Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE:EPC) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Edgewell Personal Care Company - **Event**: 2025 Conference - **Date**: December 02, 2025 Key Points Organizational Changes and Strategy - Significant organizational changes have been made, including new leadership in North America and a shift to a regional hub model globally [4][5] - The recent divestiture of the FemCare business is seen as a strategic move to focus on core categories such as shave, grooming, sun, and skincare [17][19] - North America has been identified as an area needing a commercial reset, with a new leadership team in place to drive growth [7][8] Financial Performance and Growth - International growth accounts for 40% of the portfolio, with mid-single-digit growth expected to continue into fiscal 2026 [5][37] - The company has achieved consistent cost productivity improvements of 200-300 basis points year-on-year [6][26] - The divestiture of FemCare was completed for $340 million, providing financial flexibility and operational focus [18][20] Market Environment - The overall growth rate in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) categories is around 2%, with similar trends observed in the U.S. market [13][14] - The promotional environment in the U.S. has become more competitive, particularly in women's shave and FemCare categories [14][12] Capital Allocation and Investment - Post-divestiture, the focus will be on strengthening the balance sheet and paying down debt, with 80% of the FemCare proceeds expected to convert into cash [20][21] - Increased advertising and promotion (A&P) spending is planned for fiscal 2026, rising from 10% to 12% of sales, aimed at driving top-line growth [29][32] Product Categories and Innovation - The grooming category, including brands like Jack Black and Bulldog, is expected to grow at mid to high single-digit rates [45] - The wet shave category is less competitive than in previous years, with Edgewell positioned as a key player alongside Gillette [48][49] - New product innovations and campaigns are being launched to enhance market presence, particularly in the U.S. [30][31] Future Outlook - The company is optimistic about stabilizing organic sales growth in the U.S., with expectations of low single-digit growth in the back half of 2026 [41][42] - Internationally, growth is anticipated to be driven by the sun and grooming categories, with significant potential in markets like Europe and Asia [39][40] Key Risks and Considerations - The company acknowledges challenges in the lower middle-income consumer demographics, which may impact overall category performance [13][14] - There is a focus on managing stranded costs post-FemCare divestiture, with expectations of a $35-$45 million headwind in the short term [22][23] Conclusion - Edgewell Personal Care Company is at a pivotal moment with strategic changes aimed at enhancing growth and operational efficiency. The focus on core categories, coupled with increased investment in marketing and innovation, positions the company for potential recovery and growth in the coming years [51][52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Reported revenue for Q4 2025 was $712 million, or approximately $660 million when normalized, reflecting a decline of $24 million, or 3.5% year-over-year compared to Q4 2024 [13][14] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $65 million, representing an adjusted margin of 9.1%, down from 11.8% in the same quarter last year [16][20] - Full-year effective tax rate for 2025 was 9.2%, with an expectation of 25-30% for 2026 [15][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rental revenue decreased by $18 million, while direct sales revenue fell by $5 million, contributing to the overall revenue decline [13][14] - Business retention as measured in revenue dollars was 91.8% at the end of Q4, essentially flat compared to the previous quarter [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The normalized revenue impact from churn or lost business was approximately $60 million compared to the same quarter in the prior year [14] - The company experienced a negative foreign currency impact of $1 million [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has initiated a multi-year business transformation plan focusing on commercial excellence, operational excellence, and asset and network optimization [4][7][18] - The transformation plan aims to generate run-rate operating cost savings of at least $75 million by the end of 2026 [18][19] - The company is committed to improving customer relationships and service quality while optimizing its product mix to enhance long-term margins [6][10][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in customer service and revenue quality, emphasizing the need for a disciplined approach to pricing and customer retention [4][5][6] - The company expects revenue for fiscal 2026 to be flat to down 2% compared to normalized fiscal 2025 revenue, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $285 million and $315 million [19][20] - Management expressed optimism about the transformation plan and its potential to unlock operating leverage and deliver consistent, profitable growth [10][25] Other Important Information - The company generated $31 million in operating cash flow and $16 million in free cash flow during the quarter, reflecting improvements in working capital efficiency [17] - Net debt at the end of the fiscal quarter was $1.34 billion, with no debt maturities until 2028 [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current state of company culture and the team in place for the transformation? - Management acknowledged that employee engagement levels are not at their highest due to recent challenges but emphasized the importance of a strong vision and leadership to guide the transformation [28][30] Question: How does the company plan to optimize its network and logistics? - Management stated that the focus is on optimizing plant operations first before making decisions on network consolidation, ensuring that plants operate effectively to support customer needs [37][60] Question: What are the assumptions behind the fiscal 2026 free cash flow guidance? - The guidance includes estimates for interest, cash taxes, and restructuring charges, with capital expenditures expected to be in line with the previous year [46][47] Question: How does the company plan to implement its new pricing strategy? - The new pricing strategy will align costs to serve with pricing decisions, focusing on improving service quality and leveraging existing customer relationships for growth [71][87]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated net sales increased by 36.3% to $4.17 billion, driven by approximately $931 million from the Foot Locker acquisition and a 5.7% comp increase for the DICK'S business [26][27] - Non-GAAP EPS for the DICK'S business was $2.78, up from $2.75 in the prior year's quarter [30] - Consolidated gross profit was $1.38 billion, or 33.13% of net sales, down 264 basis points from last year, primarily due to the lower gross margin from the Foot Locker business [27][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - DICK'S business comp sales increased by 5.7%, with growth in average ticket and transactions, on top of a 4.3% increase last year [17][26] - Foot Locker's proforma comp sales for Q3 declined by 4.7%, with a 10.2% decline internationally [8][27] - DICK'S opened 13 new House of Sport locations in Q3, the highest number in a single quarter, bringing the total to 35 [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - DICK'S business saw broad-based strength across footwear, apparel, and hard lines categories [26] - Foot Locker's comparable sales in North America decreased by 2.6%, while international sales decreased by 10.2% [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of Foot Locker is seen as a transformative opportunity to build a global platform at the intersection of sport and culture [7][9] - The immediate priority for Foot Locker is to clean out underperforming assets, including inventory and stores, to reset the business for long-term success [10][34] - DICK'S is focused on leveraging its operational excellence and supplier relationships to return Foot Locker to profitability [9][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the turnaround of Foot Locker, emphasizing the need for operational improvements and inventory management [55][81] - The back-to-school season in 2026 is expected to be an inflection point for Foot Locker's recovery [13][38] - DICK'S raised its full-year outlook for comp sales growth to 3.5%-4% and EPS to $14.25-$14.55 [16][36] Other Important Information - The company expects Q4 margin rates for Foot Locker to decline between 1,000 and 1,500 basis points due to aggressive inventory clean-up [11][38] - Future pre-tax charges related to the Foot Locker acquisition are anticipated to be between $500 million and $750 million [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is DICK'S driving strong comp growth and confidence going into the holiday season? - Management highlighted the differentiated product assortment and engaging athlete experience as key drivers of growth, with strong performance across key categories [42][44] Question: What assumptions were made about Foot Locker's inventory cleanup and store closures? - Management indicated that they are still assessing which stores to close and expect significant markdowns on unproductive inventory [45][46][48] Question: Can you walk through the building blocks for Foot Locker to be accretive to EPS in 2026? - Management emphasized the need for cleaning out old inventory and underperforming assets, along with confidence in the new management team [52][55] Question: How will markdowns at Foot Locker be managed, and will they impact DICK'S sales? - Management expressed confidence that markdowns on older products will not affect the ability to sell new products at full price [66][68] Question: Is Foot Locker's underperformance due to historical issues, and what is the plan for improvement? - Management acknowledged historical underperformance and emphasized the importance of inventory management and merchandising improvements [73][81]

