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BRP(DOOO) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-29 14:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $1.9 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by stronger ORV shipments, offset by lower personal watercraft deliveries [6][22] - Normalized EBITDA was $213 million, and normalized EPS was $0.92, which included approximately $0.35 from tax credits recorded in the quarter [6][22] - Free cash flow from continuing operations reached $100 million, with over $270 million in cash at the end of the quarter, indicating strong financial flexibility [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American powersports retail decreased by 11%, with Canada showing a 4% growth driven by ORV, while the U.S. experienced a 15% decline [7][8] - Year-round product revenue increased by 13% to $1.1 billion, driven by higher ORV shipments following last year's inventory reduction plan [15] - Seasonal product revenues decreased by 13% to $470 million, mainly due to a planned reduction in personal watercraft shipments [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail in Latin America grew by 22%, led by strong ORV performance, while Asia Pacific saw a 5% increase, marking the first growth in two years [8][9] - EMEA experienced a 13% decline in retail, consistent with industry trends [8] - The overall global industry trend showed slight improvement compared to previous quarters [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining operational efficiency and managing shipments to improve network inventory positions [21][25] - A definitive agreement for the sale of Manitou was announced, expected to close in the coming weeks [6] - The introduction of new products, including the Can Am Defender, is aimed at capturing market share and enhancing dealer profitability [11][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the second half of the year, citing improved visibility on expected deliveries and a strong product lineup [25][29] - The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, but the company is well-positioned to capitalize on market opportunities [25][29] - The guidance for revenues is set between $8.15 billion and $8.3 billion, with normalized EBITDA expected to be between $1.04 billion and $1.09 billion [27] Other Important Information - The company has successfully reduced dealer inventory by 20% year-over-year, positioning itself to better align wholesale with retail [23][24] - The tariff impact for the year is estimated at $90 million, reflecting increased tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper [27][50] - Management emphasized the importance of innovation and technology in sustaining profitable growth [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the tariff scenarios being contemplated? - Management is in constant dialogue with Canadian and Mexican authorities regarding tariff regulations and believes they can adapt to any changes [33][36] Question: Can you elaborate on the current versus non-current inventory situation? - The company noted that most OEMs are cautious with shipments, and they are encouraged by the improved inventory ratios [41][44] Question: What is the outlook for retail sales in the second half? - Management expects retail to improve in the second half, particularly in ORV, driven by new product introductions and a cleaner inventory environment [46][70] Question: How does the company plan to mitigate tariff exposure? - Mitigation efforts include sourcing adjustments and production shifts to minimize tariff impacts [37][50] Question: What is the expected revenue profile outlook? - The company anticipates a recovery in revenue as inventory aligns with retail, with a potential tailwind of $400 million to $500 million from destocking [53][102] Question: What are the expectations for EPS growth in the coming years? - Management believes the company has the capacity to grow EPS significantly, depending on industry dynamics and macroeconomic conditions [97][99]
BRP(DOOO) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-29 14:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $1.9 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by stronger ORV shipments, offset by lower personal watercraft deliveries [20][4] - Normalized EBITDA was $213 million, and normalized EPS was $0.92, which included approximately $0.35 from tax credits recorded in the quarter [20][4] - Free cash flow from continuing operations reached $100 million, with over $270 million in cash at the end of the quarter, indicating a solid balance sheet [20][4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American powersports retail decreased by 11%, with Canada showing a 4% growth driven by ORV, while the U.S. experienced a 15% decline [5][6] - Year-round product revenue increased by 13% to $1.1 billion, driven by higher ORV shipments following last year's inventory reduction plan [13] - Seasonal product revenues decreased by 13% to $470 million, mainly due to a planned reduction in personal watercraft shipments [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail in Latin America grew by 22%, led by strong performance in ORV, while Asia