Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, reported net income was $174 million or $1.76 per diluted share, while adjusted net income was $188 million or $1.91 per diluted share, reflecting a solid performance despite market challenges [25][26] - For the full year 2025, reported net income was $783 million or $7.77 per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $830 million or $8.24 per diluted share [25][26] - The company achieved a 13% return on equity and a 14% growth in book value per share [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company delivered nearly 13,000 homes in 2025 with an adjusted home closings gross margin of 23% [5] - In Q4, net orders totaled 2,499 homes, down 5% YoY, driven by a moderation in monthly absorption pace [25][26] - The average price of homes delivered in Q4 was $596,000, generating approximately $2 billion in home closings revenue [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales were strongest in the east and west regions, particularly in Florida, California, and Phoenix, while the central region, especially Texas, showed slower performance [11] - The company experienced a 7% YoY net order growth in its Esplanade resort lifestyle communities, while move-up sales saw a low single-digit decline [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to accelerate new community openings in 2026, with over 100 new outlets expected, including more than 20 new Esplanade outlets [12][13] - A focus on the move-up and resort lifestyle segments is emphasized, with a strategic shift away from non-core submarkets that cater to price-sensitive buyers [15][16] - The company aims to maintain a controlled ratio of at least 65% for home-building lots to optimize capital efficiency [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about sales success in Q4 2025 and early momentum in 2026, despite ongoing affordability constraints and elevated inventory levels [9][11] - The company anticipates that consumer confidence in the economic and political outlook will be critical for demand recovery [9] - Management highlighted the importance of understanding consumer needs and preferences, which has contributed to the company's reputation as a trusted builder [8] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $71 million in Q4 2025, totaling 6.5 million shares for approximately $381 million for the full year [33] - The company ended Q4 with strong liquidity of approximately $1.8 billion, including $850 million in unrestricted cash [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term view on business mix and geographies - Management expects a slight decrease in the entry-level mix, focusing on core markets and avoiding fringe locations that attract different buyers [40][41] Question: Spec versus to-be-built mix - Management aims for a more balanced mix, potentially reaching a 50/50 split between spec and to-be-built homes over time, though achieving this in 2026 may be challenging [44][46] Question: Absorption rates in new communities - New communities are performing well, with strong interest and sales, indicating positive absorption trends compared to legacy communities [63] Question: Construction cost outlook - Management anticipates stable construction costs but is monitoring potential increases in lumber prices and other cost factors [54][56] Question: Incentives and gross margin guidance - Incentives were relatively flat from Q4 to Q1, with expectations for gross margins to improve gradually as the mix shifts towards to-be-built homes [60][62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, reported net income was $174 million or $1.76 per diluted share, while adjusted net income was $188 million or $1.91 per diluted share [24] - For the full year 2025, reported net income was $783 million or $7.77 per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $830 million or $8.24 per diluted share [24] - The company achieved a 13% return on equity and a 14% growth in book value per share [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, net orders totaled 2,499 homes, down 5% year-over-year, with a monthly absorption pace of 2.4 homes per community [24][25] - Home closings revenue for Q4 was approximately $2 billion, with an average closing price of $596,000 [25][26] - The home closings gross margin was 21.8%, slightly above prior guidance, but down from 24.8% in Q4 2024 [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales were strongest in the east and west areas, particularly in Florida, California, and Phoenix, while the central region, especially Texas, showed slower performance [11] - The company entered 2026 with a backlog of just over 2,800 homes, lower than normal due to slower sales of to-be-built homes in 2025 [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to accelerate the number of new community openings in 2026, with over 100 new outlets planned, including more than 20 new Esplanade outlets [12] - The focus will be on move-up and resort lifestyle segments, with a strategic shift away from non-core submarkets that cater to price-sensitive buyers [14][15] - The company aims to reach 20,000 closings in the long term, emphasizing attractive returns on invested capital [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about sales success in Q4 2025 and early momentum in 2026, despite elevated inventory levels and competitive pricing dynamics [9][10] - Consumer confidence in the economic outlook is deemed critical for demand recovery, with management noting improvements in affordability and wage growth [9] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $71 million in Q4 2025, totaling 6.5 million shares for approximately $381 million for the full year [32] - The company maintains strong liquidity of approximately $1.8 billion, including $850 million in unrestricted cash [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term view on business mix and geographies - Management expects a slight decrease in entry-level mix but will continue to focus on professional first-time buyers, particularly millennials [39][40] Question: Spec versus to-be-built mix - Management is encouraged by the shift towards to-be-built sales but does not expect a 50/50 mix in 2026 [43][44] Question: Esplanade community growth and absorption rates - Absorption rates in Esplanade communities are consistent with the overall business, with no significant change expected [51] Question: Construction cost outlook - Management anticipates stable construction costs but is monitoring lumber prices and other potential cost increases [53][54] Question: Land investment strategy - The company is shifting focus back to core markets for land investments, finding better opportunities in move-up and resort lifestyle segments [82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for Q4 2025 increased approximately 10.5% to $1.143 billion from $1.034 billion in Q4 2024, driven by a 9.7% increase in organic sales and a 0.8% contribution from acquisitions [12][15] - Gross profit increased 10.2% to $276.6 million, with gross profit margins decreasing approximately 8 basis points to 24.2% [15] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $80.3 million, compared to $68.2 million for the prior year [17] - Adjusted EPS grew 29% versus 2024, reaching $0.68 per diluted share [10][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic specialty sales were up 6.4% year-over-year, driven by unique placement growth of 4.2% and reported specialty case growth of 3.3% [7] - Excluding the Texas Produce Processing and Packaging Program, specialty case growth was 5.4% compared to the prior year quarter [8] - Pounds in Center-of-the-Plate were approximately 2.4% lower than the prior year, but excluding the Texas Commodity Poultry Program attrition, growth was 7.5% higher [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net inflation was 8.3% in Q4, with 3.4% inflation in the specialty category and 16.1% in the center-of-plate category [13] - Excluding the impact of the Commodity Poultry Program attrition, net inflation in center-of-the-plate was 9.5% [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue growing market share and expanding its customer base, focusing on upscale casual to higher-end dining [5][6] - Investments in distribution center capacity expansion and facility consolidation are ongoing, with a focus on operational efficiency and talent development [10][11] - The company is cautiously optimistic about overcoming challenges such as inflation and tariffs, leveraging a diversified portfolio of suppliers [29][51] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong performance of customers and the overall market, despite challenges posed by weather and inflation [21][29] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 6%-8% for 2026, with a focus on maintaining operating leverage and managing inflation [37][39] Other Important Information - The company achieved over $4 billion in revenue for the first time in its history, with a full-year organic revenue growth of 9.1% [10] - Total liquidity at the end of Q4 was $280.5 million, with net debt to adjusted EBITDA at approximately 2.1x [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: How have year-to-date sales tracked versus expectations given the winter weather? - Management noted that January was strong, and while the storm impacted the first week of February, sales bounced back in the following week [21] Question: Can you discuss the drivers of operating expense leverage? - Management indicated that gross profit margins are expected to remain flat, focusing on growing gross profit dollars higher than adjusted operating expenses [23] Question: What challenges or uncertainties does management foresee for 2026? - Management highlighted inflation, tariffs, and market volatility as potential challenges but expressed confidence in the company's diversified portfolio [29] Question: What are the capital allocation priorities for 2026? - Management aims to keep dry powder for acquisitions while also considering share buybacks and strengthening the balance sheet [31] Question: Any notable regional performance variances? - Management reported strong performance across key markets like California, Texas, and Florida, with ongoing investments in facilities and sales teams [41] Question: How is the company leveraging AI for customer insights? - Management stated that AI is integrated into daily operations, enhancing customer behavior analysis and