Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In fiscal '24, the company achieved adjusted EBITDA growth of 20%, finishing at $539 million, despite a challenging lawn and garden market [10][35] - Total company net sales increased 11% for the quarter, with full-year sales essentially flat at $3.55 billion [32] - Full-year adjusted earnings per share improved nearly 90% to $2.29 versus $1.21 in fiscal '23 [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. consumer sales increased 54% in the fourth quarter, driven by timing of shipments and fall load-in to retailers, with full-year sales ending 6% higher than the prior year [32][33] - At Hawthorne, sales declined 46% in the fourth quarter and 37% for the full year, aligning with the decision to exit third-party distribution [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retailer inventories are in a good place, with POS units up about 10% for the fiscal year, driven by gardens and controls [32] - POS units across the portfolio were up nearly 9% in fiscal '24 [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for consistent growth averaging 3% annually, with a focus on brand investment and margin improvement [8] - A strategic pivot was made in Hawthorne to focus on profitable owned brands, resulting in consecutive quarters of positive EBITDA for the first time in two years [12] - The company plans to invest over $200 million annually in advertising and marketing to support growth [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in consumer sentiment and pricing pressures but expressed confidence in achieving growth through strategic investments and operational efficiencies [15][20] - The company expects EBITDA of $570 million to $590 million in fiscal '25, representing a 6% to 9% increase over fiscal '24 [20][41] Other Important Information - The decision to discontinue AeroGarden was made due to its lack of profitability, allowing the company to focus on more strategic investments [18] - The company generated over $580 million in free cash flow in fiscal '24, contributing to debt reduction of $390 million [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on top-line guidance for U.S. consumer business - Management indicated that one-time items, including AeroGarden sales and inventory balancing, will not repeat, but core branded products are expected to see low single-digit growth [45][46] Question: Clarification on EBITDA target - Management confirmed the goal of $700 million in EBITDA by fiscal '27, with a focus on reducing leverage to approximately 3x [50][51] Question: Margin expansion challenges - Management acknowledged that while pricing may be less of a component for margin recovery, other drivers such as innovation and cost reductions will be pursued [54][55] Question: Incremental investment allocation - The majority of the increased investment will go towards brand support, with a smaller portion allocated to building midterm capacity [63][65]

Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) reported $414.7 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 10.7%. EPS of -$2.31 for the same period compares to -$2.77 a year ago.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $392.95 million, representing a surprise of +5.54%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -19.07%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$1.94.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compa ...

Wall Street analysts forecast that Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) will report quarterly loss of $1.94 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 30%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $392.95 million, exhibiting an increase of 4.9% compared to the year-ago quarter.The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.A ...

MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), the world’s leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden as well as indoor and hydroponic growing products, today announced that Rob Candelino has been named to its Board of Directors. Candelino is CEO of PetSafe Brands, the world’s leading pet-technology and services company. He also serves on its Board of Directors. Prior to joining PetSafe, Candelino spent 25 years with Unilever in a variety of roles a ...

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. announces that a lawsuit was filed by aNYSE: SMG investor against certain directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Investors who purchased shares of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) prior to November 2021 and continue to hold any of thoseNYSE: SMG shares have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at [email protected] or call +1(858) 779 - 1554. In June 2024, a lawsuit was filed against The Scotts M ...

Small deep value individual investor, with a modest private investment portfolio, split approx. 50%-50% between shares and call options. I have a B.Sc. in aeronautical engineering and over 6 years of experience as an engineering consultant in the aerospace sector. The latter statement is not relevant in any way whatsoever to my investment style, but I thought to add it for self-indulgent purposes. I have a contrarian investment style, highly risky, and often dealing with illiquid options. How illiquid? Well ...

NEW YORK, Aug. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) on behalf of long-term stockholders following a class action complaint that was filed against Scotts on June 6, 2024 with a Class Period from June 2, 2021 to August 1, 2023. Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of Scotts have breached their fiduciary duties to the company. Scotts ...

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NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG). Shareholders who purchased shares of SMG during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery. CONTACT US HERE: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/the-scotts-miracle-gro-company-loss-submission-form/? id=93536&from=4 CLASS ...

Shares of the lawn care specialist got a boost after a better-than-expected earnings report. Shares of Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG -3.63%) were moving higher this week after the lawn care specialist posted a better-than-expected profit in its fiscal third-quarter earnings report earlier this week, showing the company's turnaround is on track. As a result, the stock was up 6.5% as of Thursday's close, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Scotts is on the mend After a post-pandemic collapse in t ...