AptarGroup (ATR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 02, 2025 09:00 AM ET Company Participants Mary Skafidas - Senior VP of IR & Corporate CommunicationsStephan Tanda - President, CEO & Executive DirectorVanessa Kanu - Executive VP & CFOGeorge Staphos - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Ghansham Panjabi - Senior Research AnalystMatthew Roberts - Equity Research AnalystDaniel Rizzo - AnalystMatt Larew - Research Analyst - HealthcareGabe Hajde - Analyst Operator Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.20, with a neutralized increase of approximately 5% over the prior year period when accounting for currency effects and tax [4][15] - Reported sales decreased by 3%, with core sales remaining flat compared to the prior year period [14][20] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3% to $183 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins expanding by 120 basis points to 20.7% [14][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pharma segment's core sales increased by 3%, with prescription core sales up 10% driven by strong demand for emergency medicines and therapeutics [17] - Consumer Healthcare core sales decreased by 10% due to softer demand for nasal decongestants and cough medicines [17] - Injectables core sales decreased by 8% due to tough comparisons from the prior year [18] - Active Materials Science solutions saw an 11% increase in core sales driven by demand for diabetes and probiotic solutions [18] - Beauty segment's core sales decreased by 3%, with prestige fragrance sales declining significantly [19] - Closures segment's core sales decreased by 2%, with product sales growth offset by lower tooling sales [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market showed signs of inventory normalization, while other regions have not yet experienced similar trends [6][36] - The company noted a robust order book for injectables in 2025, indicating strong demand from GLP-1 and Biologics [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term growth driven by macro trends such as healthcare decentralization and the growth of generic medicines [6][7] - The company is ramping up share repurchases, having repurchased over $80 million worth of shares in the first quarter [13] - The company aims to leverage its global footprint and local supply chain structure to adapt to changing market conditions and tariff impacts [29][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth prospects despite current economic uncertainties, highlighting resilience in essential product categories [28][114] - The company anticipates a strong second quarter with positive contributions from all segments, particularly Pharma and Beauty [30][31] - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by inventory levels and destocking cycles but remains optimistic about future demand [36][38] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for the first quarter was 25.8%, reflecting the impact of a temporary surtax in France [15] - The company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $126 million and a net debt of $870 million, maintaining a leverage ratio of 1.16 [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more color on order patterns and inventory levels? - Management noted that while U.S. inventories have normalized, other regions have not yet seen similar trends, and they expect another quarter of destocking [36][38] Question: What is the impact of GLP-1s on injectables? - There is strong demand for GLP-1s, and the company is ramping up capabilities to meet this demand [40] Question: What is the outlook for the Prestige fragrance market? - Management indicated that the decline in Prestige fragrance sales is primarily due to lower sales in Europe, but they expect improvements in the coming quarters [56][60] Question: How are tariffs affecting the business? - The company is monitoring the tariff situation closely, expecting limited net effects, and is passing on costs where necessary [26][86] Question: What is the outlook for tooling activity? - Management indicated that tooling activity is on the rise as customers seek to differentiate their products [109]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.2, with a neutralized increase of approximately 5% over the prior year period when accounting for currency effects and tax [4][15] - Reported sales decreased by 3%, with core sales remaining flat compared to the prior year period [14] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3% to $183 million, with adjusted diluted earnings per share at $1.2 compared to $1.22 in the prior year [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pharma segment's core sales increased by 3%, with prescription core sales up 10% driven by strong demand for emergency medicines and therapeutics [16] - Consumer Healthcare core sales decreased by 10% due to softer demand for nasal decongestants and cough medicines [16] - Injectables core sales decreased by 8% due to tough comparisons from the prior year, while Active Materials Science solutions saw an 11% increase in core sales [16][18] - Beauty segment's core sales decreased by 3%, with prestige fragrance and facial skincare sales down 11% [19] - Closures segment's core sales decreased by 2%, with product sales growth offset by lower tooling sales [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market showed signs of inventory normalization, while other regions have not yet experienced similar trends [6][37] - The company noted strong demand for GLP-1 and biologics in the injectables market, indicating robust order books [7][36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term growth driven by macro trends such as healthcare decentralization and the growth of generic medicines [6][7] - The company is ramping up share repurchases, having repurchased over $80 million worth of shares in the first quarter [13] - The company emphasizes sustainability as a competitive advantage, having received multiple awards for its efforts [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in growth prospects despite current economic uncertainties, highlighting resilience in essential product markets [28][30] - The company anticipates a strong second quarter with positive contributions from all segments, particularly in Pharma and Beauty [30][31] - Management acknowledged the evolving tariff situation but expects limited net effects on operations [25][82] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for the first quarter was 25.8%, reflecting a temporary surtax enacted in France [15] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $26 million, with a strong balance sheet showing a cash balance of $126 million [23][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on order patterns and inventory levels - Management noted a reacceleration in orders across various segments, with U.S. inventories normalizing but not yet seen in other regions [35][37] Question: Impact of GLP-1s on injectables - Strong demand for GLP-1s is noted, with the company ramping up capabilities to meet this demand [36] Question: Tax rate guidance for the second half of the year - The expected effective tax rate for the second half is projected to be in the range of 22% to 24% [43] Question: Inventory status in cold and cough products - Management indicated that the U.S. has seen some inventory normalization, while other regions have not yet experienced this [48][49] Question: Outlook for tooling activity - Management expressed optimism about tooling activity, indicating it is on the rise as customers seek to differentiate their products [105]

