Schaumburg, Illinois, March 3, 2026 – Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) (“Ascent” or the “Company”), a specialty chemicals platform delivering differentiated, performance-driven chemical solutions, is reporting its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025.
Fourth Quarter 2025 Summary1
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (in millions, except per share and margin) | Q4 2025 | Q4 2024 | Change |
| Net Sales | $18.8 | $18.1 | 3.9% |
| Gross Profit | $3.4 | $3.5 | (2.9)% |
| Gross Profit Margin | 18.3% | 19.2% | -90bps |
| Net Income (Loss) | $(1.0) | $0.2 | (600.0)% |
| Diluted Income (Loss) per Share | $(0.11) | $0.01 | (1200.0)% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $(1.1) | $(0.6) | -$0.5M |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | (6.1)% | (3.1)% | -304bps |
Full Year 2025 Summary1
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (in millions, except per share and margin) | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
| Net Sales | $74.9 | $80.8 | (7.3)% |
| Gross Profit | $17.2 | $10.7 | 61.0% |
| Gross Profit Margin | 23.0% | 13.2% | 972bps |
| Net Loss | $(5.6) | $(12.6) | (54.6)% |
| Diluted Loss per Share | $(0.58) | $(1.24) | (53.2)% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $(0.6) | $(4.7) | +4.1M |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | (0.8)% | (5.8)% | 5,051bps |
______________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
“Fourth quarter results reflected normal seasonal softness, compounded by continued market softness across several end markets,” said Bryan Kitchen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Industries Co. “Despite that environment, the progress delivered across the full year underscores the strengthening earnings profile of the business.”
“Full-year results reflected a strong step forward, with gross profit increasing 61%, gross margin expanding by nearly 1,000 basis points, and Adjusted EBITDA improving by more than $4 million year over year, achieved while executing two divestitures and an asset carve-out associated with the Tubular segment.”
Kitchen added, “We are entering 2026 with a clean, focused, specialty chemicals platform. The actions taken over the past year are translating into higher-quality earnings and increasing operating leverage, positioning the Company to accelerate profitable growth as market conditions evolve.”
Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Net sales from continuing operations were $18.8 million compared to $18.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase was a result of higher volume partially offset by decreases in average selling prices.
Gross profit from continuing operations decreased 2.9% to $3.4 million, or 18.3% of net sales, compared to $3.5 million, or 19.2% of net sales, in the fourth quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by increases in material and fulfillment costs.
Net loss from continuing operations increased to ($1.0) million, or ($0.11) diluted loss per share compared to net income from continuing operations of $0.2 million, or $0.01 diluted earnings per share, in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations decreased to a loss of ($1.1) million in the fourth quarter of 2025, with adjusted EBITDA margin decreasing to (6.1)% compared to (3.4)% in the prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by the aforementioned decrease in gross profit and by strategic investments in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Full Year 2025 Financial Results
Net sales from continuing operations were $74.9 million compared to $80.8 million in 2024. The decline was a result of lower volume partially offset by increased average selling prices.
Gross profit from continuing operations increased 61.0% to $17.2 million, or 23.0% of net sales, compared to $10.7 million, or 13.2% of net sales in 2024. The increase was primarily driven by continued cost management, strategic sourcing enhancements and product line optimization.
Net loss from continuing operations decreased to ($5.6) million, or ($0.58) diluted loss per share compared to a net loss from continuing operations of ($12.6) million, or ($1.24) diluted loss per share in 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations increased to ($0.6) million with adjusted EBITDA margin increasing to (0.8)% compared to Adjusted EBITDA of ($4.7) million and Adjusted EBITDA margin of (5.8)% in the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by the aforementioned increase in gross profit partially offset by investments in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $57.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, no debt outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and had $11.4 million in availability under its revolving credit facility.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 19,749 shares at an average cost of $13.23 per share for approximately $0.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 745,524 shares at an average cost of $12.26 per share for approximately $9.2 million.
Conference Call
Ascent will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025.
Ascent management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
Live Call Registration Link: Here
Webcast Registration Link: Here
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 Investor Relations at 1-630-884-9181.
The conference call will also be broadcast live and available for replay via the webcast registration link above. 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 delivering differentiated, 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.
We define "EBITDA" as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define "Adjusted EBITDA" as EBITDA further adjusted for the impact of non-cash and other items we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing performance. These items include: 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 and severance costs from net income. We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies because not all companies calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we consider them to be important supplemental measures of our performance and investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for comparing our ongoing results of operations.
