Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total organic sales increased by 2% in the second quarter, primarily driven by volume growth [6][29] - Adjusted operating income increased by 10%, with a 11% increase when excluding currency impacts [34][36] - Adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter was $0.69, comparable to the previous year [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer segment organic sales grew by 3%, driven by volume and mix, with a 4% volume growth in The Americas [30][29] - Flavor Solutions segment organic sales were flat, with a 1% price contribution offset by a 1% decline in volume and mix [31][32] - In the Americas, Flavor Solutions organic sales increased by 1%, reflecting a 2% price contribution [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Asia Pacific, organic sales in the Consumer segment increased by 4%, driven by volume growth, particularly in China [30][31] - EMEA experienced a 7% decrease in Flavor Solutions organic sales, impacted by geopolitical issues and softness in customer volumes [32][21] - The Americas saw strong volume growth and share gains across core categories, while EMEA reflected select pricing actions to cover rising commodity costs [7][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on profitable volume-led growth through brand investment, distribution expansion, innovation, and operational efficiencies [4][5] - Plans to drive growth include category management, brand marketing, new products, and leveraging data analytics for digital transformation [22][28] - The company aims to mitigate tariff impacts through sourcing strategies and operational efficiencies while maintaining volume momentum [12][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumers are adapting to economic pressures by changing shopping habits but continue to spend on flavor [8][9] - The company expects continued volume growth and strong consumption trends in the second half of the year [23][44] - Management remains confident in achieving long-term objectives despite current macroeconomic uncertainties [47][49] Other Important Information - The company has a global manufacturing footprint, with over 85% of products sold in major markets produced locally [39] - Tariff exposure is approximately $90 million annually, with plans to offset this through sourcing and pricing strategies [40][41] - The adjusted effective tax rate for the second quarter was 24%, compared to 14% in the previous year [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: What surprised you about the second quarter results? - Management noted that the consumer business performed well, driven by volume across core categories, and flavor solutions managed to perform better than expected despite tough conditions [52][54] Question: Can you elaborate on tariff mitigation actions? - The majority of mitigation actions are driven by sourcing and operational efficiencies, with targeted pricing as a residual approach [60][62] Question: Can you provide more detail on gross tariff exposure? - The $90 million exposure is primarily related to raw materials that cannot be sourced domestically, with a blended tariff rate impacting about 2% of COGS globally [71][73] Question: What are the pressures on certain commodities? - The global trade environment has created a standstill, impacting supply-demand dynamics and gross margins, leading to a revised gross margin outlook [92][93]

Core Insights - McCormick & Company reported a 1% increase in net sales for Q2 2025, driven by volume growth, despite a 1% unfavorable impact from currency fluctuations [5][7][12] - The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 outlook, maintaining expectations for net sales, adjusted operating profit, and adjusted earnings per share [5][11][14] Financial Performance - Total net sales for Q2 2025 were $1.66 billion, compared to $1.64 billion in Q2 2024, with organic sales growth of 2% attributed to volume and product mix [5][7][36] - Operating income increased to $246 million in Q2 2025 from $234 million in the same period last year, with adjusted operating income rising to $259 million [5][9][36] - Earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 2025 was $0.65, down from $0.68 in Q2 2024, while adjusted EPS remained stable at $0.69 [10][36] Segment Performance - The Consumer segment net sales rose by 3% to $931 million, with organic sales also increasing by 3% [12][13] - The Flavor Solutions segment saw a 1% decline in net sales to $729 million, with organic sales remaining flat year-over-year [12][13] Cost Management and Outlook - The company is implementing plans to mitigate tariff-related costs and is focused on growth investments to expand operating margins [3][14] - McCormick's fiscal 2025 outlook anticipates net sales growth of 0% to 2%, with adjusted operating income growth of 3% to 5% [15][27] Strategic Initiatives - The Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program is driving cost savings and operational efficiencies, contributing to improved margins [9][11] - The company is prioritizing investments in key categories to sustain strong volume trends and long-term profitable growth [11][14]

Ms. Jenkins began her 32-year career at McCormick in 1993 as a Financial Analyst in U.S. Consumer and progressed to roles with increasing leadership in Corporate Finance, Flavor Solutions, and Supply Chain Finance. In 2015, she became Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), North America, followed by Vice President, Investor Relations in 2017. Since 2022, Ms. Jenkins' responsibilities expanded beyond finance to include Corporate Strategy, Corporate Sustainability, and Corporate Development. She ha ...