Haleon (NYSE:HLN) H2 2025 Earnings call February 25, 2026 03:45 AM ET Company ParticipantsBrian McNamara - CEOCeline Pannuti - Managing DirectorDavid Hayes - Managing DirectorDawn Allen - CFOEdward Lewis - PartnerJeremy Fialko - Head of Consumer Staples ResearchJo Russell - Head of Investor RelationsKarel Zoete - Head of Netherlands Equity ResearchOlivier Nicolai - Head of Consumer Staples ResearchSarah Simon - Managing DirectorTom Sykes - Managing Director of Equity ResearchWarren Ackerman - Managing Direc ...

The Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 24, 2026 05:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsBonnie Herzog - Managing DirectorDara Mohsenian - Managing DirectorDiego Reynoso - CFOJim Koch - Founder and ChairmanKaumil Gajrawala - Managing DirectorMichael Lavery - Managing DirectorMike Andrews - Associate General Counsel and Corporate SecretaryRobert Ottenstein - Managing DirectorConference Call ParticipantsFilippo Falorni - Equity Research AnalystNadine Sarwat - Equity Research AnalystPeter Gro ...

Oil States International (NYSE:OIS) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 20, 2026 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsCindy Taylor - President and CEOEllen Pennington - VP of Human Resources and Senior CounselLloyd Hajdik - EVP and CFOConference Call ParticipantsJim Rollyson - AnalystJosh Jayne - AnalystStephen Gengaro - AnalystOperatorLadies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. My name is Colby, and I'll be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome you to the Oil States International ...

Nutrien (NYSE:NTR) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 19, 2026 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsBen Isaacson - Managing Director of Equity ResearchChris Reynolds - Executive Vice President and President, Nutrien Ag SolutionsJeff Holzman - SVP of Investor Relations and FP&AJustin Pellegrino - Equity Research AssociateKen Seitz - President and CEOMark Thompson - CFOConference Call ParticipantsAndrew Wong - Equity Research AnalystBen Theurer - Equity Research AnalystChris Parkinson - Managing Director and Senior Re ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the first quarter with a cash balance of $5.8 million, down from $6.4 million at the fiscal year-end [2] - Accounts receivable decreased to $4.4 million from $4.6 million, while inventory increased to $15 million from $14.3 million due to ramped-up production for the XM30 program [2][3] - Operating cash uses were $0.1 million compared to an operating cash generation of $2.8 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower profitability and increased inventory [4] - Revenue for the first quarter increased 11.6% year-over-year to $9.1 million, with net income totaling $0.2 million and adjusted EBITDA at $0.7 million [5][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Optex-Richardson revenue rose 55.9%, driven by higher periscope production and increased XM30 activity [5] - Applied Optics Center (AOC) revenue declined 20.1%, primarily due to lower laser filter and optical assembly volumes [6] - New orders for the quarter totaled $7.9 million, a 31.7% increase year-over-year, with Optex-Richardson orders rising 46.2% [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Backlog totaled $37.9 million, down from $42 million last year, primarily due to program delays stemming from the 2025 government shutdown [8] - The company expects AOC revenues to improve in the second half of fiscal year 2026, supported by recent bookings and anticipated contract awards [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to invest approximately $2.4 million in capital improvements during fiscal year 2026, focusing on expanding capacity and developing new capabilities [4][5] - Investments in research and development, along with expanded capabilities, are expected to drive revenue growth and improve margin performance as older programs wind down [12][13] - The company is entering a period of accelerating opportunity, with a focus on execution, operational discipline, and innovation [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver sustainable growth and improving profitability, highlighting the strong pricing and higher value programs in the current backlog [13][14] - The leadership transition and temporary overlap of senior roles contributed to increased general and administrative expenses, but these costs are not expected to continue beyond the first quarter [7][8] Other Important Information - The company announced a new stock repurchase program authorizing up to $10 million in common stock purchases, replacing the prior program [9] - The company has invested in additional machining and assembly equipment to support the XM30 vehicle program, which represents a significant opportunity for the Richardson segment [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: No questions were received during the Q&A session - The operator confirmed that there were no questions from participants during the call [15]