Pacific saw a 5% increase, marking the first growth in two years [6] - EMEA experienced a 13% decline in retail, consistent with industry trends [6] - The overall global industry trend showed slight improvement compared to previous quarters [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a definitive agreement for the sale of Manitou, expected to close soon, indicating strategic divestment [4] - The introduction of new products, including the new generation Can Am Defender and expanded electric vehicle offerings, is aimed at gaining market share [9][11] - The company is focused on operational efficiency and managing shipments to improve network inventory positions [19][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the second half of the year, citing improved visibility on expected deliveries and a strong reception for new products [23][24] - The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, but the company is well-positioned to capture demand upside when market conditions improve [23][24] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to tariff situations and maintaining competitive pricing strategies [34][36] Other Important Information - The company is experiencing a 20% year-over-year reduction in network inventory, which is expected to enhance competitiveness and protect brand value [21][22] - The guidance for fiscal year 2026 includes revenues of $8.15 billion to $8.3 billion, normalized EBITDA of $1.04 billion to $1.09 billion, and normalized EPS of $4.25 to $4.75 [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the tariff scenarios that you're contemplating? - Management indicated that they are closely monitoring the USMCA and are prepared to adapt to any regulatory changes [33][34] Question: Can you shed light on your plans to mitigate the tariff exposure? - The company is actively working on sourcing strategies and production adjustments to minimize tariff impacts [36][37] Question: What does the retail outlook look like for the second half? - Management expects retail to improve in the second half, particularly in ORV, as inventory levels are cleaner and new products are introduced [46][68] Question: How do you see the revenue profile outlook with the alignment of wholesale and retail? - Management noted that destocking has had a significant revenue impact, but they anticipate a recovery as inventory levels normalize [52][53] Question: What are the expectations for margins going forward? - The company expects to see margin improvements due to reduced promotional activity and better inventory management [60][61] Question: What are the factors driving the discrepancy in retail sales between Canada and the U.S.? - Management attributed the differences to macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and consumer confidence in the U.S. compared to Canada [110][112]
BOS Continues Strong Growth Trajectory in Q2 2025, Sales Increase 36% Year-Over-Year
GlobeNewswire News Room· 2025-08-21 11:30
Core Insights - BOS Better Online Solutions Ltd. reported a robust 36% revenue growth in Q2 2025, achieving record sales of $26.5 million and net income of $2.1 million, or $0.36 per share [3][5] - The company is raising its 2025 financial outlook, now expecting revenues between $45 million and $48 million and net income between $2.6 million and $3.1 million [3][5] - The RFID division faced temporary margin pressures, with gross profit margin decreasing to 19.1% from 21.1% year-over-year, but restructuring initiatives are expected to normalize performance by Q4 2025 [3][5] Financial Performance - Revenue for Q2 2025 increased by 36.4% to $11.5 million compared to $8.5 million in Q2 2024 [5] - Net income rose by 52.7% to $765,000, or $0.13 per basic share, compared to $501,000, or $0.09 per basic share, in Q2 2024 [5] - EBITDA for Q2 2025 increased to $898,000 from $817,000 in Q2 2024 [5] Balance Sheet Highlights - As of June 30, 2025, cash and equivalents were $5.2 million, up from $3.6 million as of December 31, 2024 [5] - Total assets increased to $38.4 million from $34.3 million as of December 31, 2024 [12] - Shareholders' equity stood at $24 million as of June 30, 2025, compared to $21.3 million at the end of 2024 [14] Segment Performance - The RFID division generated revenues of $6.2 million in the first half of 2025, while the Supply Chain division contributed $19.7 million [16] - The gross profit for the RFID division was $1.3 million, while the Supply Chain division reported $4.8 million [16] - The Intelligent Robotics division had revenues of $868,000, contributing to the overall consolidated revenue [16] Strategic Focus - The company is strategically focusing on the defense sector and diversifying its customer base to enhance growth [3] - Efforts are being made to expand product offerings, which contributed to the robust revenue growth [3] - The company is actively addressing operational inefficiencies in the RFID division through comprehensive restructuring initiatives [3]
Crown Crafts Stock Gains Despite Q1 Earnings Showing Wider Losses
ZACKS· 2025-08-19 19:00
