Core Viewpoint - IQVIA Holdings Analytics Inc. reported strong first-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding expectations, indicating positive growth trends in its business segments [1][7]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were $2.70 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.7% and increasing 6.3% year-over-year [1]. - Total revenues reached $3.8 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate by 1.6% and growing 2.5% from the previous year [1]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $883 million, a 2.4% increase from the year-ago quarter, but slightly below projections [5]. Segment Performance - The Research and Development segment generated revenues of $2.1 billion, showing a marginal increase year-over-year and meeting estimates [3]. - Revenues from the Technology and Analytics segment were $1.5 billion, growing 6.4% year-over-year and meeting estimates [4]. - Contract Sales and Medical Solutions revenues decreased 4.2% year-over-year to $181 million, missing estimates [4]. Cash Flow and Debt - Net cash generated from operating activities was $586 million, with capital expenditures of $142 million, resulting in a free cash flow of $426 million [6]. - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.7 billion, unchanged from the previous quarter, while long-term debt increased to $13.1 billion [5]. 2025 Guidance - For 2025, IQVIA raised its revenue guidance to $16.00-$16.40 billion, higher than the previous estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $15.86 billion [7]. - The company expects adjusted EPS in the range of $11.70-$12.10, with the midpoint exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.84 [7]. - Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025 is set at $3.76-$3.88 billion [7].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company operating EBITDA grew by more than 12% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, driven by solid operational performance in the collection and disposal business, contributions from WM Health Care Solutions, and increases in sustainability businesses [8][19] - Operating cash flow was $1,210 million in Q1 2025, a decrease from Q1 2024, but in line with expectations due to planned increases in cash interest payments and working capital headwinds [21][22] - First quarter free cash flow was $475 million, on track to achieve full year free cash flow outlook of between $2,675 million and $2,775 million [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating EBITDA for the collection and disposal business was up almost 5%, with margin expanding by 10 basis points [14] - Combined operating EBITDA from recycling and renewable energy grew by over 20% year over year [10] - Operating EBITDA margin in the residential line of business grew more than 130 basis points, achieving 20% for the first time in six years [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue growth across all lines of business was driven by collection and disposal yield of 4% and core price of 6.5%, with churn remaining stable at around 9% [15] - Special waste volumes were positively impacted by California wildfire cleanup, although gains were offset by winter weather events [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on growing customer lifetime value while leveraging technology to optimize cost structure and delivering on strategic investments in sustainability [9] - The leadership position in sustainability investments is positioning the WM brand to be synonymous with sustainability, which is not easily matched by competitors [9] - The company continues to identify opportunities to scale the core business through acquisitions, with a robust pipeline of tuck-in opportunities anticipated for solid waste M&A [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving all financial guidance outlined last quarter, citing strong operational execution and the resiliency of the business model [8] - The company remains optimistic about the volume outlook for 2025, supported by strong special waste pipelines and positive service intervals [16] - Management noted that the business is resilient to economic downturns, with volumes turning back up in March and April after challenging weather in January and February [84][86] Other Important Information - The company is on track to achieve $250 million of annual run rate synergies in 2027 from the integration of WM HealthCare Solutions [12] - Capital expenditures totaled $831 million in Q1 2025, with investments in sustainability growth in line with expectations [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Q2 and margin improvement for solid waste - Management indicated no unusual seasonality impacts except for California wildfires, expecting another step change in margin on a year-over-year basis [28][29] Question: Yield in solid waste business compared to expectations - Yield conversion dropped 400 basis points in the quarter, but core price performance was strong, translating to margin expansion [30][31] Question: Performance of healthcare solutions business and revenue quality - Revenue in the regulated medical waste business was slightly up, while the Secure Information Destruction side saw a dip due to event work weakness [38] Question: Synergy capture in Q1 - The company achieved $16 million in synergy value capture in Q1, with confidence in reaching the midpoint of the synergy guidance range [46][47] Question: M&A opportunities and market conditions - The company expects to close on more than $500 million of solid waste acquisitions in 2025, with a strong pipeline of transactions [58][62] Question: Resilience of the company in downturns - Management emphasized the diversification provided by sustainability and healthcare investments, noting the company's resilience to economic downturns [83][86]