Summary of Lazard Asset Management Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Lazard Asset Management - **AUM**: Approximately $265 billion [1] Key Points and Arguments Leadership Transition - **New CEO**: Chris Hogbin appointed as CEO of Lazard Asset Management in December [1] - **Experience**: Chris brings 30 years of global investment leadership, previously serving as global head of investments at AllianceBernstein [1] Strategic Vision - **Lazard 2030**: The vision set by group CEO Peter Orszag is a key attraction for Chris Hogbin [3] - **Strengths**: Lazard has strong investment and distribution capabilities, but there are areas for improvement [3][4] Priorities for Growth 1. **Delivering Investment Performance**: - Two-thirds of AUM is outperforming its stated benchmark, but there is room for improvement [7] - Appointment of a Chief Investment Officer, Eric Van Nostrand, to oversee portfolio managers and enhance performance [8][9] 2. **Growing the Business**: - Transition year with $8.5 billion of net inflows, excluding a significant client termination [11] - January saw nearly $3 billion in net inflows, indicating positive momentum [11] 3. **Capitalizing on Growth**: - Focus on improving margins without adding costs [12] - Need for operating leverage as the business grows [12] Strategic Business Mix - **Protect and Grow**: Focus on systematic equities, global listed infrastructure, and emerging markets [13] - **Invest and Enhance**: Investment in the investment team and new product development, including a move from 0 to $1 billion in active ETFs [14] - **White Space Opportunities**: - Expansion in public markets, private markets, and wealth management [15][16] M&A Considerations - Organic growth is preferred, but selective M&A may be necessary for expansion [17][20] - Focus on partnerships rather than large acquisitions in private markets [20] Institutional Investor Sentiment - Increasing skepticism among asset owners regarding U.S. market valuations, leading to diversification into international markets [25] - Two-thirds of managed assets are non-dollar denominated, indicating strong international exposure [26] Active ETF Business - Growth from 0 to 7 active ETFs with $1 billion AUM, indicating strong demand for successful strategies [35][36] - Future plans include expanding into Europe and innovating new ETFs [37] Margin Improvement - Current margins are below industry average, with no structural limitations to improvement [42][44] - Focus on growing existing products and rationalizing underperforming strategies [45][46] Distribution and Sales Strategy - Impressive distribution team performance with record gross sales of $55 billion [55] - Need for increased front-line personnel to enhance intermediary relationships [55][57] Wealth Management Opportunities - Wealth business in France is profitable and has growth potential; U.S. wealth business offers unique high-net-worth services [71][72] AI Integration - AI will be leveraged in investment processes, client experience, and operational efficiency [75][76] - Aim to automate routine tasks to allow analysts more time for strategic thinking [76] Closing Remarks - Confidence in Lazard's strengths and long-term growth vectors, contributing to the Lazard 2030 ambitions [78]

Core Insights - SS&C Technologies has undergone significant transformation, expanding its workforce from approximately 8,000–9,000 to the mid-20,000s following the acquisition of DST Systems, which has positively impacted financial results over recent quarters [1][2][3] Company Evolution - The company has evolved from a financial services software provider to a comprehensive platform that includes fund administration, transfer agency, wealth services, and enterprise software, with a notable shift occurring in 2018 when it completed three major acquisitions [2][3] Financial Strategy - M&A remains the top priority for capital allocation, focusing on acquisitions that enhance capabilities and allow cross-selling to around 23,000 customers, with share buybacks and debt reduction as secondary strategies when attractive deals are not available [4][8] - SS&C aims to achieve 40% operating margins by the end of 2026, targeting an annual margin improvement of approximately 50 basis points, leveraging liftout integrations and automation to enhance initially low-margin contracts over 18–24 months [6][9] Profitability and Cash Flow - The company emphasizes profitability and cash flow conversion, quickly targeting margin improvements post-acquisition, as demonstrated by the increase in margins from 19% to the "high 30s" within 18 months after acquiring DST, attributed to disciplined execution [7][9] AI Strategy - SS&C's AI strategy focuses on secure orchestration and automation rather than replacing core accounting functions, utilizing technologies like Blue Prism for productivity gains and developing an AI Gateway for controlled model execution [5][10][14] - The company views AI as a technological inflection point, aiming to enhance product quality, customer relationships, and financial outcomes while addressing data security and confidentiality concerns [10][12][14] Competitive Positioning - SS&C maintains stable headcount growth despite company expansion, leveraging automation technologies to improve efficiency, and positions itself as a partner for clients seeking modernization and stable career paths for employees [16][17] - The company emphasizes strong customer relationships and trust, aiming to solve multiple problems at scale compared to startups that may only address narrow issues [18] Growth Opportunities - SS&C is optimistic about Calastone, which automates flows into regulated funds and presents potential revenue synergies, and is exploring tokenization as a growing theme with several customers either implementing or planning to implement tokenized funds [19][20] - The company plans to continue prioritizing customer relationships, pursuing acquisitions to extend capabilities, and leveraging technological shifts to capture market share [21]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sequential revenue growth of 5% in Q4 2025, with adjusted EBITDA margins above 22% and free cash flow conversion of 76% [4][5][9] - Full year 2025 adjusted free cash flow totaled $466 million, representing a 43.7% conversion ratio, a significant improvement over 2024 [9][21] - The net leverage ratio improved to 0.42 times, down from 3.3 times at the beginning of 2021, reflecting a stronger balance sheet [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Completions and Artificial Lift segments were the largest contributors to top-line growth, with Completions becoming the largest product line due to technology advancements [6][7] - The company experienced a decline of over 50% in revenues from Mexico for the full year 2025, but signs of stabilization were noted [5][6] - The Middle East, North Africa, and Asia region delivered 4% sequential growth, driven by strong performance in Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Indonesia [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Latin America saw a 16% sequential growth, primarily driven by increased activity in Mexico and Brazil [5] - North America experienced modest growth, supported by higher Canadian activity, while US land activity declined [5] - The Europe, Sub-Sahara Africa, and Russia region declined by 2% sequentially, continuing to show softness [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to focus on cost control and productivity improvements in the first half of 2026, with expectations of increased customer spending in the second half [11][12] - The company is optimistic about a stronger outlook for 2027, anticipating year-on-year growth in activity levels [14][29] - Strategic initiatives include enhancing operational efficiency through digital platforms and artificial intelligence, as well as focusing on lower capital intensity businesses [27][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding payment streams in Mexico, with improved collection mechanisms in place [9][54] - The company is monitoring geopolitical conflicts and commodity price volatility, which may impact international activity levels in the first half of 2026 [12][13] - Management highlighted the potential reopening of the Venezuelan market, which could significantly benefit the company if stable governance and regulatory conditions are established [13][61] Other Important Information - The company returned $173 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2025, with a commitment to return approximately 50% of adjusted free cash flow over the cycle [20][21] - Capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be between $190 million and $230 million, with a focus on IT-related spending for ERP systems [19][88] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Saudi Arabia - Management is hopeful for a healthy recovery in Saudi Arabia in the second half of 2026 as rigs come online, emphasizing the importance of technology development [32][34] Question: Broader Middle East and North Africa Market - The region remains strong, with continued momentum in the UAE and Kuwait, although some variability is expected in other countries like Qatar [40][42] Question: Mexico's Business Trends - Management noted three consecutive quarters of sequential improvements in Mexico, with expectations for slight growth year-on-year in 2026 [50][52] Question: Venezuela Market Potential - Management clarified that no uptick from Venezuela is included in current guidance, but there is potential for significant revenue if conditions stabilize [60][61] Question: Offshore Activity Outlook - Management expressed excitement about improvements in offshore deepwater activity, particularly in completions and managed pressure drilling [67][69] Question: North America Activity Outlook - Management indicated that North America is expected to see mid- to high-single-digit declines in activity, but the focus will be on maintaining margins through innovation [72][76] Question: First Quarter Guidance - Management explained that the first quarter guidance reflects typical seasonality and some orders pulled into Q4, with expectations for a ramp-up in the second half of 2026 [80][82]

