Group 1: Company Performance - Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) is experiencing solid momentum across all segments, particularly in Mobile Solutions and Industrial Solutions, driven by increased demand and market share expansion [1] - The Life Sciences segment is benefiting from rising demand for disk drives and food & beverage products in the Asia Pacific region [1] - DCI's shares have gained 6.3% year-to-date, outperforming the industry which has seen a decline of 2.1% [5] Group 2: Acquisitions and Growth Strategy - DCI has strengthened its product portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including a 49% stake in Medica S.p.A. and Univercells Technologies, enhancing its capabilities in filtration and life sciences [2] - The acquisition of Medica allows DCI to diversify its offerings in medical devices and water purification [2] Group 3: Shareholder Returns - DCI is committed to rewarding shareholders, having paid dividends of $96.9 million and repurchased shares worth $273.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [3] - The company has increased its quarterly dividend by 11.1% in May 2025 and has raised dividends for 29 consecutive years [3] Group 4: Financial Challenges - DCI faces challenges from high selling, general, and administrative expenses, with the cost of sales increasing by 3% to $1.76 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [10] - The overall operating expenses rose by 11.4% year-over-year to $603.7 million, impacting profit margins [11] - Sales in the on-road and off-road segments declined significantly, with on-road sales down 24.6% and off-road sales down 8.3% year-over-year in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 [9]

Core Insights - Mighty Distributing System of America has formed a strategic partnership with Donaldson Company, Inc. to enhance its heavy-duty product offerings, combining Donaldson's filtration expertise with Mighty's inventory management services [1][3] - The heavy-duty parts aftermarket in the U.S. is projected to exceed $92.7 billion in 2025, prompting Mighty to expand its product lineup to cater to the trucking, construction, and agricultural industries [2] - The collaboration aims to provide premium filtration solutions and tailored inventory management to meet the demands of heavy-duty operators, focusing on minimizing downtime and extending equipment life [5] Company Overview - Mighty Distributing System of America, based in Peachtree Corners, GA, specializes in inventory management and distribution services for commercial vehicle operations, with over 60 years of experience [7] - Donaldson Company, founded in 1915, is a global leader in filtration solutions, serving various industries through its three primary segments: Mobile Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Life Sciences [8] Product and Service Offerings - The partnership will deliver Donaldson's OE-grade filtration technology, which is designed to protect equipment, reduce maintenance costs, and increase uptime in heavy-duty environments [3][4] - Mighty provides high-touch inventory management services, offering weekly or bi-weekly support to reduce surplus stock and ensure necessary products are readily available [4]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that assist investors in selecting stocks likely to outperform the market within 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2][3] Value Score - The Value Style Score identifies stocks trading below their true value by analyzing ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score focuses on a company's financial health and future outlook, utilizing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks with sustainable growth [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score helps investors capitalize on price trends by assessing one-week price changes and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stocks with attractive value, strong growth forecasts, and promising momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock to Watch: Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) - Donaldson Company, Inc. is a filtration systems manufacturer based in Bloomington, MN, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A [12] - The company has a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 19.31, indicating attractive valuation metrics [12] - Six analysts have raised their earnings estimates for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.05 to $3.66 per share, and an average earnings surprise of 2.5% [13]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, serving as complementary indicators to the Zacks Rank, helping investors identify securities likely to outperform the market in the short term [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook by analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score identifies optimal entry points for stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for evaluating stocks based on value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [10] - Stocks with a 3 (Hold) rank should also have Style Scores of A or B to ensure potential upside [10] Company Spotlight: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Donaldson Company, Inc. is a manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B [12] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of A, with shares increasing by 3.3% over the past four weeks [12] - Recent analyst revisions have positively impacted earnings estimates for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising to $3.65 per share [13]

