Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 9.2% increase in consolidated sales year-over-year, with acquisitions contributing 6.3 percentage points to this growth [17] - EBITDA increased by 13.4% year-over-year, resulting in EBITDA margins of 12.2%, which expanded by 46 basis points from the previous year [21] - Earnings per share (EPS) rose by 11.4% to $2.63, benefiting from a reduced share count due to buyback activity [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The service center segment saw organic sales growth of 4.4%, driven by internal initiatives and firming technical MRO demand [22] - The engineered solutions segment experienced a 19.4% increase in sales, primarily due to acquisitions, but organic sales decreased by 0.4% year-over-year [23] - Hydradyne's EBITDA contribution improved by over 20% sequentially, indicating strong progress in integration and synergy initiatives [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Year-over-year organic sales growth was reported at 3%, the strongest in two years, with 16 out of the top 30 markets generating positive sales growth [6][17] - Strongest growth was observed in machinery, food and beverage, refining, pulp and paper, metals, oil and gas, and aggregates, while declines were noted in lumber and wood, transportation, chemicals, mining, and utilities [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on M&A as a top capital allocation priority for fiscal 2026, with an active pipeline of mid-sized targets [15] - Continued investments in engineering systems and production capacity are expected to leverage demand tailwinds moving forward [11] - The company aims to capitalize on trends in automation, life sciences, and technology, positioning itself to link legacy industrial production with advanced applications [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management described the underlying demand backdrop as stable to slightly positive, with expectations for continued improvement in core markets [6][30] - The company anticipates a choppy near-term sales environment due to seasonal factors and trade policy uncertainty, but remains optimistic about the second half of fiscal 2026 [30][28] - Positive order momentum and customer sentiment are gradually improving, with expectations for increased capital investment decisions [31] Other Important Information - The company achieved 17% incremental margins on EBITDA, despite ongoing inflationary pressures [13] - Cash generated from operating activities was $119.3 million, with free cash flow totaling $112 million, representing a conversion of 111% relative to net income [25] - The balance sheet remains strong, with approximately $419 million in cash and net leverage at 0.3x EBITDA [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Holiday shutdowns and customer activity - Management indicated it is still early to assess customer plans for holiday shutdowns, but some customers are expected to remain active [36] Question: Supplier pricing behavior - Management noted no significant changes in supplier behavior, with price increases being orderly and manageable [39][40] Question: Engineered solutions performance - Management expects engineered solutions to potentially outperform service centers in the second half of fiscal 2026 due to order backlog conversions [44] Question: Order growth dynamics - Management explained that project complexity and scheduling variances affect order conversion times, but remains optimistic about the pipeline [52] Question: Pricing expectations - Management stated that pricing contributions were better than expected, but it is too early to predict further increases beyond the current guidance [55] Question: Capital allocation priorities - Management confirmed that organic growth opportunities and M&A remain top priorities, with ongoing strong cash generation [63] Question: Margin guidance and dynamics - Management highlighted that LIFO expenses and non-routine rebates from the previous year would impact sequential EBITDA margins [68] Question: Hydradyne synergies - Management confirmed that Hydradyne's integration and synergy initiatives are on track, with positive contributions expected [72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a record after-tax operating income of over $1 billion and net income exceeding $1.3 billion, both up 37% year over year [5] - After-tax operating earnings per share reached $2.77, representing an 18.5% annualized operating return on average common equity [5] - Year-to-date book value per share growth was 17.3%, with a quarterly consolidated combined ratio of 79.8% reflecting excellent underwriting performance [5][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The property and casualty insurance group reported underwriting income of $129 million, up 8% year over year, with a combined ratio of 93.4% [7] - The reinsurance segment achieved a record underwriting income of $482 million, with a combined ratio of 76.1%, showing significant improvement [9][17] - The mortgage segment generated $260 million of underwriting income for the quarter, maintaining a strong performance despite modest mortgage originations [11][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net return premium in North America for liability occurrence grew by 17%, while property