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]