Core Viewpoint - AptarGroup reported quarterly earnings of $1.20 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 per share, but down from $1.26 per share a year ago, indicating a 4.76% year-over-year decline in earnings [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $887.31 million for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.37% and down from $915.45 million year-over-year, reflecting a revenue decline of 3.9% [2] - Over the last four quarters, AptarGroup has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times but has not beaten consensus revenue estimates during the same period [2] Stock Performance - AptarGroup shares have decreased by approximately 4.6% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has declined by 5.3% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Future Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.40, with projected revenues of $927.02 million, while the estimate for the current fiscal year is $5.55 on $3.66 billion in revenues [7] - The industry outlook is critical, as the Containers - Paper and Packaging sector is currently in the bottom 16% of Zacks industries, which may impact stock performance [8]

May 2, 2025 Q1 2025 Results Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO Vanessa Kanu, Executive Vice President and CFO Forward Looking Statements & Non-GAAP Financial Measures This presentation includes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on management's beliefs and assumptions in light of information currently available to managem ...

Sales Performance - Reported sales for Q1 2025 decreased by 3% to $887.3 million compared to $915.4 million in Q1 2024[4] - Aptar Pharma's reported sales increased by 1%, with core sales growing by 3%, driven by demand for drug delivery systems for emergency medicines and CNS therapies[6] - Aptar Beauty's reported sales decreased by 7%, primarily due to lower prestige fragrance volumes, while personal care and home care products showed strong growth[9] - Aptar Closures reported a 5% decrease in sales, with core sales down 2%, impacted by lower tooling sales and unprofitable operations in Argentina[10] - Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $887,305 thousand, a decrease of 3.1% from $915,448 thousand in the same period of 2024[24] Earnings and Income - Earnings per share for Q1 2025 were reported at $1.17, down from $1.23 in the prior year, while adjusted earnings per share were $1.20[11] - Reported net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $78,663 thousand, down from $82,933 thousand in the first quarter of 2024, representing a decline of 5.1%[24] - Reported net income margins for the first quarter of 2025 were 8.9%, down from 9.1% in the first quarter of 2024[24] - The company expects adjusted net income attributable to AptarGroup, Inc. per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025 to be in the range of $1.56 to $1.64, compared to $1.37 in the same quarter of 2024[29][30] Cash Flow and Dividends - Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2025 was $25,880 thousand, up from $16,672 thousand in the first quarter of 2024, marking a significant increase of 55.8%[27] - The company approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share, with a payment date set for May 22, 2025[13] Tax and Financial Ratios - The effective tax rate for Q1 2025 was 26%, up from 20% in the prior year, reflecting a temporary surtax enacted in France[11] - For Q2 2025, Aptar expects earnings per share to be in the range of $1.56 to $1.64, based on an effective tax rate of 19% to 21%[12] - Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $183,337 thousand, compared to $178,832 thousand in the same period of 2024, indicating an increase of 2.8%[24] - Adjusted EBITDA margins for the first quarter of 2025 were 20.7%, compared to 19.5% in the same period of 2024, showing an improvement of 1.2 percentage points[24] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets increased to $4,527,088 thousand as of March 31, 2025, compared to $4,432,278 thousand in the previous year, reflecting a growth of 2.1%[23] - Total liabilities increased to $1,975,554 thousand as of March 31, 2025, compared to $1,946,354 thousand in the previous year, reflecting a rise of 1.5%[23] - The company reported a net cash provided by operations of $82,742 thousand for the first quarter of 2025, down from $92,333 thousand in the same period of 2024[27]

