Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, the company reported a net income of $65.2 million and an adjusted net income of $74.5 million, translating to an adjusted EPS of $0.16 [4] - Adjusted EBITDA was $126.4 million, indicating strong cash generation capacity [4] - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $22.7 million during Q4, with a total of approximately 1.9 million shares repurchased year-to-date for $37.9 million [4][5] - A dividend of $0.37 per share was declared for Q4, payable on March 19, 2026 [5] Capital Allocation and Financial Position - Total cash and cash equivalents stood at approximately $459 million, with outstanding debt around $1 billion [5] - The company has an undrawn revolving credit capacity of $110 million and 27 debt-free vessels valued at approximately $630 million [5] - The company plans to distribute 100% of its free cash flow while maintaining a minimum cash balance of $2.1 million per vessel and a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share [6][7] Operational Performance - Daily operating expenses for Q4 were $5,045 per vessel, with net cash G&A at $1,399 per vessel, both among the lowest in the peer group [14] - The fleet consists of 141 vessels with an average age of approximately 12.1 years, and the company continues to optimize its fleet through selective disposals [16][17] Market and Industry Outlook - The dry bulk trade grew by 1.3% in volume and 2.1% in ton-miles during 2025, driven by strong exports from Brazil and a recovery in iron ore and coal volumes [25] - For 2026, dry bulk demand is projected to grow by 0.6% in tons and 1.9% in ton-miles, supported by a favorable supply backdrop and easing trade tensions [27] - The company anticipates that stricter environmental regulations will continue to support slow steaming and help constrain effective supply [24] Management Commentary - Management expressed confidence in the company's cash flow visibility and commitment to maintaining a competitive capital return profile [8] - The company remains focused on managing its ECO-rated fleet to capitalize on market opportunities and deliver shareholder value [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about underlying demand and ton-mile expansion in the iron ore market - Management noted that besides bauxite and iron ore, strong trade in grains is expected to increase ton-miles due to exports from Brazil [36] Question: Follow-up on congestion in West Africa and infrastructure projects - Management acknowledged short-term congestion increases but expects gradual alleviation as infrastructure improves over the coming years [39] Question: Details on capital return policy and dividend payout - Management indicated that stronger share performance incentivizes dividend payments over share repurchases [43]

Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, the company reported a net income of $65.2 million and an adjusted net income of $74.5 million, translating to an adjusted EPS of $0.16 [4] - Adjusted EBITDA was $126.4 million, indicating strong cash generation capacity even in a moderate rate environment [4] - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $22.7 million during Q4 and approximately 1.9 million shares for $37.9 million year-to-date in Q1 2026 [4][5] - A dividend of $0.37 per share was declared for Q4, payable on March 19, 2026 [4] Capital Allocation and Balance Sheet - Total cash and cash equivalents stood at approximately $459 million, with outstanding debt around $1 billion [5] - The company has an undrawn revolving capacity of $110 million and 27 debt-free vessels valued at approximately $630 million [5] - The capital allocation strategy includes distributing 100% of free cash flow while maintaining a minimum cash balance of $2.1 million per vessel and a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share [5][6] Operational Performance - Daily operating expenses for Q4 were $5,045 per vessel, with net cash G&A at $1,399 per vessel, both among the lowest in the peer group [12] - The company continues to invest in fleet upgrades, with 13 vessels fitted with energy-saving devices and 55 out of 80 installations completed [13] - The fleet consists of 141 vessels with an average age of approximately 12.1 years [16] Market and Industry Outlook - The dry bulk trade grew by 1.3% in volume and 2.1% in ton-miles during 2025, driven by strong exports and recovery in key commodities [22] - The company anticipates a 0.6% growth in dry bulk demand in tons and 1.9% in ton-miles for 2026, supported by a favorable economic outlook [24] - Geopolitical risks and environmental regulations are expected to influence market dynamics, with a focus on managing an ECO-rated fleet [28] Management Commentary - Management expressed confidence in the company's cash flow visibility and commitment to maintaining a competitive capital return profile [7] - The operational efficiency and disciplined capital allocation framework position the company well to navigate market volatility [10] - The company remains focused on enhancing energy efficiency and compliance with environmental regulations [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on iron ore market dynamics - The company noted strong trade in grains, with expected ton-mile increases from Brazil and West Africa, alongside potential increases in coal ton-miles due to export cuts from Indonesia [31][32] Question: Capital return policy details - Management indicated that the decision to boost the dividend payout was influenced by strong share performance, with a preference for dividends over share repurchases in such scenarios [41] Question: Free cash flow representation - It was clarified that while earnings provide a rough approximation of free cash flow, factors like depreciation, debt repayment, and changes in working capital must also be considered [42][45]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported a net income of $65.2 million and an adjusted net income of $74.5 million, translating to an adjusted EPS of $0.16 [3] - Adjusted EBITDA was $126.4 million, indicating strong cash generation capacity [3] - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $22.7 million in Q4 2025 and approximately 1.9 million shares for $37.9 million in Q1 2026 [3][4] - A dividend of $0.37 per share was declared for Q4 2025, payable on March 19, 2026 [3] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The time charter equivalent (TCE) was $19,012 per day per vessel, with combined daily operating expenses and net cash G&A at $6,444 per day per vessel, resulting in a daily cash margin of approximately $12,570 per vessel [5] - Daily operating expenses for Q4 were $5,045 per vessel, and net cash G&A was $1,399 per vessel, both among the lowest in the peer group [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The dry bulk trade grew by 1.3% in volume and 2.1% in ton-miles during 2025, driven by record bauxite and minor bulk exports [20] - China's total dry bulk imports were flat in 2025, with a 4.2% decline in the first half offset by a 4.1% rebound in the second half [21] - Iron ore trade grew by 2.2% in 2025 and is projected to rise by 1.9% in 2026 [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company intends to distribute 100% of its free cash flow while maintaining a minimum cash balance of $2.1 million per vessel and a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share [4] - The capital allocation strategy includes dividends and opportunistic buybacks funded from vessel sales, reflecting confidence in future cash flow visibility [5] - The company is focused on maintaining a competitive capital return profile while enhancing shareholder value [5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate market volatility while enhancing per share value [9] - The company remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency through various initiatives [15] - The outlook for the dry bulk market is optimistic, supported by favorable supply conditions and easing trade tensions [27] Other Important Information - The company has approximately $459 million in cash and $1 billion in outstanding debt, with 27 debt-free vessels valued at approximately $630 million [4] - The fleet consists of 141 vessels with an average age of approximately 12.1 years, and the company plans to optimize the fleet through selective disposals [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on iron ore market demand and ton-mile expansion - Management noted strong trade on grains, with an expected increase of about 7.5%-8%, contributing to ton-mile growth [32] Question: Infrastructure projects in West Africa - There is an expectation of increased congestion in West Africa, with infrastructure upgrades anticipated to alleviate this in the long term [36] Question: Details on capital return policy - The decision to boost the dividend payout was influenced by strong share performance, with a focus on returning capital to shareholders [40]

FINANCIAL RESULTS Q4 2025 February 2026 1 Q4 Financial Highlights Forward-Looking Statements This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include statements concerning the Company's plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts, ...

ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the "Company" or "Star Bulk") (Nasdaq: SBLK), a global shipping company focusing on the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the fourth quarter of 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2025. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this press release to "we," "us," "our," or similar references, mean Star Bulk Carriers Corp. ...

