Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for the quarter was $1.24 billion, a 9% increase compared to the same quarter last year [10] - Adjusted segment operating income rose to $155.3 million, up 4% from $149 million in the previous year [10] - Adjusted EPS decreased to $0.23 from $0.24 year-over-year [10] - Net finance expense increased to $56.9 million from $52.9 million, primarily due to additional financing costs related to acquisitions and lease expenses [10] - Net cash from operating activities increased to $214 million from $162.1 million [11] - Free cash flow rose by 44% to $201 million compared to $140 million in the same quarter last year [11] - Capital expenditures totaled $87.6 million, with approximately 85% allocated to growth initiatives [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Civil segment revenue grew 5% year-over-year to $670 million, but adjusted segment operating income decreased 6% to $108.7 million, resulting in a margin of 16.2% [14] - Defense segment revenue increased 14% year-over-year to $566.6 million, with adjusted segment operating income rising 41% to $46.6 million, achieving an 8.2% margin [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Civil training center utilization dropped to 64% from 70% in the prior year [14] - The civil adjusted backlog increased by 27% year-over-year to $8.5 billion, indicating a strong foundation for future growth [37] - The defense adjusted backlog reached $11.2 billion, with a robust pipeline of $6.1 billion in pending orders [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a transformation plan that includes sharpening its portfolio, disciplined capital management, and operational excellence [5][8] - The defense business is highlighted as a key growth area, especially with increased government spending on defense [7] - The company aims to leverage its technology and customer relationships to improve cash flow and return on assets [17] - Organizational changes have been made to streamline operations and enhance performance [24][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategic advantages and the potential for growth in both civil aviation and defense markets [16][43] - The outlook remains strong, with expectations for improved performance as market conditions normalize [43] - The company is committed to disciplined execution and operational efficiency as it advances its transformation [43] Other Important Information - The company is reducing capital expenditures by approximately 10% year-over-year, reflecting a disciplined approach to capital allocation [12][61] - The leadership team is focused on aligning the organization for better performance and accountability [31][34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in capital approval thresholds - Management indicated that the threshold for capital approval has become more disciplined, reflecting current market conditions and performance expectations [51][52] Question: Surprises encountered during the transition - Management noted positive surprises in organizational energy and customer relevancy, emphasizing the depth of technology available [56] Question: CapEx reduction drivers - The reduction in CapEx is driven by market conditions and a disciplined approach, with a significant portion allocated to maintenance and growth [61] Question: Return on invested capital outlook - Management is focused on maximizing returns on current investments and is evaluating how to improve future capital allocation [62][80] Question: Timeline for margin and free cash flow improvement - Management stated that some initiatives will yield immediate results while others may take longer, with guidance expected at the end of the year [84]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for the quarter was $1.24 billion, a 9% increase compared to the same quarter last year [10] - Adjusted segment operating income rose to $155.3 million, up 4% from $149 million in the previous year [10] - Adjusted EPS decreased to $0.23 from $0.24 year-over-year [10] - Net finance expense increased to $56.9 million from $52.9 million, primarily due to additional financing costs related to acquisitions and lease expenses [10] - Free cash flow increased by 44% to $201 million compared to $140 million in the same quarter last year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the civil segment, revenue grew 5% year-over-year to $670 million, but adjusted segment operating income decreased 6% to $108.7 million, resulting in a margin of 16.2% [14] - In the defense segment, revenue increased 14% year-over-year to $566.6 million, with adjusted segment operating income rising 41% to $46.6 million, achieving an 8.2% margin [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Civil training center utilization dropped to 64% from 70% in the prior year [14] - The civil adjusted backlog increased by 27% year-over-year to $8.5 billion, indicating a strong foundation for future growth [37] - The defense adjusted backlog reached $11.2 billion, with a book-to-sales ratio of 0.98 times for the quarter [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a transformation plan that includes sharpening its portfolio, disciplined capital management, and improved operational performance [5][8] - The defense business is highlighted as a key component for future growth, especially with increased government spending on defense [7] - The company aims to leverage its technology and customer relationships to enhance cash flow and return on assets [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong position within the civil aviation and defense markets, emphasizing the importance of