Core Points - A. O. Smith Corporation has been recognized as a 2025 World's Most Ethical Company by Ethisphere, marking its second consecutive year receiving this honor [1][2] - The company is one of only 12 honorees in the industrial manufacturing category, with a total of 136 honorees across 19 countries and 44 industries in 2025 [2] - The recognition reflects A. O. Smith's commitment to ethics, compliance, and governance, as emphasized by CEO Kevin Wheeler [2][3] Company Overview - A. O. Smith Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has over 150 years of experience and is a global leader in water heating and treatment solutions [4] - The company manufactures and markets residential and commercial water heating equipment, boilers, and water treatment products [4] - A. O. Smith is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AOS [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the journey to financial independence through disciplined living and strategic investing [2] - It emphasizes the importance of dividend growth investing and identifying undervalued high-quality stocks [2] Group 1: Financial Independence Journey - The individual transitioned from being financially unstable at age 27 to achieving financial freedom by age 33 [2] - The approach involved living below means and making intelligent investment decisions [2] Group 2: Investment Strategies - Focus on dividend growth investing as a primary strategy for generating income [2] - Highlighting the significance of high-yield situations and long-term investment opportunities [2]

Group 1 - ASGN provides information technology services and solutions to the commercial and government sectors [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASGN's current year earnings has been revised downward by almost 7.2% over the last 60 days [1] Group 2 - A. O. Smith is a leading manufacturer of commercial and residential water heating equipment and water treatment products [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for A. O. Smith's current year earnings has been revised downward by 6.7% over the last 60 days [2] Group 3 - Airbus Group is a manufacturer of airplanes and military equipment [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Airbus Group's current year earnings has been revised downward by 6.5% over the last 60 days [2]

Group 1: Company Acquisitions and Growth - A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) has expanded its product portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Pureit from Unilever in November 2024, enhancing its water treatment solutions in India [1] - The acquisition of Impact Water Products in March 2024 further strengthened AOS's presence in the North American water treatment market [1] - The June 2022 acquisition of Atlantic Filter improved AOS's position in Florida and surrounding regions, contributing to its customer base [2] Group 2: Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns - In 2024, AOS paid dividends totaling $190.4 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 3.8%, and raised its dividend by 6% to 34 cents per share [3] - The company repurchased 3.8 million shares for $305.8 million in 2024, with plans to repurchase approximately $400 million worth of shares in 2025 [3] - AOS maintained a strong liquidity position with cash and cash equivalents of $239.6 million against a current debt of $10 million, indicating sufficient cash to meet debt obligations [3] Group 3: Market Challenges - A. O. Smith faces challenges in the Chinese real estate market, leading to lower volumes of water heaters and treatment products, negatively impacting the Rest of World segment [4] - There has been a decline in orders for residential and commercial water heater products in North America, which is concerning for the company's performance in that segment [4] - Adverse foreign currency movements resulted in a $13 million revenue decrease for the Rest of the World segment in 2024, highlighting the impact of currency fluctuations on AOS's profitability [5] Group 4: Stock Performance - Year-to-date, AOS shares have decreased by 0.7%, while the industry has seen a decline of 3.1% [6]

