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Suncoke Energy Inc (SXC)
NYSE:SXC

Suncoke Energy (SXC) AI Stock Analysis

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SXC

Suncoke Energy

(NYSE:SXC)

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Neutral 59 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:59Neutral
Price Target:
$6.00
▲(5.82% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/18/26
The score is primarily held back by weakened 2025 profitability, sharp revenue decline, and higher leverage, partially offset by continued positive free cash flow. Guidance and commentary suggest a modest 2026 recovery with planned deleveraging, while valuation is attractive (low P/E and high dividend yield). Technical indicators are broadly neutral, offering limited incremental support.
Positive Factors
Cash generation resilience
SunCoke's ability to generate positive operating and free cash flow even in a loss year is a durable strength. Persistent cash generation supports sustaining the dividend, funding capex, and executing a deleveraging plan without relying solely on external financing, improving long-term financial flexibility.
Industrial Services growth (Phoenix)
The Phoenix Global acquisition materially scales Industrial Services, adding ~$60M incremental EBITDA and targeted synergies. This diversifies revenue away from cyclical domestic coke, builds a more service-oriented, higher‑visibility segment, and should sustainably raise consolidated EBITDA contribution over multi-year horizons.
Contractual customer relationships
Renewals like the Granite City extension and other supply agreements preserve volume visibility and underpin steady revenue. Contractual ties to major steel producers reduce spot exposure, support plant utilization planning, and provide durable revenue baselines for cash flow forecasting and capital allocation.
Negative Factors
Elevated leverage
Leverage increased materially in 2025, eroding financial flexibility. Higher debt levels constrain ability to absorb industry shocks, raise fixed financing costs, and limit optionality for strategic investment. Although management targets deleveraging, elevated leverage remains a medium-term balance-sheet risk.
Sharp profitability deterioration
A steep revenue decline and swing to a net loss reflect structural margin pressure from mix, contract economics and lower volumes. Sustained profitability weakness reduces retained earnings, constrains reinvestment, and heightens reliance on cost controls and non‑recurring items to restore prior margin levels.
Operational and contract disruptions
The Algoma contract breach, permanent Haverhill shutdown and Middletown turbine outage create lasting volume loss, legal uncertainty and higher operating costs. These events led to impairments and one‑time charges and indicate execution and counterparty risks that can suppress cash generation and margins until resolved.

Suncoke Energy (SXC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Suncoke Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSunCoke Energy, Inc. operates as an independent producer of coke in the Americas and Brazil. The company operates through three segments: Domestic Coke, Brazil Coke, and Logistics. It offers metallurgical and thermal coal. The company also provides handling and/or mixing services to steel, coke, electric utility, coal producing, and other manufacturing based customers. In addition, it owns and operates five cokemaking facilities in the United States and one cokemaking facility in Brazil. SunCoke Energy, Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneySunCoke Energy generates revenue primarily through the sale of metallurgical coke to steel manufacturers, which constitutes the bulk of its earnings. The company operates under a long-term contract model, securing stable revenue streams from its customers. Additionally, SunCoke earns income from its coal logistics services, which include the transportation and handling of coal for clients. The company has also expanded its revenue base through the operation of its energy production facilities, selling thermal energy to nearby industrial customers. Strategic partnerships with major steel producers enhance its market position and contribute to consistent cash flow, while ongoing investments in technology and efficiency improvements help to reduce costs and increase margins.

Suncoke Energy Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Shows the cash-profit contribution of each business line (e.g., metallurgical coke, power) after routine adjustments. Highlights which segments generate the most earnings, how sensitive results are to steel demand and input costs, and where margins are expanding or shrinking.
Chart InsightsDomestic Coke’s EBITDA has lost momentum into 2025 and is the main drag—part seasonal volatility, part a material hit from a customer breach that deferred ~200k tons and forced lowered guidance and weaker free cash flow. Brazil Coke has dwindled to immaterial levels, removing a small cushion. Industrial Services is the growth lever: a sharp Q3 uptick (and the Aug. Phoenix Global close) points to 2026 upside as synergies ramp, so the stock’s turnaround hinges on tonnage recovery and successful integration driving EBITDA replacement.
Data provided by:The Fly

