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XPEL, Inc. (XPEL)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 delivered a clean beat: revenue $103.8M (+15.2% YoY) and diluted EPS $0.31 (+28.8% YoY), with gross margin at 42.3%; both top and bottom lines exceeded S&P Global consensus estimates. Management guided Q2 revenue to $117–$119M and announced a $50M stock repurchase authorization, adding a potential support to shares .
- Revenue beat vs consensus: $103.8M actual vs $97.4M estimate; EPS beat: $0.31 vs $0.265; consensus built on limited coverage (3 revenue, 2 EPS estimates)*. The beat was driven by strong U.S. performance (+11.6% YoY), normalization in China ($8.1M), and record Middle East/Africa revenue .
- Margin quality improved modestly YoY (GM 42.3% vs 42.0%), with EBITDA rising 23.2% to $14.4M (13.9% margin). SG&A growth moderated, though Q1 included ~$0.4M restructuring and ~$1.2M dealer conference costs, with tax rate elevated to 23.9% for the quarter before a 21% go-forward planning rate .
- Near-term narrative catalysts: tariff mitigation and supply-chain optionality (manufacturing capacity in three countries), expanding product portfolio (windshield protection film, color films, architectural surface protection), and dealership/OEM programs (Rivian, referral platform) supporting demand and channel breadth .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Strong U.S. performance and global breadth: U.S. revenue +11.6% YoY to $58.1M; Middle East/Africa delivered a record quarter; Europe improved sequentially vs Q4 .
- Product momentum and mix: window film revenue +28.1% YoY; total product revenue +17.7% YoY; EBITDA +23.2% to $14.4M with GM at 42.3% (up 30bps YoY) .
- Management confidence on tariffs: “From a product standpoint, we don’t anticipate significant impact from the tariffs…we have manufacturing now available to us in 3 countries,” positioning XPEL to mitigate both U.S. and retaliatory tariff regimes .
What Went Wrong
- Canada softness: revenue down 14.9% YoY; sentiment “relatively poor” with timing headwinds, though management believes the worst may be behind them .
- Operating costs: SG&A grew 14.4% YoY (Q1 includes ~$0.4M restructuring; ~$1.2M dealer conference costs), limiting margin leverage in the quarter despite strong revenue growth .
- Ongoing macro/tariff uncertainty: management refrained from full-year guidance, citing unpredictable impacts on new car demand, dealer inventory behavior, and currency volatility .
Financial Results
Consolidated P&L Trend vs Prior Periods
Consensus vs Actual (Quarter)
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment Mix (Product vs Service)
Geographical Revenue (Q1 2025)
KPIs (Select)
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We are off to a good start in 2025 with both solid top line and bottom line performance. We will remain focused…as we navigate the ongoing tariff uncertainty.” — Ryan Pape, CEO .
- “From a product standpoint, we don’t anticipate significant impact from the tariffs…we have manufacturing now available to us in 3 countries.” — Ryan Pape .
- “Our U.S. business…grew at 11.6% and was almost flat sequentially…window film product line grew 28.1% in the quarter.” — Barry Wood, CFO .
- “Q2 revenue should be in the $117–$119 million range…we won’t be providing any guidance for the year” given uncertainty. — Ryan Pape .
- “Cash flow provided by ops was $3.2M…we continue to build cash on the balance sheet and have substantial debt capacity.” — Barry Wood .
Q&A Highlights
- U.S. demand and pull-forward: March SAAR suggests some pull-ahead, but likely not XPEL’s core buyer; take-rates appear stable .
- Dealership pre-loading: inventory contraction could be a headwind, though too early to call; Q4’s shift from rebuilding to steady-state inventory was the main headwind .
- China outlook: sell-in/sell-through normalized; pursuing more direct model; tariff impacts largely a non-factor due to diversified manufacturing and routing .
- Tariff mitigation: capacity in three countries to address both U.S. and retaliatory tariffs; logistics/inventory may see transient inefficiencies .
- Audi/Porsche port holds: not observed as a headwind; end-market remains good .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025 beat vs consensus: revenue $103.8M vs $97.4M estimate; EPS $0.31 vs $0.265; coverage limited (3 revenue, 2 EPS estimates)*. This likely prompts upward revisions to near-term estimates and supports management’s Q2 revenue outlook of $117–$119M .
- Q2 2025 consensus at the time: revenue ~$118.4M; EPS ~$0.467*, broadly consistent with management’s guidance range; mix, tariff noise, and SG&A initiatives remain swing factors*.
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Clean top/bottom-line beat with GM resilience (42.3%) and EBITDA growth; narrative shifts from FX/tariff risk toward execution and product/channel momentum .
- U.S. remains the growth anchor; China normalized to ~$8–9M quarterly run-rate; MEA/Europe constructive; Canada weak but possibly bottoming .
- Q2 revenue guide $117–$119M and $50M buyback provide near-term support; expect estimate revisions higher post Q1 beat .
- Cost discipline is intensifying (RIF costs; dealer conference timing; 21% tax planning); SG&A growth moderating should aid operating leverage as volumes rise .
- New products (windshield protection, color films) and architectural expansion broaden TAM; dealership/OEM referral programs deepen channel penetration (incl. Rivian) .
- Tariff optionality (3-country capacity) and supply-chain agility reduce macro risk; watch currency strength and dealer inventory dynamics as key sensitivities .
- Near-term trading setup: beats + authorization + guide vs limited sell-side coverage can catalyze positive sentiment; risk skew from macro/tariff headlines and Canada softness .
Footnote: Consensus estimate values marked with * are retrieved from S&P Global.
Citations:
- Q1 2025 press release and 8-K:
- Q1 2025 earnings call transcript:
- Prior quarters: Q4 2024 press release/8-K/call: ; Q3 2024 press release/8-K/call:
- Rivian program press release: