Group 1 - Schouw & Co. initiated a share buy-back programme on 5 May 2025, with a total budget of up to DKK 120 million, running from 5 May to 31 December 2025 [1] - The buy-back programme complies with Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse and the Commission's delegated regulation (EU) 2016/1052, which includes "Safe Harbour" rules [1] - As of 13 June 2025, Schouw & Co. has accumulated a total of 44,000 shares, representing 8.34% of the total share capital of 25,000,000 shares [2]

Group 1 - Bekaert will initiate the next tranche of its share buyback program on May 16, 2025, with a total consideration of up to €25 million [1] - The completion of this tranche is expected to occur before the release of the H1 trading update, scheduled for July 31, 2025, depending on market conditions [1] - Bekaert will provide regular updates on the progress of the buyback program through press releases, as required by law, and this information will be accessible on the investor relations section of the company's website [1] Group 2 - All shares repurchased as part of the buyback program will be cancelled [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the first quarter, adjusted EBITDA grew more than 9% and adjusted diluted EPS increased 26% compared to the same period last year [7][33] - First quarter net sales increased 4.5% to $9.4 billion, driven by case volume growth of 1.1% and food cost inflation and mix impact of 3.4% [33] - Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 18 basis points to 4.2% [34] - Adjusted gross profit grew 5% to $1.6 billion, driven by volume growth, improved cost of goods savings, and increased private label penetration [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Independent restaurant case growth was 2.5%, while healthcare and hospitality grew 6.1% and 3.6% respectively [9][33] - Chain restaurant volume declined 4.3%, aligning with industry foot traffic trends [33] - Total volume increased 1.1%, with independent case growth accelerating from February to March [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The broader industry faced headwinds with foot traffic down 3% for the first quarter, hitting a low in February but improving in March [11] - The company operates in a $270 billion addressable market, with food away from home continuing to grow steadily [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on four strategic pillars: culture, service, growth, and profit [16] - A new $1 billion share repurchase program was authorized, building on previous buybacks [7] - The company plans to retain and improve the ChefStor business despite exploring strategic alternatives [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving fiscal year 2025 guidance despite a challenging macro environment [41] - The company is monitoring the tariff environment and sourcing alternative products where necessary [12] - Management highlighted the resilience of the business model and the ability to adjust to macroeconomic conditions [15] Other Important Information - The company reported a significant improvement in associate retention, with selector turnover improving by approximately 20 percentage points [26] - The corporate credit rating was upgraded to BB+ by S&P based on financial performance improvements [40] Q&A Session Summary Question: What does the EBITDA growth say about the company's self-help momentum? - Management expressed confidence in maintaining guidance, attributing success to strong strategy execution and self-help initiatives [48] Question: What is the current status of independent case growth? - Management noted good strength in independent case growth, with expectations for continued improvement [51] Question: Have any expense-saving measures been initiated? - Management confirmed that $30 million in expense savings is incremental to previous plans, focusing on field resources [58] Question: How is the competitive environment evolving? - Management indicated no significant changes in competition, with a focus on gaining share in fragmented markets [74] Question: What are the trends in chain and healthcare business? - Management noted a decline in chain business but strong growth in healthcare, with expectations for continued share gains [92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q1 2025 reached $114.8 million, a year-over-year increase of $32.9 million, translating to approximately 40% growth [10][18] - Adjusted for voluntary product withdrawals, revenues would have been $118.6 million, representing approximately 45% year-over-year growth [10][18] - Adjusted net income grew by 87% year-over-year to $33.3 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased by 81% to $47.9 million [20][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The increase in total revenue is primarily attributed to higher sales of Ascentive, reflecting increased acceptance and utilization by physicians, payers, and patients [19] - Gross profit for Q1 2025 was $61.1 million, with a gross margin of 53.2%, up from 47.8% in Q1 2024, driven by a favorable mix of higher margin IG sales [19][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand for commercial products, particularly BIVIGAM and Ascentive, has consistently exceeded prior supply capabilities, with new patient starts continuing to grow [12][13] - The company anticipates significant sequential operating cash flow growth throughout 2025, supported by a strong balance sheet with cash and receivables totaling $171 million at the end of Q1 2025 [13][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on advancing its R&D platform and optimizing production capabilities, particularly with the recent FDA approval of the yield enhancement production process, expected to provide 20% more bulk IG from the same plasma volumes [8][9] - A stock repurchase program has been authorized, allowing the company to buy back up to $500 million of its common stock, reflecting confidence in its financial position and commitment to shareholder value [14][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to achieve sustainable revenue and earnings growth, driven by a robust U.S.