Suncoke Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 17, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 06, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call presents a mixed but stabilizing picture: 2025 was a challenging year with notable EBITDA declines, domestic coke headwinds, an ongoing Algoma dispute, one‑time impairment and transaction charges, and short‑term operational disruptions. Offsetting this, management closed the Phoenix acquisition (integration progressing), Industrial Services growth materially improved, the company retains solid liquidity and dividend discipline, and 2026 guidance points to a meaningful recovery in consolidated EBITDA and free cash flow with a clear deleveraging plan.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Consolidated 2025 Adjusted EBITDA and 2026 Guidance
Delivered consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $219.2M in 2025. Management guides to a recovery in 2026 with consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $230M–$250M (up ~4.9% to ~14.0% vs. 2025), and free cash flow guidance of $140M–$150M.
Industrial Services Growth (Phoenix Contribution)
Industrial Services (including Phoenix Global) generated $62.3M adjusted EBITDA in 2025, up $11.9M (+23.6% YoY). Phoenix acquisition (net purchase consideration ~$295.8M; cash acquired $24.3M) is expected to drive Industrial Services EBITDA to $90M–$100M in 2026 (+44.5% to +60.4% vs. 2025) with incremental synergies anticipated in 2027.
Strong Liquidity and Capital Return
Ended 2025 with $88.7M cash and $132M availability on a $325M revolver (total liquidity ~$221M). Returned ~$41M to shareholders via a $0.48 annual dividend and expect to continue quarterly dividends in 2026.
Positive Operating Cash Flow (Adjusted for One‑Time Items)
Reported operating cash flow of $109.1M in 2025. Management stated operating cash flow would have been approximately $59M higher without two one‑time items (Phoenix incentive/transaction cash of $29.3M and a $30M Algoma-related impact), implying adjusted operating cash flow of ~ $168.1M.
Safety Performance
Strong safety results: total recordable incident rate (TRIR), excluding Phoenix, of 0.55 for 2025, highlighted as a top priority and differentiator.
Deleveraging Plan
Plan to prioritize deleveraging and use excess free cash flow to pay down revolver; management expects 2026 year-end gross leverage around 2.45x, below the long-term target of 3.0x.
Capital Discipline and CapEx Execution
2025 capital expenditures were $66.8M (slightly below revised guidance of $70M). 2026 CapEx guidance is $90M–$100M reflecting a full year of Phoenix capex requirements.
Negative Updates
Year‑over‑Year EBITDA Decline
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA declined $53.6M (≈19.7% YoY) to $219.2M in 2025. Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $56.7M, down $9.4M (≈14.2% YoY).
Domestic Coke Segment Weakness
Domestic coke adjusted EBITDA fell to $170.0M in 2025, down $64.7M (≈27.6% YoY). Management cites change in mix of contract vs. spot sales, lower Granite City contract economics, and lower volumes from Algoma breach as primary drivers. 2026 domestic coke guidance is $162M–$168M (down ~1.2% to ~4.7% vs. 2025).
Algoma Breach of Contract Impact
Breach by Algoma materially reduced coke sales volumes in 2025. Management recorded a $30M deferred cash effect in 2025 and previously indicated the working capital impact could be up to $70M. Litigation/arbitration is ongoing; recovery is expected but not guaranteed.
One‑Time Charges and Net Loss Per Share
One‑time items (non‑cash asset impairment related to Haverhill One closure, Phoenix transaction and restructuring costs, site closure costs) materially impacted results: Q4 net loss attributable was $1.00 per share (worse by $1.28 vs. 2024) with $0.85 per share of one‑time items; full‑year net loss was $0.52 per share, impacted by one‑time items totaling $0.97 per share net of tax.
Operational Disruptions and Near‑Term Earnings Drag
Middletown turbine failure (insured) and severe winter weather produced an estimated aggregate impact of approximately $10M in Q1 2026; turbine not expected operational until mid‑year, delaying power‑production earnings and insurance recoveries.
Integration and Cash Flow Drag from Phoenix Costs
Phoenix acquisition-related cash items (management incentive plan and transaction costs of $29.3M) flowed through operating cash flow in 2025, increasing net borrowing and reducing reported operating cash flow. Additional integration IT costs and normalized bonus expense are expected to increase corporate costs by $5M–$9M in 2026.
Haverhill One Closure and Reduced Low‑Margin Capacity
Permanent cold shutdown of Haverhill One (restart would require 12–18 months and significant capital). Closure reduced lower‑margin production by ~500k tons; led to impairment and site‑closure related charges though management states minimal environmental remediation costs.
Company Guidance
SunCoke guided 2026 consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $230–$250 million, with Domestic Coke EBITDA of $162–$168 million on roughly 3.4 million tons of sales (about a 500,000‑ton reduction from the Haverhill One closure and ~3.7 million tons of domestic blast‑furnace equivalent capacity) and Industrial Services EBITDA of $90–$100 million (including a full year of Phoenix Global, ~ $60M of incremental Phoenix EBITDA and $5–$10M of synergies, and ~24 million tons of terminals handling / ~22 million tons of steel customer volume). They expect CapEx of $90–$100 million, operating cash flow of $230–$250 million, free cash flow of $140–$150 million, corporate and other expenses up $5–$9 million, and plan to use excess free cash to pay down revolver borrowings to reach year‑end gross leverage around 2.45x (below the 3.0x target); management also flagged a roughly $10 million Q1 headwind from severe winter weather and a Middletown turbine outage (turbine expected back mid‑year) and reiterated continuation of the quarterly dividend (2025 dividend was ~$0.48/sh).

