Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for the first quarter were $796 million, down 7.8% year-over-year, with a 4.1% decrease when excluding foreign exchange impacts and prior year contract manufacturing revenues [9][28] - Adjusted EBITDA was $103 million with a margin of 12.9%, representing a year-over-year decline of 260 basis points [10][34] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.94, excluding non-operating items [11][31] - The balance sheet remains strong with cash and cash equivalents of $373 million, and total liquidity of approximately $900 million [12][37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aftermarket segment sales decreased by 3.9% year-over-year, primarily due to lower OEM sales [29] - Fuel system segment sales were down 10.2%, or 7.3% excluding prior year contract manufacturing sales, attributed to lower OE sales across all regions [29][32] - Total segment adjusted operating margins were 12.2%, a decrease of 140 basis points year-over-year [10][31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macroeconomic environment and automotive industry showed signs of slowing, similar to the second half of 2024 [7] - The North American market is experiencing a softening in commercial vehicle (CV) and light vehicle (LV) segments, with expectations of no pre-buy effect in the second half of the year [21][51][120] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term profitable growth through capital investment, share repurchases, and dividends [19][20] - There is a commitment to expanding product offerings and capturing new business wins, particularly in alternative fuels and aftermarket segments [15][17][25] - The company aims to navigate near-term uncertainties while maintaining a strong financial position to invest in business and pursue acquisitions [25][72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by tariffs and macroeconomic conditions but expressed confidence in the company's resilience and ability to adapt [22][25] - The company expects to maintain a strong order board and sees opportunities for growth despite current market softness [51][122] - The effective tax rate for 2025 is expected to be between 38% and 42%, with ongoing efforts to improve it [43] Other Important Information - The company returned $111 million to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends during the first quarter [12] - Capital expenditures were $35 million, representing 4.4% of sales, primarily for new machinery and equipment [40] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management indicated that the majority of North American business is USMCA compliant, positioning the company well to manage tariff impacts [48] Question: Changes in production market - Management confirmed a softening in the commercial vehicle market but noted a stable order board and ongoing demand from customers [51][54] Question: FX impacts on guidance - FX headwinds were initially estimated at $80 million but are now closer to $20 million, with expectations of stability for the remainder of the year [59] Question: M&A strategy amid uncertainty - The company remains in a strong cash position and is focused on smaller, cash-flowing tuck-in acquisitions [72] Question: Supplier settlement and standalone costs - Management clarified that the supplier settlement was a one-off headwind and that standalone costs are expected to stabilize [78][84] Question: New product development and commercialization - The company continues to see strong demand for new products and expects to add over 2,000 SKUs annually [114] Question: Customer sentiment regarding tariffs - Management reported no significant changes in customer behavior or delays in development activities due to tariffs [106] Question: Free cash flow and shareholder returns - The company will assess share buybacks each quarter based on cash flow forecasts and market conditions, with a current limitation on repurchases due to a tax manager agreement [128]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Seacoast reported net income of $31.5 million or $0.37 per share in Q1 2025, with pretax pre-provision income increasing by $2.7 million to $50.6 million [9] - The net interest margin increased by nine basis points to 3.48%, while the cost of deposits declined by 15 basis points to 1.93% [5][10] - Adjusted pre-tax pre-provision earnings grew by 22% compared to the same quarter one year ago, and tangible book value per share increased by 10% year over year [5][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan production showed strong growth at an annualized rate of 6%, with total loans outstanding increasing at a rate of 5.6% [5][15] - Noninterest income, excluding securities activity, was $22 million, reflecting an 8% increase from Q1 2024, driven by a 20% increase in wealth management revenue and a 25% increase in insurance agency income year over year [13][14] - Noninterest expense for the first quarter was $90.6 million, including $1.1 million in merger-related expenses [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits increased to $12.6 billion, growing at an annualized rate of 11%, with noninterest-bearing accounts growing at 17% annualized [20] - The average yield on securities increased to 3.88%, benefiting from recent purchases at higher yields [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined growth and has invested in talent to drive new relationships, with 10 new revenue-producing bankers onboarded during the quarter [6][11] - Seacoast is on track to close the acquisition of Heartland Bancshares in Q3 2025, which is expected to enhance its market position [8][11] - The company maintains a conservative approach to credit and is closely monitoring the potential impacts of economic and fiscal policy decisions on borrowers [18][84] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged emerging risks in the macroeconomic environment but emphasized the strength of the company's balance sheet and its position to navigate turbulent times [4][6] - The company expects mid to high single-digit loan growth for the remainder of 2025, contingent on market stability [36][61] - Management remains optimistic about the growth outlook, citing strong customer commitment to projects despite economic uncertainties [60][61] Other Important Information - The allowance for credit losses totaled $140.3 million, representing 1.34% of total loans, remaining flat from the prior quarter [18] - The company has a strong capital position, with a Tier one capital ratio of 14.7% and tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 9.6% [11][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on securities trade related to Heartland deal - Management confirmed that the securities trade was a strategic move to pre-purchase securities they intend to retain post-transaction [29] Question: Thoughts on core loan yields and NIM - Management explained that the increase in core loan yields was due to a mix of fixed and adjustable loans, and they expect continued NIM expansion [32][34] Question: Loan growth outlook and capital deployment strategy - Management expressed confidence in achieving high single-digit loan growth and indicated readiness for future M&A opportunities while remaining disciplined [35][50] Question: Credit quality and sector monitoring - Management noted that they are closely monitoring C&I businesses for potential tariff impacts but have not seen significant issues yet [81][82] Question: Impact of residential market conditions in Florida - Management reported no observed weakness in the residential market, indicating stability despite rising insurance costs [92][94]

First Merchants (FRME) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 24, 2025 11:30 AM ET Company Participants Mark Hardwick - CEOMichael Stewart - PresidentMichele Kawiecki - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial OfficerJohn Martin - Executive VP & Chief Credit OfficerDaniel Tamayo - Vice PresidentDamon Delmonte - Managing DirectorBrian Martin - Director - Banks & Thrifts Conference Call Participants Terry Mcevoy - MD & Research AnalystNathan Race - Managing Director & Senior Research Analyst Operator Thank you for sta ...