Admirals Group AS audited annual report 2024 Despite lower client activity, Admirals Group AS delivered resilient trading income and positive EBITDA through effective cost control measures. • The Group's net trading income decreased by 6% to EUR 38.4 million (2023: EUR 40.9 million), being supported by higher volatility on the financial markets. • The Group’s total operating expenses decreased by 16% to EUR 42.4 million (2023: EUR 50.3 million) as a result of cost optimisation efforts. • EBITDA was EUR 0.9 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated net revenues for Q1 2025 totaled $627 million, an 8% increase year over year but a 15% decrease compared to Q4 2024 [21][22] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $125 million, representing a 3% decrease year over year and a 36% decrease compared to Q4 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20% [22][23] - Mining cash cost significantly dropped to $0.11 per pound from $0.26 per pound year over year, while smelting cash cost increased to $1.17 per pound from $0.98 per pound in the same period last year [10][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Zinc production in Q1 2025 was 67,000 tons, down 23% year over year and 8% quarter over quarter, impacted by operational challenges and heavy rainfall [10][11] - Smelting segment sales reached 130,000 tons, a decrease of 6% year over year and 14% quarter over quarter, primarily due to lower production at certain facilities [11][12] - Aripuana's production volume declined due to intense rainfall, but metallurgical recoveries improved and costs remained within guidance [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The LME zinc price averaged $2,838 per ton in Q1 2025, reflecting a 16% increase year over year but a 7% decrease quarter over quarter [29] - The LME copper price averaged $9,340 per ton, up 11% year over year and 2% quarter over quarter, indicating strong market fundamentals [31] - The LME silver price averaged $32 per ounce, up 37% year over year and 2% quarter over quarter, supported by concerns around future availability [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The Cerro Pasco integration project is progressing well, with construction of the tailings pumping system expected to begin in Q2 2025, aimed at extending operations for over ten years [17][35] - The company is focused on improving margins through disciplined operational performance and cost control, while also enhancing production capacity at Aripuana [7][16] - Exploration remains a key pillar of the long-term strategy, with ongoing geological studies and efforts to extend the life of assets [35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledged the challenging macro environment marked by volatility, geopolitical tensions, and inflation, but remains confident in the medium to long-term fundamentals for key metals [6][7] - The company expects to normalize production variations over the coming quarters and is taking measures to recover production lost in Q1 2025 [48][86] - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to financial and operational strategies, prioritizing cash generation and smart capital allocation [37][86] Other Important Information - The company invested $50 million in CapEx during Q1 2025, primarily for sustaining activities, with total CapEx guidance for 2025 remaining unchanged at $347 million [23][24] - The liquidity position remains healthy, with available liquidity of approximately $721 million at the end of Q1 2025 [26] - The net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio increased from 1.7 times to 2.1 times, primarily due to seasonal cash balance decreases [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on geotechnical issues at Vasante and production levels at Cerro Lindo? - Management explained that geotechnical issues at Vasante were due to a collapse in a high-grade mineral stope, which is being addressed to recover production [42][44] - Production at Cerro Lindo is expected to recover throughout the year, with improvements anticipated in other mines as well [46][48] Question: What are the impacts of recent trends on TCRCs and leverage expectations? - Management noted that TCs have decreased to $80, which will impact smelter profitability, but most contracts are already closed for the year [50][52] - Leverage is expected to reverse throughout the year, with targets to maintain or slightly lower leverage compared to the end of 2024 [58][59] Question: Will the negative working capital of $265 million be fully reversed this year? - Management indicated that working capital is expected to be flat on an annual basis, with a significant one-off tax payment affecting Q1 results [64][66] Question: How is the company managing tariff risks? - Management stated that they are not currently exposed to tariffs on zinc and are monitoring the situation closely, with expectations of stable demand in the U.S. market [78][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales were within the guided range, with adjusted earnings per share growing by 3.7% to $2.25 per share [4][3] - Gross margin and gross profit dollars expanded, while SG&A expenses decreased due to effective spending control [3][4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paint Stores Group sales grew by a low single-digit percentage, with price mix up by mid-single digits and volume down low single digits [6] - Consumer Brands Group sales were within expected range, with more than half of the decrease attributed to unfavorable foreign exchange [7] - Performance Coatings Group sales were below expectations, with decreases in Europe and North America by mid-single digits [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Residential repaint sales increased by a mid-single-digit percentage despite softness in existing home sales [6] - New residential sales increased by a low single-digit percentage, while commercial and property maintenance sales remained under pressure [6][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined capital allocation, investing $352 million in share repurchases and increasing dividends by 10% [4] - The acquisition of Souvenil is expected to close in the second half of the year, enhancing the Consumer Brands Group and complementing existing Latin America business [8][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects demand in most end markets to remain choppy at least through the first half of 2025, with some markets not likely to gain momentum until 2026 [12] - The company is well-positioned to outperform the market and is confident in its strategy and execution capabilities [12][14] Other Important Information - The company plans to open 80 to 100 new stores throughout the year, with a focus on maintaining low turnover rates among staff [96] - The company is actively managing costs and looking for efficiencies through simplification and digitization [11][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing environment and tariffs - Management indicated that raw material costs were flat year over year, but tariffs are expected to increase costs slightly in the second quarter [20][21] - The company is prepared to implement price increases if necessary to offset rising costs [22][23] Question: Price mix in Paint Stores Group - The price mix was predominantly driven by price increases, with effective implementation credited to the stores team [28][30] Question: COGS and gross margins - Gross margin improvement was driven by selling price increases in the Paint Stores Group and supply chain efficiencies [32][33] Question: New residential end market outlook - Management remains optimistic about long-term growth in the new residential market despite current challenges [39][40] Question: Res repaint market trends - The residential repaint segment continues to show strength, with positive sentiment and activity despite a flat overall market [43][44] Question: Souvenil acquisition details - The acquisition is expected to enhance the company's position in Latin America, with a strong leadership team and growth potential [102][103] Question: Share gains in commercial and property maintenance - Share gains in these segments are expected to be longer-term, with significant project timelines impacting immediate results [106][107]

Financial Performance - The company reported revenue of $156 million and net income of $43 million, marking a 48% increase in net income compared to the same quarter last year [5][11] - Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.34 from $0.23 in the first quarter of 2024 [5] - The net interest margin expanded by 45 basis points to 3.87%, attributed to lower cost of funds and increased asset yields [10][11] - Non-interest income decreased by $11.7 million due to prior quarter transactions but showed a 19% increase year-over-year [11][15] Business Line Performance - Average commercial loans increased by $121 million or 6.2% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting a strategic shift towards commercial lending [12] - The consumer loan segment saw modest growth, capitalizing on stronger demand for indirect loans [12] - The commercial real estate (CRE) portfolio declined by 3.5%, while residential mortgage and home equity portfolios decreased by 1.9% and 1.3%, respectively [13] Market Data - Average total deposits increased by $60 million quarter-over-quarter, with consumer non-brokered deposits rising by $68 million [13] - The cost of deposits decreased by nine basis points to 1.59%, maintaining a competitive position relative to peers [14] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on sustainable, responsible, and profitable growth, with a renewed emphasis on enhancing its retail banking franchise [6][7] - A merger with Pennswoods Bancorp is underway, expected to close by late July, which will position the company among the top 100 banks in the U.S. by asset size [8][9] - The company is actively pursuing de novo branch opportunities, particularly in Columbus and Indianapolis [7] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The current operating environment is characterized by significant market volatility and economic uncertainty, but the company remains focused on managing controllable factors [9][10] - The company expects to maintain its margin performance and is cautious about loan growth due to unpredictable economic conditions [20][21] Other Important Information - The adjusted efficiency ratio improved to 57.7%, reflecting disciplined expense management [16] - The company has a stable credit risk profile, with non-performing loans and assets at five-quarter lows [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin guidance and economic outlook - Management indicated a core margin of 3.48% and expects to be at the high end of the range, with potential impacts from future Fed rate cuts [27][28] Question: Deposit growth drivers - The company is transitioning from CDs to more liquid products, with new money market rates around 3.75% [30][32] Question: Credit trends and industry exposure - Management noted potential impacts from tariffs on industries like manufacturing and transportation, with aggregate exposure at about 8% of the loan portfolio [42][43] Question: Commercial loan build-out - The company continues to take share in newer verticals and has seen stronger pipelines compared to the previous year [44][51] Question: Impact of Pennswoods acquisition on financial metrics - Management refrained from providing specific guidance on tangible book value dilution or purchase accounting due to market volatility [40][72] Question: Future M&A activity - The company remains open to future acquisitions but is currently focused on internal efficiencies and execution due to market conditions [76][78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales were within the guided range, with adjusted earnings per share growing by 3.7% to $2.25 per share [5][6] - Gross margin and gross profit dollars expanded, while SG&A