Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 9.5% year over year and 16.6% sequentially, reaching $556.9 million [5][15] - Operating profit rose approximately 50% compared to both the previous quarter and the same quarter last year [5] - Net income was $51.6 million, compared to $34.4 million in the previous year, with diluted earnings per share at $6.42 versus $4.11 [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Factory Built Housing segment net revenue was $535.7 million, up 17% from the prior quarter, driven by a 14.7% increase in homes sold and a 1.9% increase in average revenue per home sold [15][16] - Financial Services segment net revenue increased by 8.2% to $21.2 million, attributed to higher insurance premium rates [16][18] - Consolidated gross margin improved to 23.3%, up 160 basis points from the previous year [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Southeast region experienced a slight lag in orders, with shipments slightly below the preceding quarter [8][9] - Average selling price (ASP) increased due to a shift towards multi-section homes and true price appreciation, marking a significant upward move after a period of modest declines [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on increasing production rates to meet demand, with a record of 5,416 homes shipped this quarter [8] - An agreement to purchase American HomeStar for approximately $184 million is expected to close early in the third quarter, aimed at cost reduction and product optimization [12][13] - The ongoing share buyback program has repurchased $50 million of stock this quarter, totaling 16.6% of outstanding shares since the program's inception [14][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the current quarter's performance but acknowledged ongoing uncertainty in future demand [7][26] - The company noted that while the Southeast region is lagging, overall order trends remain positive, and they are monitoring production levels closely [9][45] - Management highlighted the importance of legislative developments regarding manufactured housing, indicating a focus on affordable housing solutions [55][56] Other Important Information - The company reported a decrease in cash and restricted cash of $6.9 million, with cash from operating activities at $55.5 million [20] - The impact of tariffs on cost of goods sold was estimated at $700,000 for the quarter, with potential future increases if proposed tariffs are implemented [49][74] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is the level of ordering continuing thus far into fiscal Q2? - Management noted that while summer months may see a seasonal slowdown, there is a continuation of positive order trends [25][26] Question: Are there specific states in the Southeast experiencing softness? - Management clarified that Florida has been struggling, but other Southeastern states are steady, with a need to monitor production closely [27][29] Question: What is the impact of tariffs on costs? - The estimated impact of tariffs was $700,000 for Q1, with potential future costs reaching $2 million to $5.5 million per quarter if fully implemented [49][74] Question: What are the expectations for growth in Texas? - Management expressed confidence in Texas as a significant market for manufactured housing, anticipating continued growth and opportunities for value creation [105][106]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q2 RevPAR was reported at $196, representing a 160 basis point decline year over year. Excluding the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Royal Palm South Beach, RevPAR growth would have exceeded 2% [21][22] - Total hotel revenues for the quarter were $645 million, with hotel adjusted EBITDA at $191 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.6% [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $183 million, and adjusted FFO per share was $0.64, both exceeding expectations [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Bonnet Creek complex in Orlando delivered record-setting revenue for Q2, with RevPAR increasing nearly 12% year over year [12] - The Waldorf Astoria Orlando reported a 24% increase in RevPAR year over year, driven by strong demand in both group and transient segments [12] - Key West's Casa Marina Resort saw a nearly 4% year over year increase in RevPAR, with food and beverage revenue reaching a new Q2 record [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Puerto Rico, RevPAR increased nearly 18% year over year, with Caribe Hilton outperforming its competitive set [15] - Urban markets such as New York, San Francisco, Denver, and Boston experienced solid RevPAR growth, with New York's Hilton Midtown Hotel achieving nearly a 10% increase [16] - Hawaii faced challenges with a combined RevPAR decline of approximately 12% due to weaker inbound travel, but sequential improvement is expected [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to dispose of 18 non-core hotels to enhance overall portfolio quality and long-term growth [9] - A comprehensive renovation project at the Royal Palm South Beach is expected to generate returns of 15% to 20% on a $103 million investment [10] - The company is focused on reshaping its portfolio through reinvestments in core assets and executing non-core asset dispositions [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the second half of the year, expecting a significant improvement