Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q2 was $356.5 million, exceeding guidance, with system-wide sales growing 13.7% year-over-year to $549.9 million [30] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 24.8% year-over-year to $58.9 million, representing 16.5% of total revenue, marking the highest adjusted EBITDA level on record [36] - Net income attributable to Shake Shack Inc. was $17.1 million or $0.41 per diluted share, with adjusted pro forma net income at $19.5 million or $0.44 per fully exchanged and diluted share [37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company-operated Shack sales grew 12.4% year-over-year to $343.2 million, with 13 new Shack openings [30] - The license business saw revenue growth of 20.2% year-over-year to $13.3 million, with sales up approximately 16% to $206.7 million [30] - Restaurant level profit reached $82.2 million, or 23.9% of Shack sales, a 190 basis point improvement year-over-year [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average weekly sales were $78,000, with 1.8% same Shack sales growth, improving to 3.2% in July [31][16] - Traffic was down 70 basis points, but trends improved each month of the quarter, with positive traffic exiting the quarter [31] - Culinary innovation contributed approximately one percentage point of growth to same Shack sales, driven by summer barbecue and merchandising improvements [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic priorities: driving same Shack sales, expanding globally, and improving profitability [8] - Plans to open 45 to 50 company-operated Shacks in 2025, marking the largest class in company history [22] - The introduction of a culinary calendar with four main platforms per year aims to enhance marketing and product offerings [61] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in raising adjusted EBITDA guidance for the full year, despite ongoing industry headwinds [7] - The company is optimistic about its ability to navigate inflationary pressures and maintain strong cash flow [38] - Future growth is expected to be supported by a robust pipeline of culinary innovations and increased marketing investments [42] Other Important Information - The company raised over $100,000 to support communities affected by floods in Texas and North Carolina [6] - Shake Shack is now served on Delta flights across 13 domestic airports, receiving positive guest feedback [25] - The company is on track to reduce build costs by at least 10% this year despite global supply chain uncertainties [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the incremental efficiencies seen in labor productivity? - Management highlighted improvements in recruiting, retention, and speed of service, attributing success to a new labor model and strong leadership [49][51] Question: What are the implications of the new culinary calendar on advertising and marketing? - The company plans to create awareness at the top of the funnel for limited-time offers and has built an 18-month culinary innovation calendar [61][65] Question: How will the marketing and culinary innovations be margin accretive? - Management indicated that new premium-priced items and operational efficiencies will help mitigate commodity inflation and drive margin growth [77][79] Question: How is the company managing the balance between product innovation and operational efficiency? - The company conducts operational tests on new menu items to ensure they do not disrupt productivity and service quality [104]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net operating income of $734 million and an annualized operating return on equity (ROE) of nearly 20% for the second quarter of 2025 [5][21] - The combined ratio was 90.4%, reflecting strong underwriting performance and light catastrophe losses [21][22] - Net investment income was strong at $532 million, supported by favorable private equity performance [5][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underwriting profit totaled $385 million with a combined ratio of 90.4% [5] - Reinsurance generated a profit of $436 million, up $133 million from the prior year, with a combined ratio of 85.6% [7][23] - Insurance recorded an underwriting loss of $18 million with a combined ratio of 102% [13][24] - Gross written premiums for reinsurance increased by 1.6% in constant dollars, while insurance gross written premiums decreased by 3.3% [21][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a 1.1% increase in reinsurance gross written premiums, while insurance premiums declined by 3.3% [21][24] - International insurance business grew at a rate of 23% this quarter, with improving margins [17] - Property premiums increased by 5% globally, with 21% growth internationally, offsetting a 2% decline in North America [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reshaping its portfolio, particularly in the U.S. casualty business, and is committed to disciplined growth [12][19] - The strategy includes expanding in U.S. property, Asia, and Latin America while reducing exposure in U.S. casualty [12][19] - The company aims to optimize its share in attractive programs with core clients, leveraging its strong relationships [12][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the reinsurance business's ability to deliver strong results regardless of external conditions [13] - The company is optimistic about the quality of its casualty portfolio improving, which is expected to lead to more consistent profitability over time [19] - Management noted that the current market conditions are favorable for deploying capital into well-structured accounts [58][59] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $200 million worth of shares in the second quarter, totaling $400 million year-to-date [18][28] - The operating income tax rate for 2025 was 16.4%, slightly below the working assumption of 17% to 18% [27][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the underlying loss