expenses decreased due to effective spending control [5][6] - EBITDA margin in dollars expanded, and the company invested $352 million in share repurchases while increasing dividends by 10% [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paint Stores Group sales grew by a low single-digit percentage, with price mix up by mid-single digits and volume down low single digits [8] - Protective and Marine sales increased by a high single-digit percentage, driven by sectors like oil and gas and high-performance flooring [8][10] - Consumer Brands Group sales were within expected range, with more than half of the decrease attributed to unfavorable foreign exchange [9] - Performance Coatings Group sales were below expectations, with decreases in Europe and North America by mid-single digits [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Residential repaint sales increased by a mid-single-digit percentage despite softness in existing home sales [8] - New residential sales increased by a low single-digit percentage, while commercial and property maintenance sales remained under pressure [8][9] - The company noted that approximately 80% of consolidated revenue is in the U.S., with less than 2% in China, minimizing tariff impacts [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on delivering innovative solutions to enhance customer productivity and profitability [7] - Continued investment in growth is evident with plans to open 80 to 100 new stores throughout the year [10][101] - The acquisition of Souvenil is expected to close in the second half of the year, enhancing the company's position in Latin America [10][108] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects demand in most end markets to remain choppy through the first half of 2025, with some markets not likely to gain momentum until 2026 [14][15] - The company is confident in its strategy and ability to adapt to market challenges, including inflation and supply chain issues [17] - Management reiterated full-year sales and earnings per share guidance, with an updated outlook expected in July [16][17] Other Important Information - The company is focused on simplification and digitization to drive efficiencies over time [13] - SG&A expenses in the administrative function decreased by a mid-teens percentage, contributing to overall cost control [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing environment and tariffs - Management indicated that raw material costs were flat year over year, but tariffs are expected to increase costs slightly in the second quarter [22][23] - The company is prepared to implement price increases if necessary to offset rising costs [26] Question: Price mix in Paint Stores Group - The price mix was predominantly driven by price increases, with effective implementation credited to the stores team [31] Question: COGS and gross margins - Gross margin improvement was attributed to selling price increases in the Paint Stores Group and supply chain efficiencies [37] Question: New residential end market outlook - Management remains optimistic about long-term growth in the new residential segment despite current market challenges [43] Question: Res repaint market trends - The residential repaint segment continues to perform well, with positive sentiment and activity despite a flat market [47] Question: Souvenil acquisition details - The acquisition is expected to enhance the company's market position in Latin America, with a strong leadership team and brand [106][108]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "increasing revenue without increasing profit" among budget restaurants, highlighting the challenges they face despite rising sales figures [3][7]. Revenue Growth - Budget restaurants have seen significant sales growth due to consumer trends favoring low-cost dining options, with notable examples like Nanchengxiang achieving nearly 1.5 billion yuan in revenue in 2023 and Sally's revenue growing at a rate of 27.01% in the 2022 fiscal year [5][6]. - Emerging brands are also performing well, with Yujian Xiaomian achieving a compound annual growth rate of 66.2% from 2022 to 2024 and exceeding 2 billion yuan in revenue in 2023 [6]. Profit Decline - Despite revenue growth, many budget restaurants are experiencing profit declines, with Nanchengxiang's profit dropping by 35% in 2024 and Sally's operating profit falling below expectations in major cities [8][9]. - The primary reason for this trend is that the increase in costs and expenses has outpaced revenue growth, indicating a failure to effectively control costs [9][10]. Cost and Expense Challenges - Rising costs are attributed to increases in raw materials, labor, and rent, with significant hikes in recruitment salaries for restaurant staff [11][12]. - The competitive landscape is becoming increasingly crowded, making it harder for budget restaurants to maintain profitability while expanding [13]. Competitive Landscape - The budget dining sector is seeing aggressive expansion from leading brands, with over 160,000 new fast-food outlets opened in 2024 alone [13]. - Mid-tier budget restaurants are expanding more cautiously, with Sally opening 67 new locations while closing 11 [13][14]. Need for Change - The article suggests that budget restaurants must adapt to the changing market conditions to maintain their competitive edge, focusing on cost-cutting measures rather than expansion [15][16]. - Strategies for improving profitability include enhancing operational efficiency and reducing unnecessary expenses, as demonstrated by Nanchengxiang's recent cost-cutting initiatives [19][20]. Future Outlook - The budget dining market remains promising, with projections indicating that the market size will exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2025, driven by consumer demand for affordable dining options [21][22]. - The ability to balance cost control while maintaining food quality will be crucial for budget restaurants to withstand competition from non-budget brands [21][22].