Summary of Northern Technologies International (NTIC) Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Northern Technologies International (NTIC) - **Industry**: Industrial packaging and corrosion solutions - **Key Products**: Zerust Excor (volatile corrosion inhibitors), Zerust Oil & Gas, Natur-Tec Bioplastics (compostable plastics) [1][2] Core Business Segments - **Zerust Industrial**: Traditional industrial packaging products, primarily serving automotive, construction, agriculture, and mining sectors [8][10] - **Zerust Oil & Gas**: Focus on protecting oil and gas infrastructure, including pipelines and storage tanks, with a recent $13 million contract in Brazil [11][12] - **Natur-Tec Bioplastics**: Development of certified compostable resins, capitalizing on global trends towards reducing single-use plastics [14][15] Growth Strategies - **Revenue Growth Target**: Aim for 15% top-line revenue growth while limiting operating expense growth to under 10% [6] - **Investment Focus**: Significant investments in oil and gas and Natur-Tec businesses expected to yield dividends in the next 1-5 years [7][27] - **Geographic Expansion**: Operations in 65 countries, with notable growth in China and India [2][5] Financial Performance - **Gross Margins**: Higher margins in oil and gas (60%+) compared to traditional industrial products; Natur-Tec margins improving due to lower raw material costs [18][29] - **Joint Ventures**: 15 international joint ventures contribute significantly to profitability, with NTIC receiving 10-11% of joint venture revenues as after-tax profit [20][38] Market Dynamics - **Competitive Advantage**: Global presence allows NTIC to provide comprehensive corrosion solutions, enhancing customer service and product differentiation [4][22] - **Market Trends**: Increasing demand for compostable plastics and corrosion solutions in oil and gas due to regulatory pressures and infrastructure investments [15][27] Operational Insights - **KPI Tracking**: Focus on gross margins and operating expenses to drive profitability; investments in sales and technical teams to enhance execution [34] - **Revenue Volatility**: Oil and gas contracts are project-based, leading to potential revenue fluctuations; however, new contracts may stabilize monthly revenues [30][31] Future Outlook - **Long-term Growth**: NTIC expects continued growth in oil and gas and Natur-Tec sectors, driven by market mandates and infrastructure investments [27][28] - **Strategic Planning**: Management emphasizes a compelling growth strategy across all business segments, aiming to leverage existing capabilities for future success [24][25] Additional Considerations - **Dividend Policy**: Recent reductions in dividends due to capital investments in growth areas, maintaining a conservative balance sheet [23] - **Market Diversification**: Efforts to reduce reliance on automotive markets by expanding into general industry and other sectors [26]

Core Viewpoint - Greif, Inc. will report its 2026 first quarter financial results on January 28, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for January 29, 2026, to discuss the results [1]. Group 1: Financial Reporting - The company will release its Q1 2026 financial results after market close on January 28, 2026 [1]. - A conference call to discuss the results will take place on January 29, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET [1]. - Conference call slides will be provided alongside the earnings press release, including management's prepared remarks and a Q&A session [2]. Group 2: Conference Call Access - Participants can access the call through an online registration link, receiving a confirmation with dial-in details and a unique conference call code [3]. - Phone lines will open at 8:00 a.m. ET on January 29, 2026 [3]. - A digital replay of the conference call will be available two hours after the call on the company's website [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Greif, founded in 1877, is a global leader in performance packaging, operating in 40 countries [4]. - The company focuses on delivering innovative and tailored solutions for demanding and fast-growing industries, emphasizing customer service, operational excellence, and sustainability [4].

Core Insights - Greif, Inc. reported significant financial results for the two-month fourth quarter and eleven-month fiscal year 2025, highlighting a substantial decrease in net income and changes in operational performance due to the divestment of its Containerboard Business [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - For the two-month fiscal fourth quarter of 2025, net income decreased by 227.4% to $(43.3) million, or $(0.73) per diluted Class A share, compared to $34.0 million, or $0.58 per diluted Class A share in the same period of 2024 [6]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter increased by 7.4% to $98.9 million, while combined Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 3.7% to $122.7 million [6]. - For the eleven-month fiscal year, net income decreased by 93.2% to $15.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted Class A share, compared to $220.5 million, or $3.81 per diluted Class A share in the previous year [6]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the eleven-month period increased by 3.1% to $511.3 million, while combined Adjusted EBITDA rose by 10.9% to $702.6 million [6]. Operational Changes - The company divested its Containerboard Business for $1.8 billion, which is now classified as discontinued operations starting in Q3 2025 [2][3]. - The fiscal year-end was changed to September 30, resulting in an 11-month fiscal year for 2025 [3]. Debt and Cash Flow - Total debt decreased by $1,538.1 million to $1,202.5 million, and net debt decreased by $1,597.1 million to $945.8 million, leading to a leverage ratio reduction to 1.63x from 3.48x [7]. - Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $376.5 million to a use of $244.7 million for the fourth quarter, while adjusted free cash flow increased by $24.0 million to $122.6 million [6]. Strategic Actions - The company achieved cost optimization run-rate savings of approximately $50 million by the end of fiscal year 2025 and increased its anticipated cost optimization commitment to $120 million [15]. - Plans for share repurchases in 2026 reflect confidence in the company's earnings power and operational leverage [9]. Market Outlook - The company noted a multi-year period of industrial contraction with no compelling demand inflection identified, leading to conservative guidance for fiscal 2026 [31][32]. - The low-end guidance for fiscal 2026 includes an estimated Adjusted EBITDA of $630 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $315 million [32].

