HD HYUNDAI Marine Solution CO.,LTD. (A443060) Earnings Call Transcript

Good afternoon. This is Jeong-Hyuk Kim, CFO of HD HYUNDAI Marine Solutions. Thank you for joining our 2025 fourth quarter earnings call this afternoon. Joining me today are Jang-Ho Kim, Senior Vice President in charge of AM Solutions; and San Min, Senior Vice President responsible for Retrofit and Digital Solutions. I'll now walk you through our consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025. Please refer to the presentation materials available on our website. First, let me turn to Page 4, the 2025 annual performance summary. In 2025, HD HYUNDAI Marine Solution delivered record high revenue of KRW 1.98 trillion, driven by solid growth in our core business. Of this, core business revenue reached KRW 1.2 trillion, accounting for 60.5% of total revenue as growth continued to be led by our high-margin core business. Operating profit increased by 28.9% year-on-year to KRW 350.1 billion. As a result, operating margin reached 17.7% company-wide and 29.2% for the core business. Next, let me move on to Page 5, which shows our 3-year revenue and operating profit trend. In particular, overall margin expansion in 2025 continued to be driven by the core business, while profitability in Retrofit and Digital Solutions also improved meaningfully compared to the prior year. For Retrofit, the profit contribution from the FSU project completed in the first half was reflected in the results. And for Digital Solutions, our revenue growth and the inclusion of the DTAM business supported a more favorable profit mix. Next, let me turn to Page 6, the 2025 fourth quarter performance summary. In the fourth quarter, consolidated revenue reached KRW 516.2 billion, up 0.6% quarter-on-quarter and 11.4% year-on-year. Operating profit amounted to KRW 90.5 billion, down 3.3% quarter-on-quarter, but up 37.3% year-on-year with an operating margin of 17.5%. As discussed in the third quarter, we surpassed KRW 500 billion in quarterly revenue and KRW 90 billion in operating profit for the first time, marking a step-up in the overall scale of quarterly performance. In the fourth quarter, this higher earnings level was maintained, further demonstrating the strengthening of our underlying profit base. In addition, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, earnings volatility related to year-end nonrecurring costs has been noticeably reduced. I'll go into further details on the next page. Next, turning to Page 7, which outlines performance by business segment. In the fourth quarter of 2025, total consolidated revenue amounted to KRW 516.2 billion, of which core business revenue was KRW 319.1 billion and Bunkering revenue was KRW 197.1 billion. Both AM Solutions and Digital Solutions delivered record high quarterly revenue for 4 consecutive quarters while Retrofit also recorded growth in the fourth quarter as revenue from large-scale project completions was recognized. Core business was resulting in 5.9% quarter-on-quarter and 12.8% year-on-year growth. Overall, these results indicate that the expanded scale of the core business has been maintained on a stable basis. Meanwhile, Bunkering revenue amounted to KRW 197.1 billion, down 7% quarter-on-quarter, but up 9.1% year-on-year. Despite an approximately 20% increase in Bunkering supply volume in 2025 compared to 2024, revenue growth for the year was limited to around 11%, reflecting the impact of low oil prices. Looking ahead to 2026, while oil prices are expected to remain weak, we plan to pursue stable growth in the Bunkering business by diversifying our supply pipeline through alternative fuels such as methanol and biofuel alongside continued volume expansion. Moving on to Page 8, which breaks down revenue across the core business segment. Total core business revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 amounted to KRW 319.1 billion with AM Solutions generating KRW 244.6 billion, Retrofit, KRW 47.7 billion and Digital Solutions, KRW 26.8 billion. AM Solutions maintained its growth momentum on both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year basis despite low bulk type revenue. Retrofit recorded 42.4% quarter-on-quarter growth, reflecting continued revenue recognition from second-generation Retrofit projects such as [indiscernible] and EPLO as well as remaining first-generation projects, including BWTS and scrubbers. Digital Solutions continued to deliver consecutive record high revenue, supported by the commercialization of shaft generator and defense vessel control systems, along with contribution from DTAM. More detailed discussions on each segment will be provided shortly by the respective business heads. Page 9 provides an overview of operating profit. In