Financial Performance - The company reported total revenue of $3.9 billion, a 2% decrease compared to the prior year, attributed to a slow outdoor buying season and tariff-related shipment disruptions[6, 7] - Adjusted gross margin was 27.5%, down from the prior year, impacted by a 3-point gross impact from tariffs and lower volume, partially offset by supply chain efficiencies and price increases[6, 7] - Adjusted EPS was $1.08, inclusive of a tax rate benefit[6, 7] - Net cash from operating activities was $214 million, and free cash flow was $135 million[7] Segment Performance - Tools & Outdoor segment revenue decreased by 2% to $3.461 billion, with an adjusted segment margin of 8.0%, down year-over-year due to tariffs, lower volume, and growth investments[9] - Engineered Fastening segment revenue decreased by 2% to $484 million, with an adjusted segment margin of 10.8%, down year-over-year due to lower volume in higher margin automotive[10] Transformation and Cost Savings - The company's transformation program has achieved $150 million in quarter-to-date pre-tax run-rate cost savings and $1.8 billion program-to-date[6, 12] - The company is targeting completion of the transformation in 2025, focusing on material productivity, operational excellence, complexity reduction, and footprint rationalization[12] Tariffs and Mitigation - The company estimates an annualized gross impact of $800 million from tariffs, with a net impact of $0.65 EPS for fiscal year 2025[16] - Mitigation strategies include price increases, supply chain adjustments, and engagement with the U.S administration[15, 17] 2025 Planning Assumptions - The company's base planning scenario for 2025 includes GAAP EPS of $3.45 (+/- $0.10) and adjusted EPS of approximately $4.65[7] - The company is targeting free cash flow to approximate $600 million in 2025[7, 18]

Group 1: Economic Growth and Consumer Trends - The total retail sales of consumer goods in China are expected to exceed 50 trillion yuan this year, with an average annual growth of 5.5% over the past four years [1] - The contribution rate of consumption to economic growth is around 60%, highlighting its role as a main engine for economic development [2] - Service consumption has seen rapid growth, with an average annual increase of 9.6% from 2020 to 2024, outpacing goods consumption [2] Group 2: Trade and Foreign Investment - China's goods trade scale is projected to reach 6.16 trillion USD in 2024, a 32.4% increase from the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan in 2020 [5] - Cumulative foreign investment absorbed since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan has exceeded 700 billion USD, achieving the target six months ahead of schedule [6] - The number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises during the 14th Five-Year Plan period reached 229,000, an increase of 25,000 compared to the previous period [6] Group 3: Policy and Structural Changes - The Ministry of Commerce plans to implement targeted measures to enhance the supply of quality services, including expanding pilot programs in healthcare and reducing restrictive measures [3] - The Ministry emphasizes the need for continuous innovation in business systems and mechanisms to support high-quality economic development [1][3] - Recommendations include extending consumption subsidy policies to service sectors like culture and tourism to address the shortage of quality service supply [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, total revenues were approximately flat at $145.5 million, with net revenues also flat at $137.4 million compared to Q1 2024 [14] - Net income decreased to $26.7 million or $0.52 per diluted share, down from $30.1 million or $0.59 per diluted share in the prior year [15] - EBITDA decreased by 6% to $37.5 million, producing a margin of 27.3% of net revenues, compared to 29.2% in Q1 2024 [16] - Billable hours decreased by 4% year over year to approximately 376,000, and average technical full-time equivalent employees decreased by 4% to 966 [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Engineering and Scientific segment represented 84% of revenues before reimbursement, with revenues flat in Q1 2025 [20] - The Environmental and Health segment represented 16% of revenues before reimbursement, with a 2% increase driven by engagements in the chemicals industry [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consumer products industry accounts for approximately 25% of revenue, with two-thirds being proactive work for consumer electronics clients [8] - The energy industry represents about 20% of revenue, split evenly between reactive and proactive services [9] - The transportation industry contributes mid-teens percentage of revenue, with approximately 90% being reactive [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company maintains a diversified business model, with 60% of work being reactive and 40% proactive, focusing on litigation support and regulatory consulting [7][34] - The company is strategically hiring in areas with increasing demand, such as automated vehicles and digital health [62] - The company anticipates long-term growth opportunities driven by technological advancements and increasing safety and health expectations [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted macroeconomic uncertainties but expressed confidence in the company's resilience through