Compass Minerals International Q1 2026 Compass Minerals International Inc Earnings Call | AllMind AI Earnings | AllMind AI
Q1 2026 Compass Minerals International Inc Earnings Call
Speaker #1: Thank you for standing by. My name is Kate, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to COMPASS MINERALS first quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call.
Operator: Thank you for standing by. My name is Kate, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to Compass Minerals' First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press * followed with the number 1 on your telephone keypad. If you would like to address your question, press * 1 again. Thank you. I would now like to turn the call over to Brent Collins, VP, Treasurer, and Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Operator: Thank you for standing by. My name is Kate, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to Compass Minerals' First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press * followed with the number 1 on your telephone keypad. If you would like to address your question, press * 1 again. Thank you. I would now like to turn the call over to Brent Collins, VP, Treasurer, and Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Speaker #1: All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' session. remarks, there will be a question-and-answer If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press * followed by the number one on your telephone keypad.
Speaker #1: If you would like to withdraw your question, press * one again. Thank you. I will now like to turn the call over to Brent Collins, VP, Treasurer and Investor Relations.
Speaker #1: Please go ahead.
Brent Collins: Thank you, operator. Good morning and welcome to the Compass Minerals' Fiscal First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. Today we will discuss our most recent quarterly results. We will begin with prepared remarks from our President and CEO, Edward Dowling, and our CFO, Peter Fjellman. Joining in for the question-and-answer portion of the call will be Ben Nichols, our Chief Commercial Officer, and our Chief Operations Officer, Patrick Merrin. Before we get started, I'll remind everyone that the remarks we make today reflect financial and operational outlooks as of today's date, 5 February 2026. These outlooks entail assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially. A discussion of these risks can be found in our SEC filings located online at investors.compassminerals.com. Our remarks today also include certain non-GAAP financial measures.
Q1 2026 Compass Minerals International Inc Earnings Call
Brent Collins: Thank you, operator. Good morning and welcome to the Compass Minerals' Fiscal First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. Today we will discuss our most recent quarterly results. We will begin with prepared remarks from our President and CEO, Edward Dowling, and our CFO, Peter Fjellman. Joining in for the question-and-answer portion of the call will be Ben Nichols, our Chief Commercial Officer, and our Chief Operations Officer, Patrick Merrin. Before we get started, I'll remind everyone that the remarks we make today reflect financial and operational outlooks as of today's date, 5 February 2026. These outlooks entail assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially. A discussion of these risks can be found in our SEC filings located online at investors.compassminerals.com. Our remarks today also include certain non-GAAP financial measures.
Speaker #2: Operator. Good morning and welcome to the COMPASS 2026 earnings conference call. Today, we will discuss our most recent quarterly results, we will begin with prepared remarks from our President and CEO, Edward Dowling, and our Thank you, CFO, Peter Fjellman.
Speaker #2: Joining in for the question-and-answer portion of the call will be Ben Nichols, our Chief Commercial Officer, and our Chief Operations Officer, Pat Marin. Before we get started, I'll remind everyone that the remarks we make today reflect financial and operational outlooks as of today's date: February 5th, 2026.
Speaker #2: These Minerals' fiscal first quarter involves risks and uncertainties that could result in outcomes differing materially. A discussion of these risks can be found in our SEC filings, located online at investors.compassminerals.com. Our remarks today also include certain non-GAAP financial measures.
Speaker #2: You can find reconciliations of these presentations; both of which are available online. I'll now turn the call over to items in our earnings release or in our ED.
Brent Collins: You can find reconciliations of these items in our earnings release or in our presentation, both of which are available online. I'll now turn the call over to Ed.
Brent Collins: You can find reconciliations of these items in our earnings release or in our presentation, both of which are available online. I'll now turn the call over to Ed.
Speaker #3: Thank you, Brent. COMPASS MINERALS had a strong start to the year. For the first time since 2023, we're reporting positive quarterly net income. For the first quarter of 2026, reported net income of net loss of $57 a year ago.
Speaker #3: Thank you, Brent. COMPASS MINERALS had a strong start to the year. For the first time since 2023, we're reporting positive quarterly net income. For the first quarter of 2026, reported net income of net loss of $57 a $43 compared with a Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $65 million.
Edward Dowling: Thank you, Brent. Compass Minerals had a strong start to the year. For the first time since 2023, we're reporting positive quarterly net income. For Q1 2026, reported net income of $0.43 compared with a net loss of $0.57 a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $65 million. We took leverage down year on year by nearly two turns, so 3.6 times, and we raised the midpoint of our full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance range to $224 million based on solid results in the salt business and positive momentum in the plant nutrition, partly offset by the planned sale of our vineyard SOP operation. Absent a vineyard sale, the midpoint of our revised guidance would have been up about 4%. Let me begin today where we are in the salt business.
Edward Dowling: Thank you, Brent. Compass Minerals had a strong start to the year. For the first time since 2023, we're reporting positive quarterly net income. For Q1 2026, reported net income of $0.43 compared with a net loss of $0.57 a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $65 million. We took leverage down year on year by nearly two turns, so 3.6 times, and we raised the midpoint of our full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance range to $224 million based on solid results in the salt business and positive momentum in the plant nutrition, partly offset by the planned sale of our vineyard SOP operation. Absent a vineyard sale, the midpoint of our revised guidance would have been up about 4%. Let me begin today where we are in the salt business.
Speaker #3: We took leverage down year on year by nearly two turns to $3.6 times, and we raised the midpoint of our full year adjusted EBITDA guidance range to $224 million based on solid results in the salt, business, and positive momentum in the plant nutrition partly offset by the planned sale of our vineyard SOP operation.
Speaker #3: Absent to vineyard sale and midpoint of our revised guidance would have been up about today where we are in the salt business. There's been steady winter weather this year across many of serve, excluding the western part of our North American markets we the US.
Edward Dowling: There's been steady winter weather this year across many of our North American markets we serve, excluding the western part of the US. Year-over-year, Compass Minerals saw sizable increases in sales volumes. We also benefited from price increases in both highway de-icing and C&I parts of the business. With a strong start to the winter, short-term market for the entire salt industry is really tight. Compass Minerals continues to focus on efficient and safe delivery of every ton of salt possible, understanding the critical role that we and others in the industry play in the communities we serve. In any given season, our ability to service excess market demand in season can be limited by the compressed timing of regional winter weather and any associated demand surge.
Edward Dowling: There's been steady winter weather this year across many of our North American markets we serve, excluding the western part of the US. Year-over-year, Compass Minerals saw sizable increases in sales volumes. We also benefited from price increases in both highway de-icing and C&I parts of the business. With a strong start to the winter, short-term market for the entire salt industry is really tight. Compass Minerals continues to focus on efficient and safe delivery of every ton of salt possible, understanding the critical role that we and others in the industry play in the communities we serve. In any given season, our ability to service excess market demand in season can be limited by the compressed timing of regional winter weather and any associated demand surge.
