Tetra Tech(TTEK) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net revenue of $987 million for the first quarter, an increase of 8% from the prior year [5] - Operating income rose to $131 million, up 12% year-over-year [5] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 17% to $0.34, while GAAP EPS was reported at $0.40 [5][6] Business Segment Performance - The Government Services segment generated $382 million in revenue, growing 5% despite a U.S. government shutdown [6] - The Commercial and International Group segment's revenue increased by 10% to $605 million, driven by growth in the UK and Ireland [6][7] - Margins for both segments improved by 40 basis points, with Government Services at 18% and Commercial International at 13% [6][7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Federal work increased by 7%, primarily due to projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [8] - State and local markets in the U.S. grew by 10%, driven by municipal water treatment initiatives [8] - International revenue accounted for 48% of total revenue, growing at a rate of 13%, with significant contributions from the UK and Ireland [9] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company focuses on water supply, treatment, flood control, and environmental stewardship, which are in high demand [3] - Strategic growth areas include technology and automation, with plans for acquisitions to enhance capabilities in defense and environmental services [18][25] - The company aims to leverage its strong balance sheet for future acquisitions, targeting firms that can enhance its market position [70] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in revenue growth despite challenges like the government shutdown, anticipating increased federal orders as budget clarity improves [10][11] - The company expects international growth to continue at a rate of 5%-10%, supported by water programs and defense spending [27] - Guidance for the second quarter is set at $975 million to $1.025 billion in net revenue, with adjusted EPS of $0.30 to $0.33 [29] Other Important Information - The company announced a 12% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, marking the 47th consecutive dividend payment [18] - A stock buyback program was initiated, with $50 million repurchased in the first quarter [19] - The company divested its Norway operation, which was deemed non-core, prior to Christmas [82] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strength in Federal Business - Management highlighted that the federal business grew 7% due to advanced planning and strong relationships with clients, particularly the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [37][40] Question: International Business Performance - The UK and Ireland have shown strong double-digit growth, while Canada is recovering and Australia is stabilizing after previous declines [41][46][48] Question: Guidance and Market Conditions - Management discussed the potential impact of a government shutdown on guidance, noting that while it could affect the lower end, essential services would likely continue [59][61] Question: Focus on M&A - The company is looking to leverage its strong balance sheet for strategic acquisitions, with a focus on larger, transformative opportunities [67][70] Question: Details on Recent Acquisitions - Recent acquisitions include Halvik and Providence, which are expected to enhance the company's capabilities in defense and consulting [79][81]
Equity LifeStyle Properties(ELS) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a full-year growth in NOI of 4.8% and a 5% increase in normalized FFO per share for 2025 [3][15] - Fourth quarter normalized FFO was $0.79 per share, and full-year normalized FFO was $3.06 per share, representing 4.2% and 5% growth respectively compared to the prior year [15][16] - The annual dividend rate was set at $2.17 per share, marking a 5.3% increase and the 22nd consecutive year of annual dividend growth [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The MH business generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2025, with a combined revenue CAGR of 5.9% over the last five years [9] - Core community-based rental income increased by 5.5% for the full year 2025 compared to 2024, driven by rent increases for renewing residents and new residents [16] - Core RV and marina annual base rental income increased by 4.1% compared to the prior year, while core seasonal and transient rent combined decreased by 9.1% [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately half of the MH revenue comes from Florida, with 20% from California and Arizona, and the rest from the North Central and Northeast US [9] - The average occupancy in California properties is 96%, reflecting strong demand in high-cost markets [11] - The company noted strong demand for MH communities, particularly in Florida and Arizona, supported by favorable economic conditions and demographic trends [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on internal growth and operational expansions, particularly in the Sunbelt markets, while maintaining a strong balance sheet for potential acquisition opportunities [52] - The management emphasized the importance of community engagement