the fourth quarter of 2025, operating profit reached KRW 90.5 billion with an operating margin of 17.5% on a consolidated basis and 28.4% for the core business. For AM Solutions, while quarterly margin showed some variation due to changes in product and service mix, overall profitability across the business remained solid, supporting a stable earnings trend. For Retrofit, operating profit and margin strengthened in the fourth quarter as cost savings realized upon completion of re-liquefaction project were reflected in earnings. For Digital Solutions, margins continue to improve on the back of revenue growth with the ongoing enhancement of the profit structure as the business scales up. Next, turning to Page 10. I will briefly explain nonoperating items and net profit. In the fourth quarter of 2025, nonoperating income totaled KRW 7.2 billion, consisting of KRW 4 billion in net interest income, KRW 3.8 billion in foreign exchange gains and KRW 0.6 billion in other losses. Corporate income tax expense amounted to KRW 24.2 billion, resulting in net profit of KRW 73.5 billion for the quarter. Next, on Page 11, I will briefly review our financial ratios. As of the end of 2025, our debt-to-equity ratio stood at 54.3%, and we had net cash of KRW 564.7 billion. I will now move on to dividends. To date, we have paid a cumulative dividend of KRW 2,100 per share through 3 quarterly dividends. The year-end dividend for 2025 has been set at KRW 1,850 per share. Including this total dividend for the year amount KRW 3,950 per share, representing a payout ratio of 69%. The record date for the year-end dividend is February 27. With that, I will hand the presentation over to our business heads, who will walk you through key revenue items and market trends for the fourth quarter.

Good morning. This is Jang-Ho Kim, Senior Vice President in charge of AM Solutions. I will now explain the AM Solutions results for the first quarter of 2025. In the first quarter, AM Solutions recorded a revenue of KRW 244.6 billion, representing 15.8% growth year-on-year. Despite very limited bulk order sales during the quarter, revenue remained at a level similar to the previous quarter. This indicates that AM business has reached a higher revenue levels. The [indiscernible] engine segment continued to lead growth with the highest quarterly sales in every quarter of 2025. The non-engine segment, which has seen slower growth earlier in the year, shows some recovery in the fourth quarter. The ASP index, which measures average revenue for [indiscernible] for AM Solutions increased from [ 100 ] in 2021 to [ 218 ] in 2025. This indicates that revenue generated for vessel has continued to rise over time. This trend is driven by changes in our sales mix, including a higher share of dual-fuel engine and an expansion in the service scope for vessel. In 2025, 12% of vessels with engine-related sales were dual fuel based on vessel count. As deliveries of new dual-fuel vessels increase, we expect this share to continue rising. As of year-end 2025, cumulative LTSA order intake reached USD 604 million, over 16 vessels with contract renewals through 2025 have completed renewals. In addition, all 54 vessels with contracts for renewal in 2026 are expected to continue under LTSA. One noteworthy point in this quarter is that LTSA contributed approximately USD 21 million in revenue, bringing its share to around 18% of engine related revenue. This reflects the fact that major overhaul cycles for all the LTSA vessels are now beginning to come due. As these maintenance cycles continue, LTSA contribution is expected to remain solid and build gradually over time. For the non-engine segment, one of our approaches to address slower growth is to conduct health check on vessels calling at major ports such as Korea, Singapore and Rotterdam and to develop inquiries based on the findings. Since September 2025, we have completed more than 140 has check and around 60 of these have led to actual orders. Through this effort, the non-engine segment has generated approximately USD 1.5 million in orders to date. This approach has also been positively received by customers from a service perspective. We plan to continue these efforts and build on them step by step as part of our work to further enhance the full potential of the AM business. Lastly, for the onshore power plant segment, some projects that were originally scheduled for revenue recognition in 2025 were deferred to 2026 due to delays in advanced payment. The deposed revenue amount to approximately KRW 10 billion. The advanced payments have now been fully received, and the revenue is expected to be recognized towards the end of the first quarter or in the early part of the second quarter of 2026. Thank you.

