Summary of International Paper Company FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) - **Industry**: Sustainable Packaging - **Transformation**: Transitioning to a 100% sustainable packaging business after the sale of the global cellulose fiber business, expected to generate approximately $24 billion in packaging revenue [4][24] Core Points and Arguments - **Market Position**: Holds a 30% market share in fiber-based packaging in North America and 20% in Europe, making it the largest player in both regions [4] - **EBITDA Growth**: North American EBITDA increased by about 40%, from approximately $1.7 billion to a run rate of about $2.3 billion [5] - **Market Challenges**: Anticipated market growth in the U.S. was expected to be above 1%, but the year is projected to finish down about 2%, impacting operating profit by over $250 million [6] - **Customer Service Improvement**: Significant enhancements in customer service have led to a shift from last place in customer perception to a clear number one position [7] - **Investment Strategy**: Increased capital investment by 50% year-on-year in strategic assets, with a focus on converting capacity [9] - **Capacity Reduction**: Eliminated 3 million tons of capacity and over 10% of converting capacity to address overcapacity issues [9][10] - **Decentralization**: Reduced corporate staff in Memphis from nearly 2,700 to under 400 to enhance focus on customer engagement and operational efficiency [11] European Market Dynamics - **Acquisition of DS Smith**: The acquisition has faced challenges due to a soft market, with a year-over-year profit impact of nearly $300 million [12] - **Market Conditions**: The European market is characterized by structural overcapacity and economic challenges, including tariffs and geopolitical issues [38] - **Cost Management**: The company is implementing aggressive restructuring in Europe, similar to North America, but with a longer timeline for results [13][15] Financial Outlook - **EBITDA Projections**: Targeting $600 million in EBITDA improvements, aiming for $5 billion by 2027, with a starting point of approximately $3.3 billion [43][44] - **Cost Reduction Goals**: Targeting $1.1 billion in cost reductions through structural changes and productivity improvements, with a 60-40 split between the U.S. and Europe [45] - **Market Growth Expectations**: Anticipating flat market growth in the U.S. and 1-2% growth in Europe [46] Strategic Focus - **Operational Model**: Emphasizing the 80/20 principle to focus on high-impact areas and improve profitability [18][19] - **Artificial Intelligence**: Recognizing the potential of AI to enhance productivity across various operational aspects, although the exact impact on the bottom line remains to be seen [51][52] Additional Insights - **Stock Performance**: The stock has experienced significant drawdowns, with a focus on regaining market confidence through operational improvements [49] - **Ideal Operating Environment**: A stable growth environment with 1-1.5% volume growth in the U.S. and better conditions in Europe is seen as optimal for driving profitability [50]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 12% increase in total sales for the second quarter, driven primarily by growth in the Climate Solutions segment [19] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.06, reflecting a 9% increase compared to the prior year [20] - The gross margin declined by 290 basis points to 22.3%, primarily due to increased costs associated with data center capacity expansion [19][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Climate Solutions segment revenue increased by 24%, with data center sales growing by 42% [14][24] - Performance Technologies segment revenue declined by 4%, but adjusted EBITDA improved by 3%, with adjusted EBITDA margins increasing by 90 basis points to 14.7% [10][18] - HVAC technologies within Climate Solutions saw a 25% increase in sales, driven by acquisitions, but faced lower margins due to a negative mix impact [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates data center sales to grow in excess of 60% for the fiscal year, with expectations of over 90% year-over-year growth in the second half [24] - The Performance Technologies segment is expected to see revenue flat to down 7%, improving from a prior range of down 2% to 12% [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity for data center products and has secured additional facilities in Texas and the UK [3][5][8] - The strategy includes integrating recent acquisitions to enhance product offerings and improve margins through the application of 80/20 principles [3][11] - The company aims to transition from low-volume, high-mix manufacturing to high-volume production to meet the demands of large data centers, particularly those specializing in AI applications [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to meet customer demands and execute on strategic plans despite current challenges in hiring and training a workforce [7][9] - The company expects significant revenue growth in Q4 as new production lines come online, with a path to achieve over $2 billion in revenues by fiscal 2028 [8][24] - Management acknowledged temporary margin erosion due to increased costs from capacity expansion but anticipates a return to normalized margins by Q4 [15][21] Other Important Information - Free cash flow was negative $31 million in the second quarter, primarily due to higher inventory builds and capital expenditures [22] - The company raised its revenue outlook for fiscal 2026, expecting total sales growth in the range of 15% to 20% [24][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you parse out year-over-year margin contraction on the climate side of the business? - The margin contraction was primarily driven by data center expansion costs, accounting for about 225 to 250 basis points, with additional impacts from HVAC technologies and mix issues [31][32] Question: What gives confidence that margins should normalize going into Q4? - Confidence stems from learning and efficiency improvements