Antonella Franzen
Analyst · Scott Davis at Melius Research. Please go ahead
Thanks, Jon, and good morning, everyone. I am pleased with the solid start to the year as increased volumes across many key end-markets and continued operational focus by our teams drove strong financial performance in the first quarter. I would also like to remind you that we realigned our segment reporting structure during the quarter, given the upcoming separation. The segment results now reported as ElectronicsCo and IndustrialsCo. Beginning with first quarter financial highlights on Slide 6, net sales of $3.1 billion increased 5% versus the year-ago period as 6% organic sales growth was slightly offset by a currency headwind of 1%. Organic sales growth consisted of an 8% increase in volume, partially offset by a 2% decrease in price. From a segment view, both segments saw organic sales growth with ElectronicsCo and IndustrialsCo up 14% and 2%, respectively. Volume gains during the quarter were led by double-digit growth in our businesses serving electronics, healthcare, and water end-markets. From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific delivered 13% organic sales growth year-over-year, including another strong quarter of growth in China, where organic sales were up about 20%, driven by electronics and water. Organic sales were up 4% in Europe and flat in North America, given the soft construction and auto markets. First quarter operating EBITDA of $788 million increased 16% versus the year-ago period as volume gains and savings from prior year restructuring actions were partially offset by growth investments. Operating EBITDA margin during the quarter of 25.7% increased 240 basis points year-over-year. On a continuing operations basis, operating cash flow for the quarter of $382 million, CapEx of $249 million, and $79 million of separation-related transaction cost payments resulted in transaction-adjusted free cash flow of $212 million and related conversion of 49%. As a reminder, first quarter cash flow is inclusive of our annual variable compensation payout. We expect cash flow conversion to accelerate as we move through the year, with full-year conversion of greater than 90%. Turning to Slide 7. Adjusted EPS for the quarter of $1.03 per share increased 30% from $0.79 in the year-ago period. Higher segment earnings of $0.19, as well as below-the-line benefits totaling $0.05, drove the year-over-year increase. Turning to segment results, beginning with ElectronicsCo on Slide 8. ElectronicsCo's first quarter net sales of $1.1 billion increased 14% versus the year-ago period on both a reported and organic basis due to a 16% increase in volume, partially offset by a 2% decrease in price. Currency was flat during the quarter. At the line-of-business level, organic sales for Semiconductor Technologies were up low-double-digits on strong end-market demand, driven by advanced nodes and AI technology applications. Semi demand in China continued to be strong with better-than-expected growth driven by timing shifts from second quarter into first quarter. Interconnect Solutions also posted another strong quarter with organic sales up high teens, reflecting broad-based demand, volume gains from AI-driven technology ramps, and continued benefits from content and share gains, across layered, laminates, and metallization. Operating EBITDA for ElectronicsCo of $373 million was up 26% versus the year-ago period as volume benefits were partially offset by continued growth investments to support advanced node transitions and AI technology ramps. Operating EBITDA margin during the quarter was 33.4%, up 340 basis points versus the year-ago period. Turning to Slide 9, IndustrialsCo's first quarter net sales of $1.95 billion were flat versus the year-ago period as a 2% organic sales growth was offset by a 1% currency headwind and a 1% unfavorable portfolio impact. Organic sales growth of 2% reflects a 3% increase in volume, partially offset by a 1% decrease in price. In connection with the first quarter Segment Realignment, we have organized IndustrialsCo into two lines of business, Healthcare & Water Technologies, and Diversified Industrials. Healthcare & Water Technologies consists of our high-growth businesses of healthcare and water. Our healthcare portfolio includes Tyvek medical packaging and garment offerings, Spectrum and Donatelle advanced medical device applications, and Liveo Biopharma processing and solutions. Our water business is a leading technology provider with a comprehensive portfolio of filtration technologies, including reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and ultrafiltration. Water also has strong exposure to secular growth drivers and serves key end-markets such as industrial water and energy, municipal and desalination, and life sciences. Diversified Industrials is a leading provider of innovative products and solutions supported by well-known brand names serving industrial-based end markets, including construction, advanced mobility, and personal protection. For the first quarter, Healthcare and Water Technology sales were up low-teens on an organic basis versus the year-ago period, reflecting volume gains in all business lines within Healthcare and strength in Water led by reverse osmosis. Diversified Industrials sales were down mid-single-digits on an organic basis due primarily to softness in construction and auto end-markets. Operating EBITDA for IndustrialsCo during the quarter of $464 million was up 6% versus the year-ago period due to volume gains and savings from prior year restructuring actions. Operating EBITDA margin during the quarter was 23.8%, up 130 basis points from the year-ago period. Turning to Slide 10, which outlines our latest view on 2025 financial guidance. For the second quarter, we estimate net sales of about $3.2 billion, operating EBITDA of about $815 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.05 per share. These estimates include a seasonal sequential sales lift, although muted from prior expectations given timing shifts from the second quarter into the first quarter in semi. For the full-year 2025, we are maintaining our guidance at our prior outlook with estimates for net sales of $12.8 billion to $12.9 billion, operating EBITDA of $3.325 billion to $3.375 billion, and adjusted EPS of $4.30 to $4.40 per share. In addition, as Lori mentioned earlier, for 2025, we currently estimate a net cost impact of tariffs of about $60 million or about $0.10 per share, mainly related to the second half of the year. Our financial guidance does not include this estimated net cost impact, as we continue to identify further mitigation actions as well as tariff implementation uncertainty. Overall, I am pleased with a solid start to the year and want to thank our employees for delivering these results and for their ongoing support to the separation process. With that, we are pleased to take your questions, and let me turn it back to the operator to open the Q&A.