Summary of Donaldson Company (DCI) FY Conference Call - June 05, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Donaldson Company (DCI) - **Industry**: Filtration technology, focusing on engine markets, industrial applications, and expanding into life sciences [3][6] Key Points and Arguments 1. **Strategic Positioning**: Donaldson aims to be a technology-led filtration company, emphasizing complex problem-solving for customers, which fosters deeper relationships [6][7] 2. **Revenue Segmentation**: The company has three reporting segments: Mobile Solutions (62% of revenue), Industrial Solutions (30%), and Life Sciences (8%) [8][19] 3. **Revenue Growth**: Donaldson has achieved record revenues and adjusted earnings per share for the past four years, indicating strong financial performance [9][16] 4. **Global Presence**: 75% of revenue is generated within the region it is consumed, providing a natural hedge against tariffs [11][12] 5. **Tariff Impact**: The company anticipates a $35 million headwind from tariffs but believes it can offset this through supply chain pricing and surcharges, although slight gross margin pressure is expected [13][14] 6. **Operating Margin Guidance**: The adjusted operating margin for the current fiscal year is 15.8%, with a target of 16.2% for the next fiscal year [17][50] 7. **Market Dynamics**: Despite headwinds in major end markets like construction and agriculture, Donaldson expects significant rebounds when these markets recover, potentially leading to double-digit growth [62][63] 8. **Aftermarket Revenue**: Approximately 60% of sales come from the aftermarket, which is a higher-margin segment, providing resilience against cyclical downturns [65][66] 9. **Life Sciences Segment**: The Life Sciences segment is small but has a large addressable market of $21 billion. Donaldson is focused on differentiated products and has made acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in this area [28][31] 10. **Acquisition Strategy**: The company has a strong pipeline for acquisitions, with a focus on investing in technology and organic growth [34][40] 11. **Dividend Policy**: Donaldson raised its dividend by 11%, marking the 30th consecutive year of dividend increases, highlighting its commitment to returning value to shareholders [34][35] 12. **Capital Allocation**: The company prioritizes organic investment, acquisitions, dividends, and share buybacks, with a recent buyback rate of 3.3% [36][38] Additional Important Insights - **Technological Innovation**: Donaldson is committed to innovation, with a patent granted on average every day, showcasing its focus on developing advanced filtration technologies [10][40] - **Alternative Fuels**: The company is actively working on filtration solutions for alternative fuels, including hydrogen, which presents growth opportunities in the Mobile Solutions segment [20][24] - **Operational Efficiency**: Donaldson is optimizing its manufacturing footprint and has centralized its business processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs [51][52] - **Market Resilience**: The diversity of Donaldson's business portfolio helps mitigate risks associated with cyclical downturns in specific markets [66][67]

Core Insights - Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) reported adjusted earnings of 99 cents per share for Q3 fiscal 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 95 cents, marking a year-over-year increase of 7.6% [1][8] - Total revenues reached $940.1 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $939 million, with a year-over-year growth of 1.3% [2][8] Revenue Results - DCI's net sales in the United States/Canada rose by 0.9% year over year, while Europe, the Middle East, and Africa saw a decline of 0.6%. Latin America experienced a 2.3% increase, and the Asia Pacific region improved by 5.2% [2] - The Mobile Solutions segment, which accounts for 62% of net sales, reported sales of $582.6 million, down 0.4% year over year, with Off-Road and On-Road businesses declining by 8.3% and 24.5%, respectively. Aftermarket sales increased by 3.3% [3] - The Industrial Solutions segment generated revenues of $283.3 million, up 5.3% year over year, driven by a 27.1% increase in Aerospace and Defense sales [4] - The Life Sciences segment reported revenues of $74.2 million, a 0.7% increase year over year, benefiting from volume growth in the Disk Drive business [4] Margin Profile - DCI's cost of sales increased by 3.4% year over year to $618.2 million, leading to a gross profit decline of 2.5% to $321.9 million. The gross margin decreased by 140 basis points to 34.2% due to higher manufacturing costs [5] - Operating expenses rose by 25.7% year over year to $234.5 million, resulting in a 39.1% decrease in operating profit to $87.4 million, with an operating margin of 9.3%, down 620 basis points year over year [5] Balance Sheet & Cash Flow - As of the end of Q3 fiscal 2025, DCI's cash and cash equivalents were $178.5 million, down from $232.7 million in Q4 fiscal 2024. Long-term debt increased to $638.8 million from $483.4 million [7] - In the first nine months of fiscal 2025, DCI generated net cash of $251.0 million from operating activities, a decrease of 31.5% year over year. Free cash flow decreased by 36% to $192.4 million [8][9] FY25 Outlook - For fiscal 2025, DCI expects adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $3.64-$3.70, compared to $3.42 in fiscal 2024, with sales anticipated to grow by 1-3% [10] - Segment-wise, Mobile Solutions sales are expected to be flat to increase by 2%, while Industrial Solutions sales are projected to rise by 2-4%. Life Sciences sales are expected to grow in the high single-digit range [11] - Capital expenditure is anticipated to be between $75 million and $90 million, with free cash flow conversion expected to be in the range of 80-90% [12]

Core Viewpoint - Donaldson Company, Inc. reported its third quarter fiscal 2025 earnings, highlighting both performance metrics and an updated outlook for the fiscal year [3]. Financial Performance - The third quarter non-GAAP results exclude pre-tax charges totaling $62 million for impairment of intangible assets related to two upstream bioprocessing businesses, Univercells Technologies and Solaris [4]. - Additional exclusions in the non-GAAP results include $4.2 million for restructuring, $800,000 for business development, and a $1.2 million gain on the sale of fixed assets [4]. Management Commentary - The earnings call featured insights from key executives, including Tod Carpenter, Chairman, President and CEO, and Brad Pogalz, Chief Financial Officer, who provided a summary of the company's performance and future outlook [3].

Financial Performance - Net sales for the three months ended April 30, 2025, were $940.1 million, a 1.3% increase from $927.9 million in the same period of 2024[106]. - Net sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, were $2,710.2 million, an increase of $59.3 million, or 2.2%, compared to $2,650.9 million for the same period in 2024[122]. - Net earnings for the three months ended April 30, 2025, were $57.8 million, a decrease of $55.7 million, or 49.1%, from $113.5 million in the same period of 2024[117]. - Net earnings for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, were $252.7 million, a decrease of $51.6 million, or 16.9%, compared to $304.3 million in 2024[130]. - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) decreased to $0.48 for the three months ended April 30, 2025, down from $0.92 in the prior year, a decline of 48.0%[117]. Segment Performance - The Industrial Solutions segment saw a sales increase of $14.2 million, or 5.3% growth, while the Mobile Solutions segment experienced a decline of $2.6 million, or 0.4%[108]. - The Mobile Solutions segment reported net sales of $1,702.6 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, an increase of $27.1 million, or 1.6%, compared to $1,675.5 million in 2024[140]. - Net sales for the Industrial Solutions segment for the three months ended April 30, 2025, were $283.3 million, an increase of $14.2 million, or 5.3%, compared to $269.1 million for the same period in 2024[146]. - Aerospace and Defense net sales increased by $11.0 million due to ongoing strength in the end markets, while Industrial Filtration Solutions (IFS) net sales increased by $3.2 million driven by replacement part sales[147]. - Net sales for the Life Sciences segment for the three months ended April 30, 2025, were $74.2 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 0.7%, compared to $73.6 million for the same period in 2024[160]. Expenses and Costs - Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 34.2% for the three months ended April 30, 2025, down from 35.6% in the prior year, primarily due to higher manufacturing costs[109]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $10.6 million, or 6.5%, to $151.1 million, representing 16.1% of net sales[110]. - Research and development expenses decreased by $3.4 million, or 14.0%, to $21.4 million, representing 2.3% of net sales[112]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses were $476.4 million, or 17.6% of net sales, for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, compared to $473.5 million, or 17.9% in 2024[124]. - Research and development expenses decreased by $2.9 million, or 4.4%, to $65.3 million, representing 2.4% of net sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2025[126]. Impairment and Tax - The company reported a loss on impairment of intangible assets of $62.0 million, or 6.6% of net sales, compared to no expense in the same period of 2024[111]. - Loss on impairment of intangible assets was $62.0 million, or 2.3% of net sales, for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, compared to no expense in 2024[125]. - The effective tax rate increased to 33.6% for the three months ended April 30, 2025, compared to 21.2% in the same period of 2024, primarily due to the impairment loss[115]. - The effective tax rate increased to 26.2% for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, compared to 23.1% in 2024, primarily due to the impairment loss[129]. Cash Flow and Debt - Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, was $251.0 million, a decrease of $115.5 million compared to $366.5 million for the same period in 2024[170]. - Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, was $129.8 million, an increase of $62.0 million compared to $67.8 million for the same period in 2024[171]. - Total debt as of April 30, 2025, was $638.8 million, an increase of $130.4 million from $508.4 million as of July 31, 2024[177]. - Cash and cash equivalents as of April 30, 2025, were $178.5 million, down from $232.7 million as of July 31, 2024[174]. - Dividends paid for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, were $96.9 million, compared to $90.3 million for the same period in 2024[173]. Foreign Currency and Interest Rates - The estimated impact of foreign currency translation for the nine months ended April 30, 2025, resulted in a decrease in reported net sales of $10.1 million and a decrease in reported net earnings of $3.4 million[187]. - The overall stronger U.S. dollar negatively impacted the Company's international net sales and net earnings due to foreign-denominated revenues translating into less U.S. dollars[187]. - As of April 30, 2025, the total notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges was $32.4 million, while those not designated as hedges amounted to $194.3 million[189]. - The total notional amount of net investment hedges as of April 30, 2025, was €80 million, or $88.8 million, with maturity dates ranging from 2027 to 2029[190]. - Assuming a hypothetical 0.5 percentage point increase in short-term interest rates, interest expense would have increased approximately $1.7 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2025[192].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, consolidated sales rose 1% year over year to $940 million, with modest volume growth offset by currency translation headwinds [11][19] - Adjusted EPS was $0.99, up approximately 8% compared to the prior year [12][19] - Operating margin improved by 80 basis points over the previous year, driven by expense leverage [11][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Mobile Solutions, total sales were $583 million, roughly flat with the prior year, with aftermarket sales increasing by 3% to $460 million [15][16] - Industrial Solutions sales rose 5% to $283 million, with IFS sales increasing by 1% to $232 million [17][18] - Life Sciences sales grew 1% to $74 million, with double-digit growth in disk drive and food and beverage replacement parts [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mobile Solutions in China saw a 27% increase in sales, driven by growth in both first fit and aftermarket [16] - Aerospace and defense sales reached a record $52 million, largely due to robust market demand [10][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term investments in technology opportunities and capital expenditures while maintaining a strong balance sheet [6][30] - The appointment of Rich Lewis as Chief Operating Officer is expected to strengthen execution across the organization [8] - The company aims to navigate dynamic market conditions while advancing innovation and growth initiatives [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver long-term value despite macro uncertainties, including tariff policies and end market pressures [5][6] - The company forecasts another record year for fiscal 2025, with expectations of record sales, operating margin, and adjusted earnings [19][29] Other Important Information - The company announced an 11% increase in its quarterly dividend, marking the 30th consecutive year of annual dividend increases [33][34] - During the third quarter, the company repurchased 2.4% of its outstanding shares for a total of $192 million [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the gross profit margin dynamics and inflation impacts? - Management indicated that the majority of the decline in gross margin was due to footprint optimization initiatives, and they remain confident in maintaining price-cost neutrality [38][40][42] Question: What is driving the lowered CapEx outlook? - Management stated that the focus is on executing business for customers amid supply chain pressures, leading to a more cautious approach to launching CapEx projects [43][44][45] Question: Can you provide insights on Industrial Solutions top line trends? - Management noted that while the equipment side is pressured, aftermarket growth and share gains in stationary hydraulics are offsetting headwinds [50][54] Question: What is the visibility like in the aerospace and defense segment? - Management confirmed long visibility on projects, but noted supply chain uncertainties could affect predictability [66][72] Question: How should we think about tariff impacts moving forward? - Management expects tariff impacts to be negligible and believes they can offset costs through pricing and supply chain adjustments [88][90][102]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, consolidated sales rose 1% year over year to $940 million, with modest volume growth offset by currency translation headwinds [9][20] - Adjusted EPS was $0.99, up approximately 8% compared to the prior year [10][21] - Operating margin improved by 80 basis points over the previous year, driven by expense leverage [9][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Mobile Solutions, total sales were $583 million, roughly flat with the prior year, with aftermarket sales increasing by 3% to $460 million [13][14] - Industrial Solutions sales rose 5% to $283 million, with IFS sales at $232 million, a 1% increase from the prior year [15][16] - Life Sciences sales grew 1% to $74 million, with double-digit growth in disk drive and food and beverage replacement parts [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mobile Solutions in China saw a 27% increase in sales, driven by growth in both first fit and aftermarket [15] - Aerospace and defense sales reached a record $52 million, largely due to robust market demand [7][16] - The impact of tariffs on net results was deemed immaterial for the quarter, with an annualized estimate of $35 million expected to be offset through supply chain and price adjustments [10][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term investments in technology opportunities and capital expenditures while maintaining a strong balance sheet [5][30] - A new COO was appointed to strengthen execution across the organization [6] - The company aims to navigate dynamic market conditions while advancing innovation and growth initiatives [35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver long-term value despite macro uncertainties [4][35] - The company anticipates fiscal 2025 to be another record year, with record sales, operating margin, and adjusted earnings [17][34] - Management acknowledged ongoing market headwinds in bioprocessing but remains committed to strategic investments [23][24] Other Important Information - The company announced an 11% increase in its quarterly dividend, marking the 30th consecutive year of annual dividend increases [32][33] - Share repurchases totaled 2.4% of outstanding shares for $192 million during the quarter, with expectations to increase the full-year repurchase to between 3-4% [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the gross profit margin dynamics and inflation impacts? - The decline in gross margin was primarily due to footprint optimization initiatives, with expectations to remain price-cost neutral [37][39][41] Question: What is driving the lowered CapEx outlook? - The company is prioritizing executing business operations over launching new CapEx projects due to supply chain pressures [42][44] Question: Can you provide insights on Industrial Solutions top-line trends? - The equipment side is pressured, but aftermarket growth and share gains in stationary hydraulics are offsetting challenges [49][51] Question: What is the visibility in aerospace and defense? - The company has long visibility on projects, but supply chain uncertainties make predictions challenging [62][68] Question: How does the company view the impact of tariffs on demand? - The company is managing carefully amidst uncertainties, with aftermarket and service-based businesses performing well [100][101]