ratio in insurance? - Management indicated that the risk margin is necessary due to legal uncertainties, and the mix of business will impact the overall loss ratio positively over time [31][32] Question: How is the company approaching international investments? - Management acknowledged that international growth is lumpier but emphasized leveraging existing infrastructure to improve the expense ratio over time [34] Question: What are the dynamics in the accident and health market? - The company is focusing on accident coverage rather than health, with strong growth in accident business both domestically and internationally [37][38] Question: Can you elaborate on the reinsurance renewals and competitive environment? - Management noted that pricing was flat during renewals, with terms and conditions holding steady, indicating discipline in the market [40][41] Question: How does the company view the current pricing environment? - Management clarified that while rates have softened slightly, the market remains strong, and they are comfortable deploying capital at current pricing levels [58][59] Question: What is the company's strategy regarding PMLs? - Management stated that they are increasing net PMLs due to favorable pricing dynamics and are confident in the risk-reward trade-off [59][60] Question: What is the status of the London court decision? - Management believes the issue is resolved barring any unexpected legal shifts, and it does not relate to previous reserve actions [95][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2026 was $305 million, representing a 15% year-over-year increase, exceeding the high end of the company's outlook [7][17] - Gross profit reached $129 million, up 19% year-over-year, significantly above the 13% outlook [7][20] - Adjusted EBITDA was $16 million, reflecting a 55% increase year-over-year [7][22] - Payments penetration increased to 41%, up from 36% in the same quarter last year [7][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Software revenue grew 9% year-over-year, with software ARPU increasing by 10% [12][18] - Transaction-based revenue was $204.6 million, up 18% year-over-year [18] - Total gross profit margin improved to 42%, up from 41% last year [20][21] - The company added approximately 1,700 net new customer locations in its growth engines, with total growth engine locations up 5% year-over-year [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross payments volume grew 21% year-over-year, with capital revenue increasing by 34% [18] - GTV (Gross Transaction Volume) grew by 4% to $24.6 billion, with growth engine locations up by 5% year-over-year [19][20] - ARPU reached a record $655, up 16% year-over-year, driven by higher software and payments monetization [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on two core growth engines: retail in North America and hospitality in Europe, where it has a strong product-market fit and significant growth potential [6][7] - Strategic priorities include growing customer locations, expanding subscription ARPU, and improving adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow [8][9] - The company is investing in outbound sales and vertical marketing to enhance its go-to-market strategy [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategy and ability to execute despite a fluid macro environment [25] - The company expects total revenue growth of approximately 10% to 12% year-over-year for fiscal 2026, with gross profit growth of approximately 14% [26] - Management highlighted the importance of ongoing investments in sales and product innovation to drive future growth [91] Other Important Information - The company completed a normal course issuer bid, returning $85 million to shareholders in Q1 [23][110] - The cash balance at the end of Q1 was approximately $448 million, with $200 million remaining under the board's authorization for share repurchases [24][110] Q&A Session Summary Question: Subscription revenue growth and pricing initiatives - Management acknowledged that the 9% software growth was solid and attributed it to new customer additions and pricing initiatives from the previous year [28][30] Question: Expectations for location growth - Management expects location growth to converge towards a 10% to 15% CAGR by fiscal 2028, driven by ramping outbound sales efforts [33][35] Question: Drivers of Q1 revenue and gross profit - Management confirmed that Q1 results were driven by solid execution and that there were no one-time factors affecting the results [40][43] Question: Same store sales dynamics - Hospitality same store sales outperformed North American retail, with double-digit growth in European hospitality [47][48] Question: AI impact on retail and hospitality - Management discussed the use of AI to automate tasks and drive insights, enhancing operational efficiency for merchants [53][55] Question: Capital allocation and buyback strategy - Management confirmed that the pace of share buybacks would continue to be opportunistic, with $200 million remaining for future repurchases [111][110]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 totaled $2,140 million, down 2% year over year, with similar results across subscription and advertising revenue streams [16] - Adjusted EBITDA was $668 million, down 5% year over year, reflecting a healthy margin of 31% [17] - Free cash flow rose 27% to $402 million, driven by timing of payments, lower capital expenditures, and elimination of Liberty level overhead from the prior year [17] - The company expects to achieve approximately $200 million in gross savings this year, primarily in operating expenses [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SiriusXM revenue was $1,610 million, down 2% from the prior year, driven by a smaller self-pay subscriber base [21] - ARPU was flat at $15.22, with a gross margin of 60% [21] - Self-pay net subscriber additions were negative 68,000, an improvement of 32,000 compared to the prior