Q3 2025 Pitney Bowes Inc Earnings Call

Alex Brown: Hello and welcome to the third quarter 2025 Pitney Bowes Inc. Earnings Conference Call. Joining us today are Chief Executive Officer Kurt Wolf, Chief Financial Officer Paul Evans, and Director of Investor Relations Alex Brown. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star 11 on your telephone. You will then hear an automated message advising your hand has been raised. To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to turn the call over to Director of Investor Relations Alex Brown.

Speaker #2: Hello and welcome to the third quarter 2025 Pitney Bowes Inc. Earnings Conference Call. Joining us today are Chief Executive Officer Kurt Wolff and Chief Financial Officer Paul Evans.

Speaker #2: And director , investor Relations Alex Brown . At this time , all participants are in a listen only mode . After the speaker presentation , there will be a question and answer session .

Speaker #2: ask a question during the session , you will need to press star one one on your telephone . You will then hear an automated message advising your hand has been raised .

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question , please press star one one again . Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded . It is now my pleasure to turn the call over to Director , Investor Relations , Alex Brown .

Alex Brown: Good afternoon and thank you for joining us. Included in today's presentation are forward-looking statements about future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements involve risk along with uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from our projections. More information about these items can be found in our earnings press release, our 2024 Form 10-K, and other reports filed with the SEC that are located on our website at www.pb.com and by clicking on Investor Relations. Please keep in mind that we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of developments. Also included in today's presentation are non-GAAP measures, specifically EBIT, EBITDA, EPS, and free cash flow, all on an adjusted basis. You can find reconciliations for these items to the appropriate GAAP measures in the tables attached to our press release.

Speaker #3: Good afternoon , and thank you for

Speaker #3: joining us . Included quarter in today's presentation are forward looking statements about future business and financial performance . Forward looking statements involve risks along with uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from our projections .

Speaker #3: More information about these items can be found in our earnings press release . Our 2024 form 10-K and other reports filed with the SEC that are located on our website at WWE .

Speaker #3: And by clicking on Investor Relations . Please keep in mind that we do not undertake any obligation update forward looking statements as a result of new information or developments .

Speaker #3: And by clicking on Investor Relations. Please keep in mind that we do not undertake any obligation to discuss EPS and free cash flow.

Speaker #3: All in adjusted basis . You can find reconciliations for these items to the appropriate GAAP measures in the tables attached to our press release .

Alex Brown: We have also provided a slide presentation and a spreadsheet with historical segment information on our Investor Relations website. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to our CEO Kurt Wolf.

Speaker #3: We have also provided a slide presentation and a spreadsheet with historical segment information on our Investor Relations website . With that , I'd like to turn the call over to our CEO , Kurt Wolff .

Kurt Wolf: Thank you, Alex, and thanks to everybody who is joining today's call. I trust that everybody has had a chance to review our press release and my letter. That said, I'd like to touch on a few key points before going to Q&A. We reported continued profitability improvements for the quarter. However, we expect the year to come in around the low end of our range for revenue, EBIT, and free cash flow. To be clear, this is primarily due to issues with forecasting and has nothing to do with operational factors, which have in fact been more positive than negative during the quarter. With respect to the forecasting issues, these are problems that have long plagued the company, and I'm working closely with Paul and his team to fix our forecasting process. Moving to our strategic review, we are making significant progress.

Speaker #4: Thank you , Alex , and thanks to everybody who is joining today's call . I trust that everybody has had a chance to review our press release , and my letter .

Speaker #4: That said , I'd like to touch on a few key points before going to We reported continued profitability improvements for the quarter . However , we expect the year to come in around the low end of our range for revenue , Ebit and free cash flow .

Speaker #4: To be clear , this is primarily due to issues with forecasting and has nothing to do with operational factors which have in fact been more than negative during the quarter .

Speaker #4: With respect to the forecasting issues , these are problems that have long plagued the company , and I'm working closely with Paul and his team to fix our forecasting process .

Speaker #4: Moving to our strategic review , we are making significant progress . We continue enhance our talent structure and processes to support future growth of the business .

Kurt Wolf: We continue to enhance our talent structure and processes to support future growth of the business. Additionally, we are compiling and evaluating a set of profitable growth opportunities. What we are learning in the strategic review is giving increased optimism about the outlook for the business, which supports our decision to spend an additional $161 million on share repurchases during the quarter. In summary, we are still tripping up on past mistakes but are aggressively attacking and fixing issues as they arise, making us a stronger company. For this reason, my optimism about the future of Pitney Bowes Inc. only continues to grow stronger. With that, let's open the call for questions.

Speaker #4: Additionally , we are compiling and evaluating a set of profitable growth opportunities . What we are learning in the Strategic review is giving increased optimism about the outlook for the business , which supports our decision to spend an additional $161 million on share repurchases during the quarter .

Speaker #4: In summary , we are still tripping up on past mistakes , but are aggressively attacking and fixing issues as they arise , making us a stronger company .

Speaker #4: For this reason , my optimism about the future of Pitney Bowes only continues to grow stronger . With that , let's open the call for questions .

Alex Brown: Certainly. As a reminder to ask a question, please press star 11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again. One moment, please. Our first question comes from the line of Kartik Mehta with Northcoast Research.

Speaker #2: Certainly , as a reminder to ask a question , please press star one one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced .

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question , please press star one one again . One moment please . Our first question comes from the line of Kartik Mehta with Northcoast research .

Operator: Hey, good afternoon, Kurt. Kurt, just wanted to get a little bit more insight into SendTech. Obviously, the revenue declines are decelerating, which is a positive you've talked about, obviously the IMI migration. As you move past that, as you look at that business, what would you anticipate the trajectory over the next 12, 18 months for that business? Yeah.

Speaker #5: Hey , good afternoon Kurt . Kurt , just wanted to get a little bit more insight into Sentech . Obviously the revenue declines are decelerating , which is a positive .

Speaker #5: And you've talked about obviously the IMI migration is you move past that . You know , as you look at that business , what do you anticipate the trajectory over the next 12 to 18 months for that business ?