in Q4 driven by group revenue pace increasing by 18% [20] - The outlook for the back half of the year remains mixed due to ongoing uncertainties around tariffs, inflation, and geopolitical issues [19] - Management anticipates RevPAR growth to reaccelerate to 3% to 5% in Q4, supported by easier year-over-year comparisons [20] Other Important Information - The company has invested over $1.4 billion in its core 20 consolidated hotels since 2018, upgrading nearly 8,000 guest rooms [12] - The company is actively working to address its 2026 debt maturities, including a $1.275 billion CMBS loan on the Hilton Hawaiian Village [22] - A cash dividend of $0.25 per share was declared for Q3, translating to an annualized yield of approximately 9% [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on revenue and expense dynamics - Management explained that the decline in revenues was offset by expense controls, with a $10 million benefit to GOP from cost-saving measures [28][30] Question: Group booking strength into 2026 - Management indicated that group booking strength is expected to remain relatively flat in 2026, with key markets like Bonnet Creek and San Diego showing strong growth [37][38] Question: Refinancing options for upcoming debt maturities - Management discussed ongoing efforts to secure capital commitments to address upcoming debt maturities, with a focus on minimizing costs [43][44] Question: Feedback on marketed assets and transaction timelines - Management acknowledged a challenging transaction environment but expressed confidence in meeting their asset sale targets of $300 million to $400 million [50][51] Question: Hawaii market dynamics and recovery - Management provided insights on the Hawaii market, noting a gradual recovery post-strike and expectations for strong performance in Q4 [59][88]

Financial Performance and Key Metrics - The company's adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was BRL 2.6 billion, a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year, with North America being the standout segment [6] - Net income reached BRL 864 million, or BRL 0.43 per share, reflecting a 14% increase year-over-year [6] - The company's leverage ratio, defined as net debt over EBITDA, ended the period at 0.85 times, significantly below the established debt policy level [7] Business Line Performance - North American operations contributed 61% of consolidated EBITDA, marking the highest share in the company's history [4] - Brazilian operations faced challenges due to excessive steel imports, with an import penetration rate of 23.4% in the first half of the year, prompting a reduction in investments in Brazil [5][6] Market Data and Key Indicators - The North American market is experiencing high steel demand, particularly from the non-residential construction sector, with order backlogs above historical levels [10][11] - In Brazil, despite good demand for steel, the market is adversely affected by high levels of imports, leading to concerns about future import records if trade defense mechanisms are not improved [12] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on internationalization and geographic diversification, operating autonomously in seven countries across the Americas [4] - A strategic decision has been made to reduce future investments in Brazil while maintaining investments in North America, where the outlook is more favorable [20][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed disappointment over the lack of effective trade defense measures in Brazil, which has led to a competitive imbalance [38] - The company anticipates a resilient civil construction market in the coming months, while closely monitoring the automotive and agricultural sectors affected by high interest rates [12] Other Important Information - The company approved a dividend distribution of BRL 239 million, equating to BRL 0.12 per share, and continues its share buyback program, which has reached 68% completion [9] - The Miguel Bernier sustainable mining project is 72% complete and is expected to generate BRL 1.1 billion in annual EBITDA once fully operational [8][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: CapEx expectations and mining project details - Management indicated that an annual CapEx of BRL 5 billion to BRL 6 billion is sustainable, with a shift towards competitiveness and cost reduction projects rather than solely increasing production capacity [17][18] - The mining project is expected to generate significant incremental EBITDA, with a ramp-up planned for 2026 [26] Question: Concerns about increasing net debt and cash flow - Management acknowledged the increase in net debt but emphasized that a significant portion was allocated to shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks [35] - The company expects to generate positive cash flow in the second half of the year, which should help reduce leverage [46] Question: Strategy regarding rebar pricing and market share - Management confirmed that they are not willing to lose market share in rebar and are monitoring the competitive landscape closely [59][62] - The company believes there is room for price recovery in rebar, despite current challenges [42] Question: Future investments and structural measures in Brazil - Management is considering long-term adjustments in Brazil due to the current competitive environment and is focused on maintaining production capacity [56][58] - The company is committed to ongoing maintenance investments to ensure competitiveness [66]

