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Micron Technology(MU) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 23:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a gross margin above 50%, marking the highest level since mid-fiscal 2022, with DRAM margins also higher than that period [40][41] - The operating margin is the highest since November 2018, driven by improved market conditions and pricing [40][41] - The company expects second quarter gross margin to increase relative to the first quarter [42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The NAND business is improving, with a focus on higher-value SSD products, although it remains below 2022 levels [40] - The company is transitioning from $13.8 billion in net capital expenditures in 2025 to approximately $18 billion in 2026, primarily for DRAM construction and equipment [13] - The company is exiting the managed NAND segment to concentrate on the data center market, which is expected to yield better ROI [11][87] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for NAND SSDs in servers and data centers is expected to increase significantly in calendar 2026, driven by large hyperscalers needing more storage for AI deployments [8][9] - The average capacities for SSDs are anticipated to escalate rapidly, with high-capacity drives becoming more common in AI servers [54] - The DRAM industry is currently tight, and this is expected to further tighten in 2026 due to robust demand and limited supply growth [38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its strong position in the data center SSD market and has announced a new product portfolio to capitalize on this [9] - The focus is on disciplined investments and maximizing ROI across its product portfolio, particularly in HBM and DRAM segments [17][20] - The company is being thoughtful about long-term agreements with customers, considering factors like U.S. manufacturing and potential tariff impacts [85][86] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about improving NAND industry conditions and the tightness in the DRAM market, which is expected to continue [9][40] - The company anticipates that the HBM business will have a higher through-cycle ROI compared to non-HBM DRAM [19][20] - Management highlighted the significant shift towards data center demand, which is driving pricing and profitability across all market segments [66] Other Important Information - The company is ramping its one-gamma DRAM production, which is expected to be the primary source of bit growth for fiscal 2026 [45] - The company has achieved significant improvements in HBM3E yields and is well-positioned for the HBM4 market [62][75] - The company is not providing specific margin details by product line but expects strong ROI capabilities for HBM products [47][48] Q&A Session Summary Question: State of the NAND industry and pricing expectations - Management indicated that the bits down in the current quarter are noise based on segment mix and that demand from hyperscalers will drive future growth [8][9] Question: CAPEX guidance and spending allocation - The company confirmed that the increase in CAPEX is primarily for DRAM construction and equipment, with little additional NAND spending [13][27] Question: HBM market share aspirations - Management expects to gain higher market share in HBM compared to previous years, driven by strong product performance and customer demand [17][24] Question: Gross margin outlook and contributing factors - Management noted that improving market conditions and pricing are key factors driving gross margin improvements, with expectations for continued growth [40][41] Question: Transitioning to one-gamma DRAM - The company is pleased with the one-gamma ramp and expects it to provide significant bit growth in fiscal 2026 [45] Question: Long-term agreements with customers - Management acknowledged interest in long-term agreements but emphasized the need for careful consideration of pricing and value creation [85][86] Question: Impact of exiting managed NAND on DRAM sales - Management confirmed that exiting managed NAND would not negatively impact DRAM sales, as strong relationships with customers remain intact [90]
Micron Technology(MU) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 23:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a gross margin above 50%, the highest since mid-fiscal 2022, with DRAM margins also higher than that period [42][43][44] - The operating margin is the highest since November 2018, indicating improved market conditions and pricing [42][43] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The NAND business is improving, with a focus on higher-value SSD products, although it remains below 2022 levels [42][43] - The company is transitioning from $13.8 billion in net CAPEX in 2025 to approximately $18 billion in 2026, primarily for DRAM construction and equipment [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for NAND SSDs in servers and data centers is expected to increase significantly in calendar 2026, driven by large hyperscalers needing more storage for AI deployments [8][9] - The DRAM market is currently tight, with expectations for further tightening due to robust demand and limited supply growth [40][42] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on the data center market, having exited the managed NAND segment to concentrate resources on higher ROI areas [11][86] - The strategy includes leveraging new product announcements and maintaining a strong competitive position in the data center SSD market [9][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the NAND industry's improvement, particularly with the expected increase in demand from AI server deployments [8][9] - The company anticipates that the HBM business will have a higher ROI compared to non-HBM DRAM, with expectations of increased market share in HBM