Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, sales reached $2.1 billion, reflecting a 2.7% increase on an organic basis and a 0.7% increase on a reported basis [19] - Gross margins were 55.8%, a sequential reduction of 20 basis points, primarily due to tariff headwinds [22] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $1.50, exceeding expectations, driven by sales outperformance and lower net interest expense [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Med-Surg segment generated $1.2 billion in sales, up 1.1% organically, with advanced wound care growing 2.7% [20] - Dental Solutions sales were $340 million, a 6.5% organic increase, attributed to back-order improvements and new product launches [21] - Health Information Systems (HIS) segment sales reached $345 million, a 5.6% organic increase, driven by strong performance in management solutions and revenue cycle management software [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced stronger-than-expected sales growth in dental and HIS markets, with volume being the main growth driver [19] - The impact of foreign exchange contributed a 110 basis point benefit to reported growth, while the intra-quarter sale of the purification and filtration business had a 310 basis point impact [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is executing a three-phase transformation plan, focusing on commercial restructuring, innovation revitalization, and portfolio optimization [5][9] - The "Transform for the Future" initiative aims to reshape the cost structure and improve operational efficiency while driving innovation [8] - The company is targeting tuck-in acquisitions valued under $1 billion to build scale in attractive markets [10] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate tariff pressures and improve margins through programmatic savings and restructuring initiatives [31][75] - The long-range plan (LRP) revenue growth targets are being achieved faster than expected, with a goal of 4-5% growth by 2028 [27][31] - The company anticipates a step down in separation costs in 2026 and 2027 as it completes its separation from 3M [25] Other Important Information - The company has successfully reduced debt by $2.7 billion following the sale of the purification and filtration business, improving its balance sheet [24][29] - Free cash flow guidance has been updated to $150-$250 million due to the divestiture, with expectations for strong cash generation moving forward [28][70] Q&A Session Summary Question: Was the Transform for the Future program initiated early on or a response to tariffs? - Management indicated that the program was always contemplated but was initiated once the company was ready post-restructuring and separation activities [35][36] Question: What is the expected cadence of the $500 million cost for the Transform for the Future program? - The $500 million cost is planned over the next four years, dictated by various projects [44] Question: What factors should be considered for fourth-quarter growth guidance? - Management noted that the fourth quarter will absorb remaining first-half volume benefits, with expectations for growth to align with previous quarters [47] Question: Were there geographic trends in the dental portfolio? - Management reported no significant geographic differences, attributing momentum to new product launches globally [50] Question: Was there any tariff-related price uplift in dental results? - Management stated that pricing remained in line with typical expectations, with no extraordinary pricing benefits observed [54] Question: How quickly can portfolio optimization occur? - Management expressed confidence in the operating cash generated and indicated that they are actively looking for tuck-in acquisitions [67][77]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Third quarter 2025 sales reached $2.1 billion, reflecting a 2.7% increase on an organic basis and a 0.7% increase on a reported basis [18] - Gross margins were 55.8% of sales, a 20 basis point sequential reduction, primarily due to tariff headwinds [20] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $1.50, exceeding expectations, driven by sales outperformance and lower net interest expense [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Med-Surg segment generated $1.2 billion in sales, a 1.1% organic increase, with advanced wound care growing by 2.7% [19] - Dental Solutions segment sales were $340 million, up 6.5% organically, driven by back-order improvements and new product launches [20] - Health Information Systems (HIS) segment sales reached $345 million, a 5.6% organic increase, supported by strong performance in revenue cycle management solutions [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Stronger-than-expected sales growth was noted in dental and HIS markets, with volume being the main driver of growth [18][20] - The company experienced a 110 basis point benefit from foreign exchange in reported growth [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is executing a three-phase transformation plan, focusing on commercial restructuring, innovation revitalization, and portfolio optimization [4][8] - The "Transform for the Future" initiative aims to reshape the cost structure and improve operational efficiency while driving innovation [6][27] - The company is targeting tuck-in acquisitions valued under $1 billion to build scale in attractive markets [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate tariff headwinds and achieve long-range plan revenue growth targets faster than expected [4][30] - The company anticipates continued sales and margin improvement in 2026, despite expected tariff pressures [25][71] Other Important Information - The company completed a significant debt reduction of $2.7 billion following the sale of the purification and filtration business, improving its balance sheet [22][28] - Free cash flow guidance was updated to $150-$250 million due to the P&F divestiture, with expectations of $450-$550 million excluding the divestiture impact [26][65] Q&A Session Summary Question: Was the Transform for the Future program initiated early on or a response to tariffs? - Management indicated that the program was always contemplated but was initiated after completing necessary restructuring and separation activities [34] Question: What is the expected cadence of the $500 million cost for the Transform for the Future program? - The $500 million cost is planned over the next four years, with specifics on the cadence not yet provided [43] Question: What factors might affect the fourth quarter growth guidance? - Management noted that the fourth quarter guidance includes absorbing the remaining first-half volume benefits, particularly in infection prevention and surgical solutions [45] Question: Were there geographic trends in the dental portfolio performance? - Management reported no significant geographic differences, attributing momentum to new product launches and a specialized sales organization [49] Question: Was there any tariff-related price uplift in the dental results? - Management stated that pricing remained in line with typical expectations and did not see extraordinary pricing benefits from tariffs [53] Question: How should investors think about margin expansion in 2026? - Management expects continued improvement in margins, but tariffs may exert pressure, which is being addressed through savings initiatives [71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q1 2025 sales of $2.1 