Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales decreased by 5% to $4.2 billion, driven by lower organic sales and commodity deflation, partially offset by growth from acquisitions [19][20] - Gross profit was $1.3 billion, a decrease of 11% compared to the prior year, with a gross margin of 30.7%, down 20 basis points [21] - Adjusted EBITDA was $506 million, down 24%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12%, down 300 basis points from the prior year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Multifamily sales declined by 23%, while single-family sales decreased by 9%, attributed to lower starts activity and value per start [20] - Repair and remodel increased by 3%, driven by strength in the Mid Atlantic and South Central regions [20] - The company invested over $35 million in value-added solutions, including opening a new millwork location in Florida and upgrading plants in seven states [7][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Single-family starts are expected to decrease through year-end due to builders managing construction pace amid affordability concerns [9] - Multifamily remains muted due to higher input and financing costs, but it is still considered an appealing and profitable business [10] - The company anticipates a headwind to sales of $400 million to $500 million in multifamily and a headwind to EBITDA of less than $200 million [26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on three key areas: customer service, operational excellence, and disciplined capital allocation [5][6] - The transition to a single ERP system is expected to unlock further growth opportunities and efficiencies [6] - The company remains committed to pursuing higher return opportunities through acquisitions, with a focus on expanding value-added product offerings [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the challenging market environment but emphasizes the importance of operational discipline and customer service [4][7] - The company expects net sales for Q3 to be between $3.65 billion and $3.95 billion, reflecting a weaker than normal building season [28] - The full-year guidance for net sales is projected to be between $14.8 billion and $15.6 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be between $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion [26] Other Important Information - The company completed a $750 million offering of senior unsecured notes to pay down the balance on its ABL [24] - Capital expenditures for the quarter were $86 million, with $61 million allocated to acquisitions and $391 million used for share repurchases [25] - The company has a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of approximately 2.3x, indicating a comfortable leverage position [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company strengthening its competitive position in a disappointing starts environment? - The company focuses on improving on-time and in-full performance, enhancing integrations with builders, and leveraging technology to optimize the build process [34][36] Question: What drove the sequential improvement in gross margins in Q2? - The improvement was attributed to better-than-expected performance in multifamily and repair and remodel segments, despite ongoing pressures [41][42] Question: What is the outlook for gross margins in Q3 and the second half of the year? - The company expects sequential normalization or declines in margins due to the competitive landscape and softer starts environment [43] Question: How does the company view the impact of Canadian lumber tariffs on its forecast? - The company has factored in the duties and believes the impact will be minimal in 2025, with lumber prices remaining stable [62] Question: What are the main drivers of the sequential change from Q2 to Q3? - The main drivers include a weakening start environment, continued normalization of multifamily, and commodity deflation [70][71] Question: How is the ERP rollout progressing? - The ERP system went live on July 1, with ongoing support and adjustments being made to address initial challenges [106][107]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sales of $774 million, an 11% increase both on a reported and core basis, with adjusted EPS increasing 25% to $0.79 [19][20] - Adjusted operating profit increased 15% year over year with margin expansion of 80 basis points [7][20] - Adjusted free cash flow of $89 million increased significantly versus the prior year, reflecting a strong 76% conversion to adjusted net income [20][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental and Fueling Solutions delivered core growth of nearly 16%, with shipments of dispensers increasing over 20% in the second quarter [21] - Mobility Technologies core sales grew 18%, driven by strong performance at Invenco, while DRB sales declined in the teens year over year [22] - Prepared Solutions sales were flat compared to the prior year, with ongoing market pressures offsetting gains expected from the annual Matco Expo [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Orders were up 8% organically, with a book to bill ratio of approximately one in the quarter [5][67] - The company noted that 70% of its portfolio outperformed in the quarter, reflecting strong progress in resilient end markets [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on operational discipline and commercial excellence, supported by a three-pillar value creation framework [8][29] - There is an emphasis on innovation and new