Compass Minerals sets adjusted EBITDA forecast of $200M-$240M for 2026 while revamping strategy and cost framework.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 09 2025
0mins
Should l Buy CMP?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Management Insights: Compass Minerals' CEO Edward Dowling highlighted significant improvements in the company's health, including a 14% reduction in net debt and a focus on cost reduction and operational efficiency, with a pivotal year ahead in 2025.
Financial Performance: The company reported a consolidated operating earnings of $12 million for Q4 2025, a significant improvement from a $30 million loss the previous year, with adjusted EBITDA rising to $42 million from $16 million.
2026 Outlook: CFO Peter Fjellman provided guidance for 2026, projecting adjusted EBITDA between $200 million to $240 million, with expectations for improved margins in the Salt segment and a focus on aligning production with market demand.
Risks and Concerns: Management acknowledged the unpredictability of winter weather as a key risk affecting sales and earnings, while analysts expressed concerns about the sustainability of volume and EBITDA improvements amid potential market challenges.
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Analyst Views on CMP
Wall Street analysts forecast CMP stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 23.540
Low
21.00
Averages
22.67
High
25.00
Current: 23.540
Low
21.00
Averages
22.67
High
25.00
About CMP
Compass Minerals International, Inc. is a global provider of essential minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash (SOP) and magnesium chloride. The Company is also working to develop a long-term fire-retardant business. Its segments include Salt and Plant Nutrition. Salt segment provides highway deicing salt to customers in North America and the United Kingdom, as well as consumer deicing and water conditioning products, ingredients used in consumer and commercial food preparation, and other salt-based products for consumer, industrial, chemical and agricultural applications in North America. In the United Kingdom, it operates a records management business utilizing excavated areas of its Winsford salt mine with one other location in London, England. Plant Nutrition segment produces and markets SOP products in various grades worldwide to distributors and retailers of crop inputs, as well as growers and for industrial uses. It markets its SOP under the trade name Protassium+.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Compass Minerals Reports Positive Q1 2026 Earnings with Increased Guidance
- Quarterly Net Income Recovery: Compass Minerals reported a net income of $0.43 in Q1 2026, a significant turnaround from a net loss of $0.57 a year ago, marking the first quarterly profit since 2023 and indicating a positive shift in the company's financial health.
- Adjusted EBITDA Doubles: The company achieved an adjusted EBITDA of $65 million, doubling from the previous year, reflecting strong performance in the Salt segment and positive momentum in Plant Nutrition, despite the planned sale of the Wynyard SOP operation impacting overall results.
- Significant Growth in Salt Business: Salt segment revenue reached $332 million, with sales volumes for highway deicing and C&I sectors increasing by 43% and 14%, respectively, while operating earnings per ton improved to $14.33, showcasing robust market demand and the company's competitiveness in this sector.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company raised the midpoint of its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $224 million, with the Salt segment expected to contribute between $230 million and $252 million in EBITDA, reflecting continued strength in core operations and improvements, despite challenges from rising distribution costs.
See More
Compass Minerals Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Compass Minerals reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.43, beating expectations by $0.17, indicating robust profitability and effective cost management within the company.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $396.1 million, reflecting a 28.9% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $62.52 million, showcasing strong product demand and an increase in market share.
- EBITDA Guidance Increase: Full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance was raised by 2% at the midpoint to a range of $208 million to $240 million, demonstrating management's confidence in future performance and a positive outlook on market conditions.
- Strategic Reset Impact: Compass Minerals outlines a 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $200 million to $240 million, reflecting the company's commitment to restructuring its strategy and cost structure to adapt to evolving market demands.
See More
Compass Minerals Reports Strong Q1 2026 Results Driven by Salt Segment Growth
- Salt Segment Growth: Compass Minerals' salt segment revenue increased by 37% year-over-year to $331.5 million, primarily driven by a 43% rise in highway deicing and a 14% increase in consumer and industrial sales, which not only enhances the company's competitiveness in the winter market but also lays a solid foundation for future sales growth.
