Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a sales growth of approximately 9% year over year and an adjusted EPS of $0.97 for the second quarter [5][12] - Free cash flow conversion was 120% in the quarter, reflecting strong operating discipline [5][13] - Adjusted segment operating profit margin was approximately 24%, down about 350 basis points year over year due to lower CPI volume and acquisition dilution [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CPI core sales declined approximately 7% year over year, but gaming orders were up approximately 10% sequentially and 30% year over year [14][15] - Security and authentication technologies saw sales grow approximately 32% year over year, with core sales increasing about 9% driven by higher international currency volume [15][16] - The U.S. currency business resumed production after technology upgrades, with a record high backlog of approximately $400 million in the international currency business [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog for CPI ended the quarter at approximately $144 million, with expectations for strong double-digit growth in gaming for the third quarter [14] - The company expects mid-single-digit growth for the full year in the international currency segment despite tough comparisons to a strong 2024 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build a leading industrial technology firm focused on solutions that secure, detect, and authenticate [8][9] - Integration of De La Rue authentication and OPSEC has created a leading position in the authentication market, with a focus on operational improvements through the Crane Business System [9][10] - The company is confident in its M&A pipeline, expecting to announce another transaction within the next year [7][20] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook, reaffirming full-year EPS guidance in the range of $4 to $4.30 [8][18] - The company is navigating tariff and macro uncertainties through pricing and supply chain actions [8] - Management highlighted the importance of technology leadership and product launches in driving future growth [20] Other Important Information - The company anticipates operating profit margins of approximately 20% in the authentication business by the end of 2026, ahead of original expectations [11] - The company is focused on operational synergies and cost structure simplification following the De La Rue acquisition [78] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide an analysis of the other main CPI verticals and the outlook for CPI? - Management expressed confidence in the gaming sector, expecting strong double-digit growth in the second half of the year, while noting headwinds in vending due to China tariffs [25][26] Question: How should we think about the revenue and earnings cadence between Q3 and Q4? - Management indicated that revenue and operating profit will be slightly more weighted to Q4, with confidence in full-year guidance [31][32] Question: Can you elaborate on the Fortress product and its applications? - Fortress is a new materials technology for product authentication, allowing users to trace products back to their point of origin using a smartphone app [45][46] Question: What are the core drivers for the authentication business going forward? - The authentication business is segmented into brand authentication, government solutions, and government ID, each expected to grow consistently due to market demand and synergies with existing operations [65][67] Question: What is the outlook for U.S. currency volumes in 2026? - Management expects volumes to be in the same range as the current year, with a focus on the mix of denominations being a key driver [71][72] Question: What actions have been taken to enhance margins in the authentication segment? - The company is executing operational synergies through cost structure simplification, rooftop consolidation, and product rationalization to enhance margins [78]