Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's net sales for Q1 2025 were $2.6 billion, a decrease of 1% year-over-year, primarily due to negative currency effects and light vehicle production development [14][27] - Adjusted operating income increased by 28% to $255 million from $199 million in the previous year, with an adjusted operating margin of 9.9%, up 230 basis points [14][27] - Gross margin improved to 18.6%, an increase of 160 basis points year-over-year, driven by direct labor efficiency and headcount reduction [17][27] - Adjusted earnings per share diluted increased by $0.58, with a return on capital employed of 26% and a return on equity of 29% [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The structural cost reduction program led to a reduction of over 1,500 indirect workforce and 3,700 direct headcount since Q1 2023, contributing to improved operational efficiency [10][14] - Organic sales growth was 2%, excluding currency effects, with strong performance in Europe and North America [20][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global light vehicle production declined by 0.4% in Q1 2025, with North America and Western Europe experiencing declines of 7% and 10% respectively [18][19] - In China, domestic OEM sales grew by 19%, aligning with light vehicle production growth, while overall sales underperformed due to a mix shift [22][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on mitigating tariff impacts through strategic measures, including establishing a task force and engaging in discussions with customers [45][46] - The outlook for global light vehicle production in 2025 is uncertain, with expectations of a decline of around 0.5% [56][50] - The company anticipates a challenging year ahead but expects improvements in sales performance in China and continued focus on efficiency to enhance profitability [51][52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding the remainder of the year due to complexities from tariffs and economic factors, while highlighting strong first-quarter performance [8][50] - The company remains committed to maintaining high shareholder returns despite cost pressures and uncertainties in the market [51][95] Other Important Information - The company was recognized with the PACE Pilot Innovation Award for its Bernoulli airbag module, reflecting its commitment to innovation [12][13] - The company repurchased and retired 500,000 shares for $50 million and paid a dividend of $0.70 per share in the quarter [11][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: USMCA exposure and risk assessment - Management indicated that the situation regarding USMCA compliance is fluid and has not provided specific details on the split of compliant versus non-compliant sales [61][62] Question: Profit trajectory and quarterly expectations - Management clarified that the profit trajectory is expected to return to a more normal inflationary environment, with Q4 anticipated to be the strongest [69] Question: European market performance - Management attributed strong performance in Europe to a favorable mix and connections to European regulations [74] Question: Tariff compensation and its impact - Management stated that tariffs need to be passed on to customers and emphasized that the supply chain cannot absorb these costs [75][76] Question: Guidance reiteration amidst uncertainty - Management expressed confidence in the guidance based on strong Q1 performance and healthy light vehicle production levels [88][90] Question: Automation and production relocation - Management confirmed that while automation processes are established, the decision to relocate production depends on the business case and market stability [105][106] Question: Call-offs and production outlook - Management noted that call-offs are holding up well, indicating a stable order book moving into Q2 [109][114] Question: Capacity reduction program - Management confirmed progress in headcount reduction and operational excellence, with expectations of continued positive trends [120][122]

Core Insights - Autoliv, Inc. reported revenue of $2.58 billion for Q1 2025, a year-over-year decline of 1.4%, but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.47 billion by 4.25% [1] - The company achieved an EPS of $2.15, up from $1.58 a year ago, resulting in a surprise of 25% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.72 [1] Financial Performance - Organic change in Airbags, Steering Wheels, and Other products was 1.7%, outperforming the estimated -0.7% [4] - Total organic change was 2.2%, compared to the average estimate of -2.8% [4] - Organic change in Seatbelt Products and Other was 3.2%, exceeding the estimated -4.9% [4] Regional Sales Performance - Net Sales in the Americas reached $851 million, surpassing the average estimate of $827.17 million, but reflecting a year-over-year decline of 4.7% [4] - Net Sales in Asia excluding China were $515 million, slightly above the average estimate of $508.09 million, with a year-over-year increase of 4.9% [4] - Net Sales in China were $447 million, below the average estimate of $458.90 million, showing a year-over-year decline of 2.8% [4] - Net Sales in Europe totaled $764 million, exceeding the estimated $696.21 million, but representing a year-over-year decrease of 0.8% [4] Stock Performance - Autoliv's shares have returned -7.2% over the past month, compared to a -4.2% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]