Financial Performance - The adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was BRL 2.6 billion, a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year, with North America being the standout segment [6] - Net income reached BRL 864 million, or BRL 0.43 per share, reflecting a 14% increase year-over-year [6] - The company's leverage ratio, net debt over EBITDA, ended at 0.85 times, significantly below the established debt policy level [8] Business Segment Performance - North American operations contributed 61% of consolidated EBITDA, marking the highest share in the company's history [4] - Brazilian operations faced challenges due to excessive steel imports, with an import penetration rate of 23.4% in the first half of the year [5] - The company plans to reduce investments in Brazil due to the unfavorable market conditions and high import levels [5][20] Market Dynamics - The North American market is experiencing high steel demand, particularly from the non-residential construction sector, with order backlogs above historical levels [10][11] - In Brazil, despite good demand for steel, the market is negatively impacted by high levels of imports, leading to concerns about future import records if trade defense mechanisms are not improved [12] - The company is closely monitoring the automotive and agricultural sectors, which are being affected by high interest rates [12] Strategic Direction - The company is committed to sustainability, achieving the lowest GHD emissions in its history at 0.85 tons of CO2 per ton of steel produced [3] - Future capital expenditures (CapEx) will be reduced, particularly in Brazil, while maintaining investments in North America to capitalize on favorable market conditions [20][22] - The company aims to balance supply and demand in North America without overextending capacity, focusing on high-value products [23][24] Management Commentary - Management expressed disappointment with the lack of effective trade defense measures in Brazil, which has led to a challenging competitive landscape [41] - The company anticipates positive cash generation in the second half of the year, with expectations for improved free cash flow [49] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust balance sheet during the current investment cycle, despite increased leverage [39] Other Important Information - The company has approved a dividend distribution of BRL 239 million, reflecting a payout ratio of 90% for the second quarter [9] - CapEx for the quarter was BRL 1.6 billion, primarily allocated to the Miguel Bernier sustainable mining project, which is 72% complete [8] - The company is executing a share buyback program, having completed 68% of the planned buybacks for the year [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: CapEx expectations and mining project details - Management discussed the sustainable mining project and its expected incremental EBITDA contribution of BRL 1.1 billion once operational [16][28] - Future CapEx levels will be reduced, particularly in Brazil, due to the lack of competitive returns in the current market [20][22] Question: Concerns about increasing net debt and cash flow - Management acknowledged the increase in net debt but emphasized that a significant portion was used for shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks [31][39] - The company expects to generate positive cash flow in the second half of the year, which should help reduce leverage [49][57] Question: Strategy for rebar market and competition - Management confirmed that Gerdau is not losing market share in the rebar segment and is focused on maintaining its competitive position despite high import levels [64][68] - The company is cautious about pricing strategies in the rebar market, given the current competitive dynamics [46][70] Question: Future investments and structural measures in Brazil - Management indicated that while investments in Brazil will be reduced, maintenance CapEx will continue to ensure competitiveness [72] - The company is exploring long-term adjustments to adapt to the current market conditions in Brazil [62][60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated over $126 million in free cash flow for the quarter, marking the 22nd consecutive quarter of positive free cash flow, totaling over $1.8 billion during this period [11][27] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was approximately $440.4 million, including a legal settlement impact of about $48.6 million [27][32] - Total average daily production was approximately 134,000 BOE per day, up 9% year-over-year and in line sequentially [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Oil production was approximately 77,000 barrels per day, up 10.5% year-over-year but down 2% sequentially due to lower activity in the Williston [26] - Gas production reached record volumes of approximately 343 MMcf per day, with contributions from the Appalachian joint venture [27] - The Uinta basin saw a significant increase in drilling activity, with 4.8 net wells spud during the quarter, up from 1.4 in Q1 [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a 6% sequential increase in lease operating costs per BOE, rising to $9.95 due to higher expenses in the Williston and Permian [28] - Oil differentials averaged $5.31 per barrel, with year-to-date