Share Repurchase and Stockholder Information - In 2024, the company repurchased 3,755,337 shares at an average price of $81.43 per share, totaling $305.8 million[78]. - As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,746,125 shares remaining on the existing repurchase authorization, with an additional 5,000,000 shares approved for repurchase on January 26, 2025[78]. - The company intends to spend approximately $400 million to repurchase Common Stock in 2025 through a combination of 10b5-1 plans and open-market purchases[78]. - As of January 31, 2025, there were approximately 471 stockholders of record for Common Stock[78]. Financial Performance - In 2024, the company's net sales were $3,818.1 million, a decrease of $34.7 million compared to 2023 sales of $3,852.8 million, primarily due to lower water heater volumes in North America and unfavorable currency translation of approximately $18 million[92]. - The North America segment reported net sales of $2,950.1 million in 2024, an increase of $27.2 million from $2,922.9 million in 2023, driven by pricing actions and higher boiler sales[99]. - The Rest of World segment's net sales were $918.6 million in 2024, a decrease of $38.3 million from $956.9 million in 2023, primarily due to decreased sales in China and unfavorable currency translation of approximately $13 million[102]. - The company's gross profit margin in 2024 was 38.1%, down from 38.5% in 2023, attributed to higher production costs and operational inefficiencies[93]. - Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $3,818.1 million, a decrease from $3,852.8 million in 2023[149]. - Gross profit for 2024 was $1,456.1 million, compared to $1,484.8 million in 2023, indicating a decline in profitability[149]. - Net earnings for 2024 were $533.6 million, down from $556.6 million in 2023, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $3.63[149]. - The company reported comprehensive earnings of $505.9 million for 2024, down from $554.8 million in 2023[150]. Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Cash provided by operating activities in 2024 was $581.8 million, down from $670.3 million in 2023, primarily due to higher incentive payments and lower earnings[106]. - Free cash flow for 2024 was $473.8 million, compared to $597.7 million in 2023, with expectations for 2025 to be between $500 million and $550 million[106]. - Capital expenditures totaled $108.0 million in 2024, up from $72.6 million in 2023, primarily due to capacity expansion projects in Mexico and South Carolina[107]. Debt and Equity - Total debt increased by $65.9 million in 2024, resulting in a leverage ratio of 9.3% compared to 6.5% in 2023[109]. - Dividends paid were $1.30 per share in 2024, a 6% increase from $1.22 per share in 2023, marking 85 consecutive years of dividend payments[112]. - Total stockholders' equity increased to $1,883.5 million in 2024, up from $1,844.4 million in 2023, representing a growth of 2.1%[154]. Acquisitions and Goodwill - Acquisitions in 2024 amounted to $145.9 million, significantly higher than $16.8 million in 2023[152]. - The company’s goodwill increased to $761.7 million in 2024 from $633.4 million in 2023, reflecting recent acquisitions[148]. Risks and Future Outlook - The company faced risks including potential recession impacts, supply chain issues, and foreign currency fluctuations that could affect future performance[133]. - The company anticipates 2025 consolidated sales to be approximately flat to up 2% compared to 2024, excluding impacts from potential future acquisitions[89]. - The effective income tax rate for 2025 is estimated to be approximately 24% to 24.5%[97]. Cybersecurity - The company has a robust cybersecurity program, integrating risk management into its overall enterprise risk management program[67]. - The Board of Directors receives annual updates on cybersecurity risk management processes and trends, with real-time updates for material events[64]. - The company has established a committee of executive leadership to consider cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies[65]. - The company has experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past, but none have materially affected its financial position or operations[67]. Pension and Employee Benefits - The net pension liability at the end of 2024 was $9.1 million, an increase from $6.4 million in 2023[235]. - The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) for pension benefits increased to $(27.3) million in 2024 from $(26.3) million in 2023[235]. - The Company matched 100% of the first 1% and 50% of the next 5% of employee contributions in its defined contribution plan[230]. Inventory and Assets - The Company's inventory at LIFO cost increased from $497.4 million in 2023 to $532.1 million in 2024[209]. - Total assets increased to $3,240.0 million in 2024 from $3,213.9 million in 2023[148]. - Total liabilities decreased slightly to $1,356.5 million in 2024 from $1,369.5 million in 2023[148].

Core Insights - A.O. Smith reported Q4 2024 earnings that missed analyst expectations, with adjusted EPS of $0.85 compared to the forecast of $0.89 and revenue of $912.4 million below the anticipated $956 million, indicating a challenging quarter for the company [2][3] Financial Performance - Adjusted EPS for Q4 2024 was $0.85, down 12.4% from $0.97 in Q4 2023 [3] - Revenue for Q4 2024 was $912.4 million, a decline of 7.7% from $988.1 million in Q4 2023 [3] - Net earnings decreased to $109.7 million, down 20.1% from $137.3 million in Q4 2023 [3] Company Overview and Strategy - A.O. Smith holds a strong position in North America's water heater and boiler market, contributing approximately 75% of total sales [3] - The company is focusing on energy efficiency and product diversification to maintain competitiveness, including launching innovative high-efficiency products [4] - A.O. Smith is expanding into water treatment markets through acquisitions and geographic diversification, particularly in growing regions like India [4] Market Performance - In North America, boiler sales increased by 8% year over year, but overall sales declined by 7.7% due to reduced water heater volumes [5] - Revenue in the Rest of the World segment decreased by 4% year over year, primarily due to weak demand in China, while India experienced a 13% sales increase driven by water heaters and treatment products [6] Strategic Developments - The company acquired Pureit in November 2024 to enhance its position in the water treatment industry, with expected benefits to be realized in future periods [7] - A.O. Smith has maintained a commitment to returning capital to shareholders, evidenced by a 6% increase in dividends, marking 32 consecutive years of dividend growth [8] Future Outlook - Management projects EPS for the upcoming year to be between $3.60 and $3.90, with flat to slightly increased sales anticipated [9] - The company expects continued sales decline in China but anticipates ongoing growth in India, highlighting the importance of navigating international challenges and leveraging North America's strengths [9]