and short-tail book increased by 15% [8] - International premium volume remained essentially flat, indicating a stable but challenging market environment [8] - The company noted increasing competition in the market, leading to a focus on underwriting discipline and risk-based pricing [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maximize returns for shareholders over the long term by deploying capital into attractive underwriting opportunities [6][13] - The strategy includes prioritizing profitable growth while maintaining flexibility across insurance, reinsurance, and mortgage segments [7] - The company is actively looking to invest in businesses that generate superior risk-adjusted returns, with a focus on the middle market [9][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate a transitioning market, emphasizing the importance of underwriting discipline and data analytics tools [6][68] - The outlook for the insurance segment remains bullish, with expectations for growth in casualty lines despite some headwinds in professional lines [25][40] - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by a competitive environment but remains optimistic about the company's positioning and capital strength [13][20] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $732 million of shares in the quarter, reflecting a strong capital position and commitment to returning capital to shareholders [20] - The delinquency rate for the mortgage insurance business increased to 2.04%, aligning with seasonal expectations [18] - The company maintains a conservative investment portfolio, with net investment income reaching a quarterly record of $408 million [11][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future Buyback Levels - Management indicated that share buybacks will likely be the preferred method of capital return in the short term, given strong earnings and limited growth opportunities [23][24] Question: Insurance Premium Growth Outlook - Management remains bullish on insurance growth, particularly in casualty lines, despite some non-renewals and market softening [25][26] Question: Impact of Hurricane on Exposure - Management stated it is too early to assess potential exposure from a hurricane affecting the Caribbean [28][30] Question: Reinsurance Growth Normalization - Management estimated that normalized growth in reinsurance, absent one-off items, might have been around a decrease of 3% to 4% [34][35] Question: MGA Marketplace Growth - Management expressed skepticism about the long-term sustainability of the MGA model, citing concerns over incentive alignment and information delays [82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EPS was reported at $1.64, reflecting a 5.6% core sales growth, primarily driven by Aerospace & Electronics and Process Flow Technologies [5][19] - Adjusted operating profit increased by 19%, supported by strong net pricing and productivity [19] - Core FX neutral backlog rose by 16% year-over-year, indicating continued strength in Aerospace & Electronics [19][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerospace & Electronics sales reached $270 million, a 13% increase, with total aftermarket sales up 20% [21][22] - Process Flow Technologies delivered sales of $319 million, up 3%, with flat core performance and a slight benefit from acquisitions and foreign exchange [22][23] - Adjusted segment margin for Aerospace & Electronics expanded to 25.1%, while Process Flow Technologies saw a margin of 22.4%, reflecting strong productivity and pricing [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The defense and aerospace markets remain robust, with expectations for low double-digit core sales growth for the year [11][21] - The chemical market showed softness, particularly in Europe and China, but North America and the Middle East exhibited positive activity [31][32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is on track to close the acquisition of Precision Sensors & Instrumentation, which is expected to enhance financial profiles and margins [6][9] - The strategic outlook remains focused on operational execution and commercial excellence, with an organic growth assumption of 4% to 6% for 2026 [8][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to navigate current macroeconomic challenges and maintain operational consistency [19][25] - There is optimism regarding the stabilization and potential recovery of the chemical market in the upcoming year [42] Other Important Information - The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings outlook to a range of $5.75 to $5.95, reflecting a 20% growth at the midpoint compared to the previous year [7][24] - The company expects to offset tariff impacts through pricing and productivity measures, with a gross cost increase of approximately $30 million for the year [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the expectations for the non-chemical portion of Process Flow Technologies? - Management indicated strong growth in wastewater and cryogenics, with double-digit growth expected in these areas [30][31] Question: What are the key drivers of margin upside in Process Flow Technologies? - The margin upside is attributed to innovation, new product launches, and effective pricing strategies [34][36] Question: How is the company