Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second quarter net earnings per diluted share was $0.64, down from $0.85 a year ago, primarily due to lower volume and CAF loss provision adjustments [16][19] - Total gross profit was $718 million, a decrease of 6% from the previous year [16] - SG&A expenses for the second quarter were $601 million, down 2% from the prior year, driven mainly by lower stock-based compensation [17][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for the quarter were $6.6 billion, down 6% year-over-year, reflecting lower volume [7] - Retail unit sales declined by 5.4%, with used unit comps down 6.3% [7] - Wholesale unit sales decreased by 2.2% compared to the second quarter last year, while average wholesale selling price increased by approximately $125 per unit to $7,900 [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average selling price for used vehicles was $26,000, a year-over-year decrease of approximately $250 per unit [8] - The retail gross profit per used unit was $2,216, consistent with historical averages [16] - The weighted average contract rate charged to new customers by CarMax Auto Finance was 11.2%, down from 11.4% in the previous quarter [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on driving sales, gaining market share, and delivering significant year-over-year earnings growth [4] - Key priorities include maintaining competitive prices, enhancing consumer awareness, delivering SG&A reductions of at least $150 million over the next 18 months, and generating additional profit through diversified business components [5][10] - The launch of the "Wanna Drive" brand campaign is part of a multiphase strategy to enhance the omnichannel experience [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that the second quarter results fell short of expectations but expressed confidence in their strategy and earnings model [4] - The company noted that while there was a pull forward of demand into the first quarter, they have improved their inventory position and pricing competitiveness for the third quarter [6][7] - Management highlighted that consumer sentiment is currently strained, particularly among mid to high FICO customers, but they remain focused on gaining market share [62] Other Important Information - The company is committed to reducing SG&A expenses while continuing to invest in initiatives that support future growth [19] - CarMax Auto Finance originated over $2 billion during the second quarter, resulting in a sales penetration of 42.6% [11] - The company repurchased approximately 2.9 million shares for a total expenditure of $180 million during the second quarter [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: What factors contributed to the decline in used unit sales? - Management indicated that the most disruptive factors were inventory depreciation and a pull forward of demand into the first quarter, with September showing stronger performance than the second quarter [24][25] Question: Is CarMax seeing increased pricing competition in the market? - Management confirmed that they are always focused on competitive pricing and have recently improved their pricing position after experiencing depreciation [26][27] Question: What is the outlook for CarMax Auto Finance income? - Management expects CAF income to be flat to slightly down year-over-year due to a larger provision impact this quarter [30][31] Question: How will SG&A reductions impact growth strategy? - Management assured that SG&A reductions will not impact growth strategy, as investments in technology and marketing will continue to drive sales [38][39] Question: What is the company's approach to subprime lending? - Management clarified that they are not pushing into deep subprime but are cautiously expanding into the top half of Tier 2 lending [50][51] Question: How is the company addressing inventory management? - Management stated that they are actively monitoring reserved inventory and are considering adjustments to improve sales opportunities [78][79]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated gross billings reached $22.7 billion, growing 12% year over year, with a 10% increase in constant currency [3][4] - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $3.58, a 25% increase year over year, exceeding guidance [4][14] - Net revenue was $15.7 billion, up 7% year over year, above the high end of guidance [12][14] - Gross profit increased 18% year over year to $1.1 billion, with a gross margin of 5%, up 23 basis points year over year [12][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Endpoint Solutions portfolio gross billings increased 10% year over year, driven by demand for PCs and AI PCs [10][14] - Advanced Solutions portfolio gross billings increased 13% year over year, with HIVE showing mid-30s growth due to server and networking rack builds [10][11] - Software gross billings increased 26% year over year, driven by cybersecurity and infrastructure software [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong double-digit growth in gross billings was observed in Latin America and Asia Pacific & Japan [5] - SMB and MSP segments grew substantially above the company average in most geographies [5] - U.S. public sector business saw low single-digit growth, with state and local strength offset by federal softness [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a differentiated go-to-market strategy, expanding its addressable market by onboarding new vendors [6][9] - The Destination AI Enablement Program is being enhanced to support partners in adopting AI solutions [7] - A unified portal, TD SYNNEX Partner First, is being launched to optimize partner experience and streamline operations [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued strong performance, particularly