SCHAUMBURG, Ill., August 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) ("Ascent" or the "Company"), a specialty chemicals platform focused on the development, production, and distribution of tailored, performance-driven chemical solutions, is reporting its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025.
Second Quarter 2025 Summary1
(in millions, except per share and margin) | Q2 2025 | Q2 2024 | Change |
Net Sales | $18.7 | 21.5 | (13.0)% |
Gross Profit | $4.9 | $2.8 | 73.0% |
Gross Profit Margin | 26.1% | 13.1% | 1,298bps |
Net Loss | $(2.4) | $(1.5) | 60.0% |
Diluted Loss per Share | $(0.25) | $(0.14) | 78.6% |
Adjusted EBITDA | $(0.3) | $(0.3) | -$52K |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin | (1.8)% | (1.3)% | -50bps |
____________________ |
1On April 4, 2025, the Company closed on a transaction to sell substantially all of the assets of Bristol Metals, LLC ("BRISMET"). On June 30, 2025, the Company closed on a transaction to sell substantially all of the assets of American Stainless Tubing, Inc ("ASTI"). As a result, financial results from BRISMET and ASTI have been categorized into discontinued operations. |
Management Commentary
"In Q2 2025, we delivered on our portfolio-optimization commitments—completing the sale of BRISMET in April and ASTI in June—to fully transform Ascent into a pure-play specialty chemicals company," said Bryan Kitchen, CEO of Ascent Industries.
"Even amid muted end-market demand and navigating two divestitures, our team delivered $4.9 million in gross profit from continuing operations in Q2 2025, lifting gross margin to 26.1%—up 1,298 basis points versus 13.1% in Q2 2024 and up 888 basis points versus 17% in Q1 2025— improvements reflective of our relentless focus on cost management, strategic sourcing, and ongoing product-line optimization."
"We are energized by a growing pipeline of high-quality growth opportunities and remain committed to driving durable value for our shareholders. Underscoring our confidence and commitment, we repurchased 644,171 shares—about 6% of our outstanding stock—in Q2 2025, returning cash directly to shareholders."
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Net sales from continuing operations were $18.7 million compared to $21.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. The decline was a result of lower volume partially offset by increased average selling prices.
Gross profit from continuing operations increased 73.0% to $4.9 million, or 26.1% of net sales, compared to $2.8 million, or 13.1% of net sales, in the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily driven by continued cost management, improved strategic sourcing, and continued product line optimization.
Net loss from continuing operations increased to ($2.4) million, or ($0.25) diluted loss per share compared to a net loss from continuing operations of ($1.5) million, or ($0.14) diluted loss per share, in the second quarter of 2024. Excluding the one-time asset impairment charge in the quarter, net loss from continuing operations decreased to ($0.8) million.
Adjusted EBITDA remained flat to prior year at ($0.3) million in the second quarter of 2025, with adjusted EBITDA margin decreasing to (1.8)% compared to (1.3)% in the prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by the aforementioned decline in sales in the quarter.
On April 4, 2025, the Company closed on the sale of substantially all of the assets of Bristol Metals, LLC. ("BRISMET") for a transaction price of $45 million in cash, subject to working capital and other closing adjustments. On June 30, 2025, the Company closed on a transaction to sell substantially all of the assets of American Stainless Tubing, Inc ("ASTI") for a transaction price of $16 million in cash, subject to working capital and other closing adjustments. As a result of these transactions, financial results from BRISMET and ASTI have been categorized into discontinued operations and the Company no longer has any operating tubular assets.
Liquidity
As of June 30, 2025, the Company had $60.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, no debt outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and had $13.4 million in availability under its revolving credit facility.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2025, the Company repurchased 644,171 shares at an average cost of $12.15 per share for approximately $7.8 million.
Conference Call
Ascent will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025.
Ascent management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
Webcast Registration Link: Here
Toll-free dial-in number: 800-715-9871
International dial-in number: 646-307-1963
Conference ID: 2734329
Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group, Inc. at 1-949-574-3860.
The conference call will also be broadcast live and available for replay via the webcast registration link above or here. The webcast will be archived for one year in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.ascentco.com.
About Ascent Industries Co.
Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) is a specialty chemicals platform focused on the development, production, and distribution of tailored, performance-driven chemical solutions. For more information about Ascent, please visit its website at www.ascentco.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable federal securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "should," "anticipate," "hope," "optimistic," "plan," "outlook," "should," "could," "may" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and to review the risks as set forth in more detail in Ascent Industries Co.’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the SEC or on our website. Ascent Industries Co. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information included in this release.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Financial statement information included in this earnings release includes non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures and should be read along with the accompanying tables which provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is useful to investors in evaluating its results to determine the value of a company. An item is excluded in the measure if its periodic value is inconsistent and sufficiently material that not identifying the item would render period comparability less meaningful to the reader or if including the item provides a clearer representation of normalized periodic earnings. The Company excludes in Adjusted EBITDA two categories of items: 1) Base EBITDA components, including: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and 2) Material transaction costs including: goodwill impairment, asset impairment, gain on lease modification, stock-based compensation, non-cash lease cost, acquisition costs and other fees, shelf registration costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, retention costs and restructuring & severance costs from net income (loss).
Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful because they are key measures used by our management team to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions as well as allow readers to compare the financial results between periods. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the Company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.
Ascent Industries Co. | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
(in thousands, except par value and share data) | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
June 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||
Assets | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 60,479 | $ | 16,098 | |||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,067 and $202, respectively | 12,345 | 12,232 | |||||
Advances and other receivables | 5,352 | 52 | |||||
Inventories | 6,666 | 5,727 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,069 | 1,122 | |||||
Current assets of discontinued operations | — | 47,841 | |||||
Total current assets | 86,911 | 83,072 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 16,242 | 17,589 | |||||
Right-of-use assets, operating leases, net | 15,401 | 28,140 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 3,139 | 3,445 | |||||
Deferred charges, net | 376 | 309 | |||||
Other non-current assets, net | 511 | 512 | |||||
Long-term assets of discontinued operations | — | 14,183 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 122,580 | $ | 147,250 | |||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 5,197 | $ | 6,836 | |||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 5,484 | 3,598 | |||||
Current portion of note payable | 1,084 | 369 | |||||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 1,016 | 1,495 | |||||
Current portion of finance lease liabilities | 301 | 293 | |||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations | — | 9,756 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 13,082 | 22,347 | |||||
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities | 18,823 | 29,972 | |||||
Long-term portion of finance lease liabilities | 862 | 1,015 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 49 | 320 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 48 | 51 | |||||
Total non-current liabilities | 19,782 | 31,358 | |||||
Total liabilities | $ | 32,864 | $ | 53,705 | |||
Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
Shareholders' equity: | |||||||
Common stock, par value $1 per share; 24,000,000 shares authorized; 9,430,183 and 10,072,590 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 , respectively | $ | 11,085 | $ | 11,085 | |||
Capital in excess of par value | 47,375 | 47,339 | |||||
Retained earnings | 48,912 | 44,919 | |||||
107,372 | 103,343 | ||||||
Less: cost of common stock in treasury - 1,654,920 and 1,012,513 shares, respectively | (17,656 | ) | (9,798 | ) | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 89,716 | 93,545 | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 122,580 | $ | 147,250 | |||
Note: The condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2024 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. | |||||||
Ascent Industries Co. | |||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 18,652 | $ | 21,468 | $ | 36,486 | $ | 41,764 | |||||||
Cost of sales | 13,786 | 18,655 | 28,553 | 37,565 | |||||||||||
Gross profit | 4,866 | 2,813 | 7,933 | 4,199 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 6,444 | 4,604 | 11,315 | 10,484 | |||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other | 31 | 52 | 268 | 52 | |||||||||||
Asset impairments | 1,622 | — | 1,622 | — | |||||||||||
Gain on lease modification | (544 | ) | — | (544 | ) | — | |||||||||
Operating loss from continuing operations | (2,687 | ) | (1,843 | ) | (4,728 | ) | (6,337 | ) | |||||||
Other expense (income) | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (15 | ) | 72 | 99 | 199 | ||||||||||
Other, net | (136 | ) | (93 | ) | (285 | ) | (212 | ) | |||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | (2,536 | ) | (1,822 | ) | (4,542 | ) | (6,324 | ) | |||||||
Income tax benefit | (89 | ) | (372 | ) | (89 | ) | (1,393 | ) | |||||||
Loss from continuing operations | (2,447 | ) | (1,450 | ) | (4,453 | ) | (4,931 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | 8,733 | 524 | 8,446 | (1,488 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 6,286 | $ | (926 | ) | $ | 3,993 | $ | (6,419 | ) | |||||
Net loss per common share from continuing operations: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.49 | ) | |||
Diluted | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.49 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.85 | $ | (0.15 | ) | ||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.85 | $ | (0.15 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.65 | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 0.40 | $ | (0.63 | ) | |||||
Diluted | $ | 0.65 | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 0.40 | $ | (0.63 | ) | |||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 9,751 | 10,126 | 9,913 | 10,110 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 9,751 | 10,126 | 9,913 | 10,110 | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA1 | $ | (335 | ) | $ | (283 | ) | $ | (802 | ) | $ | (3,430 | ) | |||
