Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
- AZZ is outperforming the market by gaining market share through emphasis on outstanding customer service and innovation, including converting customers to prepaint and hot-dip galvanizing.
- The company expects to exceed GDP-level growth over the next 3-5 years due to significant infrastructure spending in transmission, distribution, green energy build-out, pipelines, and reshoring of manufacturing, positioning AZZ to capitalize on these prevailing tailwinds.
- An anticipated recovery in private spending on commercial construction could significantly increase AZZ's utilization rates from 65% to 80%, providing a strong positive impact on revenue within 1-2 quarters.
- Choppy markets and project delays due to tariffs and steel availability are causing revenue uncertainties, particularly impacting the timing of projects and potentially leading to revenue decline in the short term.
- Negative impacts from natural disasters, such as hurricanes and winter storms, have disrupted operations (e.g., the Tampa powder coating facility) and are expected to impact construction activity in the fourth quarter, potentially affecting revenues and margins.
- Potential start-up issues and slow ramp-up of the new Washington, Missouri facility may lead to lower-than-expected contributions in the first half of fiscal 2026, posing risks to growth and profitability.
| Metric | YoY Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|
Total Revenue | +5.8% (from $381.61M to $403.65M) | The overall revenue increase was driven by diversified growth across segments, notably higher volume in key markets and improved pricing in certain areas. Compared to previous periods, this performance reflects a recovery in market activity and increased infrastructure spending that benefited both Precoat Metals and Metal Coatings. |
Precoat Metals | +7.6% (from $218.42M to $235.06M) | Substantial revenue expansion in Precoat Metals signals strong market share gains and volume improvements, particularly in end markets like construction and HVAC. This turnaround contrasts with earlier periods where lower volumes weighed on performance, indicating successful company initiatives that have now reaped benefits. |
U.S. Revenue | +6% (from $370.49M to $392.50M) | U.S. revenue growth highlights strong domestic market performance driven by increased sales and favorable market conditions. Despite some legacy challenges in prior periods, steady operational improvements and heightened public sector spending have led to significant gains, while Canadian revenue remained flat. |
Net Income | +25% (from $26.89M to $33.60M) | Net income improvement is a result of a combination of higher sales volumes, enhanced pricing, and rigorous cost management, including strong segment margins and lower interest expense. These improvements, when compared to previous periods, underscore operational efficiencies and a favorable mix that have amplified profitability. |
Operating Income | +10.8% (from $52.82M to $58.54M) | Operating income benefited from improved gross margins and disciplined expense management, with higher sales driving better performance compared to the previous year. The incremental gains also reflect earlier successful initiatives in cost control and higher volume processing becoming effective in the current period. |
Interest Expense | -25.6% (from $25.86M to $19.22M) | The significant decline in interest expense is attributable to proactive debt reduction, refinancing efforts, and swap arrangements that lowered the weighted average interest rates. This reduction, compared to previous periods, has not only relieved the cost burden but also positively influenced the net income, supporting the company’s forward-looking financial health. |
| Metric | Period | Previous Guidance | Current Guidance | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sales | FY 2026 | $1.525 billion to $1.625 billion | $1.55 billion to $1.6 billion | no change |
Adjusted EBITDA | FY 2026 | $320 million to $360 million | $340 million to $360 million | raised |
Adjusted EPS | FY 2026 | $4.70 to $5.10 | $5 to $5.30 | raised |
Capital Expenditures | FY 2026 | $100 million to $120 million | $100 million to $120 million | no change |
Debt Paydowns | FY 2026 | Exceed $100 million | Exceed $100 million | no change |
Equity and Earnings from Minority Interest (AVAIL JV) | FY 2026 | $15 million to $18 million | $15 million to $18 million | no change |
| Topic | Previous Mentions | Current Period | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
Market Share Gains | Discussed strongly in Q2 2025 (35%-30% market share focus, Precoat Metals conversions ) and Q1 2025 (customer conversion, prepaint transition, and steady gains ); Q4 2024 emphasized pre-coat market share gains. | In Q3 2025, the discussion remains focused on market share gains through customer conversions with explicit mention of prepaint and hot‐dip galvanizing strategies and growth in the Precoat Metals segment. | Consistent bullish sentiment with steady emphasis on conversion strategies and market share gains; sentiment continues to be optimistic about long‐term competitive advantages. |
Infrastructure Spending | Q2 2025 highlighted robust construction, T&D, renewables and electrical segments ; Q1 2025 noted elevated public work projects and strong T&D and renewables performance ; Q4 2024 stressed federal funding and warm weather benefits. | Q3 2025 reiterates optimism about infrastructure spending with emphasis on public and private sector outlays (including reshoring, energy transitions, and AI driven investments) that benefit construction and T&D sectors. | Steady positive sentiment; recurring mention of infrastructure investments shows continued confidence in growth drivers for key sectors impacting demand. |
EBITDA Margin Sustainability | Q2 2025 focused on strong margins (Metal Coatings >31%, Precoat above 20%) driven by operational improvements and improved zinc productivity ; Q1 2025 highlighted sustained margins with digital galvanizing ; Q4 2024 noted margin improvements from efficiency. | In Q3 2025, Metal Coatings delivered a margin of 31.5% driven by higher volume and improved zinc productivity with confidence in sustaining these through operational improvements. | Consistent and positive narrative; recurring operational enhancements and robust margin performance continue to provide confidence in profitability. |
Raw Material Cost Volatility | Q2 2025 and Q1 2025 discussed zinc cost trends with lag effects and some mitigation strategies ; Q4 2024 mentioned lower zinc costs aiding margins. | Q3 2025 provides detailed coverage of rising zinc costs, tariffs, and steel availability, acknowledging potential challenges but stressing pricing adjustments and operational flexibility. | Heightened focus with more nuanced discussion of short‐term volatility; while risks are acknowledged, the company remains proactive in managing these challenges. |
