Core Viewpoint - Floor & Decor Holdings Inc. reported fourth-quarter results that slightly exceeded earnings expectations, leading to a more than 6% increase in share price intra-day [1]. Financial Performance - The company achieved diluted earnings per share of $0.36, marginally surpassing the analyst consensus of $0.35 [2]. - Total revenue for the quarter reached $1.13 billion, reflecting a 2.0% increase compared to the same period last year [2]. - Comparable store sales experienced a decline of 4.8% in the final quarter of 2025, indicating ongoing challenges in organic growth [2]. Future Projections - For fiscal 2026, Floor & Decor projected total sales between $4.88 billion and $5.03 billion, which includes an estimated $65 million in revenue from a 53rd operating week [3]. - Management guided full-year earnings per share to be between $1.98 and $2.18 [3]. - Company leadership emphasized the resilience of the business model and its commitment to disciplined execution and strategic investment [3].

Core Insights - Live Ventures Incorporated is advancing automation at its subsidiary Flooring Liquidators, Inc. with an AI-powered logistics and autonomous material-handling strategy aimed at enhancing warehouse efficiency and modernizing distribution [1][4] Group 1: Automation and Technology - The initiative focuses on the Fairfield, California distribution hub, which is being designed for autonomous operations using self-guided vehicles for pallet movement, minimizing human intervention [2] - Autonomous vehicles are reported to operate at approximately ten times the throughput of traditional methods, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors [3] - The facility employs advanced technologies such as LiDAR-based navigation and collision-avoidance systems, specifically optimized for high-volume flooring products [3] Group 2: Strategic Objectives - The strategic goal is to facilitate smooth inventory flow, allowing professional staff to concentrate on customer engagement and relationship building [4] - AI-driven capabilities are expected to enable Flooring Liquidators to scale more rapidly than regional competitors without proportional increases in labor costs or facility size [4] - Live Ventures emphasizes the integration of AI and robotics across its portfolio, positioning itself for competitive advantages in the AI era [4][6] Group 3: Company Background - Flooring Liquidators, established in 1997, is a prominent retailer and installer of flooring, carpeting, and countertops in California, Nevada, and the Midwest [5] - Live Ventures Incorporated is a diversified holding company focused on acquiring and operating middle-market companies with strong cash flows and market positions, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a diluted EPS of $0.53 for Q3 2025, a 10.4% increase from $0.48 in the prior year, marking the second consecutive quarter of double-digit EPS growth [7] - Total sales grew by 5.5% to $1,180 million, while comparable store sales declined by 1.2% from the same period last year [7][8] - The gross margin rate decreased by approximately 10 basis points to 43.4% from 43.5% in the same period last year, primarily due to increased distribution center costs [25][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened five new stores in Q3 2025, bringing the total to 262 stores, a 9% increase from 241 stores in the same period last year [9][10] - Comparable store sales for Pro customers were essentially flat, driven by a slight decline in transactions and a small increase in average ticket [23] - Design services saw robust year-over-year sales growth, significantly outperforming overall company sales for the quarter and year-to-date [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable store sales in the West division outperformed the company average for both the quarter and year-to-date [19] - Existing home sales hovered around an annualized pace of 4 million units, showing little meaningful improvement, which impacted discretionary spending [18][31] - The company noted that the housing market pressures and evolving consumer preferences have affected sales, particularly in larger markets like Texas and Florida [60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to scale towards 500 warehouse-format stores and accelerate commercial flooring distribution expansion [6][10] - A disciplined approach to expansion and capital allocation is emphasized, with a focus on maintaining flexibility in response to economic shifts [11][12] - The company is rolling out kitchen cabinets to approximately 200 stores by the end of 2025 and expanding outdoor and pool product assortments [20][67] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that existing home sales and demand for hard surface flooring will recover over time, positioning the company strategically for growth [8][31] - The company anticipates little divergence from prevailing housing sector trends, with consumer spending likely to remain restrained [30] - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by macroeconomic pressures but highlighted the operational excellence and agility of their teams [17][18] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $893.5 million in unrestricted liquidity, including $204.5 million in cash and cash equivalents [25] - The fiscal 2025 capital expenditures are planned to be in the range of $280 million to $300 million, including investments in new distribution centers and existing stores [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about the timing of leadership transition and its impact on growth - Management reassured that the transition to a new CEO is well-planned and that the new leadership will continue to drive growth [37][39] Question: Impact of mortgage rates on existing home sales and business outlook - Management indicated that if existing home sales are positive, it would provide a good opportunity for the company to achieve positive comps [40][42] Question: Use of home equity lines of credit for flooring purchases - Management noted that an increase in home equity lines typically benefits home improvement spending, but it is too early to determine the immediate impact [45] Question: Attribution of sales slowdown to industry contraction versus competition - Management attributed the slowdown primarily to industry contraction rather than increased competition, noting that the company is performing better than competitors [46] Question: Trends in comparable store sales and market share - Management highlighted that while comparable store sales are slightly down, the company is still gaining market share in a challenging environment [50][51]