Summary of Carrier's Earnings Call Company Overview - **Company**: Carrier - **Industry**: Climate and Energy Solutions - **Key Executives**: Dave Gitlin (Chairman and CEO), Mike Rednor (IR) Core Insights 1. **Progress Since Spin-off**: Carrier has made significant portfolio changes over the last five years, focusing on becoming a balanced climate and energy solutions company with 50% of its business in the Americas [1] 2. **Growth Expectations**: The company anticipates that 40% of its portfolio, particularly the aftermarket and commercial HVAC segments, will continue to grow at double-digit rates through 2026 [2][9] 3. **Margin Improvements**: Carrier has improved its margins significantly, particularly in the commercial HVAC sector, where water-cooled chiller market share in the Americas increased from 10% to nearly 40% [3] 4. **Capital Allocation**: The company plans to complete a $3 billion share buyback and continue repurchasing shares through 2026 while investing in growth [3] Industry Dynamics 1. **CSA-RESI Performance**: The company expects a decline in CSA-RESI movement, projecting a 30% year-over-year reduction in field inventory levels by the end of the year [4][5] 2. **Market Trends**: The residential and light commercial businesses are expected to recover, while the container business may see a decline after significant growth [11][12] 3. **Replacement Cycle**: The company anticipates a reversion to the mean in CSA-RESI volumes, with a historical average of 9 million units per year, down from 9.7 million [19][20] Financial Guidance 1. **2026 EPS Framework**: The company expects a $0.20 tailwind from tax benefits, share buybacks, and fixed cost reductions, with a focus on productivity and growth [34] 2. **Pricing Dynamics**: Carrier has been able to maintain pricing discipline, expecting to announce a price increase of up to 5% for RESI, with a yield of low single digits [41][42] 3. **Margin Recovery**: The company is managing margins closely, especially in the RESI segment, and anticipates a more normalized margin environment compared to 2025 [48] Data Center Business 1. **Growth in Data Centers**: Carrier is well-positioned for 25% growth in the data center segment, with a backlog of $900 million for 2026 [52] 2. **Strategic Partnerships**: The company has established strong relationships with hyperscalers and is focused on integrating liquid cooling solutions with traditional systems [50][51] European Market Insights 1. **Heat Pump Market**: The heat pump market in Europe is accelerating, while the furnace market is declining. The company is focusing on product development to become independent of subsidies [60][61] 2. **Margin Expansion**: Carrier aims for mid-teen margins in the CSA segment, with a clear roadmap for achieving this over time [63] Additional Considerations 1. **Consumer Behavior**: There is concern about middle-income consumers being priced out of the market, but the company believes that the total cost of ownership remains manageable [43][44] 2. **Operational Agility**: Carrier is focusing on maintaining operational flexibility to respond to market changes and avoid absorption issues [27] Conclusion - Carrier expresses confidence in its strategic direction and growth potential heading into 2026, emphasizing the importance of agility and innovation in a rapidly changing market [67]