and the value proposition of manufactured housing in addressing housing affordability issues [42] - The company plans to continue investing in its communities to support long-term growth and resident retention [5][6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the operating environment, anticipating normalized FFO growth of 3.7% for 2026 and core property operating income growth of 5.6% [7][18] - The company highlighted the positive demographic trends, with a significant portion of the population aging into their target market [11] - Management acknowledged challenges in the investment market due to fragmented ownership and limited transaction activity, focusing on internal growth instead [52][53] Other Important Information - The company reported a utility recovery rate of 48.7%, a 220 basis point increase from 2024 [17] - The balance sheet is well-positioned with no secured debt maturing before 2028 and access to $1.2 billion in capital [21][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Seasonal and transient business expectations for the year - Management provided insights on the seasonal and transient revenue streams, indicating a positive outlook based on early booking trends and favorable holiday timing [24][30] Question: Progress on marina repairs - Management confirmed that repairs on three marinas affected by storm damage are expected to be completed by the latter half of 2026 [40] Question: Canadian customer demand - Management noted that Canadian customers represent 10% of total RV revenue, with no significant increase in home sales from this group, maintaining a strong demand profile [48] Question: Impact of cold weather on RV demand - Management indicated that cold weather has historically driven demand for RVs, with marketing efforts focused on encouraging customers to escape to warmer locations [93] Question: Non-core income decline - Management explained that the decline in non-core income is attributed to timing differences in insurance proceeds and recovery from storm-affected properties [121] Question: Strategy for rental home business - Management stated that the rental home business will continue to grow based on demand, with a focus on selling homes to current renters [99]
Parker(PH) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record Q2 sales of $5.2 billion, with organic growth of 6.6% and a 150 basis points margin expansion, resulting in a 27.1% adjusted segment operating margin [4][10] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) grew 17% to $7.65, with cash flow from operations at $1.6 billion [5][12] - Net income reached $980 million, reflecting an 18.9% return on sales [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America sales were approximately $2 billion, with organic growth of 2.5% driven by strength in off-highway and aerospace and defense verticals [14] - International sales increased to a record $1.5 billion, up 12% year-over-year, with organic growth of 4.6% [15] - Aerospace sales reached a record $1.7 billion, up 14.5% year-over-year, with an adjusted segment operating margin of 30.2% [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Orders increased by 9% year-over-year, with a backlog reaching a record $11.7 billion [12][14] - In Asia-Pacific, organic growth was the strongest at +9%, while Europe turned positive at +2% [15] - Latin America saw a slight decline of 3% year-over-year [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on interconnected technologies that provide efficient solutions across market verticals, with a strong emphasis on the off-highway market [6][7] - The acquisition of Filtration Group Corporation is expected to enhance the company's presence in life sciences, HVAC, and industrial markets, with anticipated cost synergies of approximately $220 million [8][9] - The company aims to continue its investment in high-quality businesses to transform its portfolio and drive shareholder value [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering another record fiscal year in 2026, citing strong orders and positive growth across various segments [12][20] - The company is increasing its organic sales growth guidance from 4%-5% to 5% at the midpoint, reflecting positive trends in aerospace and off-highway markets [20][22] - Management noted that while some markets are recovering, challenges remain in transportation and upstream oil and gas sectors [20][41] Other Important Information - The company reported a favorable currency impact of 2% and a 1.5% contribution from acquisitions [10] - Corporate G&A expenses are expected to remain unchanged at $200 million, with interest expense slightly adjusted down to $415 million [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on technology platforms within Diversified Industrial - Management noted positive organic growth across all three technology platforms, attributing it to both company-specific factors and broader market cycles [29][31] Question: Regional performance outlook - Management highlighted strong growth in North America, particularly in industrial and aerospace sectors, while noting challenges in transportation [40][41] Question: Pricing and cost management amid inflation - Management confirmed strong pricing power and ongoing efforts to mitigate inflation impacts on EPS [73][75] Question: Filtration Group acquisition timing and hurdles - Management indicated that standard regulatory filings are the primary hurdles for the acquisition process [76] Question: Long-term growth outlook for in-plant equipment in the U.S. - Management emphasized gradual recovery driven by productivity and automation projects, with no single catalyst identified for a rapid turnaround [65][66] Question: Aerospace business margin expectations - Management clarified that while margins are expected to step down in H2, they remain confident in robust activity and overall margin improvement [68]
