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    WLKP
    Earnings call· Jun 2026(Q2 FY26)

    Westlake Chemical Partners Q2 FY26 earnings call WLKP

    Aug 4, 2026 Source

    Executive summary

    Westlake Chemical Partners Q2 FY26 — Stable Cash Flow and Distribution Growth

    Westlake Chemical Partners delivered a stable second quarter, characterized by consistent net income and increased distributable cash flow, underpinned by its fixed-margin ethylene sales agreement. The partnership's predictable fee-based cash flow model continues to support a long history of reliable distributions, with the current quarter marking the 48th consecutive payment without reduction. Management remains focused on evaluating future growth opportunities across several strategic levers.

    Highlights

    5
    • Westlake Partners' net income of $14 million was in line with Q1 FY26 and Q2 FY25, demonstrating business model stability.

    • Distributable cash flow increased by $3 million to $18 million in Q2 FY26 compared to Q2 FY25, driven by higher production and sales volume.

    • The trailing 12-month coverage ratio improved to 1.04 times from 1.0 times sequentially.

    • The partnership maintained strong leverage metrics with a consolidated leverage ratio of approximately one time.

    • Both OPCO and the Partnership extended their revolver agreements for four years through 2031, with a 10 basis point reduction in interest rate.

    Concerns

    1
    • Increased volatility in chemical prices due to Middle East conflict

    Guidance & targets

    1
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Planned turnarounds
    No plan turnaround
    medium materiality
    High

    Segment performance

    1
    SegmentRevenueYoYQoQMargin
    Ethylene Production (OPCO)
    Consolidated net sales and net income, including OPCO's earnings, for the second quarter of 2026. OPCO's capital expenditures for the quarter were $12 million.
    Capital expenditures: $12M
    $297M$82M

    Operational metrics

    11
    Westlake Partners Net Income
    $14Min line with Q1 FY26 and Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Reported net income for Westlake Partners, consistent with prior periods.

    Consolidated Net Income
    $82M
    Q2 FY26

    Consolidated net income including OPCO's earnings.

    Consolidated Net Sales
    $297M
    Q2 FY26

    Consolidated net sales including OPCO's operations.

    Distributable Cash Flow
    $18Mincreased by $3M vs Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Distributable cash flow for the partnership, showing year-over-year growth due to higher production and lower maintenance capex.

    Trailing 12-Month Coverage Ratio
    1.04ximproved from 1.0x (Q1 FY26)
    Q2 FY26

    Improvement in coverage ratio reflecting the aging out of the impact of the Petra 1 turnaround in H1 2025.

    Consolidated Cash Balance and Investments
    $93M
    Q2 FY26

    Cash balance and investments held with Westlake through an investment management agreement.

    Long-Term Debt
    $400M
    Q2 FY26

    Total long-term debt at the end of the quarter, split between the partnership and OPCO.

    Consolidated Leverage Ratio
    ~1x
    Q2 FY26

    Strong leverage metrics maintained by the company.

    Quarterly Distribution
    47.14 cents
    Q2 FY26

    Announced quarterly distribution for the second quarter, payable on August 28, 2026.

    Distribution Growth Since IPO
    71%
    Since IPO (July 2014)

    Growth in distributions since the partnership's original minimum quarterly distribution of 27.5 cents per unit.

    Ethylene Fixed Margin
    10 cents
    Q2 FY26

    The fixed margin provided by the ethylene supply agreement, which insulates the partnership from market volatility.

    Deals & partnerships

    2
    WestlakeExtension of existing revolver agreements4 years through 2031

    Both OPCO and the Partnership extended their existing revolver agreements with Westlake, demonstrating Westlake's commitment to supporting OPCO's operations.

    WestlakeExtension of ethylene supply agreement

    Westlake extended the ethylene supply agreement earlier this year, which is critical for OPCO's supply of ethylene to Westlake's operations.

    Risks & headwinds

    1
    Increased volatility in chemical prices due to Middle East conflictOngoing

    Not quantified for WLKP, as business model is largely immune

    Mitigation: Fixed-margin ethylene sales agreement (10 cents per pound on 95% of production) minimizes market volatility and production risks.

    What to watch in Q3 FY26

    3

    Planned turnarounds

    next quarter
    Currentno plan turnaround in 2026
    Targetno unplanned turnarounds or changes to 2026 plan

    Why it matters

    Operational stability is crucial for consistent cash flow and distributions, and any unplanned downtime could impact performance.

    For modeling purposes, we have no plan turnaround in 2026.

    2 min read5 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Business Model Stability and Cash Flow Generation

    Westlake Partners' business model is characterized by a fixed-margin ethylene sales agreement, providing a stable 10 cents per pound on 95% of its ethylene production. This structure minimizes exposure to market volatility🌐 and production risks, contributing to consistent cash flow. The partnership reported $14 million in net income for Q2 2026, consistent with the prior quarter and year-ago period, and distributable cash flow of $18 million, an increase of $3 million year-over-year.

    02

    Distribution Consistency and Coverage

    The partnership announced its 48th consecutive quarterly distribution of 47.14 cents per unit for Q2 2026, reflecting a 71% growth since its IPO in 2014. The trailing 12-month coverage ratio improved to 1.04 times from 1.0 times sequentially, indicating healthy cash flow generation relative to distributions. Management highlighted a cumulative distribution coverage ratio in excess of one times📎 since the IPO, underscoring financial discipline.

    03

    Financial Strength and Capital Structure

    Westlake Partners maintains a strong balance sheet with conservative financial and leverage metrics, including a consolidated leverage ratio of approximately one time📎. The company reported a consolidated cash balance and cash investments of $93 million at the end of Q2 2026. Long-term debt stood at $400 million, with the majority at the partnership level. The recent extension of revolver agreements through 2031, coupled with a 10 basis point interest rate reduction, further strengthens the capital structure.

    04

    Strategic Growth Levers

    Management outlined four key avenues for future growth: increasing ownership interest in OPCO, acquiring other qualified income streams, pursuing organic growth opportunities such as facility expansions, and negotiating a higher fixed margin in the ethylene supply agreement with Westlake. These levers are intended to drive long-term value and distributions to unit holders, demonstrating a proactive approach to market conditions.

    05

    Operational Performance and Outlook

    Solid operating rates at OPCO's ethylene facilities contributed to the partnership's performance. The company noted that its fixed-margin agreement provides immunity from heightened market price volatility, such as that caused by the conflict in the Middle East. For modeling purposes, no planned turnarounds are scheduled for 2026, which is expected to support continued operational stability and cash flow generation.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.