differentials at $5.5, leading to adjusted guidance [27][28] - Natural gas realizations were at 82% of benchmark prices, down from 100% in the previous quarter due to market weaknesses [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a disciplined capital allocation strategy, prioritizing acquisitions over organic growth in a volatile price environment [8][14] - The backlog of potential acquisitions is at an all-time peak, with over 10 ongoing processes assessed at a combined value exceeding $8 billion [24][70] - The company aims to maximize returns for investors while maintaining a strong balance sheet and focusing on long-term value creation [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the business model has proven resilient despite commodity price volatility, with a focus on risk optimization and cash flow generation [5][6] - The company anticipates modestly lower volumes in Q3 due to reduced spending but expects a recovery in Q4 as drilling activity ramps up [35][75] - Management emphasized the importance of preserving capital for better opportunities in the future, especially in a fluctuating price environment [48][66] Other Important Information - The company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $115.6 million due to lower oil prices, leading to a reduction in guidance for depreciation, depletion, and amortization [32] - The company has maintained over $1.1 billion in liquidity, consisting of cash and available credit, reflecting confidence in its asset base and credit profile [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the cadence into 2026 and the impact of lower activity in the Williston? - Management indicated that lower spending in Q2 would translate to modestly lower volumes in Q3, with expectations to exit the year at levels similar to Q2 [35][36] Question: How is the reduction in CapEx being managed? - The reduction is a combination of non-consenting wells and discretionary spending, with a focus on preserving capital for better returns [47][48] Question: What is the outlook for the M&A market? - The M&A market remains robust, with a variety of asset types available, and the company is positioned to capitalize on these opportunities [70][89]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Regeneron reported total revenues of $3.7 billion for Q2 2025, a 4% increase compared to the prior year, driven by higher collaboration revenue from Sanofi, particularly from Dupixent [49] - Diluted net income per share grew 12% year-over-year to $12.89, with net income reaching $1.4 billion [49] - Gross margin on net product sales was 86%, reflecting ongoing investments in manufacturing operations and higher inventory write-offs [54] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Worldwide net product sales for Dupixent increased by 21% on a constant currency basis, reaching $4.3 billion, with U.S. sales growing 23% [10][39] - EYLEA U.S. net product sales were $754 million, down 39% year-over-year, while EYLEA HD reached an all-time high of $393 million in U.S. sales, driven by a 16% increase in unit demand [8][37] - Libtayo's global net sales grew 25% on a constant currency basis, totaling $377 million, with U.S. sales increasing 36% [43] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The branded anti-VEGF category volume decreased by 1.2%, primarily due to increased competition from Avastin [73] - EYLEA HD's market share in the anti-VEGF category is over 60%, but the overall branded share is under pressure from affordability issues [73] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Regeneron plans to invest over $7 billion in the U.S. to expand R&D capabilities and manufacturing networks, including a new fill-finish facility [14] - The company is focused on internal R&D investments while also considering share repurchases and dividends to return capital to shareholders [14][56] - Regeneron aims to maintain its leadership in the market by maximizing growth from existing brands and launching new products [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ongoing growth of Dupixent, with potential to treat over 4 million patients in the U.S. [11] - The company anticipates challenges for EYLEA due to competitive pressures and patient affordability issues, but expects EYLEA HD to continue its strong performance [8][38] - Management remains optimistic about the pipeline, with several key programs expected to deliver significant advancements in the coming months [34] Other Important Information - The FDA's site inspection at Catalent, which impacted EYLEA HD and ogeneximab, is expected to be resolved expeditiously, with no major structural changes required [10][65] - Regeneron has approximately $2.8 billion available for share repurchases as of June 30, 2025 [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the relationship with Trump and potential policy impacts - Management indicated no frequent visits to Mar A Lago and emphasized the need for equitable pricing across markets to support innovation [59][60] Question: Factors behind EYLEA HD's quarter-over-quarter rebound - Management attributed the growth to physician appreciation for EYLEA HD's product profile and expected further growth with upcoming label enhancements [64][67] Question: Updates on PDUFAs and branded share erosion - Management expressed confidence in receiving favorable FDA actions once manufacturing issues are resolved and noted that branded share erosion is primarily due to Avastin's affordability issues [71][73] Question: ROI on prioritizing R&D assets - Management acknowledged the broad pipeline and indicated a willingness to consider out-licensing non-core assets if it aligns with strategic goals [77][79] Question: Impact of the matching program with Good Days - Management stated it is too early to assess the impact of the matching program on commercial performance [82] Question: Competitive landscape regarding OX40 Ligand data - Management noted that current data does not suggest advantages over Dupixent, emphasizing Dupixent's unique safety profile [87][89]