Core Points - Greif, Inc. has completed the sale of its timberlands business to Molpus Woodlands Group for approximately $462 million after adjustments [1][2] - The sale is part of Greif's strategy to achieve the highest return on invested capital and is expected to lower the company's leverage ratio below 1.2x, enhancing its balance sheet and providing significant interest savings for fiscal 2026 [2] Company Overview - Greif, Inc. is a global leader in performance packaging, operating in 40 countries and providing innovative and tailored solutions for various industries [3] - The company emphasizes customer service, operational excellence, and sustainability in its packaging solutions [3]

Core Viewpoint - Greif, Inc. announces the retirement of Gary Martz, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, effective November 30, 2025, after over two decades of service, highlighting his significant contributions to the company's legal and operational foundations [1][2]. Company Leadership and Transition - Gary Martz joined Greif in 2002 as the first in-house counsel and developed a global function overseeing corporate governance, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation, among other areas [2]. - Ole Rosgaard, President and CEO, acknowledges Martz's foundational role and expresses gratitude for his leadership and legal expertise, which have been vital to Greif's global success [3]. - Dennis Hoffman will take over as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary on October 1, bringing extensive experience in corporate law and a strong understanding of Greif's values [5]. Company Background - Greif, founded in 1877, operates in 40 countries and is recognized as a leader in performance packaging, providing innovative solutions for various industries [6].

Core Viewpoint - Greif (GEF) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of changing earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [3][5]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [3]. Greif's Earnings Outlook - The upgrade for Greif reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investor sentiment may drive the stock price higher [4]. - Greif is projected to earn $4.05 per share for the fiscal year ending October 2025, with a year-over-year change of zero [7]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Greif has increased by 7.4% [7]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [6]. - The system maintains a balanced distribution of "buy" and "sell" ratings, ensuring that only the top 20% of stocks receive a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating [8][9]. Conclusion - Greif's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [9].

Company Performance - SoundThinking (SSTI) reported a quarterly loss of $0.24 per share, which was worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.09, marking an earnings surprise of -166.67% [1] - The company posted revenues of $25.89 million for the quarter ended June 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.65%, and down from $26.96 million a year ago [2] - Over the last four quarters, SoundThinking has not surpassed consensus EPS estimates and has topped consensus revenue estimates only twice [2] Stock Outlook - SoundThinking shares have declined approximately 14.5% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 8.4% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is -$0.03 on revenues of $27.57 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is -$0.28 on revenues of $111.01 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for SoundThinking was unfavorable prior to the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Security and Safety Services industry, to which SoundThinking belongs, is currently in the top 31% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable industry outlook [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact SoundThinking's stock performance [5]

Core Viewpoint - Greif, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Soterra land management business for $462 million, aligning with its strategic portfolio optimization efforts [1][2][3]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The transaction involves over 173,000 acres of timberlands located in the Southeastern United States [2]. - The deal is expected to close shortly before or after the company's fiscal year end, pending customary closing conditions [2]. - Cash proceeds from the sale will be allocated to debt repayment [3]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The sale aligns with Greif's strategy to focus on opportunities where it can be an industry leader, enhancing its ability to invest in higher-margin, less cyclical markets [3]. - The timberlands sold are strategically located near robust timber markets, offering diverse and highly productive assets [3]. Group 3: Company Background - Greif, Inc. is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, with a workforce of over 14,000 across more than 250 facilities in 37 countries [4]. - The company produces a wide range of packaging products, including steel, plastic, and fiber drums, as well as containerboard and specialty products [4]. Group 4: Acquirer Profile - Molpus Woodlands Group is a leading timberland investment management organization in the U.S., managing over 1.7 million acres of timberland investments [5]. - The company focuses on sustainable timberland management as an investment vehicle for various institutional and high-net-worth investors [5].

Core Viewpoint - Greif announced the permanent closure of its steel and polymer drum facility in Merced, California, as part of a strategy to optimize operations and reduce costs by $100 million [1][2]. Company Actions - The facility is set to cease operations in September 2025, impacting approximately 43 positions [2]. - Customer orders will be fulfilled through the company's remaining global steel and polymer network after the closure [2]. Strategic Focus - The decision is aimed at strengthening the company's focus on key markets and enhancing the performance of its existing steel network and broader business portfolio [3]. Company Overview - Greif is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, producing a variety of containers and packaging solutions [4]. - The company operates over 250 facilities in 37 countries, employing more than 14,000 people [4].

Core Points - Greif, Inc. has initiated a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Enel Green Power España, effective July 1, 2025, following the completion of solar farms in Castilla y León, Spain [1][2] - The 12-year agreement will enable Greif to purchase approximately 100 GWh of renewable energy annually, which is expected to offset around 65% of its Scope 2 emissions in Europe and 3% of its total Scope 1 and 2 emissions globally [2][3] - The VPPA is a key element of Greif's sustainability strategy, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing waste across its operations [3] Company Overview - Greif, Inc. is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, producing a variety of packaging solutions including steel, plastic, and fiber drums, as well as containerboard and specialty products [4] - The company operates over 250 facilities in 37 countries, employing more than 14,000 individuals to serve both global and regional customers [4]