Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2, net sales from continuing operations were $2 billion, an 8% decline compared to last year, primarily due to store optimization activities completed in Q1 [26] - Comparable sales growth was positive at 0.1% for the quarter, with an estimated 25 basis points headwind from the timing of Easter [26][27] - Adjusted gross profit was $880 million, or 43.8% of net sales, resulting in gross margin expansion of about 16 basis points compared to last year [29] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.69, compared to $0.62 reported in Q2 last year [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Pro business achieved positive low single-digit growth in comps, translating to mid-single-digit growth on a two-year basis, driven by core hard parts categories [21] - DIY comps were stable compared to Q1, showing signs of stabilization, but still have work ahead to fully turn around the trajectory [23] - Transactions in the DIY segment improved throughout the quarter, particularly in the later weeks, although they remained slightly negative overall [104] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that more than 90% of its business is non-discretionary, driven by maintenance work for an aging vehicle fleet in the U.S., positioning it well to navigate higher product costs [6] - The market is in a transition phase, with consumers adapting to an evolving landscape of higher prices, which is being closely monitored [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The turnaround plan is built around three strategic pillars, focusing on merchandising, supply chain optimization, and enhancing customer service [8] - The company is committed to divesting non-core assets, optimizing store footprints, and consolidating supply chains to drive profitability [7][8] - The goal is to achieve a stable supply chain financing program and enhance financial flexibility to support EPS growth and value creation over time [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the second half of the year, expecting low single-digit comp growth supported by improved parts availability and service levels [36] - The company is closely monitoring consumer behavior and potential shifts in purchasing habits, particularly in the DIY segment [7] - Management reaffirmed full-year sales, operating margin, and free cash flow guidance, while acknowledging the risks associated with tariffs [35] Other Important Information - The company completed a debt offering of $1.95 billion to reorganize its debt capital structure, enhancing financial flexibility and supporting its turnaround efforts [32][33] - The company expects to operate with a net adjusted debt leverage ratio of approximately 2 to 2.5 times, aiming to regain an investment-grade credit rating in the future [41][42] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the revised capital structure, are you expecting cost savings given the risk spread in the factoring program has likely come down for you? - Management indicated that the new structure provides better support for the supply chain financing program, which is critical for vendors [44][46] Question: What percentage of the store base do you think needs CapEx to sort of bring it up to market standard? - Management noted that a significant portion of stores requires upgrades, with many HVAC systems and roofs beyond their useful life [50][51] Question: Achieving the pickup in comp in the second half of the year, what gives you confidence in it? - Management highlighted improving trends and easier comparisons in the back half of the year as key drivers for confidence [57][58] Question: How should we think about the linearity of the progress from here? - Management acknowledged that while there is a goal for margin expansion, the timing and magnitude of improvements are still being assessed [76][77] Question: What are you seeing in terms of how peers are reacting to the tariff costs? - Management observed a rational industry response, with competitors also adjusting prices in line with tariff impacts [84][86]

Methode Electronics (MEI) 2025 Conference August 12, 2025 12:40 PM ET Speaker0Once again, I'm Ryan Brinkman at JPMorgan and The U. S. Automotive Equity Research Analyst here. Thanks for joining us for the next presentation. We have John DeGaener, Methode Electronics, relatively new President and Chief Executive Officer and Rob Jerry, their Vice President of Investor Relations.I'm going to turn it over to John for some remarks, and then we'll engage in a fireside chat. Thank you. Great.Speaker1Thanks, Ryan, ...