from previous product launches, which will enhance margins as production ramps up [50][51] Question: How does the company view the total addressable market for data centers? - The company estimates that reaching $2 billion in sales could represent 15% to 20% of the available HVAC market, indicating significant growth potential [60] Question: What is the expected contribution of liquid cooling to the business? - Liquid cooling is seen as a complementary product to air cooling, with ongoing developments expected to enhance its market presence [95]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 12% increase in total sales for the second quarter, driven primarily by growth in the Climate Solutions segment [19] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.06, reflecting a 9% increase compared to the prior year [20] - The gross margin declined by 290 basis points to 22.3%, primarily due to increased costs associated with the data center capacity expansion [19][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Climate Solutions segment revenue increased by 24%, with data center sales growing by 42% [14][24] - Performance Technologies segment revenue declined by 4%, but adjusted EBITDA improved by 3%, with adjusted EBITDA margins increasing by 90 basis points to 14.7% [10][18] - HVAC Technologies revenue increased by 25% due to acquisitions, offset by lower indoor air quality sales [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a significant increase in data center sales, projecting over 60% growth for the fiscal year [8][24] - The company is expanding its manufacturing capacity in the U.S., U.K., and India to meet growing demand in the APAC region [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity for data center products and investing in its fastest-growing businesses [3] - The strategy includes integrating recent acquisitions to improve margins and capacity utilization while unlocking new commercial opportunities [3][4] - The company aims to evolve from a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing operation to a high-volume producer, particularly in the data center segment [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to meet targets and customer commitments despite current challenges, including workforce hiring and training [7][9] - The company expects a significant jump in revenue between Q3 and Q4, driven by new capacity coming online [7][21] - Management raised the revenue outlook for fiscal 2026, expecting total company sales to grow in the range of 15%-20% [10][24] Other Important Information - Free cash flow was negative $31 million in the second quarter, primarily due to higher inventory builds and capital expenditures [22] - The company plans to fully fund its U.S. pension plan prior to a planned annuitization in the third quarter [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you parse out year-over-year margin contraction on the climate side of the business? - The margin contraction was primarily driven by data center expansion costs, accounting for about 225-250 basis points, with additional impacts from HVAC Technologies and heat pump settlements [31][32] Question: What gives confidence that margins should normalize going into Q4? - Confidence stems from learning and efficiency improvements from previous product launches, which will help improve margins as production ramps up [50][51] Question: How do you view the total addressable market in calendar 2027? - The company anticipates that reaching $2 billion in sales by fiscal 2028 could represent 15%-20% of the available HVAC market [60] Question: How is customer concentration evolving in the data center area? - The company is building strong relationships with hyperscalers and neo-cloud providers, which is expected to drive further demand [86] Question: What is the outlook for liquid cooling business? - The liquid cooling market is evolving, and the company sees potential for growth in this area, complementing existing air cooling solutions [95]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported bookings of $1.2 billion for the quarter, representing a 1% increase year-over-year and a sequential improvement of over $130 million [4][3] - Revenue grew by 4% year-over-year, with adjusted gross margins increasing by 240 basis points to 34.8% and adjusted operating margins rising to 14.8% [3][14] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.90, a 45% increase compared to the prior year [3] - The company raised its adjusted EPS guidance range for 2025 to $3.40-$3.50, reflecting a 31% increase from the previous year and over 60% from 2023 [2][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The aftermarket segment continued to perform strongly, with bookings exceeding $600 million for the sixth consecutive quarter [4] - Excluding engineered pump original equipment bookings, overall bookings growth was 9% across the remaining portfolio [6] - The FTD segment saw bookings growth of 24% and sales growth of 7%, with adjusted operating margins expanding by 230 basis points [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The power market, particularly nuclear, showed strong growth, with over $140 million in nuclear bookings, a record for the company [5] - Mining project activity increased over 60% year-over-year, indicating a recovery in that sector [7] - The company reported a year-to-date book-to-bill ratio of 1.0 times, with expectations for a full-year book-to-bill of approximately 1.0 times [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving sustainable growth, expanding margins, and enhancing cash flow, with a commitment to capital allocation that supports growth opportunities [12][26] - The Flowserve business system is being leveraged to improve operational excellence and margin expansion, with the 80/20 complexity reduction program showing early benefits [19][25] - The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing nuclear market, with expectations of significant opportunities in the next decade [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the