in HIVE and distribution, with expectations for Q4 to reflect similar strength [20][28] - The company anticipates gross billings in Q4 to be in the range of $23 to $24 billion, representing an increase of approximately 11% at the midpoint [16] - Free cash flow expectations for the year are approximately $800 million, with Q4 expected to contribute around $850 million [24][25] Other Important Information - The company returned $210 million to stockholders in the quarter, with $174 million in share repurchases and $36 million in dividends [14] - The board approved a cash dividend of $0.44 per common share, payable on October 31, 2025 [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: HIVE dynamics in fiscal forecast and next year outlook - Management noted strong growth across all programs and customers in HIVE, with confidence in continued demand for Q4 [19][20] Question: Comments on PC pull forward and free cash flow expectations - Management indicated limited pull forward for PCs, driven by Windows 11 refresh and AI PCs, with free cash flow expected to be around $800 million for the year [22][24] Question: Sustainability of current performance and potential pull forward - Management believes the overperformance is sustainable, driven by strong demand in distribution and HIVE [28] Question: Progress in onboarding new customers for HIVE - Management confirmed ongoing progress in diversifying the customer base, with growth primarily from traditional compute and networking [30][31]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2026 was $75.2 million, with earnings per share at $0.72, and net sales reached $872.9 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase [4][13][19] - Earnings increased from $28.4 million or $0.56 per share in the prior year quarter to $36.8 million or $0.72 per share in the current quarter [13][19] - Adjusted EBIT rose to $54.9 million, up $15.5 million from $39.4 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher gross margin and increased equity earnings [16][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive shipments increased by 17% year-over-year, with shipments to the Detroit Three OEMs up nearly 13%, while production for these OEMs grew approximately 5% [21][22] - Direct sales volume constituted 63% of the mix in the current quarter, up from 56% in the prior year quarter, with direct sales volume increasing by 6% [20][21] - Toll processing volumes decreased by 22% year-over-year, attributed to market conditions and the closure of the Worthington Samuel Coil Processing facility [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Market pricing for hot rolled coil peaked at $950 per ton in March but has since decreased to approximately $800 per ton due to softer market demand [18] - The agricultural market faced challenges, with volumes down nearly 50% compared to the prior year quarter, while construction market shipments fell modestly by 3% [22] - The energy and container markets saw modest increases, contrasting with declines in the construction and heavy truck markets [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on electrical steel investments and margin-accretive growth, with production in Canada expected to start in early 2026 [7][8] - The expansion of the facility in Mexico will begin production soon, supplying electrical steel laminations for hybrid and electric vehicles [8] - The integration of AI into operations aims to enhance productivity and customer outcomes, with several AI-driven pilots underway [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the automotive market, anticipating continued growth despite market uncertainties [6][32] - The company is positioned to capitalize on opportunities arising from supply chain shifts and customer complexities [6][7] - Management noted that the macro environment remains mixed, with limited visibility in several sectors expected to persist [5][6] Other Important Information - The company reported a cash flow from operations outflow of $5 million and a free cash flow outflow of $34 million, impacted by increases in working capital [24][25] - A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was announced, payable on December 26, 2025 [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the Sedum transaction and mezzanine financing structure? - The Sedum acquisition cost $60 million in cash, financed using ABL, with the minority interest classified as mezzanine equity due to foreign currency considerations [30][31] Question: What are the future opportunities in the automotive sector? - Management is cautiously optimistic about the automotive market, expecting to gain further market share and positive momentum in 2026 [32] Question: How does the company manage the impact of Section 232 tariffs on electrical steel laminations? - Management indicated minimal impact from tariffs, as customers are willing to pay, and a significant portion of the customer base is USMCA compliant [35] Question: Will the closure of the Worthington Samuel facility impact supply? - Management confirmed no anticipated disruptions in supply chains due to strong relationships with multiple mill sources [38] Question: What is the outlook for volumes in fiscal Q2? - Management expects normal seasonal trends, with Q2 typically 3% to 4% below Q1, and no significant demand triggers anticipated [42]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4, the company reported approximately $8.3 billion in revenue, exceeding guidance by roughly $800 million, with core operating income at $519 million and core operating margin at 6.3%, a 50 basis point improvement year-over-year [9][10] - Core diluted earnings per share was $3.29, while GAAP diluted earnings per share came in at $1.99 [9][10] - Full-year adjusted free cash flow was over $1.3 billion, with a