Core Insights - Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK) reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $1.43 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19, representing a year-over-year increase of 17.2% [1][9] - The company's net sales were $3.76 billion, slightly missing the consensus estimate of $3.77 billion, and remained flat compared to the same quarter last year [1][9] Segmental Performance - The Tools & Outdoor segment generated revenues of $3.26 billion, consistent with the year-ago quarter, while the Engineered Fastening segment reported revenues of $501 million, up 3% year over year [2][3] Margin Analysis - Cost of sales decreased by 2% year over year to $2.58 billion, leading to a gross profit increase of 5.2% to $1.18 billion, with a gross margin improvement of 150 basis points to 31.4% [4] - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 13.4% year over year to $461.0 million, with the margin increasing by 150 basis points to 12.3% [4] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - At the end of the third quarter, cash and cash equivalents stood at $268.3 million, down from $290.5 million at the end of fourth-quarter 2024, while long-term debt decreased to $4.70 billion from $5.6 billion [5] - In the first nine months of 2025, net cash generated by operating activities was $15.5 million, significantly lower than $427.8 million in the previous year, with free cash flow before dividends reported as negative $195.0 million [6] 2025 Guidance - The company anticipates total revenues to be in the range of a decline of 1% to flat year-over-year, with earnings projected between $2.55 and $2.70 per share, down from the previous expectation of $3.45 [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for the third quarter was $3.8 billion, flat compared to the prior year, with a 1% organic decline driven by a 5% increase in pricing and a 6% decrease in volume [16][18] - Adjusted gross margin rate was 31.6%, up 110 basis points year over year, primarily due to pricing strategies and supply chain efficiencies [17][25] - Adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.3%, reflecting a 150 basis point improvement year over year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Tools and outdoor segment revenue was approximately $3.3 billion, flat year over year, with a 2% organic revenue decline due to a 5% pricing benefit offset by a 7% volume decrease [18][20] - Engineered fastening segment revenue grew 3% on a reported basis and 5% organically, driven by a 4% volume increase and a 1% price benefit [22] - DEWALT brand maintained strong momentum with revenue expansion across all product lines and regions, reflecting targeted investments in innovation [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America organic revenue for tools and outdoor declined 2%, with end user demand starting strong but moderating later in the quarter [21] - In Europe, organic revenue was flat, with growth in the U.K. offset by softer conditions in France and Germany [22] - The rest of the world saw a 1% organic revenue decline, primarily due to market softness in Asia [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve a 35% adjusted gross margin while strengthening its balance sheet, focusing on activating brands, driving operational excellence, and accelerating innovation [7][15] - A strategic transformation program is on track to deliver $2 billion in cost reductions by year-end 2025, with $120 million in incremental pre-tax run rate cost savings achieved in the third quarter [28][30] - The company is reducing reliance on Chinese imports, targeting less than 10% of U.S. supply from China by mid-2026 [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges a challenging macroeconomic environment but remains confident in achieving long-term financial goals through disciplined execution [16][40] - The outlook for 2025 anticipates total company sales to be flat to down 1%, with adjusted earnings per share expected to be approximately $4.55 [30][33] - Management emphasizes the importance of maintaining operational resilience and adapting to evolving market conditions [40] Other Important Information - The company recorded a $169 million pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charge in the third quarter, primarily related to brand prioritization strategy adjustments [31] - Free cash flow for the third quarter was $155 million, contributing to a full-year target of $600 million [36][37] Q&A Session Summary Question: How did volumes perform relative to expectations? - Management indicated that volumes were in line with expectations, starting strong but tapering towards the end of the quarter due to a non-standard promotional window [44][46] Question: What are the profit levers for the fourth quarter? - Operating profit is expected to expand due to gross margin improvements and SG&A expense reductions, with a target gross margin around 33% [49][50] Question: What is the impact of tariff inflation on pricing? - The second price increase is expected to be in the low single-digit range, with minimal impact from recent tariff changes [56][58] Question: How does the company view its position in the housing market? - Management believes the company is well-positioned to benefit from any future housing market recovery, focusing on building relationships and innovation during the current market retrenchment [80][84] Question: What progress has been made on USMCA compliance? - Significant progress has been made towards USMCA compliance, with no structural roadblocks anticipated [86][88]

Financial Performance - Total revenue was $3.8 billion, consistent with the prior year, as price (+5%) and currency (+1%) offset lower volume (-6%) [8, 10] - Adjusted gross margin was 31.6%, an increase of 110 basis points year-over-year, driven by pricing and supply chain transformation benefits [8, 10, 17] - Adjusted EPS was $1.43, inclusive of a tax rate benefit [8, 10] - Net cash from operating activities was $221 million, and free cash flow was $155 million [10] Guidance and Targets - The company revised its 2025 EPS planning assumption to $2.55 - $2.70 on a GAAP basis and is planning for 2025 Adjusted EPS of approximately $4.55 [10] - The company is targeting annual free cash flow of approximately $600 million [10, 19] - The company is committed to achieving 35% adjusted gross margin and a solid investment grade balance sheet [7] Segment Performance - Tools & Outdoor revenue was flat, with a 12.0% adjusted segment margin, up year-over-year [12] - Engineered Fastening revenue increased by 3%, with a 12.8% adjusted segment margin, down year-over-year but up 200 basis points sequentially versus 2Q'25 [12, 14] - Tools & Outdoor organic revenue decreased by 2%, while Engineered Fastening organic revenue increased by 5% [12] Cost Savings and Liquidity - The company achieved $120 million in pre-tax run-rate cost savings in the third quarter, with $1.9 billion program-to-date [8, 17] - The company has $0.3 billion in cash on hand and $2.1 billion in additional commercial paper capacity, resulting in $2.4 billion in total additional liquidity [30]

Core Insights - Stanley Black & Decker reported solid third quarter results for 2025, highlighting growth in the DEWALT brand, year-over-year gross margin expansion, and strong free cash flow despite macroeconomic uncertainties [1][2] Financial Performance - Third quarter revenues were $3.8 billion, consistent with the prior year, as price increases (+5%) and currency gains (+1%) were offset by a volume decline (-6%) [6][7] - Gross margin was 31.4%, an increase of 150 basis points year-over-year, while adjusted gross margin was 31.6%, up 110 basis points [6][7] - Third quarter EPS was $0.34, with adjusted EPS at $1.43, benefiting from a tax rate adjustment [6][7] Segment Results - Tools & Outdoor segment reported net sales of $3,256 million, with a segment margin of 11.8%, up 180 basis points from the previous year [3][8] - Engineered Fastening segment net sales increased by 3%, with a segment margin of 11.9%, down from 14.4% year-over-year due to elevated production costs [3][8] Cost Reduction Initiatives - The Global Cost Reduction Program achieved approximately $120 million in incremental pre-tax run-rate cost savings in Q3 2025, totaling about $1.9 billion since its inception in mid-2022 [4][10] - The company aims to reach a long-term adjusted gross margin target of over 35% through these initiatives [4] Strategic Focus - The company is focused on long-term value creation through brand activation, operational excellence, and innovation [1][5] - Management revised the 2025 EPS planning assumption to a range of $2.55 to $2.70 on a GAAP basis, reflecting non-cash asset impairment charges of $169 million [5][10]