Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Daktronics reported a net income of $17.5 million or $0.35 per fully diluted share for the second quarter of FY26, a 25.4% increase on a fully adjusted basis compared to the previous year [24][25][26] - Operating income for the quarter was $21.6 million, up from $15.8 million in the same quarter last year, with a gross profit margin of 27% and an operating margin of 9.4%, both improved from the previous year [25][26][27] - The company incurred $8.8 million in tariff expenses during the second quarter, compared to $1.5 million in the same quarter of the previous year [26][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Live Events segment saw a 26.5% order growth year-over-year, driven by major projects in Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer [9][10] - The Transportation segment experienced a 15% growth in orders, attributed to increased demand for intelligent transportation systems and aviation projects [12] - The International segment orders increased by 23.6% year-over-year, with strong demand in the Middle East and Europe [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed several large-scale installations, including projects in Miami, Baltimore, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi, contributing to a 12% growth in orders across all business segments [8][9] - The product backlog stood at $321 million, a 36% increase year-over-year, providing a multi-quarter revenue runway [9][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Daktronics is enhancing its global manufacturing footprint with a new facility in Saltillo, Mexico, aimed at increasing production capacity and flexibility [15][39] - The company is focused on innovation, with plans for significant product launches, including next-generation LED street furniture and advanced indoor video displays [16][18] - The strategic price adjustments and value-based pricing initiatives are designed to maintain premium positioning while protecting margins [19][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the typical seasonal slowdown in the third quarter due to holidays but expressed confidence in the strong backlog and ongoing growth initiatives [35][63] - The company is committed to executing its transformation plan, which is expected to deliver sustainable growth and improved profitability [37][39] Other Important Information - The company announced the appointment of Ramesh Jayaraman as the new President and CEO, effective February 1, 2026, emphasizing his transformational leadership experience [41][42][43] - Daktronics plans to hold an investor day in early April to provide further insights into its strategy and performance [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the expected revenue conversion from backlog and margin profile? - Management highlighted that a higher percentage of the backlog is in the Live Events segment, which typically has longer conversion times due to customized orders [49][50] Question: Can you provide a breakdown of margin improvements? - The operating margin improvements are primarily attributed to value-added pricing and operational efficiencies, despite the impact of increased tariff expenses [55][56] Question: How does the new Mexico plant affect capacity and investment? - The Mexico facility is a small operation that complements existing U.S. production, with plans for growth based on demand [58][59] Question: How do you see working capital management trending? - Management indicated that while improvements have been made, further significant enhancements in working capital efficiency may be limited [60] Question: How should we think about the third quarter softening given the backlog? - The softening is primarily due to fewer available workdays during the holiday season, but the strong backlog will support future revenue [63]