Core Insights - The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) has reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 guidance, indicating strong performance during the peak lawn and garden season with consistent year-over-year growth in consumer point-of-sale (POS) units and dollars [1][8] Financial Performance - The company expects a decline in interest expense by approximately $30 million compared to the previous year, an increase from the earlier forecast of $15-$20 million [2] - SMG has revised its projected increase in share count to about 1 million, down from the prior estimate of 2 million [2] - Adjusted earnings per share are anticipated to be at least $3.50, representing a 53% increase over the previous year [2] - The company projects adjusted EBITDA to range between $570 million and $590 million, with an expected adjusted gross margin of around 30% [4][8] - SMG aims to generate approximately $250 million in free cash flow for the fiscal year [4][8] Market Position - During the peak season, SMG has achieved favorable results, reflecting a resilient consumer base and effective marketing efforts, reinforcing confidence in meeting full-year outlooks [3] - The company is on track to improve its debt profile, aiming for a leverage goal of below 3.5 by the end of fiscal 2027 [3] Stock Performance - SMG's shares have decreased by 4.7% over the past year, contrasting with a 0.8% growth in its industry [5]

Company Overview - Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) shares increased by 10.9% to close at $65.01, with notable trading volume exceeding typical levels [1] - The stock has gained 8.9% over the past four weeks, reflecting positive market sentiment [1] Performance and Guidance - The share price rally was driven by the company's reaffirmation of its fiscal 2025 guidance and strong performance during the peak lawn and garden season [2] - Robust consumer demand and strong point-of-sale (POS) trends have reinforced investor confidence in the company's growth trajectory [2] Earnings Expectations - Scotts is expected to report quarterly earnings of $2.17 per share, representing a year-over-year decline of 6.1% [3] - Revenue is anticipated to be $1.23 billion, reflecting a 2.7% increase from the same quarter last year [3] - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised marginally higher over the last 30 days, indicating a positive trend that typically correlates with price appreciation [4] Industry Context - Scotts operates within the Zacks Agriculture - Operations industry, where another company, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), experienced a 0.6% decline in its stock price [4] - ADM's consensus EPS estimate has decreased by 6.9% over the past month, indicating challenges within the industry [5]

Core Viewpoint - Scotts Miracle-Gro shares experienced an 11% increase after the company reaffirmed its optimistic guidance for fiscal 2025, contrasting with a generally bearish market day where the S&P 500 fell by 0.5% [1] Group 1: Financial Guidance - The company expects U.S. consumer net sales to grow at a low-single-digit percentage rate compared to fiscal 2024, with non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA projected between $570 million and $590 million [2] - Analysts predict a single-digit percentage decline in revenue for fiscal 2025, estimating revenue at $3.44 billion, which is over 3% lower than the previous year's results [4] Group 2: Market Context - The current period is significant for Scotts as it coincides with the growing season, a time when both individual and institutional growers engage in extensive planting [5] - The CEO highlighted the positive outcomes driven by consumer health and effective marketing investments during this peak lawn and garden season [5] Group 3: Investment Appeal - While the management's commitment to revenue growth projections is noted, the company is characterized as a slow-growing, mature business that offers an attractive dividend yield of 4.1%, positioning it as an income stock [6]

Summary of Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) FY Conference Call Company Overview - Scotts Miracle-Gro is the leading provider of branded do-it-yourself lawn and garden products in the US, covering a wide range of categories from lawns to gardens [2][3] Core Insights and Arguments - The company has undergone significant transformation aimed at sustainable sales growth, gross margin expansion, and strengthening its balance sheet [3] - Scotts Miracle-Gro has a wide moat due to its strong brands, R&D capabilities, and unique go-to-market model [3] - The company aims to evolve into a lifestyle brand, providing comprehensive solutions for consumers' gardening needs [6] - There is a strong focus on organic growth within existing categories, with a total addressable market (TAM) of approximately $11 billion, of which the company currently captures about $3.5 billion [10] - The company is shifting consumer behavior from "do it for me" to "do it yourself" (DIY), emphasizing the importance of education in product usage [14] - A new digital interface is set to launch, focusing on consumer education and engagement through AI tools [15][17] - The company is targeting younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who are increasingly interested in gardening and home improvement [18] Financial Performance and Guidance - The company reaffirmed its sales guidance for low single-digit growth, with a long-term target of 3% annual sales growth [41][44] - Gross margin is expected to be around 30%, with a significant recovery from previous lows during the pandemic [47][50] - The company aims to achieve $75 million in supply chain cost savings this year, contributing to gross margin improvement [54] - EBITDA is projected to be between $570 million and $590 million, indicating a return to pre-COVID levels [53] Innovation and Product Development - Scotts Miracle-Gro is focusing on expanding its organic product line and enhancing its indoor gardening offerings [19][30] - The company has launched new products, including Miracle-Gro Organics, which has been well-received in the market [44] - There is a commitment to sustainability, with plans to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and improve packaging [27][29] Supply Chain and E-commerce Strategy - The company has invested heavily in supply chain automation, which has improved efficiency and cost management [31][33] - E-commerce sales have increased from 8% to nearly 10% of total revenues, with a significant rise in direct-to-consumer shipments [35][36] - The company is rationalizing its product offerings to better align with e-commerce and retail needs [34] Consumer Sentiment and Market Position - Despite economic challenges, the company reports that its consumer base remains healthy, with high incomes and low debt levels [21] - The company has not seen significant negative impacts from consumer sentiment fluctuations, maintaining stable sales performance [23] Long-term Vision - Scotts Miracle-Gro is focused on delivering sustainable net sales growth through innovation and high-margin products [61] - The company aims to return to consistent dividend payments and share buybacks once leverage ratios improve [65] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Scotts Miracle-Gro FY Conference Call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, financial outlook, and market positioning.

