Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The preliminary vote report indicates that all director nominees have been elected for a three-year term, and the appointment of Ernst and Young LLP as the independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, has been ratified [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - No specific data or metrics related to individual business lines were discussed during the meeting [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - No specific market data or metrics were provided in the meeting [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction and Industry Competition - The company continues to focus on maintaining strong governance through the election of directors and the appointment of independent auditors, which reflects its commitment to transparency and accountability [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management did not provide specific comments on the operating environment or future outlook during this meeting [11] Other Important Information - The meeting was conducted virtually, and a quorum was established with proxies representing more than 50% of the company's outstanding shares present [6] Summary of Q&A Session Question: Were there any questions relevant to matters to be voted on at today's meeting? - There were no questions relevant to the matters to be voted on at the meeting [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has significantly increased its cash reserves, now holding three times as much cash on the balance sheet compared to pre-COVID levels, providing more financial flexibility during economic stress [9][10] - The company has moved into a leadership position in terms of profitability both in the US and globally [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company achieved a record number of customers carried and record revenue, indicating strong operational performance [13] - The company has expanded its fleet, surpassing 300 new and retrofit aircraft, enhancing customer experience with upgraded interiors and technology [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported setting records for on-time performance during various months throughout the year, reflecting improved operational efficiency [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building a more resilient airline capable of withstanding economic downturns, emphasizing cash reserves, profitability, and balance sheet strength as key strategies [9][11] - The "United Next" strategy has been embraced by employees and is yielding strong results, positioning the company competitively in the market [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the stability of the macro economy, noting a stable to slightly improving revenue and booking environment [43][44] - The company remains committed to sustainable aviation fuels as a business imperative, which is also beneficial for climate goals [41][42] Other Important Information - The company has made significant investments in training and facilities, hiring over 10,000 employees to support operational growth [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Would United Airlines reconsider its net zero target given changing legal and regulatory environments? - Management emphasized that sustainable aviation fuels are a business necessity due to fuel price volatility and will continue on the current path [41][42] Question: How will United fare this year in times of market and economic uncertainty? - Management indicated a stable to slightly better macroeconomic environment and expressed optimism about revenue and bookings [43][44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues for Q1 2025 were $84 million, with operating income at $23.4 million and net income at $7.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA was reported at $52.2 million [4] - The company closed Q1 with $101 million in available liquidity, consisting of $67 million in cash and cash equivalents, plus $34 million in undrawn capacity on credit facilities [4] - The company operated with a 99.5% utilization rate, accounting for the start of two drydockings, resulting in an overall utilization of 96.9% [4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The partnership has a strong contracted revenue position of $854 million at the end of Q1, with fixed contracts averaging 2.3 years in duration [6] - The economic rationale for exercising transfer options has strengthened, with expectations for these options to be taken up due to market tightness [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Significant growth is anticipated in production fields relying on shuttle tankers, particularly in Brazil and the North Sea [5] - The company noted a projected shortage of shuttle tanker capacity in the coming years, necessitating newbuild orders [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to pursue long-term charter visibility and accretive dropdowns to support long-term cash flow generation [14] - The strategy includes increasing revenue backlog while lowering the average fleet age through dropdowns from the sponsor [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism regarding industry dynamics and the partnership's positioning to benefit from market conditions [4] - The company is cautiously optimistic about securing additional coverage in the current tight market, with 96% of fixed charter coverage for the last three quarters of 2025 [12] Other Important Information - The company has a strong track record of refinancing success, even in less favorable market environments [10] - The average maturity of interest rate hedges is one and a half years, with new hedges being put in place as suitable terms arise [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing of potential dropdowns from the sponsor - Management stated that each potential transaction is reviewed individually, and there is no clear timing for dropdowns [21][22] Question: Anticipated refinancing terms - Management indicated that they are working towards refinancing at similar or better terms, with ongoing discussions with lenders [25] Question: Impact of expiring interest rate hedges - Management noted that while the average maturity is one and a half years, new interest rate hedges will be put in place as suitable terms are available [29] Question: Details on refinancing specific facilities - Management clarified the timeline for refinancing various facilities, with some due in August to November 2025 [40] Question: Valuation and loan-to-value considerations - Management explained that banks generally use mark-to-market valuations for determining loan-to-value ratios [44][46] Question: Stability of ship valuations - Management confirmed that ship valuations have held steady, with no significant depreciation despite the aging fleet [51] Question: Future cash flow expectations - Management indicated that the full impact of dropdowns will be seen in the second quarter, leading to a potential increase in free cash flow [65]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues for Q1 2025 were $84 million, with operating income at $23.4 million and net income at $7.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA was £52.2 million [4] - The company closed Q1 with $101 million in available liquidity, consisting of £67 million in cash and cash equivalents, plus £34 million in undrawn capacity on credit facilities [4] - The company operated with a 99.5% utilization rate, accounting for the start of two drydockings, resulting in an overall utilization of 96.9% [4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The partnership has a strong contracted revenue position of $854 million at the end of Q1, with fixed contracts averaging 2.3 years in duration [6] - The economic rationale for exercising transfer options has strengthened, with expectations for these options to be taken up due to market tightness [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Significant growth is anticipated in production fields relying on shuttle tankers, particularly in Brazil and the North Sea [5] - The company noted a continued shortage of shuttle tanker capacity projected in the coming years, necessitating newbuild orders [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to pursue long-term charter visibility and accretive dropdowns to support long-term cash flow generation [14] - The strategy includes increasing revenue backlog while lowering the average fleet age through dropdowns from the sponsor [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism regarding industry dynamics and the partnership's positioning to benefit from market conditions [4] - The company is cautiously optimistic about securing additional coverage in the current tight market, either through extensions or new charters [12] Other Important Information - The company has a typical pattern of refinancing debt facilities on comparable terms, with a good track record of refinancing success [10] - The average maturity of interest rate hedges is one and a half years, with new hedges being put in place as suitable terms arise [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing of potential dropdowns from the sponsor - Management stated that each potential transaction is reviewed individually, and there is no clear timing for dropdowns as it depends on when vessels are offered [22] Question: Anticipated refinancing terms - Management indicated they are working towards refinancing at similar or better terms, with ongoing discussions with lenders [24] Question: Impact of interest rate hedges expiring - Management noted that while interest rate hedges will expire, new hedges are put in place on a rolling basis when attractive terms are available [30] Question: Long-term debt increase explanation - The increase in long-term debt was primarily due to a vessel swap transaction that involved assuming $73 million of debt, but the net increase was only $47 million due to debt repayments [72] Question: Future charter rates and renewals - Management could not comment on specific charter rates but indicated that there is typically a small escalation in option terms at renewals [86] Question: Market conditions and demand for shuttle tankers - Management acknowledged that the market is currently tight, which positions the company favorably for future contracts [92] Question: Comparison of dropdowns versus share buybacks - Management emphasized that the board's focus is on fleet growth and capital value rather than share buybacks, although they consider both options [105]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter revenue of $1,259,000,000, a 10.2% increase over Q1 2025 [5][19] - Adjusted EBITDA was $150,400,000, representing 11.9% of revenues and an increase of 14.9% over Q1 2025 [5][19] - Net income was $61,000,000, with diluted EPS of $2.90 per share, exceeding expectations [20] - The company increased its revenue expectations for the year to a range of $5,290,000,000 to $5,425,000,000, representing a growth of 12.5% to 15.4% over the prior year [6][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The service and maintenance business has grown significantly, providing a stable base of recurring revenue [8][9] - The company has diversified its customer base and services within telecommunications and digital infrastructure, which buffers against the impact of any single customer [7][9] - The backlog at the end of Q1 was $8,127,000,000, including $4,685,000,000 expected to be completed in the next