operational efficiency [48] Question: What is the outlook for M&A activity? - Management remains cautious but optimistic about finding strategic M&A opportunities that align with the company's growth strategy [50][52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GlobalFoundries reported fourth quarter revenue of $1.83 billion, an 8% sequential increase and flat year-over-year [28] - Full year revenue reached approximately $6.791 billion, up 1% year-over-year [28] - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $530 million, translating to a gross margin of approximately 29%, up 300 basis points sequentially and 360 basis points year-over-year [34] - Full year gross margin was 26.1%, an increase of 80 basis points year-over-year [34] - Net income for the fourth quarter was approximately $310 million, resulting in diluted earnings of $0.55 per share [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Smart mobile devices accounted for approximately 36% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 13% sequential decline and 11% year-over-year decrease [29] - Automotive represented approximately 23% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 40% sequential increase and 3% year-over-year growth [31] - Home and industrial IoT made up approximately 17% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 17% sequential increase but a 15% year-over-year decline [31] - Communications infrastructure and data center contributed approximately 12% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 29% sequential increase and 32% year-over-year growth [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive revenue grew approximately 17% year-over-year to a record $1.4 billion [31] - Communications infrastructure and data center revenue grew 29% year-over-year, driven by strong momentum in optical networking and silicon photonics [32] - Satellite communications revenue exceeded $100 million in 2025, marking significant growth [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - GlobalFoundries is focusing on three core pillars: technology differentiation, deep customer partnerships, and leveraging a diversified geographical footprint [7] - The company aims to reach a $1 billion run-rate revenue for silicon photonics by the end of 2028, driven by strong customer demand and recent acquisitions [15] - Significant investments include $16 billion in the U.S. and EUR 1.1 billion in the Dresden facility to expand manufacturing capabilities [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about long-term potential, citing record design win momentum and a clear path towards a richer mix of business [25] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on megatrends such as AI data centers and the need for resilient semiconductor supply chains [11] - Management expects to achieve over 30% year-on-year revenue growth in communications infrastructure and data center for 2026 [25] Other Important Information - The board of directors authorized a share repurchase of up to $500 million, reflecting confidence in the company's financial position [37] - The company expects total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 to be $1.625 billion, with gross margin around 27% [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strategy for silicon photonics and differentiation - Management highlighted the strong demand for silicon photonics as a critical enabler for AI data centers, supported by acquisitions like AMF and InfiniLink [47][49] Question: Strategy with quantum computing - Management expressed excitement about quantum computing, emphasizing partnerships across various modalities to build scalable systems [52][54] Question: Supply side tightness and CapEx - Management noted strong demand in differentiated technology areas and emphasized capital efficiency in investments [58][60] Question: Margin structure and OpEx intensity - Management discussed the positive impact of a diversified portfolio on margins and the expected increase in OpEx due to strategic investments [63][66] Question: Synergies between recent acquisitions - Management confirmed synergies between photonics-oriented acquisitions and the broader portfolio, enhancing customer engagement and technology offerings [72][74]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated FFO as adjusted of $1.43 per share for 2025, representing a 6% growth compared to 2024, driven by strong leasing activity and same-property NOI growth of 5% [5][18] - Full-year same-property NOI increased by 5%, while the fourth quarter saw a 2.9% increase, impacted by higher snow removal expenses [18] - The balance sheet remains strong with total liquidity of $849 million and no amounts drawn on the line of credit [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company executed 58 new leases at a record same-space cash rent spread of 32%, with total new leases covering over 360,000 sq ft [5][10] - The signed but not open pipeline is expected to generate an additional $22 million of annual gross rent, representing 8% of current NOI [6] - The company completed 14 projects totaling $55 million, generating unlevered yields of 19% [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - National shopping center vacancy remains