Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenues for Q1 2025 totaled $96.3 million with deliveries of 710 railcars, compared to $161.1 million and 1,223 railcars in Q1 2024, reflecting planned lower production [16] - Gross margin expanded to 14.9%, up 780 basis points year over year, nearly doubling from the same period last year [6][16] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $7.3 million, an increase from $6.1 million in Q1 2024, driven by favorable product mix and operational efficiencies [17] - Adjusted net income for Q1 2025 was $1.6 million or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $1.4 million or a loss of $0.10 per share in the same quarter last year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company booked 1,250 new railcar orders valued at approximately $141 million in Q1 2025, representing 25% of all new railcars ordered in the quarter [13] - The backlog increased to 3,337 railcars valued at approximately $318 million, marking a near 20% sequential increase from year-end [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - FreightCar America expanded its addressable market share from 8% to 27% over the last twelve months, becoming the fastest growing railcar manufacturer in North America [8] - Total industry orders over the trailing twelve months were around 24,000 units, approximately 15,000 units below historical replacement levels, indicating pent-up demand [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining operational flexibility and the ability to manufacture large-scale complex fabrications tailored to customer needs [5] - The strategic advantages include operating from a purpose-built facility that reduces supply chain delays and aligns with USMCA guidelines, providing a competitive edge [9] - The company anticipates industry-wide deliveries will pick up momentum throughout the remainder of the year, supported by a robust backlog [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautiously optimistic about railcar equipment demand over the next 24 months, supported by consistent rail traffic levels and ongoing railcar replacement cycles [10] - The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 guidance, expecting deliveries of between 4,500 to 4,900 railcars and revenue of $530 million to $590 million [11] Other Important Information - The company generated $12.8 million in operating cash flow, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of positive cash flow from operations [18] - Capital expenditures for Q1 totaled $300,000, with expectations for full-year capital expenditures in the range of $5 million to $6 million [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Which segments of your product suite are driving sales growth? - Management indicated that orders are being received across all segments, including covered hoppers and open-top hoppers, with a healthy mix allowing for multiple product lines to be utilized [23][24] Question: What are your considerations for putting a fifth production line into service? - Management stated that a fifth line could be activated in under 90 days with less than a million dollars of CapEx, contingent on sustained customer demand exceeding 5,200 units per year [26][27] Question: Can you differentiate your order flow from the broader industry? - Management noted that while there is some hesitancy in the industry, their order intake was the highest in 15 years, indicating strong demand for their products [38][42] Question: What is the expected quarterly delivery cadence for the rest of the year? - Management expects a step-up in Q2 deliveries, with significant increases anticipated in Q3 and Q4 to meet guidance [49][50] Question: Can you provide insight on gross margins and product mix? - Management explained that gross margins have expanded due to a favorable product mix, with no boxcars in the current pipeline, which typically have lower margins [52][60] Question: What is the timeline for the tank car retrofit program? - Management indicated that shipments for the tank car retrofit program are expected to start in the first half of 2026, with preparations ongoing [63][64]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved net sales of $702 million, reflecting a 5% organic volume growth driven by construction services, steel conduit, metal framing, and cable management products [6][11] - Adjusted EBITDA was $116 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins expanding sequentially to 16.6% from 15% in the previous quarter [11] - Adjusted EPS was reported at $2.04, showing a positive trend compared to the previous year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic volumes increased by 5% compared to a 1% decline in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year [11] - Average selling prices declined by 17% year-over-year, primarily due to decreases in PVC and steel conduit products, although there was sequential pricing improvement for steel conduit [12][16] - The Electrical Cable and Flexible Conduit category grew year-to-date by low single digits, while metal framing, cable management, and construction services saw high single-digit growth [13][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Dodge Momentum Index indicated a slowdown in planning activity across several non-residential categories [10] - Despite year-to-date increases in construction starts and planning activities, there are indications of potential slower activity moving forward [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains committed to a balanced capital deployment model, focusing on returning cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends while investing in growth initiatives [18][25] - The management highlighted the importance of domestic manufacturing and the ability to serve customers effectively in the evolving electrical industry [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about demand for U.S.