Good afternoon. This is San Min, Senior Vice President in charge of Green Retrofit and Digital Solution sales. I will begin with an update on the Retrofit business. In the fourth quarter, Retrofit recorded revenue of KRW 47.7 billion, representing 42.4% growth quarter-on-quarter. On a full year basis, revenue increased by around 5% compared to 2024, showing a modest recovery in overall performance. In the fourth quarter, 4 re-liquefaction projects, one of the key items within our Gas Solution portfolio, completed their gas trials and the Retrofit work was finalized. As a result, these projects made a meaningful contribution to both revenue and operating profit. Based on our project management capabilities, cost savings generated upon project completion have consistently translated into profit. The re-liquefaction projects completed this quarter also delivered solid margins after completion. During the quarter, we secured additional re-liquefaction order. Including this, the current re-liquefaction order backlog stands at 3 vessels. Of these, 2 vessels are expected to proceed in the second half of 2026 and 1 vessel in the first half of 2027. In addition, 1 FSU project included in the backlog is expected to begin full revenue recognition from the second half of 2026. In 2025, EPLO secured orders for a total of 98 vessels. Of these, installation was completed on 8 vessels in the fourth quarter. In 2026, around 60 projects are scheduled for [ injection ]. EPLO typically has a relatively short delivery time of about 6 months. And as a result, a portion of the 2026 orders may be recognized as revenue within the same year. Based on this, we plan to further support revenue growth in 2026 through short lead time project orders. During our third quarter earnings call, we noted that the Gas Solution market environment was favorable. That assessment remains unchanged. At present, we are concentrating our resources on gas-related projects with several projects under discussion and making steady progress. In addition, to strengthen our coverage of Northern European shipowners, we plan to establish an office in Oslo in the second half of 2026. Against this backdrop, we will continue to focus on securing meaningful large-scale project orders. Next, I will move on to Digital Solutions. In the fourth quarter, Digital Solutions recorded revenue of KRW 26.8 billion. On a full year basis, revenue reached KRW 91.9 billion, representing approximately 30% year-on-year growth. In the fourth quarter, shop generator was the largest contributor to revenue. A total of 3 vessels were recognized with revenue of around KRW 7 billion. As of the end of fourth quarter, Digital Solutions order backlog stood at USD 150 million. For shaft generator, we previously mentioned during the third quarter call that demand has been expanding, particularly from container shipping companies. In the fourth quarter, we secured new orders for 11 vessels, including 6 container ships. The current shaft generator order backlog totals 50 vessels. Among them, 20 vessels are scheduled to be recognized as revenue in 2026. In addition, market outlooks point to an increase in LNG carrier newbuilding orders in 2026. If LNG carrier ordering accelerates, we expect demand for our shaft generator solutions to expand further as well. In addition, as previously mentioned, Digital Solutions is one of the areas that can benefit most directly from defense vessel demand. As of the end of the fourth quarter, the order backlog for defense control systems within Digital Solutions stands at 9 vessels. At the same time, discussions regarding additional supply are actively ongoing. Based on this progress, we aim to share more concrete developments in the special power force vessel segment in the first quarter. Lastly, I would like to briefly share our outlook for 2026. For Green Retrofit, we expect the overall business trend in 2026 to remain broadly in line with 2025. Large-scale carbon solutions, including dual-fuel retrofits are currently awaiting the adoption of the IMO midterm measures. In the meantime, we continue to diversify our decarbonization solutions and strengthen cost competitiveness to be well prepared for market expansion going forward. For Digital Solutions, supported by a solid newbuilding market, the full-scale commercialization of shaft generator and the expansion of digital aftermarket, we expect growth to accelerate compared to 2025. In 2026 as well, we will continue to focus on delivering meaningful results. Thank you. As previously disclosed in early January, we have provided our revenue outlook for 2026 at KRW 2.33 trillion. In 2026, we plan to continue growth led by our core businesses, both in scale and in quality. With this, I will conclude our presentation on the fourth quarter 2025 results. We'll now be happy to take your questions. Thank you.