healthy balance sheet showing a debt-to-core EBITDA ratio of 1.3x and cash balances of approximately $1.9 billion [12][13] Segment Performance Changes - Regulated Industries revenue was $3.1 billion, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 3% and core operating margin expanding by 40 basis points to 6.5% [10] - Intelligent Infrastructure revenue reached $3.7 billion, $400 million above expectations, with a core operating margin of 5.9% [10][11] - Connected Living and Digital Commerce revenue totaled $1.4 billion, reflecting a year-over-year decline of approximately 14%, but core operating margin improved by 210 basis points to 6.6% [11][34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The automotive and transportation market is experiencing a decline of 5% due to slowing demand for battery electric vehicles in the U.S. and Europe, while healthcare outsourcing is expected to enter a growth phase [49][50] - The company anticipates Intelligent Infrastructure revenue to grow by 18% in FY 2026, driven by AI-related demand across capital equipment and cloud infrastructure [54][55] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on system-level integration across its segments, particularly in Intelligent Infrastructure, to enhance customer deployment speed and reduce costs [51][52] - A deliberate shift in the Connected Living and Digital Commerce segment is underway, moving away from lower-margin legacy consumer programs towards higher-margin automation and advanced technologies [7][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the resilience of the diversified model despite mixed dynamics across end markets, with strong performance in AI-related sectors offsetting weaknesses in automotive and renewables [36][60] - The company expects approximately 5% revenue growth for FY 2026, with core operating margin expanding to around 5.6% [57][58] Other Important Information - The company completed a $1 billion share repurchase authorization and plans to return 80% of annual adjusted free cash flow to shareholders [12][14] - The company is investing in AI and automation across its operations to enhance efficiency and competitiveness [44][46] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide details on growth areas in AI? - The company expects 25% year-over-year growth in AI revenue, with significant growth in capital equipment and cloud infrastructure, while maintaining strong positions in existing markets [64][65]

TETRA Technologies Investor Day Summary Company Overview - **Company**: TETRA Technologies (NYSE: TTI) - **Event**: 2025 Investor Day held on September 25, 2025 - **Focus**: Transformation strategy named "OneTETRA 2030" aimed at enhancing operational excellence and financial strength to deliver long-term value [2][4][22] Key Industry Insights - **Current Revenue Breakdown**: - 71% from traditional oilfield services - 23% from industrial chemicals (primarily calcium chloride) - 6% from water treatment and recycling for frac reuse [6][8] - **Future Revenue Goals**: - Projected growth from over $600 million to approximately $1.25 billion by 2030 - Revenue distribution expected to be 36% from energy services, 36% from specialty chemicals and minerals, and 28% from water treatment and desalination [8][20] Financial Performance - **Historical Growth**: - Revenue increased by 56% - EBITDA increased by 129% - Cash flow from operations increased by 544% since 2021 [14][15] - **Share Price Appreciation**: Nearly 440% since the announcement of the new strategy in January 2021 [13] Strategic Transformation - **Divestiture**: The divestiture of the general partnership in CSI Compresco in early 2021 marked the beginning of the transformation [5][10] - **Core Competencies**: Focus on fluid chemistry, particularly in electrolytes for energy storage, desalination of produced water, and critical minerals from brine leases [11][19] - **Investment Focus**: Directing free cash flow towards key investment enablers, including R&D and vertical integration of bromine supply [9][10] New Business Segments - **Future Reporting Segments**: - Energy Services - Specialty Chemicals and Minerals - Water Treatment and Desalination [16][18] - **Specialty Chemicals and Minerals**: Expected to grow to over $400 million in revenue with EBITDA margins consistent with current segments [20] Market Positioning - **Deep Water Market**: - Strong pipeline of opportunities in deep water completion fluids, particularly with the introduction of 20K rigs [48][59] - TETRA is positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for high-density fluids in technically challenging environments [56][60] - **International Presence**: Active in key markets including the Gulf of America, Brazil, and the North Sea, with a focus on expanding operations in the Middle East and Argentina [11][42][45] Innovation and Technology - **Automation**: Introduction of automated solutions for drill-out operations and sand management, leading to higher margins and reduced operational risks [31][34] - **Neptune Fluids**: Development of a family of fluids that are non-corrosive and environmentally friendly, generating over $150 million in revenue since launch [63] Future Outlook - **Growth Projections**: - Energy services expected to grow at a steady 5% to 8% CAGR through the end of the decade [20] - Water treatment and desalination targeting 500,000 barrels a day of produced water desalination by 2030 [20] - **Market Dynamics**: Despite current declines in U.S. drilling activity, TETRA is positioned to capture market share through innovation and efficiency improvements [37][39] Conclusion - TETRA Technologies is on a transformative journey aimed at leveraging its core competencies in fluid chemistry to capture significant growth opportunities in the energy services, specialty chemicals, and