Speaker #3: Year over year, COMPASS MINERALS sold sizable increases in sales volumes, we also benefited from price increases in both highway de-icing and CNI parts of the business.
Speaker #3: With a strong start to the winter, short-term market for the entire salt industry is really continues to focus on efficient and safe tight. COMPASS MINERALS possible, understanding the critical role that we and others in the industry play in the communities we service excess market demand in season can be limited by the compressed timing of regional winter weather and any associated demand surge.
Speaker #3: We forward deploy salt throughout the year across our depot network, as there is supply chain to reach many of the regions we serve, particularly mid-season.
Edward Dowling: We forward deploy salt throughout the year across our depot network as there is meaningful lead time across our production and supply chain to reach many of the regions we serve, particularly mid-season. For reasons I'll discuss more in a moment, our ability to meet excessive demand if it materialized in a specific season was always going to be limited. We do not plan our business assuming that we will have above-average winters, and we've been very clear about our commitment to managing inventories, maintaining financial discipline, and focusing on value over volume. I'll make a few comments on the changes to our outlook in the salt segment as we recognize that they may not be intuitive to the midst of a strong winter. What I want to make clear up front is that our guidance does not represent "a new normal" for this kind of winter.
Edward Dowling: We forward deploy salt throughout the year across our depot network as there is meaningful lead time across our production and supply chain to reach many of the regions we serve, particularly mid-season. For reasons I'll discuss more in a moment, our ability to meet excessive demand if it materialized in a specific season was always going to be limited. We do not plan our business assuming that we will have above-average winters, and we've been very clear about our commitment to managing inventories, maintaining financial discipline, and focusing on value over volume. I'll make a few comments on the changes to our outlook in the salt segment as we recognize that they may not be intuitive to the midst of a strong winter. What I want to make clear up front is that our guidance does not represent "a new normal" for this kind of winter.
Speaker #3: For reasons I'll discuss more in a moment, our ability meaningful lead time across our production and it materialized in the specific season was always going to be limited.
Speaker #3: We do not plan our business winners, and we've been very assuming that we will have above-average inventories, maintaining financial clarity about our commitment to managing discipline, and focusing on value over volume.
Speaker #3: I'll make a few comments on the changes to our outlook in the salt, be intuitive to the midst of a strong winter. What I want to make clear is 'a new normal' for this kind of winter.
Speaker #3: upfront is that our guidance does not represent allow for more flexible operations in the future, but we have more work to do to Our plans for the business are expected to first reiterate why we put our back to get there.
Edward Dowling: Our plans for the business are expected to allow for more flexible operations in the future, but we have more work to do to get there. I'd first reiterate why we put our Back-to-Basics strategy in place beginning in 2024. The company's prior approach was to operate so that it never missed the big winter. I won't bore you this morning with the details of how that ended, but suffice to say that it directly led to excess inventory over multiple years, a stressed balance sheet, with all the adverse impacts on market value expected to bring. We're committed not to repeat the mistakes of the past. We made the right decision to align the business more closely with anticipated market demand and have managed inventories accordingly.
Edward Dowling: Our plans for the business are expected to allow for more flexible operations in the future, but we have more work to do to get there. I'd first reiterate why we put our Back-to-Basics strategy in place beginning in 2024. The company's prior approach was to operate so that it never missed the big winter. I won't bore you this morning with the details of how that ended, but suffice to say that it directly led to excess inventory over multiple years, a stressed balance sheet, with all the adverse impacts on market value expected to bring. We're committed not to repeat the mistakes of the past. We made the right decision to align the business more closely with anticipated market demand and have managed inventories accordingly.
Speaker #3: '24. The company's prior approach was to operate so that basic strategy in place beginning in I'd never miss the big winter. I won't bore you this morning with the details of that it directly led to excess how that ended, but suffice to say inventory over multiple years, a stress balance sheet with all the expect it to bring.
Speaker #3: We're committed not to repeat the mistakes of the adverse impacts on market value to past. We made the right decision to align the business more closely with anticipated market demand and have managed inventories accordingly.
Speaker #3: Over time, as the balance sheet continues to improve, and market dynamics adjust to historical norms, the optionality within our inventory management strategy will evolve.
Edward Dowling: Over time, as the balance sheet continues to improve and market dynamics adjust to historical norms, the optionality within our inventory management strategy will evolve. We've been very open that our inventory management plan could preclude our ability to meet excessive demand in fiscal 2026. Our inventory production planning is informed by three factors. The first two I just discussed: first, the customer-level commitments and our desire to keep inventory levels closely aligned to market demand; and second, effective placement of salt inventories, via our salt supply chain. The third factor is production rates and capabilities at the mines, which I'll now comment on. Goderich Mine is in a period of high development. The mine is currently developing a number of new mining panels which require the construction of new underground infrastructure and ground support.
Edward Dowling: Over time, as the balance sheet continues to improve and market dynamics adjust to historical norms, the optionality within our inventory management strategy will evolve. We've been very open that our inventory management plan could preclude our ability to meet excessive demand in fiscal 2026. Our inventory production planning is informed by three factors. The first two I just discussed: first, the customer-level commitments and our desire to keep inventory levels closely aligned to market demand; and second, effective placement of salt inventories, via our salt supply chain. The third factor is production rates and capabilities at the mines, which I'll now comment on. Goderich Mine is in a period of high development. The mine is currently developing a number of new mining panels which require the construction of new underground infrastructure and ground support.
Speaker #3: Open that our inventory management—we've been very—plan could preclude our ability to meet excessive demand in fiscal 2026. Our inventory production planning is informed by three factors: the first two I just discussed.
Speaker #3: First, the customer levels closely aligned to market demand. And second, effective level commitments and our desire to keep inventory placement of salt inventories, BIA, our salt supply chain.
Speaker #3: The third factor is production rates and capabilities at the mines, which I'll now comment to. Goddard's mine is in a period of high development.
Speaker #3: The mine is currently developing a number of new mining panels, which require the construction of new underground infrastructure and ground support. New development panels inherently have higher costs and lower production rates than panels that are in full production.
Edward Dowling: New development panels inherently have higher costs and lower production rates than panels that are in full production. This is not a new issue and was incorporated in our initial guidance for the year. The development sequence is important as it governs our ability to produce at a higher end of historic production levels. Advancing these development panels will improve the optionality and flexibility within the production plan at Goderich Mine, but in the near term, the mine's ability to produce at a higher end of historical rates will be limited. Within this context, the production ramp-up at Goderich Mine in mid-fiscal 2025 was later than anticipated due to uncertainties around the applicability of the USMCA and subsequent hiring and qualifying of miners. Currently, Goderich is producing a significantly higher rate year-over-year, and we're generally pleased with the direction of travel regarding our production level.
Edward Dowling: New development panels inherently have higher costs and lower production rates than panels that are in full production. This is not a new issue and was incorporated in our initial guidance for the year. The development sequence is important as it governs our ability to produce at a higher end of historic production levels. Advancing these development panels will improve the optionality and flexibility within the production plan at Goderich Mine, but in the near term, the mine's ability to produce at a higher end of historical rates will be limited. Within this context, the production ramp-up at Goderich Mine in mid-fiscal 2025 was later than anticipated due to uncertainties around the applicability of the USMCA and subsequent hiring and qualifying of miners. Currently, Goderich is producing a significantly higher rate year-over-year, and we're generally pleased with the direction of travel regarding our production level.