preparing for potential impacts from a U.S. government shutdown? - Currently, there are no expected impacts from the government shutdown, and operations remain stable [57] Question: What is the outlook for organic growth in Aerospace & Electronics next year? - Management expects to be at the high end of the long-term growth range of 7% to 9% for Aerospace & Electronics [104] Question: How does the company view automation in its operations? - The focus is on specific tasks for automation rather than complete factory automation, addressing skilled labor gaps [96][98]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported over $1 billion of after-tax operating income and over $1.3 billion of net income, both up 37% year-over-year [5] - After-tax operating earnings per share reached $2.77, representing an 18.5% annualized operating return on average common equity [5] - Year-to-date book value per share growth was 17.3% [5] - The quarterly consolidated combined ratio was 79.8%, reflecting excellent underwriting and low catastrophe activity [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Property and casualty insurance group underwriting income was $129 million, up 8% year-over-year, with a combined ratio of 93.4% [7] - Reinsurance segment achieved a record underwriting income of $482 million with a combined ratio of 76.1% [9][10] - Mortgage segment generated $260 million of underwriting income for the quarter, on pace to deliver approximately $1 billion for the year [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net return premium in North America for liability occurrence grew by 17%, while property and short-tail book increased by 15% [8] - International premium volume was essentially flat [8] - The reinsurance segment's net premium returns were $1.7 billion, down roughly 11% year-over-year due to current pricing conditions [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maximize returns for shareholders over the long term while actively seeking attractive underwriting opportunities [6] - The strategy includes allocating capital to opportunities that meet risk-adjusted target returns and pursuing profitable growth [7] - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet to support both business investments and capital returns to shareholders [6][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted increasing competition in the market but emphasized the strength of the brand and underwriting discipline [6] - The company remains bullish about the insurance business and expects to grow better than the overall market [25][27] - Management expressed confidence in the mortgage segment's performance due to strong home prices and a lack of inventory [75] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $732 million of shares in the quarter and has continued to buy back shares in October [20] - The operating effective tax rate year-to-date stands at 14.7%, slightly below the previously guided range [19] - The company maintains a strong capital position, allowing for flexibility in capital management and investment opportunities [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future of Capital Return Strategy - Management indicated that share buybacks will likely be the preferred method of capital return in the short term, given strong earnings and limited growth opportunities [23][24] Question: Insurance Premium Growth Outlook - Management remains optimistic about premium growth, particularly in casualty lines, despite some headwinds in professional lines [25][26] Question: Impact of Hurricane on Exposure - Management stated it is too early to assess potential exposure from a current hurricane event [28][30] Question: Reinsurance Growth Normalization - Management estimated that normalized growth in reinsurance, absent one-off impacts, might have been around a decrease of 3%-4% [35] Question: MGA Marketplace Growth - Management expressed skepticism about the long-term sustainability of the MGA growth model, citing concerns over incentive alignment [82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales increased at the high end of the guided range, with adjusted EBITDA margin expanding by 60 basis points to 21.4% and adjusted diluted EPS growing by 6.5% [4][6] - SG&A growth moderated to low single digits, in line with expectations, driven by control of general and administrative expenses [5][6] - The company returned $864 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Paint Stores Group**: Sales increased by mid-single digits, with price mix up at the high end of low single digits and volume up low single digits [8] - **Consumer Brands Group**: Sales exceeded expectations, with price mix up low single digits and volume down mid-single digits, affected by softness in North America DIY [10] - **Performance Coatings Group**: Sales were in line with expectations, with volume, acquisitions, and FX all increasing by low single digits, but offset by unfavorable price mix [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company outperformed the market in all segments served, despite a softer demand environment [8] - Residential repaint sales grew by mid-single digits, continuing a trend of growth since early 2022, despite negative existing home sales [8] - Commercial sales were up mid-single digits, even with multifamily