Howard Hughes Holdings (NYSE:HHH) M&A Announcement December 18, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsAnthony Paolone - Executive DirectorJon Petersen - Managing DirectorMeyer Shields - Managing DirectorDavid O'Reilly - CEOJoe Valane - General CounselRyan Israel - Chief Investment OfficerRyan Shelley - High Grade and High Yield Credit Research VPBill Ackman - Executive ChairmanCarlos Olea - CFOConference Call ParticipantsAlexander Goldfarb - Managing Director and Senior REIT AnalystOperatorGood day, and than ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Enerpac's first quarter revenue for Fiscal 2026 was $144 million, a decrease of 1% year-over-year [5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $32.4 million, representing a margin of 22.4%, while adjusted earnings per share was $0.36 compared to $0.40 in the previous year [8][10] - Gross profit margin was 50.7%, consistent with previous quarters, but impacted by higher tariff-driven costs [7][8] - Free cash flow increased to $13 million, up $10 million year-over-year, attributed to timing of receipts and payments [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Industrial Tools and Services (IT&S) segment, product sales grew 4% organically, while IT&S sales declined 3% [3][5] - Standard products saw low single-digit growth, and heavy-lifting technology (HLT) business experienced double-digit growth [5] - Service revenue declined by 26%, primarily in the EMEA region, particularly the U.K. [5][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in the Americas grew by 5%, with product revenue expanding by 8% [6] - EMEA revenue declined by 10%, but product revenue in the region grew by 5% [6] - APAC revenue decreased by 8%, affected by a decline in the HLT business and political uncertainties in Southeast Asia [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on investing in growth strategies, including increasing spending on innovation and expanding sales capabilities in key markets [11][12] - Enerpac aims to capitalize on growth opportunities in power generation and infrastructure, with significant contract wins in bridge and tunnel projects [14][15] - The company is enhancing its e-commerce capabilities and implementing a new technology platform to improve user experience and marketing tools [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for the year, supported by strong order growth across all geographic regions [11] - The company maintains its full-year guidance, expecting organic revenue growth of 1%-4% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 6% at the midpoint [10] - Management acknowledged challenges in the service business due to market conditions in the U.K. but remains optimistic about future growth and margin expansion [22][23] Other Important Information - The company announced a change in the investor relations team, with Travis Williams leaving and Darren Kozik becoming the main point of contact for investors [16][17] - Enerpac's balance sheet remains strong, with net debt at $49 million and total liquidity of $539 million [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: What caused the sharp decline in service revenue this quarter? - Management indicated disappointment in service revenue performance, primarily due to a contraction in the U.K. market and ongoing initiatives to capture higher-margin business [21][22] Question: Can you elaborate on changes in services to capture higher value business? - Management discussed transitioning from an agent-based model to a direct model to enhance customer relationships and capture more margin [25][26] Question: What is the pricing strategy heading into 2026? - A small, low single-digit price increase was implemented in December, with ongoing efforts to offset tariff impacts and maintain margins [27][51] Question: Can you provide insights on the 2026 organic growth guidance? - Management highlighted an ambitious innovation program with plans for more new product launches compared to the previous fiscal year [33][34] Question: What is the current status of the M&A funnel? - Management noted an increase in M&A activity and expressed optimism about evaluating several opportunities while maintaining a disciplined approach [60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Enerpac's first quarter revenue for Fiscal 2026 was $144 million, a decrease of 1% year-over-year [5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $32.4 million, representing a margin of 22.4%, while adjusted earnings per share was $0.36 compared to $0.40 in the previous year [8][10] - Gross profit margin was 50.7%, consistent with previous quarters, but impacted by higher tariff-driven costs [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Industrial Tools and Services (IT&S) segment, product sales grew 4% organically, while IT&S sales declined 3% [3][5] - Standard products saw low single-digit growth, and heavy-lifting technology business experienced double-digit growth year-over-year [5] - Service revenue declined by 26%, primarily in the EMEA region, particularly the U.K. [5][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in the Americas grew by 5%, driven by an 8% increase in product revenue [6] - EMEA region revenue declined by 10%, with product revenue growing by 5% but service revenue declining significantly [6] - APAC revenue decreased by 8%, affected by a decline in heavy-lifting technology business and political uncertainties in Southeast Asia [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on investing in innovation and expanding sales capabilities in markets like India, Australia, and the Philippines [12][14] - Enerpac aims to capitalize on growth opportunities in power generation and infrastructure, with significant contract wins in bridge and tunnel projects [15] - The company is also enhancing its e-commerce capabilities to improve user experience