MOVE Logistics Group (MOV) H2 2025 Earnings Call August 28, 2025 07:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsPaul Millward - CEOLee Banks - CFONone - ExecutiveOperatorI would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Paul Millward, CEO. Please go ahead.Paul MillwardGood morning, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. Before we start, I just want to acknowledge the tragic loss of one of our drivers in an incident two weeks ago. Whilst the findings haven't been formally released, the family has shared that it was a med ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a significant improvement in normalized earnings before tax, which increased by 61% year on year, marking the strongest quarterly normalized EBT result in two years [5][19] - Gross margin percentage improved by 4.1 percentage points, with gross margin dollars up 13.4%, indicating effective cost management and efficiency programs [6][18] - The net loss after tax reduced by $32.5 million to $15.6 million, showing consistent improvement throughout the year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The freight and fuel business experienced a turnaround, with normalized earnings loss improving by 90% year on year, moving to a positive result in Q4 FY '25 [11] - Warehousing faced ongoing challenges due to increased industry capacity and aggressive pricing tactics, leading to a need for a reset in the business [12][13] - The specialist business performed well, particularly in infrastructure projects, with a healthy pipeline for the next two years [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The trading environment in FY '25 was challenging due to ongoing economic headwinds, low business and consumer confidence, and cost of living pressures [8] - Increased competitor activity and aggressive pricing were noted, particularly in the warehousing sector, leading to a glut in capacity [9][12] - Despite these challenges, there are signs of improving sentiment among partners, indicating potential recovery [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transitioning from cost reduction to value creation as part of its Accelerate transformation program, which has one year remaining [6][22] - The New Horizons roadmap aims to establish the company as the preferred logistics provider in New Zealand by FY '28 [21] - Priorities include improving performance in warehousing, enhancing customer retention, and investing in technology for data-driven decisions [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the uncertainty in the timing and speed of economic recovery but expressed confidence in the company's positioning and readiness for growth [23][24] - The focus on gross margin improvements is expected to provide a stronger foundation for future earnings growth [24] - Management is optimistic about returning to positive normalized EBT in FY '26 [24] Other Important Information - The company has established a new funding partnership and extended its bank facility through August 2026, ensuring adequate capital for operations and growth [19][20] - A significant reduction in operating expenses of $27 million was achieved, with labor savings of approximately $15 million [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will there be any months in FY '26 with positive net profit after tax? - Management could not specify exact months but indicated a clear plan and forecast, noting that the freight and logistics sector typically ramps up after slower months [25] Question: Is a capital raise likely given the erosion of equity and uncertain net profit? - Management stated that while they expect positive EBT, they are focused on ensuring adequate capital for business operations and growth [26][27] Question: What is the EBT range guidance for the coming year? - Management refrained from providing specific guidance due to economic uncertainty but confirmed a return to positive EBT in FY '26 [28] Question: Can management provide clarity on core freight revenue and margin after the realignment of fuel services? - Management declined to share specific details on core freight results, citing confidentiality regarding customer data [29][30]