Core Viewpoint - Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. reported strong financial results for its fiscal first quarter, demonstrating resilience in challenging market conditions and maintaining a positive outlook for the fiscal year 2026 [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - The company achieved an EPS of $3.16, exceeding the estimated $3.04, and revenue reached approximately $3.1 billion, surpassing the estimated $3.05 billion [2][6]. - The GAAP EPS was reported at $3.04, marking a 10% increase year-over-year, while GAAP operating income rose to $735 million, a 14% increase from the previous year [3]. - Adjusted EPS of $3.16 and adjusted operating income of $757 million reflect a 12% rise, indicating robust financial health [3]. Guidance and Projections - Air Products is maintaining its full-year adjusted EPS guidance for fiscal 2026, projected to be between $12.85 and $13.15 [4][6]. - For the second quarter, the adjusted EPS is expected to range from $2.95 to $3.10 [4]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is engaged in advanced negotiations with Yara International for low-emission ammonia projects and has secured a $140 million contract with NASA for liquid hydrogen supply [5]. - Air Products increased its quarterly dividend to $1.81 per share, marking the 44th consecutive year of dividend increases [5]. - The company has a strong liquidity position, with a current ratio of 1.38, supporting its strategic initiatives for future growth [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 12% improvement in adjusted operating income and a 10% increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $3.16 compared to the prior year, driven by stronger productivity despite weak economic conditions [5][15] - The operating margin increased to 24.4%, while return on capital (ROC) was 11%, slightly lower than last year but stable sequentially [5][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in the Americas increased by 4%, driven by higher energy pass-through, while operating income improved due to price, on-site volume, and lower maintenance costs [17] - Asia segment sales rose by 2%, with operating income up 7%, attributed to productivity improvements and reduced depreciation from certain gasification assets [17] - Europe saw increases in both sales and operating income due to volume and price improvements, although higher costs from depreciation and fixed cost inflation impacted margins [17] - The Middle East and India segment experienced improved operating income due to lower costs, while the corporate segment also saw improvements from lower costs [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted resilience in key sectors such as refining, electronics, and aerospace, with new supply contracts announced with NASA for liquid hydrogen [7][8] - The company expects continued headwinds from helium, projecting a 4% decline in EPS effect for the year [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three key priorities for 2026: unlocking earnings growth, optimizing large projects, and maintaining capital discipline [7] - Capital expenditures are expected to be reduced by approximately $1 billion in fiscal 2026, with a commitment to disciplined capital allocation and returning cash to shareholders [9][18] - The company is in advanced negotiations with Yara International for low-emission ammonia projects in Saudi Arabia and the U.S., which aligns with its clean energy strategy [10][11] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the macroeconomic environment, affirming full-year earnings guidance with an expected improvement of 7%-9% at the midpoint [7][19] - The company anticipates challenges from helium headwinds but remains focused on pricing actions and productivity improvements to drive results [20][64] Other Important Information - The company returned nearly $400 million to shareholders and increased its dividend for the 44th consecutive year [18] - The net debt to EBITDA ratio stands at 2.2 times, reflecting a strong balance sheet position [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: How should we think about the returns on the $2 billion of capital already invested in the project? - The 45Q credit is included in the return, and the overall return for the project will be disclosed later [22][23] Question: How much of the continuing business is still down regarding helium? - The company expects a 4% decline in EPS effect for the year, with strong volume from the aerospace segment in the Americas [25] Question: What was the benefit from moving gasification plants in China to for sale? - The impact was about 1% on overall results for the quarter, with ongoing negotiations for asset sales [26] Question: Is Air Products receiving full income from Gulf Coast Ammonia? - The plant is running at 80-90% capacity, and the company owns the hydrogen production and air separation assets [30][31] Question: What is the expected timing for the deconsolidation of NEOM? - The deconsolidation is expected to occur in mid-2027 when the joint venture becomes operational [73][74] Question: How is the company addressing the impact of CBAM on ammonia? - The company believes the impact of CBAM is indirect and is closely monitoring the situation [14][99] Question: What portion of customers are running below take-or-pay minimums? - Utilization across regions is in the mid- to high 70s, with some cases in Europe but not significantly impacting overall business [84][89]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 12% improvement in adjusted operating income and a 10% increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $3.16 compared to the prior year, driven by stronger productivity despite weak economic conditions [4][12] - Operating margin increased to 24.4%, while return on capital (ROC) was 11%, slightly lower than the previous year but stable sequentially [4][12] - The company expects full-year earnings guidance to imply a 7%-9% improvement at the midpoint [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in the Americas increased by 4%, driven by higher energy pass-through, while operating income improved due to price, on-site volume, and lower maintenance costs [15] - Asia segment sales rose by 2%, with operating income up 7%, attributed to productivity and reduced depreciation from certain gasification assets [15] - Europe saw increases in both sales and operating income due to volume and price improvements, although higher costs from depreciation and fixed cost inflation impacted margins [15] - The Middle East and India segment reported improved operating income due to lower costs, while corporate and other segments benefited from reduced costs [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted resilience in key sectors such as refining, electronics, and aerospace, with new supply contracts with NASA for liquid hydrogen [6] - Helium headwinds continue to affect the business, with expectations of a 4% decline in EPS impact for the year [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three key priorities for 2026: unlocking earnings growth, optimizing large projects, and maintaining capital discipline [5] - Capital expenditures are expected to be reduced by approximately $1 billion in fiscal 2026, with a focus on de-risking clean energy projects [7] - The company is in advanced negotiations with Yara International for low-emission ammonia projects in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which aligns with its strategic goals [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the macroeconomic environment, highlighting pockets of resilience despite overall sluggishness [5][6] - The company is maintaining its fiscal full-year guidance of $12.85-$13.15, with expectations for EPS in Q2 2026 to be in the range of $2.95-$3.10, reflecting a 10%-15% improvement from the prior year [17][18] - Management emphasized the importance of disciplined capital allocation and the need for high certainty in capital costs before making final investment decisions [10][50] Other Important Information - The company returned nearly $400 million to shareholders and increased its dividend for the 44th consecutive year [16] - The net debt to EBITDA ratio stands at 2.2 times, with adjustments made for the consolidation of the NEOM green hydrogen project during its construction phase [16][73] Q&A Session Summary Question: How should we think about the returns on the $2 billion of capital already invested in the project? - The 45Q credit is included in the return, and the overall return for the project is being assessed [20][21] Question: How much of the continuing business is still down regarding helium? - The company expects a 4% decline in EPS impact for the year, with strong volume from the aerospace segment helping mitigate some losses [24] Question: What was the benefit from moving gasification plants in China to for sale? - The impact was about 1% on overall results for the quarter, with ongoing negotiations for asset sales [25] Question: Is Air Products receiving full income from Gulf Coast Ammonia? - The plant is running at 80-90% capacity, with expectations to finalize commitments soon [29][30] Question: Can you comment on the margin improvement seen in the Americas? - Strong on-site volumes and pricing improvements contributed to margin growth, despite some negative cost impacts [38] Question: What portion of your customers are running below take-or-pay minimums? - Utilization across regions is similar to previous years, with no significant changes noted [82][83] Question: Is there any dependency on the relationship with Yara at Darrow? - There is no dependency between the two projects, and the products from NEOM will not be affected by CBAM [98]

