Summary of Earnings Call for Asia EM Equity Strategy Industry Overview - The earnings results for Emerging Markets (EM) and Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APxJ) in 4Q CY24 were generally in line with expectations, with EM showing a slight increase of +0.8% and APxJ at +1.5% [2][10] - Japan reported a strong earnings season with a notable increase of +13.7%, driven by a high net beat ratio of +23 percentage points [2][6] - China also showed positive momentum with earnings growth of +7.7% [3][6] Sector Performance - The Communication Services sector led the earnings surprises with a +15.2% increase, particularly driven by Telecom Services which saw a remarkable +36.0% [4][31] - Real Estate also performed well with an earnings surprise of +11.9% [31] - Conversely, the Materials sector faced significant challenges, reporting a decline of -15.2%, with Paper & Forest Products showing a major miss at -68.4% [4][31] - Utilities also underperformed with a -6.9% surprise [31] Regional Insights - EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa) reported a solid aggregate beat of +6.8%, with notable contributions from the United Arab Emirates (+12.6%), Saudi Arabia (+9.1%), and South Africa (+8.6%) [3][6] - In contrast, Latin America faced major misses, with an overall decline of -16.8%, primarily due to Brazil (-20.7%), Chile (-20.3%), and Mexico (-10.8%) [3][6] Key Stock-Level Surprises - A list of companies expected to see upward revisions in their earnings estimates includes: - Sea Ltd (Communication Services) with a market cap of $76.85 billion and a price target upside of 31% [5] - XPeng Inc. (Consumer Discretionary) with a market cap of $19.21 billion and an expected upside of 18% [5] - Tenaga Nasional (Utilities) showing a significant upside potential of 53% [5] Earnings Surprise Ratios - Japan's earnings surprise ratio was the highest at 13.7%, with 54% of companies reporting above expectations [6][25] - In contrast, Brazil had the lowest surprise ratio at -20.7%, with 28% of companies missing consensus [6][25] Additional Insights - The breadth of earnings surprises was weaker across EM and APxJ, with EM showing a -7 percentage point breadth and APxJ at -4 percentage points [2][6] - The overall revenue performance across the region slightly beat expectations, with EM at +1.8%, APxJ at +1.4%, and Japan at +1.9% [2][6] This summary encapsulates the key findings from the earnings call, highlighting the performance of various sectors and regions, as well as specific stock-level surprises that may present investment opportunities.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, Arcosa, Inc. achieved double-digit organic growth and significant margin expansion, driven by higher-margin businesses and divestitures of non-core assets [8][9] - The company generated nearly $200 million in free cash flow in Q4 2024, allowing for full repayment of its revolver, resulting in a net leverage of 2.9 times [16][29] - Full-year 2024 adjusted EBITDA growth was split evenly between organic and inorganic drivers, with a margin expansion of 408 basis points in Q4 [15][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Construction Products segment revenues increased by 31% in Q4, with adjusted segment EBITDA growing by 52%, largely due to the STAVOLA acquisition [18][19] - Engineered Structures revenues increased by 11%, with adjusted segment EBITDA rising by 41%, driven by higher wind tower volumes and the Ameren acquisition [23][24] - Transportation Products revenues were up 28%, with adjusted segment EBITDA doubling, supported by higher tank barge volumes and improved efficiencies [25][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The construction materials business accounted for approximately 62% of adjusted EBITDA, nearly double the contribution from 2018 [14] - The company ended the year with a combined backlog for utility, wind, and related structures of $1.2 billion, expecting to deliver 64% during 2025 [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Arcosa, Inc. is focused on growing in the U.S. market, supported by long-term infrastructure-led investments, while simplifying its portfolio through divestitures [34][36] - The company anticipates growth from construction materials, utility structures, and cyclical businesses, alongside contributions from organic projects and acquisitions [37][38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the demand for renewables, particularly wind energy, and the potential for infrastructure spending to drive growth [65][66] - The company expects revenues in 2025 to range from $2.8 billion to $3 billion, with adjusted EBITDA between $545 million and $595 million, implying 30% growth at the midpoint [38] Other Important Information - The company plans to reduce capital expenditures in 2025 to between $145 million and $165 million, focusing on maintenance and completing ongoing projects [30][88] - Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expenses are expected to range from $230 million to $235 million for 2025, primarily due to the STAVOLA