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B&G Foods(BGS) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-04 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q2 net sales were $424.4 million, down 4.5% year-over-year, with base business down 4.2% [6][17] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 was $58 million, a decrease of $5 million or 9.3% compared to the previous year [6][16] - Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 13.7% for the year [16][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The frozen and vegetables business unit saw a segment adjusted EBITDA decline of $6.5 million due to higher costs and trade spend [6][10] - The specialty business unit experienced an 8% decline in net sales, primarily due to lower Crisco oil pricing, but segment adjusted EBITDA improved by 3% [7][20] - Meals segment net sales declined by 3.5%, but adjusted EBITDA increased by 7.7% [20] - Spices and Flavor Solutions saw a slight decline in net sales, impacted by commodity cost increases [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. frozen vegetables business is expected to turn profitable in the second half of the year, with an increase in segment adjusted EBITDA of $8 million to $10 million [13] - Negative foreign exchange impacts have moderated, and a better cost environment is anticipated for the frozen and vegetables business unit [22][27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reshaping its portfolio through divestitures to improve margins and cash flow, aiming for adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales to approach 20% [8][10] - Future divestitures are expected to further focus the portfolio and reduce leverage [10][32] - The company aims to reduce leverage to six times within the next twelve months through divestiture proceeds and improved cash flow [15][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects solid improvement in the second half of fiscal 2025, with net sales projected to be flat to slightly positive [11][36] - The company anticipates a modestly softer economic environment impacting consumer spending patterns [35][36] - Management is committed to reducing leverage and balance sheet risk while stabilizing adjusted EBITDA [15][39] Other Important Information - Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 9.4% to $47.2 million, reflecting higher consumer marketing expenses [28] - The company generated $17.8 million in net cash from operations during Q2, an increase from $11.3 million in the prior year [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on core business expectations - Management indicated that base business net sales are expected to be down about 1% to 2% in the second half, factoring in the benefit from the fifty-third week [42][44] Question: Impact of tariffs and pricing actions - Management noted that the majority of tariff exposure is in spices and flavor solutions, and they expect to implement pricing actions to recover tariff costs [51][53] Question: EBITDA and net debt clarification - Management confirmed that net debt was reduced to approximately $1.9 billion following recent divestitures, with proceeds around $59 million [60][61] Question: Performance of spices and flavor solutions - Management acknowledged that the spices and flavor solutions business has not met expectations, but they anticipate slight improvement in the back half of the year [67][68] Question: Future asset sales and divestitures - Management confirmed ongoing discussions with strategic buyers for potential asset sales, indicating that more announcements could be expected [77][78]
Magna(MGA) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-01 13:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBIT increased by 1% to $583 million, with an EBIT margin of 5.5%, up 20 basis points year over year despite a 40 basis point negative impact from tariffs [6][20] - Adjusted diluted EPS rose by 7% to CAD 1.44, reflecting higher net income and a reduction in diluted shares outstanding [18][25] - Free cash flow improved by $178 million year over year, totaling $301 million for the quarter [7][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American and European light vehicle production decreased by 62%, while production in China increased by 5%, resulting in a net global production increase of 1% [21] - Consolidated sales were $10.6 billion, down 3% compared to the previous year, primarily due to lower production volumes and program changes [20][22] - The decline in total sales was partially offset by new program launches and favorable foreign exchange impacts [22][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American production forecast was adjusted to 14.7 million units, reflecting a reduction of about 300,000 units [14] - China production was raised to 30.8 million units, attributed to adjustments in estimated Q1 production and Q2 performance [15] - The company expects a higher euro and slightly higher Canadian dollar and RMB for 2025 compared to previous forecasts [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on innovation and high-quality delivery to differentiate itself in the industry, with recent awards highlighting its operational excellence [10][11] - The strategy includes working closely with customers to mitigate tariff impacts and exploring share repurchases once conditions stabilize [9][28] - The company is advancing automotive technologies, including hybrid transmission programs and integrated vehicle safety innovations [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for the remainder of the year, supported by strong Q2 execution and ongoing operational discipline despite industry challenges [19][27] - The company anticipates a less than 10 basis point impact on EBIT margin from tariffs and expects to generate approximately 35% of full-year EBIT in Q4 [13][17] - Management noted that while macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain, they are focused on controllable factors and adapting to evolving situations [12][88] Other Important Information - The company returned $137 million to shareholders in dividends during Q2, with a year-to-date return of capital totaling $324 million [9][26] - The adjusted effective income tax rate decreased to 20.5% from approximately 26% due to favorable FX adjustments and changes in tax reserves [18][24] - The company reduced its capital spending range by $100 million compared to previous outlooks, reflecting a disciplined approach to capital allocation [19][96] Q&A Session Summary Question: Were there any one-time items affecting the BES segment margins? - Management confirmed that the strong margin result was primarily driven by operational excellence and a better program mix, with no significant one-time items [30][31] Question: What is the expectation for tariff recoveries by Q4? - Management indicated that they expect a cadence of recovery, with some tariffs still coming in Q4, but they feel comfortable with the outlook [32][34] Question: How have recent production changes by major customers affected North American assets? - Management noted that increased production in U.S. plants has not negatively impacted Canadian operations, as a significant portion of sales are already directed to the U.S. [35][38] Question: What is the visibility into the second half of the year regarding EBIT? - Management stated that they have good visibility on the outlook, with expectations for a significant portion of earnings to come in Q4 due to commercial recoveries and lower engineering spend [41][43] Question: How does the company view the impact of tariffs on margins? - Management expects tariffs to have a positive impact in the second half of the year, with recoveries anticipated based on signed agreements with customers [64][71] Question: How is the company approaching capital allocation and buybacks? - Management emphasized a focus on capital discipline and free cash flow generation, with potential buybacks contingent on improved visibility in the market [95][96]
Magna(MGA) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-01 13:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBIT increased by 1% to $583 million, with an EBIT margin improvement of 20 basis points to 5.5% despite a 40 basis point negative impact from tariffs [6][21] - Adjusted diluted EPS rose by 7% to CAD 1.44, reflecting higher net income and a reduction in diluted shares outstanding [6][21] - Free cash flow improved by $178 million year over year, totaling $300 million for the quarter [6][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American and European light vehicle production decreased by 62%, while production in China increased by 5%, resulting in a net global production increase of 1% [21][22] - Consolidated sales were $10.6 billion, down 3% compared to the previous year, reflecting a negative production mix and lower complete vehicle assembly volumes [21][22] - The decline in total sales was partially offset by new program launches and favorable foreign exchange impacts [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American production forecast was adjusted to 14.7 million units, a reduction of about 300,000 units, while European production remained unchanged [14] - China production was raised to 30.8 million units due to adjustments in estimated Q1 production and Q2 performance [14] - The company expects a higher euro and slightly higher Canadian dollar and RMB for 2025 compared to previous forecasts [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on innovation and high quality to differentiate itself in the industry, recently receiving awards for quality and technical ingenuity [10][11] - The company continues to execute its capital allocation strategy, including share repurchases once conditions stabilize [8][29] - The operational excellence initiatives are expected to contribute positively to margins, with a roadmap for similar improvements into 2026 [19][106] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for the remainder of the year, supported by strong Q2 execution and ongoing operational discipline despite industry challenges [19] - The company has reduced its estimated annualized tariff exposure to $200 million from $250 million, having settled with multiple OEMs for most of its 2025 net tariff exposure [7][12] - The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, but the company is focused on what it can control and adapting to evolving conditions [89] Other Important Information - The company returned $137 million to shareholders in dividends during the second quarter, bringing the year-to-date total to $324 million [8][27] - The adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio is at 1.87, better than