Financial Performance - Net sales decreased by 16.5% from $340.1 million in Q1 2024 to $284 million in Q1 2025[7] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 22.7% from $74.4 million in Q1 2024 to $91.3 million in Q1 2025[7] - Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 1020 bps from 21.9% in Q1 2024 to 32.1% in Q1 2025[7] - Diluted adjusted EPS increased by 110.6% from $0.47 in Q1 2024 to $0.99 in Q1 2025[7] - Free cash flow improved from negative $28.7 million in Q1 2024 to positive $15.4 million in Q1 2025[71] Segment Performance - Performance Materials net sales increased by 1.2% from $145.1 million to $146.8 million, with a 1.4% increase in Segment EBITDA from $78 million to $79.1 million[18] - Advanced Polymer Technologies net sales decreased by 12.1% from $48 million to $42.2 million, but Segment EBITDA increased by 31.6% from $9.5 million to $12.5 million[23] - Performance Chemicals net sales decreased by 35.4% from $147 million to $95 million, but Segment EBITDA improved by $10.3 million from negative $10.6 million to negative $0.3 million[28] Guidance and Outlook - The company widened its revenue guidance to $1.25 - $1.4 billion and affirmed free cash flow guidance of $220 - $260 million[33] - The company expects net debt ratio to be below 2.8x by year end[17, 33] - A 10% reduction in North America auto production is expected to lower Performance Materials EBITDA by approximately $15-$20 million[33, 34]

Q1 2025 Performance - Sales decreased slightly to $827 million, a 0.3% decrease compared to Q1 2024 [9] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 1.1% to $145 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.5% [9] - Adjusted EPS remained flat at $0.76, in line with guidance [9] - Organic sales growth varied by region, with US & Canada down by 3%, Europe, Middle East & Africa up by 2%, Asia up by 9%, and Latin America up by 17% [10] Segment Performance - Color, Additives & Inks sales increased to $520 million from $515 million in Q1 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.3% [15] - Specialty Engineered Materials sales decreased to $308 million from $314 million in Q1 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.2% [18] Financial Guidance for 2025 - The company maintains its full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $540 to $570 million, representing a 4% to 10% growth excluding foreign exchange impacts [26] - Full-year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance is $2.70 to $2.94 [26] - Q2 2025 adjusted EPS is expected to be $0.79 [26] Sales Exposure - Sales exposure is approximately $100 million [23] - Raw materials exposure is approximately $100 million [23]

Core Insights - Avient Corporation reported first quarter sales of $826.6 million, a slight decrease from $829.0 million in the same quarter last year [1][8] - The company experienced a GAAP loss per share of $0.22 compared to earnings of $0.54 in the prior year quarter, primarily due to special items related to an impairment from ceasing the development of a cloud-based ERP system [2][8] - Adjusted EPS remained stable at $0.76, reflecting a 4% growth when excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange [3][8] Financial Performance - First quarter adjusted EBITDA margins expanded by 20 basis points to 17.5%, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment [4] - Organic sales growth was achieved for the fourth consecutive quarter, with notable increases in Asia (9%) and Latin America (17%), while the U.S. and Canada saw a decline of 3% [5][8] - The company maintained its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $540 to $570 million and adjusted EPS guidance of $2.70 to $2.94 [5][8] Strategic Outlook - The company anticipates continued volatility in demand, particularly in consumer and transportation markets, but sees growth opportunities in packaging and high-profit sectors like defense and healthcare [5][6] - Avient's operational performance aligns with expectations, and the company plans to reduce debt by $100 to $200 million by year-end, supported by a strong cash position [5][6] Special Items and Adjustments - The first quarter results included special items totaling $75.7 million after tax, significantly impacting net income [22][23] - The impairment related to the cloud-based ERP system accounted for a substantial portion of the special items, amounting to $86.3 million [22][23] Segment Performance - Sales from the Color, Additives and Inks segment were $519.7 million, while the Specialty Engineered Materials segment reported $308.4 million [31] - The gross margin for the Color, Additives and Inks segment was $173.1 million, compared to $97.8 million for Specialty Engineered Materials [31]

Core Points - Kevin Willis, the senior vice president and chief financial officer of Ashland Inc., will leave the company to pursue another opportunity, with his last day being May 16, 2025 [1][13] - William C. Whitaker has been appointed as the interim chief financial officer until the board completes its review process [3][14] - Samuel A. Richardson has been appointed as vice president, controller, and principal accounting officer [5] Summary by Sections Executive Changes - Kevin Willis has been with Ashland since 1987, serving in various management roles, and his departure is not due to any disagreements regarding financial statements or internal controls [2][13] - William C. Whitaker, who has been with Ashland since 2015 and currently serves as vice president of finance and director of investor relations, will take on the interim CFO role [4][14] - Samuel A. Richardson has been the controller since January 2020 and has held senior accounting roles since 2008 [5] Company Overview - Ashland Inc. is a global additives and specialty ingredients company focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, serving various markets including construction, energy, and pharmaceuticals [6]