Kurt Wolf: Hey, good afternoon, Kartik. With respect to SendTech, as you did mention the IMI migration, we're largely getting past that. You can see that in the results this quarter. We do expect that that should continue to be a benefit in Q4. By Q1, it should be fully lapped. I think by and large, the impact of the difficult comps from the IMI migration are largely behind us. The revenue decline we saw in Q3 probably is a realistic look of where things stand for now. The question becomes incredibly excited to have Todd Everett join the company from the board. He has a strong background in the shipping space. He's an incredible operator. He was excellent at operating Newgistics before.

Speaker #4: Yeah . Hey . Good afternoon . Kartik , with respect to Sentek . As you said , as you did mention the IMI migration were largely getting past that .

Speaker #4: You can see that in the results this quarter . We do expect that , you know , that should continue to be a benefit in Q4 .

Speaker #4: By Q1 . It should be fully lapped . So I think by and large , you know , the impact of the difficult comps from the IMI migration are behind us .

Speaker #4: So the revenue , you know , the revenue decline , we saw in Q3 probably is a realistic look of where things stand for now .

Speaker #4: And the question becomes , you know , incredibly excited to have Todd Everett join the company from the board . He has a strong background in the shipping largely space .

Speaker #4: He's an incredible operator . He's , you know , excellent at operating new genetics . Before it was sold to Pitney Bowes . I think he's done a lot of great work already .

Operator: It was sold to Pitney Bowes Inc.

Kurt Wolf: I think he's done a lot of great work already. Happy to answer more about the work he's doing, but he's evaluating opportunities to accelerate growth. One of the big focuses is profitable growth going forward. The outlook for various parts of the business may be a little different than previously discussed. One of the big areas I would highlight is we've been so focused on our shipping solutions that so much attention has gone there that we've probably underinvested in opportunities that exist within the mailing business. I don't want to speak on Todd's behalf, but I think there are some things that we could be doing given our position in the market to help decelerate the decline of the postal business. We have no illusions about the fact that the space is declining, but I think there's things we can do to slow that decline.

Speaker #4: Happy to answer more about the work he's doing , but he's evaluating opportunities to accelerate growth . But also but again , one of the big focuses profitable growth going forward .

Speaker #4: So you know you know the outlook for various parts of the business may be a little different than previously discussed . You know , one of the big areas I would highlight is we've been so focused on our shipping solutions that so much attention has gone there that we've probably underinvested in .

Speaker #4: Opportunities exist within the mailing business . So I don't want to speak on Todd's behalf , but I think there are some things that we could be doing given our position in the market to help decelerate the decline of the postal .

Speaker #4: You know , the postal business . Again , we're in no , we have no illusions about the fact that the space is is declining .

Speaker #4: But I think there's things we can do to to slow that decline .

Operator: In your letter you talked about the Presort business. Seems like some of the smaller competitors might be having some issues. I'm wondering your ability to continue to consolidate that particular business. Are there opportunities or is it just better to go get the business on your own and just win the market share?

Speaker #5: And then , Kurt , in your letter , you talked about the presort business . Seems like some of the smaller competitors might be having some issues .

Speaker #5: I'm wondering your ability to continue to consolidate that particular business . Are there opportunities or is it just better to go get the business on your own and just win the market share ?

Kurt Wolf: I would say we're pursuing an all of the above strategy. For some context, July of 2024, there was a significant increase in the work share discount. Profitability across the industry became significantly improved starting in Q3 of last year. As we continue to talk to potential acquisition targets, given the trajectory of their business, those conversations largely died out. One of the reasons we do talk about some of the issues we're seeing—we won't get into too many details—but there are signs of financial issues with some of these companies. We are all of a sudden getting callbacks from companies that six months ago, a year ago, were saying they had no interest in selling. There's definitely more interest given the way that pricing, cost, and competition heated up and has depressed margins for a lot of these players as well as for us.

Speaker #4: I would say we're pursuing all of the above strategy , and for some context , July of 2024 , there was a significant increase in the in the Workshare discount .

Speaker #4: So profitability across the industry took a , you know , became a significantly improved starting in Q3 of last year . So , you know , as we continue to talk to potential acquisition targets , given the , you know , the trajectory of their business , those conversations largely died out .

Speaker #4: And one of the reasons we do talk about some of the issues we're seeing , we won't get into too many details , but there are signs of of of , you know , financial issues with some of these companies .

Speaker #4: But we are all of a sudden getting callbacks from companies that , you know , six months ago , a year ago , were saying they had no interest in selling .

Speaker #4: So there's definitely more interest , given the way that pricing competition heated up . And , you know , depressed margins for a lot of these players , as well as for us .

Operator: Just one last question, maybe just on a free cash flow standpoint, I think you maintained your guidance. I think that would imply a pretty big fourth quarter, free cash flow quarter. If you could just walk through how you're getting to that or maybe what some of the puts and takes are for that. Yeah, I'll take this. This is Paul, good afternoon to you. Look, where we're sort of coalescing around is around the $330 million. As we sort of stress tested our forecast for Q4, it'll come in plus or minus 1% of that. The quarter ended midweek, and obviously there were payments that came in shortly thereafter the quarter happened. We've had a very strong pickup in the first part of this quarter, and that's what gives us confidence.

Speaker #5: And then just one last question . Maybe just on a free cash flow standpoint , I think you maintained your So I think that would imply a pretty big fourth quarter free cash flow quarter .

Speaker #5: Just if you could just walk through , you know , how you're getting to that or maybe what some of the puts and takes are for that .

Speaker #6: Yeah , I'll say this is Paula . Good afternoon to you . Look , I mean , we're we're sort of coalescing around is around the 330 .

Speaker #6: I mean, as we sort of stress-tested our forecast for Q4, it will come in plus or minus 1% of that before we believe it to be the quarter ended midweek.

Speaker #6: And obviously , there were payments that came in shortly thereafter . The quarter happened . We've had a very strong pickup in the first part of this quarter , and so that's what gives us confidence .

