Core Insights - The company reported a solid third quarter with earnings up 2% year over year, driven by productivity and higher volume mix despite ongoing trade policy changes [3][12][21] - The apparel segment showed divergent trends, with high-value category apparel sales growing in the high single digits, while base apparel volumes remained down low single digits due to soft retail demand [4][5][17] - The Solutions Group achieved organic sales growth of 4%, supported by strong performance in high-value categories, particularly VESCOM and Embellix, both exceeding 10% growth [1][16][17] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share reached $2.37, up 2% compared to the prior year, with reported sales increasing by 1.5% [12][21] - The adjusted EBITDA margin was strong at 16.5%, reflecting a 10 basis point increase year over year [12] - The company generated strong adjusted free cash flow of nearly $270 million in the quarter, maintaining a robust balance sheet with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.2 [13] Segment Performance - The Materials Group experienced a slight revenue decline of 2% on an organic basis, primarily due to low single-digit deflation-related price reductions [14][15] - Specialty durable labels and adhesives continued to show strong growth, partially offsetting declines in graphics and performance tapes [2][15] - Intelligent Labels sales grew approximately 3% year over year, driven by key segments such as apparel, food, logistics, and industrial [4][17] Strategic Developments - The company announced a major partnership with Walmart to leverage RFID innovations in fresh grocery categories, marking a significant industry milestone [5][30] - The strategic focus on high-value categories is evident, with these categories now representing 45% of total business year to date [8][9] - The company is committed to disciplined capital allocation, having repurchased approximately $454 million in stock and grown dividends by 7% [10][13] Outlook - For the fourth quarter, the company anticipates reported sales growth of 5% to 7%, with organic growth expected to be between 0% to 2% [18][19] - The company expects to see high-value categories return to growth in the fourth quarter, despite current trade policy uncertainties [2][7] - The outlook incorporates seasonality and incremental productivity, with adjusted earnings per share projected to be in the range of $2.35 to $2.45 [19][21]

Financial Performance - The company reported net sales of $2.2 billion[16] - Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) was $2.37, a 2% increase year-over-year[13, 16] - Strong adjusted free cash flow (FCF) of $269 million was generated[15, 16] - The adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.5%, up 10 bps[17] - The company returned $167 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends[16] Segment Performance - Materials Group reported sales increased 1.2% to $1.5 billion[27] but sales down 1.9% organically[27] - Solutions Group reported sales increased 2.0% to $700 million[30] and sales up 3.6% organically[30] - High-value categories delivered sales of approximately $1.0 billion, with low single-digit (LSD) organic growth[18] - Base categories delivered sales of approximately $1.2 billion, with low single-digit (LSD) organic decline[18] Outlook and Strategy - The company expects Q4 adjusted EPS to be between $2.35 and $2.45[14] - Full-year reported sales growth is projected at 5-7%, including a ~2% tailwind from currency translation and ~2% impact from extra days[45] - The company completed the acquisition of Taylor Adhesives for $390 million[15]

Core Insights - Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY) is set to report its third-quarter 2025 results on October 22, 2025, with expected revenues of $2.22 billion, reflecting a 1.5% increase year-over-year, while earnings per share (EPS) is estimated at $2.32, indicating a 0.4% decline from the previous year [1][7]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVY's third-quarter revenues is $2.22 billion, which is a 1.5% rise from the year-ago figure [1]. - The consensus estimate for AVY's earnings has decreased over the past 60 days, now pegged at $2.32 per share, showing a year-over-year dip of 0.4% [1][7]. - Avery Dennison's earnings have beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 0.4% [3][4]. Segment Performance - The Materials Group segment is expected to see revenues rise by 1.1% year-over-year to $1.51 billion, driven by growth in the base business and specialty labels, although adjusted operating profit is projected to fall by 1.4% to $219 million [10]. - The Solutions Group segment's revenues are estimated at $695 million, reflecting a 1.4% increase from the prior year, with operating profit expected to decrease by 4.4% to $74 million [11][12]. Market Context - Avery Dennison's stock has declined by 25.4% over the past year, compared to a 34.6% decline in the industry [13].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.42, up 5% sequentially and comparable to the prior year, with strong free cash flow of nearly $190 million in the quarter [17][18] - Adjusted EBITDA margin was strong at 16.6%, up 20 basis points compared to the prior year [18] - Sales were down 1% on an organic basis compared to the prior year, primarily due to deflation-related price reductions [17][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Materials Group sales were down 1% on an organic basis, with modest volume mix growth offset by low single-digit deflation-related price reductions [19][20] - Solutions Group sales were also down 1% organically, with high-value categories up low single digits, while base solutions were down mid-single digits [22] - VESCOM, a suite of productivity solutions, was up roughly 10% in the quarter due to successful rollouts [10][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America saw low to mid-single-digit organic volume mix growth, while Europe was down low to mid-single digits due to a strong prior year [19][20] - Apparel sales were down 6% in the quarter, with overall apparel and general retail categories experiencing reduced orders and inventory levels [8][11] - Food and logistics categories showed strong growth, with food up mid-teens collectively [11][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is taking a cautious approach to forward expectations, anticipating third-quarter earnings per share to be comparable to the prior year [13][24] - The focus remains on high-value categories and emerging markets, with a strong balance sheet allowing for organic and M&A investments [14][52] - The company is committed to improving network efficiency and expanding innovation, particularly in the Intelligent Labels platform [15][66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that trade policy uncertainty impacted results, particularly in apparel and general retail categories [17][30] - Despite challenges, management expressed confidence in long-term earnings progression and the ability to navigate dynamic environments [15][24] - The company anticipates a return to earnings growth in the fourth quarter, assuming no significant macro shifts [25][41] Other Important Information - The company announced a 7% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.94 per share, continuing a decade-long trend of annual growth [19] - The company returned approximately $500 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in the first half of the year [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you speak to whether you see pent-up demand and potential quicker turnarounds in the second half? - Management noted continued retail sales volume softness in Europe and muted customer sentiment, with expectations of low single-digit demand in apparel and general retail overall [30][31] Question: What are the expected volumes for the back half of the year? - Management reiterated that apparel business is expected to be down low single digits in Q3, with growth anticipated in Intelligent Labels in the second half [34][37] Question: What are the exit rates in your materials businesses into the third quarter? - Exit rates for the Materials Group were relatively flat overall, with slight improvements noted in June [98] Question: What is the outlook for Embellix and its reliance on global sporting events? - Management expects growth in Embellix to begin in Q4, with confidence in the long-term growth trajectory despite challenges in the apparel market [84][98] Question: How is the rollout with CVS going for VESCOM? - The rollout with CVS is progressing well, with strong growth anticipated as the company continues to leverage data for shelf-edge labeling solutions [86][87]