Core Insights - Cabot Corporation reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.69 and adjusted EPS of $1.90 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, reflecting a 7% increase in adjusted EPS compared to the same quarter in the prior year [4][6][10] Financial Performance - Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation was $94 million for the second quarter, compared to $84 million in the same period last year [4][6] - The company returned $70 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the second quarter [6][10] - The quarterly dividend was increased by 5% from $0.43 to $0.45 per share [6] Segment Results - Reinforcement Materials segment reported EBIT of $131 million, down 12% year-over-year due to lower tire demand and contract outcomes in South America [5][6] - Performance Chemicals segment saw EBIT increase by 61% year-over-year to $50 million, driven by higher volumes in fumed metal oxides related to construction and semiconductor applications [6][7] Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - The company ended the second quarter with a cash balance of $213 million, with cash flows from operating activities amounting to $73 million [8] - Capital expenditures for the quarter were $72 million [8] Tax and Effective Tax Rate - The company recorded a tax expense of $49 million with an effective tax rate of 32% for the second quarter [9] Outlook - Adjusted EPS guidance for fiscal 2025 has been revised to a range of $7.15 to $7.50 due to uncertain impacts from recent tariff policies on customer demand [10] - The company expects to maintain strong operating cash flow, allowing for continued investment in strategic growth projects and shareholder returns [10]

