Dana(DAN) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, sales were $1.867 billion, an increase of $93 million compared to the previous year, driven by customer recoveries and currency translation [16] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $208 million, resulting in an 11.1% margin, a 640 basis points improvement over the prior year's fourth quarter [16] - Full-year sales for 2025 were $7.5 billion, down $234 million from 2024, reflecting weakening market demand across both light vehicle and commercial vehicle sectors [18] - Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $610 million, an improvement of $215 million from the prior year, resulting in an 8.1% margin, up 300 basis points [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The light vehicle segment saw growth, while certain commercial vehicle markets experienced weaker demand, impacting overall sales [21] - Performance actions contributed an additional $17 million in Q4, driven by commercial recoveries and pricing initiatives [21] - The company secured a backlog of $750 million, with $200 million expected to flow through in 2026, despite challenges in the EV sector [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The light truck market is expected to hold steady, with plans built around flat volume year-over-year from 2025 levels [12] - There is optimism for improved volumes in the commercial vehicle sector towards the latter half of the year [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on its Dana 2030 strategy, which includes cost reduction initiatives and growth in traditional and electric vehicle markets [4] - The company plans to return $2 billion to shareholders through stock buybacks by 2030, reflecting confidence in long-term financial targets [7] - The company aims for $10 billion in sales by 2030, with a target EBITDA margin of 14%-15% [40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver on financial objectives and navigate a dynamic market environment [4] - The outlook for 2026 remains unchanged, with expectations for revenue to be approximately $7.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA around $800 million [29] - Management highlighted the importance of operational execution and cost management in driving future profitability [28] Other Important Information - The company completed the sale of its Off-Highway business, using proceeds to repay debt, resulting in a significantly improved balance sheet [5] - The company has reduced total debt by approximately $1.9 billion, enhancing its financial strength and flexibility [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Follow-up on the $10 billion sales target by 2030 - Management explained that the growth will come from a normalization in the North American commercial vehicle market, new business wins, and expansion in the aftermarket and applied technologies [45][46] Question: Impact of EV cancellations on cash flow - Management noted that while there were some recoveries, the impact on profit drivers was limited, primarily covering costs incurred [51][52] Question: Breakdown of margin expansion drivers - Management indicated that margin enhancement would come from structural cost reductions and operational efficiencies, with a focus on low-risk, high-return actions [57][58] Question: CapEx guidance and its implications - Management confirmed that CapEx is expected to be around 4% of sales going forward, necessary for both growth initiatives and margin expansion [86][88]