Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for Q4 2025 were $752 million, up 1% from $744 million in Q4 2024. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 9% to $3.03, exceeding the midpoint of guidance [10][12][5] - Full year sales reached a record $2.8 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year, with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $10.24, also up 5% from the previous year [18][19][8] - EBITDA for Q4 was $256 million, representing a 34% margin, and for the full year, EBITDA was $900 million, or 32% of sales, marking a 6% increase year-over-year [11][19][5] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Industrial Precision Solutions (IPS) sales decreased by 2% to $362 million in Q4, with organic sales down nearly 4%. EBITDA for IPS was $137 million, or 38% of sales [14][11] - Medical and Fluid Solutions sales increased by 10% to $220 million, with organic sales up 7%. EBITDA for this segment was $88 million, or 40% of sales, reflecting a 380 basis point improvement [15][16] - Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) sales decreased by 4% to $171 million, with EBITDA at $43 million, or 25% of sales, down from 27% the previous year [17][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 5% increase in backlog year-over-year, with approximately $600 million in backlog entering fiscal 2026 [27][85] - The company noted stabilization in demand for automotive and polymer processing markets, with expectations for nominal growth in these areas [25][65] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The Ascend strategy, launched five years ago, has been pivotal in achieving record sales and EBITDA, with a focus on operational excellence and strategic M&A [7][19] - The company aims for average annual revenue growth of 6%-8% and adjusted EPS growth of 10%-12% from 2025 to 2029 [24][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating macroeconomic challenges and highlighted strong demand in semiconductor applications, particularly for AI and cloud computing [26][23] - The company anticipates a strong start to fiscal 2026, with guidance for sales growth of 1%-6% above fiscal 2025 levels [27][29] Other Important Information - The company generated record free cash flow of $661 million, with a cash conversion rate of 136% of net income, allowing for share repurchases and dividend increases [21][22] - The company reduced net debt by approximately $224 million, ending the year with a leverage ratio of 2.1x [20][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on ATS segment and semiconductor applications - Management noted that strength remains in semiconductor applications for AI and cloud computing, with automotive stabilizing but lower growth compared to semiconductors [33][34] Question: Margin trajectory for 2026 - Management indicated that margins in IPS and ATS are expected to be sustainable, while the medical segment may stabilize in the upper 30% range [34][35] Question: Polymer processing outlook - Management expects improvement in polymer processing order entry and backlog, indicating that the segment has troughed [39][40] Question: X-ray inspection business performance - Management highlighted that while X-ray inspection has exposure to semiconductors, it also faces challenges from automotive sectors, but new product launches are anticipated to drive growth [50][52] Question: M&A strategy and stock buyback - Management confirmed a healthy M&A pipeline while balancing share repurchases, emphasizing the importance of strategic and financial discipline [54][56] Question: Guidance rationale and market conditions - Management explained that guidance reflects a range of potential outcomes, planning for both upside and downside scenarios while feeling optimistic about the start of the year [61][62]

Company Overview - Nordson's revenue in 2024 was $2.7 billion, with an EBITDA margin of 32%[5] - The company has a diversified geographic footprint, with 44% of sales in the Americas, 27% in Europe, and 29% in Asia Pacific[10] - Nordson has a diversified product portfolio with over 2,100 global patents held[7] Sales and Revenue - Systems account for 42% of FY2024 sales, while parts and consumables make up 58%[9] - Industrial Precision Solutions (IPS) generated $1.4 million in fiscal 2024 revenue with 37% EBITDA[24] - Medical Fluid Solutions (MFS) generated $696 million in fiscal 2024 revenue with 37% EBITDA[34] - Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) generated $596 million in fiscal 2024 revenue with 22% EBITDA[39] Financial Performance and Targets - The company targets average annual revenue growth of 6-8% and adjusted EPS growth of 10-12% from 2025-2029[51] - Nordson anticipates generating approximately $4.1 billion in operating cash flows through 2029[65] - The company reported sales of $742 million for 3Q 2025, a 12% increase, with EBITDA of $239 million, up 15%[73] - 3Q25 free cash flow was $226 million, representing a conversion rate of 180% of net income[79]