Core Viewpoint - Yantai City has introduced measures to boost consumer spending and stabilize production during the Spring Festival period, focusing on trade-in incentives for vehicles and appliances [1] Group 1: Vehicle Trade-in Incentives - Consumers who trade in old vehicles for new ones can receive subsidies of up to 20,000 yuan for scrapping and 15,000 yuan for replacement [1] - For vehicle replacement, the maximum subsidy is 15,000 yuan or 13,000 yuan depending on the specific policy [1] Group 2: Appliance and Electronics Subsidies - Consumers purchasing energy-efficient appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, air conditioners, water heaters, and computers can receive subsidies up to 1,500 yuan [1] - For digital and smart products like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and smart glasses priced under 6,000 yuan, consumers can receive a maximum subsidy of 500 yuan [1] Group 3: Implementation Timeline - The measures are effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 2026 [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sales of $3.8 billion in 2025, a slight increase over the previous year, with earnings per share (EPS) rising 6% to a record $3.85 [10][6] - Free cash flow for 2025 was $546 million, a 15% increase compared to 2024, with a free cash flow conversion rate of 100% [13][14] - The company returned $597 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [6][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America segment sales were $3 billion, slightly up from 2024, with a segment margin of 24.4%, an increase of 20 basis points year-over-year [10][11] - North America water heater sales increased by 1%, while boiler sales grew by 8% due to higher commercial and residential volumes [7][10] - Water treatment sales in North America decreased by 2%, but sales in priority channels grew by 10% [8][9] - Rest of the World segment sales decreased by 4% to $880 million, primarily due to lower sales in China [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In China, third-party sales decreased by 12% in local currency due to economic weakness and soft consumer demand [9][11] - The company expects China sales to decrease mid-single digits in 2026 due to ongoing market challenges [20][21] - The India business, including Pureit, is projected to grow approximately 10% as the company leverages brand synergies [21][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on portfolio management, innovation, and operational excellence as key strategic priorities [22][24] - The acquisition of Leonard Valve is aimed at expanding into the water management market, enhancing digital capabilities and integrated product offerings [26][27] - The company plans to continue investing in gas tankless offerings and other energy-efficient products to maintain market leadership [16][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the U.S. residential market is expected to remain flat to down due to pressures in new home construction [18][19] - The company anticipates a return to growth in China in the second half of 2026, driven by internal actions and market recovery [21][38] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate competitive pressures and maintain profitability through strategic actions [28][29] Other Important Information - The company has increased its dividend for over 30 consecutive years, with a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share approved [14][15] - The company expects to repurchase approximately $200 million of its stock in 2026 [17][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the persistent downturn in residential volumes? - Management indicated that the downturn is primarily due to pressures in new home construction, with emergency and proactive replacements remaining stable [36][37] Question: What indicators suggest a return to growth in China? - Management highlighted the need to move past the impact of government subsidies and focus on remodeling and refurbishments as key drivers for growth [38] Question: Can you elaborate on the competitive intensity in the wholesale channel? - Management noted that competitive pressure is increasing due to low new home construction and retail gaining market share, but emphasized their strong position in both retail and wholesale channels [42][43] Question: What is the growth outlook for the water treatment business? - Management expressed optimism about continued growth and margin expansion in the water treatment business, driven by strategic focus and integration efforts [70][73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sales of $3.8 billion in 2025, a slight increase over the previous year, with earnings per share (EPS) rising 6% to a record $3.85 [9][5][4] - Free cash flow for 2025 was $546 million, a 15% increase compared to 2024, driven by lower capital investments and higher earnings [12][10] - The company returned $597 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [5][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America segment sales were $3 billion, slightly increasing from 2024, with segment earnings of $728 million, up 2% year-over-year [9][10] - North America water heater sales increased by 1%, while boiler sales grew by 8% due to higher commercial and residential volumes [6][7] - Water treatment sales in North America decreased by 2%, but sales in priority channels grew by 10% [8][6] - Rest of the World segment sales decreased by 4% to $880 million, primarily due to a 12% decline in China [10][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In China, third-party sales decreased by 12% in local currency due to economic weakness and soft consumer demand [8][10] - The company anticipates a mid-single-digit decline in China sales for 2026, with expected challenges in the first half of the year [20][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its portfolio through acquisitions, such as the recent acquisition of Leonard Valve, which expands its water management market reach [5][26] - Strategic priorities include portfolio