Core Viewpoint - Abbott Laboratories' stock price pullback in January 2026 is seen as an overreaction driven by market sentiment rather than fundamental weaknesses, making the stock attractive for buying [2][4]. Financial Performance - Abbott reported Q4 revenue of $11.46 billion, reflecting a 4.5% increase year-over-year, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growing by 12%, slightly above consensus expectations [5]. - Despite some metrics falling short of market expectations, the company demonstrated solid sales growth and improved margins, indicating a strong operational performance [5][7]. Segment Analysis - The company's diversified healthcare portfolio showed strength, with Established Pharmaceuticals growing by 9% and Med Tech by 12.3%, while the Nutrition and Diagnostic segments faced declines, particularly a nearly 9% drop in Nutrition [6]. - The growth in the pharma segment was driven by generics and emerging markets, showcasing the resilience of Abbott's product offerings [6]. Margin and Earnings Outlook - Although margins fell short of analyst forecasts, they were supported by a favorable product mix, strength in Med Tech, and operational improvements, with expectations for continued earnings growth of 10% in 2026 [7]. - The company anticipates that earnings growth will outpace revenue growth, which is crucial for sustaining capital returns [7]. Capital Returns and Dividend Policy - Abbott is recognized as a Dividend King, having increased its dividend payout for over 50 years, with a current yield of approximately 2.5% [8]. - The company maintains a payout ratio of less than 50% of consensus earnings forecasts, allowing for share buybacks and reinforcing its capital return strategy [8].

Core Insights - B&G Foods, Inc. reported a 4.7% decline in net sales year over year, totaling $439.3 million, while base business net sales fell 2.7% excluding divestitures [1][9] - Adjusted EBITDA remained stable at $70.4 million, indicating resilience in profitability despite lower revenue [1][9] Segment Performance - The Frozen & Vegetables segment showed a significant recovery with adjusted EBITDA rising to $3 million, attributed to favorable crop pack costs and productivity gains in Mexico [2] - The Spices & Seasonings segment experienced a 2.1% growth in net sales, although it faced cost pressures from tariffs [2] Strategic Initiatives - B&G Foods is restructuring its portfolio, highlighted by the divestiture of its Canadian Green Giant canned and frozen vegetables business [3] - The company is implementing a $10 million cost savings program, aiming for annual savings of $15 million to $20 million through improved productivity and cost management [4] Future Outlook - Fiscal 2026 is expected to reflect a more focused and higher-margin portfolio, aimed at simplifying the company's operations and improving margins [5] Stock Performance - B&G Foods' shares have decreased by 6.3% over the past six months, outperforming the industry decline of 16% [6] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 8.50, which is lower than the industry average of 14.8 [8]