Vertiv(VRT) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted diluted EPS for Q3 was $1.24, up approximately 63% year over year, driven by higher adjusted operating profit [9][21] - Q3 organic sales grew 28%, with the Americas up 43% and APAC up 21%, while EMEA declined 4% [10][21] - Adjusted operating profit reached $596 million, up 43% year on year, with a margin of 22.3% [12][22] - Adjusted free cash flow was $462 million, up 38%, translating to approximately 95% free cash flow conversion [12][23] - The company raised full-year guidance for adjusted EPS, net sales, adjusted operating profit, and adjusted free cash flow [12][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas delivered strong organic growth of 43%, driven by accelerated AI demand across product lines [24] - APAC saw 21% organic growth, benefiting from AI infrastructure [24] - EMEA experienced a 4% decline in organic sales, but sales were higher than expectations, indicating potential for future growth [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market growth is accelerating, particularly in the ColoCloud segment, which is the fastest-growing segment [11] - The trailing twelve-month organic orders growth was about 21%, with Q3 orders up 60% year over year and 20% sequentially [11][13] - Total backlog now stands at $9.5 billion, up about 30% year on year and 12% sequentially, providing strong visibility into 2026 [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining technology leadership through disciplined investment, operational excellence, and R&D expansion [6][7] - Plans to accelerate investments in supply chain and services capabilities to meet evolving customer needs [30][31] - The company is committed to its November 2024 Investor Day margin targets, with a robust free cash flow providing strategic flexibility [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in a multiyear period of significant growth and value creation, driven by digital transformation and increasing data demands [8][30] - The company is addressing operational and supply chain challenges experienced in Q2 and is optimistic about future performance [16][22] - Management noted that tariffs are being viewed as an input cost, with comprehensive mitigation actions in place [15][30] Other Important Information - The company is implementing regional restructuring programs in EMEA to prepare for future growth, although acceleration may not occur until the second half of 2026 [15][25] - The company is scaling service capacity in parallel with manufacturing to meet demand [19][87] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the order uptick and the timeframe for big announcements to flow into orders? - Management indicated that the order growth is driven by a combination of a strong market and technology evolution, with large players expanding their backlogs [41][42] Question: Can you provide more color on the services opportunity and its margin structure? - Management emphasized the service business as a unique competitive advantage, noting that while it typically lags behind product growth, it is expected to accelerate [50][52] Question: What is the outlook for margins and the impact of tariffs? - Management confirmed that the path to the long-term margin target remains intact, with expectations for incrementals in the 30% to 35% range [62][64] Question: What is the confidence in the EMEA market recovery? - Management expressed cautious optimism about EMEA, citing a need for capacity and encouraging signs of pipeline growth [75][77] Question: How is the company scaling up its support function to keep up with top-line growth? - Management reported an increase in headcount for field engineers, with a focus on aligning service capacity with product demand [85][87] Question: How does the company view the competitive environment and recent innovations? - Management welcomed the innovation intensity in the industry, asserting that it drives their competitive advantage and reinforces their market position [130][132]