-based supply chain and favorable market conditions [23][24] - The company has raised its revenue guidance for 2025 to $500 million or more and for 2026 to $625 million or more, reflecting ongoing commercial momentum and the impact of the yield enhancement process [11][12] Other Important Information - The company has successfully reduced its cost of debt through a recent debt reorganization, which is expected to enhance its capital structure and financial flexibility [13][22] - The company remains insulated from government price negotiations affecting other sectors of the pharmaceutical industry, which supports its strong reimbursement profile [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance and FDA Clearance - Inquiry about the guidance increase and the timeline for revenue contribution from the yield enhancement process [29] - Management confirmed that three conformance lots were manufactured for FDA approval and expressed confidence in releasing these lots into the market [30][31] Question: Demand Generation and Capital Allocation - Questions regarding backlog for Ascentive and capital allocation priorities [35][36] - Management indicated that operational expenses are expected to normalize and that cash generation will support debt repayment, R&D funding, and stock repurchases [38][41] Question: Supply Agreements and Donor Retention - Inquiry about the contribution of new supply agreements to plasma sourcing and donor retention strategies [47][52] - Management reported that all new centers are contributing to plasma supply and that donor retention strategies are effective [48][52] Question: Patient Queue and HEOR Data - Questions about managing the patient queue and the status of health economic outcome data [57][62] - Management stated that demand trends are strong and that they expect to publish HEOR data by year-end to support product access [63][64] Question: Voluntary Product Withdrawals and IP Extension - Inquiry about the reasons for voluntary product withdrawals and the potential for extending IP [65][72] - Management clarified that the withdrawals were due to known adverse events and expressed confidence in the defensibility of their IP position [66][72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted net investment income for the quarter was $0.32 per share, covering the $0.32 per share dividend paid on March 31 [6] - Net asset value per share declined by $0.10 to $12.45, indicating stable credit performance across the portfolio [6][18] - Total investment income for the quarter was $86 million, a 5% decrease compared to the prior year [29] - Total net expenses decreased by 4% to $51 million, including a fee waiver [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Over 96% of the portfolio is rated green, with no non-accruals reported [7][17] - The percentage of first lien assets is increasing while PIK income and second lien income are decreasing [7] - The average yield of the portfolio decreased to 10.7% due to lower yields on originations compared to repayments [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - NMFC has only 2% exposure to sectors most at risk for tariffs, compared to 13% for peers [7][13] - The loan-to-value ratio stands at 43%, indicating a conservative lending approach [7][25] - The weighted average EBITDA of borrowers decreased to $170 million, reflecting the realization of larger companies during the quarter [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continuously improve and has a strategic imperative to reduce non-yielding equity positions [10][24] - A stock repurchase program has been authorized to buy back up to $47 million of NMFC shares, indicating confidence in the stock's value [9] - The focus remains on defensive non-cyclical sectors, leveraging private equity expertise to enhance NMFC's performance [12][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a pause in M&A activity but sees direct lending as an attractive asset class with stable risk-adjusted returns [20] - The dividend protection program can provide up to $0.02 of extra support per quarter if necessary [8] - Management expressed optimism about refinancing opportunities and maintaining a strong balance sheet [32][68] Other Important Information - The company has raised a $15.4 billion private equity fund, one of the largest in the industry [9] - The current stock price reflects a 21% discount to book value, with a dividend yield of 13% [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about Unitech's complicated capital structure - Management acknowledged the complexity and provided details on cash invested and accrued PIK in Unitech, totaling a cost basis of $114 million [38][39] Question: Stability of income from Unitech going forward - Management confirmed that income is expected to remain stable, accruing primarily from the super senior preferred [42] Question: Market outlook on spreads and pricing - Management indicated that spreads have stabilized, with some incremental OID on new deals, driven by a lack of supply [50][51] Question: Sufficiency of dividend protection plan amid declining rate cycle - Management expressed confidence in having sufficient levers to cover dividends, including refinancing opportunities and strong portfolio activity [53][56] Question: PIK income expectations - Management indicated a target to reduce PIK income to the low teens, acknowledging current levels are higher than desired [66] Question: Duration of the dividend protection program - Management confirmed that the program is in place for the full years of 2025 and 2026 [69]

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition proposal by ACT for 7-11's parent company, SEVEN & I Holdings, is positioned as beneficial for both parties' growth, with a significant offer of approximately 7 trillion yen [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Proposal - ACT has made a non-binding acquisition proposal of about 7 trillion yen for SEVEN & I Holdings, emphasizing the potential for mutual growth [1][2]. - ACT's CEO, Alex Miller, stated that the merger would create a global retail network with over 100,000 stores, and there are plans to invest in store and IT development without closing stores or layoffs [2]. - ACT's founder, Alain Bouchard, expressed a strong commitment to the acquisition, stating that they would not consider a hostile takeover and would not withdraw the proposal despite lengthy negotiations [1][2]. Group 2: Regulatory and Strategic Challenges - There are significant disagreements between ACT and SEVEN & I Holdings regarding the handling of U.S. antitrust regulations, with ACT claiming to have proposed solutions while SEVEN & I Holdings has not found them satisfactory [4]. - SEVEN & I Holdings is focusing on its independent growth strategy, including a 2 trillion yen stock buyback plan and plans for an IPO of its U.S. convenience store subsidiary, aiming for a sales target of over 30 trillion yen by 2030 [2][4]. Group 3: Internal Changes and Market Response - SEVEN & I Holdings has experienced internal turmoil, with the resignation of key executives, including the head of North American operations, which is considered unusual for a Japanese listed company [5]. - As the annual shareholders' meeting approaches, SEVEN & I Holdings is expected to make a final decision on the acquisition proposal, with market reactions remaining lukewarm, as its stock price is about 2,200 yen, approximately 20% lower than ACT's offer [4][5].