Lowe's logo is seen on the store in Texas, United States on October 21, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesLowe’s (NYSE: LOW) surged nearly 6% in pre-market trading to around $230, indicating early enthusiasm from investors about the company's operational progress. At first glance, Q3 might not seem impressive—comparable sales increased by only 0.4%—but the underlying figures present a different picture. Beneath the surface, Lowe’s is subtly transforming its gr ...

October 30, 2025 Forward-Looking Statements Forward-Looking Statements. This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the context of the statements and generally arise when the Company is discussing its beliefs, estimates or expectations as to future events. These statements are no ...

Core Viewpoint - The Home Depot has successfully acquired GMS Inc. for an enterprise value of approximately $5.5 billion, enhancing its position in the specialty building products distribution market [1][2]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition was completed through SRS Distribution Inc., a subsidiary of The Home Depot, and was initially announced on June 30, 2025 [1]. - The tender offer for GMS common stock expired on September 3, 2025, with 30,337,823 shares validly tendered, representing about 79.5% of outstanding shares [3]. - The Home Depot accepted all validly tendered shares at a price of $110 per share in cash, resulting in GMS becoming a direct subsidiary of SRS [4][5]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition of GMS is expected to enhance SRS's capabilities and customer relationships, allowing for cross-selling synergies and a more comprehensive service offering to professional contractors [2]. - The Home Depot aims to grow its market share among professional contractors by providing differentiated offerings that cater to various project sizes, from large jobs to smaller renovations [2]. Company Background - The Home Depot is the largest home improvement specialty retailer globally, operating over 2,353 retail stores and employing more than 470,000 associates [6]. - SRS Distribution, founded in 2008, has rapidly grown to become a significant player in the building products distribution sector, operating over 800 locations across 48 states [7]. - GMS, established in 1971, operates more than 300 distribution centers and nearly 100 tool sales and rental centers, focusing on wallboard, ceilings, and steel framing products [8].

Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 4% to a record $635 million in Fiscal Quarter 1 2026[6], compared to $609 million in the same period of the previous year[9] - Gross profit margin was 29.2%[6] - Earnings per share (EPS) decreased by 5% to $3.76[6], compared to $3.94 in the same period of the previous year[13] - Operating cash flow generated was $137 million[6], a 3% increase compared to $133 million in the same quarter of the previous year[21] Segment Results - Heavy Materials (including Cement, Concrete, and Aggregates) revenue increased to $421 million[17] from $400 million[17], with cement sales volume up by 2%[17] and aggregates sales volume up by 117%[17] - Light Materials (Wallboard) revenue increased to $251 million[20] from $248 million[20], with wallboard sales volume up by 4%[20], but wallboard net sales prices decreased by 3%[20] Capital Allocation - $87 million was returned to shareholders[6] - 358,000 shares were repurchased for $79 million[6] - Quarterly dividend was paid[6] Financial Position - Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 1.6x as of June 30, 2025[24], compared to 1.5x as of March 31, 2025[24] - Net Debt was $1,258 million as of June 30, 2025[35], compared to $1,226 million as of March 31, 2025[35]

Company Overview - Home Depot, Inc. is focused on creating a seamless experience for customers through its "One Home Depot" investment plan, which emphasizes supply chain expansion, technology investments, and digital enhancements [1][10] - The company is positioned to capture market share by enhancing its interconnected retail strategy and robust technology infrastructure, which have improved online conversions [8][9] Acquisition Details - Home Depot has agreed to acquire GMS Inc. for its specialty trade distribution subsidiary, SRS Distribution Inc., with a cash tender offer of $110 per share, totaling an equity value of approximately $4.3 billion and an enterprise value of around $5.5 billion [2][3] - The acquisition is expected to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year post-close, excluding synergies, and is anticipated to be completed by fiscal 2025 [4] Strategic Benefits - The acquisition will enhance SRS's distribution capabilities across the US and Canada, complementing its existing business and expanding its footprint [6] - The combined entities will establish a network of over 1,200 locations and a fleet of more than 8,000 trucks, enabling tens of thousands of jobsite deliveries daily [7] Market Performance - Home Depot's shares have increased by 12.1% over the past year, outperforming the industry's growth of 7.8% [11]