by 2026 [17][20] Other Important Information - The company is ramping up one-gamma DRAM production, which is expected to be the primary source of bit growth for fiscal 2026 [47] - The company is also preparing for the introduction of high-capacity SSDs, with average capacities expected to escalate rapidly [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: State of the NAND industry and pricing expectations - Management indicated that bits down in the current quarter are noise based on segment mix, and they expect demand from hyperscalers to drive improvements in the NAND industry [8][9] Question: HBM market share aspirations - The company expects to gain higher market share in HBM compared to previous years, with a focus on ROI and disciplined investments [17][20] Question: CAPEX guidance and spending allocation - The majority of the increased CAPEX is directed towards DRAM construction and equipment, with limited additional NAND spending [12][13] Question: DRAM and HBM gross margins - Management noted that HBM margins are expected to remain higher than non-HBM DRAM, with stable ROI from long-term contracts [19][20] Question: Long-term agreements with clients - There is interest in long-term agreements, but the company is being cautious due to market dynamics and potential tariff impacts [83][84] Question: Impact of exiting managed NAND on DRAM sales - The company maintains strong relationships with smartphone customers, ensuring that exiting managed NAND does not negatively impact DRAM sales [89]
Micron Technology(MU) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 23:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a gross margin above 50%, the highest since mid-fiscal 2022, with DRAM margins also higher than that period [42][44] - The operating margin is the highest since November 2018, indicating improved market conditions and pricing [42][44] - CapEx guidance increased from $13.8 billion in 2025 to approximately $18 billion in 2026, primarily for DRAM construction and equipment [13][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The NAND business is expected to improve due to increased demand from hyperscalers for AI server deployments, despite a current decrease in bits [8][9] - The company is focusing on data center SSDs, having exited the managed NAND segment to concentrate resources on higher ROI areas [11][85] - HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) is expected to gain market share, with aspirations to exceed previous levels due to strong product performance [17][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for NAND SSDs in data centers is projected to increase significantly in calendar 2026, driven by shortages in HDDs [8][9] - The DRAM market is currently tight, with expectations for further tightening in 2026 due to robust demand and limited supply growth [40][44] - The average capacities for SSDs in AI servers are expected to escalate rapidly, with new high-capacity drives being introduced [55][57] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its strong position in the data center SSD market and has announced new product launches to enhance its competitive edge [9][24] - There is a strategic focus on high-value segments such as HBM and high-capacity DIMMs, which are expected to drive significant revenue growth [65][66] - The company is being thoughtful about long-term agreements with customers, considering the evolving landscape and potential tariff impacts [82][83] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about improving NAND industry conditions and the tightness in the DRAM market, which is expected to enhance pricing and margins [9][40] - The company anticipates that the HBM business will continue to provide high ROI due to its unique product capabilities and customer demand [20][49] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to the evolving AI market and the need for diverse memory solutions to meet various workloads [72][73] Other Important Information - The company is ramping up its one-gamma DRAM production, which is expected to be a significant contributor to bit growth in fiscal 2026 [47][48] - The company has achieved significant improvements in HBM3E yields and is well-positioned for the HBM4 market [61][62] - The exit from the managed NAND segment is part of a broader strategy to focus on areas with higher profitability potential [85][86] Q&A Session Summary Question: Current state of the NAND industry and pricing outlook - Management indicated that the current quarter's bit decrease is noise and that demand from hyperscalers will drive future growth in NAND [8][9] Question: CapEx guidance clarification - The company confirmed that the increase in CapEx is primarily for DRAM construction and equipment, with minimal additional NAND spending [13][14] Question: HBM market share aspirations - Management expects to gain higher market share in HBM compared to previous years, driven by strong product performance and customer demand [17][24] Question: DRAM and HBM margin comparisons - Management stated that while HBM margins are stable, the overall DRAM portfolio is expected to tighten and improve margins as demand increases [40][49] Question: Long-term agreements with customers - The company is exploring long-term agreements but is cautious about pricing and value creation in light of market changes [82][83] Question: Impact of exiting managed NAND on DRAM sales - Management reassured that exiting managed NAND would not negatively impact DRAM sales, maintaining strong relationships with customers [88][89]