anticipated and within the target range [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Were there any one-time items affecting the BES segment margins? - Management confirmed that the strong margin result was largely driven by operational excellence and a better program mix, with no significant one-time items [32] Question: Are recoveries for tariff impacts expected by Q4? - Management indicated that a cadence of recovery is expected, with some tariffs still anticipated in Q4, but they feel comfortable with the outlook [34][35] Question: How have production changes by major customers affected North American assets? - Management noted that increased production in U.S. plants has not negatively impacted Canadian operations, as a significant portion of sales in Canada are already directed to the U.S. [39] Question: What is the visibility into the second half EBIT margin improvement? - Management highlighted that the margin improvement is expected due to commercial recoveries, lower engineering spend, and tariff recoveries, with good visibility on the outlook [42][46] Question: How does the company view the impact of tariffs on future margins? - Management expects a pickup in EBIT related to tariffs in the second half of the year, based on signed agreements and frameworks with customers [72] Question: How is the company approaching capital allocation and buybacks? - Management emphasized a focus on capital discipline and free cash flow generation, with potential buybacks contingent on improved visibility in the market [96]
Magna(MGA) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Presentation
2025-08-01 12:00
Financial Performance - Magna reported strong Q2 2025 financial performance, exceeding expectations [19, 51] - Adjusted EBIT increased by 1% year-over-year, with a margin of 55%, a 20 bps increase [20, 37] - Adjusted Diluted EPS increased by 7% year-over-year to $144 [20, 37] - Free Cash Flow increased by $178 million year-over-year to $301 million [20, 37] Updated Outlook - Magna increased its 2025 outlook, raising the low end of the Adjusted EBIT margin range to 52%-56% [20, 34, 51] - The company also increased its Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Magna forecast to $135 billion - $155 billion [20, 34, 51] - Total sales are projected to be $404 billion - $420 billion [34] Tariff Mitigation - Magna reduced its estimated 2025 annualized net tariff exposure to approximately $200 million, down from approximately $250 million in Q1 [20, 32, 51] - The company has settled with multiple OEMs for substantially all of its 2025 net tariff exposure with them [20, 32, 51] Sales Performance - Consolidated sales decreased by 3% to $10631 billion [39, 45] - Weighted Sales Growth over Market (GoM) was -1% (-1% excluding Complete Vehicles) [37, 39]
Bio-Rad(BIO) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-31 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for Q2 2025 were approximately $652 million, a 2.1% increase from $638 million in Q2 2024. On a currency-neutral basis, this represents a 1% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by process chromatography products [12][14] - Gross margin for Q2 2025 was reported at 53%, down from 55.6% in Q2 2024. Non-GAAP gross margin was 53.7%, compared to 56.4% in the previous year, attributed to higher material costs and reduced fixed manufacturing absorption [14][15] - Operating income for Q2 2025 was $77 million, or 11.8% of sales, compared to $101 million, or 15.9% of sales in Q2 2024. Non-GAAP operating margin was 13.6%, down from 16.7% [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Life Sciences Group sales increased to $263 million in Q2 2025 from $251 million in Q2 2024, a 4.9% increase on a reported basis and 3.8% on a currency-neutral basis, driven by process chromatography and food safety products [13] - Clinical Diagnostics Group sales were approximately $389 million, essentially flat compared to $388 million in Q2 2024, with a decrease of 0.7% on a currency-neutral basis due to lower diabetes testing reimbursement rates in China [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The academic market continues to face headwinds due to constrained government funding, although there are signs of stabilization, particularly in consumables [5] - In China, volume-based procurement has not significantly impacted the portfolio, with local reimbursement pressures offset by strength outside of China, resulting in 3.7% growth in the rest of the world markets [8][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on expanding its Droplet Digital PCR portfolio with the launch of the QX Continuum platform and the rebranded QX700 Series ddPCR instruments, aimed at providing simplified workflows and flexibility for various budget levels [5][6] - The acquisition of Stila Technologies is expected to enhance the company's capabilities and product offerings in the digital PCR market [5][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while the operating environment remains challenging, there are positive signals regarding NIH funding for 2026, and the company is adapting to the current situation [25] - The company raised its full-year guidance for 2025, expecting total currency-neutral revenue growth to be in the range of flat to 1%, reflecting improved outlooks for consumables and process chromatography [19][20] Other Important