twelve months [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted robust demand drivers, particularly in fiber to the home programs and hyperscaler infrastructure [12][13] - Recent awards include significant contracts with Verizon and Windstream for fiber to the home and maintenance work [13] - The company is seeing increased opportunities related to AI infrastructure and middle mile networks [13][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build on its service and maintenance business while capitalizing on fiber to the home deployments and other growth drivers [9][16] - The strategy includes expanding services inside the fence with hyperscalers, which opens new opportunities [17] - The company is focused on improving free cash flow and maintaining a balanced risk-return profile in its backlog [15][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to capitalize on market opportunities despite macroeconomic uncertainties [6][11] - The impact of tariffs and international trade actions is expected to be negligible, with most components produced in the U.S. [11][23] - Management remains optimistic about the growth prospects, with ongoing opportunities in fiber infrastructure and service maintenance [12][16] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 200,000 shares for $30,200,000 during the quarter [6][22] - Operating cash flows used in the quarter were $54,000,000, reflecting seasonal uses of cash [22] - The company is closely monitoring the impact of tariffs and trade actions on its operations [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Performance of Black and Veatch - Management noted that the performance is a mix of pull forward and ramping quicker than expected, with strong integration into operations [26][27] Question: Second Quarter Guidance - The guidance reflects continued strength from fiber to the home builds and wireless business, with expectations for ongoing growth [32][33] Question: CapEx and Tariff Impact - Management feels confident about managing equipment costs and has been proactive in planning to mitigate tariff impacts [34][36] Question: Margin Improvement - Operating leverage is a key factor in margin improvement, with expectations for continued growth in margins [39][41] Question: BEAD Program Importance - While the BEAD program is significant, it is not essential for current growth, with other drivers providing robust opportunities [42][44] Question: Backlog and Organic Growth - The backlog is diversified, and organic growth is slightly positive, with long-term opportunities expected [48][52] Question: Government Layoffs and Deregulation - Management is monitoring the potential easing of permitting and other regulatory changes that could positively impact the industry [80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported sales of $20.9 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%, aligning with expectations [5][36] - Diluted earnings per share were $2.92, consistent with expectations, while gross margin improved to 33.4%, up 19 basis points from the previous year [36][38] - Comparable average ticket increased by 2.1%, but comparable transactions declined by 3.8% due to unfavorable weather impacting spring traffic [36][37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pro sales experienced mid-single-digit growth, driven by a strong product and service offering [10][28] - Online sales rose by 6%, supported by increased traffic and conversion rates [13] - The company saw solid growth in categories such as patio furniture, fertilizer, and appliances, despite ongoing pressure in DIY discretionary project demand [19][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a decline in DIY bigger ticket discretionary demand, attributed to macroeconomic uncertainties and unfavorable weather conditions [6][24] - The housing market remains a significant focus, with an estimated 18 million new homes needed in the U.S. by 2033, driving pro plan spending [11][52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to diversifying global sourcing, with approximately 60% of purchases originating in the U.S. and efforts to reduce dependency on China [8][9] - The acquisition of Artisan Design Group for $1.325 billion is expected to enhance pro penetration and position the company in a fragmented $50 billion market [11][39] - The company aims to accelerate online growth and enhance customer experience through technology investments, including the launch of an AI-powered virtual adviser named Milo [15][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macroeconomic challenges, citing healthy consumer balance sheets and positive demand drivers [78] - The outlook for fiscal 2025 remains unchanged, with expected sales between $83.5 billion and $84.5 billion and comparable sales projected to be flat to up 1% [40][42] Other Important Information - The company celebrated its recognition as number one in customer satisfaction among home improvement retailers by J.D. Power [6][25] - The company is focused on community support initiatives, including a commitment to deliver 10 million square feet of impact nationwide [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Relationship of comp to expense leverage for the rest of the year - Management indicated that the first half is mainly a weather story, expecting roughly flat comps and strong inventory levels for Q2 [46][48] Question: Larger Pro and Artisan Design Group acquisition - Management expressed confidence in the acquisition, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance pro penetration and capitalize on market opportunities [49][52] Question: Tariffs and pricing impacts - Management emphasized a portfolio approach to pricing and strong supplier relationships to navigate