Speaker #3: This is not a new issue and was incorporated in our initial guidance for the year. The development sequence is important as it governs our ability to produce at a higher end of historic production levels.
Speaker #3: Advancing these development panels will improve the optionality and flexibility within the production plan at Goddard's mine, but in the near term, the mine's ability to produce at the higher end of historical rates will be limited.
Speaker #3: Within this context, the production ramp-up at Goddard's mine in mid-fiscal 2025 later than the applicability of the USMCA and subsequent hiring and anticipated due to uncertainties around qualifying of miners.
Speaker #3: Currently, Goddard's is producing a significantly higher rate year on year and we're generally pleased with the direction of travel regarding our production level. That being said, we have some more work to mitigate greater than anticipated unplanned downtime, as well as to further improve operating efficiencies.
Edward Dowling: That being said, we have some more work to mitigate greater-than-anticipated unplanned downtime as well as to further improve operating efficiencies. These factors are somewhat limiting in our ability to service incremental in-season demand, creating headwinds for production costs per ton. Working our way through these issues, including improvements to preventive maintenance and overhaul programs, to name a few. Despite these challenges, we still have a solid quarter in salt. Moving over to plant nutrition business, we continue to see momentum in our story. Over the last year or so, we've talked a lot about improving the performance of the business, which is largely premised on restoring the health of the pond complex at Ogden. This is succeeding. As the pond complex continues to improve, the quality of the feedstock that goes into Ogden also improves, provides benefits on how the plant operates, drives costs down.
Edward Dowling: That being said, we have some more work to mitigate greater-than-anticipated unplanned downtime as well as to further improve operating efficiencies. These factors are somewhat limiting in our ability to service incremental in-season demand, creating headwinds for production costs per ton. Working our way through these issues, including improvements to preventive maintenance and overhaul programs, to name a few. Despite these challenges, we still have a solid quarter in salt. Moving over to plant nutrition business, we continue to see momentum in our story. Over the last year or so, we've talked a lot about improving the performance of the business, which is largely premised on restoring the health of the pond complex at Ogden. This is succeeding. As the pond complex continues to improve, the quality of the feedstock that goes into Ogden also improves, provides benefits on how the plant operates, drives costs down.
Speaker #3: These factors are somewhat limiting in our ability to service incremental in-season per ton. Working our way through these issues, including improvements to preventive maintenance and overhaul challenges, we still had a solid quarter in salt.
Speaker #3: Moving over programs to name a few. to plant nutrition business, we continue to Despite these see momentum in our story. Over the last year or so, we've talked a lot about improving the performance of the restoring the health of the pond complex at succeeding.
Speaker #3: Ogden. As the pond complex continues to improve, the quality of the feedstock that goes into Ogden also improves, provides benefits on how the plant operates, and drives costs down.
Speaker #3: We've continued to make progress on this initiative and we've seen product costs trend down. On the pricing front, our team has done a good job for maintaining market value over SOP portfolio and we're seeing a $20 expectation.
Edward Dowling: We've continued to make progress on this initiative, and we've seen product costs trend down. On the pricing front, our team has done a good job for maintaining market value of our SOP portfolio, and we're seeing a $20 improvement in price compared to our expectation. The decrease in anticipated sales volume relates to us prioritizing having SOP available to pursue additional domestic business over lower-margin export opportunities. We announced in our press release yesterday that we have entered into an agreement to sell our vineyard SOP operation in Canada for $30.8 million, subject to customary closing conditions. Considering the improvements we're seeing in our Ogden operation, coupled with our read on future market conditions, we believe now is an opportune time to pursue this transaction, allowing us to further focus our efforts on North American leading producer of SOP.
Edward Dowling: We've continued to make progress on this initiative, and we've seen product costs trend down. On the pricing front, our team has done a good job for maintaining market value of our SOP portfolio, and we're seeing a $20 improvement in price compared to our expectation. The decrease in anticipated sales volume relates to us prioritizing having SOP available to pursue additional domestic business over lower-margin export opportunities. We announced in our press release yesterday that we have entered into an agreement to sell our vineyard SOP operation in Canada for $30.8 million, subject to customary closing conditions. Considering the improvements we're seeing in our Ogden operation, coupled with our read on future market conditions, we believe now is an opportune time to pursue this transaction, allowing us to further focus our efforts on North American leading producer of SOP.
Speaker #3: The decrease in anticipated sales volume relates to us improvement in price compared to our prioritizing having SOP available to pursue additional domestic business over lower margin export opportunities.
Speaker #3: We announced in our press release yesterday that we have entered into an agreement to sell our wind unit SOP operation in Canada for Subject to customary closing conditions.
Speaker #3: Considering the improvements we're seeing in our Ogden operation, coupled with our read on future market conditions, we believe now is an opportune time to pursue this transaction.
Speaker #3: Allowing us to further focus our producer of SOP. Improvements that we're seeing at Ogden are allowing us to increase our adjusted EBITDA guidance for the plant nutrition business by 8% in a midpoint of $37 million.
Edward Dowling: Improvements that we're seeing at Ogden are allowing us to increase our Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the plant nutrition business by 8% and a midpoint of $37 million, despite the sale of the vineyard operation. We've talked before about the importance of returning this business to a level where it consistently carries a $40 million EBITDA handle. Absent a vineyard sale, we would have guided to this value in this quarter. We think that we have line of sight to getting there in the coming quarters without vineyard. The next phase of improvement involves capital projects to upgrade the dryer compaction plant at Ogden, which we expect to boost both operational efficiency and financial performance. As we look to the remainder of the year, we are focused on people, processes, and systems, and focus on executing our Back-to-Basics framework.
Edward Dowling: Improvements that we're seeing at Ogden are allowing us to increase our Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the plant nutrition business by 8% and a midpoint of $37 million, despite the sale of the vineyard operation. We've talked before about the importance of returning this business to a level where it consistently carries a $40 million EBITDA handle. Absent a vineyard sale, we would have guided to this value in this quarter. We think that we have line of sight to getting there in the coming quarters without vineyard. The next phase of improvement involves capital projects to upgrade the dryer compaction plant at Ogden, which we expect to boost both operational efficiency and financial performance. As we look to the remainder of the year, we are focused on people, processes, and systems, and focus on executing our Back-to-Basics framework.
Speaker #3: Despite the sale of the wind unit operation, we've talked before about the importance of returning this business to a level where it consistently handle absent a wind unit it sale, we would have guided to this value in this quarter.
Speaker #3: We think that we have line of sight to unit. Next phase of improvement getting there in the coming quarters without wind involves capital project to upgrade the dryer compaction plant at Ogden, which we expect to boost both operational efficiency and financial performance.