Core Insights - CytoSorbents Corporation is focused on bringing DrugSorb™-ATR to market as a solution for preventing life-threatening bleeding in CABG patients treated with Brilinta® [3] - The FDA issued a denial letter for the De Novo Request for DrugSorb-ATR, citing deficiencies that need to be addressed before commercialization can proceed [2] - The company is committed to resolving the issues with the FDA and anticipates a final regulatory decision in 2025 [3] Company Overview - CytoSorbents Corporation specializes in blood purification therapies for critical conditions in intensive care and cardiac surgery [4] - The company’s technologies utilize biocompatible polymer beads to remove toxic substances from blood, applicable in various medical scenarios [4] - CytoSorbents has a lead product, CytoSorb®, which is approved in the EU and used in over 70 countries, with over 270,000 devices utilized to date [5] Product Development - DrugSorb-ATR is an investigational device aimed at reducing perioperative bleeding in high-risk surgeries due to blood thinners [6] - The device has received two FDA Breakthrough Device Designations for the removal of ticagrelor and direct oral anticoagulants [6] - The company submitted a De Novo Request for DrugSorb-ATR in September 2024, which was accepted for review in October 2024 [6] Regulatory Challenges - The FDA's denial letter highlighted remaining deficiencies that must be resolved for DrugSorb-ATR to be authorized for commercialization [2] - CytoSorbents plans to engage in ongoing discussions with the FDA and will file a formal appeal if necessary [2]

Core Viewpoint - AptarGroup (ATR) is expected to report a year-over-year decline in earnings and revenues for the quarter ended March 2025, with a consensus outlook indicating a potential impact on its stock price based on actual results compared to estimates [1][3]. Earnings Expectations - The consensus EPS estimate for AptarGroup is $1.16 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 7.9% [3]. - Revenues are projected to be $899.6 million, down 1.7% from the same quarter last year [3]. Estimate Revisions - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised 0.18% lower, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. - The Most Accurate Estimate for AptarGroup is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in a positive Earnings ESP of +0.17% [10][11]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that a positive Earnings ESP reading is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 [8]. - AptarGroup currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a likelihood of beating the consensus EPS estimate [11]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, AptarGroup exceeded the expected earnings of $1.26 per share by delivering $1.52, resulting in a surprise of +20.63% [12]. - The company has beaten consensus EPS estimates in all of the last four quarters [13]. Industry Context - Amcor (AMCR), another player in the Containers - Paper and Packaging industry, is expected to post earnings of $0.18 per share, with revenues projected at $3.51 billion, reflecting a 3% increase year-over-year [17]. - Amcor's consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged, but it has a negative Earnings ESP of -2.17% and a Zacks Rank of 4, making it difficult to predict an earnings beat [18].

Group 1 - AptarGroup, Inc. is expected to benefit from growth in its Pharma and Closure segments, while facing challenges in the Beauty segment in the upcoming quarters [1] - The company focuses on GARP (Growth at Reasonable Price) opportunities within the industrial, consumer, and technology sectors [1]

Core Viewpoint - Technip Energies has secured a significant contract for the Blue Point Number One ATR Project, which aims to establish the world's largest low-carbon ammonia plant with a capacity of approximately 1.4 million metric tons per year [1][3]. Group 1: Project Details - The Blue Point Number One ATR Project is a collaboration between CF Industries, JERA, and MITSUI & CO, focusing on low-carbon ammonia production [1]. - Technip Energies will handle engineering, procurement, equipment, and module fabrication, utilizing its expertise in modularization and project delivery [2]. - The project is expected to achieve over 95% CO2 recovery, marking a significant advancement for the ammonia industry [3]. Group 2: Technological Integration - Technip Energies will integrate Topsoe's SynCOR AmmoniaTM technology into the project, showcasing its capability to incorporate advanced technologies into large-scale industrial projects [2][3]. - The low-carbon ammonia produced will cater to anticipated strong global demand for various applications, including energy and marine fuels [3]. Group 3: Company Insights - Arnaud Pieton, CEO of Technip Energies, emphasized the company's role in delivering large-scale facilities that incorporate state-of-the-art technologies, contributing to global decarbonization efforts [4]. - Technip Energies is recognized as a global technology and engineering leader, with a revenue of €6.9 billion in 2024, focusing on critical markets such as energy and decarbonization [5][6].