CNH Industrial (CNH) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 01, 2025 09:00 AM ET Speaker0 Good morning, and welcome to the CNH twenty twenty five First Quarter Results Conference Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question and answer session. Thank you. I will now turn the call over to Jason Amersa, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead. Speaker1 Thank you, John, and good morning, everyone. We would like to welcome you to ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for the first quarter were $175.6 million, down from $193.4 million in the prior year, with same store sales down 7.8% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024 [6][14] - Gross profit for the first quarter was $54.3 million, compared to $60.4 million in the first quarter of the prior year, with a gross profit margin of 30.9% compared to 31.2% last year [13] - Net loss for the first quarter was $17.3 million or $0.78 per basic share, compared to a net loss of $8.3 million or $0.38 per basic share in the first quarter last year [14][19] - EBITDA was negative $12 million for the first quarter, compared to negative EBITDA of $6.5 million in the first quarter last year [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - On a same store basis, hard goods decreased 4.7%, apparel declined 8.7%, and footwear was down 11.8%, with apparel and footwear being most impacted by unfavorable weather comparisons [7] - Transactions for the period were down 5.3%, and the average sale was down 2.5% [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in January and February were particularly difficult due to unfavorable seasonal weather comparisons, resulting in winter-related sales down nearly 25% [6] - Sales trended improved in March, with same store sales flat versus the prior year, benefiting from an approximate 300 basis point impact from the Easter calendar shift [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to optimize its store portfolio, closing eight stores in the first quarter and anticipating closing approximately seven additional stores over the remainder of the year [10] - The company is focused on capitalizing on sales opportunities around higher volume periods such as Memorial Day, Father's Day, and the start of summer [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that macroeconomic conditions remain fluid, and they will continue to monitor tariffs and their impact on the supply chain and consumer spending [12] - For the second quarter, same store sales are expected to be down in the low to mid single-digit range, reflecting ongoing macroeconomic headwinds [18] Other Important Information - Merchandise inventory at the end of the first quarter increased 6.5% year over year, reflecting earlier scheduling of spring and summer merchandise deliveries [15] - Capital expenditures for the first quarter totaled $1.7 million, primarily for store-related remodeling and distribution center investments [16] Q&A Session Summary - No specific questions or answers were provided in the content regarding the Q&A session.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GAAP EPS was $2.04 per share, and adjusted EPS was $1.48 per share, a 9% increase year over year [5] - First quarter consolidated total revenues were a record $3.1 billion, up 8% year over year, while consolidated gross profit grew 6% and adjusted EBITDA increased 7% [6][11] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Franchised dealership segment revenues reached $3.1 billion, up 9% year over year, driven by an 11% increase in new retail volume and a 6% increase in fixed operations revenues [6] - EchoPark segment income was a record $10.3 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $15.8 million, up 116% year over year [8] - EchoPark revenues were $560 million, flat year over year, but gross profit increased 21% to $64 million [9] - Power Sports segment generated record revenues of $34.4 million, with a gross profit of $8.5 million, and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $700,000 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same store new vehicle gross profit per unit (GPU) was $3,089, down sequentially from the fourth quarter [7] - Same store used vehicle volume decreased 2% year over year, while same store used GPU increased sequentially to $15.55 per unit [7] - Parts and service gross profit increased by 7% in the first quarter [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining strong relationships with teammates, manufacturers, and customers as key to future success [5] - A data-driven centralized inventory management strategy for EchoPark is seen as a key differentiator to minimize market volatility disruptions [10] - The company plans to adapt to ongoing changes in the automotive retail environment while making strategic decisions to maximize long-term returns [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating tariff impacts and believes that the automotive industry can handle price adjustments without significant concerns [17][20] - The company is focused on executing its operational playbooks and processes, expecting solid results in the upcoming quarters [18][19] - Management acknowledged the need to balance warranty and customer pay work in service operations to improve revenue mix [50][51] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $947 million in available liquidity, including $430 million in cash and floor plan deposits [11] - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share was approved, payable on July 15, 2025 [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Commentary on tariffs and their impact - Management indicated that manufacturers are uncertain about the tariff impacts, but they expect things to stabilize in the next 90 days [17] - The company is not concerned about significant price increases and believes they can navigate through the situation [19] Question: Update on fixed operations hiring - Management reported hiring 345 additional technicians, which has positively impacted