Speaker #3: As we look to the remainder of the year, we are focused on people, processes, and systems and focusing on executing our back to basics framework.
Speaker #3: This approach is anchored in five core priorities. Improving capabilities, to enhance performance operational efficiencies, and reliability across the organization. Reducing capital-intensive by deploying resources in a disciplined manner.
Edward Dowling: This approach is anchored in five core priorities: improving operational efficiencies and capabilities to enhance performance and reliability across the organization. Reducing capital intensity by deploying resources in a disciplined manner. Simplifying processes and eliminating unnecessary complexity to accelerate decision-making and improve accountability. Maximize cash flow generation to support long-term value creation. And reducing leverage to reinforce financial resiliency and provide capital allocation flexibility. The balance sheet and financial health of the company continue to improve, as I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks. Our leverage ratio has improved significantly over the last year. We've grown confidence in continuing improvement in our leverage profile. We plan to begin conversations with the board about approaches around capital allocation. This is all consistent with the progression of our Back-to-Basics framework. As the first quarter results demonstrate, we are clearly making positive strides in improving our operational, commercial, and financial performance.
Edward Dowling: This approach is anchored in five core priorities: improving operational efficiencies and capabilities to enhance performance and reliability across the organization. Reducing capital intensity by deploying resources in a disciplined manner. Simplifying processes and eliminating unnecessary complexity to accelerate decision-making and improve accountability. Maximize cash flow generation to support long-term value creation. And reducing leverage to reinforce financial resiliency and provide capital allocation flexibility. The balance sheet and financial health of the company continue to improve, as I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks. Our leverage ratio has improved significantly over the last year. We've grown confidence in continuing improvement in our leverage profile. We plan to begin conversations with the board about approaches around capital allocation. This is all consistent with the progression of our Back-to-Basics framework. As the first quarter results demonstrate, we are clearly making positive strides in improving our operational, commercial, and financial performance.
Speaker #3: Simplifying processes and eliminating unnecessary complexity to accelerate decision-making and improve flow generation to support long-term value creation and accountability. Maximize cash, provide capital allocation flexibility.
Speaker #3: The balance sheet and financial health of the company continue to improve, as I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks. Over the last year, we've grown confidence in continuing improvement in our leverage profile.
Speaker #3: We plan to begin conversations with the board about approaches around capital allocation. This is all consistent with the progression of our back to basics framework.
Speaker #3: As the first quarter results demonstrate, we are clearly making positive strides at improving our operational, commercial, and financial visibility now, such as the strong results we're seeing in the plant nutrition business and the continuing improvement in our leverage profile.
Speaker #3: performance. Some of these improvements are optimized production in our salt mines, will take more themselves. We're committed to becoming a top-tier time to fully manifest operator, grounded in financial The leadership team we're focused on building a company with resiliency and flexibility to thrive over the long strength and operational excellence.
Edward Dowling: Some of these improvements are visible now, such as the strong results we're seeing in the plant nutrition business and the continued improvement in our leverage profile. Some, as fully optimized production in our salt mines will take more time to fully manifest themselves. We're committed to becoming a top-tier operator, grounded in financial strength and operational excellence. As a leadership team, we're focused on building a company with resiliency and flexibility to thrive over the long term. Our responsibility is to deliver consistency against our Back-to-Basics framework. The journey isn't finished, but progress is unmistakable. We're moving confidently towards the organization we know we can be. With that, I'll turn the call over to Peter for a review of our Q1 results.
Edward Dowling: Some of these improvements are visible now, such as the strong results we're seeing in the plant nutrition business and the continued improvement in our leverage profile. Some, as fully optimized production in our salt mines will take more time to fully manifest themselves. We're committed to becoming a top-tier operator, grounded in financial strength and operational excellence. As a leadership team, we're focused on building a company with resiliency and flexibility to thrive over the long term. Our responsibility is to deliver consistency against our Back-to-Basics framework. The journey isn't finished, but progress is unmistakable. We're moving confidently towards the organization we know we can be. With that, I'll turn the call over to Peter for a review of our Q1 results.
Speaker #3: Our responsibility is to go against our back-to-basics framework. The journey isn't finished, but delivering consistent progress is unmistakable. We're moving confidently towards the organization we know we can be.
Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn review of our first quarter results. the call over to Peter, for a
Peter Fjellman: Thanks, Ed. I'll begin by discussing our quarterly financial performance. As Ed noted earlier, this quarter marked the first time in several years that the company has reported quarterly net income and Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled from the year before. In the salt segment, operating earnings improved year-over-year to $14.33 per ton, up $2.54 or 22%, and Adjusted EBITDA per ton increased 2% to $19.61. Total salt volumes were up 37% compared to the prior year period. Highway de-icing volumes increased 43% year-over-year, while C&I volumes increased 14% over the same period. A higher proportion of highway de-icing sales volume in the current period resulted in overall salt segment pricing being relatively flat year-over-year, despite realizing higher highway de-icing and C&I sales prices of 6% and 2% respectively year-over-year.
Petter Fjellman: Thanks, Ed. I'll begin by discussing our quarterly financial performance. As Ed noted earlier, this quarter marked the first time in several years that the company has reported quarterly net income and Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled from the year before. In the salt segment, operating earnings improved year-over-year to $14.33 per ton, up $2.54 or 22%, and Adjusted EBITDA per ton increased 2% to $19.61. Total salt volumes were up 37% compared to the prior year period. Highway de-icing volumes increased 43% year-over-year, while C&I volumes increased 14% over the same period. A higher proportion of highway de-icing sales volume in the current period resulted in overall salt segment pricing being relatively flat year-over-year, despite realizing higher highway de-icing and C&I sales prices of 6% and 2% respectively year-over-year.
Speaker #2: Ed. I'll begin by discussing our earlier, this quarter marked the first time in quarterly financial performance. As Ed noted Thanks, several years that the company has reported before.
Speaker #2: In the salt quarterly net income. And adjusted segment, operating earnings improved year over year to $14.33 per ton, up $2.54 or 22%. 2% to $19.61.
Speaker #2: Volumes were up 37% compared to the prior year period and 43% year over year. Highway de-icing volumes increased, while CNI volumes increased total salt 14% over the same period.
Speaker #2: A higher proportion of highway de-icing sales volume in the current period resulted in overall salt segment pricing being relatively flat year over year. Despite realizing higher highway de-icing and CNI sales prices of 6% and 2%, respectively, year over year.
Speaker #2: Salt segment revenue in the first quarter compared to $242 million a year ago. Product was $332 million, cost per ton declined 7% to $50.20, while distribution cost per ton increased 6%.
Peter Fjellman: Salt segment revenue in Q1 was $332 million compared to $242 million a year ago. Product cost per ton declined 7% to $50.20, while distribution cost per ton increased 6%. SG&A attributable to the salt segment improved by $1 million. Moving on to the plant nutrition segment, where we had a very positive business performance that is resulting in strong financial results. Year-over-year, operating earnings increased approximately $9 million, while Adjusted EBITDA improved by $8 million. This is driven by improvements in both pricing and cost structure, despite the anticipated decrease in sales tons we saw year-over-year. In addition, the average SOP sales price was up 13% to $687 per ton. Product cost per ton declined 2% to $520, while distribution cost per ton increased 2% to $93.