Core Viewpoint - Crown Crafts, Inc. reported a decline in revenue and earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily due to tariff pressures and inventory management challenges, while the stock has shown a modest gain since the earnings report [1][2][4]. Revenue and Earnings Performance - Crown Crafts posted net sales of $15.5 million, down 4.5% from $16.2 million in the prior-year period [2] - Gross profit decreased by 11.3% to $3.5 million, representing 22.7% of sales compared to 24.5% a year ago [2] - The company reported a net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million, or $0.03 per share, in the same quarter last year [2] Segment Results - Sales of bedding and diaper bags increased by 8.6% year over year to $6.8 million, while sales of bibs, toys, and disposable products declined by 12.8% to $8.7 million [3] Key Business Metrics - Gross margin slipped by 180 basis points year over year due to higher costs of imported goods from China [4] - Marketing and administrative expenses rose by 10.6% to $4.7 million, increasing to 30.5% of sales from 26.3% a year earlier [4] - Interest expense surged by 180.2% to $0.3 million from $0.1 million in the prior-year period [4] Balance Sheet Overview - Inventories stood at $31.6 million as of June 29, 2025, up from $27.8 million at fiscal year-end [5] - Cash and equivalents declined to $0.2 million from $0.5 million at fiscal year-end [5] - Long-term debt fell to $11.9 million from $16.5 million at fiscal year-end [5] - Shareholders' equity slipped to $37.9 million from $39.6 million at fiscal year-end [5] Management Commentary - Management highlighted tariffs as a key challenge, with CEO Olivia Elliott noting consumer uncertainty and supplier disruption [6] - The Baby Boom acquisition contributed $2.1 million in sales during the quarter [6] - Price increases are being implemented to offset tariff impacts, with full effects expected by the end of September [6] Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding July sales trends and the renewal and expansion of the Disney licensing agreement [7] - CFO Claire Spencer emphasized the company's financial flexibility, with $12.2 million available under its revolving line of credit [7] - Management indicated that restocking by retailers should aid demand in upcoming quarters [11] Other Developments - Crown Crafts declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, payable on October 3, 2025 [12] - The company announced the extension of its Disney licensing agreement, expanding product categories and geographic reach [12] - Progress has been made in stabilizing the Manhattan Toy brand, with new product lines gaining traction at major retailers [12]
全球宏观下一步:细节为何重要 _ What's Next in Global Macro_ Why the Details Matter
2025-08-14 02:44
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The discussion primarily revolves around the **U.S. economy**, focusing on the implications of **tariffs** and **inflation** on market dynamics and Federal Reserve policy decisions. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Market Reactions to FOMC Meeting**: The market's pricing for the September FOMC meeting fluctuated significantly, with initial expectations for a rate cut shifting after Chair Powell's comments, indicating ongoing uncertainty in economic conditions [2][5]. 2. **Nonfarm Payrolls Impact**: The July nonfarm payrolls report showed a downward revision of 258k for May and June, the largest revision outside of the Covid period, altering the market's narrative regarding the U.S. economy [2][5]. 3. **Inflation Trends**: The June CPI indicated the onset of tariff-driven inflation, with effective tariff rates rising from 8.7% in May to 8.9% in June, while announced rates exceed 15%. This discrepancy is attributed to supply chain dynamics and timing of tariff applications [3][4]. 4. **Inventory Management Effects**: Companies, particularly in the auto sector, are delaying price increases until new inventory arrives, which may further postpone inflation pass-through to consumers [4]. 5. **Fed's Balancing Act**: The Federal Reserve's decision in September will need to balance inflation pressures against employment data, with tariff uncertainties continuing to complicate the economic outlook [5][7]. 6. **Upcoming Economic Data**: The importance of forthcoming CPI and jobs data is emphasized, as they will be critical in shaping the Fed's decisions regarding interest rates [2][7]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Sector-Specific Inflation**: The analysis indicates that about 80% of the surge in "front loading" inventory in Q1 was concentrated in just seven product categories, suggesting that inflationary pressures may not be as widespread as initially thought [4]. 2. **Consumer Sentiment**: The University of Michigan's survey showed long-run inflation expectations declining to 3.4% in July, with consumer sentiment rebounding but still below last year's levels [22]. 3. **Global Economic Indicators**: Other global economic indicators, such as China's broad credit growth and Japan's GDP forecasts, are also mentioned, reflecting a broader context of economic performance [9][19][20]. This summary encapsulates the critical points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the interplay between tariffs, inflation, and Federal Reserve policy in the current economic landscape.
