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Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. (MODG)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 2025 revenue of $1.092B and Adjusted EBITDA of $167.3M were ahead of internal expectations; non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.11, while GAAP diluted EPS was $0.01 . Versus S&P Global consensus, revenue beat by ~$15M and non-GAAP EPS beat by ~$0.17 per share (consensus -$0.0648; see Estimates Context)*.
  • Topgolf same-venue sales (SVS) declined 12% (in line with guidance); management launched a value repositioning (Sunday Funday, Topgolf Nights, shorter reservations) that is lifting traffic but reducing spend per visit near term .
  • FY25 consolidated revenue ($4.0–$4.185B) and Adjusted EBITDA ($415–$505M) guidance were maintained, but Topgolf revenue guidance was lowered to $1.680–$1.790B (from $1.725–$1.835B) and Topgolf SVS guidance cut to down 6–12% (from down mid-single digits); Topgolf Adj. EBITDA guidance held at $240–$300M .
  • Strategic catalysts: agreement to sell Jack Wolfskin for $290M cash (expected late Q2/early Q3), and progressing toward a H2’25 separation of Topgolf; capital structure assumptions for a spin are being recalibrated (less cash, modest debt at Topgolf) .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • Golf Equipment margins improved materially (segment operating margin 22.9%, +470 bps YoY), driven by cost savings, better gross margin, and a lease termination incentive in Japan; segment operating income rose to $101.6M .
    • Non-GAAP operating income +21% YoY to $87.8M and Adjusted EBITDA +4% YoY to $167.3M, reflecting profitability improvements in Golf Equipment and Active Lifestyle .
    • CEO on Q1 execution: “we met or beat our plan in all segments of our business,” highlighting awards for the Elyte Driver and margin initiatives started in 2024 .
  • What Went Wrong

    • Topgolf SVS -12% weighed on segment profitability (segment operating loss -$11.9M; Topgolf Adjusted Segment EBITDA $43.9M, down $15.9M YoY) .
    • Management cut Topgolf SVS and revenue guidance for FY25 and flagged ongoing softness in corporate events (3+ bay) and a price-sensitive consumer; near-term venue margins guided down 100–200 bps YoY to ~32% EBITDAR before longer-term recovery .
    • Tariff headwind estimate increased to ~$25M for 2025 (from ~$5M), partly mitigated by cost actions and potential pricing over time; visibility remains limited .

Financial Results

Consolidated Trend (oldest → newest)

MetricQ3 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Net Revenues ($USD Millions)$1,012.9 $924.4 $1,092.3
GAAP Diluted EPS ($)$(0.02) $(8.23) $0.01
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS ($)$0.02 $(0.33) $0.11
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$119.8 $101.4 $167.3

Segment Revenues (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)

SegmentQ1 2025 ($M)Q1 2024 ($M)YoY %
Topgolf$393.7 $422.8 (6.9)%
Golf Equipment$443.7 $449.9 (1.4)%
Active Lifestyle$254.9 $271.5 (6.1)%
Total$1,092.3 $1,144.2 (4.5)%

Segment Operating Income and Margins (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)

SegmentQ1 2025 OI ($M)OI MarginQ1 2024 OI ($M)OI Margin
Topgolf$(11.9) (3.0)% $2.9 0.7%
Golf Equipment$101.6 22.9% $82.1 18.2%
Active Lifestyle$30.6 12.0% $24.7 9.1%
Total Segment OI$120.3 11.0% $109.7 9.6%
Income from Operations (GAAP)$66.5 $66.9

Topgolf Trends (oldest → newest)

KPIQ3 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Topgolf Revenue ($M)$453.2 $439.0 $393.7
Same Venue Sales (YoY)(11)% (8)% (12)%
Topgolf Adjusted Segment EBITDA ($M)$84.4 $83.5 $43.9

Other Operating KPIs (Q1 2025)

  • Available liquidity: $805.0M
  • Inventory: $653.9M (down $49.0M YoY; reclass of $75.3M Jack Wolfskin inventory to assets held for sale) .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Consolidated Net RevenuesFY 2025$4.000–$4.185B $4.000–$4.185B Maintained
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAFY 2025$415–$505M $415–$505M Maintained
Topgolf RevenueFY 2025$1.725–$1.835B $1.680–$1.790B Lowered
Topgolf Same Venue SalesFY 2025Down mid-single digits Down 6–12% Lowered
Topgolf Adjusted EBITDAFY 2025$240–$300M $240–$300M Maintained
Consolidated Net RevenuesQ2 2025$1.075–$1.115B New quarterly guide
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAQ2 2025$139–$159M (incl. ~$22M hit from hedging losses, tariffs, WGT sale) New quarterly guide
Topgolf SVSQ2 2025Down 7–12% New quarterly guide
Jack Wolfskin treatmentFY 2025Included in prior guide Guidance to auto-adjust upon closing; prior embedded JW estimate €325M revenue/€12M Adj. EBITDA (H1: €115M/–€18M; H2: €210M/€30M) Clarification

