Financial Performance - Net sales increased 6.6% to $2,093 million in Q2 2025 compared to $1,964 million in Q2 2024[6] - Gross profit rose 8.1% to $560 million, with a gross profit margin of 26.8%[6] - Net income increased 11.9% to $141 million, driven by higher operating income and lower interest expense[11] - Adjusted EBITDA grew 3.5% to $266 million, reflecting higher gross profit partially offset by increased SG&A expenses[13] - Operating income for the three months ended August 3, 2025, was $213 million, up from $204 million in the prior year, representing a 4.4% increase[39] - Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. for the three months ended August 3, 2025, was $134 million, compared to $119 million for the same period last year, an increase of 12.6%[39] - Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the three months ended August 3, 2025, was $0.87, compared to $0.77 for the same period in 2024, reflecting a 12.99% increase[51] - Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. for the six months ended August 3, 2025, was $234 million, up from $214 million for the same period in 2024, representing a 9.34% increase[49] - Diluted earnings per share for the six months ended August 3, 2025, was $1.22, compared to $1.11 for the same period in 2024, reflecting a 9.91% increase[51] Expenses and Guidance - SG&A expenses increased 12.7% to $302 million, representing 14.4% of net sales[9] - The company lowered its full-year net sales guidance to $7,600 to $7,700 million and Adjusted EBITDA to $920 to $940 million[5] - Acquisition expenses for the three months ended August 3, 2025, were $2 million, consistent with the same period in 2024[50] - The company expects variability in acquisition expenses to have a potentially significant impact on future GAAP financial results[48] Cash Flow and Debt - Operating cash flow is projected to be between $550 to $610 million for the full year[30] - Net cash provided by operating activities was $111 million for the six months ended August 3, 2025[23] - Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended August 3, 2025, was $111 million, compared to $126 million for the same period last year[43] - Net Debt decreased to $2,253 million as of August 3, 2025, down from $2,439 million a year earlier[24] - Total Debt as of August 3, 2025, was $2,278 million, down from $2,452 million as of July 28, 2024, showing a reduction of 7.09%[53] - Net Debt decreased to $2,253 million as of August 3, 2025, from $2,439 million as of July 28, 2024, a decline of 7.63%[53] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of August 3, 2025, were $6,306 million, an increase from $5,870 million as of February 2, 2025, reflecting a growth of 7.4%[41] - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $25 million as of August 3, 2025, from $8 million at the beginning of the period[41] - Total liabilities as of August 3, 2025, were $4,344 million, an increase from $4,096 million as of February 2, 2025, indicating a rise of 6.1%[41] Inventory and Acquisitions - The company reported a decrease in inventories by $152 million for the six months ended August 3, 2025, compared to a decrease of $105 million in the prior year[43] - Two new locations were opened in Kansas City, Kansas, and Columbus, Wisconsin, and an acquisition of Canada Waterworks was completed[4]

Core Insights - Core & Main, Inc. is a leading distributor in the water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products sector in the U.S. [1] - The company is expected to report quarterly earnings on September 9, 2025, with an estimated EPS of $0.77 and projected revenue of approximately $2.12 billion [1][2] Financial Performance - Analysts anticipate an increase in EPS to $0.77, up from $0.61 in the same period last year, and revenue growth from $1.96 billion to $2.12 billion [2] - Financial metrics indicate a P/E ratio of approximately 30.56, a price-to-sales ratio of about 1.67, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, suggesting a higher level of debt compared to equity [5][6] Recent Developments - The recent acquisition of Canada Waterworks is expected to positively impact future performance and aligns with the company's strategy to expand market presence [3][6] - Following the acquisition announcement, the company's shares increased by 2%, closing at $65.85, reflecting investor confidence [3] Analyst Ratings - JP Morgan's Stephen Tusa has maintained an Overweight rating on the stock and raised the price target from $56 to $64, despite challenges in market volumes [4] - Volume expectations for the latter half of 2025 remain subdued, but the overall market situation is not worse than anticipated [4]

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Group 1 - Core & Main (CNM) stock closed at $61.85, up 2.25% from the previous session, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.54% [1] - Prior to the recent trading day, CNM shares had increased by 7.73%, surpassing the Industrial Products sector's gain of 5.35% and the S&P 500's gain of 4.2% [1] Group 2 - Upcoming EPS for Core & Main is projected at $0.78, reflecting a 27.87% increase year-over-year, with revenue expected to be $2.11 billion, indicating a 7.54% increase [2] - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are estimated at $2.46 per share and revenue at $7.75 billion, showing increases of 15.49% and 4.11% respectively from the previous year [3] Group 3 - Core & Main currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 24.64, which is higher than the industry average of 17.61 [6] - The company's PEG ratio stands at 1.79, compared to the industry average of 1.61 [7] Group 4 - The Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry, which includes Core & Main, ranks in the top 26% of all industries according to the Zacks Industry Rank [8]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Manufacturing-Tools & Related Products industry includes companies that develop and distribute