Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales grew 7% in Q2, following a 6% increase in Q1, with preliminary July sales per workday up approximately 10% year over year [5][12] - Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 90 basis points sequentially, while adjusted EPS rose 6% compared to the prior year [6][14] - Total data center sales surpassed $1 billion in Q2, marking a 65% year-over-year increase [5][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Communications and Security Solutions (CSS) achieved 17% organic growth, driven by strong data center performance, while Electrical and Electronic Solutions (EES) grew 6% [5][18] - Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS) experienced a 4% decline in sales, although investor-owned utilities showed signs of recovery [24][27] - CSS data center sales represented nearly 40% of CSS revenue in Q2, up from approximately 30% in the prior year [19][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The utility market faced headwinds but is expected to return to growth in the second half of the year, with preliminary July sales for UBS showing slight improvement [24][39] - Backlog increased across all business units, with CSS backlog up 36% year over year [40][41] - The overall demand for data centers remains strong, with no slowdown in customer demand reported [19][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing cross-sell initiatives, managing margins, and delivering operational improvements through technology [10][42] - The outlook for organic sales growth has been revised upward to 5% to 7% for the year, driven by strong data center performance and broader electrical sales trends [37][39] - The company plans to prioritize deleveraging the balance sheet while remaining opportunistic regarding share repurchases and acquisitions [41][42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth potential of the utility business, supported by trends in electrification and green energy [27][39] - The company acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and the overall economy but remains optimistic about demand for data centers and improving electrical end markets [39][40] - Management highlighted the importance of strong customer relationships and visibility into future demand, particularly in the data center segment [65][68] Other Important Information - The company redeemed $540 million of Series A preferred stock, improving its capital structure and extending debt maturities [29][30] - Free cash flow for Q2 was $87 million, representing approximately 45% of adjusted net income, with a trailing twelve-month free cash flow of $644 million [27][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on pricing and guidance - Management confirmed that no tariff impacts are included in the second half outlook, and July's strong start reflects genuine demand increase rather than just easier comparisons [49][50] Question: Insights on utility business trends - Management noted that investor-owned utilities returned to growth in Q2, with expectations for public power customers to follow suit in the second half [59][62] Question: Data center growth metrics - Management indicated strong visibility into data center demand, with significant growth in both white space and gray space, particularly driven by AI applications [65][68] Question: Net working capital intensity targets - Management aims to return to pre-COVID levels of around 19% for net working capital intensity, with ongoing improvements noted [79][80] Question: Pricing impacts and inventory gains - Management clarified that known price increases are factored into guidance, but future pricing actions related to tariffs are not included due to uncertainty [84][86]

NYSE: WCC Second Quarter Webcast Presentation July 31, 2025 Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Measures All statements made herein that are not historical facts should be considered as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding business stra ...

Core Viewpoint - WESCO International (WCC) reported a decline in adjusted earnings and net sales for Q1 2025, but showed positive organic sales growth, particularly in the CSS segment, which contributed to a slight increase in share price in pre-market trading [1][2]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings for Q1 2025 were $2.21 per share, down 3.9% year over year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.90% [1]. - Net sales were $5.34 billion, a slight decrease of 0.1% year over year, but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.10% [1]. - Organic sales increased by 5.6% year over year [1]. Segment Performance - EES Segment (38.6% of Net Sales): Sales were $2.07 billion, flat year over year, with organic sales rising 3.4% due to OEM growth [3]. - CSS Segment (37.4% of Net Sales): Sales increased by 17.3% year over year to $2 billion, with organic sales up 18.1%, driven by a 65% surge in Wesco Data Center Solutions [4]. - UBS Segment (23.9% of Net Sales): Sales decreased by 19.2% year over year to $1.28 billion, with organic sales down 4.9%, primarily due to weakness in the utility business [5]. Margin Analysis - Gross margin for Q1 2025 was 21.1%, a contraction of 20 basis points year over year, influenced by lower margins in CSS and EES segments [6]. - Adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 5.8%, down 50 basis points year over year [6]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses rose to $829 million, up 2.3% year over year, with the adjusted operating margin contracting to 4.6% [7]. Balance Sheet & Cash Flow - As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $681.6 million, down from $702.6 million at the end of 2024 [8]. - Long-term debt increased to $5.14 billion from $5.05 billion in the previous quarter [8]. - Cash generated from operations was $28 million, significantly lower than $276.6 million in the previous quarter, with free cash flow reported at $9.4 million compared to $268.4 million previously [8]. 2025 Financial Outlook - WESCO maintains its 2025 outlook, expecting organic sales growth between 2.5% and 6.5%, with reported sales projected to be between $21.8 billion and $22.7 billion [10]. - Adjusted EBITDA margin is anticipated to be between 6.7% and 7.2%, with adjusted diluted EPS expected between $12 and $14.50 per share [11]. - Free cash flow is projected to be between $600 million and $800 million [11].