Group 1 - Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) had a hold rating previously due to concerns over tariff exposure, which has now been mitigated, improving the equity outlook [1] - There is clear momentum in the PC refresh cycle, indicating potential growth opportunities for the company [1] Group 2 - The author emphasizes a diverse investment approach, incorporating fundamental, technical, and momentum investing strategies to enhance the investment process [1]

Core Insights - REV Group reported an 8% increase in consolidated mid-point revenue guidance and a 45% year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA guidance for fiscal 2025, driven by strong operational gains in the specialty vehicle segment [1] - The company announced a $20 million plant expansion, a strategic exit from the Lance Camper operation, and raised capital expenditure plans while addressing $15 million in expected tariff headwinds [1][6] Specialty Vehicle Segment Performance - The specialty vehicle segment, excluding divested bus operations, achieved a 12.2% revenue increase and a 74.3% surge in adjusted EBITDA compared to the prior year quarter, with record shipment levels in the Spartan Emergency Response business [2] - Segment backlog reached $4.3 billion at quarter-end, supported by a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 and strong demand for fire apparatus [3][2] Portfolio Optimization - The divestiture of the Lance Camper operation resulted in a one-time $30 million non-cash loss, partially offset by a $16.6 million tax benefit, allowing the company to focus on scalable operations with stronger competitive positioning [4][5] - The motorized RV division continues to drive nearly all EBITDA for the recreation segment, maintaining a 6.2% adjusted EBITDA margin despite a 10% decline in REV brand retail sales [4] Tariff Impact and Strategic Adjustments - New tariffs are expected to impact adjusted EBITDA by $10 million in specialty vehicles and $5 million in recreation for the second half of the fiscal year, prompting a shift to U.S. suppliers for chassis sourcing [6][7] - The company has increased full-year capital expenditure guidance to $45 million–$50 million, with $20 million allocated for expansion projects [6] Future Outlook - Management raised consolidated FY2025 revenue guidance to $2.35 billion–$2.45 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $200 million–$220 million, anticipating specialty vehicle outperformance to offset tariff pressures [8] - Net income guidance, including the Lance Camper divestiture loss, is now projected at $88 million–$107 million, with adjusted net income at $100 million–$130 million [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q4 fiscal year 2025 was down 3% year-over-year, aligning with guidance of a decline between 2% to 4% [7][28] - Operating income increased by 400 basis points year-over-year to $22 million, exceeding guidance [7] - Gross margin improved by 560 basis points to 53.4%, driven by lower material costs and reduced discounting [7][30] - Net debt decreased by 26% year-over-year, with leverage reduced by one full turn to 4.1 times [8][31] - Adjusted loss per share improved to negative $0.13 from negative $0.30 in the same quarter last year [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Vans revenue declined by 20% in Q4, attributed to strategic actions and reduced storefronts, with 60% of the decline linked to deliberate revenue management [10][11] - The North Face brand saw a revenue increase of 4% in Q4, with direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales rising by 9% [17][28] - Timberland reported a strong performance with a 13% revenue increase in Q4, benefiting from lower discounts [17][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The APAC region experienced a revenue growth of 2%, while The Americas and EMEA regions saw declines of 5% and 2% respectively due to reduced promotional activities [29] - DTC sales were down 3%, while wholesale sales decreased by 2% [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a transformation strategy called "Reinvent," aimed at improving operational profitability and simplifying the business structure for long-term growth [7][30] - Strategic actions include reducing unprofitable storefronts and managing marketplace dynamics to achieve profitable growth [11][12] - The company is diversifying its supply chain and has reduced reliance on China for finished goods to less than 2% [20][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the turnaround of Vans, indicating that progress is being made despite current numerical setbacks [10][14] - The company is navigating macroeconomic uncertainties with a proactive approach, leveraging its asset-light model for flexibility [20][22] - Future cash flow is expected to improve year-over-year, with operating cash flow and free cash flow anticipated to rise [33] Other Important Information - The company is not providing full-year guidance but expects Q1 revenue to decline by 3% to 5% on a constant dollar basis [34] - The impact of tariffs is being managed through strategic pricing and cost management initiatives [26][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on gross margin and free cash flow - Management expects continued improvement in gross margins and free cash flow, with the $313 million free cash flow not including Supreme [41][44] Question: One-time strategic reset actions at Vans - The impact of strategic reset actions will continue into Q1 and Q2, with expectations of fading by Q3 and being eliminated by Q4 [52][56] Question: Free cash flow and debt management - The company plans to use free cash flow and a revolver to manage upcoming debt maturities, with confidence in improving cash flow [61][64] Question: Store count strategy and dividend