Delek US Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Strong Refining Margins

Delek US Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Delek US Holdings, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Delek US Holdings, Inc. Quote

The strong quarterly performance was primarily supported by higher refining margins amid increased crack spreads. Total refining throughput averaged 315,555 barrels per day. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $638.7 million from $177.9 million a year earlier. Moreover, the reported figure beat our estimate of $72 million.

DK’s Refining Performance Improves

Refining segment net revenues, excluding intercompany fees and revenues, increased to $3.9 billion from $2.6 billion in the prior-year quarter. The segment reported adjusted EBITDA of $566.2 million compared with $114.8 million a year ago. Moreover, the reported figure beat our estimate of $287.8 million.

The significant year-over-year improvement was driven by stronger refining margins, supported by higher crack spreads. Delek US’ benchmark crack spreads increased an average of 136% from the prior-year level. Total refining production margin rose to $569.6 million from $231.1 million.

Delek US’ Refining Metrics Remain Strong

Production margin per throughput barrel increased to $19.84 from $8.03 a year earlier. Adjusted refining margin totaled $569.1 million compared with $256.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Crude utilization was 100.2% compared with 100.9% a year ago.

Management highlighted improved performance at the Big Spring refinery following the first-quarter turnaround. The company also has no planned refinery turnarounds for the remainder of 2026, positioning its refining system to capture the current margin environment.

DK’s Logistics Unit Posts Record Results

This unit represents Delek US’ majority interest in Delek Logistics Partners DKL, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates, develops and acquires pipelines and other midstream assets.

The logistics segment generated net revenues, excluding intercompany fees and revenues, of $179.9 million compared with $132.3 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA increased 12.6% year over year to a record $143.5 million. However, the reported figure missed our estimate of $149.4 million.

This improvement reflected higher margins in the wholesale business and increased interest income related to sales-type leases. Delaware Gathering natural gas gathering and processing volumes rose to 80,715 Mcf per day from 60,940 Mcf, while crude gathering volumes increased to 157,156 barrels per day from 137,167 barrels.

Delek US’ Costs Increase in Q2

Total operating costs and expenses increased 35.3% year over year to $3.8 billion. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, were $220.1 million compared with $209.8 million a year earlier.

General and administrative expenses declined to $56.7 million from $76.6 million. Delek US recorded restructuring costs of $10.9 million during the quarter.

DK’s Cash Flow and Financial Position

Cash provided by operating activities was $262.9 million in the second quarter compared with $51.4 million a year ago. The quarter included $137.9 million of unfavorable working-capital changes. Investing activities used $176.2 million, while financing activities resulted in an $82.2 million outflow.

As of June 30, 2026, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $628.6 million and consolidated long-term debt of $3.2 billion, with a debt-to-total capital of about 88.3%. Excluding Delek Logistics, Delek US had $614.9 million in cash and $817 million of long-term debt. During the quarter, DK repurchased $20 million of common stock and paid $15.6 million in dividends.

Delek US Provides Q3 Guidance

For the third quarter of 2026, Delek US expects throughput of 72,000-77,000 barrels per day at Tyler, 78,000-83,000 barrels at El Dorado, 68,000-73,000 barrels at Big Spring and 78,000-83,000 barrels at Krotz Springs. The implied system throughput target is 296,000-316,000 barrels per day.

On the cost side, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company expects operating expenses of $220-$230 million, general and administrative expenses of $50-$55 million, depreciation and amortization of $110-$120 million and net interest expense of $75-$85 million for the third quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

DK’s Optimization Plan Supports Cash Generation

Delek US’ Enterprise Optimization Plan continues to focus on improving free cash flow. The company expects the program to generate at least $220 million of annual free cash flow improvement, with the majority coming from margin enhancement across refining, logistics and wholesale operations.

Management estimated that the program contributed approximately $60 million to second-quarter results. Delek Logistics also reaffirmed the 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $520-$560 million as it continues advancing the midstream growth and economic separation initiatives.

Important Earnings at a Glance

While we have discussed DK’s second-quarter results in detail, let us take a look at two other key reports in this space.

Houston, TX-based oil and gas equipment and services provider Halliburton HAL posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted net income per share of 55 cents, marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents. The outperformance was backed by year-over-year revenue growth. However, the bottom line was flat compared with the prior-year level.

As of June 30, 2026, Halliburton had approximately $2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $7.1 billion in long-term debt, representing a debt-to-capitalization of 39%.

Fort Worth, TX-based oil and gas exploration and production company Range Resources Corporation RRC reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 79 cents per share, up 19.7% from 66 cents a year ago. Range Resources’ bottom line topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents by 41.1%. Strong quarterly results are driven by higher production and improved price realization.

The company’s net debt was $880.8 million at June 30, 2026, down 28% from $1.22 billion at year-end 2025. Range Resources repurchased $78 million of shares and paid $24 million in dividends during the quarter.