WD-40 Co (WDFC) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Sales Growth Amid Regional Challenges

In This Article:

  • Net Sales: $153.5 million for Q1, up 9% year-over-year.

  • Maintenance Products Sales: $145.5 million for Q1, up 10% year-over-year.

  • Gross Margin: 54.8% for Q1, an improvement of 100 basis points year-over-year.

  • Net Income: $18.9 million for Q1, up 8% year-over-year.

  • Americas Sales: $69.4 million for Q1, up 8% year-over-year.

  • EIMEA Sales: $57.5 million for Q1, up 18% year-over-year.

  • Asia Pacific Sales: $26.6 million for Q1, down 4% year-over-year.

  • WD-40 Specialist Sales: $19 million for Q1, up 14% year-over-year.

  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin: 18% for Q1, down from 19% year-over-year.

  • Diluted EPS: $1.39 for Q1, up 9% year-over-year.

  • Dividend: Increased to $0.94 per share, up 7% from the previous quarter.

  • Share Repurchases: Approximately 13,750 shares repurchased at a cost of $3.6 million.

Release Date: January 10, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • WD-40 Co (NASDAQ:WDFC) reported a 9% increase in net sales for the first quarter, reaching $153.5 million.

  • The company's maintenance products saw a 10% increase in sales, marking the third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.

  • Gross margin improved to 54.8%, a 100 basis point increase from the previous year, moving closer to the target of 55%.

  • The company experienced strong sales growth in the Americas and EIMEA regions, with increases of 10% and 13% respectively.

  • WD-40 Co (NASDAQ:WDFC) has gone public with its sustainability targets, aiming for significant reductions in carbon emissions by 2030.

Negative Points

  • Sales in the Asia Pacific region decreased by 4% due to lower sales volumes and timing of customer orders.

  • The Americas segment experienced an 11% decline in operating income, partly due to a customer bankruptcy impacting results by $800,000.

  • Higher costs associated with warehousing, distribution, and freight negatively impacted gross margin by 100 basis points.

  • The company's cost of doing business increased by 15%, driven by higher employee-related expenses and increased professional service costs.

  • The homecare and cleaning product segment saw a decline, with a 19% drop in the UK, as the company shifts focus to maintenance products.

Q & A Highlights

Q: I noticed that operating income in the Americas was down 11% year over year. Can you explain the reasons behind this decline? A: Sara Hyzer, CFO, explained that the decline was due to the timing of A&P spend, a customer bankruptcy impacting the Americas by about $800,000, and a higher growth reward program accrual compared to the prior year.