tariff impacts [66][70] Question: Soft trends in bigger ticket projects - Management noted that consumer confidence and mortgage rates are key factors affecting larger discretionary spending [80][81] Question: Performance in markets with steady spring weather - Management confirmed that business performance improves significantly with favorable weather conditions [89][91] Question: DIY environment and competition - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized the importance of product knowledge and customer service as competitive advantages [99][100]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter revenue of $1,259,000,000, a 10.2% increase over Q1 2025 [4][21] - Adjusted EBITDA was $150,400,000, representing 11.9% of revenues, and an increase of 14.9% over Q1 2025 [4][22] - Net income was $61,000,000, with diluted EPS of $2.90 per share, exceeding expectations [22] - The company increased its revenue expectations for the year to a range of $5,290,000,000 to $5,425,000,000, representing a growth of 12.5% to 15.4% over the prior year [5][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The service and maintenance business has grown significantly, providing a stable base of recurring revenue [6][7] - The company has diversified its customer base and services within telecommunications and digital infrastructure, which buffers against the impact of any single customer [5][6] - The backlog at the end of Q1 was $8,127,000,000, including $4,685,000,000 expected to be completed in the next twelve months [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted robust demand drivers, particularly in fiber to the home deployments and hyperscaler infrastructure projects [11][12] - Recent awards include significant contracts with Verizon and Windstream for fiber to the home and maintenance work [12] - The company is seeing increased opportunities related to AI infrastructure, with hyperscalers reiterating or increasing their CapEx budgets [12][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build on its service and maintenance business while capitalizing on fiber to the home deployments and other growth drivers [7][18] - The strategy includes expanding services inside the fence with hyperscalers, which opens new opportunities [15][19] - The company is focused on improving free cash flow and maintaining a balanced risk and return profile in its backlog [17][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties and tariff impacts, expecting negligible effects on current builds [10][25] - The demand for fiber to the home remains strong, with many customers reconfirming or increasing their targets [11][12] - Management believes that the company is well-positioned for continued growth, with a well-defined strategy and clear objectives [18][19] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 200,000 shares for $30,200,000 during the quarter, reflecting a commitment to returning capital to shareholders [5][24] - Operating cash flows used in the quarter were $54,000,000, reflecting seasonal uses of cash [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding the performance of Black and Veatch - Management indicated that the performance was a mix of pull forward and quicker ramp-up than expected, with strong integration into operations [28][29] Question: On the maintenance side, can you size that business? - Management noted that service and maintenance is a core part of the strategy, historically representing over 50% of the business [31] Question: Is the second quarter guidance a continuation of strength from the wireless side? - Management confirmed that both fiber to the home builds and the wireless business are contributing to the positive outlook for Q2 [34][35] Question: Any potential for pulling forward spending before tariffs hit? - Management stated that they are strategically managing equipment purchases and feel confident about their current position despite tariff impacts [36][38] Question: Was there anything unusual with costs this quarter? - Management attributed margin improvement to operating leverage and ongoing efficiency efforts [41][43] Question: What is the importance of the BEAD program for future growth? - Management believes that while BEAD is a significant opportunity, it is not necessary for current growth, with other drivers providing robust opportunities [46][47] Question: Is the pace of working through the backlog changing? - Management highlighted the diversification of the backlog and expressed confidence in the pace of business [50][51] Question: Does customer consolidation drive more business? - Management indicated that customer consolidation has historically been positive, leading to more opportunities for larger national players [80] Question: Have government layoffs affected the approval process? - Management noted that easing permitting could be a positive for the industry, and they are monitoring potential regulatory changes closely [86][87]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported sales of $20.9 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%, aligning with expectations [4][36] - Gross margin was 33.4%, up 19 basis points from the previous year, driven by productivity initiatives and improvements in shrink and credit revenue [38] - Operating margin rate declined by 50 basis points to 11.9% compared to the prior year [39] - Diluted earnings per share were $2.92, consistent with expectations [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pro sales experienced mid-single-digit growth, reflecting the effectiveness of the company's strategy [10][28] - Online sales increased by 6%, supported by higher traffic and conversion rates [13] - The DIY segment faced pressure, particularly in larger discretionary