completions down double digits [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on growth investments, controlling costs, and leveraging a unique competitive environment [4][7] - The acquisition of Suvinil is expected to enhance the Consumer Brands Group's portfolio and provide profitable growth opportunities [11][48] - The company plans to continue investing in growth initiatives, including opening 80 to 100 North American paint stores for the year [15][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a challenging demand environment is expected to persist into 2026, with minimal positive catalysts currently visible [16][20] - The company is focused on driving customer success and maintaining profitability despite market challenges [20][21] - Management expressed confidence in their strategy and the team's ability to outperform the market [21] Other Important Information - The company temporarily paused matching contributions to its 401(k) plan to preserve jobs and protect the company during a period of uncertainty [13][14] - The company expects to see a modest cost headwind next year due to new headquarters and R&D center investments [19][20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the 7% price increase for Paint Stores Group? - Management explained that the price increase is driven by higher year-over-year costs and the need to balance volume growth with pricing effectiveness [24][25] Question: What mortgage rates are needed to catalyze demand in the Paint Stores Group? - Management indicated that around 6% mortgage rates could drive stronger existing home turnover, which is crucial for demand [32][33] Question: How do you define the efficiency of investment spending? - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to investments, focusing on returns and adjusting spending based on market conditions [38][39] Question: What actions are planned for the Suvinil acquisition? - Management expressed excitement about the acquisition and the potential for synergies, expecting it to contribute positively to sales and profitability [45][48] Question: What is the outlook for the second half of next year? - Management noted that current trends do not indicate a strong recovery, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to forecasting [50][51] Question: Can you discuss the negative operating leverage in Performance Coatings? - Management attributed the negative leverage to unfavorable mix by region and business, but expects improvements in the fourth quarter [78][80] Question: What is the expected pricing capture in 2026? - Management indicated that pricing capture will depend on market dynamics, but they plan to be aggressive in balancing volume growth with price increases [63][64] Question: How much volume hurt gross margin rate this year? - Management noted that supply chain inefficiencies impacted gross margin, but they expect volume growth to drive operating margin expansion [110][111]

Financial Performance and Key Metrics - Nucor generated EBITDA of approximately $1.3 billion and earned $2.63 per share in Q3 2025, exceeding guidance due to stronger shipments and favorable corporate adjustments [5][17] - Year-to-date adjusted net earnings are approximately $1.4 billion or $5.98 per share, with Q3 earnings exceeding the midpoint of guidance by about $0.50 [17][18] - The steel mill segment generated $793 million of pre-tax earnings, a decrease of 6% from the prior quarter, while steel products segment pre-tax earnings were $319 million, down from $392 million [18][20] Business Line Performance - The bar mill group achieved record rebar shipments in Q3, driven by demand in non-residential construction and infrastructure markets [11][19] - Sheet shipments nearly matched record volumes from the previous quarter, with a 13% year-over-year increase in sheet backlog tons [19] - The steel products segment saw external shipments increase by 4% quarter-over-quarter, despite a decline in operating profit due to product mix and higher substrate pricing [20] Market Data and Key Metrics - Finished steel imports decreased nearly 11% year-to-date through August, supported by federal actions and tariffs [14][15] - Demand for long products remains strong, particularly in infrastructure spending, with bridge and tunnel contract awards up nearly 20% year-over-year [24] - The Dodge Construction Network forecasts a 30% increase in data center construction in 2025, indicating strong growth potential in this sector [12] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - Nucor is focused on prudent capital management, balancing long-term growth with shareholder returns, and has returned nearly $1 billion to shareholders year-to-date [7][23] - The company is in the final phase of a multi-year capital investment campaign, with several major projects nearing completion [8][10] - Nucor aims to optimize its portfolio to provide comprehensive solutions, enhancing its competitive position in the steel industry [10][14] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to create value amid evolving market conditions, with expectations for stable domestic steel demand in 2026 [26] - The company anticipates lower consolidated earnings in Q4 due to seasonal effects and scheduled outages, but remains optimistic about long-term growth drivers [25][26] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong investment-grade credit profile, with a total debt-to-capital ratio of approximately 24% [22] Other Important Information - Nucor's long-term credit ratings were upgraded to A3 by Moody's, making it the only major North American steel producer with such ratings [7] - The company is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet while investing in growth opportunities [22][23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Nucor's shipment growth and market share - Management noted that Nucor's shipments are growing faster than the industry, with a focus on restructuring and positioning in the plate group and long products [29][31] Question: Data center products and growth - Management confirmed that Nucor supplies a wide range of products for data centers, including insulated metal panels and joists, benefiting from increased demand in this sector [33][34] Question: Warehouse market growth and share - Management indicated that while the warehousing market is flat, data centers are expected to see double-digit growth, with Nucor well-positioned to capitalize on this trend [40][45] Question: Pricing and market conditions - Management discussed the impact of recent pricing movements and the expectation of lower realized pricing in Q4, while anticipating a recovery in Q1 [50][51] Question: Acquisition opportunities - Management outlined a strategy focused on growing core capabilities and expanding into adjacent markets, with an emphasis on high-margin, low-capital intensity opportunities [54][57] Question: Seattle mill decision - Management clarified that the Seattle mill will continue operating, but the decision was made not to replace it with a micromill, as other facilities can adequately supply the region [60][64] Question: Shareholder returns and capital allocation - Management acknowledged that the third quarter buybacks were the smallest since 2020, emphasizing a balanced approach to capital allocation while maintaining strong liquidity [66][67]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted net income increased 48% year-over-year to $45.2 million or $0.52 per share [6] - Organic deposits grew $212 million or 7% annualized, including $80 million in non-interest-bearing deposits [6][15] - Net interest income was $133.5 million, a 5% increase from the prior quarter, and net interest margin expanded 3 basis points to 3.32% [6][8] - Tangible book value per share increased 9% year-over-year to $17.61 [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wealth management achieved a record quarter with $258 million in new assets under management (AUM), the highest quarterly result in the division's history [9] - Non-interest income, excluding securities activity, was $24.7 million, increasing 5% from the prior year quarter [9] - Loan outstandings, excluding the impact of the Heartland acquisition, increased at an annualized 8% [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The pipeline for loans increased 30% to $1.2 billion, indicating strong demand across markets [11] - Non-performing loans declined by $3.6 million during the quarter, representing only 0.55% of total loans [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its return profile while delivering strong growth on both sides of the balance sheet [2] - The Villages Bancorporation acquisition is expected to provide significant growth opportunities and enhance liquidity [3][16] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined, conservative credit culture while expanding its loan portfolio [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth outlook and ability to deliver continued improvements and returns into 2026 [4][16] - The competitive landscape remains challenging, with tight credit spreads, but the company is navigating carefully [86] Other Important Information - The Heartland acquisition added four branches and approximately $824 million in assets, while The Villages acquisition added 19 branches and over $4 billion in assets [7][16] - The company expects to exit the year with a core net interest margin reaching approximately 3.45% [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth outlook and pipeline momentum - Management highlighted impressive growth despite recent acquisitions and expressed confidence in maintaining high single-digit growth moving forward [21][24] Question: The Villages deal update - Management reported a smooth integration process and emphasized the importance of a seamless conversion for customers [40][42] Question: Loan pricing and spreads - Management noted that credit spreads are tight, particularly for high-quality loans, and emphasized a cautious approach [86] Question: Future investments and technology - Management confirmed ongoing investments in technology and infrastructure to support growth and compete effectively [48][49]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The operating return on assets was 1.37% for the third quarter, with a return on equity of 12.1% and a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 17.6%, showing continued improvement over linked and prior year quarters [3] - Net income for the third quarter was $54.5 million, or $1.03 per diluted common share, with operating earnings per share at $1.05, an increase