our reportable segments. These favorable results were partially offset by higher unallocated expenses. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 59% to $14,300,000 versus $9,000,000 for the same period last year. As J.C. discussed, we completed the termination of our pension plan and, as a result, recorded a $7,800,000 noncash pension settlement charge, or $6,000,000 after tax. This charge, combined with the fourth quarter true-up of tax expense to the full-year effective tax rate, resulted in a net loss for the quarter of $3,800,000, or $0.52 per share. This compared to net income of $7,600,000, or $1.02 per share, in 2024. Moving to the individual segments, the Utility Coal Mining segment reported operating profit of $7,200,000 in 2025, a significant increase over the $2,000,000 generated in the 2024 fourth quarter. Segment adjusted EBITDA increased to $9,700,000 from $4,200,000 in the prior year. These year-over-year improvements were driven by the stronger operating performance at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company that J.C. discussed. Lower general and administrative employee-related expenses also contributed to the higher segment operating profit. Looking ahead, we expect an increase in operating profit in 2026 compared with 2025. Improvements at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company as a result of an increase in the contractually determined per ton sales price are expected to be partly offset by lower earnings at the unconsolidated mining operations. The lower unconsolidated mining earnings are due to reduced income at The Sabine Mining Company associated with the wind-down of reclamation services. In the Contract Mining segment, revenues, net of reimbursed costs, grew 9% over the prior year, primarily driven by higher parts sales, partly offset by increased volumes of lower-price tons. Operating profit of $900,000 and segment EBITDA of $3,300,000 were comparable to the prior year. Improved margins at the mining operations and an increase in parts sales were offset by a $1,100,000 loss contingency and lower employee-related expenses. The loss contingency is related to costs associated with the incident J.C. discussed previously. Looking forward, higher customer demand, earnings contributions from new contracts, and continued momentum from 2025 activities are expected to lead to a significant year-over-year increase in results in 2026. The Minerals and Royalties segment delivered year-over-year growth in revenues, operating profit, and segment adjusted EBITDA driven by improved natural gas pricing and increased production volumes due to increased royalty revenues. These benefits were partly offset by lower royalty oil revenues resulting from reduced oil prices and volumes. Lower employee-related expenses and higher earnings from an equity investment also contributed to the year-over-year profit improvement. At the Minerals and Royalties segment, newer investments are expected to contribute favorably to 2026 results. However, commodity price forecasts as well as development and production assumptions are expected to result in an overall year-over-year decrease in operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA, particularly in the second half of the year. It is important to note that our forecast was developed prior to the recent developments in the Middle East. Any significant changes in commodity prices or production as a result of this conflict could change our expectations for 2026. Overall, we anticipate meaningful year-over-year improvements in consolidated operating profit, net income, and EBITDA in 2026. Turning to our liquidity, for the 2025 full year, we generated cash from operations of $50,900,000 compared to $22,300,000 in 2024. At December 31, we had outstanding debt of $100,900,000, up modestly from $99,500,000 at 12/31/2024. Our total liquidity was $124,200,000, which consisted of $49,700,000 of cash and $74,500,000 of availability under our revolving credit facility. As a result of the anticipated capital investments in 2026, we expect a use of cash before financing greater than in 2025. With that, I will turn the call back to J.C. for closing remarks.