acquisition [32][104] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of steel prices on revenues - Management indicated that the decline in steel prices primarily impacted engineered structures, resulting in a revenue miss of about $25 million in Q4 [55][56] Question: Wind outlook and customer sentiment - Management noted that customer demand for wind remains strong, with expectations for a flat year in 2026, pending regulatory clarity [66][68] Question: Construction products volume outlook - Management expects strong double-digit growth in total volumes for construction products, with organic volumes anticipated to be flattish to slightly up [80][85] Question: Contribution of organic projects to performance - Management highlighted that several organic projects completed in 2024 are expected to contribute positively to performance in 2025, including the concrete poles factory and wind tower facility [90][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company achieved record full-year revenues, adjusted EBITDA, and margin, with significant margin expansion driven by higher-margin business acquisitions and organic improvements [10][11] - The company generated robust free cash flow of nearly $200 million in Q4, enabling full repayment of its revolver, resulting in net leverage of 2.9 times [11][19] - Full-year 2024 free cash flow was $330 million, up from $94 million in the previous year [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Construction Products segment revenues increased by 31% in Q4, with adjusted segment EBITDA growing by 52%, largely due to the acquisition of Stavola [13] - Engineered Structures revenues increased by 11%, driven by higher wind tower volumes and the contribution from Ameron, with adjusted segment EBITDA increasing by 41% [16][17] - Transportation Products revenues were up 28%, with adjusted segment EBITDA doubling, primarily due to higher tank barge volumes and improved efficiencies [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong underlying demand fundamentals in its growth businesses, particularly in Construction Materials and Utility Structures [25][27] - The backlog for Utility Wind and related structures was $1.2 billion, with expectations to deliver 64% during 2025 [17] - The inland river barge fleet is experiencing pent-up replacement needs due to underinvestment, positioning the company well for 2025 [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on growing in the U.S. market, supported by long-term infrastructure-led investments, with a strategy of optimizing its portfolio and reducing complexity [22][25] - The company anticipates growth from four sources in 2025: growth businesses, cyclical business backlogs, completed organic projects, and acquisitions [25][26] - The company plans to prioritize debt reduction and finish ongoing organic projects to prepare for continued growth [12][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the demand for renewables, particularly wind energy, and the need for infrastructure investment in the U.S. [48][49] - The company is monitoring trade policies and potential regulatory changes that could impact operations, but remains confident in its positioning [23][24] - Management expects significant adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025, with a mix of organic and inorganic growth drivers [26][28] Other Important Information - The company completed the sale of its steel components business and focused on pruning underperforming assets during 2024 [9][10] - The company expects depreciation, depletion, and amortization expenses to range from $230 million to $235 million for 2025, primarily due to recent acquisitions [21][80] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of steel prices on revenues - Management indicated that the decline in steel prices impacted revenues, particularly in the Engineered Structures segment, with a revenue miss of about $25 million attributed to steel prices [38][39] Question: Wind outlook and customer sentiment - Management noted that customer demand for wind remains strong, with optimism about future growth despite regulatory uncertainties [48][50] Question: Construction Products volume outlook - Management expects organic volumes in Construction Products to be flattish to slightly up in 2025, with strong double-digit growth anticipated overall [60][65] Question: CapEx expectations - Management confirmed a decrease in CapEx for 2025 to between $145 million and $165 million, focusing on maintenance and completing ongoing projects [66][68] Question: Contribution of organic projects - Management highlighted that organic projects completed in 2024, such as the concrete pulp factory and wind tower plant, are expected to contribute positively to performance in 2025 [69][70]

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2023. Registration No. 333- (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Knife River Corporation (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) (State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) Delaware 1400 92- ...