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Atkore Inc. (ATKR)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 net sales were $735.0M, down 10.6% y/y; Adjusted EBITDA was $99.9M and Adjusted EPS was $1.63, finishing toward the top end of May ranges; organic volume grew 2% y/y while pricing remained a headwind .
- Management raised FY2025 Adjusted EPS guidance to $6.25–$6.75 and narrowed Adjusted EBITDA to $390–$410M (midpoint maintained at $400M); Q4 outlook: net sales $720–$750M, Adjusted EBITDA $75–$95M, Adjusted EPS $1.05–$1.35, tax rate 20–23% .
- Wall Street consensus for Q3 was broadly met: EPS beat modestly ($1.63 vs $1.58*), revenue was slightly below ($735.0M vs $736.9M*); sequential pricing improvement noted in steel conduit; tariffs are reducing import volumes, aiding domestic share recapture over time .
- CEO Bill Waltz announced his decision to retire, with a succession process underway; management emphasized continuity and confidence in Atkore’s strategy and execution .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Delivered net sales, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS “towards the top end” of prior ranges; organic volume +2% y/y; productivity gains supported results .
- Sequential pricing improvement in steel conduit for a second quarter; demand tailwinds in certain verticals (data centers) and improving S&I segment margins (+60 bps y/y to 14.4%) .
- FY2025 Adjusted EPS midpoint raised to $6.50 and dividend declared at $0.33 per share, reinforcing capital return commitment .
- Quote: “We delivered strong performance… achieving net sales, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS toward the top end of the ranges we presented in May.” — CEO Bill Waltz .
What Went Wrong
- Pricing pressure was the dominant headwind; average selling prices declined across products, reducing gross margin to 23.4% (from 34.0% y/y) and compressing Electrical segment EBITDA margin to 15.6% (from 30.1%) .
- GAAP diluted EPS fell to $1.25 (from $3.33 y/y) given lower gross profit; consolidated Adjusted EBITDA declined 51.5% y/y .
- Aluminum tariffs (raised to 50%) and copper cost volatility elevated input costs; pricing has not kept pace with raw-material inflation, particularly copper .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We delivered strong performance… achieving net sales, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS toward the top end of the ranges we presented in May… We grew organic volume 2% year-over-year and recognized solid productivity improvements.” — Bill Waltz, CEO .
- “We are maintaining our full-year adjusted EBITDA midpoint of $400,000,000 and are raising the midpoint of our adjusted EPS to $6.5…” — Bill Waltz .
- “Pricing has not kept pace with raw material cost increases… particularly copper… adjusted EBITDA margins compressed year over year in our Electrical segment.” — John Deitzer, CFO .
- “Imported steel conduit and PVC conduit volumes have both declined year-over-year… tariffs could provide an opportunity for volume recapture.” — John Pregenzer, COO .
Q&A Highlights
- Volume visibility and macro: Demand visibility remains short-cycle with ~two-week backlog; mixed sentiment across non-residential; distributors holding lighter inventories amid price volatility (PVC, copper) .
- Tariffs and imports: Significant double-digit declines in imported steel and PVC conduit volumes in Q3; steel tariffs at 50% are effective; PVC imports also down, while values claimed by importers can be “subjective” .
- FY2026 setup: ~$(50)M net unmitigated gross-margin headwinds anticipated, largely the carryover of 2025 pricing declines and aluminum tariffs; productivity and volume growth to offset partially .
- Capital returns: FY2025 buybacks target ≥$150M, with $100M spent year-to-date; four-pillar framework (capex/dividend/buybacks/M&A) reiterated .
- Solar & water: Solar outlook constructive; torque tube margins supported by productivity; municipal water demand improving; residential plumbing channels remain softer .
Estimates Context
Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
Implications:
- Q3: EPS modest beat; revenue slight miss; Adjusted EBITDA in line, noting potential definitional differences versus consensus “EBITDA” .
- Q2: Broad beats on both EPS and revenue; Q1: EPS beat; revenue miss .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Pricing headwinds persist but are moderating in steel conduit; sequential pricing improvements and tariffs are reducing import competition, supporting share recapture and margins over time .
- FY2025 guidance tightened and EPS raised; Q4 setup implies continued margin pressure but stable volume; watch aluminum tariff pass-through and copper volatility .
- Electrical segment margin compression remains the central risk; S&I shows resilience with margin gains and construction services strength .
- Capital deployment is supportive: ≥$150M buybacks in FY25, steady dividends, and capex to bolster domestic production and service levels .
- CEO transition introduces headline risk but management emphasizes continuity; strategy and operations remain focused on electrification growth vectors (data centers, solar, municipal water) .
- Near-term trading: Expect sensitivity to tariff developments and commodity prices; beats/misses versus consensus are likely driven by pricing vs cost dynamics and S&I execution .
- Medium-term thesis: Domestic manufacturing footprint plus tariff tailwinds and secular electrification demand underpin volume growth potential; mitigating actions targeted against FY2026 headwinds .
Why Results Moved
- Lower average selling prices across PVC and steel conduits drove the bulk of gross profit and margin compression; freight costs also increased, while volume was slightly positive .
- Sequential pricing improvement in steel and productivity gains helped offset part of the pricing headwinds; S&I margin benefited from construction services and cable management strength .
- Tariffs reduced import volumes in steel and PVC, aiding domestic demand for Atkore products; aluminum tariffs created cost challenges, with limited pass-through so far .