Information - The company plans to host a webinar on Droplet Digital PCR and its updated portfolio on August 26, 2025, and will participate in several investor conferences in the fall [101][102] - The company has repurchased a total of 593,508 shares during Q2 2025 for a total cost of $139 million, with $337 million remaining for share repurchases under the current program [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Process Chromatography results - Management indicated that the strong results were partly due to customer pull-forward orders, but they expect sustainable growth moving forward [31][32] Question: Contribution of Stila to guidance - The guidance increase includes contributions from Stila, with the ddPCR growth rate moving up to mid-single digits, while organic growth remains stable [34][35] Question: Diagnostics market in China - Management confirmed that while the market remains soft, they have not seen significant impacts from volume-based procurement or reimbursement changes [44][46] Question: Tariff environment management - The company has implemented various countermeasures to manage tariff uncertainties, including supplier flexibility and manufacturing adaptability [51][53] Question: Demand trends in global academic markets - Demand from U.S. federally funded research customers was stable throughout the quarter, with some improvement noted from Q1 [77][92]
Carrier Global Q2: Strong Growth In Americas Offsets International Weakness
Seeking Alpha· 2025-07-30 01:28
Core Viewpoint - Carrier Global (NYSE: CARR) was assigned a 'Strong Buy' rating in May 2025 due to its ability to mitigate tariff impacts despite a stock price drop of over 10% following its Q2 FY25 earnings report [1]. Group 1 - The company has demonstrated resilience in managing tariff-related challenges, which is a key factor for its investment appeal [1]. - Following the Q2 FY25 earnings report, the stock experienced a significant decline, indicating potential market concerns or reactions to the earnings results [1].
MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-01 13:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average daily sales (ADS) for the fiscal third quarter declined 0.8% year over year but improved 7% quarter over quarter, exceeding historical sequential averages [8][24] - Gross margins were reported at 41%, improving 10 basis points year over year, while adjusted operating margins were at 9%, down 240 basis points compared to the prior year [9][29] - Reported operating margin for the quarter was 8.5%, compared to 10.9% in the prior year quarter [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core customer daily sales were down 0.8% year over year, while public sector sales improved 2.4% year over year [10][25] - The installed base of vending machines increased to over 28,700, with average daily sales through vending up approximately 8% year over year [26] - Sales to customers with an implant program grew 10% year over year, also representing approximately 19% of total company net sales [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Conditions in primary end markets remain subdued, particularly in automotive and fabricated metals, while aerospace continues to show growth [14] - The manufacturing business sentiment has fluctuated, with readings returning to negative numbers in April and May, reflecting customer caution around tariffs [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three critical areas: reenergizing the core customer, maintaining momentum in high-touch solutions, and optimizing cost to serve [7] - The company is implementing a sales optimization initiative and productivity efforts to lower costs, alongside a tariff management plan [6][20] - The company aims to deliver $10 million to $15 million in annualized savings by fiscal year 2026 through network optimization initiatives [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding future production levels, despite current macroeconomic uncertainties [15] - The company remains committed to its strategic initiatives and is confident in the opportunities ahead, despite the subdued manufacturing environment [15][16] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 117,000 shares during the quarter, returning approximately $56 million to shareholders [30] - Free cash flow conversion is expected to be approximately 120% for the full year, an increase from prior expectations of 100% [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Price outlook for Q4 and next year - Management indicated that recent price increases would likely contribute low single digits to revenue, with ongoing inflationary pressures from suppliers [41][42] Question: Q4 margin outlook - Management expects operating margins to be flat to down 50 basis points quarter over quarter, with better gross margin performance anticipated [46][48] Question: Supplier price increases - Discussions with suppliers are ongoing and fluid, with general inflationary pressures being observed across the supply chain [55] Question: Core account growth potential - Management is encouraged by progress in core accounts and aims for growth consistent with company averages, focusing on marketing and web pricing [75][76] Question: Website metrics and marketing effectiveness - The company has seen consistent improvements in website traffic and conversion rates, driven by a combination of digital and personal outreach marketing efforts [90][91] Question: Digital Core initiative - The Digital Core initiative is being reactivated to enhance core order-to-cash systems, aimed at unlocking productivity [97] Question: Trends through June - Sales trends in June were reported as fairly consistent throughout the month [98]