management, innovation, and operational excellence to drive long-term growth [21][22] - The company is focusing on expanding its water treatment business and enhancing profitability through targeted investments [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating a dynamic environment, citing strong performance in commercial markets despite challenges in residential channels [4][5] - The outlook for 2026 includes an expected EPS range of $3.85-$4.15, reflecting a 4% growth over 2025 [14][15] - Management noted that the first half of 2026 may be particularly challenging due to subdued consumer demand in China [20][19] Other Important Information - The company has increased its dividend for over 30 consecutive years, with a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share approved [14][13] - The company plans to repurchase approximately $200 million of its stock in 2026 [16][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the persistent downturn in residential volumes? - Management indicated that the downturn is primarily due to pressures in new home construction, with emergency and proactive replacements remaining stable [35][36] Question: What indicators suggest a return to growth in China? - Management noted that the return to growth will be driven by moving past the phase of government subsidies and focusing on remodel and refurbishment needs [37][36] Question: Can you elaborate on the competitive intensity in the wholesale channel? - Management explained that competitive pressure is increasing due to low new home construction and retail gaining market share, but they maintain a strong position in both retail and wholesale channels [41][42] Question: How do you expect price costs to trend through the year? - Management expects to protect the price-cost relationship but acknowledges potential challenges due to rising input costs [55][54] Question: What are the growth prospects for Leonard Valve? - Management indicated that Leonard Valve has been growing at double digits, and they expect it to contribute approximately $70 million in sales in 2026 [54][53]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sales of $3.8 billion in 2025, a slight increase from the previous year [9] - Earnings per share (EPS) increased by 6% to a record $3.85, compared to adjusted earnings of $3.73 per share in 2024 [5][9] - Free cash flow reached $546 million in 2025, a 15% increase over 2024, with a conversion rate of 100% [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America segment sales were $3 billion, slightly up from 2024, with a segment margin of 24.4%, an increase of 20 basis points year-over-year [9][10] - North America water heater sales increased by 1%, while boiler sales grew by 8% [6][9] - Water treatment sales in North America decreased by 2%, but sales in priority channels grew by 10% [7][8] - Rest of the World segment sales decreased by 4% to $880 million, primarily due to a 12% decline in China [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In China, third-party sales decreased by 12% in local currency due to economic weakness and soft consumer demand [8] - The company anticipates a mid-single-digit decline in China sales for 2026, with expected challenges in the first half of the year [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on portfolio management, innovation, and operational excellence as key strategic priorities [22] - The acquisition of Leonard Valve is aimed at expanding into the water management market and enhancing digital capabilities [25][26] - The company plans to continue investing in gas tankless offerings and expects to generate strong free cash flow in 2026 [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the softness in new home construction is expected to persist into 2026, impacting residential industry volumes [18][35] - The company is optimistic about returning to growth in China in the second half of 2026, driven by internal actions and market recovery [20][36] - The outlook for 2026 includes an expected EPS range of $3.85-$4.15, representing a 4% growth over 2025 [15] Other Important Information - The company returned $597 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2025 [5][14] - The board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share, marking over 30 consecutive years of dividend increases [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is causing the persistent downturn in residential volumes? - Management indicated that the downturn is primarily due to pressures in new home construction, which is expected to continue without stimulus or lower interest rates [34][35] Question: What indicators suggest a return to growth in China? - Management highlighted the need to move past the phase of government subsidies and focus on remodel and refurbishment demand as key drivers for growth [36] Question: Can you elaborate on the competitive intensity in the wholesale channel? - Management noted that competitive pressure is increasing due to low new home construction and retail gaining market share, but they maintain a strong position in both retail and wholesale channels [41][42] Question: How will earnings and revenue cadence look in 2026? - Management expects a more normalized year in 2026, with a potential 50/50 split between the first and second halves, contrasting with previous years where the front half was stronger [44][45] Question: What are the growth prospects for Leonard Valve? - Leonard Valve is expected to contribute approximately $70 million in sales in 2026, with a growth rate in the double digits driven by digital market expansion [52][53]

Full Year & Fourth Quarter 2025 Results January 29, 2026 Charles T. Lauber Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Presentation 2 Stephen M. Shafer President and Chief Executive Officer Highlights North America Rest of World Helen E. Gurholt Vice President - Investor Relations, Financial Planning & Analysis Forward Looking Statements This presentation contains statements that we believe are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Li ...

