Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported fourth-quarter consolidated net sales of $1.07 billion, a decrease of 0.9% from the previous year, primarily due to lower shipments and prior-year divestitures, partially offset by net price realization [14] - For the full year, total consolidated net sales were $4.51 billion, essentially in line with fiscal 2024 net sales, adjusting for the impact of divestitures [14] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $0.91, compared to $0.95 in the prior year, reflecting higher expenses related to restored employee incentives [15][16] - Full-year adjusted earnings per diluted share were $4.20, slightly up from $4.17 in fiscal 2024 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Professional segment net sales in the fourth quarter were $910 million, virtually equal to last year's performance, with earnings margin at 19.2%, up 60 basis points year-over-year [11][12] - Residential segment fourth-quarter net sales were $147 million, down 5.1% from the prior year, but exceeded expectations due to net price realization and higher shipments of snow products [12][13] - For the full year, residential segment net sales were $858.4 million, down 14% from the prior year, with earnings margin at 4.2% [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced sustained momentum in the underground construction business and better-than-anticipated growth in snow and ice management [5] - The acquisition of Tornado Infrastructure Technologies is expected to enhance the company's position in the underground construction market, driven by new infrastructure installation projects [6][25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on leveraging its diverse portfolio, driving operational excellence, and investing in technology and innovation to enhance customer productivity [4][10] - The AMP program aims to achieve $125 million in annualized run-rate cost savings by the end of 2026, up from the original target of at least $100 million [8][19] - The company is strategically investing in growth markets such as golf, grounds, and underground construction, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital deployment [17][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the macroeconomic environment, including inflation and interest rates, which may pressure consumer confidence [18] - For fiscal 2026, the company expects total net sales to rise by 2%-5%, with professional segment sales expected to grow mid-single digits and residential segment sales expected to decline low to mid-single digits [18][19] - The company anticipates an improvement in total adjusted gross margin in 2026, reflecting its ability to navigate cost pressures while investing in innovation [19] Other Important Information - The company returned $441 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in fiscal 2025, demonstrating confidence in its cash generation capabilities [16][21] - The leverage ratio remains healthy at 1.3 times, providing financial flexibility for strategic investments [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on sales growth and volume expectations - Management indicated that a portion of the sales growth is attributed to the Tornado acquisition, with continued strength expected in the professional segment, particularly in underground construction and golf [30][31] Question: Residential segment outlook - The residential segment is expected to see a decline in the first quarter but may improve in subsequent quarters due to factors like snow and channel restocking [32][33] Question: AMP program and savings targets - The company raised its AMP savings target to $125 million, with savings expected to come from operational efficiency and supply chain improvements [34][35] Question: Raw material costs for 2026 - Management expects some inflation in raw material costs early in the year, settling mid-year [37] Question: Channel inventories and backlog status - The company reported a $400 million improvement in backlog year-over-year, indicating strong demand across various segments [38][39]