year, reflecting low churn of 1.5% [21] - In the Pandora and off-platform segment, revenue was $524 million, down 3% year over year, with podcast advertising revenue increasing nearly 50% [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The advertising environment remains challenging due to economic uncertainties, with overall advertising down approximately 2% from Q2 2024 [13] - Podcast ad revenue climbed almost 50% year over year, indicating strong growth in that segment [13] - The company is seeing pricing pressure in streaming from excess CTV inventory and competition [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing value for subscribers through new content and programming, including a new agreement with Stephen A. Smith [6][11] - SiriusXM Play, a new ad-supported subscription plan, is being rolled out to target price-sensitive customers [11] - The company is investing in ad tech improvements, including AI voice replicas for scalable campaigns [12] - The strategic focus includes optimizing expenses and enhancing in-car experiences while growing off-platform monetization [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains confident in the long-term success of the business despite anticipated headwinds in the second half of the year [7][9] - The company is closely monitoring macroeconomic trends that could impact advertising revenue [25] - Management reaffirmed full-year guidance of approximately $8.5 billion in total revenue and $1.15 billion in free cash flow [24][25] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $137 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks [23] - A comprehensive technology and workforce realignment was undertaken, including a non-cash write-off of approximately $100 million in capitalized software assets [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry on free cash flow guidance and its full-year impact - Management noted a sizable beat in free cash flow for the quarter, attributing it to timing and ongoing cost structure optimization [29][30] Question: Strategy for attracting younger audiences - The company is leveraging its podcast offerings to attract younger demographics while continuing to monetize content effectively [31][34] Question: Podcasting and digital advertising developments - Podcasting is expected to grow as a portion of total ad revenue, with improvements in targeting and measurement capabilities [40][41] Question: Update on G&A expenses and legal costs - Legal expenses included a $28 million settlement, which skewed G&A expenses for the quarter [60] Question: Conversion trends and customer demographics - The company is seeing a slowing decline in conversion rates for new cars, with ongoing enhancements in acquisition programs [93][94]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues grew by 26% year-on-year in Q2 2025, reaching $80,400,000, with a significant operating profit of $12,900,000 compared to a loss in the previous year [3][29] - Gross profit increased by 27% to $84,200,000, primarily driven by revenue growth [29] - For the first half of 2025, total revenues increased by 33% and gross profit increased by 37% compared to the same period in 2024 [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Reconnect revenue grew by 28% year-on-year, contributing significantly to the overall revenue growth [4][8] - Joenja achieved a revenue of $12,800,000 in Q2 2025, with a 15% quarter-on-quarter growth and a notable increase in patient uptake [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market saw a 27% increase in new patient enrollments for Reconnect, driven by the addition of new prescribers [10] - Joenja's patient base is expanding, with 185 patients identified globally, including a launch in the UK [14][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build a leading global rare disease platform, leveraging its strong capabilities and pipeline [7] - The focus is on expanding the patient base for Joenja through reclassification of VUS patients and geographic expansion [15][34] - The company is raising its 2025 total revenue guidance to between $335 million and $350 million, reflecting confidence in continued growth [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the growth potential of both Reconnect and Joenja, highlighting the unique value propositions of their products [33][34] - The company is committed to optimizing capital allocation and reducing G&A expenses by 15% to support growth [32] Other Important Information - The company has a high-value late-stage pipeline with two assets, each with over $1 billion potential [4][6] - The acquisition of Abliva is expected to enhance the company's pipeline and market position [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the VUS patient reclassification translate to new patients on paid therapy? - Management expects about 20% of the 1,400 identified VUS patients to be reclassified as APDS, which will take time as diagnostic labs process the data [39][41] Question: Can you comment on the revenue growth for Joenja? - The revenue growth for Joenja was impacted by increased stock inventory in Q2 last year, not a change in conversion rates [47] Question: Are there segments of the Reconnect patient population at risk from the launch of sevitralstat? - The majority of Reconnect patients are those who have failed other treatments, and the patient populations targeted by both drugs are different [48][52] Question: Does the OpEx forecast include milestones on leniolumab? - Yes, the forecast includes a $5 million milestone related to leniolumab [68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales increased by 9.9% year on year to approximately $63 million [2] - Gross profit grew by 10.1% year on year to about $35 million, with a gross profit margin of 55.5% [2] - Profit before tax rose by 17% year on year to $26.6 million, while net profit increased by 13.4% year on year to $21.7 million [3] - Diluted EPS was $1.96 per share, with