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TEMPUR SEALY INTERNATIONAL, INC. (TPX)·Q1 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2024 net sales were $1.189B (-1.5% YoY) and diluted EPS was $0.43; adjusted EPS was $0.50. Consolidated gross margin expanded 170 bps to 43.1%, with adjusted gross margin at 43.4% .
- Guidance was reaffirmed: FY 2024 adjusted EPS $2.60–$2.90, contemplating low- to mid-single-digit sales growth; quarterly dividend maintained at $0.13 per share .
- North America net sales declined 2.0% with adjusted gross margin +160 bps (39.5%); International net sales were flat with gross margin +140 bps (55.4%) .
- Stock-relevant catalysts: margin expansion despite macro softness, reaffirmed FY EPS and capex plan, and an FTC process update with target Mattress Firm closing in 2024 (management continues to expect completion in mid-to-late 2024) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Gross margin expansion: consolidated gross margin +170 bps to 43.1%, driven by favorable commodity costs and operational efficiencies; adjusted gross margin +160 bps to 43.4% .
- Strong direct channel and new products: North America direct sales +7.7% YoY to $124.2M; new Adapt rollout on schedule with early strong reception, and ultra-premium ActiveBreeze driving halo effect on tickets .
- Record operating cash flow for a first quarter: cash from operations $130.2M .
- Quote: “We are pleased to report solid first quarter sales, earnings and record operating cash flow against a global backdrop which appears to be at a historical nadir” — Scott Thompson .
What Went Wrong
- Top-line softness: consolidated net sales down 1.5% YoY, with North America wholesale down 3.4% on macro pressures .
- Operating income and GAAP EPS pressure: operating income -8.2% YoY to $131.5M; GAAP diluted EPS -10.4% YoY to $0.43; corporate opex up on Mattress Firm transaction costs ($14.8M) .
- Opex deleverage in International and startup costs: International operating margin +20 bps but partially offset by opex deleverage; operational start-up costs of $3.1M impacted cost of sales .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown:
KPIs (channel mix):
Estimates vs actual (Q1 2024):
Note: S&P Global consensus was unavailable via the tool due to a CIQ mapping issue; consensus figures are cited from reputable financial news sources with full URLs.
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Strong reception to our newly launched innovative products… combined with our broad-based omni-channel reach… drove our industry outperformance in the first quarter” — Scott Thompson .
- “Our North American direct channel performance was solid… delivering a robust 8% sales growth year-over-year driven by strength in our e-commerce business” — Scott Thompson .
- “These efforts, combined with the impact of normalizing commodity prices resulted in a 270 basis point benefit to the North America first quarter adjusted gross margin and 130 basis point benefit to International” — Scott Thompson .
- “At the end of the first quarter, consolidated debt less cash was $2.5B, and our leverage ratio… was 2.85x within our historical target range of 2 to 3x” — Bhaskar Rao .
Q&A Highlights
- Confidence in H2 improvement driven by easier comps, product momentum, and continued gross margin expansion; industry normalization expected from depressed levels .
- Gross margin puts/takes: Q1 launch costs and Crawfordsville startup as planned; tailwinds from operations and commodities expected through 2024 .
- Market share gains: TPX down ~2–3% vs industry down ~10–15% preliminarily, supported by slot velocity and new shelf space in Q2 .
- Modeling/Phasing: Expect Q2 consolidated flattish given prior-year floor model headwind (~3%), with ongoing margin expansion and elevated advertising around Memorial Day .
- Advertising environment: welcome competitor spend; election-year pricing managed within guidance .
Estimates Context
- Revenue missed consensus ($1.21B vs $1.189B) while adjusted EPS beat by $0.01 ($0.49 vs $0.50). These consensus values are sourced from StreetInsider and Seeking Alpha/Yahoo; S&P Global consensus was unavailable via the tool due to a mapping issue .
- Implication: modest top-line miss in North America wholesale offset by gross margin expansion and operational tailwinds; estimates should recalibrate for mix (direct strength, OEM ramp) and margin drivers (commodities/efficiencies).
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Margin story intact: despite macro softness, consolidated and segment gross margins expanded materially; startup costs should fade as OEM/distribution volumes ramp .
- Bold adjusted EPS beat vs consensus and reaffirmed FY 2024 guidance underpin confidence; watch for H2 volume normalization and contribution from new distribution .
- Product cycle strength: Adapt rollout and ActiveBreeze halo support higher ASP and attach rates; international product refresh sustaining growth .
- OEM/distribution ramp is a near-term revenue driver; Crawfordsville scale-up is a temporary headwind to rate but essential for capacity and unit economics .
- Advertising share of voice remains high and is a category driver; election-year pricing risks are accounted for in plans .
- Capital allocation steady: dividend maintained; modeling items unchanged; leverage within target range pre-close and plan to return to 2–3x post Mattress Firm .
- Trading lens: monitor FTC timeline and any divestiture requirements; a closing in 2024 is the key overhang/resolution catalyst, alongside H2 demand normalization .
Non-GAAP Notes and Adjustments
- Q1 2024 adjustments include $14.8M transaction costs related to Mattress Firm and $3.1M operational start-up costs; adjusted EPS $0.50 vs GAAP $0.43 .
- Adjusted operating margin 12.6% vs reported 11.1% .
- EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA Q1: $180.3M and $198.2M, respectively .