Core Insights - GMS reported revenue of $1.33 billion for the quarter ended April 2025, a year-over-year decline of 5.6% and an EPS of $1.29 compared to $1.93 a year ago, indicating a significant drop in profitability [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.3 billion by 2.81%, while the EPS surpassed the consensus estimate of $1.15 by 12.17% [1] Performance Metrics - GMS shares have returned -2.7% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change, suggesting underperformance relative to the broader market [3] - The company holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near term [3] Organic Net Sales Analysis - Organic net sales for Wallboard decreased by 12.5%, better than the estimated decline of 15.3% [4] - Organic net sales for Ceilings increased by 2.9%, compared to an estimated decline of 0.9% [4] - Overall organic net sales fell by 9.7%, outperforming the average estimate of a 11.5% decline [4] - Organic net sales for Other products/Complementary products decreased by 7.3%, worse than the estimated decline of 4.1% [4] - Organic net sales for Steel framing dropped by 17.9%, better than the estimated decline of 23.4% [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year, net sales were $5.5 billion, a marginal increase compared to the prior year, driven by contributions from recent acquisitions [6] - Organic sales for the year were $5.2 billion, down 5.4% on a same-day basis compared to the prior year [7] - Net income for the full year was $115.5 million, including a $42.5 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge [7] - Adjusted EBITDA was $500.9 million, and free cash flow for the year was $336.1 million, representing 67% of adjusted EBITDA [7] - In the fourth quarter, net sales were $1.3 billion, with organic sales declining 8.3% per day [8][15] - Net income for the fourth quarter was $26.1 million, and adjusted EBITDA was $109.8 million, at the high end of the outlook [8][29] - Free cash flow generated during the quarter was $183.4 million, or 167% of adjusted EBITDA, marking the highest level of quarterly free cash flow conversion in the company's history [8][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ceilings saw volume improvement during the quarter, with sales up 6.4% compared to the prior year [8][22] - Wallboard sales for the quarter were $526.6 million, down 10.1% year-over-year, with a 12.1% decrease in volume partially offset by a 1% increase in price and mix [20][21] - Steel framing sales were $189.2 million, down 14.2% for the quarter, with volumes down 2.6% and price and mix down 10.2% [23] - Complementary product sales were nearly flat year-over-year, up 1.4% on a per-day basis, representing the twentieth consecutive quarter of per-day growth [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wallboard industry volumes were down 10% in the first calendar quarter, with high interest rates and policy uncertainty as primary impediments to growth [10] - U.S. residential revenues declined 6% per day compared to the prior year, with single-family volumes down 1.9% per day [18][19] - Multifamily revenues fell 32.4% and commercial revenues fell 10.1% on a per-day basis [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on four strategic pillars: expanding share in core products, growing complementary products, expanding the platform, and driving improved productivity and profitability [13] - A significant cost savings program has been executed, achieving $25 million in annualized cost savings in the fourth quarter, totaling $55 million for the fiscal year [14] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined approach to capital allocation, balancing stock buybacks with debt reduction while pursuing attractive M&A opportunities [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about nearing the bottom of the cycle, with expectations for demand recovery as economic conditions improve [10][12] - The company anticipates that the near term will remain challenging, but expects to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities [13][39] - Management highlighted the importance of servicing customers and executing strategic priorities despite macroeconomic difficulties [33] Other Important Information - The company reduced net debt by more than 10% during the quarter, maintaining a target debt leverage range of 1.5 to 2.5 times [14] - Cash on hand was $55.6 million, with $631.3 million of available liquidity under the revolving credit facility [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sequential organic trends and expectations - Management noted improvements in the single-family market and share gains with larger customers, contributing to expectations of better performance [41][42] Question: Technology and efficiency optimization efforts - Management confirmed ongoing investments in digital initiatives and automation, which have contributed to cost reductions and improved service delivery [44][45][47] Question: Single-family dynamics and share gains - Management discussed leveraging scale to support builder partners and highlighted regional strengths contributing to share gains [52][56] Question: Margin dynamics and market dependency - Management indicated that half of the expected margin improvement is volume-related, while the other half is due to operational efficiencies [58][60] Question: Visibility into the single-family market - Management provided insights on lead times for orders and expressed confidence in a potential uptick in starts moving into the next selling season [66][68] Question: Impact of large homebuilders on distribution - Management emphasized gaining share with large builders due to service quality and efficiency, which positions the company well for future growth [77][80] Question: Return to office trends - Management expressed cautious optimism about future opportunities in tenant improvement work and office-to-residential conversions [82][84] Question: Wallboard pricing and industry dynamics - Management discussed the ability to pass through limited price increases and the resilience of pricing in the current environment [87][89]