William Blair 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference June 5, 2025 1 Safe Harbor Disclosure Statements contained in this presentation which address activities, events and developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, information regarding the future economic performance and financial condition of the Company, the plans and objectives of the Company's management, and the Company's assumptions regarding such performance and plans are "forward- ...

Core Viewpoint - The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company reaffirms its fiscal year 2025 guidance, indicating confidence in its performance during the peak lawn and garden season and projecting significant growth in earnings and reduced interest expenses [1][4][5]. Financial Performance - The company reported year-to-date increases in point-of-sale (POS) units and dollars, consistent with trends from the first half of the fiscal year [2]. - Interest expense is projected to be approximately $30 million lower than the previous year, an improvement from earlier estimates of a $15 million to $20 million decrease [3]. - The diluted share count is expected to increase by approximately 1 million, down from a previous estimate of 2 million [3]. - Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share are projected to be at least $3.50, representing a 53% increase compared to the prior year [3]. Strategic Outlook - The company aims to improve shareholder returns and achieve multi-year objectives, with a focus on delivering adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow targets [4]. - The goal is to exit 2025 with a significantly improved debt position, targeting a leverage ratio below 3.5 by the end of fiscal 2027 [4]. Market Position - Scotts Miracle-Gro is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with approximately $3.6 billion in sales [6]. - The company's brands, including Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho®, are market leaders in their respective categories [6].

Core Insights - Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) shares have increased by approximately 14.2% since the last earnings report, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] - There is speculation on whether this positive trend will continue or if a pullback is imminent [1] Estimates Movement - Estimates for Scotts Miracle-Gro have trended upward over the past month [2] VGM Scores - Scotts Miracle-Gro has a strong Growth Score of A, a Momentum Score of B, and a Value Score of B, resulting in an aggregate VGM Score of A [3] Outlook - The upward trend in estimates is promising, and Scotts holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [4]

Core Insights - Scotts Miracle-Gro Company will participate in the William Blair 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference on June 5, 2025, in Chicago [1][2] - The company is a leader in branded consumer lawn and garden products, with approximately $3.6 billion in sales [3] Company Overview - Scotts Miracle-Gro is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with well-known brands such as Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® [3] - The company's subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, specializes in indoor and hydroponic growing products [3]

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 _________________________________________ FORM 10-Q _________________________________ (Mark One) ☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2025 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File Number: 001-11593 ____________________________________ The Scot ...

Core Insights - The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) reported a second-quarter fiscal 2025 profit of $217.5 million or $3.72 per share, a 38% increase from $157.5 million or $2.74 per share in the prior-year quarter [1] - Adjusted earnings were $3.98 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.95 [1] Financial Performance - Net sales for the fiscal second quarter were $1,421 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,498.2 million, and reflecting a year-over-year decline of approximately 6.8% [2] - U.S. Consumer division net sales decreased by 5% year over year to $1,311.5 million, falling short of the estimate of $1,373.2 million, while the segment recorded a profit of $392.5 million, up 2% year over year [3] - The Hawthorne segment's net sales plummeted 51% year over year to $32.7 million, missing the estimate of $70.4 million, and reported a loss of $0.9 million, which was an improvement from a loss of $3.4 million in the previous year [4] - The other segment's net sales fell 3% year over year to $76.8 million, exceeding the estimate of $62.3 million, and reported a profit of $9 million, up 41% [4] - At the end of the fiscal second quarter, cash and cash equivalents were $16.9 million, down around 74% year over year, while long-term debt decreased roughly 9.7% to $2,493.2 million [5] Outlook - The company reiterated its guidance for U.S. Consumer segment net sales, adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow, but has ceased issuing full-year revenue guidance for the Hawthorne segment due to ongoing uncertainty in the cannabis business [6] Stock Performance - SMG's shares have declined by 23.7% over the past year, compared to a 10.1% decline in its industry [7] Zacks Rank - SMG currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), with better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space including Hawkins, Inc. (HWKN), SSR Mining Inc. (SSRM), and Coeur Mining (CDE) [8]