lululemon's Inventory Play: Streamlining or Straining Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-08-13 18:22
Core Insights - lululemon athletica inc.'s inventory strategy for Q1 2025 aims to balance product innovation with macroeconomic pressures, resulting in a 16% year-over-year increase in unit inventory and a 23% rise in dollar inventory due to higher average unit costs from tariffs and foreign exchange impacts [1][8] - The company is focusing on new product introductions, such as the No Line Align and Daydrift trousers, which have received positive consumer feedback, while also managing inventory levels to protect full-price selling and market share [1][8] - Despite a strong inventory position, lululemon has indicated potential risks, including U.S. traffic softness and a cautious consumer outlook, leading to a higher markdown forecast for the second half of fiscal 2025 [2][8] Inventory Management - lululemon's inventory build is strategic, with 40% of purchases in core products that can be adjusted based on demand, allowing for flexibility in inventory management [3] - The company is committed to its five key activities—yoga, running, training, golf, and tennis—through innovation and maintaining full-price sales discipline [3] - Competitors like NIKE and Under Armour are also adjusting their inventory strategies, with NIKE reducing inventories by 13% year-over-year and Under Armour aligning inventory more closely with demand trends [4][5][6] Financial Performance - lululemon's shares have decreased by 49.5% year-to-date, compared to a 32.2% decline in the industry [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for lululemon is 12.87X, which is higher than the industry's 10.33X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 1.5% year-over-year decline in earnings for fiscal 2025, with a projected growth of 7.5% for fiscal 2026 [10]
Seneca Stock Rises Following Q1 Earnings Despite Sales Decline
ZACKS· 2025-08-13 17:51
Core Viewpoint - Seneca Foods Corporation reported mixed financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, with a decline in net sales but an increase in net earnings, indicating a complex operational environment influenced by volume changes and pricing dynamics [2][6]. Financial Performance - Net sales for the first quarter were $297.5 million, down 2.4% from $304.7 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to lower sales volumes [2]. - Net earnings increased by 17.6% year over year to $14.9 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, compared to $12.7 million, or $1.80 per share, a year earlier [2]. - Operating income decreased by 8.8% to $23.2 million from $25.4 million in the same quarter last year, while gross margin slightly improved to 14.1% from 14% [2]. Segment Performance - Vegetable sales fell by 3.2% to $270.3 million from $279.1 million, while Fruit/Snack sales decreased by 0.5% to $21.6 million [3]. - The "Other" category saw a significant increase of 41.3% to $5.6 million from $3.9 million, driven by seed, can, and aircraft-related revenues [3]. Key Business Metrics - Interest expense dropped by 47.7% to $5.4 million from $10.3 million, benefiting from lower average borrowings and a reduced weighted-average interest rate [4]. - Adjusted net earnings, excluding LIFO inventory valuation credits, were $6 million, down 42.5% from $10.5 million in the prior-year quarter [4]. - EBITDA was $36.9 million, down 5.6% from $39.2 million, while FIFO EBITDA fell by 30.5% to $25.2 million from $36.3 million [4]. Liquidity Position - The company maintained a strong liquidity position with $12.1 million in cash and access to $389.1 million in unused credit under its revolving facility [5]. Management Commentary - The CEO acknowledged ongoing cost pressures from high-cost 2024 inventory due to unfavorable weather but expressed satisfaction with progress in selling through that inventory [6]. - Sales disruptions from a key co-pack customer affected volumes, but recovery is expected under the existing contract [6]. - The 2025 seasonal pack is underway, with expectations for improved crop yields to normalize inventory levels and costs [6]. Factors Influencing Sales - The decline in sales was primarily volume-driven, with a $13.6 million decrease in volume partially offset by $6.4 million from pricing and product mix [7]. - Lower vegetable category sales were attributed to volume losses that outweighed pricing gains, while snacks benefited from higher volumes [7]. - The increase in "Other" revenues was linked to ancillary businesses such as seed, can manufacturing, and aircraft operations [7]. Guidance - While no formal quantitative guidance was issued, management indicated expectations for volume recovery from the co-pack customer and cost normalization from improved crop yields in the 2025 pack [8]. Share Repurchase - During the quarter, Seneca repurchased 41,937 shares of Class A Common Stock at a cost of $3.8 million, with no Class B shares repurchased [9].