economic cycles [13] - The company expects revenue before reimbursements to grow in the low single digits for fiscal 2025, maintaining margin guidance [21] - Management highlighted ongoing opportunities in regulatory consulting and compliance work, particularly in the chemicals industry [28] Other Important Information - The company experienced a negative tax impact associated with share-based awards, resulting in a consolidated tax rate of 29.4% for Q1 2025 [16] - Capital expenditures for the full year 2025 are expected to be between $10 million and $12 million [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth rates in proactive and reactive work - Reactive business grew in the low single digits, offset by a slight decline in proactive services overall [33] Question: Changes in productivity across end markets - Clients are exploring supply chain diversification, which may take time to manifest [36] Question: Second quarter outlook and utilization - Utilization is expected to be slightly below last year, impacted by the July 4 holiday and some delays in client projects [42][44] Question: Impact of government policies and macro environment - Clients are tightening budgets but continue to proceed with necessary work, indicating resilience in the business [56] Question: FTE growth in a choppy environment - The company plans to continue hiring in areas of increasing demand, expecting a 4% increase in headcount by year-end [63]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Otis Worldwide Corporation reported net sales of $3.3 billion with organic sales flat year over year [24] - Adjusted operating profit increased by 3% excluding a $16 million foreign exchange headwind, with adjusted operating profit margin expanding by 40 basis points to 16.7% [24][11] - Adjusted EPS grew by 5% or $0.04 in the quarter, driven by solid operational performance and a lower share count [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Service organic sales grew by 4%, with maintenance and repair services increasing by 3% and modernization orders rising by 12% [10][26] - New equipment organic sales declined by 7%, with EMEA sales growing mid-single digits and APAC growing approximately 10% [29][30] - Service operating profit increased to $537 million, with operating profit margins expanding to 24.6% [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Americas saw strong orders performance, growing mid-teens, while Asia Pacific orders grew greater than 20%, primarily driven by India and Southeast Asia [15][16] - New equipment orders in China declined greater than 20%, aligning with expectations, while EMEA experienced mid-single digit declines [15][16] - The total backlog, including maintenance and repair, remains at historically high levels, positioning the company well for future quarters [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on service-driven business models and modernization opportunities, with a projected multiyear growth cycle in modernizations due to an aging installed base [17][19] - Otis is implementing transformation initiatives, including Uplift and a China transformation program, to drive process efficiencies and capture service and modernization opportunities [50][52] - The company anticipates adjusted free cash flow of approximately $1.6 billion, primarily returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects the global new equipment market to stabilize later in 2025, with a projected decline in new equipment units of mid-single digits for the year [35][36] - The service business, representing approximately 90% of segment operating income, is largely insulated from tariff impacts, with expectations for continued growth [39][40] - Management remains optimistic about the service flywheel model and anticipates stronger growth in the second half of the year due to backlog execution and cost savings realization [57][60] Other Important Information - The company announced an 8% increase in its dividend, bringing cumulative dividend increases since the spin-off to approximately 110% [12][44] - Otis was recognized by Fortune as one of the world's most admired companies and named to the Wall Street Journal's best-managed companies list [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide clarity on the gross headwind from tariffs? - Management indicated that the annualized impact of China tariffs is around $90 million, with mitigation efforts expected to offset half of this amount [66][68] Question: Are you seeing any impact at the local level in China regarding US companies? - Management stated that there is no overt targeting of Otis Worldwide Corporation in China, and they continue to develop relationships at all levels of government [78] Question: What is the pricing strategy in response to tariffs? - Management confirmed that they have increased prices across new equipment and maintenance services, with a focus on passing inflation costs to customers [80] Question: What is the outlook for new equipment orders in China? - Management expects the China market to be down 15% in the second quarter, with a gradual improvement anticipated in the second half of the year [84] Question: Can you elaborate on the project delays in the Americas? - Management noted that project delays are primarily due to uncertainty around global trade policies, but they remain optimistic about backlog execution and future orders [122][126]