Core Insights - United Parcel Service (UPS) is undergoing a significant operational and strategic overhaul, aiming to shift focus from low-margin e-commerce customers to higher-margin categories [3][4][9] - UPS has experienced a 21% decline in volume with Amazon year-over-year, leading to the closure of 93 buildings as part of its cost reduction strategy [4] - The company's stock has seen a 25% decline year-to-date, despite a recent 12% rebound following Q3 results, making it one of the worst performers in the industrial sector [5] Financial Performance - UPS reported a gross margin of 18.48% and a current dividend yield of 6.93%, with a dividend payout ratio reaching 98% [3][6] - The company has maintained or increased its dividend annually since going public in 1999, emphasizing its commitment to shareholder returns [7] - Analysts project earnings per share growth of 4% and 11% for 2026 and 2027, respectively, contingent on successful execution of the ongoing transformation [8] Strategic Direction - The multiyear plan, initiated in January 2025 and expected to conclude in 2027, aims to reshape UPS's service network and improve revenue quality [3][4] - The focus will be on small-business shipping, logistics, and premium international services, moving away from reliance on high-volume, low-margin clients [3][9] - UPS views the current disruption as an opportunity for long-term improvement, despite short-term pressures on results [5][9]

Core Insights - LG Display Co. is transitioning from traditional LCD technology to high-margin OLED technology, which is expected to enhance profitability and competitiveness in the display technology industry [1] Financial Performance - On November 20, 2025, LG Display reported an earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.01, missing the estimated EPS of $0.07 [2][6] - The company's revenue for the period was approximately $4.93 billion, slightly below the estimated $4.99 billion, with a 25% sequential increase in revenue attributed to the focus on OLED technology [2][3] - OLED products now account for 65% of the company's total sales, indicating a successful shift in product strategy [3][6] Valuation Metrics - The company has a negative price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of -18.70, but its forward P/E ratio for 2025 appears attractive, suggesting potential future profitability [4][6] - The price-to-sales ratio is 0.24, and the enterprise value to sales ratio is 0.69, reflecting the market's valuation of the company's sales [5] - The current ratio of 0.70 suggests potential difficulties in meeting short-term liabilities [5]

Core Insights - Target Corp. is preparing for leadership transition with Michael Fiddelke set to become CEO in February, planning to invest an additional $1 billion to enhance the shopping experience [1] - The company's third-quarter net earnings decreased by 19.3% to $689 million, impacted by $120 million in business transformation costs [2] - Target's net sales fell by 1.5% to $25.3 billion, with a decline in merchandise sales offset by a significant increase in other revenues [3] Financial Performance - Net earnings for the three months ended Nov. 1 were $689 million, down 19.3%, including $120 million in after-tax business transformation costs [2] - Adjusted earnings per share were $1.78, surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.71 [2] - Net sales decreased by 1.5% to $25.3 billion, with merchandise sales down 1.9% but other revenues, including membership fees and digital marketplace revenues, up by 17.7% [3] Sales and Revenue Trends - Comparable sales fell by 2.7% in the quarter, with in-store sales declining by 3.8% while digital sales increased by 2.4% [3] - The company is focusing on elevating the shopping experience both in-store and online [7] Strategic Initiatives - The incoming CEO, Michael Fiddelke, has identified three priorities: leading with design, expanding merchandising authority, and enhancing the shopping experience [5][7] - Target plans to increase capital expenditures by 25% to $5 billion next year to accelerate merchandising and store experience initiatives [6] - The company aims to remodel and refresh more stores and implement significant changes in major assortment categories [6] Operational Enhancements - Target is evolving its stores-as-hubs model to improve in-store experiences and offer next-day shipping to over 50% of the U.S. population [6] - Adjustments will be made to shipping logistics in over 35 markets to enhance efficiency and customer service [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $57.4 million on sales of $410.2 million, a 3.9% decline in sales compared to the previous year [5][18] - For the full year, adjusted EBITDA was $180.9 million, while net sales increased by 0.5% to $1.58 billion [5][19] - Consolidated gross profit was $130.2 million, with a gross margin of 31.7%, slightly down from 31.8% the