Financial Performance - Net sales for Q1 2025 were $2,578 million, a decrease of 1.4% compared to $2,615 million in Q1 2024[14] - Gross profit increased to $478 million in Q1 2025, up 7.9% from $443 million in Q1 2024[14] - Operating income rose to $254 million, reflecting a 30.9% increase from $194 million in the same period last year[14] - Net income attributable to controlling interest was $167 million, compared to $126 million in Q1 2024, marking a 32.5% increase[14] - Basic net earnings per share increased to $2.15, up from $1.53 in Q1 2024, representing a growth of 40.5%[14] - Total comprehensive income for the first quarter of 2025 was $175 million, up from $85 million in the first quarter of 2024, indicating a significant improvement in overall financial performance[26] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of March 31, 2025, were $8,114 million, an increase from $7,804 million at the end of 2024[21] - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $322 million from $330 million at the end of 2024[21] - As of March 31, 2025, total equity increased to $2,361 million from $2,285 million at December 31, 2024, reflecting a growth of approximately 3.3%[26] - Total inventories as of March 31, 2025, were $999 million, a slight decrease from $1,003 million as of December 31, 2024[62] - The company’s total short-term debt as of March 31, 2025, was $540 million, compared to $541 million as of December 31, 2024[53] Cash Flow and Dividends - Net cash provided by operating activities was $77 million, down from $122 million in Q1 2024[25] - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.70 per share, up from $0.68 in Q1 2024[14] - Cash dividends declared in the first quarter of 2025 amounted to $54 million, consistent with the previous year's first quarter[26] - The company repurchased and retired shares worth $50 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $161 million in the same period of 2024, showing a reduction in share buyback activity[26] Expenses and Costs - Research, development, and engineering expenses (net) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $95 million, down from $113 million in 2024[98] - The company recorded approximately $7 million in stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $3 million for the same period in 2024[87] Tax and Reserves - The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was 28.0%, an increase from 27.0% for the same period in 2024[57] - The company recorded a net increase of $1 million to income tax reserves for unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2025[60] - The restructuring reserve balance as of March 31, 2025, was $121 million, primarily related to a global structural cost reduction program initiated in Europe in 2023[63] - The reserve for product-related liabilities as of March 31, 2025, was $71 million, compared to $78 million as of March 31, 2024[69] Legal and Compliance - The company is currently involved in civil litigation in the UK and Germany related to alleged anti-competitive behavior, with a potential loss range of €0 to €95 million from a complaint filed by BMW[73] - The company anticipates potential losses related to the NHTSA recall decision affecting approximately 52 million airbag inflators, with no accrual made at this time[80] - The Honda Buckle Recall involved approximately 449,000 vehicles, with an estimated excess of $12 million in product liability accrual over insurance receivables[82] - The company has determined that a loss is reasonably possible with respect to the ZF Inflator Recall, estimating potential losses between $0 to $43 million[83] Segment and Reporting Changes - The company has one reportable segment, which includes airbag and seatbelt products and components, indicating a focused operational strategy[29] - The company adopted ASU 2023-07 in Q4 2024, enhancing segment disclosures, which may impact future financial reporting transparency[34] - The company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2024-03 on its financial statements, which will require additional disclosures about specific expense categories starting in 2026[37] Derivatives and Interest - Gains from derivatives not designated as hedging instruments were $28 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $10 million in the same period of 2024, indicating improved performance in risk management[45] - The company reported a loss of $1 million in interest expense related to derivatives for the first quarter of 2025, contrasting with a gain of $1 million in the same quarter of 2024[46]