Core Points - The Jiangsu province will launch a "trade-in" subsidy program for consumer goods starting January 1, 2026, aimed at encouraging residents to upgrade their vehicles, home appliances, and digital products [4][18] Group 1: Vehicle Subsidies - The program offers a maximum subsidy of 20,000 yuan for trading in old vehicles for new ones, applicable to both new energy and fuel vehicles [4][7] - For scrapping old gasoline vehicles registered before June 30, 2013, or diesel vehicles registered before June 30, 2015, a subsidy of 12% of the new vehicle price is available, capped at 20,000 yuan [7] - For trading in old vehicles, a subsidy of 8% of the new vehicle price is available for new energy vehicles, with a maximum of 15,000 yuan, and 6% for fuel vehicles with a maximum of 13,000 yuan [10] Group 2: Home Appliance Subsidies - A subsidy of 15% of the final price, capped at 1,500 yuan, is available for upgrading home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, air conditioners, water heaters, and computers, provided they meet energy efficiency standards [14] Group 3: Digital Product Subsidies - For digital products like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and smart glasses, a subsidy of 15% of the final price is available, with a maximum of 500 yuan per item, applicable to items priced under 6,000 yuan [17] Group 4: Participation Requirements - To qualify for vehicle subsidies, both the old and new vehicles must be registered under the same individual's name, and the new vehicle's invoice and registration must be issued in Jiangsu [17] - For home appliances and digital products, the applicant, payer, and recipient must be the same person, and their information must match [17] Group 5: Implementation and Information Access - The "Jiangsu Consumption Trade-in Platform" will provide comprehensive support for the subsidy application process, and participating merchants will be listed by local business authorities [17][18] - Residents are encouraged to stay updated on specific implementation details and participating merchants through local official notifications [17]

Core Viewpoint - The 2026 "Two New" policy aims to enhance equipment updates and consumer goods replacement, addressing public concerns and promoting high-quality development through targeted subsidies and support measures [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Changes - The 2026 "Two New" policy expands support to include the installation of elevators in old residential areas, equipment updates in elderly care institutions, and updates for commercial facilities like shopping centers and supermarkets [2][4]. - The policy continues to support the replacement of old vehicles and household appliances, including cars, washing machines, and refrigerators, while also expanding subsidies for digital and smart products [2][3]. Group 2: Subsidy Standards - The subsidy standards for equipment updates have been optimized, with differentiated subsidies based on the number of floors for old elevators, potentially easing financial burdens for high-rise residential buildings [4][5]. - For automotive subsidies, the policy shifts from fixed amounts to percentage-based subsidies, with support for new energy vehicles at 12% of the vehicle price (up to 20,000 yuan) and for fuel vehicles at 10% (up to 15,000 yuan) [5][6]. Group 3: Implementation Mechanism - The policy introduces an optimized project application and review process, lowering investment thresholds and increasing support for small and medium-sized enterprises [7]. - A unified subsidy standard will be implemented nationwide for vehicle replacements and household appliances, addressing regional disparities in subsidy amounts [7].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is launching a substantial subsidy program for 2026, aimed at promoting the replacement and upgrading of consumer goods, including vehicles and home appliances, with a total of 625 billion yuan allocated for the first phase of subsidies [1]. Group 1: Automotive Subsidies - Two main directions for automotive subsidies: scrapping old vehicles for new ones or trading in old vehicles for new purchases [2]. - For scrapping, buyers of new energy vehicles can receive a subsidy of 12% of the vehicle price, up to 20,000 yuan, while buyers of fuel vehicles with an engine size of 2.0 liters or less can receive a subsidy of 10%, up to 15,000 yuan [2]. - For trade-ins, new energy vehicles receive an 8% subsidy, capped at 15,000 yuan, and fuel vehicles receive a 6% subsidy, capped at 13,000 yuan [2]. Group 2: Home Appliance and Digital Product Subsidies - The subsidy program focuses on six major home appliances: refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, air conditioners, computers, and water heaters, with a 15% subsidy on the purchase price, capped at 1,500 yuan per item [3]. - Digital products such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and smart glasses are eligible for a 15% subsidy, with a maximum of 500 yuan per item, provided the price does not exceed 6,000 yuan [3]. - The program emphasizes high energy efficiency, green technology, and smart products, aiming to encourage consumer upgrades and industry advancements [3]. Group 3: Broader Policy Implications - The policy also extends to the upgrading of facilities in old residential areas, nursing homes, and fire rescue equipment, with lowered investment thresholds for project applications, allowing more small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from the subsidies [3]. - The overall message encourages consumers to take advantage of the subsidies for significant purchases and upgrades, focusing on energy-efficient and smart products [3].

