Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, the company achieved 5% sales growth and marked the 15th consecutive quarter of margin expansion, with adjusted operating profit increasing by 9% to $252 million and adjusted EPS rising by 9% to $1.18 [10][17] - For the full year 2025, sales reached $4.18 billion, a 2% increase, with adjusted operating income growing by 10% and adjusted EPS increasing to a record $4.92, up 14% year-over-year [11][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Flow sales in Q4 increased by 9% to $394 million, with commercial and industrial sales up 12% and residential sales rising 4% [18] - Water Solutions sales decreased by 10% to $232 million in Q4, with commercial sales down 15% due to the impact of the sale of the commercial services business [20] - Pool sales grew by 11% to $393 million in Q4, driven primarily by price increases [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The North American market for Water Solutions remained relatively strong, although international and China sales experienced volatility [36] - The company expects total sales growth of approximately 3% to 4% in 2026, with flow sales projected to increase by mid-single digits to high single digits [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has strategically combined its Flow residential business with its Water Solutions residential business to enhance operational efficiencies and customer experiences [8][9] - The focus remains on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, with plans to invest in digital and AI-driven solutions [12][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business model and resilience of end markets, projecting adjusted EPS guidance for 2026 in the range of $5.25 to $5.40, reflecting an 8% increase at the midpoint [12][24] - The company remains vigilant in responding to macro volatility and is taking proactive steps to mitigate risks [12][22] Other Important Information - The company generated record free cash flow of $748 million and returned $225 million to shareholders through share repurchases [11][23] - The leadership transition includes Nick Brazis as the new CFO, emphasizing a commitment to disciplined execution and financial integrity [7][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the commercial Water Solutions business - Management indicated that both Manitowoc and Everpure are expected to return to growth in 2026, with the North American market remaining strong despite international volatility [36] Question: Incremental productivity opportunities from the combination of residential flow and water - The combined business is expected to create significant margin improvement over the next several years, leveraging better channel alignment and operational efficiencies [37][39] Question: Pool business dynamics and guidance - Management noted that the guidance reflects no residential recovery in 2026, with a focus on maintaining a pragmatic approach to sales expectations [46][48] Question: Capital allocation priorities - The company plans to continue raising dividends while actively looking for strategic acquisitions and considering share buybacks as part of its capital allocation strategy [49] Question: Impact of 80/20 strategy on organic growth - Management clarified that the 80/20 strategy is expected to drive growth by focusing on high-margin customers, with no anticipated headwinds from walking away from lower-margin revenue [60] Question: Pricing strategy amidst inflation - The company aims to offset inflation through pricing while ensuring that price increases do not exceed necessary levels to maintain competitiveness [62][63]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, the company achieved 5% sales growth and marked the 15th consecutive quarter of margin expansion, with adjusted operating profit increasing by 9% to $252 million and adjusted EPS rising by 9% to $1.18 [8][16] - For the full year 2025, sales reached $4.18 billion, a 2% increase, with adjusted operating income growing by 10% and adjusted EPS reaching a record $4.92, up 14% year-over-year [9][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Flow segment sales increased by 9% to $394 million in Q4, with commercial and industrial sales up 12% and residential sales rising 4% [17] - Water Solutions segment sales decreased by 10% to $232 million in Q4, with commercial sales down 15% due to the sale of the commercial services business [18] - Pool segment sales grew by 11% to $393 million in Q4, driven primarily by price increases [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The North American market for Water Solutions remained relatively strong, although international and China sales experienced volatility [36] - The company expects flow sales to increase by mid-single digits to high single digits in 2026, while Water Solutions sales are anticipated to be flat [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is strategically combining its flow residential business with its residential water solutions business to enhance operational efficiencies and customer experiences [6][11] - The focus remains on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, with plans to invest in digital and AI-driven solutions [10][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business model and resilience of end markets, projecting adjusted EPS guidance for 2026 in the range of $5.25-$5.40, reflecting an 8% increase at the midpoint [10][23] - The company remains vigilant in responding to macro volatility and is taking proactive steps to mitigate risks [10][20] Other Important Information - The company generated record free cash flow of $748 million and returned $225 million to shareholders through share repurchases [9][22] - The leadership transition includes the appointment of Nick Brazis as the new CFO, who is expected to uphold the company's financial integrity and drive shareholder value [5][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the commercial Water Solutions business - Management indicated expectations for growth in 2026, particularly in membrane filtration, despite some volatility in international markets [36] Question: Incremental productivity opportunities from the combination of residential flow and water solutions - The combined business is expected to create significant margin improvements and growth synergies over the next several years [37] Question: Pool business dynamics and guidance for Q1 - Management noted a pragmatic approach to guidance, reflecting no residential recovery in 2026, with expectations for a flat pool year [45][46] Question: Impact of 80/20 strategy on organic growth - Management clarified that the 80/20 strategy is expected to be a tailwind for growth, focusing on high-margin customers [60] Question: Pricing strategies in light of inflation - The company aims to offset inflation through pricing while ensuring value for channel partners and customers [62] Question: Tariff impacts and supply chain adjustments - Management confirmed that they successfully mitigated tariff impacts in 2025 and expect a manageable increase in 2026 [73][74]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of aligning brand purpose with stakeholder expectations to drive sustainable growth [11][14] - It identifies five core imperatives, known as the "Five Ts," that high-performing brands must focus on: Trust, Time, Transformation, Technology, and Talent [30][90] Summary by Sections Executive Summary - Brand Finance has conducted extensive research to quantify the financial impact of brand decisions, engaging with senior executives across various sectors [23][24] - The report synthesizes insights from 40 spotlight interviews, revealing shared realities that shape contemporary brand leadership [25][26] Shared Realities of Leading Brands - A widening gap exists between internal transformation and external perceptions, leading to challenges in brand recognition [39][40] - Competitive saturation is increasing, making differentiation more difficult as brands converge on similar features and narratives [52][53] - Trust volatility and reputational risks are rising, necessitating transparent communication and responsible governance [60][61] The Five Ts: Growth Imperatives - **Trust**: Building credibility through purpose and ethical practices [95][96] - **Time**: Focusing on long-term value and consistent investment rather than short-term gains [97][98] - **Transformation**: Continuously innovating and adapting business models to meet evolving market demands [99][100] - **Technology**: Leveraging AI and digital infrastructure to enhance efficiency and customer experience [101][102] - **Talent**: Cultivating a culture that empowers employees to embody brand values and drive transformation [103][104] Insights on Brand Identity and Transformation - Brand identity plays a crucial role in signaling organizational change and must evolve alongside business transformations [43][44] - Authenticity and cultural confidence are becoming key differentiators for brands, particularly in the ASEAN region [125][126] The Role of Public Relations - Public relations has shifted from a supportive function to a strategic driver of brand value, essential for managing perceptions during periods of transformation [140][141] - Effective communication is critical for building trust and ensuring that brand narratives align with stakeholder expectations [149][150]