Financial Performance - Consolidated sales decreased by 1% to $2578 million in Q1'25 compared to $2615 million in Q1'24 [14] - Adjusted operating income increased by 28% to $255 million in Q1'25 from $199 million in Q1'24 [14] - Adjusted operating margin improved to 99% in Q1'25, up from 76% in Q1'24 [8, 14] - Operating cash flow decreased to $77 million in Q1'25 compared to $122 million in Q1'24 [14] - The company repurchased shares for $50 million [9] Sales and Market Dynamics - Organic sales grew by 2% [29] - The company outperformed global Light Vehicle Production (LVP) by 3 percentage points [35] - Europe accounted for 30% of sales, while the Americas accounted for 33% and Asia for 37% [33] - Global Light Vehicle Production (LVP) decreased by 04% [41, 90] Cost Management and Efficiency - The company reduced indirect workforce by over 1500 compared to Q1'23 [9] - Direct headcount reduced by 3700 year-over-year [9] Future Outlook - The company reiterates its full year 2025 guidance with organic sales increase around 2% and adjusted operating margin around 10 to 105% [9, 82] - The company expects operating cash flow around $12 billion for full year 2025 [82]

Company Performance - Autoliv, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $2.15 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.72 per share, and up from $1.58 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 25% [1] - The company posted revenues of $2.58 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.25%, although this is a decrease from year-ago revenues of $2.62 billion [2] - Over the last four quarters, Autoliv has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Outlook - Autoliv shares have declined approximately 12.3% since the beginning of the year, compared to the S&P 500's decline of 8.3% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $2.18 on revenues of $2.61 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $9.45 on revenues of $10.36 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Autoliv is currently unfavorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Automotive - Original Equipment industry, to which Autoliv belongs, is currently in the bottom 30% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which could impact Autoliv's stock performance [5]

Core Insights - Autoliv, Inc. was awarded the 2025 Automotive News PACE Pilot Innovation to Watch for its Bernoulli™ Airbag Module, which enhances vehicle safety and efficiency in airbag inflation [1][2][3] Group 1: Innovation Recognition - The Bernoulli Airbag Module utilizes Bernoulli's principle of fluid dynamics to inflate larger airbags more efficiently with a smaller single-stage inflator [1] - This innovation reduces heat generation and development costs by over 30%, addressing the challenge of quick and safe inflation of large airbags [1] Group 2: Company Commitment - Autoliv's Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer emphasized the importance of this recognition in enhancing the visibility and success of their innovative technology, which aims to save more lives [2] - The PACE Pilot program distinguishes global emerging innovators in the automotive industry, showcasing the potential for transformative products and processes [2][3] Group 3: Company Overview - Autoliv is a leader in automotive safety systems, developing and marketing protective systems such as airbags and seatbelts for major automotive manufacturers [4][5] - In 2024, Autoliv's products saved approximately 37,000 lives and reduced around 600,000 injuries, highlighting the company's commitment to safety [4][5] - The company operates in 25 countries with 65,000 employees and reported sales of $10.4 billion in 2024 [5]

STOCKHOLM, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- (NYSE: ALV) (SSE: ALIV.sdb) Q1 2025: Good sales and execution of cost reduction programs Financial highlights Q1 2025 $2,578 million net sales 1.4% net sales decrease2.2% organic sales growth*9.9% operating margin9.9% adjusted operating margin*$2.14 diluted EPS, 41% increase$2.15 adjusted diluted EPS*, 37% increase Full year 2025 guidance Around 2% organic sales growthAround 3% negative FX effect on net salesAround 10-10.5% adjusted operating marginAround $1.2 billi ...

