Revenue during the quarter dropped 10.64 percent to $336.90 million from $377 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 140 basis points over the previous year period to 20.96 percent. Total expenses were 93.14 percent of quarterly revenues, up from 93.13 percent for the same period last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 1 basis points in operating margin to 6.86 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $23.10 million, compared with $25.90 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at $50.20 million compared with $64.20 million in the prior year period. At the same time, adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 213 basis points in the quarter to 14.90 percent from 17.03 percent in the last year period.

"While the acquisition of the Convent Marine Terminal added $5.4 million to the quarter's results, operating performance at Indiana Harbor was the primary driver of the decline in consolidated Adjusted EBITDA." said Fritz Henderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of SunCoke Energy, Inc.

For fiscal year 2015, Suncoke Energy forecasts net loss to be in the range of $10 million to $2 million.

Operating cash flow improves significantly
SunCoke Energy, Inc. has generated cash of $83 million from operating activities during the nine month period, up 42.12 percent or $24.60 million, when compared with the last year period.

The company has spent $263.90 million cash to meet investing activities during the nine month period as against cash outgo of $107.20 million in the last year period.

Cash flow from financing activities was $145.10 million for the nine month period as against cash outgo of $70 million in the last year period.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $103.20 million as on Sep. 30, 2015, down 10.10 percent or $11.60 million from $114.80 million on Sep. 30, 2014.

Working capital declines
SunCoke Energy, Inc. has witnessed a decline in the working capital over the last year. It stood at $170.80 million as at Sep. 30, 2015, down 17.65 percent or $36.60 million from $207.40 million on Sep. 30, 2014. Current ratio was at 2.02 as on Sep. 30, 2015, down from 2.12 on Sep. 30, 2014.

Cash conversion cycle (CCC) was almost stable at 26 days for the quarter, when compared with the last year period. Days sales outstanding went up to 21 days for the quarter compared with 17 days for the same period last year.

Days inventory outstanding has decreased to 40 days for the quarter compared with 44 days for the previous year period. At the same time, days payable outstanding was almost stable at 35 days for the quarter, when compared with the previous year period.

Debt increases substantially
SunCoke Energy, Inc. has witnessed an increase in total debt over the last one year. It stood at $999.10 million as on Sep. 30, 2015, up 53.24 percent or $347.10 million from $652 million on Sep. 30, 2014. Short-term debt stood at $1.10 million as on Sep. 30, 2015. Total debt was 43.81 percent of total assets as on Sep. 30, 2015, compared with 32.18 percent on Sep. 30, 2014. Debt to equity ratio was at 1.63 as on Sep. 30, 2015, up from 0.84 as on Sep. 30, 2014. Interest coverage ratio deteriorated to 1.58 for the quarter from 2.18 for the same period last year.