and marketing tools [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for the year, citing strong order growth across all geographic regions [11] - The company is maintaining its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance, expecting organic revenue growth of 1%-4% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 6% at the midpoint [10] - Management acknowledged challenges in the service business but remains optimistic about future growth and margin expansion [22] Other Important Information - The company reported a net debt of $49 million, resulting in a net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.3, indicating a strong balance sheet [9] - Total liquidity was $539 million, and free cash flow increased to $13 million, up $10 million year-over-year [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: What caused the sharp decline in service revenue this quarter? - Management noted that the decline was largely driven by a contraction in the U.K. market, with ongoing initiatives to capture higher-margin service business [21][22] Question: Can you elaborate on changes being made in services to capture higher value business? - Management discussed transitioning from an agent-based model to a direct model to enhance customer relationships and margins [25][26] Question: What is the pricing strategy heading into calendar year 2026? - A small, low single-digit price increase was implemented in early December, with ongoing efforts to maintain margins [27] Question: Can you provide insights on the 2026 organic guidance and new product contributions? - Management highlighted an ambitious innovation program with plans to launch more new products than in the previous fiscal year [33][34] Question: How is the backlog compared to a normalized basis? - Management indicated that the backlog has increased due to strong order activity, providing confidence in the outlook for the year [43]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for the second quarter were $871.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $48.3 million and adjusted earnings per share at $0.38, reflecting a solid performance despite market headwinds [4][15] - Adjusted EBIT increased to $26.6 million, up from $14.3 million year-over-year, driven by higher direct volumes and improved direct spreads [15][16] - Earnings for the quarter were reported at $18.8 million or $0.37 per share, compared to $12.8 million or $0.25 per share in the prior year quarter [15][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Direct sales volume made up 65% of the mix in the current quarter, up from 55% in the prior year quarter, with direct volumes increasing by 13% year-over-year [16] - Automotive shipments increased by 26% year-over-year, reflecting market share gains and a return to normal production levels at a key OEM [16][17] - Energy shipments rose by 50% year-over-year, driven by project-based solar programs, while agriculture volume increased by 1% [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American light vehicle output is expected to hold near 15.2 million units in calendar year 2025, essentially flat with 2024 [5] - The construction market remains stable but subdued, with pockets of strength in power and infrastructure [6] - The heavy truck and trailer market is expected to see a rebound beginning in late calendar year 2026 [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term strategies, including electrical steel growth plans, new product development, and business optimization through transformation [7][9] - Expansion projects for electrical steel are on track, with initial production in Mexico expected in the first quarter of calendar year 2026 [7][8] - The integration of CDEM is progressing well, enhancing the company's capabilities in stamping electrical steel laminations and improving competitiveness [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for early 2026, anticipating improvements as interest rates ease and policy uncertainties subside [6][14] - The company is well-positioned to navigate uncertainty and act decisively when opportunities arise, maintaining a strong balance sheet and generating consistent cash flow [21][22] - Management highlighted the importance of transformation and artificial intelligence in driving operational efficiency and cost savings [10][50] Other Important Information - The company received recognition as a 2025 Supplier of the Year by Schaeffler Group USA and was named a Military Friendly Employer for the 11th consecutive year [11][12] - The 2025 Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Report was released, showcasing progress in safety, emissions reduction, and community support [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the nature of the SG&A increase? - The increase in SG&A was primarily due to higher compensation and benefits, with professional fees related to strategic projects being more one-time in nature [26][27] Question: What contributed to the automotive momentum? - The automotive momentum was largely due to market share gains from new programs reaching expected volumes, rather than solely from the cold-rolled strip segment [33][34] Question: What is the impact of compressed galvanized spreads? - Decreased demand, particularly in construction, has contributed to compressed galvanized spreads, but management expects margin expansion moving forward [45][46] Question: What are the top transformation initiatives for calendar year 2026? - Key initiatives include focusing on back-office transformation and leveraging artificial intelligence to drive operational efficiencies [49][50]