Core Insights - A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) reported fourth-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings of 85 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents, and reflecting a 12% year-over-year decrease [1] - Net sales for the quarter were $912.4 million, also below the consensus estimate of $952 million, marking an 8% decline year over year due to lower water heater volumes and decreased sales in China [1] Financial Performance - For the full year 2024, AOS reported net sales of $3.82 billion, a decrease of 1% year over year, with adjusted earnings of $3.73 per share, down 2% year over year [2] - Quarterly sales in North America decreased 7% year over year to $689.8 million, missing the estimated $724.0 million, primarily due to lower water heater volumes [3] - Sales in the Rest of the World segment declined 9% year over year to $236.6 million, with significant declines in China, although sales in India increased by 11% in local currency [4] Margin and Cost Analysis - A. O. Smith's cost of sales was $574.3 million, down 7.1% year over year, while selling, general, and administrative expenses were $182.0 million, down 1.6% [5] - Gross profit decreased 8.6% year over year to $338.1 million, resulting in a gross margin of 37.1%, slightly down from 37.4% in the previous year [5] Liquidity and Cash Flow - As of December 31, 2024, AOS had cash and cash equivalents of $239.6 million, down from $339.9 million at the end of December 2023 [6] - Long-term debt increased to $183.2 million from $117.3 million at the end of December 2023, while cash provided by operating activities totaled $581.8 million, down from $670.3 million in the previous year [6] Share Repurchase Activity - In 2024, A. O. Smith repurchased 3.8 million shares for $305.8 million, with 1.7 million shares remaining under the existing repurchase authorization as of December 2024 [7] - In January 2025, the board authorized an additional repurchase of 5 million shares [7] 2025 Outlook - A. O. Smith expects net sales for 2025 to be in the range of $3.8 billion to $3.9 billion, with adjusted earnings per share projected between $3.60 and $3.90 [9]

Full Year & Fourth Quarter 2024 Results January 30, 2025 Full Year & Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Presentation | 1 Kevin J. Wheeler Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen M. Shafer President and Chief Operating Officer Charles T. Lauber Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Helen E. Gurholt Vice President - Investor Relations, Financial Planning & Analysis Full Year & Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Presentation | 2 Forward Looking Statements This presentation contains statements that we b ...

Core Insights - A.O. Smith reported $912.4 million in revenue for Q4 2024, a year-over-year decline of 7.7% and a surprise of -4.17% compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $952.05 million [1] - The company's EPS for the same period was $0.85, down from $0.97 a year ago, with an EPS surprise of -4.49% against the consensus estimate of $0.89 [1] Financial Performance - Revenue from North America was $689.80 million, below the estimated $730.99 million, reflecting a -6.5% change year-over-year [4] - Inter-segment sales reported at -$14 million, slightly worse than the average estimate of -$12.80 million, but showing a significant year-over-year increase of +38.6% [4] - Revenue from the Rest of World segment was $236.60 million, slightly above the average estimate of $234.62 million, but down -9.1% year-over-year [4] - Segment Operating Earnings (GAAP) for corporate expenses were reported at -$8.20 million, better than the average estimate of -$15.72 million [4] Market Performance - A.O. Smith's shares returned +1.5% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.2% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Viewpoint - A.O. Smith reported quarterly earnings of $0.85 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.89 per share, and showing a decline from $0.97 per share a year ago, indicating an earnings surprise of -4.49% [1][2] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $912.4 million for the quarter ended December 2024, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.17%, and down from $988.1 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, A.O. Smith has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once [2] Stock Performance - A.O. Smith shares have increased by approximately 1.5% since the beginning of the year, compared to a 2.7% gain in the S&P 500 [3] - The current Zacks Rank for A.O. Smith is 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.98 on revenues of $993.81 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $4.02 on revenues of $3.96 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for A.O. Smith is mixed, which could change following the recent earnings report [6] Industry Context - The Manufacturing - Electronics industry, to which A.O. Smith belongs, is currently in the bottom 28% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [8]