Financial Performance - Q1 2025 net sales were $2,578 million, a decrease of 1.4% year-over-year, with organic sales growth of 2.2%[2] - Operating income increased by 31% to $254 million, with an operating margin of 9.9%, up from 7.4% in Q1 2024[4] - Earnings per share (diluted) rose by 41% to $2.14, while adjusted earnings per share increased by 37% to $2.15[4] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $167 million, a 32% increase from $127 million in Q1 2024[35] - Gross profit increased by $36 million to $478 million, with a gross margin improvement of 1.6 percentage points to 18.6%[36] - Operating income rose by $60 million to $254 million, reflecting a 31% increase year-over-year[40] - Net income attributable to controlling interest in Q1 2025 was $167 million, up from $126 million in Q1 2024, marking a 32.5% increase[63] - Autoliv's diluted earnings per share for Q1 2025 was $2.14, compared to $1.52 in Q1 2024, reflecting a 40.8% increase[63] Sales and Market Performance - Sales to domestic Chinese OEMs grew by 19%, aligning with their LVP growth, despite overall underperformance in China[10] - Organic sales growth outperformed global LVP growth by 11pp in Europe, 6.1pp in the Americas, and 5.4pp in Asia excluding China[27] - A record number of new product launches is expected to significantly improve sales performance in China in 2025[29] - Net sales for Q1 2025 were $2,578 million, a decrease of 1.4% compared to $2,615 million in Q1 2024[35] Cost and Efficiency - The total headcount decreased by 6%, contributing to improved profitability through cost reduction initiatives[10] - S,G&A costs increased by $13 million to $145 million, with S,G&A as a percentage of sales rising from 5.1% to 5.6%[37] - R,D&E, net costs decreased by $18 million to $95 million, with R,D&E as a percentage of sales improving from 4.3% to 3.7%[38] Cash Flow and Debt - Free operating cash flow is projected to be around $1.2 billion for 2025, with a leverage ratio of 1.3x[12] - Operating cash flow decreased by 37% to $77 million, primarily due to a larger increase in operating working capital compared to net income[44][46] - Net debt increased by $225 million to $1,787 million, attributed to higher dividends and share repurchases exceeding free operating cash flow[50] - Trade working capital decreased by 4.2% to $1,279 million, with trade working capital as a percentage of sales improving from 12.8% to 12.4%[44][49] Future Outlook - The company expects organic sales growth of around 2% and an adjusted operating margin of 10-10.5% for the full year 2025[9] - The company plans to discuss medium and long-term growth strategies at its Capital Markets Day on June 4, 2025[61] Asset and Liability Management - Autoliv's total assets as of March 31, 2025, were $8,114 million, an increase from $7,804 million at the end of 2024[64] - Autoliv's total current liabilities increased to $3,800 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $3,633 million at the end of 2024[64] - Total current assets as of March 31, 2025, increased to $3,699 million from $3,483 million as of December 31, 2024, representing a growth of 6.2%[69] - Net debt as of March 31, 2025, was reported at $1,787 million, up from $1,554 million as of December 31, 2024, indicating a rise of 15%[71] - The leverage ratio for March 31, 2025, was 1.3, consistent with the previous quarter's ratio of 1.2[73] Return Metrics - Return on capital employed (GAAP) for Q1 2025 was 25.6%, up from 19.7% in Q1 2024[88] - Return on total equity (GAAP) for Q1 2025 was 28.8%, compared to 20.2% in Q1 2024[89]

Core Points - Autoliv Inc. plans to publish its Financial Report for Q1 2025 on April 16, 2025, at 12:00 CET [1] - A teleconference will be held on the same day, featuring Mikael Bratt, President & CEO, as the main speaker [2] Financial Report Details - The Q1 2025 Earnings Call is scheduled for April 16, 2025, from 14:00 to 15:00 CET [2] - Participants can attend via webcast or phone, with registration required for phone attendance [2] - Audio replay and transcript of the conference will be available on the company's investor relations website [2]

Group 1 - Autoliv Inc. plans to publish its Financial Report for Q1 2025 on April 16, 2025, at 12:00 CET [1] - A teleconference will be held on the same day, featuring Mikael Bratt, President & CEO, as the main speaker [2] - The earnings call will take place from 14:00 to 15:00 CET, with options to attend via webcast or phone [2] Group 2 - Audio replay of the conference will be available until April 16, 2026, and transcripts will also be accessible [2] - Additional information about Autoliv can be found on their official website [2]