various tools and technology solutions, serving multiple sectors such as industrial, commercial, oil & gas, and automotive [3] - The industry is currently facing challenges due to a slowdown in the manufacturing sector, with the Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index at 49% in June, indicating contraction [4] - The New Orders Index has also been in contraction for five consecutive months, registering 46.4% in June [4] Current Challenges - The industry is experiencing input cost inflation and supply-chain issues, which are negatively impacting profitability and margins [5] - The Supplier Deliveries Index indicates slower deliveries for the seventh consecutive month, further complicating the operational landscape [5] - A shortage of skilled labor in the United States is also a significant challenge for the industry [1] Strategic Responses - Companies in the industry are focusing on cost-control measures and investments in product development to remain competitive [2] - Initiatives include streamlining operational structures, optimizing supply networks, and implementing effective pricing policies to manage costs [5] - Continuous innovation and product upgrades are seen as essential for long-term growth, although they may lead to highly leveraged balance sheets [6] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Manufacturing-Tools & Related Products industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 163, placing it in the bottom 34% of 246 Zacks industries, indicating weak prospects [7][8] - The industry's earnings estimates for 2025 have decreased by 7.3% over the past year, reflecting analysts' diminishing confidence in earnings growth potential [9] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed compared to the sector and the S&P 500, growing only 7.7% versus 14.8% and 12.4% respectively [11] Valuation Insights - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 17.92X, which is below the S&P 500's 22.75X and the sector's 20.09X [14] - Historical trading ranges for the industry have been between 11.65X and 22.13X over the past five years, with a median of 18.55X [14] Notable Companies - **Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK)**: Focused on tools and engineered fastening systems, the company has shown solid momentum in its Tools & Outdoor segment, particularly in its DEWALT business. It has reported better-than-expected results in the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 18.4% [19][20] - **Core & Main, Inc. (CNM)**: Provides water and fire protection products, benefiting from increased demand and recent acquisitions. Its fiscal 2026 earnings estimates have been revised upward by 1.2% in the past 60 days [23][24] - **Kennametal Inc. (KMT)**: Specializes in high-speed metal cutting tools and has seen improved supply chain conditions and increased OEM build rates in aerospace markets. The company has consistently surpassed earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 27% [26][27]

Financial Performance - Core & Main reported quarterly earnings of $0.52 per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and an increase from $0.49 per share a year ago [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.91 billion for the quarter ended April 2025, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.29%, compared to $1.74 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Core & Main has surpassed consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Performance - Core & Main shares have increased approximately 16.5% since the beginning of the year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 2.1% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 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 $0.75 on revenues of $2.11 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.43 on revenues of $7.71 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for Core & Main is mixed, which may change following the recent earnings report [6] Industry Context - Core & Main operates within the Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry, which is currently ranked in the bottom 11% of over 250 Zacks industries [8] - Historical data indicates that the top 50% of Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1 [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter net sales of $1,900,000,000, marking a 10% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 3% to $224,000,000, both representing all-time highs for the first quarter [5][20][24] - Gross margins improved sequentially to 26.7% from 26.6% in the previous quarter, although down from 26.9% year-over-year [21][24] - Diluted earnings per share increased approximately 6% to $0.52 due to higher net income and a lower share count following share repurchases [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved mid single-digit organic sales growth, with notable performance in meters (10% growth) and double-digit growth in treatment plant and fusible high-density polyethylene offerings [9][20] - Storm drainage products outperformed with a 17% growth, driven by road and bridge projects and increased distribution opportunities [71] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The municipal construction market remains stable, supported by funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with a growing pipeline of projects [6][94] - Residential lot development showed resilience, but signs of softening were noted due to economic conditions and affordability pressures [7][62] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its presence through both organic growth and acquisitions, with a healthy acquisition pipeline and plans to open 5 to 10 new greenfield locations in 2025 [12][87] - The strategic plan emphasizes local service, product line expansion, and leveraging market intelligence to drive growth [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the near and long-term outlook for municipal