water treatment sectors, with a strong focus on innovation and operational excellence [22][23]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue increase of 5% year-over-year, reaching $897 million, marking the highest quarterly results in the past five years [4][9] - Adjusted earnings per share were $0.45, exceeding expectations due to higher revenue and favorable gross margins [9] - The adjusted operating margin improved to 8.4%, a 40 basis point increase compared to the prior year [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas segment achieved an adjusted operating margin of 11%, remaining flat compared to the previous year [10] - The international segment saw a revenue growth of 13%, with 8% organic growth, driven by strong performance in India [4][10] - Orders grew by 6% in the second quarter, with an 8% increase in the Americas, primarily from large corporate customers [5][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong order growth was noted in the financial services and technology sectors, while the education sector experienced a decline due to changes in federal funding policies [6][11] - The international segment's growth was offset by declines in Germany and France, which faced macroeconomic challenges [5][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming workplace environments to support new ways of working, capitalizing on the ongoing trend of redesigning office spaces [6][7] - The proposed merger with HNI Corporation is expected to enhance market reach and combine industry-leading brands [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in large corporate demand, which is stronger than anticipated [18] - The company is not providing forward-looking guidance due to the pending merger with HNI Corporation [9] Other Important Information - The company incurred $10 million in restructuring costs in the international segment, primarily related to the exit of salaried employees in EMEA [10] - Total liquidity at the end of the quarter was $427 million, with total debt at $447 million [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break out the outperformance in terms of volume versus price increases? - Management indicated that the 8% order growth in the Americas was primarily driven by volume rather than price increases, which contributed only a couple of percent [16] Question: Are there plans for additional price increases? - Management refrained from commenting on future pricing actions but noted that they were able to offset year-over-year inflation and tariff costs with earlier pricing actions [17] Question: How do current end markets compare to earlier expectations? - Management stated that current end markets are more favorable than previously anticipated, with strong demand from large corporate customers [18] Question: What is the demand profile in the Americas? - Management noted that clients are rethinking their office spaces, focusing on outcomes and redesigning spaces to support collaboration and connection [25] Question: Can you discuss profitability improvements in the international segment? - Management highlighted improvements in both Asia-Pacific and EMEA, with Asia-Pacific showing demand improvement and EMEA benefiting from revenue growth and cost reductions [28][29] Question: What is the cadence of order patterns in the Americas? - Management reported that order patterns were steady throughout the quarter, with no unusual fluctuations [39] Question: How are customers rethinking office spaces post-COVID? - Management observed that customers are increasingly focused on redesigning spaces to attract talent and support new working styles, incorporating privacy and collaboration solutions [42]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4, the company reported approximately $8.3 billion in revenue, exceeding guidance by roughly $800 million, with core operating income at $519 million and a core operating margin of 6.3%, a 50 basis point improvement year-over-year [9][10] - Core diluted earnings per share was $3.29, while GAAP diluted earnings per share came in at $1.99 [9] - Full-year adjusted free cash flow was over $1.3 billion, with a healthy balance sheet showing a debt-to-core EBITDA ratio of 1.3 times and cash balances of approximately $1.9 billion [12][13] Segment Performance Changes - Regulated Industries revenue was $3.1 billion, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 3% and a core operating margin of 6.5% [10] - Intelligent Infrastructure revenue reached $3.7 billion, $400 million above expectations, with a core operating margin of 5.9% [10][11] - Connected Living and Digital Commerce revenue totaled $1.4 billion, reflecting a year-over-year decline of approximately 14%, but with a core operating margin increase to 6.6% [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The automotive and transportation market is expected to decline by 5% in FY26, while healthcare outsourcing is entering a growth phase, particularly in drug delivery systems [49][50] - AI-related revenue is projected to grow by roughly 25% in FY26, reaching about $11.2 billion, driven by strong demand in cloud and data center infrastructure [53][54] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on system-level integration across its segments, particularly in Intelligent Infrastructure, to capture AI-related growth [51][52] - In Connected Living and Digital Commerce, the strategy involves pruning lower-margin programs while investing in higher-margin opportunities like digital commerce and robotics [55][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the resilience of the diversified model despite mixed dynamics across end markets, with strong performance in AI-related sectors offsetting softness in automotive and renewables [35][36] - The company aims for approximately 5% revenue