Adjusted EPS and Guidance
Adjusted EPS of $1.53 in Q1; company narrowed full-year FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $6.00–$6.50, reflecting finalized Reinforcement Materials customer agreements and inclusion of new assets.
Strong Cash Generation and Liquidity
Operating cash flow of $126 million and discretionary free cash flow of $71 million in the quarter. Cash balance of $230 million and total liquidity of approximately $1.4 billion. Net debt of $1.1 billion with net debt-to-EBITDA of 1.2x.
Shareholder Returns
Returned cash to shareholders in the quarter via $24 million of dividends and $52 million of share repurchases (total $76 million).
Battery Materials Momentum
Battery Materials revenue grew 39% year-over-year in Q1. EBITDA margins in the product line run at ~22% on a trailing 12-month basis. Signed a strategic multiyear supply agreement with PowerCo (Volkswagen subsidiary) to support gigafactory build-out — viewed as a material long-term growth opportunity.
Performance Chemicals Improvement
Performance Chemicals segment EBIT increased (management cited a 7% improvement YoY; CFO reported an absolute EBIT increase of $3 million). Improvement driven by better product mix, higher gross profit per ton, and ongoing optimization and cost reduction efforts.
Cost Savings and Efficiency Programs
Delivered $50 million of cost savings in FY2025 and targeting an additional $30 million of cost reductions in FY2026 via procurement, headcount reductions in Reinforcement Materials, and accelerated technology deployment to improve yields and efficiency.
CapEx Discipline
Expect full-year FY2026 capital expenditures of $200–$230 million; management expects midpoint to be approximately $60 million lower than 2025 actuals to support stronger free cash flow while still funding strategic growth.