near historic lows, with supply constraints particularly pronounced in the Northeast [11][12] - The company noted that finding land and securing entitlements is extremely difficult in its markets, which supports expectations for healthy rent growth [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for FFO as adjusted growth of at least 4.5% in 2026, with same-property NOI growth above 3% [8] - The growth outlook is supported by six anchor repositioning projects expected to drive significant NOI growth through 2027 [9] - The company is focused on capital recycling, acquiring high-quality shopping centers while disposing of non-core assets [8][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining strong leasing momentum and achieving healthy rent growth due to limited supply and high demand for quality retail spaces [5][6] - The company anticipates that new lease spreads will remain above 20% in 2026, reflecting ongoing demand [5] - Management highlighted a positive outlook for 2027, expecting approximately 5% NOI growth driven by executed leases and contractual rent increases [9] Other Important Information - The company has a redevelopment pipeline of $166 million, with a projected unlevered yield of 14% [22] - An 11% increase in the annualized dividend to $0.84 per share was approved, reflecting a payout ratio of about 56% [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for shop occupancy growth - Management expects shop occupancy to stabilize around 94%-96%, with opportunities to improve leasing on occupied spaces [25][26][27] Question: Insights on capital recycling and acquisition pipeline - The acquisition market is competitive, with cap rates decreasing, but the company remains optimistic about capital recycling opportunities [28][29] Question: Same-property NOI growth path - The deceleration in 2026 is attributed to tenant fallout and one-time benefits in 2025, while growth visibility from the signed but not open pipeline supports a rebound in 2027 [34][35][36] Question: Impact of snow removal costs on guidance - Guidance for 2026 accounts for snow removal costs incurred in January, with appropriate provisions made [43][44] Question: Redevelopment pipeline opportunities - The company is focused on both small-scale and larger redevelopment projects, with a strong emphasis on enhancing existing assets [45][46][48] Question: Capital recycling avenues - Management is exploring opportunities to dispose of low-growth anchor tenants while maintaining control over the centers [53][54] Question: Specific asset performance inquiries - Gateway has long-term leases limiting immediate rent optimization, while Bruckner is undergoing significant redevelopment to enhance its value [63][66][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, the company reported sales of $3 billion, a 15% increase year-over-year, and adjusted EPS rose by 25% compared to the previous year [7][19] - For the full year 2025, the company achieved a top-line growth of 7.5% and adjusted EPS growth of nearly 19% [4][29] - The 12-month backlog reached $8.2 billion, up 7% from the prior year, while the multi-year backlog surpassed $27 billion, up 23% [8][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Equipment sales in Q4 were up 33.5% year-over-year, while services sales decreased by 5% due to timing of modernization deliveries [19][20] - Digital intelligence sales surged by 74.4% from last year, driven by acquisitions, although excluding acquisitions, digital sales were down 1% [21] - The freight segment saw sales increase by 18.3%, with adjusted operating income up 35.1% year-over-year [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America, carload traffic was flat, leading to fewer active locomotives, but those in service operated at higher intensity [8] - Internationally, carloads grew robustly in markets like Latin America, Africa, India, and Asia, supported by infrastructure investments [9] - The North American railcar build demand was down to approximately 31,000 cars for 2025, with an expected decline to 24,000 cars in 2026 [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving operational efficiencies through acquisitions and integration initiatives, aiming for mid- to high-teens adjusted EPS growth in 2026 [5][30] - The company plans to launch the EVO Modernization program in 2026, targeting the aging fleet in North America [15][16] - The company is committed to maximizing shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation, including a 24% increase in dividends and a $1.2 billion share buyback authorization [6][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong backlog and pipeline, indicating visibility for profitable growth in 2026 [30][31] - The company anticipates continued strong cash conversion performance, averaging over 110% in the past two years [31] - Management acknowledged challenges from tariffs but emphasized proactive measures to mitigate their impact [89] Other Important Information - The company achieved a cash flow from operations of $992 million in Q4, resulting in a total of $1.76 billion for the year [25][26] - The company has made significant progress in integration initiatives, achieving $103 million in run rate savings from Integration 2.0 [27][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Recent orders and pipeline opportunities - Management confirmed a strong pipeline of opportunities, particularly in international markets, and emphasized customer commitment to fleet modernization [37][39] Question: Components business and offsets for railcar delivery declines - Management noted that all businesses are expected to drive profitable growth, with specific investments in the heat exchanger business providing offsets [40][42] Question: Cash conversion and guidance rationale - Management highlighted strong cash conversion performance and the importance of cash in their operations, with a focus on maintaining above 90% long-term guidance [44][46] Question: Impact of backlog on visibility - Management indicated that the 12-month backlog provides consistent coverage for 2026, with stronger visibility for 2027 and beyond [69][70] Question: Tariff impacts and mitigation strategies - Management discussed the growing financial impact of tariffs and outlined a four-pronged approach to mitigate costs [89][90]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 21% growth in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for 2025, reaching $481 million, which includes the acquisition of Corellium [22][24] - Excluding Corellium, ARR grew 17% year-over-year, with a sequential increase of 6% over Q3 [22] - Revenue for Q4 grew 18% to $128.8 million, while full-year revenue increased 19% to $475.7 million [23][24] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $38.3 million, a 33% increase year-over-year, with a margin of 29.8% [24] - Free Cash Flow for the full year was $160 million, representing a 34% margin, which is a 30% increase over 2024 [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company converted 55% of its installed digital forensics base to Inseyets, exceeding its 50% target [9] - SaaS and cloud offerings saw ARR growth of over 50%, now representing 22% of total ARR [10] - Higher growth solutions like Pathfinder and Guardian now account for 14% of total ARR, with expectations to reach 20% by the end of 2026 [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas accounted for 53% of total ARR, with a growth rate of 19%, while EMEA grew 24% and Asia-Pacific increased 23% [22] - The company anticipates a reacceleration in growth for the U.S. federal segment, which is expected to exceed the overall company growth rate in 2026 [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its leadership in digital forensics and expand into drone forensics, which is expected to grow significantly [15][16] - The acquisition of SCG Canada is seen as a strategic move to enhance capabilities in drone forensics [14] - The company plans to evolve its product offerings and packaging to facilitate customer expansion over multiple years [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the core demand for solutions, driven by macro trends such as crime and population growth [11] - The company expects to achieve ARR growth of 18%-19% in 2026, with revenue growth of 19%-20% [30] - Management highlighted the importance of AI in enhancing productivity and efficiency, viewing it as a tailwind for the business [19][20] Other Important Information - The company ended 2025 with $535 million in cash and investments, despite a $147 million outflow for the Corellium acquisition [24] - The company is focused on maintaining a Free Cash Flow margin of at least 30% while reaccelerating ARR growth [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the company ensure successful integration of acquisitions while maintaining focus on core operations? - Management indicated that the Corellium acquisition took longer than expected, but they have had time to prepare for integration and are confident in managing both Corellium and SCG Canada effectively [37] Question: What drove the decision to pursue the drone forensics acquisition? - The decision was driven by both customer demand and strategic planning, recognizing the growing importance of drone technology in defense and intelligence [40][41] Question: Can you provide more details on the investments made to enhance mobile forensics leadership? - Investments were made to strengthen internal research capabilities and partnerships to ensure leadership in both Android and iOS platforms [45][46] Question: What is the outlook for the U.S. federal government spending environment? - Management noted that there is pent-up demand in defense and intelligence use cases, with confidence in growth driven by strategic planning and upcoming events like the FIFA World Cup [48][49] Question: What is the expected contribution of Corellium to the company's financials? - Corellium is expected to contribute a couple of percentage points to growth, with a point of compression on margins due to associated costs [78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the fourth quarter was $194.7 million, up 9.1% year-over-year, and in line with guidance [21] - Full-year revenue reached $748.4 million, an increase of 12.2% from 2024 [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $42.5 million, reflecting an increase of 11.6% year-over-year [28] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) was $671 million at quarter end, up 11.3% year-over-year [24] - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $147.4 million, with a gross margin of 75.7% [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue in the fourth quarter increased 8.9% year-over-year to $166.2 million [21] - Services revenue grew 10.2% year-over-year to $28.5 million in the fourth quarter [23] - Cloud revenue for the fourth quarter was $94.6 million, up 23% year-over-year [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New logo revenue was up 20% in 2025, indicating healthy demand for Vertex's solutions [9] - E-invoicing mandates are expected to drive growth, particularly in the second half of 2026 [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to accelerate revenue growth through AI transformation and innovation [7][10] - Vertex is focusing on expanding its customer success coverage and leveraging AI tools to enhance customer engagement [9] - The company plans to broaden its Smart Categorization offering and expand into additional industries [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in 2025, including lower entitlement growth and higher customer attrition, primarily among smaller accounts [8] - The company is optimistic about restoring growth through new product offerings and proactive customer engagement [20] - Management emphasized the importance of AI in improving workflows and driving future growth [10][12] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $10 million of its shares in the open market [29] - Vertex ended the fourth quarter with over $314 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the losses to competitors at the lower end of the market? - Management indicated that attrition was higher in 2025, driven by M&A and bankruptcies, particularly among smaller customers [35] Question: How confident are you in achieving the guidance for next year? - Management expressed confidence in the guidance, citing e-invoicing and AI products as potential growth drivers [39] Question: What parallels can you draw from your previous experiences that will help at Vertex? - Management highlighted the importance of AI and the need for accurate tax compliance as key areas where previous experiences will be beneficial [44][48] Question: What are the expectations around net retention rates? - Management is focused on improving net retention rates through new product offerings and proactive customer engagement [50] Question: How is the pipeline for 2026 shaping up, particularly with SAP customers? - Management noted steady growth in the SAP pipeline, with ongoing partnerships and win rates remaining strong [55] Question: Have you seen any AI tech budget crowding out that might have driven the entitlement slowdown? - Management has not observed explicit budget crowding out affecting their business [88]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 21% growth in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for 2025, reaching $481 million, which includes the acquisition of Corellium [22][24] - Excluding Corellium, ARR grew 17% year-over-year, with a sequential increase of 6% over Q3 [22] - Revenue for Q4 grew 18% to $128.8 million, while full-year revenue increased 19% to $475.7 million [23] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $38.3 million, a 33% increase year-over-year, with a margin of 29.8% [24] - Free cash flow for the full year was $160 million, representing a 34% margin, which is a 30% growth over 2024 [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company converted 55% of its installed digital forensics base to Inseyets, exceeding the 50% target [9] - ARR for SaaS and cloud offerings grew over 50%, now representing 22% of total ARR [10] - Guardian's ARR continued to grow, achieving its sixth consecutive quarter of over 100% year-on-year growth [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas accounted for 53% of total ARR, with a growth rate of 19%, while EMEA grew 24% and Asia-Pacific increased by 23% [22] - The company expects the U.S. federal segment to reaccelerate growth in 2026 after a flat performance in 2025 [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reaccelerate growth in 2026 with initial guidance of 18%-19% [11] - Investments in mobile research and AI functionality are expected to enhance leadership in digital forensics [8][19] - The acquisition of SCG Canada is seen as a strategic move to address the growing drone forensics market, which is projected to grow over 20% annually [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about strong core demand for solutions, driven by macro trends such as crime and population growth [11] - The company anticipates a surge in demand from federal agencies due to increased funding and the expected approval of FedRAMP Level 4 [12][50] - Management highlighted the importance of AI as a tailwind for productivity and customer retention [19][20] Other Important Information - The company ended 2025 with $535 million in cash and equivalents, despite a $147 million outflow for the Corellium acquisition [24] - The company plans to maintain a free cash flow margin of at least 30% while focusing on ARR growth [25][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the company