an interim dividend declared at the same payout ratio of 80% as in the past [3] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales from the Fixed First Connectivity segment decreased by 13% year on year to $7.6 million [4] - Sales from the Mobile First Connectivity segment increased by 14.4% year on year to $36.8 million [4] - Warranty and support services revenue grew by 6.9% year on year to $13.4 million, while software licenses revenue surged by 33.8% year on year to about $5 million [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in the EMEA region increased by 39.2% year on year to $20.5 million [5] - Asia Pacific sales rose by 44% year on year to $5.9 million, while sales in other regions, mainly Australia, increased by 25% year on year [5] - Sales to North America decreased by 6.4% year on year to $34 million due to uncertainties with trade policies [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is optimistic about the growth in the EMEA region, which is expected to become a strong growth driver [11] - New product launches are planned, including innovative products that have no similar offerings in the market [13] - The company aims to expand its software offerings and create new subscription packages to enhance its ecosystem [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the overall demand for products in North America despite temporary shipment limitations [5] - The company is focusing on building dedicated products for non-US markets to enhance competitiveness [40] - Management emphasized the importance of creating value for customers and the long-term goal of becoming a connectivity company rather than just a networking company [117] Other Important Information - Recurring revenue increased by 12.5% year on year, accounting for 28.1% of total sales [6] - The number of devices with subscriptions increased by almost 18% year on year, with a take-up rate of 36.5% [6] - The company maintains a healthy balance sheet with a net cash balance of $53 million as of June 2025 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the situation regarding the US markets and shipments? - Management clarified that shipments were temporarily halted due to uncertainties about tariffs but have since fully resumed [20][22] Question: How significant is the new partnership with Iridium compared to Starlink? - Management indicated that while Iridium is trusted by traditional customers, Starlink has stronger momentum, and the revenue from Iridium is expected to be smaller [24][26] Question: What changes have occurred in the product structure, especially with Starlink? - The company now offers a full range of Starlink products and plans to launch a new integrated product called AntennaMax [32][34] Question: What is driving the strong growth in the EMEA region? - The transportation market in Europe is undergoing extensive upgrades, creating demand for connectivity solutions [39][40] Question: What steps have been taken to increase the subscription take-up rate? - Increased awareness among partners and addressing bottlenecks in the purchasing management portal are key strategies [43][44] Question: How does the company view the future of edge computing? - Management sees edge computing as a trend that will expand the ecosystem and enhance product stickiness, but revenue implications are still being explored [101][104] Question: What is the monetization strategy for the SpeedFusion Connect app? - The current focus is on user adoption rather than immediate monetization, with plans to explore charging in the future [115] Question: How does the company plan to position itself in the next 5 to 10 years? - The long-term goal is to become a connectivity company, expanding beyond just networking products [117]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a gross margin improvement of 160 basis points, contributing to strong cash flow and organic profit growth [7][19] - A&P (Advertising and Promotion) spending increased by 6.8% to 20.8% in the first half of the year, reflecting a strategic focus on growth drivers [19][21] - The company expects high single-digit operating profit growth for the year, driven by gross margin opportunities [55][78] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America experienced a nearly 2% organic sales growth decline, attributed to a challenging consumer environment and inventory pressures [4][8] - Strong growth and market share gains were noted in oral health and digestive health brands, while pain relief and VMS (Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements) showed mixed performance [11][12] - Centrum faced challenges in the U.S. market, with declines despite strong growth outside the U.S. [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - EMEA, Latin America, and APAC markets performed well, with organic sales growth within the medium-term guidance of 4% to 6% [4][8] - Volume growth in EMEALATAM accelerated from 0.5% in Q1 to 1.6% in Q2, while Asia Pacific saw an increase from 3.3% to 3.9% [47][50] - The U.S. market showed a decline in volume, down 1.8% in Q2, impacting overall performance [48][49] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains committed to its medium-term guidance of 4% to 6% growth, despite current challenges in the U.S. market [45][50] - Strategic investments are focused on supply chain productivity, innovation, and expanding access to lower-income consumers [18][39] - The company plans to continue its innovation-led premiumization strategy while addressing core business challenges [40][55] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging consumer environment in North America, with expectations of continued inventory pressures [8][16] - The company is optimistic about returning to growth in 2026, supported by new leadership and strategic initiatives [49][50] - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the European market, particularly in oral health [52][53] Other Important Information - The nicotine replacement therapy business is a significant but challenging category, with a complex ownership structure impacting innovation [73][75] - The company is actively managing inventory levels with retailers to navigate the current economic environment [15][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: North America's performance and future growth expectations - Management noted that North America faced a nearly 2% decline in organic sales growth due to a challenging consumer environment and inventory pressures, with expectations for gradual recovery [4][8][16] Question: A&P spending and areas of reinvestment - A&P spending increased significantly, with a focus on driving growth through innovation and reaching lower-income consumers [19][21] Question: Share performance and competitive pressures - The decline in the percentage of business gaining or maintaining share was attributed to challenges with key brands like Advil and Centrum, with plans in place to stabilize performance [30][32] Question: Retailer environment and channel dynamics - Management discussed the impact of retailer destocking and channel shifts, particularly in the U.S. market, and emphasized the need to adapt to these changes [28][86] Question: Outlook for specific product categories - Management provided insights on the performance of Advil, Smoker's Health, and Centrum, highlighting ongoing challenges and upcoming innovations [60][66][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Group revenue increased by 1.8%, adjusted gross profit rose by 3%, and adjusted profit from operations grew by 1.9%, with adjusted diluted EPS increasing by 1.7% [10][24][47] - The company anticipates full-year revenue at the top end of the 1% to 2% guidance, maintaining APFO guidance of 1.5% to 2.5% [10][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Smokeless products now account for 18.2% of Group revenue, up 70 basis points from last year, with 1.4 million new smokeless consumers added [4] - New categories revenue increased by 2.4%, driven by modern oral growth of over 40% and heated products rising by more than 3%, while vapor declined by 13% [11][12] - Combustibles revenue increased by 0.8%, with volume decline offset by strong pricing, leading to a gross profit increase of 2.4% [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S., revenue grew by 3.7%, with combustibles driving the growth, while modern oral revenue increased by 3.9% [16][17] - The AME region saw revenue rise by 3.5%, with combustibles up nearly 3% due to strong volumes in Brazil and Turkey [17] - APMEA experienced a total revenue decline of 4.8%, with combustibles down 7.9%, impacted by regulatory headwinds in Bangladesh and Australia [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a multi-category strategy to leverage consumer trends towards new categories, with significant investments in modern oral and heated products [28][30] - The introduction of the "Fit to Win" program aims to simplify operations and enhance digital decision-making, targeting £500 million in annualized savings by 2028 [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in returning to revenue and profit growth in the U.S., highlighting the importance of regulatory affairs and enforcement for smokeless alternatives [6][41] - The company remains optimistic about the long-term growth potential of modern oral products, especially in emerging markets [30][31] Other Important Information - The company has increased its 2025 share buyback program by £200 million to £1.1 billion, reflecting strong cash generation and commitment to shareholder returns [4][25] - The company has delivered nearly £900 million in productivity savings since 2023 and aims to exceed £1.2 billion by year-end [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the early performance of GloHilo in Japan and its rollout plans? - Management reported positive feedback from Japanese consumers, with a tailored product offering leading to early market share gains. The rollout will focus on high-profit pools through the end of the year [52][54] Question: What is the current momentum for VeloPlus in the U.S.? - VeloPlus is maintaining strong momentum with high retention rates and increasing market share, despite competitive pressures [57][58] Question: Can you clarify the Fit to Win program's costs and savings? - The program will have some costs in 2025, with a target of £500 million in annualized savings by 2028, which will be reinvested into growth initiatives [61][62] Question: What is the outlook for the vape business in the AME region? - The vape business is facing challenges in Canada due to regulations, but there is potential for growth as the market transitions to closed systems [66][70] Question: How is the company addressing the illegal vapor market in the U.S.? - Management noted a 40% reduction in illegal vapor shipments, with ongoing efforts to enforce regulations and improve market conditions [74][76] Question: What is the impact of the duty drawback on U.S. business? - The duty drawback is positively impacting the top line, but the company is also seeing growth from improved market share and pricing strategies [97][100] Question: Is there capacity to meet the expected growth in VeloPlus? - The company is well-equipped to handle the growth in VeloPlus, with no anticipated capacity shortages [102]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross rental income increased by 11% and net rental income rose by 10% [2][3] - Portfolio valuation grew by 11%, marking the first valuation gain since H1 2017 [3][21] - Earnings per share remained flat at 9.9p, with EPRA earnings reported at £48 million [3][21] - The interim dividend was increased by 5%, reflecting the Board's confidence in future earnings growth [4][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Like-for-like gross rental income increased by 54%, with like-for-like net rental income up 54% as well [4] - Like-for-like leasing