Financial Performance & Guidance - The company raised its NFFO guidance range by $0.01, to $1.57 - $1.61 per share for 2025[7] - NFFO per share sequentially improved by $0.02 to $0.41 per share, and FAD per share sequentially improved by $0.04 to $0.33 per share[8, 10] - Same-store cash NOI growth was 5.1%, a sequential increase of 2.8%[8] - The company completed or has under contract/LOI approximately $900 million in asset sales year-to-date[10] Strategic Plan & Portfolio Optimization - The company is implementing a strategic plan to improve operational performance, optimize the portfolio, and re-establish credibility[13] - The company has segmented its portfolio into three categories: Stabilized (approximately 75% of the total portfolio), Lease-Up (approximately 13%), and Disposition (approximately 12%)[15, 36] - The company plans to dispose of approximately $1.2 billion in assets[48] - The stabilized portfolio has approximately 95% occupancy and generates approximately $550 million in NOI[36, 37] - The lease-up portfolio has approximately 70% occupancy and approximately $90 million in NOI, with a potential to unlock up to $50 million in incremental NOI[36, 43, 45] Restructuring & Efficiencies - The company is restructuring its organizational platform to enhance focus and accountability, targeting over $10 million in annual savings[15] - The company identified G&A efficiencies to bring HR in line with peers, improve margins, and create long-term shareholder value, targeting $10 million of G&A reduction[35] Balance Sheet & Capital Allocation - The company is targeting a mid-5x Net Debt / EBITDA and a 5-year weighted average debt maturity[15] - The company reduced the dividend by 23% to $0.24 per share on a quarterly basis to fund high-return capital investments[77]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record free cash flow of $1.3 billion, record adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 billion, and record adjusted net income of CAD1.94 per share [4][12] - Revenue reached CAD2.8 billion, with free cash flow more than doubling quarter over quarter due to favorable working capital adjustments [12][13] - Total cash costs were $933 per ounce, which was $30 higher than the previous quarter, primarily due to increased royalties and a weakening Canadian dollar [13][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gold production for the quarter was approximately 866,000 ounces, with strong performance from operations at LaRonde and Canadian Malartic, offset by lower production in Nunavut [13][19] - The Abitibi platform in Quebec and Ontario produced over 1 million ounces at total cash costs of approximately $850 per ounce, achieving a realized operating margin of 73% [15][16] - The company maintained its cost guidance for the full year, expecting cash costs to remain within the range of $915 to $965 per ounce [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gold prices increased by $400 this quarter, contributing to the record financial results [6][8] - The company emphasized its focus on operational improvements and cost control, which allowed it to deliver 93% of the gold price increase to shareholders [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building a strong project pipeline, with five key value drivers aimed at increasing production significantly in the coming years [10][17] - Strategic investments are being made in high-return organic growth projects, including Detour Underground and Upper Beaver, which are expected to generate solid returns even at lower gold prices [17][39] - The company aims to leverage existing assets in stable mining jurisdictions to create long-term value for shareholders [49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's operational performance and cost control, highlighting the ability to generate record cash flows and strengthen the balance sheet [4][48] - The management team remains focused on maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, balancing shareholder returns with reinvestment in growth projects [17][49] - The company is optimistic about its exploration results and the potential for future production increases, particularly in light of favorable gold prices [48][49] Other Important Information - The company has significantly reduced its gross debt by CAD1.3 billion over the past fifteen months, ending the quarter with net cash of almost CAD1 billion [16][17] - The exploration team is actively engaged, with 120 diamond drill rigs in operation, and has achieved notable safety and productivity improvements [42][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through your thought process on buybacks versus dividends? - The company is targeting about a third of its free cash flow to be returned to shareholders, with