Bankwell Financial Group(BWFG) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 GAAP net income was $9.1 million, or $1.15 per share, including a $1.5 million one-time tax adjustment; operating income was $10.7 million, or $1.36 per share [3][4] - Pre-provision net revenue return on average assets was 180 basis points, up 10 basis points from the prior quarter and 75 basis points from Q4 2024 [4][9] - Net interest margin expanded to 340 basis points, a 6 basis point increase from the prior quarter [9][10] - Efficiency ratio improved to 50.8%, compared to 51.4% in the prior quarter [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net loan growth for Q4 was $122 million, with full-year growth of $134 million, representing 5% annual growth [7][9] - Non-interest income increased to $3.4 million, driven by $2.2 million of SBA gain on sale income, a 35% increase from the linked quarter [11] - SBA originations totaled $24 million in Q4, contributing to $68 million of total originations for the year [7][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Floating-rate loans comprised 38% of the total loan portfolio, up from 23% at the end of 2024 [5] - Average low-cost deposit balances increased by $22 million, or 5%, over the prior quarter and by $86 million, or 21%, versus Q4 2024 [5][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen credit, improve funding mix, build non-interest income, and invest in technology and people [15][16] - The focus on diversified recurring revenue sources is yielding positive results, particularly in the SBA division [15] - The company anticipates loan growth of 4%-5% and expects net interest income to be in the range of $111 million-$112 million for 2026 [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's position heading into 2026, highlighting improvements in credit quality and funding mix [15][16] - The company expects to continue benefiting from a favorable repricing of time deposits over the next 12 months [10][12] Other Important Information - The allowance for credit losses stands at 108 basis points of total loans, with coverage of non-performing loans increasing to 188% [11][12] - The effective tax rate for the full year 2025 was 27.4%, influenced by a one-time tax expense [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations for 2026 - Management indicated that loan growth is expected to pick up in 2026, driven by a balance of payoffs and new originations [19][21] Question: Composition of the loan pipeline - The loan pipeline is currently 60% commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, with a focus on maintaining strong C&I real estate originations [25] Question: Expectations for low-cost deposit growth - While no specific guidance was provided, management expects steady improvement in low-cost deposits, which grew 5% from the previous quarter [29][31] Question: SBA originations outlook for 2026 - Management anticipates significant growth in SBA originations, aiming for around $100 million to achieve non-interest income targets [39][43] Question: Drivers of expense growth in 2026 - Expense growth is expected to be driven by investments in people and processes, with a headcount increase of over 10% in the past year [49][52]
Landmark Bancorp(LARK) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Landmark Bancorp reported a net income of $4.7 million for Q4 2025, an increase from $3.3 million in Q4 2024, with diluted earnings per share rising to $0.77 [5][9] - For the full year 2025, net income reached $18.8 million, translating to $3.07 per share, marking a 43% increase over 2024 [6] - Tangible book value increased to $20.79 per share, up $0.83 from the previous quarter and $4.09 or 24% year-over-year [5][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income for Q4 2025 totaled $14.8 million, up $695,000 from Q3 2025 and $2.4 million year-over-year [9] - Average total loan growth was 11.5%, with loans ending the year at $1.1 billion, driven by strong commercial loan production [7] - Non-interest income for Q4 2025 was $3.9 million, a decrease of $169,000 compared to the prior quarter, primarily due to a loss on the sale of investment securities [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits totaled $1.4 billion at December 31, 2025, increasing by $63.4 million in Q4, with interest checking and money market deposits rising by $71.6 million [16] - Non-interest-bearing deposits accounted for 26.3% of total deposits at year-end [16] - The Kansas economy remains healthy, with an unemployment rate of 3.8% as of November 30, 2025 [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue investing in its associates and make strategic investments to enhance customer service and capitalize on growth opportunities in its markets [23] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and resilient balance sheet while proactively monitoring credit quality [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in building on the foundation set in 2025 and highlighted the importance of dedication to customer service and community engagement [23] - The company remains focused on addressing non-performing loans and improving overall loan portfolio quality [20] Other Important Information - The board declared a cash dividend of $0.21 per share, marking the 98th consecutive quarterly cash dividend since the company's formation [8] - The efficiency ratio improved to 62.7% in 2025 from 69.1% in 2024, reflecting controlled expense growth [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for loan growth in 2026? - Management indicated a focus on maintaining loan growth while managing credit quality and addressing non-performing loans [19] Question: How does the company plan to handle rising interest rates? - The company plans to continue its pricing discipline and monitor the cost of deposits to maintain net interest margin [11] Question: What is the outlook for the Kansas housing market? - The Kansas housing market shows signs of normalization, with home sales down 9.6% year-over-year but median sale prices increasing [21]
Tetra Tech(TTEK) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:02
Tetra Tech (NasdaqGS:TTEK) Q1 2026 Earnings call January 29, 2026 11:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsDan Batrack - CEORoger Argus - PresidentSabahat Khan - Managing Director of Global ResearchSteve Burdick - EVP and CFOTim Mulrooney - Group Head of Global ServicesConference Call ParticipantsAndy Wittmann - Senior Research AnalystMichael Dudas - Partner and Equity Research AnalystSangita Jain - Senior Equity Research AnalystOperatorGood morning, and thank you for joining the Tetra Tech earnings call. As a remin ...
Landmark Bancorp(LARK) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Landmark Bancorp reported a net income of $4.7 million for Q4 2025, a significant increase from $3.3 million in Q4 2024, with diluted earnings per share rising to $0.77 [4][9] - For the full year 2025, net income reached $18.8 million or $3.07 per share, marking a 43% increase over 2024 earnings per share [5] - The tangible book value increased to $20.79 per share, up $0.83 from the previous quarter and $4.09 or 24% from year-end 2024 [4][5] - The efficiency ratio improved to 62.7% in 2025 from 69.1% in 2024, indicating better expense management [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income for Q4 2025 totaled $14.8 million, an increase of $695,000 from Q3 2025, driven by higher asset yields and lower funding costs [9] - Commercial loan production was strong, particularly in commercial real estate, with mortgage originations increasing by 11% year-over-year [6][19] - Non-interest income for Q4 2025 was $3.9 million, a decrease of $169,000 from the prior quarter, primarily due to a loss on the sale of investment securities [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits totaled $1.4 billion at December 31, 2025, increasing by $63.4 million in Q4, with interest checking and money market deposits rising significantly [15][16] - Non-interest-bearing deposits accounted for 26.3% of total deposits at year-end [16] - The Kansas economy remains healthy, with an unemployment rate of 3.8% as of November 30, 2025 [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue investing in its associates and make strategic investments to enhance customer service and capitalize on growth opportunities in its markets [23] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and resilient balance sheet while proactively monitoring credit quality to minimize future losses [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in building on the foundation set in 2025 and highlighted the dedication of associates in serving customers and strengthening communities [23] - The company remains focused on addressing non-performing loans and improving the overall quality of its loan portfolio [20] Other Important Information - The board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.21 per share, marking the 98th consecutive quarterly cash dividend since the company's formation [8] - The allowance for credit losses stood at $12.5 million, representing 1.12% of gross loans, indicating a strong position in managing credit risk [20] Q&A Session Summary - No specific questions or answers were documented in the provided content, indicating that the call may have concluded without a formal Q&A segment [24]