Petter Fjellman: Salt segment revenue in Q1 was $332 million compared to $242 million a year ago. Product cost per ton declined 7% to $50.20, while distribution cost per ton increased 6%. SG&A attributable to the salt segment improved by $1 million. Moving on to the plant nutrition segment, where we had a very positive business performance that is resulting in strong financial results. Year-over-year, operating earnings increased approximately $9 million, while Adjusted EBITDA improved by $8 million. This is driven by improvements in both pricing and cost structure, despite the anticipated decrease in sales tons we saw year-over-year. In addition, the average SOP sales price was up 13% to $687 per ton. Product cost per ton declined 2% to $520, while distribution cost per ton increased 2% to $93.
Speaker #2: SG&A attributable to the salt segment improved by $1 million. Moving on to the plant nutrition segment, where we had a very positive business performance that has resulted in strong financial results.
Speaker #2: over year, operating earnings increased Year approximately $9 million, while adjusted EBITDA improved by $8 million. This was driven by improvements in both pricing and cost structure, despite the anticipated decrease in sales tons we saw year over year.
Speaker #2: In addition, the average SOP sales price was up, while cost per ton declined 2% to $687 per ton. Product cost was $520 per ton, while distribution cost per ton increased 2%. Corporate overhead year over year was down 24% to $19 million for the quarter, and is a reflection of the momentum in our multi-year cost control and continuous improvement initiatives focusing on back-to-basics process optimization and system utilization.
Peter Fjellman: Corporate overhead year-over-year was down 24% to $19 million for the quarter and is a reflection of the momentum in our multi-year cost control and continuous improvement initiatives focusing on Back-to-Basics process optimization and system utilization. Moving on to the balance sheet. The previously announced settlement related to Ontario Mining Tax dispute resulted in some meaningful changes on the balance sheet at the end of December. The increase in other current assets and the decrease in other non-current assets and other non-current liabilities are a result of that settlement. Those movements also impacted changes in working capital and the statement of cash flows. With respect to the company's financial position, at quarter end, we had liquidity of $342 million, comprised of $47 million of cash and revolver capacity of around $295 million. Ed mentioned our focus of delevering, and we continue to make good progress there.
Petter Fjellman: Corporate overhead year-over-year was down 24% to $19 million for the quarter and is a reflection of the momentum in our multi-year cost control and continuous improvement initiatives focusing on Back-to-Basics process optimization and system utilization. Moving on to the balance sheet. The previously announced settlement related to Ontario Mining Tax dispute resulted in some meaningful changes on the balance sheet at the end of December. The increase in other current assets and the decrease in other non-current assets and other non-current liabilities are a result of that settlement. Those movements also impacted changes in working capital and the statement of cash flows. With respect to the company's financial position, at quarter end, we had liquidity of $342 million, comprised of $47 million of cash and revolver capacity of around $295 million. Ed mentioned our focus of delevering, and we continue to make good progress there.
Speaker #2: Moving on to the balance sheet. The previously announced settlement related to Ontario Mining Texas resulted in some meaningful changes on the balance sheet at the end of December.
Speaker #2: The increase in other current assets and the decrease in other non-current assets and other non-current liabilities are a result of that settlement. Those movements also impacted changes in working flows.
Speaker #2: With respect to the company's financial position, at quarter end, we had liquidity of $342 million comprised of $47 million of cash and revolver capacity, of around $295 million.
Speaker #2: Ed mentioned our focus of de-levering, and we trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA at the end continue to make good progress there. prior period. Looking ahead, I'll now make a few comments on the updated guidance for 2026.
Speaker #2: Ed mentioned our focus of de-levering, and we trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA at the end continue to make good progress there. prior period. Looking ahead, I'll now make a The The range for salt segment adjusted $230 million to EBITDA in 2026 is now $252 million.
Peter Fjellman: The ratio of total net debt to trailing 12-month Adjusted EBITDA at the end of the quarter was 3.6 times, down from 5.3 times from the comparable prior period. Looking ahead, I'll now make a few comments on the updated guidance for 2026. The range for salt segment Adjusted EBITDA in 2026 is now $230 million to $252 million. Ed previously commented on the operational dynamics within the salt segment. Our guidance reflects an increase in expected sales tons, the benefit of which is being muted by headwinds and production costs mentioned earlier. Additionally, severe winters tend to put pressure on distribution costs as surges in network demand create suboptimal logistical conditions. It's important to note that notwithstanding these factors, Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to increase by approximately 200 basis points year-over-year.
Petter Fjellman: The ratio of total net debt to trailing 12-month Adjusted EBITDA at the end of the quarter was 3.6 times, down from 5.3 times from the comparable prior period. Looking ahead, I'll now make a few comments on the updated guidance for 2026. The range for salt segment Adjusted EBITDA in 2026 is now $230 million to $252 million. Ed previously commented on the operational dynamics within the salt segment. Our guidance reflects an increase in expected sales tons, the benefit of which is being muted by headwinds and production costs mentioned earlier. Additionally, severe winters tend to put pressure on distribution costs as surges in network demand create suboptimal logistical conditions. It's important to note that notwithstanding these factors, Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to increase by approximately 200 basis points year-over-year.
Speaker #2: Ed previously commented on the operational dynamics within the salt segment. Our guidance reflects an increase in expected sales tons, the benefit of which is being muted by headwinds in production costs mentioned earlier.
Speaker #2: Additionally, severe winters tend to put pressure on distribution costs, as suboptimal logistical conditions. It's important to note that notwithstanding these factors, adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to increase by approximately 200 basis For the plant nutrition segment, the range points year over year.
Peter Fjellman: For the Plant Nutrition segment, the range for Adjusted EBITDA in 2026 is now $34 million to $39 million on stronger margins and an improved cost structure, partially offset by lower expected sales volume and the impact of the vineyard sale. At the midpoint of the guidance, we expect a more than 300 basis point improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin year-over-year. The guidance range for Adjusted EBITDA related to corporate overhead is unchanged, as is the range for our capital expenditures. As a result of these changes, the range for guidance for total company Adjusted EBITDA for 2026 is $208 million to $240 million, for a 2% increase at the midpoint. I'll now turn the call over for questions.
Petter Fjellman: For the Plant Nutrition segment, the range for Adjusted EBITDA in 2026 is now $34 million to $39 million on stronger margins and an improved cost structure, partially offset by lower expected sales volume and the impact of the vineyard sale. At the midpoint of the guidance, we expect a more than 300 basis point improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin year-over-year. The guidance range for Adjusted EBITDA related to corporate overhead is unchanged, as is the range for our capital expenditures. As a result of these changes, the range for guidance for total company Adjusted EBITDA for 2026 is $208 million to $240 million, for a 2% increase at the midpoint. I'll now turn the call over for questions.