growth in FY26, with core operating margin expansion to around 5.6% [56] Other Important Information - The company completed a $1 billion share repurchase authorization and plans to return about 80% of free cash flow to shareholders [14][57] - A new facility in North Carolina is set to come online in summer 2026 to address capacity constraints in AI manufacturing [54] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide details on growth areas in AI? - The company expects 25% year-on-year growth in AI revenue, with significant growth in capital equipment and cloud and data center infrastructure, while maintaining strong positions in existing markets [64][65] Question: What is the outlook for healthcare growth? - Growth is anticipated in drug delivery systems and healthcare outsourcing, with a healthy pipeline of new business expected to contribute to margins [66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4, the company reported approximately $8.3 billion in revenue, exceeding guidance by roughly $800 million, with core operating income at $519 million and a core operating margin of 6.3%, a 50 basis point improvement year-over-year [9][12][17] - Core diluted earnings per share was $3.29, while GAAP diluted earnings per share came in at $1.99 [9][12] - Full-year adjusted free cash flow exceeded $1.3 billion, with a debt-to-core EBITDA ratio of 1.3 times and cash balances of approximately $1.9 billion [12][13] Segment Performance Changes - Regulated Industries revenue was $3.1 billion, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 3% and a core operating margin of 6.5% [10] - Intelligent Infrastructure revenue reached $3.7 billion, $400 million above expectations, with a core operating margin of 5.9% [10][11] - Connected Living and Digital Commerce revenue totaled $1.4 billion, reflecting a year-over-year decline of approximately 14%, but with a core operating margin of 6.6%, up 210 basis points year-over-year [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The automotive and transportation market is expected to decline by 5% in FY26, while healthcare outsourcing is entering a growth phase, particularly in drug delivery systems [49][50] - AI-related revenue is projected to grow by roughly 25% in FY26, reaching about $11.2 billion, driven by strong demand in cloud and data center infrastructure [53][54] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on system-level integration across its segments, particularly in Intelligent Infrastructure, to enhance speed and reduce costs for customers [51][52] - A deliberate shift is being made in Connected Living and Digital Commerce to exit lower-margin programs while investing in higher-margin opportunities [55][56] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined capital allocation strategy, returning approximately 80% of free cash flow to shareholders [57] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the resilience of the diversified portfolio despite mixed market dynamics, with strong performance in AI-related sectors offsetting weaknesses in automotive and renewables [35][36] - The company is well-positioned for sustainable growth, targeting 6% plus core operating margins and over $1.5 billion in adjusted free cash flow over time [57][58] Other Important Information - The company completed a $1 billion share repurchase authorization and has a new $1 billion program authorized for FY26 [14][15] - The company is investing in AI and automation across its operations to enhance efficiency and competitiveness [39][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide details on growth areas in AI? - The company expects 25% year-on-year growth in AI revenue, with significant growth in capital equipment and cloud and data center infrastructure, while maintaining strong positions in existing markets [64][65] Question: What is the outlook for healthcare growth? - Growth is anticipated in drug delivery systems and devices, with a healthy pipeline of new business awarded, contributing to margin expansion [66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $75.2 million, with earnings per share at $0.72, and net sales of $872.9 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase [4][13] - Earnings increased from $28.4 million or $0.56 per share in the prior year quarter to $36.8 million or $0.72 per share in the current quarter [13][15] - Estimated pre-tax inventory holding gains were $5.6 million compared to losses of $16.6 million in the prior year, marking a favorable swing of $22.2 million [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive shipments increased by 17% year-over-year, with the Detroit 3 OEMs experiencing a 5% production increase while Worthington's shipments rose nearly 13% [21][22] - Direct sales volume constituted 63% of the mix, up from 56% in the prior year quarter, while toll processing volumes decreased by 22% year-over-year [20][23] - The construction market saw a modest decline of 3%, while agricultural volumes dropped nearly 50% due to ongoing challenges in the agricultural equipment market [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Current pricing for hot rolled coil is approximately $800 per ton, down from a peak of $950 per ton in March, reflecting softer market demand [18] - The market for transformers is expected to grow by up to 7% per year over the next decade, driven by the increasing need for electricity in the U.S. [7] - The company shipped approximately 929,000 tons during the quarter, down 7% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to decreased toll volume [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on electrical steel investments and margin-accretive growth, with production in Canada expected to start in early calendar year 2026 [7][8] - The expansion of the facility in Mexico will begin