Investment Rating - The industry view is rated as Attractive [6] Core Insights - US Industrials are expected to drive broad margin upside into Q2 2025, with a forecasted sequential operating margin (OM) expansion of just 45 basis points (bps), significantly below the 105 bps average observed over the last decade, indicating a low bar due to tariff cost inflation concerns [3][9] - Companies best positioned for margin upside are those that are pushing prices early and decisively in Q2, particularly in industrial-facing categories with elevated metal content [3][4] - The report identifies several equities as attractive for Q2 margin beats, including Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), Allegion (ALLE), Trane Technologies (TT), Vertiv Holdings (VRT), and Eaton Corporation (ETN) [3][4] Summary by Sections Margin Outlook - The forecast for Q2 2025 indicates a conservative modeling of margins, with a focus on the delta between forecasted Q2 YoY margin expansion and realized Q1 YoY margins [3][13] - The report highlights that the ability to sustain pricing power and grow volumes will be critical for companies to maintain excess margins in the current cost environment [8] Pricing Power - US Industrial pricing power is viewed as an under-appreciated driver of operational durability, with companies realizing strong real EPS growth and healthy incrementals through inflationary periods [8] - The report emphasizes that the best-positioned companies for price increases include Eaton (ETN), Fastenal (FAST), Trane Technologies (TT), and others [8] Market Dynamics - The report notes that macroeconomic uncertainty is high heading into the second half of 2025, which may impact investor sentiment and company performance [3][4] - The cumulative percentage change in Producer Price Index (PPI) from May 2025 compared to February 2025 is tracked to capture tariff impacts, indicating strong pricing power in certain sectors [3][4]

June 18, 2025 11:42 AM GMT Multi-Industry | North America CoTD: Which Verticals are Driving Price into Trump 2.0 Tariffs? Chart of the Day (CoTD) highlights charts that tie into latest investor conversations, are timely for the macro + company events, or just ones that we find interesting. I would greatly appreciate your support in the 2025 All-America Extel survey, it is very important to Morgan Stanley and myself (Request a Ballot). Thank you, Chris Chart below tracks cumulative change in PPI over the las ...

Investment Rating - The industry view is rated as Attractive, with specific companies like ALLE, LII, MMM, and WSO being analyzed for their performance and outlook [6]. Core Insights - The report anticipates modest Q1 earnings beats, but emphasizes that outlooks will significantly influence equities, particularly focusing on April demand commentary and price/cost dynamics for the rest of the year [2]. - There is a strong emphasis on pricing power as a key factor for companies to navigate through tariff uncertainties, with a belief that those able to push prices will fare better in terms of near-term revisions [13][19]. - The report highlights a shift in activity towards US Industrials due to reshoring trends, suggesting that US companies are well-positioned to capture a larger share of global capital expenditure [68]. Summary by Sections Company-Specific Analysis - **ALLE**: The consensus modeling is viewed as conservative for Q1 but aggressive for the rest of the year, with expectations of a modest Q1 EPS beat driven by residential construction dynamics [78][79]. - **LII**: Expected to see a strong beat in Q1, but with a fade in performance anticipated due to difficult comparisons in the second half of the year [6]. - **MMM**: Identified as a top risk due to tariff pre-buy concerns, with a projected Q2 growth of 5% quarter-over-quarter, which is considered aggressive [6]. - **WSO**: Positioned well to achieve pricing power and potentially positive revisions if it can maintain high gross margins amidst tariff inflation [6]. Macro Environment and Trends - The report discusses the impact of tariffs on production and project activity, noting a slowdown in project activity due to uncertainty, while production is expected to continue [9][31]. - It highlights that the US accounts for approximately 30% of global consumption, which provides a competitive advantage for US manufacturers in the face of international competition [9]. - The report indicates that the preference for industrial over consumer exposure is driven by a more capital-intensive world, suggesting a positive outlook for industrial sectors amidst rising inflation [10][20]. Pricing Power and Market Dynamics - The report emphasizes that companies with strong pricing power are likely to perform better in the current macroeconomic environment, where uncertainty is prevalent [13][16]. - It notes that pre-buys are generally negative indicators, as they signal a potential decline in future demand, particularly for companies heavily reliant on international sales [41][45]. - The analysis suggests that the ability to maintain price/cost neutrality will be crucial for companies as they navigate through tariff implementations [13][41].