Damon Audia
Analyst · Oppenheimer
Thank you, Eric, and good morning, everyone. Slide 9 provides an overview of regional net sales performance for the first quarter. Net sales increased approximately 5% in the first quarter compared to the prior year period, excluding the favorable impact of currency translation. By region, the Europe/Middle East segment delivered a 9% increase in net sales on a constant currency basis, higher sales resulted from increased unit volumes compared to the first quarter of 2025, which included dealer inventory destocking. Sales growth in Germany and the United Kingdom was partially offset by lower activity in Turkey and France. The increase was driven by strong growth in high horsepower tractor sales. North American net sales also increased 9%, excluding currency impacts. Higher unit sales compared to the prior year, together with positive share growth supported the increase. The most significant gains were in high-horsepower tractors, hay equipment and sprayers highlighting continued customer investment in productivity-enhancing solutions. Net sales in Latin America were 30% lower on a constant currency basis, reflecting very measured purchasing activity across virtually all product categories as the environment in Brazil and Argentina remain challenging in the quarter. Asia Pacific Africa net sales increased more than 20%, excluding currency impacts, driven by higher sales in Australia and South Africa partially offset by lower sales across most Asian markets. Consolidated replacement part sales were approximately $447 million in the first quarter, increasing 3% year-over-year on a reported basis and down nearly 6%, excluding favorable currency translation. Results reflected wet weather in Europe early in the quarter that limited parts consumption. And in North America, where dealers remain focused on inventory optimization amid continued cautious farmer sentiment. Turning to Slide 10. Adjusted operating margin was 4.6% in the first quarter, an improvement of 50 basis points year-over-year. This reflects strong execution in the Europe, Middle East region, once again, combined with continued operational and cost discipline across the broader organization. By region, Europe, Middle East income from operations increased by over $104 million compared to the first quarter of 2025 with operating margins exceeding 16%. These strong results were driven by sales growth, a richer mix and increased production compared to the prior period. North America income from operations reflected an approximately $27 million year-over-year reduction with operating margins remaining below breakeven. Results heavily reflect the year-over-year impact of tariff-related costs along with factory under absorption associated with our disciplined approach to reduce production levels. Latin America operating income decreased roughly $47 million year-over-year with results below breakeven, driven by several factors, including significantly lower sales volume and negative pricing. Asia Pacific Africa operating income increased about $7 million in the first quarter, supported by higher sales and increased production during the quarter. Slide 11 outlines our first quarter cash performance and full year estimated free cash flow. Free cash flow represents cash used and are provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow conversion is defined as free cash flow divided by adjusted net income. We used $455 million of cash in the first quarter of 2026 reflecting the normal seasonal inventory build, consistent with our operating cadence. The prior year quarter reflected unusually low production levels, mainly in Europe that limited inventory investment and reduced cash usage. Our 2026 production schedule reflects a return to our typical seasonal patterns, resulting in higher inventory investment and cash usage early in the year. This profile was fully aligned with our plan and remains consistent with achieving free cash flow in a targeted range of 75% to 100% of adjusted net income for the full year. Our approach to capital allocation remains disciplined and consistent, prioritizing reinvestment in the business, maintaining an investment-grade balance sheet, pursuing targeted acquisitions that accelerate technology adoption and returning capital to shareholders. This framework continues to guide both our decision-making and the sequencing of capital deployment. As part of this approach today, we announced that we are evolving our long-standing AGCO Finance U.S. and Canadian joint ventures to better align with increasing regulatory and compliance requirements on enhancing capital efficiency. On April 30, the company executed various agreements with wholly owned subsidiaries of Rabobank to sell AGCO's 49% equity interest in its U.S. and Canadian joint ventures for approximately $190 million, while establishing new financing framework agreements that are intended to strengthen the strategic and commercial benefits of these partnerships. AGCO Finance remains the predominant financing partner for AGCO and our customers. This structural evolution strengthens AGCO's farm refer strategy by ensuring continued access to competitive finance offerings. These actions optimize regulatory capital deployment, strengthen our commitment to providing competitive financing solutions to our farmers and dealers and bolster our financial flexibility. The proceeds from these transactions are incremental to free cash flow and are being used to support capital returns to shareholders. Building on both our record free cash flow generation in 2025 and these proceeds AGCO has increased our capacity to return capital to shareholders. We continue to execute share repurchases under our $1 billion authorization. Following the initial $300 million announcement in October last year, we are initiating an additional $350 million in repurchases during the second quarter of 2026. In addition, the Board of Directors also improved an increase in our regular quarterly dividend to $0.30 per share, up from $0.29. At this rate, annualized dividends would total [ $1.20 ] per common share. Collectively, these actions demonstrate a continued focus on disciplined capital deployment, balancing enhancing near-term shareholder returns with long-term financial flexibility. Turning to Slide 12, which summarizes our 2026 market outlook across our 3 major regions. Global agricultural markets entered 2026, reflecting conservative purchasing behavior shaped by high borrowing costs, extended margin compression and evolving policy and trade dynamics. Recently, geopolitical developments have contributed to higher fertilizer and fuel costs, reinforcing cautious behaviors across the industry. Current conditions point to a gradual and uneven recovery, rather than a near-term rebound. We are maintaining our forecast for North America and Western Europe and adjusting our Latin American forecast from flat to down modestly in 2026. In North America, farm income dynamics and increased input costs continue to shape demand, particularly for large equipment. Deal activity continues to focus on managing