considerations - The company has aggressively edited its store count, with further optimization expected but heavy lifting largely completed [126][128] - Dividend reductions are on the table if necessary, but no immediate changes are anticipated [132][134] Question: Gross margin components and outlook - Management discussed the contributions to gross margin improvements, including product cost tailwinds and lower promotions, with expectations for these trends to continue [140]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 was $260 million, reflecting a 3% year-over-year increase, surpassing guidance of a decline of 5% to an increase of 5% [13][20] - Adjusted EBITDA improved by $33 million year-over-year, with a negative adjusted EBITDA of $1 million for Q2, which was above the high end of guidance by $5 million [4][16] - GAAP gross margin was 43.7%, while non-GAAP gross margin was 47.1% [15] - Non-GAAP operating expenses decreased by 14% year-over-year, coming in at $135 million, which was $5 million below the low end of guidance [15][16] - The balance sheet remained strong with $224 million in net cash, including $50 million in marketable securities [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Home theater products, particularly the ARC Ultra soundbar, contributed significantly to revenue growth, gaining dollar share in both the US and EMEA markets [7][14] - The launch of the ACE headphones in June also contributed positively to revenue, although it was noted that the impact would be more pronounced in future quarters [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Growth markets, while currently a small share of total revenue, experienced double-digit growth in Q2 and contributed positively to overall revenue growth [14][70] - The company has shifted the majority of its US-bound production from China to Malaysia and Vietnam, significantly reducing exposure to tariffs [9][47] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on improving core experiences, investing in profitable growth, and driving cost efficiency while delivering innovative new experiences [11][26] - A strategic decision was made to lower the price of the Arrow 100, a key product, to attract new customers and encourage system expansion [8] - The company is actively managing tariff impacts and exploring pricing and promotional strategies to maintain competitiveness [10][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the dynamic global environment and emphasized the importance of maintaining operational flexibility [12][63] - The outlook for Q3 revenue is projected to be between $310 million and $340 million, reflecting a sequential increase but a year-over-year decline [20][21] - Management noted that they are closely monitoring demand trends and tariff impacts, with no material changes observed so far [38][39] Other Important Information - The company has raised its annualized run rate savings for both GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses, indicating a focus on cost optimization [25][26] - The board is conducting a comprehensive search for a permanent CEO, emphasizing the importance of selecting a leader for the company's next chapter [72] Q&A Session Summary Question: Channel's willingness to take on inventory with lower tariffs - Management is in discussions with partners regarding tariff rates and strategies to mitigate consumer impact through pricing and promotions [30] Question: Impact of winding down the IKEA partnership - The partnership with IKEA has been largely wound down to sharpen focus on core experiences and profitable growth [32] Question: Progress in repairing relationships with the installer channel - Management reported significant improvements in product quality and customer response, indicating a return of trust [34] Question: Demand impact from tariffs - No material change in demand has been observed since the tariff announcements, but management is monitoring the situation closely [38] Question: Clarification on tariff exemptions - The majority of US-bound production is now from Vietnam and Malaysia, which is subject to a paused tariff rate of 10% [47] Question: Revenue performance by product or region - The ARC Ultra and ACE headphones contributed significantly to revenue growth, along with strong performance in growth markets [69][70] Question: Updates on IP litigations - The company has ongoing cases against Google, with no new updates beyond previous disclosures [75][78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported diluted earnings per share of $0.45 for Q1 fiscal 2025, a slight decrease from $0.46 in the same period last year [8] - Total sales increased by 5.8% to $1.161 billion from $1.097 billion year-over-year [9] - Gross profit rose by 8.1% driven by a 5.8% increase in sales and a 100 basis point increase in gross margin rate to 43.8% [34] - Selling and store operating expenses increased by 10.3% to $368.8 million, primarily due to new stores [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable store sales decreased by 1.8% year-over-year, with the West Division outperforming this decline [20] - Sales growth was strongest in laminate and luxury vinyl plank, wood, and installation materials [22] - Connected customer sales increased by 2.1%, now accounting for approximately 18.3% of total sales [24] - Sales to professional customers continued to grow, accounting for about 50% of total sales [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. is now the largest country of manufacture for the company, accounting for approximately 27% of products sold, up from 20% in fiscal 2018 [14] - China accounted for 18% of products sold in fiscal 2024, down from 25% in fiscal 2023 and 50% in fiscal 2018 [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open 20 new warehouse format stores in fiscal 