-made steel conduit in 2025, despite uncertainties related to tariffs and macroeconomic conditions [9][20] - The company is maintaining its full-year fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance in the range of $375 million to $425 million and adjusted EPS between $5.75 and $6.85 [21][10] Other Important Information - An impairment charge of $50 million was announced for certain long-lived assets related to HDP pipe and conduit products due to competition from emerging technologies [8][67] - A new five-year labor agreement was ratified with the United Steel Workers at the Harvey, Illinois facility, which is expected to enhance productivity [7] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for PVC conduits for the remainder of the year - Management indicated that pricing has continued to decline, but they are still on track with previous guidance regarding PVC conduit pricing [30] Question: Market share for PVC conduit - Management believes they remain a leader in the PVC conduit market, although imports have been increasing [31][32] Question: Recent import levels and potential pricing upside - Management noted that PVC imports have increased significantly year-over-year, but the future trajectory is uncertain due to tariffs [40][41] Question: Net tariff benefit in updated fiscal guidance - Management suggested that a 2% to 3% reduction in volume could be offset by tariff increases, indicating a net positive for shareholders [61] Question: Update on steel conduit imports from Mexico - Management confirmed that while there has been a reduction in imports, they do not expect a complete halt due to the 25% tariff [64][65] Question: Impairment of HD PVC and competitive changes - The impairment was influenced by competition from fiber optic technologies and the administration's plans to increase funding for satellite internet [66][69] Question: Direction from the administration on tariffs - Management stated they have not received specific guidance from the administration regarding tariffs or the BEAD program [73] Question: Cadence of demand for products - Management reported that demand has improved month-over-month, with customers remaining cautiously optimistic [94] Question: Construction services opportunity - Management indicated that data centers are expected to be a significant portion of construction services moving forward [96][98] Question: Pricing assumptions for FY 2025 - Management has not changed pricing assumptions despite tariff impacts, indicating that overall price versus cost dynamics remain within expected ranges [99][102]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved net sales of $702 million, reflecting a 5% organic volume growth driven by construction services, steel conduit, metal framing, and cable management products [6][11] - Adjusted EBITDA was $116 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins expanding sequentially to 16.6% from 15% in the previous quarter [11] - Adjusted EPS was reported at $2.04, down from $2.4 year-over-year [6][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic volumes increased by 5% compared to a 1% decline in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year [11] - Average selling prices declined by 17% year-over-year, primarily due to decreases in PVC and steel conduit products, although there was sequential pricing improvement for steel conduit [11][12] - The Electrical Cable and Flexible Conduit category grew year-to-date by low single digits, while metal framing, cable management, and construction services saw high single-digit growth [13][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Dodge Momentum Index indicated a slowdown in planning activity across several non-residential categories [10] - Despite year-to-date increases in construction starts and planning activities, there are indications of potential slower activity moving forward [19] - The company remains optimistic about demand for U.S.-made steel conduit in 2025, despite uncertainties regarding tariffs and their economic impact [9][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maximizing shareholder value through strategic asset management, including a recent divestiture of its Northwest Polymers recycling business [6][7] - A new five-year labor agreement was ratified with the United Steel Workers, enhancing productivity and customer service capabilities [7] - The company is committed to a balanced capital deployment model, emphasizing cash returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends [16][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding future demand, noting that while the second quarter exceeded expectations, growth in the Construction Services business is expected to moderate in the second half of the year [18][20] - The company maintains its full-year fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance in the range of $375 million to $425 million and adjusted EPS between $5.75 and $6.85 [20] - Management highlighted the challenges posed by tariffs and the unpredictability of the macroeconomic environment, which could impact volume expectations [19][20] Other Important Information - An impairment charge of $50 million was recorded for certain long-lived assets related to HDP pipe and conduit products due to competitive technologies and delays in government funding [8][66] - The company has repurchased approximately $50 million in shares during the second quarter and increased its dividend to $0.33 per share [7][8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for PVC conduits for the balance of the year - Management indicated that pricing has continued to decline but remains aligned with previous