Investor Relations
1-630-884-9181
investorrelations@ascentco.com
Ascent Industries Co.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | December 31, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| Assets | | | |
| Current assets: | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 57,606 | | | $ | 16,098 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,004 and $202, respectively | 10,040 | | | 12,232 | |
| Advances and other receivables | 5,389 | | | 52 | |
| Inventories | 8,742 | | | 5,727 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,243 | | | 1,122 | |
| | | |
| Current assets of discontinued operations | — | | | 47,841 | |
| Total current assets | 83,020 | | | 83,072 | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 15,762 | | | 17,589 | |
| Right-of-use assets, operating leases, net | 9,368 | | | 28,140 | |
| Intangible assets, net | 2,833 | | | 3,445 | |
| | | |
| Deferred charges, net | 401 | | | 309 | |
| Other non-current assets, net | 553 | | | 512 | |
| Long-term assets of discontinued operations | — | | | 14,183 | |
| Total assets | $ | 111,937 | | | $ | 147,250 | |
| | | |
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | | | |
| Current liabilities: | | | |
| Accounts payable | $ | 5,490 | | | $ | 6,836 | |
| | | |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 5,389 | | | 3,598 | |
| | | |
| Current portion of note payable | 433 | | | 369 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 712 | | | 1,495 | |
| Current portion of finance lease liabilities | 331 | | | 293 | |
| Current liabilities of discontinued operations | — | | | 9,756 | |
| Total current liabilities | 12,355 | | | 22,347 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities | 11,496 | | | 29,972 | |
| Long-term portion of finance lease liabilities | 808 | | | 1,015 | |
| Deferred income taxes | 241 | | | 320 | |
| Other long-term liabilities | 45 | | | 51 | |
| Total non-current liabilities | 12,590 | | | 31,358 | |
| Total liabilities | $ | 24,945 | | | $ | 53,705 | |
| | | |
| Commitments and contingencies | | | |
| | | |
| Shareholders' equity: | | | |
Common stock, par value $1 per share; 24,000,000 shares authorized; 9,400,898 and 10,072,590 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively | $ | 11,085 | | | $ | 11,085 | |
| Capital in excess of par value | 48,276 | | | 47,339 | |
| Retained earnings | 45,786 | | | 44,919 | |
| | 105,147 | | | 103,343 | |
Less: cost of common stock in treasury - 1,684,205 and 1,012,513 shares, respectively | (18,155) | | | (9,798) | |
| Total shareholders' equity | 86,992 | | | 93,545 | |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 111,937 | | | $ | 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)
($ in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended
December 31, | | Year Ended
December 31, | | |
| 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | |
| Net sales | $ | 18,759 | | | $ | 18,122 | | | $ | 74,942 | | | $ | 80,763 | | | | | |
| Cost of sales | 15,320 | | | 14,636 | | | 57,730 | | | 70,071 | | | | | |
| Gross profit | 3,439 | | | 3,486 | | | 17,212 | | | 10,692 | | | | | |
| Selling, general and administrative | 6,525 | | | 5,381 | | | 24,093 | | | 20,899 | | | | | |
| Research and development | 71 | | | — | | | 71 | | | — | | | | | |
| Acquisition costs and other | 65 | | | 609 | | | 731 | | | 662 | | | | | |
| Asset impairments | — | | — | | | 1,622 | | | — | | | | | |
| Gain on lease modification | (1,733) | | | — | | | (2,278) | | | (67) | | | | | |
| Operating loss from continuing operations | (1,489) | | | (2,504) | | | (7,027) | | | (10,802) | | | | | |
| Other expense (income) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest (income) expense, net | (365) | | | 94 | | | (712) | | | 417 | | | | | |
| Other, net | (171) | | | (145) | | | (753) | | | (448) | | | | | |
| Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | (953) | | | (2,453) | | | (5,562) | | | (10,771) | | | | | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 54 | | | (2,608) | | | 22 | | | 1,806 | | | | | |
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | (1,007) | | | 155 | | | (5,584) | | | (12,577) | | | | | |
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (32) | | | (1,182) | | | 6,451 | | | (1,021) | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | $ | (1,039) | | | $ | (1,027) | | | $ | 867 | | | $ | (13,598) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) per common share from continuing operations: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | $ | (0.11) | | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | (0.58) | | | $ | (1.24) | | | | | |
| Diluted | $ | (0.11) | | | $ | 0.01 | | | $ | (0.58) | | | $ | (1.24) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | $ | — | | | $ | (0.12) | | | $ | 0.67 | | | $ | (0.11) | | | | | |
| Diluted | $ | — | | | $ | (0.11) | | | $ | 0.67 | | | $ | (0.11) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | $ | (0.11) | | | $ | (0.10) | | | $ | 0.09 | | | $ | (1.35) | | | | | |
| Diluted | $ | (0.11) | | | $ | (0.10) | | | $ | 0.09 | | | $ | (1.35) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | 9,377 | | | 10,090 | | | 9,643 | | | 10,106 | | | | | |
| Diluted | 9,377 | | | 10,338 | | | 9,643 | | | 10,106 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA1 | $ | (1,146) | | | $ | (555) | | | $ | (571) | | | $ | (4,695) | | | | | |
1We define "EBITDA" as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define "Adjusted EBITDA" as EBITDA further adjusted for the impact of non-cash and other items we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing performance. These items include: 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 and severance costs from net income. We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies because not all companies calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we consider them to be important supplemental measures of our performance and investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for comparing our ongoing results of operations.