2025, down from a previous expectation of 25 [18] - A tariff steering committee has been organized to manage tariff complexities and maintain operational agility [11] - The company is focusing on sourcing diversification to find high-quality products at competitive prices [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed concerns about high volatility and uncertainty in the economic environment, which could impact consumer spending [10] - The company is proactively implementing flexible plans to navigate potential economic downturns [10] - The updated fiscal 2025 guidance reflects the uncertain economic environment, with total sales expected to range from $4.66 billion to $4.8 billion [40] Other Important Information - The company maintained a strong balance sheet with $949.8 million in unrestricted liquidity [38] - The effective tax rate increased to 22% from 12.8% due to a decrease in excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Follow-up on guidance and tariff impact - Management confirmed that they have experience dealing with tariffs and are negotiating necessary price increases to offset impacts [46][47] Question: Perception of business weakness and guidance reduction - Management acknowledged the difficulty in predicting consumer demand but emphasized strong execution and market share growth [57][59] Question: Price increases across the industry - Management noted that they have seen price increases from competitors but have not yet raised prices beyond normal adjustments [63][64] Question: Store unit growth criteria - Management stated that the decision to reduce store openings was based on current market conditions and sales performance [68][69] Question: Acceleration in sales trends - Management indicated that improvements in sales were consistent and not solely due to weather or tariff announcements [78][80] Question: Sourcing advantages post-tariff - Management confirmed that they are sourcing from more countries now than in the past and do not anticipate a significant change in their sourcing advantage [84][86]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported diluted earnings per share of $0.45 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, a slight decrease from $0.46 in the same period last year [5][6] - Total sales increased by 5.8% to $1,161 million from $1,097 million year-over-year [6][30] - Gross profit rose by 8.1% driven by the sales increase and a 100 basis point increase in gross margin rate to 43.8% [30][34] - Selling and store operating expenses increased by 10.3% to $368.8 million, primarily due to new stores [30][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable store sales decreased by 1.8% year-over-year, with the West Division outperforming this decline [16][17] - Sales growth was strongest in laminate and luxury vinyl plank, wood, and installation materials [18] - Connected customer sales increased by 2.1%, now accounting for approximately 18.3% of total sales [19][20] - Sales to professional customers continued to grow, accounting for about 50% of total sales [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. is now the largest country of manufacture for the company, accounting for approximately 27% of products sold, up from 20% in fiscal 2018 [11] - China accounted for 18% of products sold, down from 25% in fiscal 2023 and 50% in fiscal 2018 [11] - The company anticipates receipts from China to approximate mid to low single digits of total receipts by the end of fiscal 2025 [11][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on managing tariff impacts through vendor negotiations and sourcing diversification strategies [9][10] - Plans to open 20 new warehouse format stores in fiscal 2025, down from a previous expectation of 25 [14][15] - The company aims to maintain its competitive advantage through a broad assortment and innovative product offerings [12][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed uncertainty regarding consumer spending due to economic volatility and potential recession risks [7][36] - The company is proactively implementing flexible plans to navigate economic challenges [7][36] - Updated fiscal 2025 guidance reflects a cautious outlook, with total sales expected to increase by 5% to 8% [37][39] Other Important Information - The company maintains a strong liquidity position with $949.8 million in unrestricted liquidity [35] - General and administrative expenses increased by 3.5% to $69.1 million, attributed to investments in store growth [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on tariff impact and pricing strategy - Management confirmed that they have experience managing tariffs and are negotiating with vendors to offset impacts, expecting modest price increases if necessary [44][46] Question: Concerns about business weakness and guidance reduction - Management acknowledged the challenges but emphasized strong execution and market share growth, while being prepared for various scenarios [56][58] Question: Store growth strategy and criteria for adjustments - The company plans to open 20 new stores based on current market conditions, with flexibility to adjust if necessary [66][68] Question: Impact of tariffs on gross margin - Management aims to maintain gross margin rates despite tariff impacts, with a focus on managing gross profit dollars [102]

~Results in Line with Expectations, on Track to Deliver Full-Year Guidance~ FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ: WWD) today reported financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2025. All amounts are presented on an as reported (U.S. GAAP) basis unless otherwise indicated. All per share amounts are presented on a fully diluted basis. All references to years are references to the Company’s fiscal year unless otherwise stated. All comparisons are made to t ...