Garrett Motion Inc. (GTX)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 beat on revenue and S&P Global consensus EPS; net sales were $0.878B vs $0.838B consensus*, and Primary EPS was ~$0.36 vs ~$0.29*, while GAAP diluted EPS was $0.30; adjusted EBITDA improved year-on-year amid cost actions .
- Margins expanded YoY (gross margin 20.4% vs 18.8%) on productivity, commodity/transport deflation, and pricing, offsetting lower diesel and aftermarket volumes; management reiterated full-year 2025 outlook .
- Strategic momentum: first major series production award for high‑speed electric traction motor/inverter (HanDe) with SOP targeted 2027; refinancing extended maturities (term loan 2032, RCF 2030) and liquidity stood at $760M .
- Watch items: diesel softness (Europe), aftermarket softness (North America), higher tax expense reducing GAAP net income YoY, and tariff/macro uncertainty (company expects full pass-through; ~“$60-ish million” 2025 exposure) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Margin expansion and operational execution: adjusted EBIT margin 14.9% (+170 bps YoY) and gross margin 20.4% (+160 bps YoY) on productivity, commodity/transport/energy deflation, pricing actions, and structural cost savings implemented in 2024 .
- Strategic wins and ZEV progress: “first major series production award for our high‑speed electric traction motor and matched inverter… for On Highway Heavy Duty truck applications” (SOP 2027); HanDe agreement signed at Shanghai Auto Show .
- Capital allocation and balance sheet: $30M buybacks, first quarterly dividend ($12M), liquidity $760M; management refinanced term loan and upsized/extended RCF, adding flexibility .
- Management quote: “We drove outstanding operating performance and saw the positive impact from structural cost savings actions… We also continued to return capital to shareholders…” — CEO Olivier Rabiller .
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What Went Wrong
- Volume headwinds: diesel down (lower industry production, mainly Europe) and aftermarket softness (North America); net sales −4% reported (−2% cc) YoY .
- Higher tax expense and financing costs: tax expense rose to $23M (vs $15M), other expense increased from term loan/RCF refinancing; GAAP net income fell to $62M (vs $66M) .
- Working capital drag on cash: CFO fell to $56M (vs $84M), driven by unfavorable working capital changes despite non-cash offsets; adjusted FCF down to $36M (vs $68M) .
- Analyst concerns: NA mix and CV/aftermarket offsets to gasoline ramp; management flagged tariff/macro uncertainty despite pass‑through .
Financial Results
Key financials (chronological columns: oldest → newest)
Vs. S&P Global consensus (Q1 2025)
Note: Company reported diluted EPS was $0.30 (GAAP), while S&P Global “Primary EPS” actual was ~$0.36; similarly, company adjusted EBITDA was $159M vs S&P Global EBITDA actual ~$141M due to differing definitions. Values marked with “*” retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment/product trends (YoY, Q1 2025)
Operating and liquidity KPIs
Guidance Changes
Maintained full-year 2025 outlook; no changes vs Feb 20, 2025 initiation.
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Strategy and execution: “We achieved outstanding operating performance… benefits from structural cost savings actions implemented in 2024… continued to return capital to shareholders through $30 million of repurchases and our first quarterly dividend” — CEO Olivier Rabiller .
- Technology leadership: “We secured our first series production award… integrating Garrett’s high‑speed e‑motor and inverter… for heavy‑duty trucks with production targeted for 2027” — CEO Olivier Rabiller .
- Profitability focus: “We have transitioned to adjusted EBIT as a measure of profitability… highlighting the strength of our asset‑light and cash‑generative operating model” — CFO Sean Deason .
- Risk management: “We are closely monitoring… tariffs… have been able to implement pass‑through… ready to take further measures to recover costs and adapt to slowing demand” — CEO Olivier Rabiller .
Q&A Highlights
- North America dynamics: Gasoline ramps (new launches/ramp-ups) offset by softer CV (off-highway) and aftermarket in NA; mix effects explain limited change in % of sales .
- Gasoline opportunity set: OEMs pivoting to hybrids and range‑extended EVs, particularly in North America; turbo content seen as supported through decade-end .
- China: Healthy share across passenger and commercial vehicles; progress with leading local brands; hybrids and range‑extended EVs driving turbo demand .
- FX and tariffs: Stronger EUR would be favorable to revenue and profit; tariff exposure around “$60‑ish million,” expected to be fully passed through; only ~20% of sales in NA; region‑for‑region manufacturing helps limit exposure .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025 vs S&P Global consensus: Revenue $878M vs $838M (beat), Primary EPS ~$0.36 vs ~$0.29 (beat), EBITDA ~$141M vs ~$136M (beat). Company GAAP diluted EPS was $0.30 and adjusted EBITDA $159M; differences reflect metric definitions between company reporting and S&P Global normalization . Values marked with “*” retrieved from S&P Global.
- Coverage depth was limited (2 estimates for revenue and EPS), suggesting potential for estimate dispersion as coverage expands.*
Values marked with “*” retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Quality beat: Revenue and S&P Global Primary EPS exceeded consensus on better gasoline ramps and cost execution; margin expansion supports earnings durability in a mixed demand backdrop .
- Guidance intact: Full‑year 2025 outlook maintained; tariff costs being passed through, but macro demand risk persists (monitor diesel/aftermarket and tariff developments) .
- ZEV optionality: HanDe series production award validates high‑speed e‑motor/inverter; potential multi‑year growth vector into 2027+ alongside core turbo franchise .
- Capital returns + balance sheet: Ongoing buybacks/dividend with ample liquidity and extended maturities; management targets distributing ≥75% of adjusted FCF over time .
- Mix watch: Gasoline strength offset by diesel and aftermarket softness; regional diversification (only ~20% NA sales) and region‑for‑region manufacturing mitigate policy shocks .
- Estimate implications: Limited street coverage and positive Q1 surprise likely prompt modest upward revisions to revenue/EPS and focus on cadence of working capital recovery and cash conversion into 2H .
References: Q1 2025 8‑K/press release ; Q1 2025 press release ; Q1 2025 earnings call ; Q4 2024 8‑K ; Q3 2024 8‑K .
S&P Global estimates disclaimer: Values marked with “*” retrieved from S&P Global.