Group 1 - HNI Corporation is experiencing growth due to strong international and corporate demand, with revenue and adjusted EPS exceeding guidance in the recent quarter [2] - The company has made a significant acquisition of Steelcase in a $2.2 billion transaction, which is expected to create synergies of $120 million annually over the next two years [3] - Strs Ohio has invested approximately $661,000 in HNI Corporation by acquiring 14,900 shares during the first quarter [1] Group 2 - HNI Corporation specializes in furnishings and residential building products primarily in the United States and Canada, and has been operational since 1944 [4]

MUSCATINE, Iowa, Sept. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On August 4, 2025, HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI; “HNI” or “the Corporation”) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Steelcase, Inc. (NYSE: SCS; “Steelcase”) in a cash and stock transaction (the “Acquisition”). The companies’ complementary brand portfolios, dealer networks, and industry segments are expected to enhance customer reach and enable the combined company to accelerate strategic initiatives to better serve customers and drive long-term profitab ...

Core Concept - Allsteel has launched its Design Lab in Washington, D.C., embodying the "Living in Beta" model to address evolving workplace needs through a dynamic and experimental environment [1][3] Design Lab Features - The Design Lab supports six foundational workplace behaviors: Focus, Mentorship, Innovation, Collaboration, Socialization, and Learning, through adaptable zones as part of the Intentional Office framework [2] - The lab encourages real-time design processes, allowing clients to experiment with layouts and products while utilizing digital planning tools [2] - The space will be regularly updated with new products and prototypes to meet changing market demands [2] Collaborative Approach - The Design Lab is a collaboration between Allsteel and Gensler, integrating hands-on experience with the latest research to create diverse office environments [3][11] - Co-Solutioning Zones within the lab allow clients to engage in collaborative planning, testing mockups and layouts to support user autonomy [7] Specific Zones - The Social Crossroads + All-Day Cafe zone promotes casual interactions and transitions between work modes, enhancing collaboration through a welcoming atmosphere [4] - The Today's Boardroom Experience zone redefines modern boardroom settings, facilitating hybrid collaboration and purposeful conversations [5] - The Designing for Impact zone focuses on sustainability, encouraging discussions around circularity and waste reduction [6] Office Environments - The lab showcases various office environments tailored for different leadership styles, such as The Creator for strategic planning and The Conductor for team mentorship [8][9] - These environments emphasize flexibility, hospitality, and digital equity to foster individual and team success [9] Additional Resources - The Materials Lab offers clients the opportunity to explore finishes and make selections with digital support, while the Digital Theatre serves as a venue for presentations and social engagements [10]

Company Overview - HNI Corporation, headquartered in Muscatine, is a Business Services stock that has experienced a price change of -10.78% this year [3] - The company specializes in manufacturing office furniture and fireplaces [3] Dividend Information - HNI currently pays a dividend of $0.34 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.03%, which is higher than the Business - Office Products industry's yield of 2.42% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.49% [3] - The annualized dividend of $1.36 represents a 3.8% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, HNI has increased its dividend four times, averaging an annual increase of 2.00% [4] - The current payout ratio is 39%, indicating that HNI paid out 39% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $3.55 per share, reflecting a 16.01% increase from the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - HNI is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6] - The company is positioned well for income investors, especially given the potential for solid earnings growth [5][6]

Group 1: HilleVax, Inc. - HilleVax will be acquired by XOMA Royalty Corporation for $1.95 in cash per share plus one non-transferable contingent value right (CVR) [2] - The investigation focuses on whether the HilleVax Board breached its fiduciary duties by failing to conduct a fair process and whether the consideration provides fair value to shareholders [2] Group 2: Steelcase Inc. - Steelcase will be acquired by HNI Corporation for $7.20 in cash and 0.2192 shares of HNI common stock for each share of Steelcase [4] - The implied per share purchase price is $18.30 based on HNI's closing share price of $50.62 on August 1, 2025 [4] - The investigation concerns whether the Steelcase Board breached its fiduciary duties by failing to conduct a fair process and whether the consideration provides fair value to shareholders [4] Group 3: LAVA Therapeutics N.V. - LAVA will be acquired by XOMA Royalty Corporation for between $1.16 and $1.24 per share in cash, plus a non-transferable CVR [6] - The cash amount consists of a base price of $1.16 per share and an additional amount of up to $0.08 per share [6] - The investigation focuses on whether the LAVA Board breached its fiduciary duties by failing to conduct a fair process and whether the consideration provides fair value to shareholders [6] Group 4: Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. - Arcadia will be acquired by Roosevelt Resources LP, with current equity owners of Roosevelt and Arcadia shareholders expected to own approximately 90% and 10% of the combined company, respectively [8] - The investigation concerns whether the Arcadia Board breached its fiduciary duties by failing to conduct a fair process and the potential dilution of shareholders in the combined company [8]