- Plant Nutrition Improvement: Although plant nutrition revenue declined by 1% to $60.8 million, the average sales price rose by 14% to approximately $687 per ton, resulting in operating income turning from a loss of $3.1 million last year to a profit of $5.4 million, demonstrating the company's adaptability and profit potential in a high-price market.
- Financial Position Optimization: As of December 31, 2025, Compass Minerals reduced its net debt by 10% year-over-year, exceeding $90 million, reflecting the company's ongoing efforts to lower liabilities and enhance financial flexibility, which will support future investments and growth.
- Strategic Asset Sale: The company has signed an agreement to sell its Wynyard sulfate of potash operations for $30.8 million, which not only aids in further debt reduction but also optimizes resource allocation, ensuring sustained growth of core operations in alignment with the company's long-term strategic goals.
See More
Compass Minerals Set to Announce Q1 Earnings on February 4th
- Earnings Announcement: Compass Minerals is set to release its Q1 earnings on February 4th after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.26, reflecting a substantial year-over-year increase of 147.3%, indicating significant improvement in profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated Q1 revenue stands at $333.58 million, representing an 8.6% year-over-year growth, which highlights the company's positive performance in market demand and sales growth, likely to have a favorable impact on stock price.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Compass Minerals has beaten EPS estimates 50% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, demonstrating stability in financial performance and market confidence.
- Future Guidance: The company has outlined an adjusted EBITDA guidance of $200 million to $240 million for 2026, showcasing its commitment to resetting strategy and cost structure, which may lay the groundwork for future growth.
See More
Compass Minerals (CMP) to Release Q1 FY2026 Results on February 4, 2026
- Earnings Release Schedule: Compass Minerals will release its Q1 FY2026 results on February 4, 2026, after market close, expected to provide key financial data reflecting the company's operational status.
- Conference Call Timing: CEO Edward C. Dowling Jr. and CFO Peter Fjellman will hold a conference call on February 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. ET to discuss the earnings report, enhancing investor understanding of the company's performance.
- Participation Details: Investors can join the call via webcast or by dialing 1-800-715-9871, requiring conference ID 7896827, ensuring smooth and timely communication of information.
- Company Background: Compass Minerals is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on salt and plant nutrition products, supporting sustainable agriculture and winter road safety, operating 12 production facilities with over 1,800 employees, showcasing strong market influence.
See More
Compass Minerals (CMP) Schedules Q1 2026 Earnings Release and Conference Call
- Earnings Release Schedule: Compass Minerals will release its Q1 2026 results on February 4, 2026, after market close, reflecting the company's ongoing performance and growth in the minerals sector.
- Conference Call Timing: CEO Edward C. Dowling Jr. and CFO Peter Fjellman will hold a conference call on February 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. ET to discuss the earnings details, enhancing investor communication.
- Participation Details: Investors can join the call via webcast or by dialing 1-800-715-9871, requiring conference ID 7896827, ensuring smooth and transparent information dissemination.
- Company Overview: Compass Minerals focuses on providing essential minerals, operating 12 production and packaging facilities with over 1,800 employees, committed to supporting sustainable agriculture and winter road safety, highlighting its significant role in the industry.
See More
Compass Minerals Reports Positive Q1 2026 Earnings with Increased Guidance
- Quarterly Net Income Recovery: Compass Minerals reported a net income of $0.43 in Q1 2026, a significant turnaround from a net loss of $0.57 a year ago, marking the first quarterly profit since 2023 and indicating a positive shift in the company's financial health.
- Adjusted EBITDA Doubles: The company achieved an adjusted EBITDA of $65 million, doubling from the previous year, reflecting strong performance in the Salt segment and positive momentum in Plant Nutrition, despite the planned sale of the Wynyard SOP operation impacting overall results.
- Significant Growth in Salt Business: Salt segment revenue reached $332 million, with sales volumes for highway deicing and C&I sectors increasing by 43% and 14%, respectively, while operating earnings per ton improved to $14.33, showcasing robust market demand and the company's competitiveness in this sector.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company raised the midpoint of its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $224 million, with the Salt segment expected to contribute between $230 million and $252 million in EBITDA, reflecting continued strength in core operations and improvements, despite challenges from rising distribution costs.