McCormick(MKC) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-26 13:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total organic sales increased by 2% in the second quarter, primarily driven by volume growth [6][29] - Adjusted operating income increased by 10%, with a 11% increase when excluding currency impacts [34][36] - Adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter was $0.69, comparable to the previous year [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer segment organic sales grew by 3%, driven by volume and mix, with a 4% volume growth in The Americas [30][29] - Flavor Solutions segment organic sales were flat, with a 1% price contribution offset by a 1% decline in volume and mix [31][32] - In the Americas, Flavor Solutions organic sales increased by 1%, reflecting a 2% price contribution [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Asia Pacific, organic sales in the Consumer segment increased by 4%, driven by volume growth, particularly in China [30][31] - EMEA experienced a 7% decrease in Flavor Solutions organic sales, impacted by geopolitical issues and softness in customer volumes [32][21] - The Americas saw strong volume growth and share gains across core categories, while EMEA reflected select pricing actions to cover rising commodity costs [7][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on profitable volume-led growth through brand investment, distribution expansion, innovation, and operational efficiencies [4][5] - Plans to drive growth include category management, brand marketing, new products, and leveraging data analytics for digital transformation [22][28] - The company aims to mitigate tariff impacts through sourcing strategies and operational efficiencies while maintaining volume momentum [12][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumers are adapting to economic pressures by changing shopping habits but continue to spend on flavor [8][9] - The company expects continued volume growth and strong consumption trends in the second half of the year [23][44] - Management remains confident in achieving long-term objectives despite current macroeconomic uncertainties [47][49] Other Important Information - The company has a global manufacturing footprint, with over 85% of products sold in major markets produced locally [39] - Tariff exposure is approximately $90 million annually, with plans to offset this through sourcing and pricing strategies [40][41] - The adjusted effective tax rate for the second quarter was 24%, compared to 14% in the previous year [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: What surprised you about the second quarter results? - Management noted that the consumer business performed well, driven by volume across core categories, and flavor solutions managed to perform better than expected despite tough conditions [52][54] Question: Can you elaborate on tariff mitigation actions? - The majority of mitigation actions are driven by sourcing and operational efficiencies, with targeted pricing as a residual approach [60][62] Question: Can you provide more detail on gross tariff exposure? - The $90 million exposure is primarily related to raw materials that cannot be sourced domestically, with a blended tariff rate impacting about 2% of COGS globally [71][73] Question: What are the pressures on certain commodities? - The global trade environment has created a standstill, impacting supply-demand dynamics and gross margins, leading to a revised gross margin outlook [92][93]
FIGS (FIGS) FY Conference Transcript
2025-06-10 16:15
Summary of FIGS FY Conference Call - June 10, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: FIGS, a company specializing in medical scrubs and apparel for healthcare professionals [5][6] - **Industry**: Healthcare apparel and uniforms [5][6] Key Points and Arguments Consumer Health and Demand Dynamics - The company experienced accelerated growth during COVID-19, serving healthcare professionals [5] - Post-COVID, FIGS is seeing a return to normalized demand, with three consecutive quarters of positive repeat frequency [6][7] - The company aims to help healthcare workers look and feel good, with a broad product line including scrubs, outerwear, and footwear [6][7] Product Innovation and Market Strategy - FIGS launched new fabric platforms, FormX and Float, to enhance their product offerings [9][10] - The company is seeing increases in units per transaction (UPT) and average order value (AOV) as customers engage with differentiated products [10] - Plans to expand physical store presence, with two existing stores and more openings planned, including in Houston [11][12] Customer Base and Market Share - Active customer base grew by 4% in Q1 2025, indicating strong market share growth [14][15] - The company has 2.7 million active customers, with a potential market of 22 million healthcare professionals in the U.S. and over 100 million globally [18][19] Trade and Tariff Management - FIGS is actively evaluating its supply chain and partnerships