of $0.17 per share compared to the prior quarter [9] - Revenues grew approximately 9% from the prior quarter and 26% from the third quarter of the prior year, driven by improvements in net interest income [9][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans increased by $1.6 billion for the year, including acquired loans from Evans Bancorp, with annualized loan growth in 2025 being approximately 1% higher from December 2024 [9][10] - Total deposits reached $13.7 billion, up $2.1 billion from December 2024, with growth in checking and money market accounts [10] - Non-interest income represented 28% of total revenues in the third quarter, reflecting the strength of the diversified revenue base [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced solid growth in deposits in the Western region of New York post-merger with Evans Bancorp, retaining key lending relationships despite a net contractual runoff of approximately $30 million [6] - The new branch in Greater Rochester opened in April and is off to a promising start, with plans for further expansion in the region [6][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open four to six new branches annually to improve market concentration, particularly in Rochester [28] - The focus remains on organic growth and evaluating partnerships with like-minded community banks, with a renewed share repurchase authorization through the end of 2027 [5][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the capital position and growth opportunities across markets, despite potential challenges from expected changes to Fed funds rates impacting future margin improvements [4][15] - The company anticipates low to mid-single-digit loan growth rates in the upcoming quarters, supported by a strong pipeline [20] Other Important Information - The company announced an 8.8% improvement to its dividend to shareholders, marking the 13th consecutive year of increases [5] - Total operating expenses, excluding acquisition expenses, were $110 million for the quarter, reflecting a 4.4% increase from the prior quarter [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss cost savings and expected expenses? - Management indicated that cost savings from the Evans merger are essentially achieved, with a run rate of $110 million expected moving forward, alongside typical expense increases of 3.5% to 4.5% [18] Question: What are the expectations for loan growth? - Management expects low to mid-single-digit growth rates in the upcoming quarters, with a strong pipeline and a comfortable loan-to-deposit ratio of 85% [20][21] Question: What is the outlook for fee income growth? - The insurance business is expected to grow at a rate of high mid-single digits, with seasonality affecting the fourth quarter [63][67] Question: Are there plans for additional M&A? - The company is open to opportunistic M&A to fill in its franchise, focusing on smaller community banks [33] Question: What is the outlook for net interest margin? - Management anticipates potential margin pressure in the fourth quarter but sees opportunities for improvement in 2026 depending on the yield curve [34][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 9.2% increase in consolidated sales year-over-year, with acquisitions contributing 6.3 percentage points to growth, while organic sales growth was 3% [17] - EBITDA increased by 13.4% year-over-year, with EBITDA margins expanding to 12.2%, up 46 basis points from the previous year [21] - Earnings per share (EPS) rose 11.4% to $2.63, benefiting from a reduced share count due to buyback activity [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The service center segment saw organic sales growth of 4.4%, driven by internal initiatives and firming technical MRO demand [22] - The engineered solutions segment experienced a 19.4% increase in sales, primarily due to acquisitions, but organic sales decreased by 0.4% year-over-year [23] - Hydradyne's EBITDA contribution improved by over 20% sequentially, indicating strong progress in integration and synergy initiatives [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Year-over-year organic sales growth was reported at 3%, the strongest in two years, with 16 out of the top 30 markets showing positive sales growth [6] - Strongest growth was observed in machinery, food and beverage, refining, pulp and paper, metals, oil and gas, and aggregates, while declines were noted in lumber and wood, transportation, chemicals, mining, and utilities [6][7] - The company noted a stable to slightly positive underlying demand backdrop, with positive order momentum across various segments [10][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage ongoing operational initiatives and structural mix tailwinds to achieve mid to high teen incremental annual margin targets [13] - M&A remains a top capital allocation priority, with an active pipeline of mid-sized targets across both segments [15] - The company is focused on enhancing its technical differentiation and value-added service capabilities through strategic acquisitions [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the first quarter performance, highlighting stronger top-line trends and sustained positive order momentum [30] - The company anticipates that industrial activity will remain mixed in the near