Micron Technology(MU) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 23:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a gross margin above 50%, the highest since mid-fiscal 2022, with operating margins also at their highest since November 2018 [32][33] - The company expects gross margins to improve further in the second quarter relative to the first quarter [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The NAND business is experiencing improved conditions, with expectations for tighter supply and increased demand driven by AI server deployments [6][7] - The DRAM segment is currently tight and expected to tighten further in 2026, contributing to improved pricing and margins [29][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for high-capacity SSDs is increasing, with average capacities expected to escalate rapidly, particularly in AI servers [44] - The company anticipates significant growth in the data center segment, which has become a larger part of the total addressable market (TAM) and is driving overall profitability [54][55] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing its data center SSD business and has decided to exit the managed NAND market to improve overall ROI [9][71] - The strategy includes leveraging new product announcements and maintaining a strong competitive position in the data center SSD market [7][72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the demand for NAND and DRAM products, particularly due to the needs of hyperscalers for AI applications [6][7] - The company is optimistic about its ability to capture market share in HBM and expects to see higher share in HBM compared to previous years [13][18] Other Important Information - The company is investing significantly in DRAM construction and equipment, with CAPEX guidance increasing from approximately $13.8 billion in 2025 to about $18 billion in 2026, primarily for DRAM [11][19] - The company is ramping up production of one-gamma DRAM, which is expected to be the primary source of bit growth for fiscal 2026 [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: State of the NAND industry and pricing outlook - Management indicated that the bits down in the current quarter are noise based on segment mix and that demand from hyperscalers will drive NAND industry improvement [6][7] Question: HBM market share aspirations - The company expects to gain market share in HBM and is confident in its competitive positioning for HBM4, anticipating higher share compared to HBM3 [13][18] Question: CAPEX guidance and spending allocation - The majority of the increased CAPEX is directed towards DRAM construction and equipment, with minimal additional NAND spending [11][19] Question: DRAM revenue breakdown and margin contributions - Management clarified that while they do not provide specific margin comparisons, they expect tightening in the DRAM market to improve pricing and margins across the portfolio [29][32] Question: Long-term agreements with customers - There is interest in long-term agreements, but management is being cautious due to various market factors, including U.S. manufacturing and tariff implications [69][70] Question: Impact of exiting managed NAND on smartphone customers - Management confirmed that while customers may not be pleased with the exit from managed NAND, the strong relationship in DRAM remains intact [75]
AAR(AIR) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total adjusted sales grew 13% to $740 million year over year, with organic sales growth at 17% when excluding landing gear sales from the previous year [9][10] - Adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to $86.7 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins rising to 11.7% from 11.3% [9] - Adjusted diluted EPS increased by 27% to $1.08 from $0.85 in the same quarter last year [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Parts supply sales grew 27% to $318 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $43.8 million, up 34%, and adjusted EBITDA margin increasing to 13.8% from 13.1% [10][11] - Repair and engineering sales decreased 1% to $215 million, but organic sales growth was 8% when excluding landing gear divestiture, with adjusted EBITDA of $28.1 million, up 1% [11][12] - Integrated solutions sales increased by 10% year over year to $185 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $14.2 million, up 5% [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted sales growth to government customers increased 21%, while adjusted organic sales to commercial customers increased 15% [9] - Total commercial sales accounted for 71% of total sales, with government sales making up the remaining 29% [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving growth through market share capture and new business, improving margins through cost efficiency, and increasing intellectual property through software investments [5][15] - The acquisition of Aerostrat is expected to enhance software capabilities and expand the reach of Trax software solutions [8][14] - The company aims to continue strengthening its offerings with targeted acquisitions to accelerate its strategy [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects sales growth of 7% to 10% for Q2, with organic sales growth approaching 10% for the full fiscal year [15] - The company is encouraged by the additional assets coming to market, which is expected to drive growth in the USM business [31] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining cash positivity while investing in inventory to support growth [37] Other Important Information - The company invested over $50 million in inventory to support future growth, particularly in parts supply [14] - Net debt leverage increased slightly from 2.72 times to 2.82 times due to organic and inorganic investments [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is behind the slight uptick in full-year expectations? - Management indicated that parts supply is leading the way with a strong quarter showing 27% organic growth [18] Question: Can you comment on the pipeline for new distribution agreements? - Management noted that the majority of recent wins have been from taking market share, with a