• Q4 Adjusted Operating Income: $231 million, up 17%.
• Q4 Return on Sales (ROS): 23.8%, expanded by 370 basis points.
• Q4 Adjusted EPS: $1.08, up 24%.
• Full Year 2024 Sales: $4.1 billion, down 1%.
• Full Year 2024 Adjusted Operating Income: $959 million, up 12%.
• Full Year 2024 ROS: 23.5%, expanded by 270 basis points.
• Full Year 2024 Adjusted EPS: $4.33, up 15%.
• Free Cash Flow 2024: $693 million, up 26%.
• Dividend Increase: Approximately 9% for 2025.
• 2025 Adjusted EPS Guidance: $4.65 to $4.80, up 9% at midpoint.
• 2025 Sales Growth Expectation: Flat to up 2%.
• 2025 ROS Target: Approximately 24.5% to 25%.

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Sign with PNR.

Release Date: February 04, 2025

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

Positive Points

• Pentair PLC (NYSE:PNR) achieved record profitability and cash flow in 2024, with adjusted operating income up 12% and adjusted EPS up 15%.
• The company demonstrated resilience across its water segments, with strong sales growth in the pool aftermarket despite challenges in new and remodeled pools.
• Pentair PLC (NYSE:PNR) generated record free cash flow of $693 million and increased its dividend by approximately 9%, marking the 49th consecutive year of dividend increases.
• The transformation program delivered over $100 million in productivity savings in 2024, with expectations for $80 million in savings in 2025.
• The company is well-positioned to benefit from favorable secular trends, including increased awareness of water quality issues and interest in outdoor healthy living.

Negative Points

• Sales for the fourth quarter were down 1%, impacted by FX headwinds and a decline in flow and water solution sales.
• Residential businesses continue to be affected by higher interest rates, impacting sales in certain segments.
• The company faces potential risks from tariffs, including recently announced China tariffs and potential tariffs from Canada and Mexico.
• Water solutions sales decreased 4% in Q4, with a decline in commercial ice sales impacting overall performance.
• Pentair PLC (NYSE:PNR) anticipates challenges in the first quarter of 2025 due to higher interest rates, FX, and delayed CapEx in industrial solutions.

Q & A Highlights

Q: What is the split between the legacy transformation program and the new 80/20 initiative in terms of the $80 million savings, and what is the cumulative value of savings expected from the 80/20 program over a multi-year period? A: The 80/20 initiative is integrated into our transformation efforts, focusing on identifying growth areas and optimizing operations. The benefits of 80/20 will be captured in the productivity column, adding to our transformation expectations over time.

Q: How are you approaching pricing in light of tariffs, and what is the expected impact on your segments? A: We anticipate a 1.5% to 2% price increase across segments, with tariffs included in our adjusted EPS guidance. We plan to use pricing to offset additional tariff costs, with $20 million of price related to China tariffs already captured.

Q: Can you explain the seasonality assumptions for Q1 and the impact of tariffs on sales and earnings? A: Q1 is expected to be more challenging due to last year's residential recovery anticipation and a program roll-off in China. We expect minimal tariff impact in Q1, with the majority affecting Q2 to Q4.

Q: What is the current state of pool inventories among distributors, and how does this affect the new build market outlook? A: We remain cautious, with new pool builds at historical lows. Early buys and inventory levels are also at historical norms, with expectations for new pools and remodels to grow in low single digits.

Q: How are you managing the impact of tariffs in your financial projections, particularly concerning inflation and pricing? A: We have accounted for $20 million of China-related inflation in our projections, offset by price increases. If Mexico tariffs are imposed, we will adjust pricing accordingly to protect EPS.

Q: How does the transformation program impact segment contributions through 2026, given the revised ROS targets? A: Each segment will contribute to ROS expansion, with a path to 26% by 2026. The introduction of 80/20 enhances focus and identifies growth opportunities, supporting long-term transformation goals.

Q: What are the strategic benefits of the recent Gulf Stream acquisition, and how does it fit into your growth strategy? A: The Gulf Stream acquisition strengthens our heater product line, particularly in Florida, and aligns with our strategy to expand in electric-based heat pumps. It is expected to contribute $35 million in revenue in 2025.

Q: How are you addressing the residential market challenges in water solutions, and what is the outlook for commercial food service? A: Residential challenges are due to higher interest rates affecting rural home builds and financing. We are optimizing our product portfolio for better margins. Commercial food service, particularly North American ice, performed well, with expected growth resuming after Q1.

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