Core Insights - Block reported a revenue of $5.77 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a 3.1% decline year-over-year and a surprise of -6.65% compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.18 billion [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) was $0.56, down from $0.85 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an EPS surprise of -36.36% against the consensus estimate of $0.88 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Gross Payment Volume (GPV) was reported at $56.80 billion, below the estimated $57.92 billion [4] - Square's GPV was $54.10 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $54.34 billion [4] - Cash App's GPV was $2.70 billion, significantly lower than the estimated $3.54 billion [4] - Cash App Monthly Transacting Actives stood at 57 million, slightly below the estimate of 57.34 million [4] - Hardware revenue was $28.69 million, compared to the average estimate of $32.20 million, marking an 11.7% decline year-over-year [4] - Subscription and services-based revenue was $1.89 billion, matching the average estimate and showing a 12.4% increase year-over-year [4] - Transaction-based revenue was $1.55 billion, slightly below the estimate of $1.58 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 2.6% [4] - Bitcoin revenue was $2.30 billion, below the estimate of $2.70 billion, representing a 15.7% decline year-over-year [4] - Total revenue for Square was $1.85 billion, slightly below the estimate of $1.86 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 7.1% [4] - Square's hardware revenue was $28.52 million, below the estimate of $33.48 million, reflecting a 10.4% decline year-over-year [4] - Corporate and Other revenue totaled $40.62 million, significantly below the estimate of $52.71 million, marking a 25% decline year-over-year [4] - Square's subscription and services-based revenue was $339.15 million, slightly above the estimate of $338.32 million, with a year-over-year increase of 14.5% [4] Stock Performance - Block's shares returned +1.1% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which declined by -0.7% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Financial Performance & Guidance - The company reported Q1 2025 EPS of $1.05, driven by higher revenue on increased rate base and 2024 rate case outcomes[11] - The company is affirming its 2025 EPS guidance of $5.65-$5.75, representing 8% EPS growth at the midpoint over weather-normalized 2024 EPS of $5.27[14, 33] - The company successfully executed an $800 million long-term note offering in February with an annual interest rate of 5.250%, due in 2035[11, 56] - The company projects an annual 2025 cash dividend per share of $3.2475, with a total dividend payout ratio of 58%[19] Capital Investments & Rate Base - The company invested $518 million in infrastructure improvements and acquisitions in Q1 2025[11, 38] - The company estimates its rate base to be $22.4 billion as of March 31, 2025[38, 60] - The company plans to invest $36-$37 billion in its systems over the next ten years (2025-2034)[48] Regulatory & Legislative Updates - The company announced a dividend increase of 8.2% in April, aligning with its long-term target[11, 15] - The company has new rates effective in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia, and California, and a constructive settlement filed in the Missouri rate case, reflecting an annualized revenue increase of $63 million compared to the revised request of $107 million[11, 26] - The company completed rate cases that will add $1 million in additional authorized revenue in Tennessee and $15 million in Virginia[27] Acquisitions & Growth - The company has approximately 37,400 customer connections under agreement across 18 acquisitions in 6 states, with a total value of $162 million[41] - The company closed 3 acquisitions in 3 states with approximately 2,150 customer connections[41, 69] - The company has an acquisition pipeline of more than 1.5 million connections[42, 48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP diluted EPS of $1.25 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.22 for Q1 2025, compared to $1.06 in Q1 2024, reflecting a significant increase in earnings driven by rate recovery and colder weather [6][9][10] - The company affirmed its long-term rate base and earnings per share growth rate targets of 4% to 6% [6][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Electric and Gas segments contributed strongly to the earnings, with margin improvements driven by new rates and favorable weather conditions [9][10] - New rates contributed $0.20 to margin improvement, while favorable loads added $0.13, resulting in a total margin increase [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Montana rate review is nearing completion, with a full natural gas settlement and a partial electric settlement reached [7][14] - The average bill impact from the gas case is approximately 9%, maintaining rates below the national average [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on opportunities with data centers and new large load opportunities, potentially achieving greater than 6% EPS growth [8] - The company is committed to maintaining a 5% dividend yield and a total growth profile of 9% to 11% over the next five years [8][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering on earnings and rate-based growth commitments over the long term, despite not providing specific 2025 earnings guidance until the conclusion of the Montana rate review [19][20] - The company expects a lower contribution to overall earnings in Q2 2025 due to the timing of rate implementations [20] Other Important Information - The Montana legislature has passed wildfire and other constructive bills, which are pending the governor's approval, providing significant legal protections for the company [22][24] - The company has successfully priced $500 million of long-term debt to address its financing needs for 2025 [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the tariff proceeding and data centers - The company is in discussions with multiple parties regarding data centers and expects to finalize contracts with two parties, Atlas and Sabey, by the end of Q2 2025 [40][43][44] Question: EPS guidance for 2025 - Management expects to stay within the 4% to 6% EPS range long-term but acknowledges variability in achieving this target [50] Question: Changes in electric average customer counts - The change in customer counts was due to a new system for counting street lighting districts, with overall customer growth remaining around 1.5% [54][55] Question: Long-term capacity planning - The company is considering natural gas or nuclear as potential replacements for Colstrip, depending on regulatory timelines [64][66] Question: SB301 and approval processes - The 90-day cost prudency review is deemed appropriate, with no overlapping of approval processes expected [68]

Core Insights - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.15, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1% and reflecting a year-over-year increase of 0.8% [1] - The company's GAAP EPS was $3.98, marking a 15% increase year over year [1] - Following the earnings announcement, shares of Thermo Fisher rose 1.7% in pre-market trading [2] Revenue Performance - Total revenues for the quarter reached $10.36 billion, a 0.2% increase year over year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.1% [3] - Organic revenues increased by 1% year over year [3] Segment Analysis - Life Sciences Solutions segment (22.6% of total revenues) saw revenues increase by 2.4% year over year to $2.34 billion, exceeding estimates [4] - Analytical Instruments segment (16.6%) reported a 1.8% year-over-year increase in revenues to $1.72 billion, which fell short of estimates [5] - Specialty Diagnostics segment (11.1%) experienced a 3.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.15 billion, surpassing predictions [6] - Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services segment (54.4%) saw a decline of 1.4% year over year, with revenues at $5.64 billion, slightly below estimates [7] Margin Performance - Gross margin for the first quarter was 41.6%, contracting by 5 basis points year over year due to a 0.3% rise in the cost of revenues [8] - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 0.6% to $1.72 billion, while research and development expenses increased by 3.3% to $342 million [8] - Adjusted operating margin was 21.7%, reflecting a contraction of 2 basis points [8] Financial Position - At the end of Q1 2025, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $5.95 billion, up from $5.57 billion at the end of Q4 2024 [9] - Net cash from operating activities was $723 million, down from $1.25 billion a year ago [10] - The company has a consistent dividend-paying history, with a five-year annualized dividend growth of 15.10% [10] Strategic Developments - During the first quarter, Thermo Fisher launched several innovative products, including the Thermo Scientific Vulcan Automated Lab and Olink Reveal proteomics kits, contributing to commercial success [12] - The company announced an agreement to acquire Solventum's Purification & Filtration Business for $4.1 billion in cash [12] Overall Assessment - Thermo Fisher's first-quarter results exceeded expectations in terms of earnings and revenues, with growth in most segments except for Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services [11] - The contraction in margins was noted as a concern, and the company is expected to provide guidance for 2025 in an upcoming earnings call [11]