guidance, making it difficult to predict future pricing accurately [29] Question: Market share for PVC conduit - Management believes Atkore remains a leader in the PVC conduit market, despite increasing imports [30][31] Question: Import levels and potential pricing upside - Management noted that PVC imports are up solid double digits year-over-year, but future trends are uncertain due to tariffs and market dynamics [38][39] Question: Net tariff benefit in updated fiscal guidance - Management suggested that a 2% to 3% reduction in volume could be offset by tariff increases, indicating a net positive for shareholders [59] Question: Update on steel conduit imports from Mexico - Management confirmed that while there has been a reduction in imports, they have not completely stopped, and the 25% tariff will impact pricing strategies [61][63] Question: Impairment of HD PVC and competitive changes - The impairment was influenced by emerging technologies in fiber optics and the administration's plans to increase funding for satellite internet [66][67] Question: Direction from the administration on tariffs - Management stated there has been no concrete direction from the administration regarding tariffs, leading to a prudent decision to take the impairment charge [72][75] Question: Profitability of the torque tube business without IRA support - Management confirmed that the torque tube business remains profitable even without IRA support, although the IRA has driven additional demand [83][86] Question: Cadence of demand for products - Management reported that demand has improved month-over-month, with cautious optimism from customers regarding future volumes [93][94] Question: Construction services opportunity and data centers - Management indicated that data centers are expected to become the largest portion of construction services moving forward, alongside chip manufacturing [95][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, total revenue was $560 million, a decline of 5% year over year, primarily due to lower volumes [15][16] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $229 million, with a margin of 40.9%, reflecting a year-over-year margin decline of 130 basis points [17][18] - Adjusted free cash flow amounted to $145 million at a 26% margin, which was 120 basis points higher year over year [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average units on rent decreased by 5% year over year for modular and 16% for storage, aligning with expectations [15] - Total leasing revenue fell by $26 million or 6% year over year, while delivery and installation revenue decreased by $12 million or 12% [16] - Value-added products and services (VAPS) represented over 17% of total revenue, indicating growth in this segment despite a decline in consolidated units on rent [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The pending order book increased by 7% year over year for both modular and storage products, supporting expected new lease activations in Q2 [6][11] - The Architectural Billings Index was reported at 44 in March, with Q1 non-residential construction square footage starts down 17% year over year, indicating market caution [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve $3 billion in revenue, $1.5 billion in adjusted EBITDA, and $700 million in adjusted free cash flow over the next three to five years [7] - There is a focus on margin expansion initiatives and leveraging a portfolio of growth levers valued at $2.5 billion [7] - The company is actively adding sales resources and enhancing productivity tools to drive performance across local and enterprise accounts [12][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautious due to macroeconomic uncertainties but is encouraged by the order book growth and internal initiatives [11][14] - The company expects continued easing of volume headwinds, with modest top-line growth anticipated in the second half of the year [23][24] - Management is closely monitoring the impact of tariffs and labor market conditions on demand and operational performance [25][26] Other Important Information - The company successfully refinanced its 2025 senior secured notes, extending maturity to February 2030 at a fixed interest rate of 6.625% [20] - A total of $45 million was returned to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in Q1 [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on the order book and conversion time - Management noted that quoting activity has increased by 10% year over year, with no observed changes in conversion or cancellation rates [34] Question: Details on VAPS and average pricing - Management explained that the shift to reporting VAPS as a percentage of revenue reflects the expanded portfolio and deeper penetration across product lines [39] Question: Q2 top line outlook and expected volume trends - Management expects Q2 revenues to improve sequentially, with no anticipated decline in volumes, particularly for modular products [44] Question: Insights on retail customer segment demand - Management indicated that there has been no change in the outlook for retail-related demand, with ongoing positive conversations with larger accounts [52] Question: Discussion on logistics and margin improvement - Management expressed optimism about logistics margins improving as in-sourcing initiatives progress and operational efficiencies are realized [70] Question: Pricing dynamics in an inflationary environment - Management believes that inflationary pressures can be beneficial, as they have the capability to pass through costs due to owning their fleet and in-house capabilities [74]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported net sales of $1,140 million, a 12.7% increase from Q4 2024 [17] - Adjusted EBITDA, excluding LIFO, was $32.8 million, compared to $10.3 