Company Performance - Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) closed at $24.99, reflecting a +1.13% increase from the previous day, outperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.28% [1] - Over the past month, shares of Star Bulk Carriers have appreciated by 16.06%, surpassing the Transportation sector's gain of 10.45% and the S&P 500's loss of 0.76% [1] Earnings Projections - Star Bulk Carriers is expected to report earnings on February 25, 2026, with projected earnings of $0.59 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 73.53% [2] - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenue is $300.54 million, which represents a decline of 2.71% from the same period last year [2] Full Year Estimates - For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $0.92 per share and revenue of $1.04 billion, reflecting changes of -65.02% and -17.62% respectively from the previous year [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Star Bulk Carriers are important as they indicate changing near-term business trends, with positive revisions suggesting analysts' confidence in the company's performance [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which considers estimate changes, provides a rating system that can help investors make informed decisions [5] Valuation Metrics - Star Bulk Carriers has a Forward P/E ratio of 8.99, compared to the industry average of 13.07, suggesting that the company is trading at a discount [7] - The Transportation - Shipping industry, to which Star Bulk Carriers belongs, ranks in the top 25% of all industries, with a current Zacks Industry Rank of 60 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The market anticipates Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) will report a year-over-year increase in earnings despite lower revenues in its upcoming earnings report for the quarter ended December 2025 [1] Earnings Expectations - Star Bulk Carriers is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.59 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +73.5% [3] - Revenues are projected to be $300.54 million, which is a decrease of 2.7% from the same quarter last year [3] Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating stability in analyst expectations [4] - The Most Accurate Estimate for Star Bulk Carriers aligns with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of 0% [12] Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that a positive or negative reading indicates the potential deviation of actual earnings from the consensus estimate, with positive readings being more predictive of earnings beats [9][10] - Star Bulk Carriers currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, which complicates the prediction of an earnings beat [12][13] Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Star Bulk Carriers met the expected earnings of $0.28 per share, resulting in no surprise [14] - Over the past four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates twice [15] Industry Context - In comparison, EuroDry (EDRY) is expected to report earnings of $0.78 per share for the same quarter, indicating a year-over-year change of +412% [19] - EuroDry's revenue is projected to be $16.51 million, up 13.8% from the previous year, with a significant revision of the EPS estimate by 2100% over the last 30 days [20]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Buy" [3] Core Insights - The dry bulk shipping market is at the beginning of a new cycle, with supply bottoming out and demand showing signs of recovery. The global order book is at a historical low, and the manufacturing PMI has returned above 50, indicating potential demand growth [8][18]. - Different ship types exhibit varying earnings elasticity. The Capesize vessels show the highest elasticity, with a TCE increase of approximately $1,274 per day for every 100-point rise in the BDI index, while smaller vessels have a more muted response [18][96]. - The report highlights the comparative analysis of listed dry bulk shipping companies in the US and Hong Kong, focusing on TCE elasticity and balance sheet quality [18][79]. Summary by Sections Section 1: Elasticity of Listed Companies - The report emphasizes that despite significant differences in fleet size, average age, and order backlog among listed companies, their stock price movements are highly correlated due to the cyclical nature of the industry [18][19]. Section 2: Company Reviews - **Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK)**: SBLK has a diversified fleet and maintains a low average daily operating cost due to its scale. The company has a strong management team with extensive industry experience [21][22]. - **Himalaya Shipping (HSHP)**: HSHP focuses on large bulk carriers and has a young fleet. It benefits from high operational leverage and low cash break-even points, making it a key player in a rising market [34][39]. - **Genco Shipping (GNK)**: GNK has a low debt ratio and focuses on maintaining stable dividends, even during downturns. The company has shifted its strategy to reduce leverage and improve financial health [43][50]. - **Safe Bulkers (SB)**: SB has a concentrated ownership structure and focuses on fleet renewal, replacing older vessels with more environmentally friendly options. The company has a consistent dividend policy [51][55]. - **Diana Shipping (DSX)**: DSX employs a conservative strategy by locking in long-term charters, which stabilizes earnings and supports a steady dividend policy [62][70]. - **Pacific Shipping (2343.HK)**: This company focuses on smaller vessels and has a stable operational model, although it has lower earnings elasticity compared to its US counterparts [72][79]. Section 3: Horizontal Comparison - The report notes a clear differentiation in fleet composition between US and Hong Kong listed companies, with US firms predominantly operating larger vessels. This structural difference impacts their earnings volatility and potential for excess returns during market fluctuations [79][80].

ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the "Company" or "Star Bulk") (Nasdaq: SBLK), today announced that it will release its results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025, after the market closes in New York on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Star Bulk's management team will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Conference Call details: Participants should dial into the c ...

Company Performance - Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) closed at $21.66, marking a +1.21% increase from the previous day, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.5% [1] - Over the past month, shares of Star Bulk Carriers have appreciated by 10.14%, significantly exceeding the Transportation sector's gain of 1.17% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.18% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The upcoming earnings release is highly anticipated, with projected earnings per share (EPS) of $0.52, reflecting a 52.94% increase from the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is estimated at $291.28 million, which represents a decline of 5.71% from the prior-year quarter [2] Annual Estimates - For the annual period, Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $0.85 per share and revenue of $1.03 billion, indicating a significant decrease of -67.68% in earnings and no change in revenue from the previous year [3] - Recent changes to analyst estimates are crucial as they reflect near-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating analysts' confidence in the company's performance [3] Valuation Metrics - Star Bulk Carriers is currently trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 7.78, which is a discount compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 11.13 [6] - The Transportation - Shipping industry, to which Star Bulk Carriers belongs, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 82, placing it in the top 34% of over 250 industries [6] Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has a strong track record, with 1 stocks averaging an annual return of +25% since 1988 [5] - Currently, Star Bulk Carriers holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with the consensus EPS projection remaining stagnant over the past 30 days [5]