Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q1 2025 sales were $181.6 million, a decrease of 1.3% year-over-year, with comparable store sales down 4.8% [3][18] - Gross margins increased to 61.2% from 60.3%, reflecting improved product selection and merchandise mix [4][18] - Pre-tax profits rose to $5.3 million, with an operating margin of 2.9%, compared to $3.2 million and 1.7% in Q1 2024 [4][19] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $3.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $2.4 million, or $0.14 per share in the same quarter last year [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The design business accounted for approximately 33% of total business, with an average ticket of over $3,300, up about 4% [6] - The designer average ticket grew to over $7,400, an increase of over 9% [6] - Weakness was noted in dining and occasional categories, while upholstery, bedroom, and mattress categories performed in line with expectations [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Written sales were down 2.6% with comparable sales down 6.3% [3] - Sales for Presidents' Day were disappointing, down roughly 10% over the two-week period [5] - Traffic softened but remained positive in the low single digits, with conversion rates stabilizing and showing some improvement compared to last year [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to roll out a new point of purchase and tagging program to enhance the in-store customer experience [7] - The strategy includes increasing inventories of best-selling products to mitigate supply chain disruptions due to tariffs [11][12] - The company aims to open five new stores annually, with a cautious approach based on current market conditions [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed satisfaction with Q1 results despite challenges such as housing market lows, high interest rates, and declining consumer confidence [4][16] - The company is well-positioned to navigate challenges due to its strong brand, debt-free balance sheet, and customer focus [17] - Future guidance includes expectations for gross margins between 60% and 60.5% for 2025, factoring in current tariffs [21][22] Other Important Information - Inventory levels increased by approximately $5 million or about 6% since year-end 2024 [11] - The company has no funded debt and ended Q1 with $111.9 million in cash and cash equivalents [20] - CapEx for Q1 2025 was $6.1 million, with a planned reduction to $24 million for the year due to tariff uncertainties [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of winter storms on business - Management noted that January was down almost 2% in written business, February down about 5%, and March was flat, with multiple storms impacting operations [26][27][28] Question: Price increases due to tariffs - Management confirmed targeted price increases will be implemented, but they expect minimal impact on consumers due to supplier cooperation [31][32] Question: Changes in competition - Management observed aggressive promotions from competitors but did not believe promotional activity was the primary issue affecting sales [34][35] Question: Reduction in CapEx guidance - Management explained the $3 million reduction in CapEx was due to tariff uncertainties, leading to a cautious approach on store expansion [36][37] Question: Performance of new stores - Management expressed satisfaction with new store performance, noting they leverage existing distribution networks and initial traffic has been good [47][48]

Haverty Furniture Companies (HVT) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 01, 2025 10:00 AM ET Company Participants Richard Hare - EVP & CFOSteven Burdette - President & CEO Conference Call Participants Anthony Lebiedzinski - Senior Equity Research AnalystCristina Fernández - Managing Director & Senior Equity Research Analyst Operator As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Richard Hare, Chief Financial Officer. Thank you, sir. You may begin. Richard Hare Thank you, ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported net sales of $181.6 million, a decrease of 1.3% compared to the prior year quarter, with comparable store sales down 4.8% [3][17] - Gross profit margin increased by 90 basis points to 61.2% from 60.3% due to product selection and merchandise mix [4][17] - SG&A expenses decreased by $2.2 million or 1.9% to $107.2 million, representing 59% of sales, down from 59.4% in the prior year quarter [18] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $3.8 million or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $2.4 million or $0.14 per share in the comparable quarter last year [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The design business improved to approximately 33% of total business, with the designer average ticket growing over 9% to over $7,400 [6] - Average ticket rose by approximately 4% to just over $3,300, while written sales were down 2.6% with comps down 6.3% [3][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The housing market continues to operate at thirty-year lows, influenced by affordability issues, inflated interest rates, and declining consumer confidence [4][16] - Sales for the Presidents' Day event were disappointing, down roughly 10% over the two-week period [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to roll out a new point of purchase and tagging program to enhance the in-store customer experience by Labor Day [7] - The company aims to open five new stores a year but will be cautious based on current conditions, with plans for a third store in Houston and relocating an existing store [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating challenges such as housing affordability, high interest rates, and tariffs, citing a strong brand and debt-free balance sheet [16] - The company anticipates gross margins for 2025 to be between 60% and 60.5%, with fixed and discretionary SG&A expenses expected to increase due to store growth and inflation [21] Other Important Information - The company has halted most direct shipments from China due to tariffs, which could cause temporary supply disruptions [10] - Inventories increased by approximately $5 million or about 6% since year-end 2024, with expectations for further increases in Q2 [11][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of winter storms on business - Management noted that multiple winter storms impacted business, but did not quantify the exact impact [24][27] Question: Price increases due to tariffs - Management confirmed that targeted price increases will be implemented, but they expect minimal impact on consumers due to supplier support [30][31] Question: Changes in competition - Management observed aggressive promotions from competitors but did not believe it was affecting their promotional activity [33] Question: Reduction in CapEx guidance - The reduction in CapEx guidance was due to tariff uncertainty, prompting a cautious approach to store expansion [35][36] Question: Performance of new stores - Management reported positive performance from new stores, leveraging existing distribution networks, and expressed optimism for future openings [47][49]