billion, reflecting a 4.3% increase on an organic basis and a 2.6% increase on a reported basis [26] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.34, exceeding expectations [32] - Gross margins were 55.6% of sales, slightly ahead of expectations but down 260 basis points compared to the prior year [30] - The company ended the quarter with $534 million in cash and equivalents, with no outstanding borrowings on its revolving credit facility [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The MedSurg segment generated $1.2 billion in sales, a 6% organic growth, primarily driven by Infection Prevention and Surgical Solutions, which grew 8.2% [28] - The Dental Solutions segment reported $328 million in revenue, with a modest 0.4% organic growth, supported by new product launches [28] - The Health Information Systems (HIS) segment contributed $329 million in revenue, reflecting a 3.9% organic growth, benefiting from strong customer retention [29] - The Purification and Filtration segment delivered $242 million in sales, a 2.2% organic growth, led by bioprocessing filtration [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a favorable foreign exchange impact, which was initially a headwind of 160 basis points but is now expected to have a neutral impact on sales growth for the year [26][35] - The overall market volumes remain challenged, particularly in the Dental segment, but the company is seeing resilience in its core restorative areas [28][84] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to its three-phase transformation plan, focusing on enhancing its mission, talent, and commercial productivity [12][21] - The strategic focus includes investing in key growth areas and maintaining a commitment to delivering value for shareholders [12][13] - The company plans to execute tuck-in M&A after the divestiture of the Purification and Filtration business, expected to close by the end of 2025 [22][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by tariffs but expressed confidence in mitigating their impact through various strategies [9][36] - The company raised its full-year organic sales growth guidance to a range of 1.5% to 2.5%, reflecting positive momentum across business segments [34] - Management emphasized the importance of delivering for customers and investing in sustainable growth despite a shifting geopolitical landscape [12][13] Other Important Information - The company has exited over 30% of its transition service agreements and plans to exit all agreements over the next two years [25] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 19.9%, slightly below the low end of the full-year outlook [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence in underlying growth rate - Management expressed confidence in the 2.5% underlying growth rate, attributing it to strong commercial execution and customer order patterns [41][43] Question: Quarterly cadence and impact of tariffs - Management clarified that tariffs primarily impact the bottom line rather than top-line growth, with expectations for Q3 to see the most significant effects [47][50] Question: Top line drivers in MedSurg - Management highlighted improvements in commercial execution and new product launches as key drivers for growth in the MedSurg segment [59][61] Question: Tariff impact and mitigation efforts - Management discussed ongoing mitigation strategies, including optimizing inventory and exploring selective pricing strategies to offset tariff impacts [67][71] Question: Performance in Dental segment relative to market - Management indicated that the Dental segment performed well relative to the market, supported by new product innovations [82][84]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter sales of $2.1 billion, reflecting a 4.3% increase on an organic basis and a 2.6% increase on a reported basis [25] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.34, exceeding expectations [31] - Gross margins were 55.6% of sales, slightly ahead of expectations but down 260 basis points compared to the prior year [29] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - The MedSurg segment generated $1.2 billion in sales, an increase of 6% on an organic basis, driven by strong performance in Infection Prevention and Surgical Solutions [27] - The Dental Solutions segment reported $328 million in revenue, a 0.4% increase on an organic basis, benefiting from new product launches despite market challenges [28] - The Health Information Systems (HIS) segment contributed $329 million in revenue, a 3.9% organic growth, supported by strong customer retention [28] - The Purification and Filtration segment delivered $242 million in sales, a 2.2% organic growth, led by bioprocessing filtration [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a favorable foreign exchange impact, with currency now estimated to have a neutral effect on sales growth for the year, compared to a previous estimate of a 150 basis point headwind [34] - The overall market volumes remain challenged, particularly in the Dental segment, but the company is seeing resilience in its core restorative areas [28][84] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to investing in key areas to support sustainable growth and margin improvement, focusing on five growth driver areas [12][21] - The ongoing separation process is on track, with over 30% of transition service agreements exited and significant progress in ERP deployments planned for the year [24] - The company anticipates completing the divestiture of the Purification and Filtration business by the end of 2025, which will allow for tuck-in M&A opportunities [19][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the headwinds from tariffs but expressed confidence in managing these challenges through mitigation strategies and strong business momentum [8][34] - The company raised its full-year organic sales growth guidance to a range of 1.5% to 2.5%, reflecting positive volume-driven performance across business segments [32] - Management emphasized the importance of delivering for customers and maintaining focus on long-term value creation despite short-term challenges [11][38] Other Important Information - The company has made cumulative repayments of $400 million on its $1.5 billion prepayable term loans, ending the quarter with $534 million in cash and equivalents [31] - Free cash flow for Q1 declined by $80 million, consistent with expectations due to planned payments and one-time separation costs [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence in underlying growth rate - Management expressed confidence in the 2.5% underlying growth rate, attributing it to strong commercial execution and analytics from distributor partners [40][42] Question: Quarterly cadence and impact of tariffs - Management clarified that tariffs primarily impact the bottom line, with expectations for most order timing impacts to be realized in Q3 [48][49] Question: Top line drivers in MedSurg - Management highlighted improvements in commercial execution and new product launches as key drivers for growth in the MedSurg segment [60][62] Question: Tariff impact and mitigation efforts - Management discussed ongoing mitigation strategies, including optimizing inventory and exploring selective pricing strategies to offset tariff impacts [68][72] Question: Performance in Dental segment relative to market - Management indicated that the Dental segment performed well relative to the market, supported by new product innovations [84]