Operator: We've still got work to do, but we have confidence that will sort of pull us around the $330 million range. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Speaker #6: I mean , we've still got work to do , but we have confidence that we'll sort of coalesce around the 330 range .

Speaker #5: Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Kurt Wolf: Thank you, Kartik.

Speaker #4: Thank you . Kartik .

Alex Brown: Thank you. Our next question is from Anthony Lebiedzinski with Sidoti.

Speaker #2: Thank you . Our next question is from Anthony Lebiedzinski with Sidoti .

[Analyst 1]: Good afternoon and thank you for taking the questions. First, I just wondering if you guys could maybe just comment at the, just curious about the cadence of revenue as you went from July through September. Were there any variation? I know, Kurt, you talked about the, some flaws in your forecasting, so just wondering if there was any big variations from month to month as you went through the quarter in both of your segments.

Speaker #7: Good afternoon and thank you for taking the questions . First , I just wondering if you guys could maybe just comment , just curious about the cadence of revenue you , as you went from July through September , were there any variations ?

Speaker #7: I know , Kurt , you talked about the some flaws in your forecasting . So just just wondering if there was any big variations from month to month as you went through the quarter in both of your ?

Kurt Wolf: Yeah, Anthony, I appreciate the question there. No, there's been nothing really that stood out from a month-to-month variance. What really, the first indication we had is what we're seeing internally. The business is, you know, the business is operating well. As an example, within Presort, I believe we've not lost a single customer since June and we've been picking up businesses, our business. As we were progressing through the quarter, it did become a point of question of how are we operating well and not getting the financial results we were looking at. At that point, Paul and I got heavily involved, started to dig into the processes involved with forecasting, identified some process issues. You know, you're an analyst, you do forecasting yourself. There's just a lot that goes into it, particularly when you're at a company.

Speaker #4: Yeah . So , Anthony , I appreciate the question . There . No , there's been nothing really that stood out from a month to month variance .

Speaker #4: What really the first indication we had is what we're seeing internally . The business is , you know , the business is operating well .

Speaker #4: As an example , within Presort , I believe we've not lost a single customer since June . And we've been picking up businesses or business .

Speaker #4: So as we were progressing through the quarter , you know , it did become a point of question of how were we operating ?

Speaker #4: Well and not getting the financial results . We were looking at at that point , Paul and I got heavily involved ,

Speaker #4: dig into the processes involved with segments forecasting , identified some process issues , some , you know , you know , you know , you're you're an analyst , you do forecasting yourself .

Speaker #4: There's just a lot that goes into it , particularly when you're at a company . We have access to tremendous amounts of data .

Kurt Wolf: We have access to tremendous amounts of data, just understanding how we were processing data, assumptions we were making, et cetera. That sort of is what brought it up. It wasn't any sort of monthly variation. It just was the fact that the business is performing well and the financials weren't going, you know, as expected relative to budget. When the operations are doing as well as you expect and the financials aren't quite as strong as you expect, there's clearly an issue with our forecasting. I can assure you, you know, Paul and I are very serious about this. We both stepped in. This has been a problem that's plagued the company for far too long. During 2022 and 2023, it was something that I talked quite publicly about, you know, the problems of forecasting.

Speaker #4: Just understanding how we were processing data , assumptions we were making , etc. . So we've so that's sort of is what brought it up .

Speaker #4: It wasn't any sort of monthly variation . It just was the fact that the business is performing well and the financials weren't going , you know , as expected relative to budget .

Speaker #4: So when the operations are doing as well as you expect in the financials aren't quite as strong as you expect , there's clearly an issue with our forecasting .

Speaker #4: And and you know , I can assure you , you know , Paul and I are very serious about this . We both stepped in .

Speaker #4: This has been a problem that's plagued the company for far too long . During 22 and 23 , it was something that I talked quite publicly about .

Speaker #4: The problems with forecasting and , you know , it's something that I've now been able to come to understand what the issues are .

Kurt Wolf: It's something that I've now been able to come to understand what the issues are. We are taking this very seriously. We brought in outside help on it and we're doing a lot internally to fix this once and for all so that we can be much more accurate in our forecasting. Again, this isn't just about providing guidance. We need to make significant investment decisions, business decisions, and if we don't have incredibly accurate data, we're going to end up making worse decisions. It's unfortunate that we had this issue with our forecasting, but it's emblematic of what we're doing within the organization. We continue to identify issues, we aggressively get after them, fix them, and it makes us a better company for it. It's frustrating to once again not be able to give great news on the forecasting front like we might have hoped for.

Speaker #4: And we're taking this very seriously . We've brought in outside help on it , and we're doing a lot internally to fix this once and for all so that we can be much more accurate in our forecasting .

Speaker #4: And again , this isn't just about providing guidance . This is you know , we need to make significant investment decisions . Business decisions .

Speaker #4: And if we don't have incredibly accurate data , we're going to end up making worse decisions . So it's unfortunate that we had this issue with our But it's emblematic of what we're doing within the organization .

Speaker #4: We continue to identify issues . We aggressively get after them , fix them , and it makes us a better company for it .

Speaker #4: So it's frustrating to once again , you know , not be able to give great news on the forecasting front . Like we might have hoped for .

Kurt Wolf: I think we're a better business as we continue to uncover these issues.

Speaker #4: But I think we're a better business as we continue to uncover these issues .

[Analyst 1]: That makes a lot of sense. Turning to Presort, sounds like you have been able to win back some previously lost clients. With that in mind, when would it be reasonable to assume that Presort gets back to sales growth on a.

Speaker #7: That makes sense . And then turning to Presort , sounds like you have been able to win back some previously lost clients . So with that in mind , when would it be reasonable to assume that Presort gets back to sales growth on a year over year basis ?