Financial Performance - FY2025 - Net sales reached $55 billion, a 06% increase per day, driven by acquisitions [5] - Gross margin was 312%, down 110 bps [5] - Net income was $1155 million, a decrease of 582% [5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $5009 million, down 186% [5] - Free cash flow was $3361 million, representing 67% of Adjusted EBITDA [5] Financial Performance - Q4 FY2025 - Net sales were $13 billion, down 41% per day [6] - Gross margin was 312%, down 70 bps [6] - Net income was $261 million, a decrease of 537% [6] - Adjusted EBITDA was $1098 million, down 251% [6] - Free cash flow was $1834 million, representing 167% of Adjusted EBITDA [6] Cost Reduction and Capital Structure - Implemented $55 million of annualized cost reductions during FY25, with full quarterly run rate expected in Q1 FY26 [5, 6] - Share repurchases amounted to 349K shares for $264 million during Q425 [22] - $1920 million repurchase authorization remaining as of April 30, 2025 [22] Q1 FY26 Expectations - Net sales are expected to be down low to mid single digits in total, and down mid to high single digits organically [24] - Gross margin is expected to be approximately 312% [24] - GAAP net income is projected to be between $51 million and $53 million [24] - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $132 million to $137 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 95% to 98% [24]

Core Viewpoint - GMS is expected to report a significant decline in quarterly earnings and revenues, indicating potential challenges in its business performance [1]. Financial Performance - Analysts predict GMS will post quarterly earnings of $1.15 per share, a decline of 40.4% year-over-year [1]. - Revenues are forecasted to be $1.3 billion, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 8.2% [1]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - There have been no revisions in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days, indicating stability in analysts' projections [2]. - Revisions to earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor behavior and stock price performance [3]. Key Metrics Analysis - Organic net sales for Wallboard are estimated to decline by 15.3%, contrasting with a 6% increase from the previous year [5]. - Organic net sales for Ceilings are expected to decrease by 0.9%, compared to an 11.4% increase last year [5]. - Organic net sales for Other products/Complementary products are projected to decline by 4.1%, down from a 3.5% increase in the same quarter last year [6]. Market Performance - GMS shares have changed by +2.7% in the past month, compared to a +3.6% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite [7]. - GMS holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it is expected to perform in line with the overall market in the near future [7].

Financial Performance - Fiscal Year 2025 saw record revenue of $2.3 billion[4] - Record diluted EPS of $13.77 was achieved in Fiscal Year 2025[4] - The company returned $332 million to shareholders[4] - Fiscal Q4 2025 revenue was $470 million compared to $477 million in Fiscal Q4 2024[8] - Fiscal Year 2025 revenue was $2.261 billion compared to $2.259 billion in Fiscal Year 2024[8] - Fiscal Q4 2025 Diluted EPS was $2.00 compared to $2.24 in Fiscal Q4 2024[12] - Fiscal Year 2025 Diluted EPS was $13.77 compared to $13.61 in Fiscal Year 2024, up 1%[12] Business Segments - Cement sales volume decreased by 5%, but net sales prices increased by 4% in Fiscal Year 2025[15] - Cement revenue was $1.439 billion in FY2025 compared to $1.466 billion in FY2024[15] - Cement operating earnings were $311 million in FY2025 compared to $351 million in FY2024[15] - Wallboard net sales prices were up 1%, and record Recycled Paperboard sales volume was up 5% in Fiscal Year 2025[19] - Light Materials revenue was $969 million in FY2025 compared to $941 million in FY2024[18] - Light Materials operating earnings were $389 million in FY2025 compared to $366 million in FY2024[18] Strategic Initiatives - The company acquired two aggregates businesses, leading to a 50% increase in annual aggregates production capacity[5]