Speaker #2: 2026 is now up to 34 million to 39 million on stronger margins and an improved cost structure. Partially offset by lower expected sales volume and the impact of the windward sale.
Speaker #2: At the midpoint in the guidance, we expect a more than 300 basis point improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin year over year. The guidance range for adjusted EBITDA related to corporate overhead is unchanged, as is the range expenditures.
Speaker #2: As a result of these for our capital changes, the range for guidance for total company adjusted EBITDA for 2026 is up to $208 2% increase at the million to $240 million, or a midpoint.
Operator: At this time, I would like to remind everyone, in order to ask a question, please press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. We will pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Evan McCall with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Operator: At this time, I would like to remind everyone, in order to ask a question, please press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. We will pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Evan McCall with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Speaker #3: question, please press star, then the this time, I would like to number one on your telephone remind everyone in order to ask a keypad.
Speaker #3: We will pause for just a moment to roster. Your first question BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Speaker #4: Hi, good morning. It's Evan on for Joel Jackson. I was wondering
Evan McCall: Hi, good morning. It's Evan on for Joel Jackson. I was wondering about the salt market and if the market is well supplied for the strong winter or are we seeing a rush for any imports? And is there a larger spot market than normal, and does Compass have any excess tons to sell into it?
Evan McCaul: Hi, good morning. It's Evan on for Joel Jackson. I was wondering about the salt market and if the market is well supplied for the strong winter or are we seeing a rush for any imports? And is there a larger spot market than normal, and does Compass have any excess tons to sell into it?
Speaker #4: about the salt market and if the market is well-supplied for the strong winter, or are we seeing a rush for any imports? And is there a larger spot market than normal, and does Compass have any excess tons to sell into it?
Speaker #5: Well, as we said, good our release, in our just completed call, that the market is very tight as a result of the winter so far.
Edward Dowling: Well, good morning. This is Ed. As we said in our release and our just completed call, that the market is very tight as a result of winter so far. When we do our planning, there's a variety of things that we consider in terms of how we manage that, which could include some imports from time to time. Ben, do you want to pick that up?
Edward Dowling: Well, good morning. This is Ed. As we said in our release and our just completed call, that the market is very tight as a result of winter so far. When we do our planning, there's a variety of things that we consider in terms of how we manage that, which could include some imports from time to time. Ben, do you want to pick that up?
Speaker #5: When we do our planning, there’s a variety of things that we consider in terms of how we manage that, which could include some imports from time to time.
Speaker #5: Ben, do you want to pick that up?
Speaker #6: Yeah, good morning, Evan. I think the market comes from the line of Evan McCall with Winter has certainly trended ahead in terms of a straight calendarization.
Ben Nichols: Yeah, good morning, Evan. I think the market is exactly what Ed said. It's become tight. Winter has certainly trended ahead in terms of a straight calendarization, so that's something that the market hasn't seen in quite a few seasons. The ability for imports and opportunistic supply to play a role mid-season is difficult, just given the lead time of supply and transit. And so I think our anticipation is, if the winter continues as it has up to date, the market will remain tight.
Ben Nichols: Yeah, good morning, Evan. I think the market is exactly what Ed said. It's become tight. Winter has certainly trended ahead in terms of a straight calendarization, so that's something that the market hasn't seen in quite a few seasons. The ability for imports and opportunistic supply to play a role mid-season is difficult, just given the lead time of supply and transit. And so I think our anticipation is, if the winter continues as it has up to date, the market will remain tight.
Speaker #6: So that's something that few seasons. The the market hasn't seen in quite a a ability for imports and opportunistic supply to play the lead time of supply role mid-season is difficult, just given in transit.
Speaker #6: think our anticipation is And so I up to date, the market will remain tight. if the winter continues as it has
Evan McCall: Thanks. If I could sneak one more in, how are the plans progressing for the new mill at Goderich, and also when would you make a decision on this, and has the strong winter emboldened your decision to make the investment?
Evan McCaul: Thanks. If I could sneak one more in, how are the plans progressing for the new mill at Goderich, and also when would you make a decision on this, and has the strong winter emboldened your decision to make the investment?
Speaker #5: in. How are the plans progressing for the Thanks, Vic. Miller-Godrich and also when would you make a decision new I'd sneak one more on this?
Speaker #5: winter emboldened your decision to make the And has the strong
Speaker #5: investment? Well,
Edward Dowling: Well, there's really three projects associated with the new mill at Goderich Mine. The first that we've been working on for some years is what we call the East Mine Drive, where we connect the current mining areas directly, driving access directly to the east to tie into infrastructure. And that's been going on for some period of time, some years. Second is what we call the Project 3B108, which is really connecting the shafts and the infrastructure itself to the East Mine Drive. That project is really just getting underway, and it'll take a little while to complete that, but that's moving ahead. In terms of the new mill itself, it's in engineering. We've got a project team coming together on that. We're currently in the value engineering stage of that, and we should have things that we can talk about here over the next quarters.
Edward Dowling: Well, there's really three projects associated with the new mill at Goderich Mine. The first that we've been working on for some years is what we call the East Mine Drive, where we connect the current mining areas directly, driving access directly to the east to tie into infrastructure. And that's been going on for some period of time, some years. Second is what we call the Project 3B108, which is really connecting the shafts and the infrastructure itself to the East Mine Drive. That project is really just getting underway, and it'll take a little while to complete that, but that's moving ahead. In terms of the new mill itself, it's in engineering. We've got a project team coming together on that. We're currently in the value engineering stage of that, and we should have things that we can talk about here over the next quarters.
Speaker #2: there's really three projects associated with the new mill at Godrich Mine. The first that we've been working on for some years is what we call the East Mine Drive, where we connect the current mining areas directly driving access directly to the east into infrastructure.
Speaker #2: The second, and that's been going on for some period of time. Some years. Second is what we call the 3B 108 connecting the shafts in the infrastructure itself to the East Mine Drive.
Speaker #2: That project is really just getting underway, and it'll take a little while to complete that. But mill itself, it's in engineering, we've got a project team coming together on that.
Speaker #2: currently in the value engineering stage of to tie that, and we should have things that We're we can talk about here over the next quarters.
Speaker #3: Before going to the next question, again, if you would like to ask a question, press star one on your telephone of David Silver with Freedom Capital Markets.
Operator: Before going to the next question, again, if you would like to ask a question, press star one on your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from the line of David Silver with Freedom Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Operator: Before going to the next question, again, if you would like to ask a question, press star one on your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from the line of David Silver with Freedom Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Speaker #3: Your line is keypad. Your next question comes from the line open.
David Silver: Yeah, hi. Thank you. Good morning. I wanted to maybe start with a question about the salt segment economics during the quarter, and in particular on the cost side. So if I was to kind of lay things out on a per-ton basis, I guess production costs and also shipping and handling or logistics were higher, I guess, than a year earlier despite the higher volume. And I think you did in your prepared remarks that I think you talked about the development panels and whatnot. But I was curious, I mean, what would be driving up the logistics cost, the shipping and handling such that it seemed to have kind of a meaningful impact on your per-ton margins this quarter? Was there anything going unusual there, or is that something that will improve, I guess, as we move through the balance of the winter? Thank you.