Paul Evans: Year over year basis? Anthony, I'll take that question. I think that assumption right there, and that's one thing as Kurt and I really dug into numbers and we looked at the budget that was the basis of our forecast, it wasn't anticipated how our competitors would use the sort of, if I can call it, a premium on the rate case to go take share from us and they bought that share. Obviously, how long does it take to get that back? It will come back to us. You know, it hasn't come back to us yet, but we're aggressively going after it. There's a lapse in time, you lose it, they get with somebody else for a while, we go back in, what can we do better, and then there's a bidding opportunity. We're close on some to take it back.

Speaker #6: So , Anthony .

Speaker #8: I'll take that question . So I think that assumption right there , and that's one thing that Kurt and I really dug into numbers and we looked at the budget .

Speaker #8: That was the basis of our forecast . The one it wasn't anticipated that how our competitors would use the sort of the if I can call it a premium on the rate case to sort of go take share from us .

Speaker #8: And they bought that share . And then obviously , how long does it take to get that back ? And so that's well , well it will come back to us .

Speaker #8: You know , it hasn't come back to us yet . But we're aggressively going after it . So there's there's a lapse in time .

Speaker #8: You lose it . They get what somebody else for a while . We go back in . What can we do better . And you know , then there's a bidding opportunity .

Speaker #8: And so and we're close on some take it back . So I think the you know , I'm optimistic about the volumes for , for Presort next year .

Paul Evans: I think I'm optimistic about the volumes for Presort next year.

[Analyst 1]: Okay, that's good to hear. Thinking about the new cost cuts, the $50 to $60 million that you talked about.

Speaker #7: Okay . That's good to hear . And then thinking about the new cost cuts , the 50 to $60 million that you talked about , the will that will those be mostly through corporate unallocated or will that flow through the different segments just , just maybe help us understand how to model those cost cuts ?

Kurt Wolf: Will those be?

[Analyst 1]: Mostly through corporate unallocated, or will that flow through the different segments? Just maybe help us understand how to model those cost cuts.

Paul Evans: Sure. I mean it's across the. Some of them are in the, in for your model in the G&A level, some would sort of hit higher up. We went across all Kurt's leaders, looked at that. It was really a management-led effort to refine our costs. Through that, we identified some very good opportunities. Look, we'll get to the point where we're always going to look to drive cost out of our business, that every healthy company should do that. This one, I'm new to the role. Kurt's relatively new to the role, he's got a whole new, relatively speaking, new leadership team. We challenge everybody as operators to look at what you have and what do we really need going forward. That's what you're seeing here. These benefits should be all realized by the end of 2026.

Speaker #8: Sure . I mean , it's across the company . So some of them are in the for your model or in the DNA level .

Speaker #8: Some are sort of hit higher up . But you know , we went across all all Kurt's leaders looked at that . And so it was really a management led effort to refine our costs .

Speaker #8: And through that , you know , we identified , you know , some you know , some very good opportunities . Look , we'll get to the point where we're always going to look to drive cost out of our business , that every healthy company should do , that .

Speaker #8: And this , this one , you know , I'm new to the role . Kurt's relatively new to the role . He's got a whole new , relatively speaking , new leadership team .

Speaker #8: So we . Challenged everybody as operators to look at what you have we really need really going forward . And so that's what you're seeing here .

Speaker #8: And these benefits should be all realized by the end of 26 .

[Analyst 1]: Okay, got it.

Speaker #7: Okay . Got it . Okay . And then lastly just actually just returning quickly to to Presort , you know , given the competitive dynamics there , it sounds like there are some struggling operators .

[Analyst 2]: Okay.

[Analyst 1]: Lastly, just returning quickly to Presort, given the competitive dynamics there, it sounds like there are some struggling operators. Would those be opportunities perhaps for acquisitions for you, or do you just want to focus on getting back to sales growth at Presort before you start looking at potential acquisitions?

Speaker #7: Would those be opportunities perhaps for acquisitions for you or do you just want to focus on getting back to sales growth at pre store before you start looking at potential acquisitions ?

Kurt Wolf: No, Anthony, these acquisitions are so accretive that we're always looking at them. By the way, as I said, that's sort of one of the signs that we're seeing that the pricing is really affecting players in the market, the fact that nine months ago, none of these players, none of the players had any interest in selling. We're starting to get inbound calls from people that are looking to potentially sell their business. We're always in the market to make these acquisitions. They just drop to the bottom line. Again, it's one of the frustrations over the volume that we did lose. This is a high fixed cost business in the short term. Losing the volumes that we did, the amount of the profitability that we lost by not retaining those customers was pretty dramatic.

Speaker #4: No . Anthony , these acquisitions are so accretive that we're always looking at them . And by the way as I said , that's sort of one of the signs that we're seeing that the pricing is really affecting players in the market is the fact that nine months ago , none of these players had none of the players had any interest in selling .

Speaker #4: And we're starting to get inbound calls from people that are looking to potentially sell their business . So it's and we're always in the market to make these acquisitions .

Speaker #4: They just drop to the bottom And again , it's one of the frustrations over the volume that we did lose . This is a high fixed cost business in the short term .

Speaker #4: So losing the volumes that we did , the amount of the profitability that we lost by not retaining those customers was pretty dramatic .

Kurt Wolf: Bringing in these new, if we do make acquisitions, the degree to which revenue drops to the bottom line, particularly given that we now have a little of excess capacity in our facilities, is just incredibly high. We're absolutely in the market to make acquisitions.

Speaker #4: So bringing in these new , you know , if we do make acquisitions , the , you know , the degree to which revenue drops to the bottom line , particularly given that we now have a little of excess excess capacity in our facilities , is just incredibly high .

Speaker #4: So we're absolutely in the market to make acquisitions .

[Analyst 1]: All right, sounds good. Thank you and best of luck.

Speaker #7: All right . Well sounds good . Well thank you and best of luck .

Kurt Wolf: Thank you, Anthony.

Speaker #4: Thank you Anthony .

Alex Brown: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Aaron Kimpton with Citizens.

Speaker #2: Thank you . Our next question comes from the line of Aaron Simpson with Citizens .