Join us LIVE from NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the 1st Wet Dress Rehearsal of Artemis II; one of the final tests ahead of launch!! The upcoming wet dress rehearsal is a prelaunch test to fuel the rocket. During the rehearsal, teams demonstrate the ability to load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants into the rocket, conduct a launch countdown, and practice safely removing propellant from the rocket without astronauts inside the spacecraft. During several “runs,” the wet dress rehea ...

60 Minutes rewind. Next week will be the 10th anniversary of the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle, the one everyone remembers as the teacher in space mission because a school teacher, a mother of two, was going up with the astronauts. >> Good morning.This is Christa McAuliffe live from the Challenger. As everyone knows, Christa McAuliffe, who was to be the teacher in space, died in the accident along with six of her fellow crew members. >> Here comes the 51L flight crew.>> Less known is that two of ...

NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft made a dramatic emergency landing without its landing gear this morning after a landing gear failure. Captured on video, the aircraft safely touched down after a rare gear-up landing, showcasing the skill of NASA’s pilots and emergency response teams. The WB-57 is a critical platform used for high-altitude Earth science, atmospheric research, and spaceflight support missions. #NASA #WB57 #EmergencyLanding Video Credit: KHOU11 https://www.khou.com/article/news/local ...

NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft made a dramatic emergency landing without its landing gear this morning after a landing gear failure. Captured on video, the aircraft safely touched down after a rare gear-up landing, showcasing the skill of NASA’s pilots and emergency response teams. The WB-57 is a critical platform used for high-altitude Earth science, atmospheric research, and spaceflight support missions. #NASA #WB57 #EmergencyLanding Video Credit: KHOU11 https://www.khou.com/article/news/local ...

NASA is sending humans to the lunar neighborhood for the first time in more than half a century. It’s a pivotal moment for the space agency’s Artemis program, whose next step is to send astronauts back to the moon itself. The ultimate goal is to establish a base and learn to live there sustainably. But first NASA needs a dress rehearsal. Called Artemis II, this mission will send a crew of four on a lunar flyby, testing out the spacecraft that will eventually be used to help land humans on the surface. The c ...

NASA is sending humans to the lunar neighborhood for the first time in more than half a century. And while it stands to be a momentous achievement for NASA and the US space program, what happens next remains in doubt https://t.co/9h8QFpgDgY https://t.co/OctC3cm2ti ...

Join us LIVE from NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the 1st Wet Dress Rehearsal of Artemis II; one of the final tests ahead of launch!! The upcoming wet dress rehearsal is a prelaunch test to fuel the rocket. During the rehearsal, teams demonstrate the ability to load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants into the rocket, conduct a launch countdown, and practice safely removing propellant from the rocket without astronauts inside the spacecraft. During several “runs,” the wet dress rehea ...