Core Insights - Matthews International Corporation announced the retirement of Chief Financial Officer Steven F. Nicola effective December 31, 2025, after over three decades with the company [1][2] - Daniel E. Stopar has been appointed as the new CFO and Treasurer, effective December 1, 2025, bringing extensive financial experience from his previous roles within Matthews and other companies [2] Company Overview - Matthews International operates through two main segments: Industrial Technologies and Memorialization, focusing on operational efficiency and long-term growth through innovation and strategic expansion [3] - The Industrial Technologies segment is a leading global innovator in precision technologies and intelligent processes, while the Memorialization segment provides products such as memorials, caskets, and cremation equipment to cemetery and funeral home customers [3] - The company has a significant investment in Propelis, a brand solutions business that offers integrated solutions including brand creative, packaging, and content production [3] - Matthews International employs over 5,400 individuals across 19 countries on four continents, dedicated to delivering high-quality products and services [3]

Earnings Performance - Hubbell reported quarterly earnings of $4.93 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.36 per share, and up from $4.37 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +13.07% [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.48 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, which was 1.4% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and compared to $1.45 billion in the same quarter last year [2] Stock Performance and Outlook - Hubbell shares have increased by approximately 4.6% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 8.6% [3] - The company's current Zacks Rank is 3 (Hold), indicating that shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6] Future Earnings Expectations - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $4.99 on revenues of $1.56 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $17.38 on revenues of $5.92 billion [7] - The trend of earnings estimate revisions for Hubbell was mixed prior to the earnings release, which may change following the report [6] Industry Context - The Manufacturing - Electrical Utilities industry, to which Hubbell belongs, is currently ranked in the top 38% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total net sales for 2024 were just over $3 billion, with conversion revenue at $1.46 billion, a decrease of $10 million or 1% compared to 2023 [8][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $217 million, up approximately $7 million from 2023, with adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of conversion revenue improving by approximately 60 basis points to 14.9% [11][12] - Reported net income for 2024 was $47 million, or $2.87 per diluted share, consistent with 2023 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerospace and high strength conversion revenue totaled $530 million, down $4 million or approximately 1%, reflecting a 4% decline in shipments [9] - Packaging conversion revenue was $490 million, down $13 million or approximately 3%, with a 3% decline in shipments [9] - General engineering conversion revenue for 2024 was $313 million, up 3% year over year due to a 6% increase in shipments [9] - Automotive conversion revenue was $120 million, up 3% over 2023 despite a 3% decline in shipments [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market backdrop in 2024 was complex and rapidly changing, with challenges in each end market, particularly in packaging [6][7] - The company expects market conditions to stabilize and become more favorable as it moves through 2025 [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on niche areas in served markets with significant barriers to entry, building strong competitive positions through product differentiation [16] - Investments are being made to upgrade facilities and expand capacity, particularly in the packaging and aerospace sectors [17][21][23] - The company anticipates a transformational year in 2025, driven by strategic investments and strong market positions [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of customer contracts and the potential for increased demand in the second half of 2025 [41][42] - The company expects to see meaningful EBITDA and EBITDA margin uplift in the second half of 2025, with around 60% of full-year EBITDA expected to come in during that period [31][59] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $51 million to shareholders through dividend payments in 2024, marking the eighteenth consecutive year of dividends [15] - The company is assessing alternative inventory accounting methods and expects to provide an update prior to the release of first-quarter 2025 results [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the assumptions regarding scrap spreads and their impact on EBITDA? - The company modeled EBITDA improvement based on last year's performance, expecting 150 to 200 basis points of improvement from scrap spreads [35][36] Question: What is the outlook for the aerospace market and inventory levels? - Management expects build rates to increase with large OEM airframers, leading to a potential uptick in demand in the second half of the year [42] Question: What is the impact of pricing in the packaging segment? - The fourth quarter pricing decline was attributed to a mix impact, with strong demand anticipated for higher value-added products in the second half of the year [44][46] Question: What is the expected CapEx for 2025? - The company expects CapEx to be around $125 million for 2025, including finalizing investments in the RollCoat line and Trentwood expansion [61] Question: What is the status of NOLs and cash tax payments? - The company has utilized its NOLs and expects cash tax payments in 2025 to be in the range of $5 million to $7 million [62]