Operator: Great. Thanks for having me, guys. Kurt, you mentioned in the letter that you recently completed your review of the leadership team.

Speaker #9: Great . Thanks for having me guys . I'm Kurt , you mentioned in the letter that you recently completed your review of the leadership team .

[Analyst 2]: Obviously, there have been a lot of.

Speaker #9: Obviously , there have been a lot of changes at the executive and board level since you took the reins in May . Are you comfortable with the leaders you have in place now and then ?

Kurt Wolf: Changes at the executive and Board level.

Operator: Since you took the reins in May.

[Analyst 2]: Are you comfortable with the leaders you have?

Operator: Have in place now and then.

[Analyst 2]: We think a level down about your directs. Directs, do you have any thoughts on?

Speaker #9: If we think a level down about your direct , directs , do you have any thoughts on when the business may have the continuity you desire and be operating more of a state ?

Kurt Wolf: When the business may have the continuity.

Operator: You desire to be operating more of a BAU state?

Paul Evans: Absolutely. Yeah.

Speaker #4: Absolutely . Yeah . Aaron , you know , welcome to the call and thank you for joining us . Yeah . As far as far as the leadership team goes , I'm incredibly happy with the , you know , as Paul mentioned , I have a , you know , seven direct reports , incredibly happy with the team .

Kurt Wolf: Aaron, welcome to the call and thank you for joining. As far as the leadership team goes, I'm incredibly happy with it. As Paul mentioned, I have seven direct reports. Incredibly happy with the team we have. It's the right people, those who were bought into the level of accountability and drive for excellence that we expect of everybody at this organization. Anybody who wasn't bought into that is no longer with the company, at least within the executive team. Everybody who is here is 100% bought in. As you can imagine, anything starts from the top down. We have the right leadership team. That leadership team, and by the way, that informed the $50 to $60 million in cost cuts after I was, as I worked through this process myself, Paul and the rest of the leadership team did the same within their organization.

Speaker #4: We have . It's the right people , those who are , you know , bought into the , you know , level of accountability .

Speaker #4: And , you know , drive for excellence that we expect of everybody at this organization . Anybody who hasn't bought into that no longer with the company , at least within the executive team .

Speaker #4: And everybody who is here is 100% bought in . And as you can imagine , you know , anything starts from the top down .

Speaker #4: So we have the right leadership team . That leadership team . And by the way , that informed the 50 to 60 million in cost cuts after I know , as I worked through this process myself , Paul and the rest of the leadership team did the same within their organization .

Kurt Wolf: I think it's really important to highlight that previous cost cuts were an effort largely driven by outside consultants to say here's an opportunity to reduce costs. This wasn't an effort to reduce costs. This was an effort to get better as a business. This is leaders that are restructuring their organizations. I could go division by division, but almost every corporate function and almost every business unit has changed their organizational structure to better meet the needs of the business. Within that, they've addressed what processes or they're addressing what processes don't we need to do and how can we be better on a go forward basis. That's really what has driven the $50 to $60 million of cost cuts. It was not the pursuit of cost cuts per se, but just this effort being pushed down the organization.

Speaker #4: And I think it's really important to highlight that previous cost cuts were an effort by , you know , largely driven by outside consultants to say , here's an opportunity to reduce costs .

Speaker #4: This wasn't a this wasn't an effort to reduce costs . This was an effort to get better as a business . This is leaders that are restructuring their organizations .

Speaker #4: You know , I could go division by division , but almost every every corporate function and almost and business unit has , has changed their organizational structure to better needs of the business .

Speaker #4: Within that , they've addressed what processes are they're addressing , what processes don't we need to do , and how can we be better on a go forward basis .

Speaker #4: So that's really what has driven the $50 to $60 million of cost cuts; it was not the pursuit of cost cuts per se, but just this effort being pushed down the organization.

Kurt Wolf: I feel incredibly fortunate to have the leadership team that I do that's doing such an excellent job of it. I think we have stability within the leadership team and as they're working with their group, I think stability is developing the next years down. I would say just as a general comment about Pitney Bowes Inc., I maybe say this too much, but I can't emphasize enough as a shareholder how happy everybody should be with the employees that represent the company that you're an investor in. We've made a lot of changes in the last 18 months. A lot of cost cuts, a lot of challenge to these employees and everybody shows up with a good attitude every day. Everybody asks what more they can do to help this company.

Speaker #4: And I feel incredibly fortunate to have the leadership team that I do, who are doing such an excellent job of it. I think we have stability within the leadership team.

Speaker #4: And is they're working with their group . I think stability , you know , is developing the next years down . And I would say just as a general comment about Pitney Bowes , I maybe say this too much , but I can't emphasize enough as a shareholder how happy everybody should be with the employees that represent the company , that you're an investor in .

Speaker #4: You know , we've made a lot of changes in the last 18 months , a lot of cost cuts , a lot of challenge that , you know , to these employees and everybody shows up with a good attitude every , every day .

Speaker #4: Everybody asks what they can , what more they can do to help this company . So I know there's been a lot of change , but what I would say is I don't think there's any change needed in terms of the , you know , the bulk of the employees at the company .

Kurt Wolf: I know there's been a lot of change, but what I would say is I don't think there's any change needed in terms of the bulk of the employees at the company. We have a great employee base, do a great job. I think they provide stability even as we've been changing some of the leadership.

Speaker #4: We have a great employee base that does a great job. So I think they provide stability even as we've been changing some of the leadership.

Operator: That's really helpful. As a follow up, can you dig a bit further into the misalignment of incentives in GFS and how you're approaching the realignment and future of that org? Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker #4: .

Speaker #9: That's really helpful . And then as a follow up , can you dig a bit further into the misalignment of incentives and and how you're approaching the realignment and future of that org ?

Speaker #4: Yeah , absolutely . And yeah , so Jeff's , you know , is not its own business unit . It was it was a loosely organized it was like , I don't even know what you want to call it .