1The term Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is useful to investors in evaluating its results to determine the value of a company. An item is excluded in the measure if its periodic value is inconsistent and sufficiently material that not identifying the item would render period comparability less meaningful to the reader or if including the item provides a clearer representation of normalized periodic earnings. The Company excludes in Adjusted EBITDA two categories of items: 1) Base EBITDA components, including: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and 2) Material transaction costs including: goodwill impairment, asset impairment, gain on lease modification, stock-based compensation, non-cash lease cost, acquisition costs and other fees, retention costs and restructuring & severance costs from net income (loss). For a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP equivalent, refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA. | |||||||||||||||
Ascent Industries Co. | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) | |||||||
($ in thousands) | |||||||
Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | ||||||
Operating activities | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,993 | $ | (6,419 | ) | ||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | 8,446 | (1,488 | ) | ||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (4,453 | ) | (4,931 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation expense | 1,870 | 1,961 | |||||
Amortization expense | 306 | 347 | |||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | 179 | 50 | |||||
Asset impairments | 1,622 | — | |||||
Deferred income taxes | (90 | ) | (1,393 | ) | |||
(Reduction of) provision for losses on accounts receivable | (506 | ) | 217 | ||||
Non-cash lease expense | (1 | ) | 61 | ||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 222 | 360 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable and advances | (4,908 | ) | 1,013 | ||||
Inventories | (939 | ) | 2,338 | ||||
Other assets and liabilities | (1,937 | ) | (815 | ) | |||
Accounts payable | (1,712 | ) | (89 | ) | |||
Accrued expenses | 1,387 | 1,003 | |||||
Accrued income taxes | 19 | 630 | |||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - continuing operations | (8,941 | ) | 752 | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations | 6,845 | 1,678 | |||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (2,096 | ) | 2,430 | ||||
Investing activities | |||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (466 | ) | (458 | ) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations | (466 | ) | (458 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations | 54,425 | (312 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 53,959 | (770 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | |||||||
Borrowings from credit facilities | 89,670 | 107,700 | |||||
Proceeds from note payable | 1,085 | 914 | |||||
Payments on credit facilities | (89,670 | ) | (107,700 | ) | |||
Payments on note payable | (370 | ) | (359 | ) | |||
Principal payments on finance lease obligations | (144 | ) | (148 | ) | |||
Repurchase of common stock | (8,044 | ) | (320 | ) | |||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities - continuing operations | (7,473 | ) | 87 | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations | (19 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (7,492 | ) | 84 | ||||
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | 44,371 | 1,744 | |||||
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations | — | 10 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 16,108 | 1,841 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 60,479 | $ | 3,595 | |||
Ascent Industries Co. | |||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation | |||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (2,447 | ) | $ | (1,450 | ) | $ | (4,453 | ) | $ | (4,931 | ) | |||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (15 | ) | 72 | 99 | 199 | ||||||||||
Income taxes | (89 | ) | (372 | ) | (89 | ) | (1,393 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation | 893 | 985 | 1,870 | 1,961 | |||||||||||
Amortization | 153 | 179 | 306 | 348 | |||||||||||
EBITDA | (1,505 | ) | (586 | ) | (2,267 | ) | (3,816 | ) | |||||||
Acquisition costs and other | 31 | 52 | 268 | 52 | |||||||||||
Asset impairments | 1,622 | — | 1,622 | — | |||||||||||
Gain on lease modification | (544 | ) | — | (544 | ) | — | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 86 | 44 | 120 | 93 | |||||||||||
Non-cash lease expense | (25 | ) | 30 | (1 | ) | 61 | |||||||||
Retention expense | — | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||
Restructuring and severance costs | — | 177 | — | 177 | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (335 | ) | $ | (283 | ) | $ | (802 | ) | $ | (3,430 | ) | |||
% sales | (1.8 | )% | (1.3 | )% | (2.2 | )% | (8.2 | )% | |||||||
Specialty Chemicals | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1,499 | $ | 409 | $ | 2,237 | $ | (1,049 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 15 | 20 | 32 | 39 | |||||||||||
Depreciation | 878 | 964 | 1,840 | 1,918 | |||||||||||
Amortization | 153 | 179 | 306 | 348 | |||||||||||
EBITDA | 2,545 | 1,572 | 4,415 | 1,256 | |||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other | — | — | 92 | — | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||
Non-cash lease expense | (5 | ) | 19 | 3 | 38 | ||||||||||
Restructuring and severance costs | — | 109 | — | 109 | |||||||||||
Specialty Chemicals Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 2,540 | $ | 1,700 | $ | 4,510 | $ | 1,410 | |||||||
% segment sales | 13.6 | % | 7.9 | % | 12.4 | % | 3.4 | % | |||||||
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Contacts
Company Contact
Ryan Kavalauskas
Chief Financial Officer
1-630-884-9181
Investor Relations
Ralf Esper
Gateway Group, Inc.
1-949-574-3860
ACNT@gateway-grp.com