Natural Disaster Impacts | Q1 2025 mentioned minor disruptions from hurricanes with potential for rebuilding demand and Q2 2025 saw hurricanes as an opportunity for ramp-up after a lag ; Q4 2024 did not include this discussion. | In Q3 2025, natural disasters are portrayed with mixed impacts – operational disruptions at a Tampa facility contrasted with modest hurricane‐related rebuilding benefits in South Carolina. | Mixed sentiment; recurring recognition of both operational disruptions and rebuilding opportunities indicates cautious optimism with variable impact. |
New Facility Risks | Q1 2025 addressed the Washington, Missouri plant with 75% customer commitment and gradual ramp‐up ; Q2 2025 reiterated gradual revenue ramp-up and customer concentration risk ; Q4 2024 reported startup costs and ramp-up challenges are budgeted. | Q3 2025 details a successful startup process with equipment certification in progress and cautious ramp-up plans for the Washington, Missouri facility; customer concentration with an anchor partner is noted. | Consistent cautious optimism; common concerns about startup challenges and customer concentration persist while progress and disciplined ramp-up plans bolster confidence. |
Data Center Construction Opportunities | Q1 2025 described data centers as a small but growing market for supplying prepainted insulated panels ; Q2 2025 emphasized significant growth potential in the data center trend as part of the electrical group’s pivot ; Q4 2024 projected elevated projects from federal initiatives. | In Q3 2025, data center construction is highlighted as a bright spot within a broader infrastructure spending narrative, reinforcing its role as a strategic growth area. | Increasing bullish sentiment; the topic remains a consistent opportunity and its significance is growing, suggesting a potentially large future impact. |
Conversion Challenges | Q1 2025 noted a slower-than-expected conversion from plastics to aluminum, but with long-term potential ; Q2 2025 and Q4 2024 discussed secular trends and steady conversion progress in the container and appliance sectors. | In Q3 2025, emphasis is placed on the conversion from plastics to aluminum as a critical long-tail secular trend, supported by the ramp-up of the new aluminum coatings facility. | Steady narrative with evolving focus; while conversion challenges remain, there is increased confidence due to infrastructure investments supporting the transition. |
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Revenue Guidance and Potential Decline
Q: Is there potential for revenue decline YoY in any segment?
A: Management acknowledged the choppiness in the market due to tariffs, steel costs, and cost of capital, which could delay some projects and potentially slow revenue in the fourth quarter. However, they emphasized that this would not significantly impact profitability as costs are adjusted accordingly. -
FY26 Outlook and Variances
Q: What high-level variances should we consider for FY '26 vs '25?
A: Management plans to pursue one or two acquisitions in the next few months as they feel comfortable with leverage trending down towards 2x. They also expect a slow ramp-up of the new facility in Washington, with full production in the back half of the year contributing more significantly to fiscal 2026 results. Interest expense is expected to remain stable, with no major changes anticipated. -
Metal Coatings Margin Outlook
Q: Should we reset margin expectations for Metal Coatings?
A: Management is considering resetting the guardrails for the margin profile, citing sustainable improvements due to scale, discipline in customer service and quality, and efficiencies in zinc productivity using their digital galvanizing system and testing different alloy combinations. They believe these improvements are sustainable and nearing a peak, as more of their 41 sites consistently run the playbook every day. -
M&A Strategy
Q: Are you reengaging in acquisitions, and in which segments?
A: With leverage decreasing, management plans to reengage in bolt-on acquisitions, primarily in the galvanizing segment but also considering opportunities on the Precoat side. They view these acquisitions as organic growth, leveraging their playbook to improve operating performance and margins. -
Impact of Interest Rates and Tariffs
Q: How do interest rates and tariffs affect your business?
A: Interest rates have a minor effect, possibly delaying projects due to changes in rate of return, but are not a significant concern. Tariffs create more uncertainty, as increases in steel costs can significantly impact project viability and timing, causing choppiness in decision-making. -
Competitive Landscape and Market Share
Q: Are there more opportunities for market share gains, and are competitors reacting?
A: On the galvanizing side, market dynamics remain relatively unchanged, with typical competitors adding capacity in line with expected demand growth. On the Precoat side, competitors are adding paint lines mainly to service their own capacity. Management does not see a fundamental shift in market dynamics and continues to seek opportunities to gain market share. -
Washington Plant Capacity
Q: How are you filling the capacity at the new Washington plant?
A: Management is focusing on ramping up production with the anchor customer, Tri-Arrows, and cautiously increasing capacity utilization. They can move business between the existing St. Louis plant and the new Washington facility and plan to bring in additional customers later in the year as operations stabilize. -
Private Spending Recovery Impact
Q: What is the impact of a cyclical recovery in private construction spending?
A: A recovery in private sectors like warehouse, commercial, and office construction could significantly increase utilization from 65% up to 80%, providing a positive impact on the business, especially on the Precoat side. These projects move quickly, impacting results within 1 to 2 quarters. -
Capital Allocation Strategy
Q: Are share buybacks or dividends part of your capital strategy?
A: While debt reduction remains a focus, management considers share buybacks primarily to offset dilution but evaluates this against share price valuation and potential acquisitions. They are also considering increasing the dividend, which has not been adjusted recently. -
Zinc Cost Outlook
Q: How do you view zinc cost trends for fiscal 2026?
A: Zinc prices have been trending up slowly, affecting costs 6 to 8 months out. Management can adjust pricing accordingly and sees this gradual increase as manageable and even positive, avoiding the uncertainty caused by rapid fluctuations that lead to surcharges.