Bankwell Financial Group(BWFG) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a GAAP net income of $9.1 million, or $1.15 per share, which includes a one-time adjustment of $1.5 million related to income tax provisions [3][9] - Pre-provision net revenue return on average assets was 180 basis points, an increase of 10 basis points from the prior quarter and 75 basis points from Q4 2024 [4][9] - Net interest margin expanded to 340 basis points, up 6 basis points from the prior quarter, driven by a reduction in deposit costs [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The SBA division contributed significantly to non-interest income, with gains on sale increasing to $2.2 million for the quarter [6][11] - Total funded originations for the year reached $758 million, with net loan growth of $122 million in Q4 [5][9] - Non-interest income increased to $3.4 million, representing 11.4% of total revenue, compared to 4.6% in Q4 2024 [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Floating-rate loans comprised 38% of the total loan portfolio, up from 23% at the end of 2024 [5] - Average low-cost deposit balances increased by $22 million, or 5%, over the prior quarter and by $86 million, or 21%, versus Q4 2024 [5][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen credit, improve the funding mix, build non-interest income, and generate high-quality growth while investing in technology and personnel [14][16] - The focus on diversified recurring sources of revenue is yielding positive results, particularly with the growth of the SBA division [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in entering 2026 with a strong position, expecting loan growth of 4%-5% and net interest income in the range of $111 million-$112 million [16] - The company anticipates non-interest income to increase to approximately $11 million-$12 million, with total non-interest expense estimated at $64 million-$65 million [16] Other Important Information - Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets fell to 49 basis points, down from 56 basis points in the previous quarter [7][11] - The allowance for credit losses stands at 108 basis points of total loans, with coverage of non-performing loans increasing to 188% [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations for 2026 - Management indicated that loan growth is expected to pick up in 2026, driven by a balance of payoffs and new originations [19][20] Question: Makeup of the loan pipeline - The loan pipeline is currently 60% commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, with a focus on maintaining strong C&I real estate originations [25] Question: Low-cost deposit growth expectations - While no specific guidance was provided, management expects steady improvement in low-cost deposits, which grew 5% from the previous quarter and 21% year-over-year [29][33] Question: SBA originations in 2026 - Management expects to achieve significant SBA originations in 2026, building on the first full year of the SBA division's operations [39][44] Question: Expense growth outlook for 2026 - Expense growth is expected to be driven by investments in people and processes, with a headcount increase of over 10% in the previous year [49][50]
Parker(PH) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record Q2 sales of $5.2 billion, with organic growth of 6.6% and a 150 basis points margin expansion, resulting in a 27.1% adjusted segment operating margin [4][10] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) grew 17% to $7.65, with net income reaching $980 million, reflecting an 18.9% return on sales [10][11] - Cash flow from operations was $1.6 billion, representing 16% of sales, while free cash flow was $1.5 billion, or 14.2% of sales [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America sales were approximately $2 billion, with organic growth of 2.5%, driven by strength in off-highway and aerospace and defense verticals [13] - International sales reached a record $1.5 billion, up 12% year-over-year, with organic growth of 4.6% [15] - Aerospace sales were a record $1.7 billion, up 14.5% year-over-year, with an adjusted segment operating margin of 30.2% [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Orders in North America increased by 7% compared to the prior year, with a backlog reaching a record $11.7 billion [12][13] - International orders improved by 6%, with positive orders in both Europe and Asia-Pacific [15] - The aerospace segment saw a 14% increase in backlog, reaching a record $8 billion [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on interconnected technologies that provide efficient solutions across market verticals, with a strong emphasis on the off-highway market [5][6] - The acquisition of Filtration Group Corporation is expected to enhance the company's presence in life sciences, HVAC, and industrial markets, with anticipated cost synergies of approximately $220 million [8][9] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined acquisition strategy that is accretive to organic growth and improves profitability [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering another record fiscal year in 2026, supported by strong orders and positive growth across various segments [11][19] - The company noted that while some markets are recovering, challenges remain in transportation and upstream oil and gas sectors [40][41] - Management highlighted the importance of productivity and automation projects over large capacity expansions, indicating a gradual recovery in the industrial sector [125] Other Important Information - The company is increasing its full-year guidance for organic sales growth to a range of 4%-6%, with specific increases in aerospace and