Group 1 - Cabot Corporation declared a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, marking a 5% increase from the previous dividend of $0.43 per share [1] - The new annualized dividend rate is $1.80 per share compared to the previous rate of $1.72 per share [2] - The dividend is payable on June 13, 2025, to stockholders of record as of May 30, 2025 [1] Group 2 - The CEO of Cabot Corporation expressed confidence in the company's consistent earnings performance and strong cash flow generation [2] - The actions of increasing the dividend and authorizing share repurchase are part of the company's commitment to creating shareholder value [2] - Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, providing a range of products including reinforcing carbons and battery materials [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter net sales were $443 million, a decline of approximately 6% from the prior year or 3% on a constant currency basis [7][23] - Gross margins improved 120 basis points to 36.4% compared to the lows in the fourth quarter of 2024, but declined year over year due to higher raw material costs and product mix [10][24] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $69 million, reflecting a sequential increase of $4 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins at 15.6% [11][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Asia Pacific segment saw net sales decline by 2% year over year, but organic volumes increased approximately 1% [26] - EMEA segment net sales were down 7% year over year, with total sales volumes declining 3% [28] - The Americas segment experienced a 7% decline in net sales year over year, with volumes down 3% due to soft industrial activity [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Overall market conditions were softer than anticipated, with aggregate market declines estimated at a low to mid single digit percentage compared to the prior year [5][20] - The company outperformed the aggregate of the end markets, with total volumes inclusive of acquisitions declining approximately 1.5% [8][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is advancing a $20 million cost program expected to deliver approximately $15 million in benefits primarily in SG&A [6][14] - Strategic investments included the acquisition of three companies to enhance the portfolio and expand the addressable market [6][18] - The company aims to enhance customer intimacy and streamline operations to improve efficiency and reduce complexity [12][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in mitigating tariff impacts through a local for local strategy and maintaining strong customer relationships [7][21] - The outlook for 2025 anticipates a low single digit percentage decline in underlying market growth rates, with expectations for revenue and earnings to align with 2024 levels [20][21] - Management noted a strong pipeline of trials and business development opportunities, expecting to drive above market growth in 2025 [19][20] Other Important Information - The company is focused on improving customer satisfaction through initiatives that reduce lead times and enhance cost competitiveness [13][15] - Capital expenditures in the first quarter were approximately $12 million, with expectations for 2025 capital expenditures to remain at 2.5% to 3.5% of sales [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on input costs and overall demand - Management indicated that while there are some impacts from raw material purchases, the local sourcing strategy helps mitigate most tariff effects [39][40] Question: Details on strategic initiatives for simplifying operations - Management discussed efforts to reduce complexity in product lines and improve brand clarity, along with enhancing customer service through technology [46][48][50] Question: Expectations for second quarter EBITDA growth - Management expects modest sequential improvement in EBITDA for Q2, driven by seasonal demand and contributions from recent acquisitions [52][54] Question: Volatility in order patterns and customer feedback - Management noted increased order volatility, particularly in Europe and The Americas, with customers managing inventories prudently [58][59] Question: Capital allocation strategy amidst market conditions - Management emphasized a balanced approach to capital allocation, focusing on growth investments, debt reduction, and shareholder returns [72][74]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter sales grew 6% on an organic basis, with operating EBITDA of $788 million increasing 16% year over year, resulting in an operating EBITDA margin of 25.7%, up 240 basis points from the prior year [6][7][20] - Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $1.00, reflecting a 30% increase compared to the previous year [7][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electronics Co. net sales for the first quarter were $1.1 billion, up 14% year over year, driven by a 16% increase in volume [22] - Industrials Co. first quarter net sales were $1.95 billion, flat year over year, with a 2% organic sales growth offset by currency headwinds [24][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Asia Pacific delivered 13% organic sales growth year over year, with China seeing a 20% increase driven by electronics and water [20] - Organic sales in Europe were up 4%, while North America remained flat due to softness in construction and auto markets [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is on track for the spin-off of its electronics business, named Qunity, with a planned separation date of November 1 [8][10] - Qunity is positioned to be a major player in the electronics materials and solutions market, with a strong focus on semiconductor markets and AI applications [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ongoing demand in electronics, particularly in semiconductor advanced nodes and AI applications, with strong order patterns expected to continue [8][18] - The company is actively addressing tariff uncertainties and has identified actions to mitigate potential impacts, estimating a net cost impact of $60 million for 2025 [12][27] Other Important Information - The company has realigned its segment reporting structure in preparation for the upcoming separation, with results now reported as Electronics Co. and Industrials Co. [18] - The estimated cost exposure due to tariffs in 2025 is about $500 million, with mitigation actions expected to reduce the net impact significantly [12][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the exemption process regarding tariffs? - Management indicated that product exemptions are a smaller part of their mitigation strategy, focusing more on procurement and supply chain optimization [30][31] Question: What is the tariff exposure for each business segment? - The estimated net exposure for 2025 is split evenly between Electronics Co. and Industrials Co., with about $30 million each [43] Question: How much of the sales in China are under long-term contracts? - Approximately 70% of sales into China are specked-in materials, making it difficult for customers to switch to competitors [56] Question: What is driving the strong demand in the water business? - Demand is strong across various technologies, particularly reverse osmosis and ion exchange, with expectations for high single-digit growth for the year [61][62] Question: How does the company view its competitive positioning in the electronics market? - Management believes they have a strong competitive position due to their extensive customer relationships and application engineering support [102] Question: What are the expectations for the semiconductor market in China? - Management expects normalization in demand in China, with flat growth anticipated for the full year, while global demand remains strong [70][111]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter sales grew 6% on an organic basis, with operating EBITDA of $788 million increasing 16% year over year, resulting in an operating EBITDA margin of 25.7%, up 240 basis points from the prior year [5][20]. - Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $1.00, reflecting a 30% increase from the previous year [21]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Electronics Co.**: First quarter net sales increased 14% year over year to $1.1 billion, driven by a 16% increase in volume, while prices decreased by 2% [22]. Operating EBITDA for Electronics Co. was $373 million, up 26% year over year, with a margin of 33.4%, up 340 basis points [23]. - **Industrials Co.**: First quarter net sales were flat at $1.95 billion, with a 2% organic sales growth offset by currency headwinds [24]. Operating EBITDA for Industrials Co. was $464 million, up 6% year over year, with a margin of 23.8%, up 130 basis points [26]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Asia Pacific delivered 13% organic sales growth year over year, with China showing a 20% increase driven by electronics and water [19]. Europe saw a 4% organic sales increase, while North America remained flat due to soft construction and auto markets [20]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is progressing on the spin-off of its electronics business, named Qunity, with a planned separation date of November 1 [6][8]. The new company aims to be a leading provider in the electronics materials and solutions sector, with a strong focus on semiconductor markets [13][15]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ongoing demand in electronics, particularly in semiconductor advanced nodes and AI applications, and noted strong order patterns through April [6][18]. The company is also actively addressing tariff uncertainties and has identified actions to mitigate potential impacts [11][28]. Other Important Information - The company expects a net cost impact of tariffs of about $60 million for 2025, primarily affecting the second half of the year [28]. The financial guidance for 2025 remains unchanged, with net sales estimated between $12.8 billion and $12.9 billion [27]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the exemption process regarding tariffs? - Management indicated that product exemptions are a smaller part of their mitigation strategy, focusing more on procurement and supply chain optimization [31][32]. Question: What is the tariff exposure split between Electronics Co. and Industrials Co.? - The estimated net exposure for 2025 is evenly split, with about $30 million for each segment, representing around 6% of their COGS [45][46]. Question: How much of the sales in China are under long-term contracts? - Approximately 70% of sales into China are specked-in materials, making it difficult for customers to switch to competitors [60]. Question: What is driving the strong demand in the water business? - Demand is strong across various technologies, particularly reverse osmosis and ion exchange, with expectations for high single-digit growth for the year [65][66]. Question: How does the company view its competitive positioning in the electronics market? - Management feels confident about their competitive position, emphasizing strong customer relationships and the ability to support advanced technologies [107]. Question: What are the expectations for the China market in the second half of the year? - The company anticipates normalization in demand, with flat year-over-year expectations, while still expecting strong global market conditions [75][116].

Quaker Houghton First Quarter 2025 Results Investor Conference Call Forward-Looking Statements Regulation G The attached charts include Company information that does not conform to generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes that an analysis of this data is meaningful to investors because it provides insight with respect to ongoing operating results of the Company and helps investors to evaluate the financial results of the Company. These measures should not be viewed as an altern ...