Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales increased by 24.4million,or109.9 million and average selling price increases adding about 7.7million[91].−Consolidatednetincomeincreasedby2.5 million, or 8%, with a favorable impact of 1.2millionfromforeigncurrencyexchangerates[91].−Dilutedearningspersharewere2.42, compared to 2.23inthepriorfiscalyear[91].−Netincomedecreased615.5 million, or 1.14percommonshareforthethreemonthsendedFebruary29,2024[137].−Netincomeincreased833.0 million, or 2.42percommonshareforthesixmonthsendedFebruary29,2024[138].−Cashprovidedbyoperatingactivitiesincreasedby23.9 million to 44.9millionforthesixmonthsendedFebruary29,2024,primarilydrivenbyanetincomeincrease[151].−Thecompanyhad55.4 million in cash and cash equivalents as of February 29, 2024, indicating strong liquidity[148]. Sales Performance - The EIMEA segment accounted for 37% of consolidated sales, with net sales increasing by 16% in the three months ended February 29, 2024[93]. - Total maintenance products net sales increased by 10% to 263.4millionforthesixmonthsendedFebruary29,2024[92].−TheAmericassegmentreporteda163.5 million for the three months ended February 29, 2024[93]. - Net sales in the Americas segment increased by 6.7million,orapproximately6.74.0 million increase in average selling prices and a 1.5millionpositivecurrencyimpact[95].−WD−40Multi−UseProductsalesintheAmericasincreasedby6.0 million, or 7%, with significant contributions from Latin America (up 3.5million,or203.2 million, or 5%)[98]. - In the EIMEA segment, net sales increased by 15.5million,or1812.8 million, or 19%[99]. - Homecare and cleaning product sales in the Americas decreased by 0.5million,or62.3 million, or 5%, with WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales up by 1.3million,or352 million for the three months ended February 29, 2024[92]. - Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by 7.3million,or191.7 million for the three months ended February 29, 2024, compared to 1.2 million in the prior year, reflecting a focus on sustainability and product innovation[116]. - Advertising and Sales Promotion (A&P) expenses rose by 740,000, or 12%, for the three months ended February 29, 2024, driven by increased promotional programs[118][119]. - Total operating expenses increased to 52millionforthethreemonthsendedFebruary29,2024,comparedto43.9 million for the same period in 2023[143]. Profitability Metrics - Gross profit as a percentage of net sales rose to 53.1%, up from 51.1% in the prior year[91]. - Gross profit for the three months ended February 29, 2024, was 72.9million,up6.9 million from the prior year, resulting in a gross margin increase of 160 basis points to 52.4%[110][111]. - Gross margin for the Americas segment increased from 48.1% to 49.4% primarily due to decreases in the costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals[124]. - Gross margin for the EIMEA segment increased from 52.3% to 53.7% due to favorable changes in sales mix and decreases in costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals[126]. - Gross margin for the Asia-Pacific segment increased from 55.3% to 58.5% due to favorable price increases and changes in input costs[128]. Future Outlook - New product introductions and product line extensions are anticipated to positively impact future sales growth[87]. - The company plans to continue focusing on product innovation and market expansion strategies to drive future performance[87]. Shareholder Returns - The Board approved a share repurchase plan allowing for the acquisition of up to 50.0millionofoutstandingshares,with44.7 million remaining available as of February 29, 2024[149]. - The company declared a cash dividend of 0.88pershareonMarch19,2024,payableonApril30,2024[161].CurrencyImpact−Netsaleswerenegativelyimpactedby0.7 million due to foreign currency exchange rate changes, but would have increased by 6% on a constant currency basis[110][112]. - The EIMEA segment experienced a favorable currency impact of 6.0million,withconstantcurrencysalesincreasingby110.3 million for the six months ended February 29, 2024, compared to an increase of $2.8 million in the same period of 2023[156].