construction, despite short-term uncertainties in residential development [8][27] - The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance for net sales between $7,600,000,000 and $7,800,000, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $950,000,000 and $1,000,000, reflecting stable demand and project activity [25][26] Other Important Information - The company has been actively managing its supply chain to mitigate impacts from tariffs and trade restrictions, with minimal direct effects noted so far [11][21] - The company continues to invest in employee training and development, which has been recognized in industry awards [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on SG&A productivity for the year - Management indicated that SG&A expenses increased 14% due to acquisitions and inflation, but productivity gains were noted, with expectations for improved rates in the second quarter [30][33] Question: Top-line guidance and market conservatism - Management expects the market to be roughly flat for the full year, with stronger performance in the first half and potential challenges in the back half due to economic uncertainties [36][37] Question: Pricing dynamics and commodity impacts - Pricing improved sequentially, with expectations for flat pricing for the year, despite some inflationary pressures on certain product categories [44][46] Question: Residential construction market outlook - Management noted a potential slowdown in residential development, with bidding activity scaling down, but emphasized that this segment represents only about 20% of the business [62][63] Question: Employee retention and poaching concerns - Management reported high employee retention rates and viewed occasional poaching as an opportunity to attract talent [102][103] Question: Cost-out initiatives and SG&A alignment - Management is focusing on aligning resources to areas of growth, with some cost-out initiatives underway, but no substantial quantification provided [104][106]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record net sales of $1.9 billion for Q1 2025, representing a 10% increase year-over-year [20] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $224 million, a 3% increase from the previous year [23] - Gross margins improved sequentially to 26.7% from 26.6% in the prior quarter, although down from 26.9% year-over-year [21][22] - Diluted earnings per share increased approximately 6% to $0.52 due to higher net income and a lower share count following share repurchases [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved mid-single-digit organic sales growth, with a 10% increase in meters and double-digit growth in treatment plant and fusible high-density polyethylene offerings [9][20] - Storm drainage products saw a 17% growth, driven by road and bridge projects and increased infrastructure funding [72][74] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted steady growth in municipal construction activity, supported by funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [6] - Residential lot development showed resilience, although there are signs of softening due to economic conditions and affordability pressures [7][64] - Non-residential markets remained stable, with strong sales in data center construction and institutional buildings, while commercial buildings and manufacturing showed softer activity [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its geographic footprint through both greenfield openings and acquisitions, with plans to open 5 to 10 new greenfields in 2025 [90] - The strategic plan emphasizes local service and performance-based culture to drive organic growth [13] - The company aims to achieve 2 to 4 points of above-market volume growth by expanding presence in underpenetrated geographies and driving product line expansion [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the U.S. housing market, despite short-term uncertainties [7] - The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance for net sales between $7.6 billion and $7.8 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $950 million to $1 billion [25] - Management highlighted the potential impact of tariffs, inflation, and interest rates on customer sentiment and demand in the latter half of the year [26] Other Important Information - The company deployed approximately $58 million in capital during the first quarter, focusing on organic investments, share repurchases, and debt service [11] - The acquisition pipeline remains healthy, with ongoing evaluations of various opportunities [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on SG&A productivity for the year - Management indicated expectations for improved SG&A rates in the second quarter, with ongoing M&A synergies expected to materialize over time [34][35] Question: Top-line guidance and market conservatism - Management expects the market to be roughly flat for the full year, with stronger performance in the first half and potential challenges in the second half due to economic uncertainties [40] Question: Pricing situation with commodities versus finished goods - Management noted that pricing has improved sequentially, with expectations for flat pricing for the year, despite some inflationary pressures [46][48] Question: Residential construction market outlook - Management acknowledged a slowdown in residential construction, with expectations for a slight headwind as the year progresses [64] Question: Growth in storm drainage products - Management attributed strong growth in storm drainage to increased infrastructure funding and a shift in product distribution dynamics [74] Question: Employee retention trends - Management reported high employee retention rates, viewing occasional poaching as an opportunity to attract talent [103][104] Question: Cost-out initiatives - Management confirmed ongoing cost-out initiatives but did not provide substantial quantification at this time [106][108]

