Financial Performance - Third-quarter net sales reached 1.16billion,a6.91.08 billion in the same period of fiscal 2023[1]. - Reported diluted EPS for the third quarter was 1.14,upfrom(0.14) in the same period last year, while adjusted diluted EPS was 1.18,a24.20.95[1][5]. - The professional segment net sales were 880.9million,down1.7896.3 million, primarily due to lower shipments of snow and ice management products[6]. - The residential segment net sales increased by 52.6% to 267.5million,drivenbyhighershipmentstothemasschannel[7].−Grossmarginforthethirdquarterwas34.8148.1 million, a recovery from an operating loss of 19.1millioninthesameperiodlastyear[17].−NetearningsfortheninemonthsendedAugust2,2024,were329.0 million, compared to 259.4millionforthesameperiodlastyear,representinganincreaseof27.0337.5 million, down from 369.4millionforthesameperiodin2023[21].CashFlowandInvestments−NetcashprovidedbyoperatingactivitiesfortheninemonthsendedAugust2,2024,was329.8 million, significantly higher than 154.7millionforthesameperiodin2023[20].−Netcashusedininvestingactivitiesdecreasedto43.4 million for the nine months ended August 2, 2024, from 119.2millioninthesameperiodof2023[20].−Netcashusedinfinancingactivitiesincreasedto260.5 million for the nine months ended August 2, 2024, compared to 82.4millionforthesameperiodin2023[20].−FreecashflowfortheninemonthsendedAugust2,2024,was270.5 million, significantly up from 56.1millionforthesameperiodin2023[25].−Thecompanyreportedafreecashflowconversionpercentageof82.259.3 million in August 2024, down from 98.6millioninAugust2023[25].FutureOutlook−Thecompanyexpectstotalnetsalesgrowthofabout14.15 to 4.20[4].−Thecompanyremainsoptimisticaboutfiscal2025andbeyond,focusingonagility,productivity,andleveragingitsinnovativeproductportfolio[4].−Thecompanyanticipatesatleast100 million in annualized run rate savings by fiscal 2027 from its multi-year productivity initiative named AMP[3]. - The company anticipates continued demand trends and has provided fiscal 2024 financial guidance, although specific figures were not disclosed in the provided content[16]. Tax and Inventory Management - The effective tax rate for the third quarter was reported at 17.3%, a decrease from 47.6% in the same prior-year period[9]. - The effective tax rate for the nine months ended August 2, 2024, was 17.3%, compared to 47.6% for the same period in 2023[21]. - Significant progress was made in reducing dealer field inventories of lawn care products, with expectations to exit the fiscal year in a better position than last year[3]. Segment Performance - Net sales for the three months ended August 2, 2024, were 1,156.9million,anincreasefrom1,081.8 million for the same period last year, representing a growth of 6.9%[17]. - Gross profit for the nine months ended August 2, 2024, was 1,200.3million,comparedto1,248.0 million for the same period last year, indicating a decrease of 3.8%[17]. - The gross margin for the three months ended August 2, 2024, improved to 34.8% from 34.4% in the same period last year[17]. - The Professional segment net sales for the three months ended August 2, 2024, were 880.9million,adecreaseof1.6896.3 million in the prior year[18]. - The Residential segment net sales increased significantly to 267.5millionforthethreemonthsendedAugust2,2024,comparedto175.3 million for the same period last year, reflecting a growth of 52.6%[18]. Impairment and Charges - Non-cash impairment charges recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 amounted to $151.3 million, impacting the operating segment related to the Intimidator Group[22]. - The company launched the "Amplifying Maximum Productivity" (AMP) initiative in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, which includes significant third-party consulting costs and other related expenses[22].