Microchip Technology(MCHP) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-07 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a sequential sales growth of 10.8%, with net sales reaching $1,075 million, exceeding guidance by $5.5 million [7][13] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 54.3%, impacted by inventory write-offs and underutilization charges, while the product gross margin was calculated at 66.3% [11][13] - Non-GAAP net income was $154.7 million, translating to earnings per diluted share of $0.27, which was $0.01 above the high end of guidance [13][14] - Inventory decreased by $124 million sequentially, with inventory days dropping from 266 to 214 days [9][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales from microcontroller and analog businesses both experienced double-digit percentage growth sequentially [7][8] - The company noted a significant reduction in inventory write-offs from $90.6 million in March to $77.1 million in June [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company observed a sequential increase in distribution sales, indicating a correction in distributor customer inventory levels [22] - The backlog for September was reported to be higher than for June, with July bookings being the highest in three years [27][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on increasing wafer starts in December to meet growing demand while managing inventory levels [26][31] - There is a strong emphasis on expanding product offerings in aerospace, defense, and AI applications, with significant advancements in FPGA solutions and AI coding assistance [18][19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in a structural demand recovery, indicating that the company is still below normalized end market demand levels [22][24] - The company expects continued improvement in gross margins as inventory write-offs decrease and factory utilization increases [25][31] Other Important Information - The company plans to maintain a capital return program for shareholders, expecting adjusted free cash flow to exceed dividend payments [32] - Management highlighted the importance of managing customer backlogs to avoid short-term shipment pressures due to low inventory levels [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is the September outlook seasonal or above seasonal? - Management indicated that a 5.1% sequential increase in September would be considered well above seasonal, as typical seasonal increases are around 3% [35] Question: What is the macro environment outlook beyond September? - Management believes the recovery is strong, driven by inventory corrections at distributors and direct customers, rather than tariff-related pull-ins [39][40] Question: How do automotive and industrial markets compare in September? - Management noted strong growth across all product lines and end markets, with recovery seen in both automotive and industrial sectors [45] Question: What is the status of inventory levels and sell-through? - Management confirmed that sell-through is higher than sell-in, with a gap of $49.3 million, indicating that inventory levels are being corrected [49][50] Question: What is the outlook for lead times and customer orders? - Management reported that lead times are extending for certain products, and customers are encouraged to manage their backlogs to ensure adequate supply [65][66] Question: Are there any end markets lagging in demand? - Management identified automotive as the lagging market, while data centers and industrial sectors are recovering well [72] Question: How does the company view tariff exemptions related to U.S. manufacturing? - Management believes that their existing U.S. manufacturing investments qualify for tariff exemptions, potentially putting them in a better position than some competitors [76]
Microchip Technology(MCHP) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-07 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for the quarter were $1,075 million, reflecting a sequential growth of 10.8% and exceeding guidance by $5.5 million [11][5] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 54.3%, impacted by inventory underutilization charges of $51.5 million and inventory reserve charges of $77.1 million [12][11] - Non-GAAP operating margin increased by 670 basis points sequentially, with operating income at 20.7% of sales [12][11] - Inventory decreased by $124.4 million sequentially, with inventory days dropping from 266 to 214 days [13][7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales from microcontroller and analog businesses both experienced double-digit percentage growth sequentially [5][6] - Distribution sell-through was $49.3 million higher than sell-in, indicating a positive trend in inventory correction [11][47] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company observed recovery across key end markets including automotive, industrial, communication, data center, aerospace, and defense [24][20] - Asia saw a sequential sales increase of approximately 14%, outperforming Europe and North America, which grew by about 8% [88][87] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to increase wafer starts in December to meet growing demand while managing inventory levels [22][29] - Focus on expanding product offerings in aerospace, defense, and AI applications, with significant advancements in FPGA solutions and AI coding assistance [15][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a structural demand recovery, with inventory levels still below normalized end market demand [21][24] - The company expects net sales for September to be around $1,130 million, with non-GAAP gross margin projected between 55% and 57% [29][28] Other Important Information - The company anticipates that adjusted free cash flow will exceed dividend payments, allowing for debt reduction in future quarters [30][29] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy backlog visibility to manage lead times effectively [63][84] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is the September outlook seasonal or above seasonal? - Management indicated that a sequential increase of 5.1% in September would be considered well above seasonal, as typical increases are around 3% [33][34] Question: How does the macro environment look beyond September? - Management believes the recovery is strong, driven by inventory corrections and not significantly impacted by tariffs [36][38] Question: What is the growth outlook between automotive and industrial markets? - Management noted strong growth across all product lines, with recovery seen in both automotive and industrial markets [43][44] Question: How far below end demand is the company currently shipping? - Management stated that inventory correction will continue, and sales will grow towards normalized levels, but exact figures are difficult to quantify [58][59] Question: What is driving the relative strength in Asia? - The strength in Asia is largely attributed to US and European customers manufacturing products in Asia, rather than a standalone regional demand [88][90] Question: What is the guidance for gross margin and associated charges? - Management expects lower underutilization charges and inventory write-offs, but exact figures are difficult to forecast [97][98] Question: What signals will indicate it's time to raise utilization rates? - Management indicated that production output is currently far below shipment rates, necessitating an increase in utilization to avoid future capacity issues [108][109]
Avnet(AVT) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-06 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For fiscal year 2025, the company reported revenues of $22.2 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.44 [5][15] - In the fourth quarter, sales reached $5.6 billion, exceeding guidance, with a 6% sequential increase and slight year-over-year growth [15][19] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $0.81, surpassing the high end of guidance [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electronic components sales improved by 1% year-over-year and 6% sequentially [16] - Farnell sales increased by 3% year-over-year and 5% sequentially, with an operating margin of 4.3% [20][12] - The operating margin for electronic components was 3%, reflecting a year-over-year decline due to a sales mix shift to Asia and a sales decline in EMEA [19][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Asia saw an 18% year-over-year sales increase, while EMEA sales declined by 17% and The Americas by 2% [15][16] - The book-to-bill ratio improved across all regions, with Europe and Asia both above parity [7][14] - Demand increased in the compute, transportation, and communication end markets globally [6][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on managing costs while investing in long-term strategies, optimizing working capital, and generating healthy cash flows [5][12] - There is an emphasis on digital infrastructure investments to enhance customer experience and data insights [13] - The company aims to achieve steady improvement in Farnell's operating margins and stabilize its cost structure [20][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about bookings in EMEA, indicating a modest recovery in the region [34] - The company is cautiously optimistic about continued growth in Asia, which has historically led market recoveries [47][48] - There are positive signs of inventory normalization and improved backlog, contributing to a favorable outlook [61][63] Other Important Information - The company returned $415 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends during the fiscal year [25][26] - The company reduced its debt by $237 million, ending the quarter with a gross leverage of 3.4 times [25][24] - The company expects capital expenditures to return to normal levels of approximately $25 million to $35 million per quarter in fiscal year 2026 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in EMEA market conditions - Management noted increased optimism in EMEA, with modest improvements in bookings and backlog [34][36] Question: Inventory trends and management - The company expects a modest decline in inventory next quarter, driven by the electronic components business [37][39] Question: Future performance in Asia - Management is confident in continued strong performance in Asia, which has been growing and maintaining margins [46][48] Question: Improving margins at Farnell - The company is focused on continuous improvement in Farnell's margins, aiming for double-digit operating margins over the next few years [55][76] Question: Interest expense and inventory investment outlook - Management indicated that interest expense is expected to remain stable, with ongoing efforts to manage inventory levels effectively [84][86]