product development, particularly in connected mobility and environmental solutions [12][16] - The company is advancing an agreement to divest its European service business to optimize its regional footprint [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised the full-year guidance for adjusted EPS to a high single-digit growth, despite expected tariff headwinds and macro uncertainties [18][28] - The company remains confident in its growth trajectory, supported by strong free cash flow and prudent capital allocation [29][30] Other Important Information - The company completed $50 million in share buybacks during the quarter, totaling $105 million in the first half of the year [25] - The company expects to fully mitigate tariff headwinds within the year, with significant progress made in Q2 [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue outlook for the second half, particularly for Repair Solutions - Management indicated a guide of down mid to high single digits for Repair Solutions, with signs of stabilization but still early to call an inflection [36][40] Question: Margin outlook for Repair Solutions - Margins have stabilized, with potential for improvement as higher-priced items start selling better and bad debt challenges stabilize [39][41] Question: Impact of shipment timing on EFS and Mobility Technologies - The company benefited from shipment timings of about $15 million to $20 million, with Mobility Technologies contributing approximately $5 million to $7 million [47] Question: Invenco's growth and revenue outlook - Invenco is expected to generate over $600 million in revenue this year, with strong growth anticipated despite tougher comparisons [50][52] Question: Recurring revenue base for Vontier - Approximately 40% of Mobility Technologies revenue is recurring, with Invenco at about 35% [52] Question: Customer conversations regarding the Big Beautiful Bill - The bill is expected to benefit free cash flow and may accelerate customer decisions, particularly for smaller operators [59][60] Question: Trends in the underground tank replacement cycle - The company sees early opportunities in the underground tank upgrade cycle, supported by new product innovations [63][64] Question: Month-to-month trends in Matco - Sellout was down 5% for the first half, but July showed improvement, indicating potential positive trends moving forward [84]

Company Overview - Mastech Digital, Inc. is a leading provider of Digital Transformation IT Services, offering Data Management and Analytics Solutions, Digital Learning, and IT Staffing Services with a digital-first approach [4]. Upcoming Conference Call - Mastech Digital has scheduled a conference call to discuss the results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on August 13th at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, hosted by CEO Mr. Nirav Patel and CFO Mr. Kannan Sugantharaman [1]. Accessing the Conference Call - The conference call can be accessed via a listen-only dial-in number (877-269-7756) or through a live webcast available on Mastech Digital's website [2]. - Investors are advised to log on 10 minutes prior to the start of the program [2]. Replay Information - A replay of the call will be available for 7 days following its conclusion, accessible by dialing 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415 with access ID 13753809 [3]. - The webcast will also be available for 7 days on Mastech Digital's corporate website [3].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Group revenue increased by 1.8%, adjusted gross profit rose by 3%, and adjusted profit from operations grew by 1.9%, with adjusted diluted EPS increasing by 1.7% [10][24][47] - The company anticipates full-year revenue at the top end of the 1% to 2% guidance, maintaining APFO guidance of 1.5% to 2.5% [10][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Smokeless products now account for 18.2% of Group revenue, up 70 basis points from last year, with 1.4 million new smokeless consumers added [4] - New categories revenue increased by 2.4%, driven by modern oral growth of over 40% and heated products rising by more than 3%, while vapor declined by 13% [11][12] - Combustibles revenue increased by 0.8%, with volume decline offset by strong pricing, leading to a gross profit increase of 2.4% [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S., revenue grew by 3.7%, with combustibles driving the growth, while modern oral revenue increased by 3.9% [16][17] - The AME region saw revenue rise by 3.5%, with combustibles up nearly 3% due to strong volumes in Brazil and Turkey [17] - APMEA experienced a total revenue decline of 4.8%, with combustibles down 7.9%, impacted by regulatory headwinds in Bangladesh and Australia [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a multi-category strategy to leverage consumer trends towards new categories, with significant investments in modern oral and heated products [28][30] - The introduction of the "Fit to Win" program aims to simplify operations and enhance digital decision-making, targeting £500 million in annualized savings by 2028 [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in returning to revenue and profit growth in the U.S., highlighting the importance of regulatory affairs and enforcement for smokeless alternatives [6][41] - The company remains optimistic about the long-term growth potential of modern oral products, especially in emerging markets [30][31] Other Important Information - The company has increased its 2025 share buyback