million in the prior quarter [19] - Gross margin contracted by 100 basis points to 18%, influenced by $7 million in LIFO expense, while excluding LIFO, gross margin expanded by 220 basis points to 18.6% [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales volume for Q1 2025 was 500,000 tons, approximately 12% higher quarter over quarter, with North American shipments increasing by almost 14% [9][10] - Average selling prices for carbon products were roughly flat, aluminum products increased by 2%, and stainless steel products decreased by approximately 3% [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American industry sales volumes increased by nearly 11% quarter over quarter, indicating a recovery in demand [9] - The company experienced market share gains across most metal product categories, particularly in construction equipment and industrial machinery [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on operationalizing significant CapEx investments to improve quality of earnings and customer experiences [4][5] - There is an emphasis on modernizing service center networks and enhancing go-to-market capabilities to drive long-term growth [4] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while there are challenges in the industrial metal supply and demand dynamics, they anticipate a more robust North American manufacturing economy as trade uncertainties resolve [20] - The outlook for Q2 2025 includes expectations for relatively flat volumes and a revenue range of $1,150 million to $1,190 million, with average selling prices expected to increase by 3% to 4% [11] Other Important Information - The company maintained a $60 million expense reduction target, achieving a $32 expense per ton reduction compared to the previous year [11] - Total debt increased to $498 million, with net debt rising to $464 million, but global liquidity remains healthy at $490 million [14][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Plans to manage debt levels and drive interest expense lower - Management highlighted the importance of winding down CapEx projects and operationalizing them to improve cash flow and reduce debt [24][26] Question: Second quarter pricing outlook - Management indicated that the OEM contract business has been weak, impacting average selling prices, but noted good transactional growth [29][30] Question: Current split between transactional versus contractual sales - The current split is approximately 47% transactional sales, up from about 43% last year, with a target to reach around 60% [38][40] Question: Portfolio mix and stainless market outlook - Management believes the stainless market will recover and emphasized the importance of maintaining market share while also growing the carbon franchise [42][44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.96 for Q1 2025, an increase from $0.89 in the prior year, reflecting a growth of approximately 7.9% [6][7] - Total comparable funeral revenue increased by over $23 million, or about 4%, compared to the prior year quarter [8] - Funeral gross profit increased by about $21 million, with the gross profit percentage rising by 240 basis points to over 24% [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable core funeral revenue increased by $18 million, or about 4%, driven by a 2.5% growth in core average revenue per service and a 1% increase in core funeral services performed [9] - Preneed funeral sales production decreased by $32 million, or about 10%, primarily due to the transition to a new preneed insurance provider [11] - Comparable cemetery revenue decreased by $8 million, or about 2%, with a core revenue decline of $10 million attributed to lower recognized preneed property revenue [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates flat to slightly down funeral volume compared to 2024, with average revenue per case growing at inflationary rates [15] - Preneed cemetery sales production is expected to grow in the low single-digit percentage range, resulting in cemetery revenue growth of about 1% to 2% [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning from a trust to an insurance-funded preneed model, which is expected to stabilize and grow in the latter half of 2025 [12][16] - The company confirmed its normalized earnings per share guidance range of $3.7 to $4 for 2025, representing a midpoint of 9% year-over-year growth [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the sales pipeline, indicating a strong outlook for the remainder of the year despite external pressures [34][37] - The company is focused on managing inflationary costs and expects to maintain impressive gross margin percentages in the 32% to 33% range [17] Other Important Information - The company generated adjusted operating cash flow of $316 million in the quarter, exceeding expectations and showing a substantial improvement over the prior year [21] - Capital investments in Q1 2025 totaled $95 million, with $67 million allocated to maintenance capital and $15 million towards business acquisitions [22][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the cemetery preneed sales production being down? - Management noted that large sales were worse than core production, but they expect a strong pipeline moving forward [32][34] Question: How do you view the impact of tariffs on costs? - Management indicated that they have long-term contracts that protect against immediate impacts and do not expect material effects on guidance [41][44] Question: What drove the increase in funeral volume in Q1? - Management attributed the increase to slight growth in market share and the effects of their strong preneed program [48][50] Question: What is the outlook for preneed funeral volume to insurance? - Management expects the annual premium generated from preneed funeral contracts