Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record sales of $644 million for Q2 2025, an increase of 8% on a reported basis and 6% on an organic basis [15][16] - Adjusted EBITDA of $153 million increased by 22%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.8%, up 280 basis points [17] - Adjusted earnings per share rose by 26% to $3.09, driven by operations, acquisitions, foreign exchange, and reduced interest expense [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales in the Americas increased by 10%, while reported sales were up 11%, driven by price, volume, and pull forward demand [15][16] - Europe experienced an organic sales decline of 8% and reported sales down 3%, attributed to ongoing OEM and market weakness [16] - APMEA sales decreased by 1% on an organic basis and 3% on a reported basis, with growth in Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East offset by declines in China [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas segment margin increased by 290 basis points to 27.2% [17] - Europe segment margins increased by 170 basis points to 11.7% [17] - APMEA segment margin remained flat at 18.9% compared to the prior year [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on M&A, having acquired EasyWater, which is expected to contribute approximately $5 million in sales and be neutral to adjusted EPS in 2025 [11] - The rollout of the Nexa Intelligent Water Management solution is gaining traction, with successful installations in various sectors [12] - The company is committed to sustainability, having published its 2024 sustainability report highlighting progress in safety, energy efficiency, and water conservation [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the current trade environment and increasing full-year sales and margin outlook due to strong first-half performance [25][26] - There is caution regarding the European market, with ongoing softness in general construction and uncertainty around order rates [49] - The company expects continued strength in data centers, which is offsetting residential market softness [94] Other Important Information - The company estimates a direct tariff impact of approximately $40 million for 2025, down from a previous estimate of $60 million [21][56] - Free cash flow year-to-date through Q2 was $105 million, with expectations for sequential improvement [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of pull forward in sales - Approximately $20 million of sales pull forward was realized in the quarter [28] Question: Pricing dynamics and tariff impacts - Price realization was approximately 3% in Q2, with expectations for mid-single digits in the second half [57] Question: Competitive positioning and domestic manufacturing - The company believes its domestic manufacturing strategy provides a competitive advantage in the current uncertain market environment [43] Question: Update on European heat pump market - Destocking in the heat pump market is expected to end by Q3, but general construction remains soft in Europe [49] Question: Changes in tariff estimates - The reduction from $60 million to $40 million in direct costs is due to changes in tariffs, including new copper tariffs [56] Question: Integration of acquisitions - All acquisitions are integrating well, with synergies being realized across the board [61] Question: Future of Nexa platform - The company expects the sales cycle for Nexa to shorten as more customers realize its benefits [77]

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 23, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company Participants Bryan Wendlandt - Director, Corporate FP&A & TreasuryTodd Adams - CEO & ChairmanDave Pauli - CFONathan Jones - Managing DirectorAndrew Krill - DirectorMichael Halloran - Associate Director of ResearchJoe Ritchie - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Bryan Blair - Managing Director & Senior Research AnalystAndrew Buscaglia - Senior AnalystJeff Hammond - Analyst Operator Good morning, and welcome ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, sales decreased by 1% to $1,000,000,000, but adjusted operating income increased by 17% to a record $231,000,000, with return on sales (ROS) expanding by 370 basis points to 23.8% [10][20] - For the full year 2024, sales were $4,100,000,000, with adjusted operating income of $959,000,000, up 12%, and adjusted EPS of $4.33, up 15% [11][12] - The company generated record free cash flow of $693,000,000, marking a nearly 26% year-over-year increase [29][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Flow segment sales decreased by 5% in Q4 to $361,000,000, while commercial sales increased by 7% [22] - Water Solutions segment sales decreased by 4% in Q4 to $258,000,000, with reportable segment income growing by 21% to $62,000,000 [25] - Pool segment sales grew by 5% in Q4 to $354,000,000, driven by both price and volume [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects total sales in fiscal 2025 to be approximately flat to up 2%, with flow sales expected to increase slightly and water solutions sales expected to decline by low single digits [32][39] - Pool sales are projected to increase by approximately 4% to 5% in 2025, benefiting from a recent acquisition [40] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transformation initiatives and the implementation of the "eightytwenty" strategy to drive profitability and operational efficiencies [16][18] - The ROS target has been increased to 26% by the end of 2026, reflecting confidence in achieving higher profitability despite macroeconomic uncertainties [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that 2024 was a transformative year with strong performance across all segments, despite macroeconomic challenges [7][9] - The company anticipates a recovery in residential markets in the second half of 2025, contingent on interest rate stabilization [111] Other Important Information - The company has increased its dividend by approximately 9%, marking the 49th consecutive year of dividend increases [30] - The company is committed to maintaining a disciplined capital allocation strategy, focusing on organic growth and strategic acquisitions [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the split between the legacy transformation program and the new eightytwenty program? - Management indicated that the benefits of transformation will be captured in the productivity column, with eightytwenty helping to focus the business [44][45] Question: How is pricing being managed in light of tariffs? - The company expects to implement a price increase of 1.5% to 2%, which includes adjustments for tariffs, and anticipates that price will offset additional tariff costs [46][48] Question: What is the outlook for the pool market? - Management remains cautious about new pool builds, expecting low single-digit growth in new and remodeled pools, with aftermarket sales also projected to grow [56][106] Question: How are tariffs affecting the financial outlook? - The company has embedded the impact of tariffs in its adjusted EPS guidance, with expectations for minimal impact in Q1 and more significant effects in subsequent quarters [55][62] Question: What is the expected contribution from the recent acquisition? - The acquisition is expected to contribute approximately $35,000,000 in revenue for 2025, with a net benefit of about $30,000,000 [77]