operational efficiency and free cash flow generation [43][44] - The outlook remains strong, with expectations for improved performance as market conditions normalize [43] Other Important Information - The company is undergoing significant organizational changes to streamline operations and improve execution [22][24] - Leadership changes include the retirement of the COO and consolidation of defense operations into two segments [23][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in capital approval thresholds - Management indicated that the threshold for capital approval has become more disciplined, focusing on current market conditions and optimizing existing investments [51][52] Question: Surprises encountered during the transition - Management noted positive surprises in organizational energy and customer relevancy, as well as the depth of technology available [56] Question: CapEx reduction and its drivers - The company announced a 10% reduction in CapEx, with two-thirds of that being growth-related, reflecting a disciplined approach to capital allocation [61] Question: Long-term ROIC potential - Management acknowledged the goal of returning to double-digit ROIC but emphasized the need for careful evaluation of past investments and future capital allocation [52] Question: Timeline for margin and cash flow improvements - Management stated that some initiatives will yield immediate results while others may take longer, with more guidance expected in future financial outlooks [83]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for the quarter was $1.24 billion, a 9% increase compared to the same quarter last year [8] - Adjusted segment operating income rose to $155.3 million, up 4% from $149 million in the previous year [8] - Adjusted EPS was $0.23, slightly down from $0.24 in the same quarter last year [8] - Net finance expense increased to $56.9 million from $52.9 million, primarily due to additional financing costs related to acquisitions and lease expenses [8] - Net cash from operating activities increased to $214 million from $162.1 million year-over-year [9] - Free cash flow rose by 44% to $201 million compared to $140 million in the previous year [9] - Capital expenditures totaled $87.6 million, with approximately 85% allocated to growth initiatives [10] - Net debt position was approximately $3.2 billion, with a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.66 times [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the civil segment, revenue grew 5% year-over-year to $670 million, but adjusted segment operating income decreased by 6% to $108.7 million, resulting in a margin of 16.2% [11] - Training center utilization dropped to 64% from 70% in the prior year, reflecting a seasonal slowdown [11] - In the defense segment, revenue increased by 14% year-over-year to $566.6 million, with adjusted segment operating income rising 41% to $46.6 million, achieving an 8.2% margin [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The civil adjusted backlog increased by 27% year-over-year to $8.5 billion, indicating a strong foundation for future growth [34] - The defense adjusted backlog reached $11.2 billion, supported by a robust pipeline of $6.1 billion in pending orders [37] - The civil book-to-sales ratio was 0.88 times for the quarter, while the trailing 12-month ratio remained above 1 at 1.22 times [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a transformation plan that includes sharpening its portfolio, disciplined capital management, and operational excellence [4][6] - The defense business is highlighted as a key growth area, particularly with Canada's increased defense spending projected at CAD 81.8 billion over the next five years [5] - The transformation plan aims to enhance cash flow and return on assets while leveraging existing technology and customer relationships [14][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategic advantages and the potential for growth in both civil aviation and defense markets [13][40] - The outlook for civil aviation remains strong despite near-term challenges, with expectations for a recovery in pilot hiring and simulator sales [36][40] - In defense, momentum is building with higher-value contracts and modernization programs, maintaining a positive full-year outlook [37][40] Other Important Information - The company is undergoing significant organizational changes to streamline operations and improve performance [19][23] - Leadership changes include the retirement of the Chief Operating Officer and the consolidation of defense operations into two segments [19][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in capital approval thresholds - Management indicated that the threshold for capital approval has been tightened, focusing on ensuring investments align with current market conditions and performance expectations [44][45] Question: Surprises encountered during the transition - The CEO noted positive surprises in organizational energy and customer relevance, confirming the company's strong position [47] Question: Potential for margin improvement and free cash flow - Management stated that some initiatives will yield immediate results, while others may take longer to realize benefits [60] Question: Opportunities for optimizing capital employed - The CEO acknowledged the need to optimize capital employed in the civil segment, particularly given the current utilization rates [53][54] Question: Insights from the Canadian Aerospace Summit - The CEO emphasized the opportunity for CAE to participate in the growth of Canada's defense industrial base, highlighting the importance of training and mission readiness [56][57]