used inventories and limiting new commitments, which is weighing on large tractors and combined purchases. Higher fertilizer and diesel cost tied to recent geopolitical developments have added to grower caution heading into the planting season, further limiting discretionary capital spending. Smaller equipment continues to demonstrate relatively stable demand compared to large ag supported by livestock and hay related demand. While performance has improved year-over-year, early year activity has been more modest than anticipated amid recent macro events, reinforcing our views that upside remains limited for the remainder of the year. Overall, we expect the North American large ag equipment market to be down around 15% below 2025 levels with the small ag segment modestly higher. In Western Europe, near-term demand has demonstrated select areas of strength. At the same time, confident remains fragile. Farmer profitability challenges, increased input costs evolving regulatory uncertainty and prudent capital spending behavior continue to weigh on sentiment. Recent geopolitical developments, including the development in the Middle East have added to this environment, particularly around energy cost despite near-term demand strengths. Subsidy frameworks and relatively favorable interest rate dynamics continue to provide a stabilizing foundation for the region. Taken together, we still expect Western Europe to be up modestly in 2026. In Brazil, in broader Latin American region, interest rates and tighter credit conditions continue to influence purchasing patterns, particularly for large machinery. Increasing input costs and financing dynamics are guiding investment decisions, contributing to equipment demand variability. Brazilian retail tractor volumes in '26 are now projected modestly below 2025 levels, but with long-term fundamentals remaining relatively constructive. Overall, the agricultural equipment cycle in '26 reflects discipline, selective purchasing and delayed replacement activity. As financing conditions normalize, input cost pressures moderate and grain prices improve, the aging fleet and structural foundation supporting recovery remain in place with regional timing varying by market and segment. Slide 13, highlights the key elements underlying our full year 2026 outlook. Global industry demand in 2026 is now positioned in line with prior year levels, operating at approximately 86% of mid-cycle demand, consistent with the stabilization phase of the cycle. Our sales plan reflects continued market share gains, pricing in the range of 2% to 3% and roughly a 3% foreign currency benefit. While pricing helped moderate the impact of material inflation and tariff-related costs, the incremental increases in these pressures from events in the first quarter will now more than offset pricing actions resulting in margin dilution and lower profitability in 2026. Inventory management remains a priority in 2026, particularly in North America and Latin America, supporting our ongoing dealer inventory alignment and a balanced demand-driven go-to-market approach. Our outlook reflects the current tariff environment and our established mitigation actions, including cost initiatives and pricing. Since the fourth quarter earnings call, the tariff environment has evolved with the Supreme Court ruling related to EPA tariffs as well as new guidance on the calculation methodology related to Section 232 tariffs. We now expect tariff costs of approximately $135 million in 2026, which is around $90 million increase from 2025 and $25 million higher than our previous estimate. These estimates could change as things evolve during the year. Our adjusted operating margin and earnings per share outlook do not assume any refunds related to the [ EPA ] tariff. We are currently evaluating the impact to our business and the ultimate timing and amount of any potential refunds remain uncertain. We are prepared to adjust our outlook should tariff or trade policy conditions change. Engineering expense is planned at around 5% of sales in 2026, representing an increase of nearly $40 million year-over-year, supporting innovation across the portfolio while maintaining investment discipline. Operational efficiency initiatives are increasing and we now expect them to deliver approximately $60 million to $70 million of benefit in 2026, up from $40 million to $60 million, reinforcing our ongoing transformation progress. Production hours in 2026 are expected to be flat to slightly down compared to 2025 with a measured step down as the year progresses to support inventory normalization and demand alignment. Based on these assumptions, adjusted operating margin is still targeted in the range of 7.5% to 8% reflecting structural portfolio improvements and cost actions, partially offset by price cost pressures, increased tariff costs as well as increased freight costs. Finally, although our effective tax rate was 24% in the first quarter, we still expect our effective tax rate for 2026 to be in the range of 31% to 33%. Turning to Slide 14 for 2026 outlook. We have modestly tightened our full year net sales outlook to $10.5 billion to $10.7 billion, reflecting improved performance in certain regions slightly higher foreign exchange effects and continued execution, partially offset by ongoing market volatility. Adjusted earnings per share are targeted at approximately $6 supported by continued strong cost discipline and execution consistency. This revised outlook reflects our strong first quarter performance, along with the incremental tariff costs and other cost headwinds I mentioned previously. The current earnings per share outlook also assumes approximately $0.15 per share benefit associated with the share repurchase announced today. Capital expenditures are planned at around $350 million, positioning the company for future demand while preserving investment discipline. Free cash flow conversion remains targeted at 75% to 100% of adjusted net income, supported by strong working capital management and ongoing inventory efficiency. Second quarter net sales are targeted between $2.7 billion and $2.8 billion. Second quarter earnings per share are targeted between $1.35 and $1.40, reflecting the alignment of production with demand cost execution and timing of efficiency initiatives. The second quarter EPS target excludes any impact from the potential [ IEP ] tariff refunds or the sale of our equity interest in the AGCO Finance U.S. and Canadian joint ventures. The AGCO Finance transaction in North America will accelerate cash flows from the existing portfolio and result in a second quarter earnings lift. However, for the full year, we do not expect a meaningful change in the portfolio's earnings contribution. Slide 15 outlines the details for our 2026 tech data be held near Chicago, Illinois. A strategic business update will be held on October 6, followed by a live field demonstration of our precision agricultural stack and farmer core initiative on October 7. We look forward to hosting you just outside of Chicago. With that, I will turn the call over to the operator to begin the Q&A.