Atmus Filtration Technologies (US:ATMU)2025-05-02 16:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for Q1 2025 were $417 million, a decrease of 2.4% compared to $427 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by unfavorable foreign exchange and lower volumes [16][26] - Adjusted EBITDA was $82 million, or 19.6%, compared to $80 million, or 18.8% in the prior period, excluding $9 million of one-time standalone costs [17][28] - Adjusted earnings per share was $0.63 in Q1 2025, up from $0.60 last year [29] - Adjusted free cash flow was $20 million, compared to an outflow of $13 million in the prior year [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to focus on aftermarket sales, which account for over 80% of revenue, demonstrating resilience despite market challenges [11] - The first fit market is expected to decline, with heavy-duty market projections down 5% to 15% and medium-duty down 10% to 20% [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall impact on end markets remains unclear due to economic uncertainty and tariff implications [18] - The company expects total revenue for 2025 to remain flat to up 4% compared to the prior year, with global sales projected between $1.67 billion and $1.735 billion [24][25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is executing a four-pillar growth strategy focusing on first fit growth, aftermarket expansion, supply chain transformation, and industrial filtration market expansion [11][12][15] - The company is actively pursuing inorganic growth opportunities in the industrial filtration sector, although M&A activity is currently soft due to economic uncertainty [15][38] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the evolving tariff environment and adapting quickly, although visibility remains limited [19][20] - The company anticipates pricing actions to offset input costs and expects a revenue increase of approximately 3.2% year-over-year from pricing adjustments [21][22] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased $10 million of stock in Q1 2025, totaling $30 million since the program's announcement [6] - The effective tax rate for Q1 2025 was 21.3%, down from 22% last year due to a change in the mix of earnings among tax jurisdictions [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Potential manufacturing transitions due to tariffs - Management indicated that while they are monitoring the tariff situation closely, no long-term manufacturing changes are currently planned [34][35] Question: M&A pipeline activity in a challenging environment - Management acknowledged that while the market is fragmented, the degree of difficulty in finding targets has increased due to uncertainty, but they remain focused on building a strong M&A pipeline [38] Question: Revenue outlook amidst currency and market changes - Management confirmed that the revenue outlook remains near the midpoint of their guidance, despite softening market conditions [42][44] Question: Pricing expectations for the year - Management expects pricing to ramp up throughout the year, with a gradual increase leading to the anticipated 3.2% for the full year [49][50] Question: Impact of potential EPA regulation rollbacks - Management is closely monitoring the EPA's review of regulations and believes they are well-positioned to support customers regardless of regulatory changes [73][75] Question: Shipping route reconfigurations to mitigate tariffs - Management confirmed that they have already enacted some shipping route adjustments to mitigate tariff impacts and will continue to explore further options [81][82]