Summary of Dana (DAN) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Dana Incorporated (DAN) - **Date of Conference**: June 04, 2025 Key Points Status of Off Highway Business Sale - Dana is in the process of selling its Off Highway business, with a goal to announce a deal by late Q2 2025. The process has been competitive, with significant inbound interest from potential buyers [2][3][4] - Factors affecting the sale include uncertainties around tariffs and tight credit markets, which have slowed down the process [3][4] - Despite these challenges, Dana remains optimistic about the timeline and the potential value of the asset [4][13] Tariff Impact and Market Conditions - The tariff situation has improved, although new tariffs on steel and aluminum have been introduced. The overall impact on the Off Highway business is more related to end-market conditions rather than direct exposure [8][10] - The agricultural sector is seen as a potential winner or loser from the tariff situation, adding to the uncertainty regarding market recovery [9][10] - Dana's management believes that the cyclical nature of the Off Highway business is understood by potential buyers, who are assessing when the market will recover [11][12] Use of Proceeds from Sale - Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to reduce leverage and reshape the balance sheet, aiming for a target leverage of around 1x over the cycle [16][17] - Dana plans to return capital to shareholders and invest in remaining businesses, particularly in light and commercial vehicles [17][19] Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvements - Dana has made significant progress in cost reduction, raising its target from $1.75 billion to $2.25 billion for the year [21][22] - The company is focusing on long-term structural improvements rather than just short-term cost cuts, with opportunities identified in plant operations and commercial strategies [27][29] - Investments in automation and optimizing the production footprint are seen as key areas for enhancing margins [30][32] Aftermarket Business Growth - Dana is looking to leverage its existing aftermarket business, which has been underutilized, to drive profitability [35][39] - The company aims to improve pricing strategies and expand its presence in North America, particularly in the sealing business [38][40] Market Outlook - Light vehicle volumes in North America are holding up well, with no significant impacts from tariffs observed so far [51][52] - Commercial vehicle volumes are lower than expected, with no pre-buy activity noted [53][54] - The Off Highway business in Europe is experiencing some weakness, but the team is maintaining quality earnings while managing the sale process [55][59] Supply Chain and Raw Material Concerns - Dana is monitoring the rare earth material supply issues, which could indirectly affect production schedules [61][62] - The company has mechanisms in place to recover costs associated with steel and aluminum tariffs, with a projected impact of around $20 million from the recent tariff changes [82][84] Future Considerations - Discussions around reshoring production are ongoing, but there is uncertainty regarding the final rules and long-term implications of tariffs [88][90] - Dana's management is cautious about making significant capital investments without clarity on future regulations and market conditions [94][96] Additional Insights - The management team emphasizes the importance of a fresh perspective in evaluating business operations and identifying areas for improvement [46][47] - Dana's focus on high-value products and efficient capital use is expected to drive future growth and profitability [30][34]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 13% to $426 million, net income grew by 9% to $37 million, and adjusted EBITDA rose by 41% to $100 million [4][18][19] - Member count grew by 7% to 2.1 million members [5] - Gross profit increased by 21% to $235 million, with a gross profit margin improvement of 380 basis points to a record 55% [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) channel member count increased by 15% to 310,000, with organic growth of 4% [7][10] - Real estate channel faced challenges, with a 6% decline in first-year organic member count [11][12] - Non-warranty revenue is growing, with expectations for HVAC program revenue at $105 million and new home structural warranty revenue at $44 million for 2025 [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Existing home sales decreased by 5.9% to an annual rate of 4.02 million, while the median sales price for existing homes rose to $403,700 [11] - The 30-year mortgage rate averaged nearly 7% as of mid-April, contributing to consumer market challenges [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company’s strategic priorities include growing the member base, scaling revenue from non-warranty business, and optimizing the integration of the 2-10 Homebuyers Warranty [5][6] - The marketing campaign and relaunch of the American Home Shield brand are yielding positive results, particularly among millennials [9] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating macroeconomic challenges, including high interest rates and declining consumer confidence [5][29] - The company raised its full-year revenue outlook by $20 million and adjusted EBITDA by nearly $50 million, reflecting strong operational performance [18][34] Other Important Information - The company reported a record free cash flow of $117 million for the first quarter, with a free cash flow yield of 9% [27] - The company plans to increase share repurchases to at least $200 million for 2025, indicating confidence in its valuation [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on HVAC equipment - Management indicated minimal inflation in Q1, with HVAC costs actually down, and expressed confidence in managing potential tariff impacts [42] Question: Trends in service requests - The increase in service requests was primarily driven by the addition of the 2-10 Homebuyers Warranty, with expectations to normalize around 4 million for the year [53][54] Question: Sustainability of promotional pricing strategy - The company is adopting a pulsing promotional strategy, which is expected to be sustainable while prioritizing member growth [56][57] Question: Drivers of outperformance in renewals revenue - Outperformance was attributed to stronger renewals and non-warranty revenue, particularly from HVAC and Moen partnerships [62][63] Question: Confidence in raising gross margin guidance - The company raised its gross margin guidance based on strong Q1 performance and expectations of flat inflation, while accounting for potential tariff impacts [76][80]