different exclusive distribution model resonating well [19][20] Question: Do you expect to outgrow the market within distribution? - Management confirmed the expectation to maintain growth above market rates in distribution [24] Question: What are the cross-selling opportunities within repair and engineering? - Management stated that they are in the early stages of executing a cross-selling strategy, with a long pipeline of opportunities [26] Question: Has the trend in USM sales continued into the current quarter? - Management confirmed a meaningful growth in USM business, driven by a loosening supply of assets [31] Question: What is the margin opportunity for parts supply with more USM available? - Management indicated that while USM margins have been depressed, they expect margins to expand as more supply comes to market [32] Question: Is there an agreement with Aerostrat employees to retain key personnel? - Management confirmed an earnout agreement for key team members to incentivize retention [33] Question: What is the company's exposure to engine-related aftermarket services? - Management highlighted significant exposure, with 80% of USM parts being engine-related [41] Question: How far along is Trax in becoming a digital marketplace? - Management stated that they are actively investing in making Trax a digital marketplace, with announcements expected in the first half of 2026 [45]
MillerKnoll(MLKN) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported consolidated net sales of $956 million for Q1, representing a growth of 10.9% year-over-year and 10% on an organic basis [12][13] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 25% to $0.45, significantly outperforming guidance [12] - Consolidated gross margin for Q1 was 38.5%, impacted by approximately $8 million in net tariff-related costs [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America Contract segment net sales were $534 million, up 12% year-over-year, with new orders down 8% [15][16] - International Contract segment net sales improved to $168 million, up 14.4% reported and 11.3% organically, with new orders down 6.5% [16][17] - Global Retail segment net sales were $254 million, up 6.4% reported and 4.9% organically, with new orders up 1.7% [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Office leasing activity for Class A space remains robust, with Manhattan leasing activity in August exceeding the 10-year monthly average [7] - Web traffic in North America increased by 17% year-over-year, indicating strong customer engagement [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on accelerated product creation, consistent execution, and prudent cost management while investing for profitable growth [6] - Plans to open 12-15 new stores in the U.S. for the fiscal year, aiming to double the store footprint over the next several years [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth momentum in the contract business, with improving conditions in key markets [7] - The company anticipates that pricing actions will offset tariff impacts in the second half of the fiscal year [19][20] Other Important Information - The company has refinanced its Term Loan B to extend maturity to 2032, ending the quarter with $481 million in liquidity [15] - The company was recognized as a great workplace for innovators, reflecting its commitment to employee engagement [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Normalization of growth in the Americas - Management confirmed that North America Contract has averaged 3.3% growth over the trailing two quarters, with volume being a key driver [26][27] Question: Discounting trends - Management indicated that discounting has remained stable and has not increased [31] Question: Retail profitability pressures - Management noted that new store expenses are the primary driver of margin degradation, with expectations for revenue from new stores to mitigate this impact by the end of Q4 [32][33] Question: Impact of tariffs - Management clarified that the $8 million net tariff-related impact reflects both costs and mitigation efforts, with expectations for reduced impact in Q2 [46][47] Question: Industry consolidation and competitive outlook - Management views industry consolidation positively, presenting opportunities for growth and differentiation [40][41] Question: International market performance - Management acknowledged slower recovery in international markets but noted growth in direct-to-consumer channels [42][43]
AAR(AIR) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total adjusted sales grew 13% to $740 million year over year, with organic sales growth at 17% when excluding landing gear sales from the previous year [10][11] - Adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to $86.7 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins rising to 11.7% from 11.3% [10] - Adjusted diluted EPS increased by 27% to $1.08 from $0.85 in the same quarter last year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Parts supply sales grew 27% to $318 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $43.8 million, up 34%, and adjusted EBITDA margin increasing to 13.8% from 13.1% [11][12] - Repair and engineering sales decreased 1% to $215 million, but organic sales growth was 8% when excluding landing gear divestiture, with adjusted EBITDA of $28.1 million, up 1% [12] - Integrated solutions sales increased by 10% year over year to $185 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $14.2 million, up 5% [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted sales growth to government customers increased 21%, while adjusted organic sales to commercial customers increased 15% [10] - Total commercial sales accounted for 71% of total sales, with government sales making up the remaining 29% [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving growth through market share capture and