Suncoke Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials weakened materially in 2025: revenue declined sharply and results swung to a net loss with meaningful margin compression (income statement weakness). Leverage increased with debt-to-equity rising above 1.0 (balance-sheet risk). Offsetting these pressures, operating cash flow and free cash flow stayed positive, supporting a mid-range score despite deteriorating profitability.
Income Statement
44
Neutral
Profitability weakened sharply in the latest annual period: revenue fell meaningfully (down ~31.5%) and the company swung from a solid profit in 2024 to a net loss in 2025. Margins compressed materially versus prior years (gross, operating, and EBITDA margins all lower), indicating less pricing power and/or cost pressure. A key strength is that the business has shown it can generate healthy profits in better environments (2022–2024), but the recent volatility and loss-making year reduce confidence in earnings stability.
Balance Sheet
56
Neutral
Leverage moved higher in 2025, with debt rising while equity declined, pushing debt-to-equity above 1.0 (roughly 1.15) from ~0.74 in 2024—an unfavorable shift in financial flexibility. Returns to shareholders also turned negative in 2025 after healthy positive levels in prior years, reflecting the earnings downturn. Offsetting this, equity remains sizable and assets increased year over year, but the trend in leverage and profitability is the main balance-sheet risk.
Cash Flow
61
Positive
Cash generation remains a relative bright spot: operating cash flow stayed positive in 2025 and free cash flow also remained positive, suggesting the company can still generate cash through the cycle. However, cash flow weakened versus 2024 and free cash flow growth was sharply negative, signaling pressure on internally generated funds. Cash flow conversion versus accounting earnings is mixed given the net loss in 2025, but overall cash flow resilience supports a mid-range score.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.84B1.94B2.06B1.97B1.46B
Gross Profit130.70M332.00M338.60M367.60M337.20M
EBITDA109.20M270.80M267.90M296.20M243.50M
Net Income-44.20M95.90M57.50M100.70M43.40M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.79B1.67B1.66B1.65B1.62B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments88.70M189.60M140.10M90.00M63.80M
Total Debt685.50M503.50M492.80M532.20M616.80M
Total Liabilities1.16B957.20M1.01B1.03B1.08B
Stockholders Equity597.30M680.20M614.20M585.60M498.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow42.30M95.90M139.80M133.40M134.50M
Operating Cash Flow109.10M168.80M249.00M208.90M233.10M
Investing Cash Flow-339.20M-72.30M-109.20M-70.20M-99.30M
Financing Cash Flow128.80M-47.00M-89.70M-112.50M-118.40M

Suncoke Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price5.67
Price Trends
50DMA
7.44
Negative
100DMA
7.31
Negative
200DMA
7.54
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.46
Positive
RSI
24.21
Positive
STOCH
2.42
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SXC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 5.67 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 7.38, below the 50-day MA of 7.44, and below the 200-day MA of 7.54, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.46 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 24.21 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 2.42 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for SXC.