Kurt Wolf: Yeah, GFS was not its own business unit. It was a loosely organized, I don't even know what you want to call it. It was a part of our structure, and things financial would go through GFS. You would have situations and things like this would come up where, as SendTech would try to sell a meter, GFS would ultimately have approval over the actual credit because we're leasing these meters. If we were offering them purchase power for revolving credit to use that meter, that was all through GFS. What could end up happening is if GFS attitude was, we don't want any credit loss and SendTech saying, this is an incredibly lucrative deal, you had two peers essentially looking at each other in a standoff, saying, we're not willing to. They created issues. What we've done is, you know, SendTech, ultimately, GFS was reporting through SendTech financially.

Speaker #4: It was a part of our structure . And and things financial would go through . GFS . So you'd have situations and this things like this would come up where we would , you know , so , so as Sentek would try to sell a meter , GFS would ultimately have approval over the actual credit .

Speaker #4: The , you know , because we're leasing these meters , if we were offering them purchase power for revolving credit to to use that meter , that was all through GFS .

Speaker #4: And so what could end up happening is if GFS is attitude was we don't want any credit loss and Centex saying this is an incredibly lucrative deal .

Speaker #4: You had two peers essentially looking at each other in a in a stand off saying this . You know , we're not willing to you know , they created issues .

Speaker #4: So what we've done is , you know , Sentek ultimately GFS was reporting through Sentek financially . So , you know , Todd now owns Sentek , you know , all the credit decision .

Kurt Wolf: Todd now owns SendTech. The credit decision, if it's something's going on to the SendTech balance sheet, for lack of a better word.

Speaker #4: If it's if something's going on to the Sentek balance sheet , for lack of a better word , the approval of that . It's a business decision by Todd that he can evaluate how what's the opportunity in this sale and what's the credit risk .

Operator: The approval of that.

Kurt Wolf: It's a business decision by Todd Everett that he can evaluate what's the opportunity in.

Operator: The sale and what's the credit risk?

Kurt Wolf: Before those two decisions were differentiated, it led to incredibly low credit losses in the past, but it also led to a lot of failed sales that would have been profitable, and it led to a lot of difficulty in the sales process. What should be a very seamless customer experience became incredibly difficult going through two different organizations that were focused on different aspects of a deal. It just was unworkable. It just was really incredibly inefficient. Hopefully, that gives just one example of a problem that would arise.

Speaker #4: Before those two decisions were were differentiated . So it led to incredibly low credit losses in the past . But it also led to a lot of failed sales that would have been profitable .

Speaker #4: And it's led to a lot of a lot of difficulty in the sales process . So what should be a very , you know , seamless customer became incredibly difficult going through two different organizations that were focused on different aspects of a deal .

Speaker #4: So it just was it was just it became it was unworkable . It just was really incredibly inefficient . So , you know , hopefully that gives just , you know , one example of a problem that would arise .

Paul Evans: Yeah. Aaron, if I could say what it's really. Somebody pointed this out to me, it's analogous to, you know, we were selling the car and also the gas. We were okay to sell the car, but then when it came to sell them the gas, the other side said, we don't. We don't think they're credit worthy to sell them gas. That really hit home with me. Obviously, that inefficiency, that decision now rests in Todd's world. It doesn't mean that we're going to lower standards, that we want to take on excess counterparty credit risk. We won't do that. We'll still be rigored, but we're not going to let this misalignment of interest stop us from servicing a customer.

Speaker #8: Yeah . If I could say what it's really and somebody pointed this out to me , it's analogous to , you know , we were selling the car and also the gas .

Speaker #8: And so we were okay to sell the car . But then when it came to sell them the gas , the other side said , we don't , we don't think they're creditworthy to , to sell them gas .

Speaker #8: And that really hit home with me . And so obviously that inefficiency that decision now that rests in Todd's world .

Speaker #6: Yeah .

Speaker #8: It doesn't mean that we're going to lower standards that we want to take on excess counterparty credit risk . We won't do that .

Speaker #8: We'll still be required , but we're not going to let this misalignment of interest stop us from servicing a customer .

Kurt Wolf: Not to over harp on this point, but at one point, this is after we were already trying to fix the problem, I received an email from a customer that had bought multiple meters from us that was complaining that they could not use their meter because they weren't getting approved for the use of purchase power. I mean, it just doesn't make. It just was really. That's what I mean in terms of this opportunity in mailing. We have the best product, we have the best services, we have, you know, we're peerless in every way, but we were creating a nightmare for our customers. That's what I'm driving at is a lot of this restructuring we're doing is trying to get better as a business. The $50 to $60 million of savings is a side benefit.

Speaker #4: And not to , you know , over harp on this point , but at one point , this is after we were already trying to fix the problem .

Speaker #4: I received an email from a customer that had bought multiple meters from us that was complaining that they could not use their meter because they weren't getting approved for the use of purchase power .

Speaker #4: So , I mean , it's just it just doesn't make it just was really . And that's what I mean in terms of this opportunity and mailing , we have the best product , we have the best services .

Speaker #4: We have . You know , we're peerless in every way , but we are creating a nightmare for our customers . And again , that's that's what I'm driving at is a lot of this restructuring we're doing is trying to get better as a business .

Speaker #4: In the 50 to 60 million of savings is a side benefit .

Alex Brown: All right, thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Matthew Swope with Baird.

Speaker #2: All right . Thank you . And our next question comes from the line of Matthew Swope with Baird .

Kurt Wolf: Hi guys, can I go back to Presort?

Speaker #10: Hi , guys . Could I could I go back to Presort and you know , Kurt , I think you alluded to it , but I think we all maybe underestimated the decline this quarter .

[Analyst 2]: Kurt, I think you alluded to it, but I think we all maybe underestimated the decline this quarter. To see a $17 million decline in revenue drive a $13 million decline in EBITDA and EBIT, I know you talked about fixed cost absorption, but can you talk about sort of how that incremental margin or decremental margin, maybe in this case, works?

Speaker #10: There . And to see a $17 million decline in revenue drive , a $13 million decline in EBITDA and Ebit . I know you talked about fixed cost absorption , but can you talk about sort of how that incremental margin or decremental margin , maybe in this case works ?