program by £200 million to £1.1 billion, reflecting strong cash generation and commitment to shareholder returns [4][25] - The company has delivered nearly £900 million in productivity savings since 2023 and aims to exceed £1.2 billion by year-end [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the early performance of GloHilo in Japan and its rollout plans? - Management reported positive feedback from Japanese consumers, with a tailored product offering leading to early market share gains. The rollout will focus on high-profit pools through the end of the year [52][54] Question: What is the current momentum for VeloPlus in the U.S.? - VeloPlus is maintaining strong momentum with high retention rates and increasing market share, despite competitive pressures [57][58] Question: Can you clarify the Fit to Win program's costs and savings? - The program will have some costs in 2025, with a target of £500 million in annualized savings by 2028, which will be reinvested into growth initiatives [61][62] Question: What is the outlook for the vape business in the AME region? - The vape business is facing challenges in Canada due to regulations, but there is potential for growth as the market transitions to closed systems [66][70] Question: How is the company addressing the illegal vapor market in the U.S.? - Management noted a 40% reduction in illegal vapor shipments, with ongoing efforts to enforce regulations and improve market conditions [74][76] Question: What is the impact of the duty drawback on U.S. business? - The duty drawback is positively impacting the top line, but the company is also seeing growth from improved market share and pricing strategies [97][100] Question: Is there capacity to meet the expected growth in VeloPlus? - The company is well-equipped to handle the growth in VeloPlus, with no anticipated capacity shortages [102]

NEW YORK, July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LivePerson, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPSN), a leading provider of trusted enterprise conversational AI and outcome-driven digital transformation, today announced the planned release of its second quarter financial results after the market close on Monday, August 11, 2025. CEO John Sabino and CFO & COO John Collins will host a conference call later that day, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.The conference call will be simulcast live and can be accessed by logging onto the investor relat ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $195 million, representing a 13% year-over-year growth and exceeding guidance [7][18] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $46 million, with a margin of 23.5%, reflecting strong operational execution [7][24] - Free cash flow was $42 million, driven by improved profitability and effective working capital management [25][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription-based revenues grew 16% year-over-year, accounting for 81% of total revenue [19] - Services and other revenues increased by 1% year-over-year, primarily due to higher professional services tied to core conversions and M&A activity [19][20] - Total annualized recurring revenue (ARR) grew to $861 million, up 10% year-over-year, with subscription ARR at $716 million, a 13% increase [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company saw strong bookings performance, including six Tier one wins and notable activity in Tier two and three segments [7][8] - The backlog increased to approximately $2.4 billion, representing a 21% year-over-year growth [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving AI innovation across its product portfolio, particularly in fraud prevention [13][14] - The strategy includes enhancing the Innovation Studio ecosystem to provide customers with access to best-in-class solutions [12][15] - The company aims to capitalize on market demand and expansion opportunities while delivering operational excellence [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the pipeline and anticipated stronger enterprise activity in the second half of the year [33][36] - The company expects continued focus on risk and fraud solutions, which are critical for financial institutions [11][12] - Management raised full-year revenue guidance to a range of $783 million to $788 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 12% to 13% [27] Other Important Information - The company hosted its annual customer conference, highlighting the commitment of financial institutions to digital transformation [11][30] - The gross margin improved to 57.5%, driven by a higher mix of subscription-based revenues [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is the demand environment showing improvement? - Management noted a strong pipeline but did not see a significant lift in new opportunities yet [33][34] Question: What is the outlook for enterprise activity? - Management indicated that enterprise deals are expected to be more prominent in the second half of the year, with a normal mix of Tier one deals [35][37] Question: Can you quantify the penetration of risk and fraud solutions? - Management stated that there is strong penetration of risk and fraud products among existing customers, with opportunities for further sales [40][42] Question: What drove the higher churn in the second quarter? - Management attributed the higher churn to localized factors and M&A transactions, expecting lower churn in the second half [43][44] Question: How is the company addressing competition in the risk and fraud space? - Management highlighted that many new vendors are partnering with the company to offer comprehensive solutions through Innovation Studio [95] Question: What is the strategy for cross-selling initiatives? - Management reported strong cross-selling momentum following the client conference, with expectations for a robust second half [102][103] Question: What are the long-term benefits of the cloud migration? - Management discussed cost savings and strategic opportunities arising from the transition to the cloud, enhancing operational efficiency [105][108]