new business, improving margins through cost efficiency, and increasing intellectual property through software investments [6][16] - The acquisition of Aerostrat is expected to enhance software capabilities and expand the reach of Trax software solutions [9][15] - The company aims to strengthen its offerings with targeted acquisitions to accelerate its strategy [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects sales growth of 7% to 10% for Q2, with full fiscal year organic sales growth approaching 10% [16] - The company is well positioned in attractive segments of the growing aviation aftermarket, with unique distribution and repair capabilities [16] Other Important Information - The company invested over $50 million in inventory to support future growth, particularly in parts supply [15][37] - Net debt leverage increased slightly from 2.72 times to 2.82 times due to organic and inorganic investments [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is behind the slight uptick in full-year expectations? - Management indicated that parts supply is leading the way with a strong quarter showing 27% organic growth [19] Question: Can you comment on the pipeline for new distribution agreements? - The majority of recent wins have been from taking market share, with a different exclusive distribution model resonating well with OEMs [20][21] Question: Do you still expect to outgrow the market within distribution? - Management confirmed the expectation to maintain growth above market rates in distribution [25] Question: Can you discuss cross-selling opportunities within repair and engineering? - Management noted they are in the early stages of executing a cross-selling strategy, with a long pipeline of opportunities [26][28] Question: Has the trend in USM sales continued into the current quarter? - Management observed a meaningful growth in USM business, driven by a loosening supply of assets [31] Question: What is the margin opportunity for parts supply if more USM comes available? - Management expects margins to expand as more supply comes onto the market, although current margins are tighter than historical levels [32] Question: Is there an agreement with Aerostrat employees to ensure retention? - There is a three-year earnout associated with the acquisition to incentivize key team members to stay [33] Question: What is the company's exposure to engine-related aftermarket services? - Management stated that 80% of USM parts business is engine-related, indicating significant exposure in this area [41] Question: How far along is Trax in becoming a digital marketplace? - Management is actively investing in making Trax a digital marketplace, with expected announcements in the first half of 2026 [45]
MillerKnoll(MLKN) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported consolidated net sales of $956 million for Q1 2026, representing a growth of 10.9% year-over-year and 10% on an organic basis [12][13] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 25% to $0.45, significantly outperforming guidance [12] - Consolidated gross margin for the quarter was 38.5%, impacted by approximately $8 million in net tariff-related costs [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the North America contract segment, net sales were $534 million, up 12% year-over-year, while new orders decreased by 8% [15] - The international contract segment saw net sales improve to $168 million, a 14.4% increase, but new orders were down 6.5% [16] - The global retail segment reported net sales of $254 million, up 6.4% year-over-year, with new orders improving by 1.7% [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Office leasing activity for Class A space remains robust, with Manhattan leasing activity in August exceeding the 10-year monthly average [7] - Web traffic in North America increased by 17% compared to the previous year, indicating strong consumer interest [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on accelerated product creation, consistent execution, and prudent cost management while investing for profitable growth [6] - Plans include opening 12 to 15 new stores in the U.S. for the fiscal year, aiming to double the store footprint over the next several years [9][10] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth momentum in the contract business, with improving conditions in key markets [7] - The company anticipates that pricing actions will offset tariff impacts in the second half of the fiscal year [14][19] Other Important Information - The company has undergone leadership changes, with Jeff Stutz promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Kevin Veltman appointed as Interim CFO [4][5] - The company was recognized as a great workplace for innovators, highlighting its commitment to employee satisfaction [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Normalization of growth in the Americas - Management confirmed that North America contract growth averaged 3.3% over the last two quarters, with volume being a key driver [26][27] Question: Retail profitability pressures - Management indicated that new store expenses were the primary factor impacting retail margins, with expectations for revenue from new stores to mitigate this impact over time [32][33] Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management clarified that the $8 million net tariff-related impact reflects ongoing pricing mitigation efforts, with expectations for reduced impact in Q2 [48][49] Question: Industry consolidation and competitive outlook - Management views industry consolidation positively, seeing it as an opportunity for growth and differentiation [40][41] Question: International market performance - Management acknowledged slower recovery in international markets but noted growth in direct-to-consumer channels [42][43]