term, with expectations for order conversion to be more weighted toward the second half of fiscal 2026 [27][28] - Management noted that customer sentiment is gradually improving, with favorable demand signals across traditional and emerging markets [31] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with approximately $419 million in cash and a net leverage ratio of 0.3 times EBITDA, indicating a solid balance sheet position [25] - Free cash flow totaled $112 million, representing a conversion rate of 111% relative to net income [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on holiday shutdowns from customers - Management indicated it is still early to assess customer plans for holiday shutdowns, but some customers are expected to remain active [36] Question: Supplier pricing behavior - Management noted no significant changes in supplier behavior, with price increases being orderly and manageable [39][40] Question: Engineered solutions performance expectations - Management expects engineered solutions to potentially outperform service centers in the second half of fiscal 2026 due to order backlog conversions [44] Question: Order growth dynamics - Management explained that order growth is encouraging, but project conversion times vary based on complexity and scheduling [52] Question: Pricing expectations for the year - Management maintained a cautious outlook on pricing, indicating it may not ramp beyond the current 200 basis points without clearer market activity [55] Question: Capital allocation priorities - Management confirmed that organic growth opportunities and M&A remain top priorities, with a disciplined approach to acquisitions [63]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for the third quarter were $143 million, up 8% from $132 million in the same period last year [4][16] - Adjusted diluted EPS were $0.60 per share, down from $0.61 in the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to unfavorable tax impacts [5][17] - Adjusted gross margin was 38.9%, an increase of 66 basis points year-over-year [16][17] - Operating cash flow generated was $29 million, compared to $35 million in the third quarter of 2024 [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Diversified end market sales increased by 22% year-over-year, accounting for 59% of overall company revenue [4][5] - Transportation sales decreased by 7% from the same period last year, totaling $58.5 million [10][16] - SideQuest revenues increased to $8.8 million, with bookings up 29% from the prior year [8][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Book-to-bill ratio for the third quarter was slightly above 1, compared to marginally below 1 in the third quarter of 2024 [4] - Aerospace and defense sales rose by 23% year-over-year [7] - Industrial market sales were up 21% compared to the prior year, with a 9% sequential increase [9][49] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning from a component supplier to a supplier of sensors, transducers, and subsystems, validated by recent naval defense contract awards [8] - Focus remains on strong cash generation, appropriate capital allocation, and supporting organic growth and strategic acquisitions [19] - The company aims to enhance its growth profile through increased volumes in portable ultrasound diagnostics and therapeutics [7][12] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth prospects for medical, aerospace, and defense markets despite mixed signals in the transportation sector [25][49] - The company anticipates continued softness in commercial vehicle demand but expects strong performance in diversified end markets [14][12] - Management is closely monitoring the impact of tariffs and geopolitical factors while adapting to cost and price adjustments [14][51] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 400,000 shares for approximately $17 million during the quarter, returning $44 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks year-to-date [18][19] - The company expects to maintain momentum in SideQuest revenues through the end of the year, with additional platform awards anticipated [8][42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on revenue and EPS - Management raised the midpoint on revenue guidance but lowered EPS guidance due to tax impacts from recent U.S. tax legislation [23][24] Question: Transportation production rates for 2026 - Transportation market signals are mixed, with some OEMs optimistic and others cautious; however, solid bookings were noted [25] Question: Gross margin contributions by end market - Margins are good across diversified end markets, with transportation trailing behind but still performing well [26][27] Question: Tax impact in 2026 - The adverse tax impact is expected to continue into 2026, with a projected tax rate in the low 20% range [37][38] Question: Inventory levels in transportation - Days of supply for light vehicles are around 50 days, which is considered normal; no concerns were raised [40][41] Question: SideQuest revenue contributions - SideQuest is expected to show seasonal revenue patterns, with a positive outlook for future awards [42] Question: Operating expenses increase - The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to a $4.2 million reserve increase and higher equity-based compensation [43]