diversified industrial segments [21][22] - Adjusted segment operating margins guidance has been raised to 27.2% for the full year, reflecting an increase of 110 basis points from the prior year [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Positive organic growth across technology platforms - Management acknowledged the positive organic growth across all three technology platforms and attributed it to both company-specific factors and broader market cycles [30][31] Question: Outlook for international growth and regional dynamics - Management provided insights on regional growth, indicating a positive outlook for North America and Asia-Pacific, while Europe showed signs of recovery [39][42] Question: Pricing and cost management amid inflation - Management confirmed strong pricing power and ongoing efforts to manage costs effectively, ensuring that inflation does not impact EPS [74][75] Question: Filtration Group acquisition timing and hurdles - Management indicated that standard regulatory filings are the primary hurdles for the Filtration Group acquisition, with an expected closing timeline of 6-12 months [76] Question: In-plant equipment spending trends - Management noted that customers are prioritizing productivity and automation projects, which benefits the company, while capacity expansion remains gradual [125]
Brunswick(BC) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-29 17:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brunswick Corporation reported net sales of $5.4 billion for 2025, a 2% increase over the prior year, marking the first full-year net sales growth in three years [4] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for 2025 was $3.27, impacted by tariff headwinds, with free cash flow generation reaching $442 million, a 56% increase year-over-year [4][18] - The company achieved a 41% increase in Q4 earnings compared to the prior year, driven by higher sales and operational improvements [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The propulsion segment saw a 23% increase in sales, with double-digit growth across all product categories, driven by strong OEM orders [18] - The aftermarket parts and accessories (P&A) business grew sales by 15% in Q4, marking the third consecutive quarter of growth [19] - The boat segment reported an 11% sales increase, with growth across premium, core, and value categories [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. retail boat market finished 2025 down approximately 9% in units, while Brunswick's global retail unit sales were down only 5% [3][11] - Mercury Marine maintained a leading U.S. retail outboard share of approximately 47%, gaining 70 basis points in the second half of the year [12] - Dealer inventories remained low, with Brunswick's pipelines down approximately 2,200 units from the previous year [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Brunswick plans to leverage improved market conditions in 2026, with expectations for a flat to slightly up U.S. retail boat market [23] - The company is focusing on operational efficiencies and new product introductions, including the Mercury 808 outboard engine concept [6][31] - Brunswick aims to continue returning capital to shareholders while investing in new products and technology [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in improved market conditions for 2026, supported by falling interest rates and strong retail demand [5][9] - The company anticipates further incremental tariff costs of approximately $35-$45 million in 2026, net of mitigation actions [10] - Management noted that the retail financing rates have decreased to around 7.5%, down from 9%-10% at the peak, which is expected to benefit consumer purchasing power [37][55] Other Important Information - Brunswick's liquidity at year-end was $1.3 billion, including access to an undrawn revolving credit facility [15] - The company plans to retire approximately $160 million of debt in 2026, contributing to a net debt leverage target of 2.5x or lower by year-end [29] - Brunswick received multiple awards for its products and innovations, including recognition at the Consumer Electronics Show [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the retail performance in the fourth quarter? - Management indicated that retail performance was flat, with continued strength in premium and core brands, and some recovery in value products [36] Question: How should we think about inventory levels for 2026? - Management expects inventory levels to be flat to slightly reduced, aiming to match wholesale and retail [39] Question: What can you tell us about repeat buyer behavior and deferred trade-up cycles? - Management noted a significant gap between new boat sales and replacement rates, suggesting potential for increased retail demand as conditions normalize [42] Question: Can you discuss the growth in sales to OEM customers? - Management confirmed that Brunswick's boat brands are gaining share, with new multi-year agreements signed with major OEMs in Europe [46] Question: How much of a benefit could come from the potential elimination of IEEPA tariffs? - Management estimated a full-year impact of $20 million-$25 million from IEEPA tariffs, which would be beneficial if eliminated [54]