MillerKnoll(MLKN) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported consolidated net sales of $956 million for Q1, representing a growth of 10.9% year-over-year and 10% on an organic basis [12][13] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 25% to $0.45, significantly outperforming guidance [12] - Consolidated gross margin for Q1 was 38.5%, impacted by approximately $8 million in net tariff-related costs [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the North America Contract segment, net sales were $534 million, up 12% year-over-year, while new orders decreased by 8% [15][16] - The international contract segment saw net sales of $168 million, a 14.4% increase, but new orders were down 6.5% [16][17] - The global retail segment reported net sales of $254 million, up 6.4%, with new orders improving by 1.7% [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Office leasing activity for Class A space remains robust, particularly in Manhattan, which is above the 10-year monthly leasing average [7] - Web traffic in North America increased by 17% year-over-year, indicating strong consumer interest [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on accelerated product creation, consistent execution, and prudent cost management while investing for profitable growth [6] - Plans include opening 12-15 new stores in the U.S. for the fiscal year, aiming to double the store footprint over the next several years [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth momentum in the contract business, with improving conditions in key markets [7] - The company anticipates that pricing actions will offset tariff impacts in the second half of the fiscal year [19][20] Other Important Information - The company has a strong liquidity position with $481 million at the end of the quarter and a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.92 [15] - The company was recognized as a great workplace for innovators, reflecting its commitment to employee engagement [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Normalization of growth in the Americas - Management confirmed that North America Contract averaged 3.3% growth over the trailing two quarters, with volume being a key driver [26][27] Question: Discounting trends - Management indicated that discounting has remained stable and has not increased [31] Question: Retail profitability pressures - Management noted that new store expenses are the primary driver of margin degradation, with expectations of revenue growth from new stores in the latter part of the fiscal year [32][33] Question: Impact of tariffs - Management clarified that the $8 million net tariff-related impact reflects both costs and mitigation efforts, with expectations for reduced impact in Q2 [46][47]
MillerKnoll(MLKN) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-23 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported consolidated net sales of $956 million for Q1, representing a growth of 10.9% year-over-year and 10% on an organic basis [12][13] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 25% to $0.45, significantly outperforming guidance [12] - Consolidated gross margin for Q1 was 38.5%, impacted by approximately $8 million in net tariff-related costs [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the North America Contract segment, net sales were $534 million, up 12% year-over-year, while new orders decreased by 8% [15][16] - The international contract segment saw net sales of $168 million, a 14.4% increase, but new orders were down 6.5% [16][17] - The global retail segment reported net sales of $254 million, up 6.4%, with new orders improving by 1.7% [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Office leasing activity for Class A space remains robust, particularly in Manhattan, which is above the 10-year monthly leasing average [7] - Web traffic in North America increased by 17% year-over-year, indicating strong consumer interest [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on accelerated product creation, consistent execution, and prudent cost management while investing for profitable growth [6] - Plans to open 12-15 new stores in the U.S. for the fiscal year, aiming to double the store footprint over the next several years [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth momentum in the contract business, with improving conditions in key markets [7] - The company anticipates net sales for Q2 to range between $926 million and $966 million, reflecting a 2.5% decline year-over-year at the midpoint [19][20] Other Important Information - The company has refinanced its Term Loan B, extending its maturity to 2032, and ended the quarter with $481 million in liquidity [15] - The company was recognized as a great workplace for innovators, highlighting its commitment to employee satisfaction [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Normalization of growth in the Americas - Management confirmed that North America Contract averaged 3.3% growth over the trailing two quarters, with volume being a key driver [26][27] Question: Discounting trends - Management indicated that discounting has remained stable and has not increased [31] Question: Retail profitability pressures - Management noted that new store expenses were the primary driver of margin degradation, with expectations for revenue from new stores to offset these costs in the future [32][33] Question: Impact of tariffs - Management clarified that the $8 million net tariff-related impact was a combination of tariff costs and pricing adjustments, with expectations for reduced impact in Q2 [46][47] Question: Industry consolidation and competitive outlook - Management views industry consolidation positively, seeing it as an opportunity for growth and differentiation [40][41] Question: International market performance - Management acknowledged slower recovery in international markets but noted positive growth in direct-to-consumer channels [42][43]