aftermarket business, citing strong refinery and chemical plant utilization as key growth drivers [31] - The project environment is viewed as constructive, with expectations for continued growth in power and nuclear sectors [33][35] - The geopolitical and macro environment needs to stabilize for operators to gain confidence in project investments, but overall sentiment for 2026 and beyond is positive [35] Other Important Information - The company announced a divestment of legacy asbestos liabilities, which is expected to simplify capital structure and enhance cash flow by $15 million to $20 million annually [23][62] - Cash from operations for the quarter was $402 million, with free cash flow conversion at an impressive 174% when excluding the merger termination payment [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide context on the operating environment and pipeline? - Management highlighted strong aftermarket performance and a shift in focus from large engineered projects to a more resilient business model, with aftermarket growth expected to continue [31][32] Question: What is the outlook on pricing and competitive dynamics? - Pricing has remained sticky in the aftermarket business, with the company confident in maintaining a price-cost neutral or slightly positive position moving forward [36][39] Question: Can you elaborate on the margin improvements in the FTD segment? - The FTD segment achieved a 410 basis point sequential improvement in operating margins, driven by operational excellence and the integration of MOGAS [48][49] Question: What is the expected market share for the nuclear flow control opportunity? - The company has content in 75% of the existing nuclear reactors and is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the projected $10 billion opportunity over the next decade [52][54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported bookings of $1.2 billion for the quarter, representing a sequential increase of over $130 million and a 1% growth compared to the prior year [4] - Adjusted gross margins increased by 240 basis points to 34.8%, while adjusted operating margins rose to 14.8%, driven by incremental margins of 115% during the quarter [3][16] - Adjusted earnings per share was $0.90, marking a 45% increase compared to the same period last year [3] - The company raised its adjusted EPS guidance range for the second time this year to $3.40 to $3.50, reflecting a 31% increase from last year and over 60% from 2023 [2][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The aftermarket segment continued to perform strongly, with bookings exceeding $600 million for the sixth consecutive quarter, and two of the last three quarters seeing bookings above $650 million [4][29] - The FTD segment experienced a 24% growth in bookings and a 7% increase in sales, with adjusted operating margins expanding by 230 basis points [18] - Excluding engineered pump original equipment bookings, the remaining portfolio saw an impressive 9% growth in bookings [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The power market, particularly nuclear, showed strong growth, with over $140 million in nuclear bookings, a record for the company [5] - Mining project activity increased over 60% compared to last year, indicating a positive trend in that sector [8] - The chemical market remains the lowest growth area, although there were signs of improvement in North America [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving sustainable growth, expanding margins, and enhancing cash flow, with a commitment to delivering superior value for shareholders [14][25] - The Flowserve business system is being leveraged to drive margin expansion and operational excellence, with the 80/20 complexity reduction program showing early benefits [20][25] - The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing nuclear market, with expectations of significant growth opportunities in the next decade [12][51] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the aftermarket business, citing strong refinery and chemical plant utilization as key growth drivers [29] - The project environment is seen as constructive, with expectations for growth in power and nuclear markets, despite some delays in larger engineered projects [31] - The geopolitical and macro environment needs to stabilize for operators to gain confidence in project investments, but overall sentiment for 2026 and beyond is positive [32] Other Important Information - The company announced a divestment of legacy asbestos liabilities, which is expected to simplify capital structure and improve annual cash flow by $15 million to $20 million [24][56] - Cash from operations for the quarter was $402 million, with a free cash flow conversion rate of 174% when excluding the merger termination payment [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide context on the operating environment and pipeline? - Management noted strong aftermarket performance and a shift in focus from large engineered projects to a more resilient business model, with expectations for continued growth in power and nuclear sectors [29][31] Question: How is pricing in the marketplace? - Pricing has remained sticky, with successful price increases implemented in the U.S. market, and the company is focused on maintaining a positive price-cost balance [34][37] Question: Can you elaborate on the margin improvements in FTD? - The integration of MOGAS has been successful, contributing positively to margins, and the company is optimistic about future growth opportunities in the FTD segment [41][45] Question: What is the expected market share for the nuclear flow control opportunity? - The company has a strong position in the nuclear market, with content in 75% of existing reactors and expectations to maintain or grow market share in upcoming projects [49][85] Question: What are the cash flow implications of the asbestos transaction? - The transaction is expected to enhance cash flow by $15 million to $20 million annually, simplifying capital allocation and reducing volatility [56][72]