Suncoke Energy Risk Analysis

Suncoke Energy disclosed 34 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Suncoke Energy reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Suncoke Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$3.40B10.9416.80%11.05%-9.45%-46.37%
62
Neutral
$4.13B-1.47%0.96%-7.21%-106.39%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
60
Neutral
$4.76B83.572.69%0.36%-23.25%-90.78%
59
Neutral
$486.83M-11.21-6.92%6.72%-6.44%-24.68%
54
Neutral
$2.32B-49.18-2.87%-32.53%-112.77%
48
Neutral
$1.14B-30.29-7.40%2.83%-16.99%-184.02%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SXC
Suncoke Energy
5.67
-2.87
-33.61%
ARLP
Alliance Resource
26.57
2.26
9.31%
AMR
Alpha Metallurgical Resources
168.05
19.49
13.12%
METC
Ramaco Resources
14.93
6.15
70.05%
HCC
Warrior Met Coal
84.68
35.20
71.13%
BTU
Peabody Energy Comm
32.29
18.74
138.32%

Suncoke Energy Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
SunCoke Energy announces planned board and finance transition
Neutral
Feb 24, 2026

On February 24, 2026, SunCoke Energy, Inc. announced that longtime director Michael W. Lewis, 76, plans to retire from the board at the company’s annual meeting in May 2026 to focus on personal commitments, after serving since 2020 on both the Audit and Governance Committees. The company emphasized that Lewis’s departure stems from no disagreements with management or strategy, while also disclosing that, effective March 13, 2026, Vice President and Controller Karl A. Zabiello will assume the role of principal accounting officer coincident with Shantanu Agrawal becoming Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, signaling a planned, orderly transition in SunCoke’s financial leadership structure.

The most recent analyst rating on (SXC) stock is a Hold with a $8.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Suncoke Energy stock, see the SXC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
SunCoke Energy Posts 2025 Loss, Offers 2026 Outlook
Negative
Feb 17, 2026

On February 17, 2026, SunCoke Energy reported a full-year 2025 net loss attributable to shareholders of $44.2 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, and a fourth-quarter 2025 net loss of $85.6 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, as revenues declined to $1.84 billion for the year and $480.2 million for the quarter versus 2024. Results were pressured by $109.3 million in unfavorable one-time items for 2025, including a non-cash impairment tied to the closure of the Haverhill I cokemaking facility, site closure and restructuring costs related to the Phoenix Global acquisition, weaker economics on the Granite City contract extension, and lower coke sales volumes following a breach of contract by Algoma, partially offset by contributions from Phoenix Global and a tax benefit.

Full-year 2025 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA fell to $219.2 million from $272.8 million in 2024, with fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA at $56.7 million, as a shift in the mix between contract and spot coke sales, lower coal-to-coke yields, and reduced Domestic Coke volumes weighed on performance. Despite these headwinds, SunCoke extended key coke supply agreements with U.S. Steel’s Granite City facility through December 2026 and Cleveland-Cliffs’ Haverhill II through December 2028, completed the Phoenix Global acquisition, and maintained strong safety metrics, while projecting 2026 consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $230 million to $250 million on full utilization of its optimized 3.7-million-ton domestic coke fleet, improved terminal markets, and plans to use excess 2026 cash flow to reduce debt, sustain its dividend, and pursue growth opportunities, signaling an effort to stabilize margins and enhance long-term value for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (SXC) stock is a Hold with a $9.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Suncoke Energy stock, see the SXC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Suncoke Energy Extends Granite City Cokemaking Agreement
Positive
Jan 22, 2026

On January 22, 2026, SunCoke Energy, Inc. announced that it had agreed with United States Steel Corporation to extend their Granite City, Illinois cokemaking agreement for one year, covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2026. Under the extension, SunCoke will produce and deliver approximately 590,000 tons of metallurgical coke to U.S. Steel during 2026 while maintaining its existing minimum steam supply obligations, preserving a key long-term commercial relationship and providing continued volume visibility for SunCoke’s Granite City operations and supply stability for U.S. Steel.

The most recent analyst rating on (SXC) stock is a Hold with a $9.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Suncoke Energy stock, see the SXC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
SunCoke Energy Announces CFO Retirement and Successor Appointment
Positive
Jan 15, 2026

On January 15, 2026, SunCoke Energy, Inc. announced that long-serving Chief Financial Officer Mark W. Marinko will retire effective March 13, 2026, after playing a key role in major phases of the company’s evolution, including the acquisition of Phoenix Global Services. As part of a planned leadership succession, the board unanimously appointed current Vice President, Finance and Treasurer, Shantanu Agrawal, who joined SunCoke in 2014 and has led core finance and treasury functions, to assume the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on March 13, 2026, with compensation aligned to executive benchmarks; the company emphasized that his deep knowledge of SunCoke’s operations is expected to support a smooth transition, continued financial discipline and execution of its growth strategy, signaling stability for investors and other stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (SXC) stock is a Hold with a $8.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Suncoke Energy stock, see the SXC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 18, 2026