ensure successful integration of acquisitions while maintaining focus on core operations? - Management indicated that the Corellium acquisition took longer than expected, but they have had time to prepare for integration and are excited about the SCG acquisition due to its complementary nature [37] Question: What drove the decision to pursue the drone forensics acquisition? - The decision was driven by both customer demand and strategic planning to expand into adjacent markets with significant total addressable market (TAM) potential [41] Question: Can you provide more details on the investments made to enhance mobile forensics leadership? - Investments were made to strengthen capabilities in both Android and iOS, ensuring leadership offerings across major operating systems [45] Question: What is the outlook for the U.S. federal government spending environment? - Management noted that there is pent-up demand in defense and intelligence use cases, with confidence in growth due to strategic planning and upcoming events like the FIFA World Cup [49] Question: How should investors think about the guidance philosophy for 2026? - The company has adopted a more prudent approach with tighter ranges for ARR and revenue expectations, reflecting a focus on renewals and deal pipelines [26][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - SharkNinja achieved $6.4 billion in net sales for 2025, up nearly 16% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA increasing more than 19% to $1.14 billion [23][24] - Adjusted earnings per share reached a record $5.28, up nearly 21% year-over-year [23] - In Q4, net sales increased 17.6% year-over-year to $2.1 billion, with domestic sales up 15.7% and international sales up 21.4% [24][25] - Adjusted gross margins in Q4 increased nearly 40 basis points year-over-year to 48.2% of net sales [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cleaning category net sales increased 3.4% year-over-year to $670 million, driven by innovations like the Shark Stain Force Cordless Spot and Stain Cleaner [26] - Cooking and beverage category net sales increased 11.7% year-over-year to $667 million, with the Ninja Luxe Café Espresso Machine being a significant contributor [26] - Food preparation category net sales increased 28.1% year-over-year to $438 million, supported by momentum in the frozen treats business [26][27] - Beauty and home environment category saw a remarkable 63.2% year-over-year growth to $326 million, driven by multiple subcategories including Shark beauty tech products [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.K. business grew 9.2% year-over-year in Q4, despite declines in air fryer sales, showcasing the strength of diversification [25] - Latin America, particularly Mexico, experienced triple-digit growth, indicating strong momentum and future opportunities [21][24] - EMEA region showed robust results across multiple countries, with a focus on transitioning to a direct operating model [20][54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - SharkNinja's strategy focuses on diversification across products, channels, and geographies to drive growth [8][9] - The company aims to expand into new categories, having entered two additional subcategories in 2025 and planning to add two more in 2026 [15][16] - Investment in technology, particularly AI, is a key focus for long-term growth, with plans to hire 100 new software engineers [12][11] - The company announced a $750 million share repurchase program, reflecting confidence in its financial position and commitment to shareholder value [14][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating macroeconomic challenges, emphasizing that these challenges present opportunities for growth [40] - The outlook for 2026 includes expected net sales growth of 10% to 11% and adjusted net income per diluted share growth of 12% to 14% [38] - Management highlighted the importance of consumer engagement and product resonance as key drivers for future success [60][61] Other Important Information - SharkNinja's balance sheet showed a net cash position at the end of 2025, providing flexibility for future investments [35] - The company has completed its global Oracle implementation and launched Salesforce in the U.S. and Canada to enhance direct-to-consumer capabilities [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Medium-term growth algorithm for U.S. business - Management indicated that the U.S. business is expected to achieve double-digit growth in 2026, with contributions from both units and pricing [45][46] Question: International segment growth and visibility - Management noted that international growth is expected to outpace domestic growth, with strong momentum in Latin America and EMEA [49][52] Question: Characteristics of customers acquired through beauty segment - Management highlighted that the beauty segment is attracting a younger demographic, including young males, and emphasized the potential for category expansion [63][64] Question: Success of celebrity campaigns and future initiatives - Management reported significant growth in social media engagement and consumer perception, attributing success to celebrity partnerships and a sophisticated demand generation strategy [70][72]