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Knife River Corp.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 9 lowered, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Record revenue and Adjusted EBITDA: Revenue rose 9% to $1,203.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA rose 11% to $272.8 million. Management described both as record results for the quarter. Source
  • Net income and EPS declined: Net income fell 3% to $143.2 million, and net income margin was 11.9% versus 13.4%. Net income per share was $2.52 versus $2.60. Source
  • Mountain revenue and EBITDA fell: Mountain revenue fell 12% to $229.8 million and EBITDA fell 15% to $50.7 million, mainly from lower contracting services activity and decreased volumes. Source
  • Wet third quarter slowed work: Rain in the Central segment and parts of Mountain delayed work and created operational challenges during the quarter. Source
  • Backlog reached $995 million: Backlog was $994.6 million, up from $755.1 million a year earlier. It was below the $1,253.4 million reported at June 30, 2025. Source
  • Net leverage eased to 2.6x: Net leverage was 2.6x at September 30, 2025, down from 3.1x at June 30, 2025, which the company described as expected during peak season. Source
  • Optimism for 2026: Management said the record results despite 2025 adversity leave it optimistic about 2026. Source

“Our team faced external headwinds in the third quarter and responded with better year-over-year results, including record revenue and Adjusted EBITDA”

Brian Gray, President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue (consolidated) Sourcefull year 2025$3,100.0 million to $3,150.0 millionLowered from $3,100.0 million to $3,300.0 million
Adjusted EBITDA (consolidated) Sourcefull year 2025$475.0 million to $500.0 millionLowered from $475.0 million to $525.0 million
Adjusted EBITDA (Geographic Segments and Corporate Services) Sourcefull year 2025$422.5 million to $442.5 millionLowered from $425.0 million to $465.0 million
Adjusted EBITDA (Energy Services) Sourcefull year 2025$52.5 million to $57.5 million
Net income (forecast reconciliation) Sourcefull year 2025$140.0 million to $160.5 millionLowered from $143.4 million to $182.6 million
EBITDA (forecast reconciliation) Sourcefull year 2025$462.0 million to $487.0 millionLowered from $464.6 million to $514.6 million
Interest expense, net Sourcefull year 2025$77.3 millionLowered from $79.0 million
Depreciation, depletion and amortization Sourcefull year 2025$194.2 millionRaised from $190.5 million
Income taxes Sourcefull year 2025$50.5 million to $55.0 millionLowered from $51.7 million to $62.5 million
Aggregate volumes Sourcefull year 2025flatLowered from mid-single-digit increase
Capital expenditures for maintenance and improvement Sourcefull year 20255% to 7% of revenueKept
Organic growth spending Sourceremainder of 2025approximately $32 millionLowered from $50.1 million
Net leverage Sourceyear end 2025at or below 2.5xKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA ranges narrowed. Top ends reduced from $3,300.0 million and $525.0 million. Source
  • New: Oregon's 2025-27 DOT budget is not yet final. The second-quarter release said the 2025 session closed without a new transportation bill; the new bill is expected to bring biennium funding to about $6.1 billion, versus $6.2 billion. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Record revenue and Adjusted EBITDA: Revenue rose 9% to $1,203.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA rose 11% to $272.8 million. Management described both as record results for the quarter. Source
  • Net income and EPS declined: Net income fell 3% to $143.2 million, and net income margin was 11.9% versus 13.4%. Net income per share was $2.52 versus $2.60. Source
  • Acquisitions drove revenue gain: The revenue increase was attributed to acquired companies and higher product pricing, partly offset by lower contracting services workloads in Mountain and Central. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin up: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 22.7% versus 22.2%, an increase of 50 basis points. Management attributed the gain to self-help initiatives under its EDGE strategy. Source

Segments and regions

  • West revenue and EBITDA rose: West revenue rose 3% to $396.0 million. EBITDA rose 8% to $91.8 million, with margin at 23.2% versus 22.3%, on higher pricing across product lines. Source
  • Mountain revenue and EBITDA fell: Mountain revenue fell 12% to $229.8 million and EBITDA fell 15% to $50.7 million, mainly from lower contracting services activity and decreased volumes. Source
  • Central revenue and EBITDA rose: Central revenue rose 22% to $434.4 million. EBITDA rose 25% to $99.7 million, with most of the gain from acquisitions made during the year. Source
  • Energy Services grew on acquisition: Energy Services revenue rose 34% to $169.2 million and EBITDA rose 18% to $39.7 million. Margin was 23.4% versus 26.8%, with competitive conditions and planned maintenance cited. Source
  • Mountain seen as temporary setback: Management described the Mountain quarter as a temporary setback, citing record segment backlog and continued new work. Source

“Managing through adversity in 2025 while delivering record results has us optimistic for 2026.”