to be higher than initially thought as they transition to insurance [60][62] Question: How do you see the impact of M&A on funeral volumes? - Management indicated that M&A could contribute 1% to 2% growth, depending on the timing and nature of acquisitions [92][94]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the company [1] Core Views - The company is gradually recovering from past challenges, with expectations for a rebound in bottled water market share in 2025 [8] - The company achieved a revenue of 42.896 billion CNY in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 0.5%, and a net profit of 12.123 billion CNY, also up 0.4% year-on-year [4] - The report anticipates a double-digit revenue growth in 2025, driven by improvements in bottled water market share and continued strength in ready-to-drink tea [9] Revenue Performance - In 2024, the revenue from bottled water was 15.952 billion CNY, down 21.3% year-on-year, while ready-to-drink tea revenue was 16.745 billion CNY, up 32.3% year-on-year [4][5] - The company’s other income and gains reached 2.129 billion CNY in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 15.6% [7] Profitability Metrics - The gross margin for 2024 was 58.1%, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points year-on-year, primarily due to promotional activities for bottled water [6] - The net profit margin remained stable at 28.3% for 2024 [7] Future Outlook - The company plans to enhance its product offerings and marketing strategies to strengthen its market position in the ready-to-drink tea segment [8] - The projected net profit for 2025 is 14.130 billion CNY, reflecting a growth rate of 16.6% [10]

Core Insights - The smartphone market in Latin America experienced a year-on-year growth of 9.3% in Q4 2024, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth, driven primarily by markets in Argentina, Chile, and Peru [1][2] - Despite the year-on-year growth, there was a nearly 2% decline in smartphone shipments compared to the previous quarter due to brands shipping products earlier in Q3 2024 to prepare for the holiday season [1][2] - The demand for smartphones has increased across almost all Latin American countries, supported by heightened consumer confidence and intensified competition among brands [1][2] Market Dynamics - 4G smartphones remain the primary driver of sales in the region, while 5G smartphones accounted for 38% of total sales in Q4 2024 [1][2] - Major brands like Samsung, Motorola, and Apple lead in 5G smartphone sales, while Chinese manufacturers continue to push 4G models [1] - The competitive landscape is characterized by significant discounts and promotional bundles offered by most smartphone brands during the November to December period [1] Brand Performance - Samsung maintains a leading position in the Latin American market, with a market share approximately 9 percentage points higher than its closest competitor, benefiting from early launches of entry-level models [5] - Motorola saw slight year-on-year growth, primarily due to its performance in lower price segments and aggressive pricing on 5G smartphones, although its market share declined [5] - Xiaomi achieved double-digit growth driven by markets in Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, and Colombia, becoming the market leader in Colombia, despite a nearly 60% decline in shipments in Brazil's gray market [5] - Apple experienced year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter growth in Brazil and Mexico, largely driven by the new iPhone 16 Pro Max, although older models still represent a larger share of shipments [5] - Honor also saw year-on-year growth, solidifying its position in the region with affordable 4G smartphones, particularly in Peru, Ecuador, and Central America [5]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Budweiser APAC with a target price of HK$11.00, reflecting a potential upside of 27% from the current price of HK$8.66 [1][8]. Core Insights - The report indicates that Budweiser APAC's sales during the Chinese New Year were encouraging, with management stating that shipments to retailers matched last year's levels. The company is expected to achieve mid-single-digit volume growth in 2025, with a 3% increase in the Chinese market [6][13]. - A strategic shift has been announced, focusing on the "Core++" segment rather than ultra-premium products, aiming to enhance market share amidst a challenging macroeconomic environment [7][13]. - The company declared a dividend of $0.0566 per share, with a high payout ratio of 96%, which is expected to support long-term investor returns [7][8]. Financial Adjustments - The target price has been adjusted downwards from HK$11.60 to HK$11.00, while the earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been slightly increased by 0.7% and 1.9% respectively [2][8]. - Revenue forecasts for 2025 and 2026 have been raised by 2.0% and 3.2% respectively, reflecting better-than-expected recovery in beer sales in China [13][14]. - The normalized net profit for 2025 is projected at $887 million, with an adjusted net profit margin of 13.4% [10][14]. Market Performance - Budweiser APAC's stock has shown a 52-week range of HK$14.08 to HK$6.84, with a market capitalization of approximately $14.75 billion [1][8]. - The report highlights that the company's valuation is currently at a forward P/E of 21.1x for 2025, which is one standard deviation below the average of the past three years [15][17]. Strategic Focus - The management emphasizes that the strategic adjustment does not neglect high-end products but rather aims for a more comprehensive approach to current market conditions [7][8]. - The report suggests that the focus on the "Core++" segment will create significant synergies within Budweiser APAC's overall product portfolio [7][8].