Ascent Industries Co.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2025 | | 2024 |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | | | |
| Net income (loss) | $ | 867 | | | $ | (13,598) | |
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | 6,451 | | | (1,021) | |
| Net loss from continuing operations | (5,584) | | | (12,577) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | | | |
| Depreciation expense | 3,574 | | | 3,884 | |
| Amortization expense | 612 | | | 695 | |
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 258 | | | 105 | |
| Asset impairments | 1,622 | | | — | |
| Deferred income taxes | 22 | | | 1,806 | |
| Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 1 | | | 289 | |
| (Reduction of) provision for losses on accounts receivable | (569) | | | 51 | |
| Non-cash lease expense | 128 | | | 111 | |
| Gain on lease modification | (2,278) | | | (67) | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | 1,302 | | | 760 | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | |
| Accounts receivable and advances | (2,576) | | | 2,762 | |
| Inventories | (3,015) | | | 5,039 | |
| Other assets and liabilities | (521) | | | (160) | |
| Accounts payable | (1,565) | | | (3,246) | |
| Accrued expenses | 1,469 | | | 40 | |
| Accrued income taxes | (149) | | | 1,485 | |
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - continuing operations | (7,269) | | | 977 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations | 6,750 | | | 13,704 | |
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (519) | | | 14,681 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | | | |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (1,544) | | | (1,120) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations | (1,544) | | | (1,120) | |
| Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations | 52,525 | | | 2,025 | |
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 50,981 | | | 905 | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | | | |
| Borrowings from credit facilities | 137,075 | | | 197,898 | |
| Proceeds from note payable | 1,085 | | | 914 | |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 415 | | | — | |
| Payments on credit facilities | (137,075) | | | (197,898) | |
| Payments on note payable | (1,021) | | | (906) | |
| Principal payments on finance lease obligations | (287) | | | (289) | |
| Repurchase of common stock | (9,137) | | | (1,037) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities - continuing operations | (8,945) | | | (1,318) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations | (19) | | | (11) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (8,964) | | | (1,329) | |
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 41,498 | | | 14,257 | |
| 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 | $ | 57,606 | | | $ | 16,108 | |
Ascent Industries Co.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)
($ in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended
December 31, | | Year Ended
December 31, | | |
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | |
| Consolidated | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (1,007) | | | $ | 155 | | | $ | (5,584) | | | $ | (12,577) | | | | | |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest (income) expense, net | (365) | | | 94 | | | (712) | | | 417 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income taxes | 54 | | | (2,608) | | | 22 | | | 1,806 | | | | | |
| Depreciation | 851 | | | 961 | | | 3,576 | | | 3,884 | | | | | |
| Amortization | 153 | | | 174 | | | 611 | | | 695 | | | | | |
| EBITDA | (314) | | | (1,224) | | | (2,087) | | | (5,775) | | | | | |
| Acquisition costs and other | 65 | | | 609 | | | 731 | | | 662 | | | | | |
| Asset impairments | — | | | — | | | 1,622 | | | — | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gain on lease modification | (1,733) | | | — | | | (2,278) | | | (67) | | | | | |
| Stock-based compensation | 752 | | | 45 | | | 1,070 | | | 193 | | | | | |
| Non-cash lease expense | 43 | | | 15 | | | 128 | | | 112 | | | | | |
| Retention expense | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | | | |
| Restructuring and severance costs | 41 | | | — | | | 243 | | | 177 | | | | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,146) | | | $ | (555) | | | $ | (571) | | | $ | (4,695) | | | | | |
| % sales | (6.1) | % | | (3.1) | % | | (0.8) | % | | (5.8) | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Specialty Chemicals | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | $ | (676) | | | $ | 1,775 | | | $ | 3,700 | | | $ | 1,093 | | | | | |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense, net | 14 | | | 17 | | | 52 | | | 75 | | | | | |
| Depreciation | 810 | | | 946 | | | 3,481 | | | 3,809 | | | | | |
| Amortization | 153 | | | 174 | | | 611 | | | 695 | | | | | |
| EBITDA | 301 | | | 2,912 | | | 7,844 | | | 5,672 | | | | | |
| Acquisition costs and other | — | | | 477 | | | 93 | | | 477 | | | | | |
| Stock-based compensation | 123 | | | — | | | 126 | | | 7 | | | | | |
| Non-cash lease expense | 15 | | | 9 | | | 45 | | | 66 | | | | | |
| Restructuring and severance costs | 14 | | | — | | | 14 | | | 110 | | | | | |
| Specialty Chemicals Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 453 | | | $ | 3,398 | | | $ | 8,122 | | | $ | 6,332 | | | | | |
| % segment sales | 2.4 | % | | 18.7 | % | | 10.8 | % | | 7.8 | % | | | | |