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q3 2024, Q4 2024)Current Period (Q1 2025)Trend
Topgolf SVS/ValueSVS -11% in Q3; value and venue margins focus SVS -12%; value reset (Sunday Funday, Topgolf Nights), 60/90-min reservations; traffic improving, SPV down; near-term margin pressure Stabilizing traffic; mix/value diluting SPV near term
Corporate EventsEvents steady but pressured into late 2024 3+ bay/corporate events down; softer lead volumes; flexible pricing to defend conversion Softer near term
Tariffs & FXFX/tariff headwinds highlighted for 2025 Tariff impact now ~$25M; partially mitigated; pricing power better in equipment Headwind increased
Cost Actions2024 cost programs and reorgs cited Cost reductions enable guidance hold despite Topgolf revenue cut Ongoing
Separation of TopgolfIntent to separate; H2’25 targeted H2’25 still target; spin vs sale open; revised spin capital structure (less cash, modest debt) Active; capital plan evolving
Technology/OperationsToptracer; operational efficiency mentions Toast POS roll-out to ~50% venues by year-end; shorter reservations to optimize bay turns and F&B Execution progress

Management Commentary

  • “We are pleased with our first quarter results as we met or beat our plan in all segments of our business… [and] started to benefit from the cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives we began implementing in 2024.” – Chip Brewer, CEO .
  • “Topgolf’s Q1 same venue sales were down 12%… Our #1 priority is to drive traffic growth and improve value perception… Sunday Funday… and Topgolf Nights” – Artie Starrs, CEO of Topgolf .
  • “This year’s unmitigated [tariff] impact would be approximately $25 million… we believe we will be able to mitigate some portion… and… pass the balance on with only a minor impact to demand” – Chip Brewer .
  • “We are actively pursuing… a sale, a spin or other transaction [for Topgolf]… with Q4 being more likely than Q3” – Brian Lynch, CFO .

Q&A Highlights

  • Topgolf value reset & margins: Management is prioritizing traffic and brand value; expects near-term venue EBITDAR margin down ~100–200 bps to ~32%, but remains confident in long-term margin potential (>35% possible) .
  • Events softness: Corporate events (3+ bay) are pressured by macro; offering more flexibility and market-level promotions to defend conversion; events less price-sensitive than consumer channel .
  • Tariff outlook: Headwind revised to ~$25M; guidance includes mitigation actions, though degree not quantified .
  • Golf Equipment: Gross margin up “a couple hundred bps” YoY, reflecting yield, freight, mix and efficiency gains; demand/promotional environment stable; no evidence of tariff pull-forward in orders .
  • Separation capital structure: Original plan ($200M cash, no funded debt at Topgolf) being revised to “less cash” and “modest” debt at Topgolf to keep RemainCo leverage manageable .

Estimates Context

Metric (Q1 2025)S&P Global ConsensusActualSurprise
Revenue ($M)1,077.1*1,092.3 +15.2*
Primary EPS (Adj. EPS) ($)(0.0648)*0.11 +0.175*
EBITDA ($M)130.2*152.3* (S&P methodology); Company Adj. EBITDA: 167.3 +22.1* vs S&P actual; +37.1 vs consensus*
  • Number of estimates: EPS 8; Revenue 8*.
  • Note: S&P “Primary EPS” aligns with non-GAAP/adjusted EPS; S&P EBITDA definitions can differ from company-reported Adjusted EBITDA.
  • Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Beat on revenue and non-GAAP EPS versus consensus with strong non-GAAP operating performance, driven by margin initiatives in Golf Equipment and Active Lifestyle .
  • Topgolf remains the swing factor: SVS softness persists, but value actions are boosting traffic; near-term mix effects and events pressure weigh on margins, yet full-year Topgolf Adj. EBITDA guidance was maintained via cost controls .
  • FY25 consolidated revenue and Adjusted EBITDA held despite higher tariff headwinds, aided by cost actions and FX; watch Q2 guide ($1.075–$1.115B revenue; $139–$159M Adj. EBITDA including ~$22M headwind) as a barometer for execution .
  • Strategic catalysts: Jack Wolfskin sale (expected closing late Q2/early Q3) to simplify the portfolio and bolster liquidity; Topgolf separation in H2’25 remains a key potential unlock—capital structure being recalibrated .
  • Short-term: Stock likely sensitive to Topgolf monthly traffic/SPV reads and events pipeline; medium-term: separation path and sustainable improvement in Topgolf SVS/margins drive multiple and SOTP debate.

Appendix: Additional Data

Q1 2025 Consolidated P&L Highlights (YoY)

MetricQ1 2025Q1 2024YoY
Net Revenues ($M)1,092.3 1,144.2 (4.5)%
Income from Operations ($M)66.5 66.9 (0.6)%
Net Income ($M)2.1 6.5 (67.7)%
GAAP Diluted EPS ($)0.01 0.04 (75.0)%
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS ($)0.11 0.08 +41.7%
Adjusted EBITDA ($M)167.3 160.9 +4.0%

Notable One-offs / Adjustments

  • Q1’25 non-GAAP excludes items incl. ~$7.0M impairment on assets held for sale (Jack Wolfskin) and $11.4M restructuring/separation-related charges .
  • Segment OI benefited from a $12M lease termination incentive in Japan (mostly Golf Equipment) .

Citations: All company figures and commentary from Q1 2025 8‑K/press release and earnings call . Prior-quarter context from Q4 2024 and Q3 2024 press releases . Jack Wolfskin transaction details from April 10, 2025 press release .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*