plans for increased share buyback activity in the second half of the year [50][52] Question: Can you talk about how to think about grades in the second half? - The company expects a softer second half in terms of grades but still aims to meet guidance [56][57] Question: How should we think about tax deferrals and free cash flow going forward? - The company anticipates significant cash tax outflows in 2026, which may create volatility in free cash flow [60][62] Question: What should we expect in terms of sequencing and grades at Detour in the second half? - The company will remain in a lower grade domain in Q3, with expectations for improved grades in Q4 [64] Question: Can you provide insights on exploration results at East Gouldie? - The company is evaluating the costs associated with deepening the shaft and adding a loading station, which is expected to be a payback project [70][71] Question: What is the minimum cash balance the company feels comfortable maintaining? - The company is comfortable maintaining a cash balance well north of CAD2.25 billion by the end of the year, while also looking to accelerate capital spending across its project pipeline [84][85]

Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) Q2 2025 Earnings Call July 31, 2025 11:00 AM ET Speaker0Good morning, and welcome to the Host Hotels and Resorts Second Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call.Today's conference is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the call over to Jamie Marcus, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead. Thank you and good morning everyone. Before we begin, please note that many of the comments made today are considered to be forward looking statem ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record free cash flow of CAD 1.3 billion, record adjusted EBITDA of CAD 1.9 billion, and record adjusted net income of CAD 976 million or CAD 1.94 per share [3][10][12] - Revenue reached a record CAD 2.8 billion, with free cash flow more than doubling quarter over quarter [10][12] - Total cash costs were CAD 933 per ounce, which was CAD 30 higher than the previous quarter, primarily due to increased royalties and a weakening Canadian dollar [12][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gold production for the quarter was approximately 866,000 ounces, with notable performance from Laronde and Canadian Malartic due to better grades [12][18] - The Abitibi platform in Quebec and Ontario produced over 1 million ounces at total cash costs of approximately CAD 850 per ounce, achieving a realized operating margin of 73% [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gold prices increased by CAD 400 this quarter, significantly benefiting the company's financial results [5][6] - The company maintained its cost guidance for the full year, expecting cash costs to remain within the range of CAD 915 to CAD 965 per ounce [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational improvements, cost control, and capital discipline while investing in future growth projects, including Detour, Malartic, Upper Beaver, Hope Bay, and San Nicolas [8][16] - The strategic focus remains on the best mining jurisdictions based on geological potential and political stability, with a commitment to returning capital to shareholders [50] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to generate cash flow and strengthen the balance sheet, emphasizing a disciplined approach to capital allocation [16][50] - The company is optimistic about its project pipeline and exploration results, which are expected to enhance future production capabilities [49][50] Other Important Information - The company has significantly deleveraged its balance sheet, reducing gross debt by CAD 1.3 billion over the past fifteen months [15][16] - Record shareholder returns totaled approximately CAD 300 million for the quarter, with a cumulative total of CAD 4.7 billion in Agnico's history [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through your thought process on buybacks versus dividends? - Management indicated that they are targeting about a third of free cash flow to be returned to shareholders, with a preference for share buybacks in the near term due to favorable gold prices [51][53] Question: Can you talk about how to think about grades in the second half? - Management expects a softer second half in terms of grades but still anticipates meeting guidance [56][57] Question: How should we think about the free cash flow attributed to tax deferrals? - Management acknowledged that tax deferrals significantly impacted free cash flow this quarter and provided guidance on expected cash tax payments for the remainder of the year [60][62] Question: What should we expect in terms of sequencing and grades at Detour? - Management confirmed that Q3 will remain in a lower grade domain, with expectations for improved grades in Q4 [65] Question: Can you discuss the exploration results at East Gouldie and the associated costs? - Management estimated that deepening the shaft and adding a loading station would cost approximately CAD 40 million, but it is expected to be a payback project [70][71] Question: What is the minimum cash balance the company feels comfortable maintaining? - Management indicated comfort with cash levels potentially exceeding CAD 2.25 billion by year-end, while also planning to accelerate capital spending across various projects [84][85]