Financial Performance - Net sales increased by 9% from $1741 million in Q1 2024 to $1911 million in Q1 2025[17] - Gross profit increased by 10% from $468 million in Q1 2024 to $510 million in Q1 2025, with gross profit margin decreasing by 20 bps from 269% to 267%[17] - Net income increased by 3% from $101 million in Q1 2024 to $105 million in Q1 2025, with net income margin decreasing by 30 bps from 58% to 55%[17] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 4% from $217 million in Q1 2024 to $224 million in Q1 2025, with Adjusted EBITDA margin decreasing by 80 bps from 125% to 117%[17] Capital Allocation and Debt - The company deployed $39 million of capital to repurchase 837k shares[13] - Net debt stood at $2276 million as of May 4, 2025[20] Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook - The company reaffirmed its FY25 outlook, expecting net sales between $76 billion and $78 billion[22] - The company expects Adjusted EBITDA between $950 million and $1 billion, and Adjusted EBITDA margin between 125% and 128%[22] Business Strategy and Growth - The company has completed over 40 acquisitions since 2017, adding approximately $18 billion of annual net sales[14] - The company is targeting organic above-market volume growth of +2-4%[28]

Financial Performance - Net sales for the three months ended May 4, 2025, increased to $1,911 million, up 9.8% from $1,741 million for the same period in 2024[18] - Gross profit for the same period was $510 million, representing a gross margin of 26.7%, compared to $468 million and a gross margin of 26.9% in the prior year[18] - Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. for the three months ended May 4, 2025, was $100 million, an increase of 5.3% from $95 million in the prior year[18] - Basic earnings per share (EPS) increased to $0.53, up from $0.49 in the same period last year, while diluted EPS also rose to $0.52 from $0.49[18] - Operating income for the three months ended May 4, 2025, was $171 million, slightly up from $168 million in the same period last year[18] - Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended May 4, 2025, increased by $7 million, or 3.2%, to $224 million compared to $217 million for the same period in 2024[118] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of May 4, 2025, were $6,278 million, an increase from $5,870 million as of February 2, 2025[16] - Total liabilities increased to $4,457 million as of May 4, 2025, compared to $4,096 million as of February 2, 2025[16] - Retained earnings rose to $515 million as of May 4, 2025, up from $449 million as of February 2, 2025[16] - Total debt as of May 4, 2025, was $2,284 million, with current maturities of long-term debt totaling $24 million[55] - The company reported an increase in accounts payable by $361 million, compared to an increase of $244 million in the prior year[25] Cash Flow and Investments - Cash flows from operating activities provided $77 million, slightly down from $78 million in the same period last year[25] - Net cash provided by operating activities was $77 million for the three months ended May 4, 2025, a decrease of $1 million compared to $78 million for the same period in 2024[129] - Net cash used in investing activities decreased significantly by $558 million to $16 million for the three months ended May 4, 2025, primarily due to $564 million in cash outflows for acquisitions in fiscal 2024[130] - Net cash used in financing activities was $61 million for the three months ended May 4, 2025, compared to net cash provided of $525 million for the same period in 2024, reflecting a $586 million change[131] Shareholder Activities - The company repurchased 837,268 shares of Class A common stock for a total of $39 million during the three months ended May 4, 2025, with $285 million remaining under the authorized repurchase program[29] - The company completed $39 million of Class A common stock repurchases during the three months ended May 4, 2025[126] - The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the repurchase program is $285 million[159] Tax and Compliance - The effective tax rate for the three months ended May 4, 2025, was 25.5%, an increase from 24.6% in the prior year[67] - The provision for income taxes increased by $3 million, or 9.1%, to $36 million, with an effective tax rate of 25.5% for the three months ended May 4, 2025[113] - The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of May 4, 2025[59] Acquisitions and Intangible Assets - The company did not complete any acquisitions during the three months ended May 4, 2025, following significant acquisitions totaling $585 million in the previous fiscal year[39] - The company closed acquisitions during the fiscal year ended February 2, 2025, with an aggregate transaction value of $769 million[94] - The company’s intangible assets acquired during the Fiscal 2024 Acquisitions included $219 million related to customer relationships and $282 million in goodwill[44] - Total intangible assets as of May 4, 2025, amounted to $1,811 million, with net intangible assets of $901 million[53] Market and Economic Conditions - The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $55 billion for water infrastructure investment, which may positively impact the Company's business[87] - The company experienced price stability in fiscal 2023 compared to price inflation in fiscal 2022, with improvements in supply chain conditions[90] - The company is exposed to price fluctuations in the cost of procuring products, which may affect gross profit margins[148] - As of May 4, 2025, foreign currency operations were not material, with a hypothetical 10% change in the U.S. dollar's value not materially impacting net earnings[149] Risk and Legal Matters - The company is not currently party to any material legal proceedings, although it faces inherent risks related to product liability claims[154] - The company maintains provisions for potential credit losses, which have historically been within expectations[147]