Brian Gray, President and CEO

Weather and project delays

  • Wet third quarter slowed work: Rain in the Central segment and parts of Mountain delayed work and created operational challenges during the quarter. Source
  • Texas flooding hit quarry deliveries: Flooding on July 4 in Texas affected delivery from the Honey Creek Quarry for 51 days. Source
  • September rainfall rose sharply: September rainfall was measured against the same month a year earlier, with Central markets far above the prior year and Mountain markets also higher. Source
  • DOT permitting and scheduling delays: Several Mountain projects were delayed by DOT permitting and scheduling, and some markets also had weather delays. Source

Product margins and pricing

  • Aggregate, ready-mix and asphalt margins rose: Gross margin was 27.2% for aggregates, 20.2% for ready-mix and 20.2% for asphalt, up 50, 160 and 20 basis points respectively. Source
  • Liquid asphalt and contracting margins lower: Liquid asphalt gross margin was 22.7% versus 26.0%. Contracting services gross margin was 11.5% versus 12.9%. Source
  • Pricing and cost work continued: Management said it continued its focus on price optimization and cost controls, which it credited for the year-over-year gain in Adjusted EBITDA margin. Source

“Mountain results were lower than expected, primarily because we completed less asphalt paving work.”

Knife River Corp., press release

Margins and costs

  • Gross margin fell as dollars rose: Total gross profit was $284.3 million, or 23.6% of revenue, versus $273.0 million and 24.7% a year earlier. Source
  • Selling and administrative costs up 8%: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $69.1 million versus $63.9 million, up 8% and largely from acquired companies. Source
  • Interest expense more than doubled: Interest expense was $23.0 million for the quarter versus $13.9 million a year earlier. Source
  • Depreciation and amortization rose: Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $53.4 million versus $34.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Source

Backlog and demand

  • Backlog reached $995 million: Backlog was $994.6 million, up from $755.1 million a year earlier. It was below the $1,253.4 million reported at June 30, 2025. Source
  • Public work dominates backlog: About 87% of backlog is public work, and 77% of total backlog is expected to convert to revenue within 12 months. Source
  • Mountain backlog at record: Mountain segment backlog was $386.0 million, up 38% and led by Idaho, with additions in Montana and Wyoming. Source
  • Central backlog up sharply; margins lower: Central backlog was $351.1 million, up 83%, mainly on Texas activity and the Strata addition. Management expects margins on backlog to be slightly lower than a year earlier. Source

Oregon market and funding

  • Oregon results slightly improved: Management reduced its Oregon team, found operating efficiencies and held materials pricing, which produced slightly improved state results. Source
  • New bill settles DOT uncertainty: Management said the new Oregon revenue stream helped settle DOT uncertainty and adds funds for local projects. Source
  • Oregon market described as stabilizing: Management said recent state funding developments support its view that the Oregon market is stabilizing. Source

Capital, cash and leverage

  • Growth spending led by acquisitions: Nine-month growth spending was $663.5 million, including $528.0 million on acquisitions and $135.5 million on aggregate expansion and greenfield projects. Replacement spending was $154.8 million. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell; capex rose: Nine-month operating cash flow was $82.6 million versus $149.9 million. Capital expenditures were $290.3 million versus $127.2 million. Source
  • Liquidity at quarter end: At September 30, 2025, the company held $30.7 million of unrestricted cash, $1.2 billion of gross debt and $456.6 million of revolver availability. Source
  • Net leverage eased to 2.6x: Net leverage was 2.6x at September 30, 2025, down from 3.1x at June 30, 2025, which the company described as expected during peak season. Source

Strategy and 2026 view

  • Growth through M&A central to EDGE: Management said growth, including strategic acquisitions, is a core component of its Competitive EDGE strategy for long-term shareholder value. Source
  • Pricing and cost work continuing: Management said it continued pricing discipline and cost controls, including in Oregon materials, through the quarter. Source
  • Optimism for 2026: Management said the record results despite 2025 adversity leave it optimistic about 2026. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2025

  • Oregon local-project funds expected: Management expects the added Oregon funding for local projects to benefit the company next year. Source
  • Mountain bid activity continuing: Management cited a 90-day bid schedule in Mountain and continued additions of new work in the segment. Source
  • Cost and price work to pay off: Management expects its cost, pricing and growth work to pay off in 2026 and beyond. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Aggregates volume Source11,610 thousand tons (third quarter), versus 11,169 thousand a year earlier
Ready-mix concrete volume Source1,331 thousand cubic yards (third quarter), versus 1,148 thousand a year earlier
Asphalt volume Source3,111 thousand tons (third quarter), versus 3,150 thousand a year earlier
Backlog Source$994.6 million at September 30, 2025, versus $755.1 million a year earlier

Risks management discussed

  • External: A wet third quarter in the Central segment and parts of Mountain delayed work and created operational challenges. Source
  • Operational: Flooding in Texas affected deliveries from the Honey Creek Quarry for 51 days. Source
  • Regulatory: DOT permitting and scheduling delays affected several Mountain projects during the quarter. Source
  • Demand: Oregon DOT funding challenges and competitive market conditions left backlog margins slightly lower. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The company said it had made the January 2025 organizational change, leaving four reportable segments: West, Mountain, Central and Energy Services. Source
  • Not stated: Management reiterated its expectation that net leverage will be at or below the long-term target of 2.5x by year end. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.