See More
Compass Minerals Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Compass Minerals reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.43, beating expectations by $0.17, indicating robust profitability and effective cost management within the company.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $396.1 million, reflecting a 28.9% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $62.52 million, showcasing strong product demand and an increase in market share.
- EBITDA Guidance Increase: Full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance was raised by 2% at the midpoint to a range of $208 million to $240 million, demonstrating management's confidence in future performance and a positive outlook on market conditions.
- Strategic Reset Impact: Compass Minerals outlines a 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $200 million to $240 million, reflecting the company's commitment to restructuring its strategy and cost structure to adapt to evolving market demands.
See More
Compass Minerals Reports Strong Q1 2026 Results Driven by Salt Segment Growth
- Salt Segment Growth: Compass Minerals' salt segment revenue increased by 37% year-over-year to $331.5 million, primarily driven by a 43% rise in highway deicing and a 14% increase in consumer and industrial sales, which not only enhances the company's competitiveness in the winter market but also lays a solid foundation for future sales growth.
- Plant Nutrition Improvement: Although plant nutrition revenue declined by 1% to $60.8 million, the average sales price rose by 14% to approximately $687 per ton, resulting in operating income turning from a loss of $3.1 million last year to a profit of $5.4 million, demonstrating the company's adaptability and profit potential in a high-price market.
- Financial Position Optimization: As of December 31, 2025, Compass Minerals reduced its net debt by 10% year-over-year, exceeding $90 million, reflecting the company's ongoing efforts to lower liabilities and enhance financial flexibility, which will support future investments and growth.
- Strategic Asset Sale: The company has signed an agreement to sell its Wynyard sulfate of potash operations for $30.8 million, which not only aids in further debt reduction but also optimizes resource allocation, ensuring sustained growth of core operations in alignment with the company's long-term strategic goals.
See More
Compass Minerals Set to Announce Q1 Earnings on February 4th
- Earnings Announcement: Compass Minerals is set to release its Q1 earnings on February 4th after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.26, reflecting a substantial year-over-year increase of 147.3%, indicating significant improvement in profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated Q1 revenue stands at $333.58 million, representing an 8.6% year-over-year growth, which highlights the company's positive performance in market demand and sales growth, likely to have a favorable impact on stock price.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Compass Minerals has beaten EPS estimates 50% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, demonstrating stability in financial performance and market confidence.
- Future Guidance: The company has outlined an adjusted EBITDA guidance of $200 million to $240 million for 2026, showcasing its commitment to resetting strategy and cost structure, which may lay the groundwork for future growth.
See More
Compass Minerals (CMP) to Release Q1 FY2026 Results on February 4, 2026
- Earnings Release Schedule: Compass Minerals will release its Q1 FY2026 results on February 4, 2026, after market close, expected to provide key financial data reflecting the company's operational status.
- Conference Call Timing: CEO Edward C. Dowling Jr. and CFO Peter Fjellman will hold a conference call on February 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. ET to discuss the earnings report, enhancing investor understanding of the company's performance.
- Participation Details: Investors can join the call via webcast or by dialing 1-800-715-9871, requiring conference ID 7896827, ensuring smooth and timely communication of information.
- Company Background: Compass Minerals is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on salt and plant nutrition products, supporting sustainable agriculture and winter road safety, operating 12 production facilities with over 1,800 employees, showcasing strong market influence.
See More
Compass Minerals (CMP) Schedules Q1 2026 Earnings Release and Conference Call
- Earnings Release Schedule: Compass Minerals will release its Q1 2026 results on February 4, 2026, after market close, reflecting the company's ongoing performance and growth in the minerals sector.
- Conference Call Timing: CEO Edward C. Dowling Jr. and CFO Peter Fjellman will hold a conference call on February 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. ET to discuss the earnings details, enhancing investor communication.
- Participation Details: Investors can join the call via webcast or by dialing 1-800-715-9871, requiring conference ID 7896827, ensuring smooth and transparent information dissemination.
- Company Overview: Compass Minerals focuses on providing essential minerals, operating 12 production and packaging facilities with over 1,800 employees, committed to supporting sustainable agriculture and winter road safety, highlighting its significant role in the industry.
See More