Paul Evans: Here's what happens. Once you overcome your fixed cost in that business, this high volume business, and you recognize that your labor has capacity, you can sort of sweat them. Any additional throughput you have from that really is just profit, and it will fall in large part, it just falls to the bottom line. A decline in that part of the stack will sort of have a direct impact to your EBIT. It's a very certain part of, it's a very high contribution margin business. Once you've overcome your cost, then you're really into the land of super high margin work.

Speaker #8: So , okay , so here's what happens . I mean , once you overcome your fixed cost in that business is high volume business and you recognize that your labor has a capacity , you can sort of sweat them .

Speaker #8: Any additional throughput you have from that really is just profit . And it will fall in large part , it just falls to the bottom line .

Speaker #8: So a decline in that , that sort of that part of the of the stack will sort of have a direct impact to your , to your Ebit .

Speaker #8: So it's a very certain part of it's a very high contribution margin business . Once you've overcome your cost , then you're really into the land of super high margin work .

Speaker #6: Right ?

Operator: Yeah.

Kurt Wolf: Matt, just another couple points on that. If you look at our Q3 of 2024 compared to our Q2 of 2024, sequential, not year over year, you can see that impact. The price increase, I believe, hit July 17, maybe in 2024. Almost all of Q3 of 2024 had this higher price. You can look at it, our revenue was up $19.5 million and EBIT was up $19.2 million. It's essentially, you know, that was coming, I guess, I was coming through as price. Bottom line, I guess we've seen it on the opposite side with volumes where, you know, as these volumes come through, you know, use an example. Debbie's system is optimized, you know, for a certain level. The rent we pay, the equipment we buy, all those things are pretty much fixed as we optimize our system.

Speaker #4: Yeah . And Matthew , just another couple points on that . If you look at our Q3 of 2024 compared to our Q2 of 2024 , so sequential , not year over year , you can see that impact the price increase , I believe hit July 17th .

Speaker #4: Maybe in 2024 . So almost all of Q3 of 2024 had this higher price . And you can look at it , our revenue was up 19.2 million .

Speaker #4: I'm sorry was up 19.5 million in Ebit was up 19.2 . It's essentially you know that was coming through I guess that was coming through as price .

Speaker #4: But but bottom line I guess we've seen it on the opposite side with volumes where , you know , , as these volumes come through , you know , use an again You know , Debbie's system is optimized for a certain level of so the , the rent we pay , the equipment we buy , all of those things are pretty much fixed as we optimize our system .

Kurt Wolf: If we're running 100% volume versus 90%, you still have the same labor force on the floor. Maybe there's a small incremental increase in electrical costs or whatnot, or maybe the equipment's going to break down a little faster if you're running it more. In the end of the day, that lost volume, our contribution margin is incredibly high on volumes. Obviously, as you get to certain volumes, you have to add fixed costs. At this point, given that we're not fully utilizing our system, it heavily drops to the bottom line.

Speaker #4: You know , if we're running 100% volume versus 90% , you still have the same labor force on the on the work , on the floor .

Speaker #4: So maybe there's a small incremental increase in electricity , electrical costs or whatnot , or maybe the equipment is going to break down a little faster if you're running it more .

Speaker #4: But in the end of the day , that lost volume , you know , our contribution margin is incredibly high on volumes . Obviously , you know , as you get to certain volumes , you have to add fixed costs .

Speaker #4: But at this point , given that we're not fully utilizing our system , you know , heavily drops to the bottom line .

[Analyst 2]: That comment on price from last July, Kurt, makes a lot of sense. It feels like this was as much volume driven as price, though. Could you talk, maybe if I ask the question a different way, if the 11% revenue decline, are you able to just roughly break that into price and volume?

Speaker #10: So that comment on price from last July , Kurt , makes a lot of sense . You know , it feels like this was as much volume driven as price , though .

Speaker #10: Could you talk ? Maybe if I ask a question a different way , if the 11% revenue decline , are you able to just roughly break that into price and volume ?

Paul Evans: Yeah, we certainly know what it is. I mean, look, we had a big loss in volume relative to our budget, and that for me explains most of the story, what's going on. Obviously, we'll see some reversion of that volume in our next year numbers, but it's really more about the volume and how that incremental volume, what that.

Speaker #8: Yeah , we certainly know what it is . Yeah . I mean , look , we had a big loss in volume relative to our budget .

Speaker #8: And so that for me explains most of the story . What's going on . And obviously we'll see some reversion of that that volume in our in our next year numbers .

Speaker #8: But it's really more about the volume and how that incremental volume, what that meant to the bottom line.

Operator: Meant to the bottom line.

Paul Evans: Okay, where our mind is on this, as we looked, is how did our competitors, you know, use that rate case, the new funds associated with that rate case. They used it to go out and bid share, and we didn't use it to bid share. Because of that, we lost volume. We are the low cost provider. Now what we're doing is, okay, fine, we'll use our position as the low cost provider to go back and win back that lost volume.

Speaker #10: Okay . That's helpful .

Speaker #8: What what where our mind is on this is we looked is how did our competitors , you know , use that rate case .

Speaker #8: The new funds associated with that rate case, they used it to go out and bid share. And we didn't use it to bid share.

Speaker #8: And so because of that , we lost volume . We are the low cost provider . So now what we're doing is okay , fine .

Speaker #8: We'll use our our our position as the low cost provider to go back and win back that , that lost volume .

[Analyst 2]: When you talk about the key drivers, obviously you guys have talked extensively about the prior rigid pricing strategy. What about the comment about broader market decline? What is that piece of the key driver?

Speaker #10: So when you talk about the key drivers , obviously you guys have have talked extensively about the prior rigid pricing strategy . What about the comment about broader market decline ?

Speaker #10: What is what is that piece of the of the key driver ?

Paul Evans: There is a decline in the space, but from decline you can grow through decline. You do it two ways. You can bid share and you can buy share, but through that, you need to make sure that you're the low cost provider, which we believe we are.

