ACCO(US:ACCO)2025-05-02 12:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter sales were in line with expectations, while adjusted EPS exceeded outlook [5][18] - Reported sales decreased approximately 12%, with comparable sales down 8% excluding foreign exchange [18][19] - Gross profit for the first quarter was $100 million, a decrease of 10%, but gross margin expanded by 60 basis points [19] - Adjusted operating income for the first quarter was $7 million, down from $16 million a year ago [19][22] - The company ended the quarter with a leverage ratio of 3.65 times, well below the covenant of 4.5 times [6][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Americas segment, sales declined 12%, with comparable sales down 8% due to lower sales of technology accessories and office products [20][21] - The international segment also saw comparable sales decline by 8%, although technology accessories experienced mid-single-digit growth driven by a large B2B sale [21][13] - The computer and gaming accessories segment grew mid-single digits, while sales of office products remained sluggish across most markets [13][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand environment was challenging, particularly in the Americas, impacted by soft consumer and business demand [11][18] - Brazil returned to volume growth, driven by strong sales of premium notebooks and products with popular licenses [13] - The company noted that about 60% of its business is outside the U.S., which is less affected by the current tariff situation [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a $100 million multi-year cost reduction program, achieving $7 million in savings in the first quarter [5][17] - A "China plus one" strategy has been implemented to diversify the supplier base and reduce dependency on China [7][10] - The company is temporarily investing in inventory to mitigate financial impacts from tariffs and is implementing price increases in North America [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating uncertainties related to tariffs and consumer demand [10][26] - The company is not providing full-year guidance due to the unpredictable economic environment and customer demand [23] - For the second quarter, reported sales are expected to decline by 8% to 12%, with adjusted EPS anticipated in the range of $0.28 to $0.32 [25][26] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $15 million in stock during the quarter and made a small acquisition in the Australia-New Zealand markets [6][22] - The acquisition focused on ergonomic seating and business seating, expanding the product portfolio in a growing category [34][36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of the large B2B contract on future quarters - The large B2B contract had a one-time impact in the first quarter, with no incremental sales expected in subsequent quarters [28][29] Question: Details on price increases in the international segment - A 2% price increase was communicated to customers in the international segment, with additional increases anticipated in the U.S. due to tariffs [31][32] Question: Appetite for future acquisitions - The company remains open to acquisitions as part of its long-term strategy but will be cautious in the near term due to current trade dynamics [40] Question: Timing and revenue expectations from new product development - New products are being introduced throughout the year, with notable launches supporting the Nintendo Switch 2 expected in June [41][42] Question: Dynamics of sales pull forward for back-to-school orders - The pull forward of back-to-school orders was not significant for the overall season, and the company is well-prepared to support retailers [66][67] Question: Pricing actions in response to tariffs - The first round of price increases was in the single digits, while reciprocal tariffs could lead to increases up to 20% [80]