Neogen (NasdaqGS:NEOG) Q1 2026 Earnings Call October 09, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsMike Nassif - CEODave Naemura - CFOBob Labick - PresidentBill Waelke - VP of Investor Relations and TreasuryConference Call ParticipantsBrandon Vazquez - Equity Research AnalystSubbu Nambi - Senior AnalystDavid Westenberg - Senior Research Analyst and Managing DirectorTom DeBourcy - Principal and Senior Equity Research AnalystOperatorGood morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Neogen Corporation's first quar ...

Financial Performance - Neogen's Q1 FY26 revenue was $209.2 million, a decrease from $217.0 million in Q1 FY25[13] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 FY26 was $35.5 million, compared to $43.7 million in Q1 FY25, with a margin of 17.0% versus 20.1%[14] - Adjusted Net Income decreased to $9.4 million ($0.04 per share) in Q1 FY26 from $14.4 million ($0.07 per share) in Q1 FY25[15] - Core revenue growth in Food Safety segment was (1.7)%, while Animal Safety segment saw a core revenue growth of 5.8%[17] - The company's gross debt stands at $800 million, with net debt at $661 million[19] - Q1 Free Cash Flow improved by $43 million compared to the prior year[21] Strategic Initiatives and Outlook - A cost-reduction initiative is expected to yield annualized savings of $20 million[11] - The divestiture of Cleaners & Disinfectants funded a $100 million debt paydown[11] - The company reaffirms its full-year outlook with revenue projected between $820 million and $840 million and Adjusted EBITDA between $165 million and $175 million[11, 24] - A headcount reduction of approximately 10% has been implemented to align with the current operating environment[23]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fourth quarter revenues were $225 million, with core revenue down 2.9% for the quarter, impacted by foreign currency and discontinued products [19] - Gross margin in Q4 was 41.2%, affected by lower volume, elevated inventory write-offs, and production inefficiencies [23][24] - Adjusted net income for Q4 was $11 million, down from $22 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower adjusted EBITDA [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Food Safety segment revenues were $162 million in Q4, down 3% year-over-year, with a core revenue decline of 1.3% [19] - Animal Safety segment revenues were $64 million, including a core revenue decline of 6.7% compared to the prior year quarter [20] - Genomics core revenue declined low single digits in Q4, reflecting a sequential improvement [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core revenue growth in Europe was up mid single digits, while Asia Pacific was down mid single digits [21] - Latin America region saw a mid single digit decline on a core basis, with growth in some product lines offset by declines in others [22] - U.S. and Canada region experienced low single digit growth in food safety core revenue [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on improving internal processes and managing through current market conditions to capitalize on future opportunities [17] - A targeted improvement plan has been released to manage the transition period effectively [17] - The company is prioritizing pathogen detection and has launched new products to enhance its offerings in the food safety market [10][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that end market conditions have worsened, particularly in food safety, due to inflation pressures on food producers [4][5] - The expectation is for revenue in fiscal 2026 to be between $820 million and $840 million, reflecting ongoing market challenges [29] - Management anticipates that gross margin will face headwinds from sample collection and tariffs, but expects improvements in the second half of the fiscal year [30] Other Important Information - The company completed the divestiture of its cleaners and disinfectants business, resulting in approximately $115 million in net proceeds [27] - Free cash flow in Q4 was roughly breakeven, with total capital expenditures declining to $16 million [28] - The company has successfully remediated two Sarbanes-Oxley material weaknesses [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why is this the right time to put out guidance with a new CEO? - Management indicated that the guidance reflects a business-as-usual approach and is intended to provide clarity on the upcoming year [37][38] Question: How much of a headwind is built for next year regarding tariffs? - Management confirmed that the $10 million tariff impact is the expected headwind for fiscal 2026 [41] Question: How does the company plan to grow above market despite consumer pressures? - Management highlighted regulatory opportunities and increased testing focus as key growth drivers [44][45] Question: What are the expectations for food safety industry growth? - Management expects food safety testing to grow at a lower rate than historical mid-single digits due to current market conditions [53][54] Question: What is the expected impact of divestitures on operating expenses? - Management noted that most costs associated with divested businesses will go directly with those businesses, with minimal stranded costs remaining [59][60]

Focused on executing targeted improvement plan during transitional period This presentation includes "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on Neogen's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should ...