Market Opportunity and Strategy - The Home Depot has a massive total addressable market (TAM) of approximately $1.1 trillion[4, 6, 32], with over $900 billion remaining as an opportunity[4] - The company's strategy focuses on driving its core and culture[4, 11, 17], delivering a frictionless interconnected customer experience[4, 13, 19], and winning the Pro customer segment[4, 15, 27] - The Home Depot's total market share is approximately 15%[6, 127] Competitive Advantages and Operations - The company possesses distinct competitive advantages including its associates and culture, scale and premier real estate, brand, digital and interconnected capabilities, product authority, and supply chain[4, 7, 8, 9] - The Home Depot operates over 2,350 stores across North America[36, 122], with approximately 470,000 associates[36] - Approximately 90% of the stores are owned by the company[36] Pro Customer Focus - The Pro total addressable market is approximately $600 billion[6, 127], with approximately 50% of the market opportunity representing Pros working on complex projects[128] - The company has over 9 million Pro customers[122] and is focused on providing a unified, cross-category experience to save Pros time and money[131] - Pros on The Home Depot trade credit are increasing their spending by approximately 30% on average[141] Digital and Delivery Capabilities - The Home Depot has approximately $25 billion in annual online sales[97] and over 6 billion website and store visits annually[97, 100] - The company has approximately 16,000 delivery assets[97] and is focused on optimizing fulfillment across all assets to better serve customers[108] - Over 55% of deliveries are same or next-day for in-stock SKUs, representing a 3x+ increase from 2022[107] Financial Outlook - The company reaffirms its fiscal year 2025 guidance, including total sales growth of approximately 3%, a gross margin of approximately 332%, and an adjusted operating margin of approximately 130%[169] - The company anticipates net interest expense of approximately $23 billion and adjusted diluted EPS down approximately -5%[169] - The company estimates approximately $22 billion of pent-up demand created over the last 2 years[181]

Financial Performance - Sales increased by 4% year-over-year, reaching $943 million in Q3 2025, compared to $903 million in Q3 2024[11] - Earnings Per Share (EPS) increased by 15% year-over-year, reaching $0.94 in Q3 2025, compared to $0.82 in Q3 2024[11] - North America segment sales increased by 6% year-over-year[22] - China third-party sales declined 12% in local currency[28] - Legacy India business grew 13% and Pureit added $17 million to the quarter[28] - Free cash flow year-to-date September 2025 was $381 million, compared to $283 million for the same period in 2024[30] Segment Performance - North America segment earnings were $180 million in Q3 2025, compared to $163 million in Q3 2024[23] - Rest of World segment sales decreased by 1% year-over-year to $208 million in Q3 2025, from $210 million in Q3 2024[25] - Rest of World segment operating margin expanded 90 basis points[28] - North America segment margin increased 110 bps to 242 percent[15] Sustainability - Achieved a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity by 2024, exceeding the 2025 goal of 10% reduction[16] - Achieved annual water savings of 36 million gallons, progressing towards the 2030 goal of 40 million gallons[18]