Dallas-headquartered energy group HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE: DINO) has reported a sharp rebound in earnings for the third quarter of 2025, turning a loss from the previous year into a solid profit.
The company posted net income of US $403 million (US $2.15 per diluted share), reversing a loss of US $76 million (US $0.40 per share) in the same period a year earlier.
On an adjusted basis, net income rose to US $459 million, or US $2.44 per diluted share, compared with US $96 million (US $0.51 per share) for the third quarter of 2024. The improvement was driven by stronger refining margins and higher throughput across the company’s operations.
Refining Leads the Gains
The Refining segment delivered a dramatic recovery, recording income before interest and taxes of US $476 million, compared with a loss of US $212 million in the prior year.
Excluding inventory valuation effects, the segment achieved Adjusted EBITDA of US $661 million, a six-fold increase from US $110 million a year earlier — gains the firm attributed to higher adjusted refinery gross margins in both the West and Mid-Continent regions.
Average refinery throughput increased to 639,050 barrels per day, up from 607,010 barrels, aided by reduced turnaround activity. Adjusted refinery gross margin improved markedly to US $19.16 per produced barrel sold, compared with US $10.79 the year before.
Segment Performance Overview
In Renewables, HF Sinclair posted a loss before interest and taxes of US $55 million, wider than the US $23 million loss in the same quarter of 2024. Excluding inventory valuation impacts, Adjusted EBITDA stood at (US $13 million), down from a positive US $1 million. Segment sales volumes slipped to 57 million gallons, compared with 69 million previously.
The Marketing division improved its performance, earning US $22 million before interest and taxes, up from US $16 million in 2024. EBITDA climbed to US $29 million from US $22 million, supported by higher fuel margins and a focus on optimising the retail network.
Meanwhile, Lubricants & Specialties contributed US $52 million in income (versus US $54 million a year ago) and generated EBITDA of US $78 million, up from US $76 million. The company said this reflected a favourable FIFO benefit and improved product mix, partly offset by increased costs.
The Midstream segment also edged higher, producing income before interest and taxes of US $98 million, up from US $80 million, and EBITDA of US $114 million, slightly ahead of US $111 million last year. Lower operating costs compensated for a small fall in throughput.
Strong Cash Position and Shareholder Returns
HF Sinclair generated US $809 million in cash from operations during the quarter. As of 30 September 2025, cash and cash equivalents totalled US $1.45 billion, up from US $800 million at the end of 2024.
Total consolidated debt stood at US $2.77 billion.
The company returned US $254 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the third quarter. It also declared a regular quarterly dividend of US $0.50 per share, payable 5 December 2025 to shareholders of record as of 19 November 2025.
CEO Commentary
Chief Executive Officer Tim Go said:
“HF Sinclair’s strong third quarter results are underpinned by the measurable improvement in operating and commercial performance including the continued increases in refining throughput, capture and reductions in operating costs. During the quarter, we returned $254 million in cash to shareholders and today announced a $0.50 quarterly dividend. We are pleased with the progress we have made on our key priorities and believe the year-to-date performance reflects the value from our strategic focus. Looking forward, we remain committed to generating strong cash flows to return to our shareholders, enhancing reliability and the optimisation and growth of our portfolio.”
Outlook and Market Context
The figures underscore a significant recovery for HF Sinclair, coming as the refining sector continues to navigate volatile margins and evolving energy-transition dynamics. Analysts note that the company’s operational improvements, coupled with disciplined cost management, have bolstered profitability after a challenging 2024.
With cash reserves strengthened and a clear commitment to shareholder returns, HF Sinclair is positioning itself for steady performance into 2026. Market observers will watch closely whether refining margins remain resilient and how the firm balances its conventional fuels business with ongoing investments in renewables and midstream infrastructure.