fixed operations [23][24] - There is ongoing focus on increasing technician headcount to meet service demand [26] Question: Used vehicle GPU trajectory - Management stated that GPU margins should hold steady if market conditions remain stable, with EchoPark's margins improving due to increased street purchases [38][39] Question: Warranty work versus customer pay - Warranty work grew by 40% in the first quarter, while customer pay grew by only 2-3%, indicating a need to adjust the revenue mix [47][50] Question: EchoPark's full-year guidance - Management explained that guidance was conservative due to potential tariff impacts, but they are prepared to adjust as conditions evolve [77][78] Question: SG&A expenses - Management noted that first-quarter SG&A expenses were influenced by one-time compensation costs, but overall expenses are in line with expectations [82][84]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 net sales were $340.4 million, down from $370.4 million in the prior year, which included a 53rd week contributing $27.1 million [24][25] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $14.6 million, compared to $5.3 million in the same quarter last year, marking a nearly 300% increase in profitability [30] - The company ended the year with liquidity of $131.1 million, an increase of $40 million compared to the end of the previous year [9][31] - Net loss for Q4 was $8.7 million, unchanged from the prior year, but adjusted net income was $1.6 million compared to an adjusted net loss of $7.5 million last year [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Firearms unit sales increased mid-single digits in Q4, despite a 1.7% year-over-year decline in the hunting and shooting sports department [28][10] - Fishing department sales were up 10.3% in Q4, while camping sales increased by 5.2% [26][27] - E-commerce sales were up double digits in Q4, driven by improved marketing and user experience [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The adjusted NICS data showed a 4.5% decline in the firearms industry, but the company outperformed this trend [9][10] - Fishing continues to grow steadily, with a ten-year CAGR of about 5% [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to return to same-store sales growth in 2025 by focusing on core hunting and fishing solutions [12] - Four strategic initiatives for 2025 include narrowing inventory focus, leveraging local connections, becoming an authority in personal protection, and strengthening brand awareness [14][21] - The company is committed to improving inventory management and operational efficiency to enhance profitability [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in improving sales trends and the effectiveness of the turnaround strategy [9][12] - The company anticipates challenges in Q1 due to calendar shifts but expects stronger performance in Q2 and Q3 [42][43] - Management noted that consumer behavior has not significantly changed due to tariff headlines, attributing any sales fluctuations to timing rather than a slowdown [61][62] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with a net debt balance of $98.7 million and generated $19.7 million of free cash flow [31][33] - Capital expenditures for 2024 were approximately $14.6 million, primarily for store maintenance and technology investments [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Trends in same-store sales and performance in February - Management noted positive trends in February, continuing from January, despite a shift in holiday timing affecting Q1 [39][40] Question: Store opening plans and timing - One new store is planned to open at the end of Q3 or beginning of Q4 [44] Question: Free cash flow conversion from EBITDA guidance - Management expressed confidence in generating positive free cash flow through improved top-line profitability and inventory efficiency [46][48] Question: Trade down in firearms and market share opportunities - Management indicated that while average unit prices are down, they are focused on being in stock with the right products to meet customer demand [56][57] Question: Impact of tariffs on consumer behavior - Management stated that they have not seen significant changes in consumer behavior due to tariffs, attributing sales fluctuations to timing of promotions [61][62] Question: E-commerce growth and fulfillment - E-commerce sales accounted for over 17% of total business, with 75% of e-commerce demand fulfilled at store locations [91] Question: Gross margin outlook for 2025 - Management did not provide specific gross margin guidance but indicated potential for improvement through better inventory management and focus on core goods [94][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, total sales were approximately $611 million, with comparable sales growth of 1.5% and a gross margin of 70.4% [18][26] - Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $107 million, while adjusted net income per diluted share was $3.47, reflecting a 4% increase [26][27] - Free cash flow for the year was $47 million, with a cash position of $35.4 million at the end of Q4 [27][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4, total company sales were $143 million, down approximately 5% compared to the previous year [21] - Direct sales accounted for 50.5% of total sales in Q4, down 6.8% year-over-year due to a shift into markdown selling [24] - The company saw strength in bottoms, outerwear, knit tops, and sleepwear during the quarter, supported by marketing campaigns [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The retail channel drove a 1.9% increase in comparable sales for Q4, while store sales were down 3% due to calendar impacts [22] - The best customer cohort continued to show consistent growth, contributing to overall performance despite traffic headwinds [10][11] - The company experienced challenges in traffic, particularly in Q4 and early Q1, attributed to broader macroeconomic conditions and consumer sentiment [40][72] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue investing in new store growth, with a target of opening 20 to 25 net new stores by the end of 2026 [34] - The implementation of a new order management system (OMS) is expected to enhance omnichannel capabilities and improve customer experience [31][32] - Marketing efforts are being diversified, including geo-targeted campaigns to drive store traffic and customer engagement [12][55] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that fiscal 2025 has started slowly, with consumer sentiment and adverse weather impacting performance [14][15] - The company is taking a prudent approach to its outlook for Q1 and the remainder of the year, considering the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties [15][19] - Despite challenges, management remains confident in the brand's potential for growth and the effectiveness of its operating model [16][35] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with a healthy cash position and announced a quarterly dividend increase [10][28] - Inventory levels were reported to be elevated due to strategic shipping decisions, but are expected to normalize in the coming quarters [29][82] - The company has initiated a share buyback program, with $24.5 million remaining under the authorization as of the end of Q4 [28][74] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the Q1 headwinds? - Management identified three main headwinds: adverse weather, consumer sentiment concerns, and the OMS implementation [40][41] Question: What benefits do you expect from the OMS implementation? - The OMS is expected to provide operational efficiencies and enhance sales through new omnichannel capabilities, starting in the back half of the year [43][45] Question: How do you view gross margin trends for the year? - Management expects gross margins to be flat, with Q1 facing the most difficult comparisons due to prior strong performance [50][52] Question: What are the trends in store versus digital sales? - Stores are performing better in full-price sales compared to digital, which has shifted more towards markdowns [72] Question: How are you managing promotions in the current environment? - The company is focused on maintaining a disciplined promotional strategy while responding to consumer price sensitivity [65][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full year 2024 consolidated revenues decreased by 20% and industrial net sales fell by 23% compared to 2023 [11] - Industrial adjusted EBIT margin for the full year was 8.2%, down 370 basis points from 2023, primarily due to lower volumes [11] - Q4 net sales of industrial activities were down 31% year over year to $4.1 billion, driven by decreased equipment deliveries [16] - Full year net income was $1.3 billion with EPS at $1.05, down from $0.39 in Q4 2023 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In agriculture, net sales decreased by 31% in Q4 and 23% for the full year, with production hours down 34% year over year in Q4 [17][18] - Construction segment saw a 33% drop in Q4 net sales, but gross margins remained flat year over year [21] - Financial Services net income for Q4 was $92 million, a decrease of $21 million compared to Q4 2023, but full year net income increased to $379 million [22][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global industry demand is expected to decline by 5% to 10% from 2024, with a more significant decline of 10% to 15% anticipated for the company due to high exposure to cash crop equipment in North America [31] - Dealer inventories in North America are still above target levels, with about 1.5 months of new equipment inventory above expectations [31][93] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing channel inventories and maintaining pricing discipline, planning to underproduce to retail demand at least through the first half of 2025 [8][10] - A significant emphasis is placed on quality improvements and operational efficiencies, with a run rate savings of about $600 million achieved by the end of 2024 [9][25] - The company aims to maintain a healthy balance sheet while investing in product and technology advancements [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that 2024 was a challenging year due to depressed commodity prices affecting farm income and equipment demand [11][10] - The outlook for 2025 includes expectations of continued low production levels and a focus on upgrading production lines and processes [32] - Management remains cautious about geopolitical uncertainties and their potential impact on the business [26][39] Other Important Information - The company plans to maintain its annual dividend and share repurchase program in 2025, returning approximately $1.3 billion to shareholders in 2024 [28] - R&D expenses are expected to be slightly lower in 2025, around €800 million, benefiting from structural efficiencies [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing expectations for the two segments in 2025 - Management expects full year pricing to be flat to slightly positive, with the first half being flat to slightly down and the second half showing low to mid-single-digit price increases [43][44] Question: Impact of trade tariffs and production options - Management is analyzing the potential impact of tariffs on imports and is considering reshoring some assembly processes to the U.S. [46][48] Question: Core decremental margins and production versus retail plans - Management indicated that they expect to recover warranty costs throughout 2025, impacting decremental margins positively [57][58] - Production is expected to be down 10% to 15% in the first half of 2025, with a potential recovery in the second half [62] Question: Margin cadence within agriculture for 2025 - Management anticipates lower margins in the first half of 2025, with a recovery expected in the second half, returning to double-digit margins [77][79] Question: Targeted incentive programs for 2025 - The company plans to continue targeted commercial actions to reduce aged inventory and align inventory levels with market demand [86][88]