Vertiv(US:VRT)2025-10-22 16:02Financial 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 [8][14] - Q3 organic sales grew 28%, with the Americas up 43% and APAC up 21%, while EMEA declined 4% [8][14] - Adjusted operating profit reached $596 million, up 43% year on year, with a margin of 22.3% [9][14] - Adjusted free cash flow was $462 million, up 38%, translating to approximately 95% free cash flow conversion [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas segment delivered strong organic growth of 43%, driven by accelerated AI demand [16][17] - APAC saw 21% organic growth, supported by AI infrastructure demand [16] - EMEA experienced a 4% decline in organic sales, but there are expectations for recovery in the second half of 2026 [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market growth is accelerating, particularly in the colo cloud segment, which is the fastest-growing area [8] - The total backlog now stands at $9.5 billion, up about 30% year on year and 12% sequentially, indicating strong visibility into 2026 [10][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining technology leadership through R&D investments and operational excellence [4][6] - A restructuring program is being implemented in EMEA to prepare for future growth, although acceleration may not occur until the second half of 2026 [10][17] - The company plans to accelerate investments in supply chain and services capabilities to meet evolving customer needs [22][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in a multi-year period of significant growth and value creation, driven by digital transformation and AI demand [6][22] - The company anticipates continued significant organic sales growth in 2026, supported by a substantial backlog and market indicators [22][24] - Tariffs are viewed as a dynamic input cost, with mitigation strategies in place to offset their impacts [11][22] Other Important Information - The company is raising full-year guidance for adjusted EPS, net sales, adjusted operating profit, and adjusted free cash flow [20][21] - The engineering and R&D spending is expected to grow by over 20% in 2026 to maintain competitive advantage [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the order uptake and when will big announcements flow into orders for Vertiv? - Management indicated that strong market conditions, technology evolution, and reliable execution are driving order growth, but the timing of large customer announcements translating into orders can vary [29][31] Question: Can you provide more color on the services opportunity and its margin structure? - Management emphasized that the service business is a unique competitive advantage and is expected to catch up as product systems grow, with a strong focus on technology and customer experience [37][39] Question: What is the outlook for EMEA margins and the path back to mid-20s? - Management stated that a combination of sales acceleration and restructuring efforts will facilitate improved margins in EMEA, with expectations for significant improvement in Q4 [91][92] Question: How does the company view the competitive environment and recent innovations? - Management expressed confidence in their innovation capabilities and the importance of staying ahead in the market, viewing recent innovations as opportunities rather than threats [108]