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Core Viewpoint - Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev) is expected to report year-over-year earnings growth for Q2 2025, despite a slight decline in revenues compared to the previous year [1][2]. Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AB InBev's quarterly revenues is $15.3 billion, reflecting a 0.01% decline from the same quarter last year [2]. - The consensus estimate for earnings per share (EPS) is 94 cents, indicating a 4.4% increase year-over-year [2][9]. - The earnings estimate has decreased by 2.1% over the past 30 days [2]. Recent Performance - In the last reported quarter, AB InBev's EPS exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.2%, with a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 10.9% [3]. Factors Influencing Q2 Results - The company's results are anticipated to benefit from strategic measures such as pricing actions, premiumization, and revenue management initiatives [4]. - Strong consumer demand for AB InBev's brand portfolio is expected to contribute positively to sales performance [4]. - The focus on premium beer offerings aligns with consumer preferences, and the expansion of the Beyond Beer portfolio is also expected to aid performance [5]. Cost and Economic Challenges - Elevated costs from commodity inflation, supply-chain expenses, and investments for long-term growth are anticipated to impact results negatively [6]. - A challenging macroeconomic environment, particularly weak consumer demand in China and Argentina, poses additional concerns [6]. - Currency and interest rate fluctuations are likely to have further affected quarterly performance [6]. Earnings Prediction - The model predicts an earnings beat for AB InBev, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +0.37% and a Zacks Rank of 3 [7]. Valuation and Stock Performance - AB InBev's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 16.46X, compared to a five-year high of 23.71X and the industry average of 15.05X [8]. - Year-to-date, AB InBev shares have increased by 33.6%, significantly outperforming the industry's growth of 1.5% [11].

Core Insights - Target Corporation is focusing on its third-party digital marketplace, Target Plus, aiming to grow its gross merchandise volume (GMV) to $5 billion by 2030 despite facing challenges with soft sales and changing consumer behavior [1][8] - The company reported a significant growth of over 20% in GMV for Target Plus in the last quarter, adding hundreds of new partners, which has positively impacted online traffic and conversion rates [2][8] - Target Plus is a crucial part of Target's digital transformation strategy, designed to enhance customer engagement, increase market share, and expand product assortment without the inventory risks associated with traditional retail [3][4] Financial Performance - Target's stock has decreased by 22.9% year-to-date, contrasting with the industry's growth of 2.1%, and has underperformed compared to peers like Dollar General and Costco [5] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for Target is 13.28, significantly lower than the industry average of 31.65, indicating a discount compared to Dollar General and Costco [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year decline in sales and earnings per share of 1.8% and 14.8%, respectively, for the current financial year [9]

Core Insights - Fortinet's Fabric-Ready Technology Alliance Partner Program has achieved over 3,000 integrations with more than 400 technology partners, highlighting its commitment to interoperability and simplifying security for organizations [1][2][5] Group 1: Industry Context - The digital attack surface is expanding, with 68% of organizations managing between 10 and 49 security tools, leading to challenges in visibility and centralized management [3] - Fortinet's Open Ecosystem provides over 3,000 pre-validated integrations optimized for the Security Fabric, addressing complexities in cloud, virtualization, security operations, automation, IoT, OT, endpoint security, and networking [3][4] Group 2: Customer Benefits - Key benefits of the Fabric-Ready Partner Program include broad visibility of security risks, simplified operations through automation, enhanced incident response via real-time threat intelligence sharing, and rapid deployment through pre-validated integrations [6][19] - The program has grown its membership by 36 times since 2015, reflecting Fortinet's focus on fostering innovation and interoperability [5] Group 3: Partner Contributions - Notable partners such as Armis, CrowdStrike, Digital Realty, Equinix, Megaport, Qualcomm, and ServiceNow contribute specialized expertise in various areas, enhancing the overall value of the Fortinet ecosystem [5][7][8][9][10][15] - The collaboration with partners enables organizations to secure their digital landscapes effectively, regardless of existing technology stacks [2][4]