Summary of HNI Corporation and Steelcase Acquisition Conference Call Industry and Companies Involved - **Industry**: Workplace furnishings and office solutions - **Companies**: HNI Corporation and Steelcase Core Points and Arguments 1. **Acquisition Announcement**: HNI Corporation announced its agreement to acquire Steelcase for approximately $2.2 billion, with a share price of $18.3 for Steelcase shareholders, reflecting an enterprise value multiple of about 5.8 times pro forma adjusted EBITDA [17][20][24] 2. **Strategic Rationale**: - The acquisition aims to combine complementary dealer networks, brand portfolios, and customer segments, enhancing the ability to serve a broader range of customers from small businesses to large corporations [6][7][8] - HNI and Steelcase will unite their innovation and operational capabilities to deliver advanced solutions to customers [8][19] - The transaction is expected to be highly accretive, with projected annual run rate cost synergies of $120 million [20][21] 3. **Financial Highlights**: - Post-acquisition, HNI shareholders will own approximately 64% of the combined company, while Steelcase shareholders will own 36% [17] - The combined company is expected to generate annual net sales of approximately $5.8 billion and pro forma EBITDA of $745 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of nearly 13% [22] - The net leverage is expected to be around 2.1 times at closing, allowing for continued balance sheet flexibility [17][21] 4. **Integration Plans**: - There are no plans to change dealer partnerships, brand distribution, or sales forces, emphasizing a commitment to existing dealer networks [6][28] - The integration process will focus on generating strong cash flow to quickly deleverage and maintain a flexible balance sheet [21] 5. **Market Positioning**: - The acquisition positions the combined entity to capture industry growth as office work trends accelerate, unlocking new opportunities across various customer segments, including healthcare, education, and hospitality [8][19][24] 6. **Future Growth Expectations**: - HNI anticipates extending its consecutive years of double-digit non-GAAP earnings growth to at least six years with the addition of Steelcase [24] - The focus will be on investments in people, distribution, and operational capabilities to enhance the ease of doing business for dealer partners [42] Other Important but Potentially Overlooked Content 1. **Commitment to Values**: Both companies share a commitment to integrity, operational excellence, and environmental responsibility, which will guide their integration efforts [23] 2. **Regulatory Considerations**: The transaction is subject to shareholder approval and regulatory clearances, but no significant issues are anticipated [18][71] 3. **Revenue Synergies**: While no revenue synergies are included in the initial projections, there is optimism about potential opportunities as the companies integrate and understand each other's dealer networks better [40][66] 4. **Cultural Integration**: The leadership from both companies expressed confidence in the cultural fit and collaborative spirit that will drive the success of the integration [13][76]

Core Viewpoint - HNI has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - HNI's earnings estimates have increased by 8.7% over the past three months, reflecting a positive trend in its underlying business [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - HNI's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Group 1 - HNI closed at $51.83, with a 1.3% gain over the past four weeks, and analysts set a mean price target of $68.75, indicating a 32.7% upside potential [1] - The average price targets range from a low of $60.00 to a high of $80.00, with a standard deviation of $8.54, suggesting a 15.8% to 54.4% upside based on the lowest and highest estimates respectively [2] - Analysts show strong agreement on HNI's ability to report better earnings, with a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions correlating with potential stock price increases [4][11] Group 2 - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HNI's current year earnings has increased by 1.4% over the past month, with two estimates revised higher and no negative revisions [12] - HNI holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] - While consensus price targets may not be reliable for predicting exact gains, they can indicate the direction of price movement, which appears to be a good guide for potential upside [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-GAAP earnings per share increased by more than 40% year over year, reaching $1.11, driven by better-than-expected volume growth [5][8][10] - Consolidated non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 90 basis points year on year to 42.9% [10] - Non-GAAP operating margin expanded by 200 basis points year over year to 11%, marking the highest EBIT margin on record for the second quarter [10][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Workplace Furnishings segment, organic net sales increased by more than 8% year over year, with contract brands revenue up nearly 15% [10][12] - Residential Building Products revenue increased by more than 5% year over year, with new construction channel revenue up over 4% and remodel retrofit sales growing over 7% [12][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Orders in the Workplace Furnishings segment grew across all major office brands, with a 3% increase in SMB orders [13][14] - In Residential Building Products, orders decreased approximately 2% year over year, but there was a return to year-over-year order improvement in May and June [15][68] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on investing to drive revenue growth and expand margins, with a strong emphasis on operational efficiencies and market connectivity [33][24] - The company is optimistic about long-term opportunities in the housing market and is investing in new products and programs to increase awareness among homeowners [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strategies and the ability to manage through varying macroeconomic conditions, anticipating continued revenue growth and margin expansion [13][24] - The company expects to see elevated earnings visibility through 2026, with a modest increase in the earnings outlook for 2025 [25][24] Other Important Information - The company has recognized approximately $0.24 of EPS benefit from initiatives, with an expected additional benefit of $0.50 to $0.60 over the next eighteen months [25][26] - The balance sheet remains strong, with gross debt leverage at 1.4 times, and the company continues to deploy cash through dividends and stock repurchases [32][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the increased visibility or earnings outlook? - Management indicated increased confidence in network optimization and synergy work, leading to a modest increase in the full-year EPS outlook [36][37] Question: Is the SMB business showing signs of life? - Management noted that the SMB business is returning from a temporary lull due to tariff impacts, with contract business performing well [39][40] Question: How is the residential side performing despite market challenges? - Management highlighted strong competition and growth initiatives, with revenue up despite a challenging environment [42][44] Question: Where is the company investing in the workplace furnishing side? - Investments are focused on increasing people capacity, streamlining dealer experiences, and accelerating product cycles [53][54] Question: What is the expected margin range for the workplace business? - Management indicated a target margin range of 12% for the workplace business, with current initiatives expected to drive further expansion [56] Question: How are large contract customers feeling about business conditions? - Management reported that large customers are investing in their in-office models and moving forward with capital projects [84][86] Question: How much of the revenue growth in Residential Building Products is from volume versus pricing? - Management indicated that the growth is primarily driven by pricing, with volume expected to increase in the second half of the year [87]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-GAAP earnings per share increased by 41% year over year to $1.11, driven by better-than-expected volume growth [8][9] - Consolidated non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 90 basis points year on year to 42.9% [9] - Non-GAAP operating margin expanded by 200 basis points year over year to 11%, marking the highest EBIT margin on record for the second quarter [9][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Workplace Furnishings segment, organic net sales increased by more than 8% year over year, with contract brands revenue up nearly 15% [9][10] - Residential Building Products revenue increased by more than 5% year over year, with new construction channel revenue up over 4% and remodel retrofit sales growing over 7% [11][12] - Workplace Furnishings non-GAAP EBIT margin expanded by 120 basis points year over year to 13.1% [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Orders in the Workplace Furnishings segment grew across all major office brands, with a 3% increase in SMB orders [13][14] - Residential Building Products orders decreased approximately 2% year over year, but showed improvement in May and June [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on investing in growth initiatives across both segments, with a strong emphasis on market connectivity and product development [22][50] - The company is optimistic about long-term opportunities in the housing market despite current challenges, and is enhancing its product offerings to increase market share [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a fourth consecutive year of double-digit non-GAAP earnings improvement, supported by margin expansion and revenue growth [6][24] - The company remains focused on operational efficiencies and has high visibility for significant profit growth driven by ongoing initiatives [24][30] Other Important Information - The company has recognized approximately $0.24 of EPS benefit from its initiatives, with an expected additional benefit of $0.50 to $0.60 over the next eighteen months [24] - The company continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, with gross debt leverage at 1.4 times [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the increased earnings outlook? - Management indicated that confidence in network optimization and synergy work has led to a modest increase in the full-year EPS outlook [34] Question: Is the SMB business showing signs of improvement? - Management noted that the SMB business is rebounding from a temporary lull due to tariff impacts, indicating a return to growth [36][37] Question: How is the residential segment performing despite market challenges? - Management highlighted strong competition and growth initiatives as key factors contributing to outperformance in the residential segment [39][40] Question: Where is the company investing in the workplace furnishings segment? - Investments are focused on increasing people capacity, streamlining dealer experiences, and accelerating product cycles [50] Question: What is the expected margin range for the workplace business? - Management indicated a target margin range of 12% for the workplace business, with room for expansion due to ongoing initiatives [52] Question: How is the company managing cash flow and capital expenditures? - Management expects free cash flow growth to align with earnings per share growth, projecting an increase in cash flow generation [68]