Summary of Athira Pharma Conference Call - December 18, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Athira Pharma (NasdaqGS:ATHA) - **Focus**: Development of innovative therapies for diseases with unmet medical needs, specifically in oncology and neurology Key Points Discussed Transformative Acquisition - Athira announced the acquisition of rights to develop and commercialize **lasofoxifene**, a potential treatment for metastatic breast cancer, which diversifies its pipeline with a late-stage program [5][15][16] - The acquisition is expected to enhance Athira's mission to deliver transformative therapies for patients [5][14] Lasofoxifene Overview - Lasofoxifene is currently in a pivotal phase III clinical trial targeting **ER-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer**, which represents about 70% of all breast cancer cases [15][16] - The global market for metastatic ER-positive HER2-negative breast cancer is projected to grow from **$10.9 billion in 2025 to over $15.9 billion by 2029** [15] - Lasofoxifene has shown promising clinical activity, achieving **13 months of progression-free survival (PFS)** in combination therapy during phase II trials [20][26] Clinical Data and Mechanism - Lasofoxifene demonstrated an **83% reduction in new-onset primary wild-type estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer** in previous studies [19] - It modulates the estrogen receptor rather than degrading it, providing tissue selectivity and sparing healthy estrogen receptors in critical tissues [19][21] - The drug has shown **significant efficacy against ESR1 mutations**, which occur in over 40% of patients and are a major mechanism of resistance in breast cancer treatments [20][21] ATH-1105 for ALS - Athira is also advancing **ATH-1105**, a potential treatment for **Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)**, which affects approximately **33,000 patients in the U.S.** [37] - ATH-1105 modulates the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system, which is critical for neuronal health [38] - Preclinical studies have shown that ATH-1105 preserves motor function and reduces neurodegeneration in ALS models [39][40] Financial and Strategic Positioning - Athira raised **$90 million** to support its development programs, with the potential for an additional **$146 million** through warrants [46] - The financing positions the company to reach critical data readouts across both programs by the end of **2027** [46] - Athira aims to achieve peak annual U.S. sales for lasofoxifene approaching **$1 billion** if approved [35] Market Opportunity - The global breast cancer market is approximately **$55 billion**, with the second-line breast cancer segment in the U.S. exceeding **$5-$6 billion annually** [34] - Lasofoxifene's favorable tolerability profile and unique attributes position it as a potential leading therapy in this market [35][36] Conclusion - Athira is committed to advancing its promising development programs for lasofoxifene and ATH-1105, addressing significant unmet needs in metastatic breast cancer and ALS [45] - The company is optimistic about its future and the potential impact of its therapies on patient outcomes [47]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for the second quarter were $871.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $48.3 million and adjusted earnings per share at $0.38, reflecting a solid performance despite market headwinds [4][17] - Adjusted EBIT increased to $26.6 million, up $12.3 million from the prior year quarter, driven by higher direct volumes and improved direct spreads [18] - Earnings for the quarter were reported at $18.8 million or $0.37 per share, compared to $12.8 million or $0.25 per share in the prior year quarter [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Direct sales volume increased by 13% year over year, making up 65% of the sales mix, compared to 55% in the prior year [18] - Automotive shipments increased by 26% year over year, reflecting market share gains and a return to normal production levels at an OEM customer [19] - Energy shipments rose by 50% year over year, driven by project-based solar programs, while agriculture volume was up 1% [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American light vehicle output is expected to hold near 15.2 million units in calendar year 2025, essentially flat with 2024 [5] - The construction market remains stable but subdued, with pockets of strength in power and infrastructure [6] - The heavy truck and trailer market is expected to see a rebound beginning in late calendar year 2026 [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term strategies, including electrical steel growth plans, new growth opportunities through CapEx and acquisitions, and continuous improvement through transformation [7][10] - Expansion projects for electrical steel are on track, with initial production in Mexico expected in the first quarter of calendar year 2026 [8] - The integration of CDEM is progressing well, enhancing competitiveness in advanced mobility and industrial markets [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed cautious optimism for early 2026 and a positive outlook for the second half of the calendar year, despite a mixed macroeconomic environment [6][15] - The company anticipates improvements in market conditions as interest rates ease and policy uncertainties subside [6] - Management highlighted the importance of transformation and AI integration in improving operational efficiency and financial discipline [11][12] Other Important Information - The company reported cash flow from operations of $99 million and free cash flow of $75 million for the quarter [23] - A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was announced, payable on March 27, 2026 [23] - Worthington Steel was recognized as a 2025 Supplier of the Year by Schaeffler Group USA and received the Military Friendly Employer Gold designation for the 11th consecutive year [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the nature of the SG&A increase? - The increase in SG&A was primarily due to higher compensation and benefits, as well as professional fees related to strategic projects [28][34] Question: What contributed to the automotive momentum? - The automotive momentum was largely due to market share gains from new programs reaching expected volumes, rather than solely from the cold-rolled strip business [36] Question: What is the impact of decreased demand on galvanized spreads? - Decreased demand, particularly in construction, has created competitive rivalry, but management expects margin expansion going forward [48] Question: What are the top transformation initiatives for 2026? - Key initiatives include back office transformation and leveraging AI for operational improvements [52][53]

Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI) Q2 2026 Earnings Call December 18, 2025 08:30 AM ET Speaker6Greetings and welcome to the Darden Restaurants Q2 FY26 earnings conference call and webcast. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. You may be placed into the question queue at any time by pressing star 1 on your telephone keypad, and we ask that you please ask one question, one follow-up, and return to the queue. If anyone should requ ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Enerpac's Q1 Fiscal 2026 revenue was $144 million, a decrease of 1% year-over-year [6] - Adjusted EBITDA was $32.4 million, representing a margin of 22.4%, with adjusted earnings per share at $0.36 compared to $0.40 in the previous year [9][10] - Gross profit margin was 50.7%, consistent with previous quarters, but impacted by higher tariff-driven costs [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Industrial Tools and Services (IT&S) segment, product sales grew 4% organically, while IT&S sales declined 3% [4][6] - Standard product revenue increased by low single digits, with heavy-lifting technology business experiencing double-digit growth [6] - Service revenue declined by 26%, primarily in the EMEA region, particularly the U.K. [6][7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in the Americas grew by 5%, driven by an 8% increase in product revenue [7] - EMEA revenue declined by 10%, with product revenue growing 5% but service revenue declining significantly [7][8] - APAC revenue decreased by 8%, affected by a decline in heavy-lifting technology business and political uncertainties in Southeast Asia [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on growth through investments in innovation and expanding sales capabilities in key markets like India and Australia [12][13] - Enerpac is enhancing its e-commerce capabilities and implementing a new technology platform to improve user experience and marketing tools [13] - The company is targeting growth in power generation and infrastructure sectors, with significant contract wins in bridge and tunnel projects [14][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for the year, supported by strong order growth across all geographic regions [12] - The company anticipates organic revenue growth of 1%-4% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 6% at the midpoint for Fiscal 2026 [11] - Management acknowledged challenges in the service business but remains optimistic about future growth and margin expansion [22][24] Other Important Information - The company reported a strong balance sheet with net debt of $49 million and total liquidity of $539 million [10] - Enerpac repurchased $15 million of stock in the first quarter while maintaining capacity for strategic M&A [10][57] - A leadership change in investor relations was announced, with the current CFO becoming the main point of contact until a replacement is found [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What caused the sharp decline in service revenue this quarter? - Management noted disappointment in service revenue performance, primarily due to market contraction in the U.K. and ongoing consolidation in the oil and gas sector [22][24] Question: Can you elaborate on changes being made in services to capture higher value business? - Management discussed transitioning from an agent-based model to a direct model to enhance customer relationships and margins, along with investments in field service capabilities [26][27] Question: What is the pricing strategy heading into 2026? - A small, low single-digit price increase was implemented in December, with ongoing efforts to offset tariff impacts and maintain margins [28][47] Question: How does the backlog look compared to a normalized basis? - Management indicated that while Enerpac is not a backlog-heavy business, there has been an uptick in backlog driven by strong order activity [40] Question: What is the outlook for M&A activity? - Management expressed optimism about increased M&A activity and is actively evaluating several opportunities while maintaining a disciplined approach [57]

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call December 18, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsJulie Sweet - Chair and CEOAlexia Quadrani - Executive Director and Head of Investor RelationsAngie Park - CFOConference Call ParticipantsDavid Koning - Senior Equity Research AnalystDarrin Peller - Senior Equity Research AnalystJason Kupferberg - Equity Research AnalystJames Faucette - Equity Research AnalystBryan Keane - Managing Director and Senior Equity Research AnalystTien-tsin Huang - Senior Equity Research A ...

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call December 18, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsAlexia Quadrani - Head of Investor RelationsAngie Park - CFOJulie Sweet - CEOConference Call ParticipantsDavid Koning - Senior Equity Research AnalystJames Faucette - Equity Research AnalystDarrin Peller - Senior Equity Research AnalystBryan Bergin - Equity Research AnalystKevin McVeigh - Senior Equity Research AnalystTien-tsin Huang - Senior Equity Research AnalystJason Kupferberg - Equity Research AnalystBryan Kea ...