to mitigate tariff impacts [20][21] - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with no debt and significant cash reserves, providing flexibility in navigating tariff challenges [27][74] Competitive Landscape - FIGS differentiates itself from traditional competitors by offering a modern shopping experience and high-quality products [30][31] - The company aims to continue leading the industry and expanding its brand presence [32][33] Distribution and International Expansion - FIGS moved to a larger, state-of-the-art distribution center to support scaling to a billion dollars in revenue [36][38] - The company is expanding internationally, now in 34 countries, with recent launches in Japan and localized products for different markets [42][43] Teams Business Growth - The Teams segment is a growing focus, with partnerships in concierge medicine and institutions looking to standardize uniforms [52][54] - The total addressable market (TAM) for employer-purchased scrubs in the U.S. is estimated at 15%, with significant international opportunities [57][58] Community Hubs and Customer Engagement - FIGS is opening community hubs to enhance customer experience and engagement, with positive early results from existing locations [65][66] - The company aims to increase its share of healthcare professionals' wardrobe spending, currently at $210 per customer [61][63] Capital Deployment and Financial Position - FIGS has a cash balance of $251 million, focusing on investing in growth and opening community hubs [70][72] - The company has initiated a share buyback program, investing $48 million to date [73] Additional Important Insights - Advocacy for healthcare professionals is a core part of FIGS' mission, enhancing brand loyalty and community engagement [32][34] - The company is committed to continuous product innovation and customer retention strategies to drive future growth [15][61]
Academy(ASO) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-10 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for Q1 2025 were $1,350 million, down 0.9% year-over-year, resulting in a negative 3.7% comparable sales (comp) [11][25] - Operating income was $69.3 million, with diluted EPS at $0.68 and adjusted EPS at $0.76 [30] - Gross margin improved to 34%, a 60 basis point increase from the previous year, driven by merchandise margin expansion [28][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Footwear and apparel were the strongest categories, with athletic footwear posting a positive 4.5% comp, driven by brands like Nike and Brooks [26][27] - Outdoor category saw low single-digit declines primarily due to softer sales in ammunition, while fishing and firearms performed well [12][28] - E-commerce channel experienced a positive 10% comp for the quarter, with significant contributions from the Jordan brand [25][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Increased foot traffic from customers with household incomes over $100,000, indicating a shift towards value-seeking behavior [10][37] - The company noted a sequential improvement in sales throughout the quarter, with April finishing positively after a slow February [11][44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing exposure to products made in China, aiming to decrease this from 9% to approximately 6% by year-end [8][10] - New store expansion remains a key growth engine, with plans to open 20 to 25 new stores in 2025 [14][15] - The company is leveraging technology, including RFID and handheld devices, to improve inventory accuracy and customer experience [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about navigating the current tariff environment while maintaining value for customers [5][24] - The company anticipates continued pressure on consumer spending due to inflation but believes its value proposition will attract more customers [24][108] - Guidance for 2025 was updated to reflect a range of sales outcomes based on potential tariff scenarios, with expected sales between $5.97 billion and $6.26 billion [35][36] Other Important Information - The company returned over $100 million of free cash flow to investors in Q1, including share repurchases and dividends [33] - Strategic investments in digital and supply chain technologies are expected to normalize SG&A expenses as the year progresses [30][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Retention of higher-income consumers - Management noted that higher-income consumers are shopping more frequently and are retaining their loyalty, shopping across various product categories [40][41] Question: Performance in May and comp trends - May showed a slight decline in sales, but management remains optimistic about Q2 due to upcoming shopping events like Father's Day [44][45] Question: Impact of weather and consumer health - Management indicated that weather had a significant impact on sales, particularly in basketball and golf, and noted that consumers are cautious in their spending [94][50] Question: Tariff outlook for FY26 - Management emphasized the importance of diversifying sourcing to mitigate future tariff impacts, but specifics on the tariff situation remain uncertain [79][80] Question: Gross margin guidance - Management explained that gross margin guidance remains unchanged due to strategic inventory management and partnerships with suppliers to mitigate cost increases [54][56]