David Silver: Yeah, hi. Thank you. Good morning. I wanted to maybe start with a question about the salt segment economics during the quarter, and in particular on the cost side. So if I was to kind of lay things out on a per-ton basis, I guess production costs and also shipping and handling or logistics were higher, I guess, than a year earlier despite the higher volume. And I think you did in your prepared remarks that I think you talked about the development panels and whatnot. But I was curious, I mean, what would be driving up the logistics cost, the shipping and handling such that it seemed to have kind of a meaningful impact on your per-ton margins this quarter? Was there anything going unusual there, or is that something that will improve, I guess, as we move through the balance of the winter? Thank you.
Speaker #7: Yeah, hi. Good morning. I wanted to thank you—maybe start with a question about the salt segment economics during the quarter, and in particular, on the cost side.
Speaker #7: So, if I was to kind of lay things out on a per-ton production cost, logistics, and also shipping and handling were higher, I guess, than a year earlier, despite the higher volume.
Speaker #7: basis, I guess And I think you did in your prepared remarks that I think you talked about the development panels and whatnot. But I was curious.
Speaker #7: I mean, what would be driving up the logistics cost, the shipping that it seemed to have kind of a meaningful and handling touch impact on your per-ton margins this quarter?
Speaker #7: going unusual there, or is that Was there anything improve? I guess as we move something that will winter. Thank through the balance of the you.
Speaker #2: Thanks, David. Appreciate that. Let me just sequence, which you measure in quarters, not start improving the say, as long as we're in the development production to development ratio in the mine, this is years, and normal course things.
Edward Dowling: Thanks, David. Appreciate that. Let me just say, as long as we're in the development sequence, which you measure in quarters, not years, and start improving the production-to-development ratio in the mine, this is normal course things for mining. The costs are always going to be a little bit higher just because of what we do to set up infrastructure, etc. For the quarter itself, to answer your question directly, unit costs were down about 6% in terms of production, and distribution costs were up about 6%. I'll pass this over to Peter and Ben to see if they've got anything else they'd like to add.
Edward Dowling: Thanks, David. Appreciate that. Let me just say, as long as we're in the development sequence, which you measure in quarters, not years, and start improving the production-to-development ratio in the mine, this is normal course things for mining. The costs are always going to be a little bit higher just because of what we do to set up infrastructure, etc. For the quarter itself, to answer your question directly, unit costs were down about 6% in terms of production, and distribution costs were up about 6%. I'll pass this over to Peter and Ben to see if they've got anything else they'd like to add.
Speaker #2: For and mining, be a little bit higher just because of what we do to set up infrastructure, etc. But for the quarter itself, to answer your question directly, 6% in terms of production.
Speaker #2: And distribution costs were up about 6%. I'll pass this over to Peter, and Ben, add.
Ben Nichols: Yeah, good morning, David. I think as you look at the distribution costs, there's 2 factors in play. 1 are just some basic inflationary pressures on rates, which was clearly identified in our guidance. The other big thing that's occurring is because Q1 of this year was so robust compared to prior year, we're shipping salt across a much wider network to service the business. And so essentially, we're pushing salt and shipping it to further away destinations to meet the demand, which results in a little higher rates. So that's what you're seeing come together.
Ben Nichols: Yeah, good morning, David. I think as you look at the distribution costs, there's 2 factors in play. 1 are just some basic inflationary pressures on rates, which was clearly identified in our guidance. The other big thing that's occurring is because Q1 of this year was so robust compared to prior year, we're shipping salt across a much wider network to service the business. And so essentially, we're pushing salt and shipping it to further away destinations to meet the demand, which results in a little higher rates. So that's what you're seeing come together.
Speaker #6: identified in our guidance. The other big thing that's occurring is because Q1 of this year was so robust compared to prior years, we're shipping salt across a much And so essentially, wider network to service the business.
Speaker #6: we're pushing salt and shipping it to further away destinations to meet the demand. Which results in a little higher rates. So that's what you're seeing come together.
Speaker #7: And just to follow up on that briefly, you don't have long before you read about salt shortages in particular metropolitan areas—in December and January, in particular.
David Silver: And just to follow up on that briefly, but you don't have to scan news sources very long before you read about salt shortages in particular metropolitan areas in December and January in particular. And I'm just wondering if that had an unusual kind of impact. In other words, did you find yourself without enough salt in the right locations, or were you supporting maybe another supplier who was tapped out and maybe tapped into your supply or whatever in a pinch? Just anything unusual in the field that you would call out that might have impacted the margin profile this quarter, the per-ton margin profile this quarter, but especially on the logistics side.
David Silver: And just to follow up on that briefly, but you don't have to scan news sources very long before you read about salt shortages in particular metropolitan areas in December and January in particular. And I'm just wondering if that had an unusual kind of impact. In other words, did you find yourself without enough salt in the right locations, or were you supporting maybe another supplier who was tapped out and maybe tapped into your supply or whatever in a pinch? Just anything unusual in the field that you would call out that might have impacted the margin profile this quarter, the per-ton margin profile this quarter, but especially on the logistics side.
Speaker #7: And I'm just wondering if that had an unusual kind of impact. In other words, were you forced—did you find yourself without enough salt in the right locations, or were you supporting maybe another supplier who was tapped out and maybe tapped into your supply, or whatever, in a pinch?
Speaker #7: And anything unusual in the field that you would call out that might have impacted the margin profile this quarter—the per-ton margin profile this quarter—but especially on the logistics side?
Edward Dowling: Well, Ben just spoke a little bit to the logistics side and really the delivery from further places away. We take a lot of pride in meeting our obligations as a company in terms of serving our customer base. We operate to meet the commitments that we've made, shortages, etc., and we have a lot of people who would be approaching us for more salt. I think the net result of that is we'll see how the rest of the winter shakes out, but looking forward, and kind of let's just say industry-wide, deicing inventories, which are low, is very constructive as we look forward and start planning for 2026, 2027 winter.
Edward Dowling: Well, Ben just spoke a little bit to the logistics side and really the delivery from further places away. We take a lot of pride in meeting our obligations as a company in terms of serving our customer base. We operate to meet the commitments that we've made, shortages, etc., and we have a lot of people who would be approaching us for more salt. I think the net result of that is we'll see how the rest of the winter shakes out, but looking forward, and kind of let's just say industry-wide, deicing inventories, which are low, is very constructive as we look forward and start planning for 2026, 2027 winter.
Speaker #2: I just spoke a little bit to the logistics side, and really the delivery from further places away. We take a lot of pride, Ben, in meeting our—serving our customer obligations as a company in terms of base.
Speaker #2: And we operate to meet the commitments that we've made. Shortages, etc., and we have a lot of people who would be approaching us for more salt.
Speaker #2: I think that result of that is we'll see how the rest of the winter shakes kind of let's just say industry-wide, de-icing inventories, which are low, is very constructive as we look forward and start planning for '26, '27 winter.