previous year [16] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $1.58, compared to $1.60 in the prior year [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Food service segment net sales declined by 1.1% to $259.3 million, while soft pretzel sales increased by 3.6% [14] - Retail segment net sales fell by 8.1%, primarily due to lower frozen novelty volumes, although higher pretzel volume partially offset this decline [15] - Frozen beverage segment sales decreased by 8.3%, attributed to lower beverage volume in the quarter [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Box office sales for the period aligned with fiscal 2025 were up 10% compared to the prior year, with industry projections for a 9% increase in North America box office sales for fiscal 2026 [12] - The theater industry is expected to continue its rebound, supported by a strong lineup of movies [12][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company initiated a business transformation program called Project Apollo, expected to generate at least $20 million in annualized operating income once fully implemented [7][8] - The focus of Project Apollo includes the consolidation of manufacturing facilities, with three facilities announced for closure [7][8] - The company plans to increase share repurchase activity, with $3 million in repurchases during the quarter and intentions to accelerate this in the current quarter [13][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for fiscal 2026, citing operational execution improvements and a strong innovation pipeline [6][27] - The macro environment remains cautious, particularly in the retail sector, but management is encouraged by early results in Q1 2026 [27][28] - Challenges faced in 2025 included a significant LTO for churros and unfavorable foreign exchange impacts, but management is bullish about 2026 [29] Other Important Information - The company has a strong financial position with approximately $106 million in cash and no long-term debt [12][18] - Marketing expenses increased by 4.8% year-over-year, driven by new sponsorships and promotional activities [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of portfolio optimization on sales - Management indicated that portfolio optimization could lead to a 1-1.5% impact on overall sales growth, with expectations of mid-single-digit growth year over year [22][24] Question: Macro environment and its impact on 2026 - Management noted cautious consumer sentiment but expressed positive momentum entering 2026, with expectations for theater industry recovery [27][28] Question: Timeline for Project Apollo and expected benefits - The full run rate for plant closure benefits is expected to be reached by Q2 2026, with additional savings anticipated in the latter half of the year [31] Question: Details on commercial opportunities for fiscal 2026 - Key opportunities include a churro LTO with a major customer and a frozen beverage rollout with a large convenience store operator [54] Question: Gross margin potential post-Apollo - Management aims to improve gross margins above 30% toward the mid-30s, with savings from Project Apollo contributing to this goal [56]

Core Viewpoint - NextPower Inc. is transitioning from a tracker-focused model to a more comprehensive structural, electrical, and digital platform, which is expected to enhance its earnings sustainability [1][4]. Financial Performance - Nextracker reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results that exceeded both revenue and earnings expectations, driven by strong demand in U.S. and international markets, as well as momentum from recently acquired businesses [2]. - The company raised its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast to $3.275-$3.475 billion, up from $3.20-$3.45 billion, indicating a 14% year-on-year growth at the midpoint [3]. - Adjusted EBITDA is now projected to be between $775 million and $815 million, with EPS guidance increased to $4.04–$4.25 [3]. Analyst Insights - The analyst notes that NextPower is evolving into a broader platform with a more sustainable earnings profile, supported by commercialized products rather than aspirational expansions [4]. - The fiscal 2030 revenue outlook is estimated to be between $4.8 billion and $5.6 billion, indicating a significant shift in revenue mix and margin profile compared to market expectations [4]. - The analyst raised the EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 to $4.11 (from $4.05) but lowered estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 [6]. Growth Projections - A 12% revenue CAGR is projected, reaching $5.52 billion by fiscal 2030, along with a 110 basis points gross margin expansion from fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2030 [6]. - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be $1.36 billion, exceeding management's guidance of $1.1 billion–$1.3 billion [6]. - The growth in electrical and software segments is anticipated to offset structural dilution, with operating expenses expected to decline to approximately 8% of sales [7].