projects, impacting overall sales [24][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable transactions declined by 3.8%, influenced by unfavorable weather conditions early in the quarter [37] - Comp sales were down 5.4% in February, up 1.7% in March, and down 2.6% in April, indicating a weather-related impact on sales [38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversifying global sourcing, with approximately 60% of purchases originating in the U.S. and 20% from China [7][8] - The acquisition of Artisan Design Group for $1.325 billion aims to enhance penetration in the pro market, which is valued at $50 billion [11][40] - The company is committed to accelerating online growth and enhancing customer experience through technology, including the launch of an AI-powered virtual adviser [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the consumer's overall health but acknowledged challenges in the DIY segment due to elevated mortgage rates [78][81] - The company anticipates a flat to slightly positive comp sales outlook for the first half of the year, with expectations for improvement in the second half driven by strategic initiatives [41][95] Other Important Information - The company generated $2.9 billion in free cash flow in Q1 and paid $645 million in dividends [39] - The company plans to open five to ten new stores later this year [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Relationship of comp to expense leverage for the rest of the year - Management indicated that the first half is mainly a weather story, expecting roughly flat comps and strong inventory levels for Q2 [46][48] Question: Impact of Artisan Design Group acquisition - Management expressed confidence in the acquisition, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance pro market penetration and capitalize on future housing recovery [50][52] Question: Tariffs and pricing impacts - Management emphasized a portfolio approach to pricing and strong supplier relationships to navigate tariff impacts [68][70] Question: DIY market competition - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized the importance of product knowledge and customer service as competitive advantages [98][100] Question: Pro business performance and weather impact - Management confirmed that weather significantly impacted Q1 performance but noted improvements as conditions normalized [107]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company achieved a year-over-year increase of 5% in adjusted operating income and an 8% increase when accounting for the sale of the South Korea business in early 2024 [4][5] - Reported earnings per share grew to $9.71, while adjusted earnings per share increased to $10.65 [5] - Cash from operations exceeded $1.4 billion, with $426 million returned to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reorganized into three segments: Texture and Healthful Solutions, Food and Industrial Ingredients LATAM, and Food and Industrial Ingredients USCanada, enhancing customer service and engagement [3][4] - Strong sales volume growth from Texture and Healthful Solutions offset reductions in pricing due to lower raw material costs [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The reorganization aimed to improve focus on growing market opportunities and customer service, which has shown initial benefits in 2024 [4][5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The new structure is designed to align with strategic value drivers, enhancing transparency for stockholders and focusing on market growth opportunities [4][5] - The company aims to extend its gains further in 2025 following a record performance in 2024 [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the clarity of the company's strategy and the impact of its execution, looking forward to continued growth [6] Other Important Information - The annual meeting was held in a virtual format to facilitate stockholder access [2] - A quorum was established with 89.6% of voting power present [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: General inquiries from stockholders - Stockholders were invited to submit questions via the virtual meeting platform, with a general Q&A session planned at the end of the meeting [11][23]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The meeting confirmed that there were 125,779,735 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 28, 2025, with approximately 96,207,757 shares represented at the meeting, indicating a quorum of about 76% of outstanding shares [4]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - No specific data or metrics related to individual business lines were provided in the meeting. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - No specific market data or metrics were discussed during the meeting. Company Strategy and Development Direction and Industry Competition - The meeting included proposals for the election of directors, ratification of the independent auditor, and approval of executive compensation, indicating a focus on governance and operational efficiency [7][10]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management did not provide specific comments on the operating environment or future outlook during this meeting. Other Important Information - The proposals presented included the election of nine nominees for a one-year term as directors, the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the independent auditor for fiscal year 2025, and the approval of an amendment to increase share reserve in the equity and performance incentive plan [7][10]. Q&A Session All Questions and Answers - There were no questions or comments regarding the proposals during the meeting, indicating shareholder agreement or lack of inquiries [8].