Group 1: Investment Strategy Overview - Riverwater Partners' Small Cap Strategy reported solid results for Q3 2025 but lagged behind the benchmark due to the market's preference for lower-quality companies [1] - The strategy focuses on higher-quality companies with enduring fundamentals, consistent revenue, and a transparent path to profitability [1] - The firm believes the strategy is well-positioned despite the challenging market conditions [1] Group 2: Worthington Enterprises, Inc. Overview - Worthington Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) is an industrial manufacturing company operating through Consumer Products and Building Products segments [2][3] - The one-month return for Worthington Enterprises was 9.63%, and its shares gained 51.15% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $57.74 per share with a market capitalization of $2.875 billion on December 15, 2025 [2] - The Consumer Products segment produces various items under well-known brands, while the Building Products segment manufactures pressurized containment solutions and benefits from profitable joint ventures [3] Group 3: Company Strategy and Positioning - Following its 2023 spin-off from Worthington Industries, Worthington Enterprises has repositioned itself as a focused, asset-light growth platform [3] - The company employs a three-pillar strategy of transformation, innovation, and strategic M&A to drive growth [3]

So good morning everyone. I'm Dr. . Achan Nanduri.By profession I'm a psychologist. So what you all know psychologist means I'm not a mental doctor. Not nor a doctor with mental.Okay. So most of them have this assumption whenever people talk about psychologist. So in brief first I want to break that myth before I talk about the topic.Psychologist is a professional who deals with emotional well-being and the behavioral issues. Okay. And I often share a story not because it's new but because it's true for so ...

[applause] Like many of you in the audience, I come from a pretty international background with my mom being Mexican and my dad being German. That being said, I've never actually lived in either country. I spent the majority of my life in the US. My entire childhood was spent in the US and the US has shaped who I am today in many ways.Now, while there were other people of international background like myself there, the grand majority of my peers were culturally American. While living in the US, I subconscio ...

[applause] I'm 25 years old. I'm sailing a 26 ft boat in water that is at least 2700 ft deep. And I'm making my way back from the Bahamas to Florida after 14 months of sailing.And I've got a narrow weather window because the weather is not predicted to get any better. And I'm trying to make it home. But what can I do.I head off across the Gulf Stream, that river within the ocean that flows between North America and the Bahamas. And for the first eight hours, the sailing is just delicious. Flying fish are sp ...

[music] Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Today I feel privileged to be standing in front of all of you to talk about the power of possibilities. My name is Arving Nesh from grade 4 and this is my journey from a shy to super. So, who was Arv? The shy kid. The one who always feels not enough in a world that seems to award the loud and the bold. Imagine being so shy that ordering your favorite ice cream feels like climbing up Mount Everest. Have you ever felt that way? Well, I have. And now, let me give you ...

[music] Hi, good afternoon. My name is Marra Makbul Shak. I am basically just a girl who lost a lot of weight and got internet famous for no reason. How many of you have heard the name Marra before? Not a one person. I'm not surprised. I remember when I was in school, I went home one day and I asked my mother, "Ma, why did you name me Marra. What does it even mean. " And she has an ever smiling face. So she said, "Marra is an Arabic term beta.It means to transcend, to go beyond limits. I did not want to go ...

Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Dreams - The speaker recounts a personal journey of recovery from severe post-traumatic stress disorder following a road traffic accident [1] - The journey involved overcoming fear, anxiety, and depression to fulfill a dream of driving from the United Kingdom to India [3][9] - The speaker drove solo through 32 countries in 57 days, covering 35,383 kilometers [4] Expedition Details and Challenges - The expedition included driving through nine mountain ranges, nine time zones, the Arctic Circle, and three major deserts [5] - The speaker acted as their own mechanic and doctor, performing car repairs and administering first aid in remote locations [6] - Pre-expedition preparations included cooking and freezing two months' worth of meals for the family [7] Inspiring Others and Personal Growth - The journey was described as a pilgrimage and a conversation with oneself, emphasizing personal exploration and growth [8][9] - The speaker highlights the importance of overcoming fear and taking journeys within oneself to inspire and motivate others [10] - The speaker emphasizes that anything is possible with determination and that individuals have the power to overcome their own challenges [9][10] Positive Interactions and Humanity - The speaker shares instances of kindness and help received from strangers along the way, highlighting the positive aspects of humanity [16][19] - Examples include a family in Kyistan offering a meal and a mechanic in China fixing a car suspension for free [16] - The speaker also mentions being treated favorably at the Russia-Latvia border due to being perceived as Indian [17][18][19]