volume rose by 13%, with leasing value up by 3% [5][37] - Strong leasing performance in Ireland was noted, with expectations for further growth in the second half [37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company welcomed 79 million visitors in the first half, an increase of 1 million from the previous year [6] - Group like-for-like sales were up 1%, with Q2 showing a 2% increase [7][11] - Footfall in Birmingham increased by 5% in H1, strengthening to 8% in Q2 [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on active asset management and repositioning, with a strategy termed "lease up to rent up" [5][36] - Recent acquisitions, including Bullring and Grand Central, are expected to enhance income streams and support growth [8][17] - The company has a clear capital allocation strategy aimed at maximizing opportunities to unlock value [8][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued strong earnings growth, supported by high demand for retail space [4][19] - The outlook for 2026 and 2027 remains positive, with expected GRI growth of around 15% in 2026 [17][30] - The company is leveraging AI analytics to enhance customer and occupier understanding, which is expected to drive future growth [35] Other Important Information - The company reported a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 7.8 times, with a loan-to-value ratio of 35% [22][28] - The acquisition of Bullring and Grand Central is expected to be immediately 4% earnings accretive [14] - The company has significant potential for future developments, with a GDV potential of around £5.2 billion from various projects [43] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the impact of the recent acquisitions on earnings? - The acquisition of Bullring and Grand Central is expected to be immediately 4% earnings accretive, with a minimal dilution effect [14] Question: How does the company plan to manage its capital allocation? - The company has a disciplined approach to capital allocation, focusing on high-yielding assets and strategic land monetization [8][40] Question: What are the expectations for future growth in GRI and NRI? - The company has raised its guidance for GRI growth to around 17% for the year, up from a previous estimate of 10% [30]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a decline in organic sales growth in North America of nearly 2% in Q2, contrasting with growth in EMEA, LatAm, and APAC, which were within the medium-term guidance of 4% to 6% [3][5][14] - Gross margin improved by 160 basis points, contributing to strong cash flow and organic profit growth [5][15] - A&P (Advertising and Promotion) spending increased by 6.8% to 20.8% in the first half of the year, reflecting a focus on growth drivers [16][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America, consumption grew slightly ahead of the market, with a 0.5% increase compared to a market decline of 0.5% [9][10] - Oral health and digestive health brands showed strong growth, with market share gains in brands like Tons and Benefiber [9][10] - Centrum experienced mid-single-digit growth outside the US but saw declines in the US, while Emergency brand continued to perform well [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The US market is facing challenges with low consumer confidence and inventory pressures, impacting overall performance [6][8][14] - EMEA and APAC regions showed positive trends, with volume growth accelerating in Q2 [47][51] - Central Europe reported high single-digit growth, while Western Europe experienced mid-single-digit growth, driven by strong performance in oral health [53][54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains committed to its medium-term guidance of 4% to 6% organic sales growth despite current challenges in the US market [49][56] - Focus on innovation and premiumization, particularly in key markets like India and Brazil, is part of the strategic plan [39][40] - The company aims to close the incidence treatment gap and expand reach to lower-income consumers while maintaining investment in A&P and R&D [16][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging consumer environment in the US, with expectations of continued inventory pressure and no significant improvement anticipated in the near term [14][22] - Confidence in the medium-term outlook remains strong, with expectations for improved performance in 2026 [49][56] - The company is actively managing its portfolio and focusing on driving market growth despite external challenges [36][41] Other Important Information - The nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) business is a significant part of the portfolio, with a complex ownership structure affecting innovation and growth [73][75] - The company expects a high single-digit growth in operating profit, supported by gross margin improvements and effective cost control [77][78] Q&A Session Summary Question: North America's performance and future growth expectations - Management noted that North America faced challenges due to a difficult consumer environment and inventory pressures, with expectations for a gradual return to growth [3][22][25] Question: A&P spending and areas of reinvestment - A&P spending increased significantly, with a focus on driving growth in key markets and improving ROI [16][19] Question: Share performance and competitive pressures - The decline in the percentage of business gaining or maintaining share was attributed to challenges with brands like Advil and Centrum, with plans in place to stabilize performance [28][30] Question: Impact of nicotine replacement therapy on growth - The NRT business had a significant impact on overall growth, with expectations for less decline in the second half of the year [76][80] Question: Channel shifts and inventory management - Management discussed the impact of channel shifts, particularly towards e-commerce, and the need for effective inventory management across channels [86][90]