Tariff - related cost pressures
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Hurco Stock Gains Post Q4 Earnings Despite Lower Sales and Wider Loss
ZACKS· 2026-01-14 16:50
Core Insights - Hurco Companies, Inc. (HURC) experienced a stock increase of 2.7% following its earnings report for the quarter ended October 31, 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 0.8% rise during the same period [1] Financial Performance - For Q4 fiscal 2025, Hurco reported sales and service fees of $45.5 million, a 15% decline from $53.7 million year-over-year, with a net loss widening to $3 million or $0.47 per diluted share from a loss of $1.4 million or $0.23 per share in the previous year [2] - Gross profit fell 36.4% to $7.7 million from $12.2 million, leading to a gross margin decrease to 17% from 23% year-over-year [2] - For the full fiscal year, sales and service fees decreased 4% to $178.6 million from $186.6 million, with a net loss of $15.1 million or $2.34 per diluted share compared to a loss of $16.6 million or $2.56 per share in fiscal 2024 [3] Segment Performance - In Q4, the Americas saw a 22% decline in revenues, Europe experienced an 8% drop, and Asia Pacific revenues fell 25%, attributed to lower machine shipments across most regions [3] - Fourth-quarter orders totaled $46.5 million, down 9% year-over-year from $51.1 million, while full-year orders declined 14% to $171.3 million from $198.3 million [4] - The Americas reported a 4% increase in orders, while Europe and Asia Pacific faced declines of 13% and 39%, respectively, due to weaker demand in key markets [4] Cost Management - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased by 11.6% year-over-year in Q4 to $11.2 million from $12.7 million, although SG&A rose as a percentage of sales due to lower revenue [5] - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $48.7 million as of October 31, 2025, from $33.3 million a year earlier, indicating balance sheet strength [5] Management Commentary - Management described fiscal 2025 as challenging due to macroeconomic headwinds and tariff-related cost pressures, but noted that the U.S. and Germany ended the year with their strongest quarter of orders and sales [6] - CEO Greg Volovic highlighted a year-over-year cash growth of approximately $15 million and a nearly $3 million reduction in SG&A expenses, alongside continued investment in product innovation [6] Profitability Factors - Lower sales volumes and an unfavorable mix shift negatively impacted profitability, with gross margin erosion attributed to reduced shipments of higher-performance machines and a greater mix of lower-margin products [7] - Tariffs implemented in the second half of fiscal 2025 increased the cost of goods sold, further pressuring margins [7] Outlook - The company did not provide formal quantitative guidance for fiscal 2026 but expressed confidence in its positioning, citing a strong balance sheet and a diversified product portfolio [9] - Management suggested cautious optimism as the company prepares to navigate ongoing industry cyclicality and macroeconomic uncertainty [9] Strategic Developments - No acquisitions, divestitures, or major restructuring activities were disclosed during the quarter, with management focusing on leadership transitions, cost control initiatives, and operational discipline [10]