Core Insights - Tonner Drones has welcomed two reference shareholders and announced a strategic investment in MyHotelMatch (MHM) to drive growth and value creation for shareholders [1][2][10] Shareholder Developments - A shareholder has reported owning over 5% of Tonner Drones' shares, while another supportive shareholder is looking to increase their stake to potentially 5% [1][6] - The recent capital increase attracted an investor interested in acquiring a 5% equity position, with plans to purchase more shares to reach approximately 10 million shares [7][8] - The investor is committing €560,000 in a regular bond with a 2% interest rate, maturing on December 31, 2026, and will receive 40 million BSA with a strike price of €0.028 [8] Investment in MyHotelMatch - Tonner Drones is investing in MHM, which is currently an empty shell, to help restructure its debt and develop new business opportunities [2][3] - The company sees significant potential in MHM, considering strategic directions such as enhancing its core real estate business and exploring opportunities in the drone sector and cryptocurrency [3][4] Management and Governance - Following discussions with MHM's management, Tonner Drones plans to propose a new board of directors and appoint a new CEO during the upcoming Shareholders Meeting [4] - CEO van den Ouden is expected to serve as temporary CEO during the transition phase [4] Financial Transactions - Tonner Drones intends to transfer assets valued at €1.5 million to itself at a cost price of €500,000, resulting in ownership of €2.75 million in debt and ORA in MHM at a cost of €1 million [5] - The dilution for current shareholders due to the new investment and bond issuance is estimated to be around 6.7% [8] Company Strategy - Tonner Drones aims to create value through active asset management and does not plan to own a factory, focusing instead on R&D in France [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4, the company achieved organic net sales growth of 2.5%, aligning with expectations despite external pressures [7][22] - Adjusted gross margin rate decreased by 330 basis points, primarily due to unexpected year-end inventory adjustments and increased trade promotions [27][28] - Adjusted operating income was $40.3 million, representing 7.5% of net sales, down from 10.8% in the previous year [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - International organic net sales grew by 6.9%, driven by volume and price gains across all segments [22] - North America experienced a decline in organic net sales by 60 basis points, with wet shave sales down approximately 1% [23] - Sun and skin care organic net sales increased by approximately 11%, with robust growth across each business segment [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International markets, representing about 40% of global sales, delivered strong growth for the fourth consecutive year, with Europe achieving its third straight year of growth [8][9] - The U.S. razor and blades category saw consumption down by 80 basis points, although market share improved sequentially [23] - The Billie brand achieved a 90 basis point share growth, now holding a 15% share at Walmart and 13% at Target [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to divest its feminine care business to focus on core categories with competitive advantages, including shave, sun, and skincare [6][19] - A multi-year innovation roadmap is being implemented, with significant investments in brand building and marketing to restore brand equity [11][14] - The transformation plan aims to simplify the U.S. structure, enabling faster decision-making and increased investment in growth capabilities [12][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledged a challenging fiscal 2025 due to external pressures like tariffs and geopolitical tensions, but expressed confidence in the foundation for future growth [8][19] - For fiscal 2026, the company anticipates a return to organic net sales growth, driven by mid-single-digit growth in international markets and stabilization in North America [16][33] - The macro environment is expected to remain challenging, with muted category growth and cautious consumer spending [15][16] Other Important Information - The company generated productivity savings of 270 basis points in fiscal 2025, with expectations of approximately 310 basis points in fiscal 2026 [10][30] - Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2026 is projected to be in the range of $290 million to $310 million, approximately flat to the prior year [37] - The divestiture of the feminine care business is expected to impact adjusted EPS by approximately $0.40 to $0.50 annually [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook and EPS Expectations - The company expects a balanced and achievable plan for 2026, with low single-digit category growth assumptions and flexibility to maintain profit goals [41][43] Question: Strategy and M&A Intentions - The focus is on winning in shave, grooming, sun, and skin categories, with potential for M&A as asset values decline [51][53] Question: Productivity and Gross Margin Concerns - The company is confident in its second-half-oriented plan, expecting higher sales growth and productivity improvements to offset margin pressures [63][64] Question: Sun and Skin Category Insights - The company plans conservatively for the sun season, expecting low single-digit growth while focusing on brand campaigns and distribution gains [81][84]