Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA (SQM) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Lithium ...

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Thu, Mar 6, 2025, 12:09 AM 4 min read

Full Year Revenue: Slightly exceeding USD 4.5 billion for 2024.
Gross Profit: Approximately USD 1.3 billion for 2024.
Net Income Impact: A one-time charge of approximately USD 1.1 billion due to a tax dispute.
Lithium Sales Volume: Nearly 205,000 metric tonnes for 2024, with a record high of over 58,000 metric tonnes in Q4.
Lithium Market Growth: Estimated at 25% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Expected Lithium Demand Growth: Approximately 17% for 2025.
Iodine Sales Volume: Record volumes in 2024, with expectations for similar or slightly lower levels in 2025.
Investment in 2024: Over USD 1.6 billion, with plans for USD 750 million in lithium capacity expansion in 2025.
Planned Investment in Calichi Operation: Close to USD 350 million in 2025.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with SQM.

Release Date: March 05, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA (NYSE:SQM) achieved record sales volumes in 2024, reaching nearly 205,000 metric tonnes of lithium.
The company reported revenues slightly exceeding USD 4.5 billion for the full year of 2024.
SQM's iodine segment experienced strong price growth and record volumes, driven by demand recovery in X-ray contrast media applications.
The company plans to invest approximately USD 750 million in lithium capacity expansion in 2025, indicating a strong commitment to growth.
SQM maintains a strong financial position, allowing flexibility to seize new opportunities and support significant investments.

Negative Points

Net income for 2024 was impacted by a one-time charge of approximately USD 1.1 billion due to a tax dispute.
There was a decline in lithium prices quarter over quarter in 2024, although this trend softened in the fourth quarter.
Production of potash is expected to decrease by 50% in 2025 as the company focuses more on lithium production.
The company may face a funding gap for capital requirements due to current lithium prices, potentially requiring capital raising.
Iodine cash costs increased in the fourth quarter of 2024, with expectations of similar costs in 2025 due to maximum production efforts.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Your guidance indicates a 50% reduction in potash production this year. Is this due to growth in SPN and more efficient production at the Salar? Could you become a net buyer of potash in the future? A: Carlos Diaz Ortiz, General Manager Lithium Potassium Division: We have been producing less potash because our focus has shifted to lithium production. The production of potash is directly correlated with brine extraction, which has decreased as we prioritize lithium. This affects potash sales, primarily used for conversion to potassium nitrate.

Q: Given current lithium prices, will you need to raise capital to meet your capital requirements over the next few years? A: Gerardo Illanes, Chief Financial Officer: We have a strong balance sheet that supports our CapEx needs. While we are not planning to raise capital at this moment, we are monitoring the situation closely. In the past, we have adjusted our dividend policy or raised capital when necessary to maintain financial strength.

Q: Is there any possibility of spinning off the iodine business as a separate company? A: Gerardo Illanes, Chief Financial Officer: Iodine is a key component of our portfolio, and we are not planning to spin it off. We are focusing on expanding capacity and leveraging our strong market position in iodine, similar to our strategy in lithium.

Q: Can you elaborate on your optimism about lithium demand despite stable prices? A: Pablo Hernandez, Vice President, Strategy and Development: We expect lithium demand to grow by about 20% in 2025, driven by EV sales and energy storage systems. While supply is also increasing, the expected demand growth supports our optimistic outlook.

Q: Are you underproducing lithium, and can you increase production if demand improves? A: Carlos Diaz Ortiz, General Manager Lithium Potassium Division: We aim to produce as much as possible, with a target of 230,000 metric tonnes this year. We have been expanding capacity and are prepared to increase production if demand warrants it.

Q: What are the next steps for the Codelco JV, and when do you expect it to commence operations? A: Gerardo Illanes, Chief Financial Officer: We are working with Codelco and Corfo to meet the conditions for the joint venture, which we expect to be fulfilled in the second half of this year. The process involves significant coordination and takes time.

Q: Can you provide more details on your 2025 CapEx estimates and maintenance CapEx? A: Gerardo Illanes, Chief Financial Officer: For 2025, we estimate a total CapEx of $1.1 billion, with $550 million for lithium operations in Chile, $200 million abroad, and $350 million for Caliche operations. Maintenance CapEx is around $250 million to $280 million annually.

Q: Why did you achieve such high lithium volumes in the fourth quarter, and is there any stockpiling in China? A: Felipe Smith, Commercial Vice President: China accounted for 80% of our sales in 2024, reflecting strong demand. We do not see any unusual stockpiling or price speculation; the demand is genuine, and we maintain reasonable inventories to support growth.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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