Speaker #7: Okay. If I could just ask a question, I guess, about tax rates—and I guess that would be both nominal and also cash tax as well.
David Silver: Okay. If I could just ask a question, I guess, about tax rates, and I guess that would be both nominal and also cash tax as well. So during the quarter, you did have the unusual situation where your tax rate was, I guess, negative in Q1. And I know you've got kind of an evolving tax situation from the point of view of you should be solidly profitable this year on a reported basis, a little bit different than the last couple of years. But can you just speak to kind of how you see your tax positioning evolving this year? And I'm thinking about the valuation allowances. Will you be able to offset some profit with losses that maybe in the last couple of years you weren't able to do?
David Silver: Okay. If I could just ask a question, I guess, about tax rates, and I guess that would be both nominal and also cash tax as well. So during the quarter, you did have the unusual situation where your tax rate was, I guess, negative in Q1. And I know you've got kind of an evolving tax situation from the point of view of you should be solidly profitable this year on a reported basis, a little bit different than the last couple of years. But can you just speak to kind of how you see your tax positioning evolving this year? And I'm thinking about the valuation allowances. Will you be able to offset some profit with losses that maybe in the last couple of years you weren't able to do?
Speaker #7: So during the quarter, you did have the unusual situation where your tax rate was, I guess, negative in the first quarter. And I know you've got kind of an evolving tax situation from the point of view of you should be solidly On a reported profitable this year.
Speaker #7: How do you see your evolving tax positioning this year? And I'm thinking about the valuation allowances—will you be able to claim some offsets, some profit with losses that in years you weren't able to, maybe in the last couple of years?
Speaker #7: And if you had an tax situation looks like for full year, 2026, that would be great. Thank you.
David Silver: If you had an idea of what your cash tax situation looks like for full year 2026, that would be great. Thank you.
David Silver: If you had an idea of what your cash tax situation looks like for full year 2026, that would be great. Thank you.
Edward Dowling: David, I think in part you're asking about the impact of the Ontario Mining Tax settlement that we met earlier this year. Recall, that's been something hanging around the company for decades. We're very pleased to get that behind us. And that's, of course, had impact on some of the footnotes you'll see in the release. Let me pass it over to Peter to give you a bit more detail on that.
Edward Dowling: David, I think in part you're asking about the impact of the Ontario Mining Tax settlement that we met earlier this year. Recall, that's been something hanging around the company for decades. We're very pleased to get that behind us. And that's, of course, had impact on some of the footnotes you'll see in the release. Let me pass it over to Peter to give you a bit more detail on that.
Speaker #2: About the impact of David, I think in part you're asking about the Ontario mining tax settlement that we met earlier this year. Recall that's been something hanging around the company for decades.
Speaker #2: We're very pleased to get that behind us. And footnotes you'll see in the release. Let me pass it over to Peter to give you a bit
Speaker #2: more detail on that.
Speaker #7: Sure. And on that Ontario mining, you'll see it in
Peter Fjellman: Sure. And on that Ontario mining, you'll see it in both the balance sheet, cash flow, and cash tax, which is a lot of what you're referring to. As to the full year, obviously, we're still early in the year. We know that the swings in the effective tax rate, it's a function of income and Canadian losses in the US, and it's relatively a small number for tax purposes, right? And that's causing, obviously, lots of swing. We have to look at that post-Valuation Allowance as well and then let that thing roll through. Still early in the season as to utilization and also looking at that Valuation as well. So it's yet to be determined.
Petter Fjellman: Sure. And on that Ontario mining, you'll see it in both the balance sheet, cash flow, and cash tax, which is a lot of what you're referring to. As to the full year, obviously, we're still early in the year. We know that the swings in the effective tax rate, it's a function of income and Canadian losses in the US, and it's relatively a small number for tax purposes, right? And that's causing, obviously, lots of swing. We have to look at that post-Valuation Allowance as well and then let that thing roll through. Still early in the season as to utilization and also looking at that Valuation as well. So it's yet to be determined.
Speaker #7: Both the balance sheet and cash flow, and cash tax, which is where a lot of what you're referring to. As to the full year, obviously, we're still early in the year.
Speaker #7: We know that the swings in the effective tax rate, it's a function number for tax purposes, right? causing obviously And that's lots of swing.
Speaker #7: We have to look at that post-valuation allowance as well. And then let that thing roll through. Still early in the season, as the utilization and also looking at that valuation as well.
Speaker #7: Determined. Okay. Thank you very much.
David Silver: Okay. Thank you very much.
David Silver: Okay. Thank you very much.
Speaker #1: I will turn the call back over to Edward Dowling, CEO for closing
Operator: I will turn the call back over to Edward Dowling, CEO, for closing remarks.
Operator: I will turn the call back over to Edward Dowling, CEO, for closing remarks.
Edward Dowling: Yeah, thank you, Kate. Thank you again for your interest in Compass Minerals. We're excited to see the advances that we're making under our Back-to-Basics framework. As I mentioned earlier, the company's had a solid quarter. We have positive momentum in a number of areas. We reported positive net income for the quarter, the first time in a long time. Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled. Total net trailing 12-month debt decreased by almost two turns. And lastly, we increased our guidance for the full year. The journey isn't finished, but we're making unmistakable progress of being the company we know we can be. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Brent if you have any follow-up questions. We look forward to speaking to you next quarter, if not before. Make it a safe day. Thank you.
Edward Dowling: Yeah, thank you, Kate. Thank you again for your interest in Compass Minerals. We're excited to see the advances that we're making under our Back-to-Basics framework. As I mentioned earlier, the company's had a solid quarter. We have positive momentum in a number of areas. We reported positive net income for the quarter, the first time in a long time. Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled. Total net trailing 12-month debt decreased by almost two turns. And lastly, we increased our guidance for the full year. The journey isn't finished, but we're making unmistakable progress of being the company we know we can be. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Brent if you have any follow-up questions. We look forward to speaking to you next quarter, if not before. Make it a safe day. Thank you.
Speaker #2: Thank you,
Speaker #2: Confident Minerals. We're excited to see the advances that we're making under our back-to-basics framework. As I mentioned earlier, the company has had a solid quarter.
Speaker #2: confident minerals. We're excited to see the advances that we're making under our back-to-basics framework. As I mentioned earlier, the Kate. have positive matter in a number of areas.
Speaker #2: Income for the quarter, the first time in a long time. We reported positive net remarks. Quarterly adjusted EBITDA more than—thank you again for your interest. Total net trailing 12-month debt decreased by almost two turns, and lastly, we increased our guidance for the full year.
Speaker #2: The journey isn't finished. We're making unmistakable progress of being the company we know we can be. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Brent forward to speaking to you next quarter, if not if you have any follow-up questions.
Speaker #2: We look
Speaker #2: before. Make it a safe day. Thank
Speaker #2: you. Ladies and gentlemen, that
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you all for joining. You may now disconnect.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you all for joining. You may now disconnect.
Speaker #1: joining. You may now concludes today's call. Thank you all for