production soon, supplying electrical steel laminations for hybrid and electric vehicles [8] - The company is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operations, including demand forecasting and predictive maintenance [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the automotive market for the remainder of calendar year 2025, despite ongoing market uncertainties [6][21] - The company is positioned to capitalize on opportunities arising from supply chain shifts and customer complexities [6] - Management noted that the current macro environment remains mixed, with limited visibility in several sectors expected to persist [5] Other Important Information - The company reported a cash flow from operations outflow of $5 million and a free cash flow outflow of $34 million, impacted by increases in working capital [24] - A quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was announced, payable on December 26, 2025 [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the Sedum transaction and mezzanine financing structure? - The Sedum purchase price was composed of $60 million in cash and the contribution of the NOG Gold facility, financed using ABL [31] Question: What are the future opportunities in the automotive sector? - Management is cautiously optimistic, projecting a unit build rate of $15 million and expecting further market share gains [33] Question: How does the company manage the impact of Section 232 tariffs on electrical steel laminations? - Management indicated minimal impact from tariffs, as customers are willing to pay them, and a significant portion of the customer base is USMCA compliant [36] Question: Will the closure of the Worthington Samuel facility impact toll processing volumes? - The majority of the toll volume decline is attributed to market conditions and the facility closure, with some reductions due to customer program changes [43] Question: What is the expectation for direct sales volume moving forward? - Direct sales volume is expected to remain in the 60%-65% range, with toll processing at 35%-40% [45]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported second quarter revenue of $897 million, exceeding expectations and marking a 5% increase year-over-year, the highest quarterly results in the past five years [4][8] - Adjusted earnings per share were $0.45, also above the estimated range, driven by higher revenue and favorable gross margins [8][9] - Organic revenue growth was 4%, with 3% growth in the Americas and 8% growth internationally [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas segment achieved an adjusted operating margin of 11%, while the international segment improved adjusted operating results by $5 million compared to the prior year [4][9] - Orders grew by 6% in the second quarter, with an 8% increase in the Americas, primarily driven by large corporate customers [5][10] - The international segment saw strong order growth in India, offset by declines in Germany and France due to macroeconomic challenges [5][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international segment posted 13% revenue growth, including 8% organic growth, with particularly strong results from India [4][9] - The Americas growth was partially offset by a decline from education customers, influenced by changes in federal funding policies [9][10] - Demand in the Asia-Pacific region improved, while EMEA faced challenges primarily in Germany and France [25][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming workplace environments to support new ways of working, capitalizing on the ongoing trend of redesigning office spaces [6][40] - The proposed merger with HNI Corporation is expected to enhance market reach and combine industry-leading brands [7][45] - The company is committed to executing its strategy during the transition period and anticipates significant benefits from the merger [7][45] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in large corporate demand, noting that it is occurring at a higher level than anticipated [15] - The company is seeing a consistent theme of clients rethinking their office spaces to enhance creativity, collaboration, and connection [22][40] - Management did not provide forward-looking guidance due to the pending merger but remains encouraged by the momentum in the business [8][11] Other Important Information - The company incurred $10 million in restructuring costs in the international segment, primarily related to the exit of salaried employees in EMEA [9] - Total liquidity at the end of the quarter was $427 million, with total debt at $447 million [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break out the outperformance in terms of volume versus price increases? - Management indicated that the 8% order growth in the Americas was primarily driven by volume rather than price increases, which contributed only a couple of percent [13] Question: Are there plans for additional price increases? - Management refrained from commenting on future pricing actions but noted that they were able to offset year-over-year inflation and tariff costs with earlier pricing actions [14] Question: How do current end markets compare to earlier expectations? - Management stated that end markets are more favorable than anticipated, with strong demand from large corporate customers despite declines in the education sector [15] Question: What is the demand profile in the Americas? - Management noted that clients are rethinking their office spaces, focusing on outcomes and redesigning spaces to support collaboration and connection [22] Question: Can you clarify the profitability improvement in international markets? - Management confirmed that both Asia-Pacific and EMEA improved profitability, with Asia-Pacific showing demand improvement, particularly in China [25][26]