Speaker #8: I mean , there is a decline in the space , but you know , from decline you can grow through decline . You do it two ways .

Speaker #8: You can bid shares, and you can buy shares. But through that, you need to make sure that you're the low-cost provider, which we believe we are.

[Analyst 2]: I see. The market decline is just sort of the standard secular pressure that you face in the business.

Speaker #10: I see . So the market decline is just sort of the standard secular pressure that you face in the business .

Paul Evans: Yes, that is. You know, how can we believe we can grow through that decline?

Speaker #8: Yes , that is , but you know , how can we believe we can grow through that ?

[Analyst 2]: Right. You guys clearly have done so for many years.

Speaker #10: Right . And you guys and you guys clearly have done so for many years .

Paul Evans: Yeah, we've done that for many years. We've done it through a lot of acquisitions. As Kurt mentioned, our competitors, our smaller competitors were enjoying the benefits of the rate case. They weren't reaching out to us. Now that sort of worked itself through the system and now they're sort of calling back again. One of the reasons why we've upsized our revolver is so as those opportunities present themselves, we can move quickly.

Speaker #8: Yeah , we've done that for many years . We've done it through a lot of acquisitions in , as Kurt mentioned . Well , you know , our competitors are smaller competitors .

Speaker #8: We're enjoying the you know , the benefits of the rate case . And so , you know , they weren't reaching out to us .

Speaker #8: Now that's sort of worked itself through the system . And and now they're sort of calling back again . So you know one of the reasons why we've upsized our revolver .

Speaker #8: So , you know , as those opportunities present themselves , we can move quickly .

Alex Brown: Great.

Speaker #10: Great . Could I switch to the capital allocation part of Kurt's letter ? One question , Paul , maybe for you , you guys are pretty , pretty quickly after the Q2 earnings interaction , you guys did a convertible bond .

[Analyst 2]: Could I switch to the capital allocation part of Kurt's letter? One question, Paul. Maybe for you. You guys are pretty quickly, after the Q2 earnings interaction, you guys did a convertible bond. Could you talk a little bit about the philosophy of doing that convert and sort of where that fits into your capital structure?

Speaker #10: Could you talk a little bit about the philosophy of doing that convert and sort of where that fits into your capital structure?

Paul Evans: Yeah, we wanted to. It was another market that was open to us, very attractive, effective yield on that, you know, that will sort of yield some additional benefits to us. It's known in the market that it will come along with coverage. We will pick up coverage from a number of firms. That's not the reason we did it. I mean, it's the stated coupon, it's 1.5%. Think back to the time where we had a stated coupon of over 10% on some of our debt. An attractive opportunity for us in a market that wasn't previously open to us.

Speaker #8: Yeah , we wanted to it was another market that was open to us , very attractive , effective yield on that . You know , that will sort of yield some additional benefits to us .

Speaker #8: You know , it's known in the in the , in the market that it will come along with coverage . So we will pick up coverage from a number of firms .

Speaker #8: But that's not the reason we did it . I mean , it's , you know , the the stated coupon , it's 1.5% , you know , think back to the time where we had a stated coupon of over 10% on some of our , some of our debt .

Speaker #8: So, an attractive opportunity for us in a market that wasn't previously open to us.

[Analyst 2]: Do you see yourself doing more in the convert area?

Speaker #10: see yourself doing more in the convert area ?

Paul Evans: Not sure yet. I mean, obviously after this week, I'll be with Alex Brown in New York and we'll go and meet with all our lenders. We'll see. What we're blessed with is lots of options today. We'll see, we'll evaluate it, but we don't know for sure.

Speaker #8: Not sure yet. I mean, obviously after this week I'll be with Alex in New York, and we'll go and meet with all our lenders.

Speaker #8: And so we'll see , you know what we're blessed with is lots of options today . And so we'll see . We'll evaluate it .

Speaker #8: But we don't know for sure .

[Analyst 2]: On the debt front, you bought back another $12 million of your 2027s. I know you had an interesting comment about just being in a position to retire that 2027 issue in full at par in March of next year when the call price drops. Is that the plan, that you would just use effectively cash on hand to deal with the 2027 maturity?

Speaker #10: And then also in the debt front you bought back another 12 million of your 2027 . I know . And had an interesting comment about just being in a position to retire that 2027 issue in full at par in March of next year , when they become when the call price drops , is that the plan that you would just use effectively cash on hand to deal with the 2027 maturity .

Paul Evans: That's one option to us. We might do it that way. We might do a smaller refinancing. We'll lock down what's our plan, you know, in the coming month or so.

Speaker #10: ?

Speaker #8: That's one option to us . We might do it that way . We might do a smaller refinancing . We just again , we'll lock down what's our plan ?

Speaker #8: You know , in the coming month or so .

Kurt Wolf: Lastly, we have the liquidity.

Speaker #10: But and then .

Speaker #8: We have the liquidity . If we wanted to take it out , we could take it out . .

Paul Evans: If we wanted to take it out, we could take it out.

[Analyst 2]: Right. As you continue to sort of weigh debt versus the shareholder cash out, whether it be dividend or share buybacks, how are you, now that you've been here for a few months or in this seat for a few months, how do you think about giving money to shareholders versus reducing your overall debt?

Speaker #10: Right . And as you continue to sort of way debt versus the , the shareholder cash out , whether it be dividend or share buybacks , how are you .

Speaker #10: You know, now that you've been here for a few months or in this seat for a few months, how do you think about giving money to shareholders versus reducing your overall debt?

Paul Evans: I look at it on an implied return on investment. Given where our stock is trading, it's a very attractive investment to do that. That's in part why we continue to, we increase the size of the facility from $400 million to $500 million. We still like that. Obviously, we're value buyers on our debt and if it hits our bid, we'll buy. Obviously, we know it's going to go to par in a couple of months. That will open up opportunities for us. I'm looking at that. I'm also looking at what is our maintenance CapEx, which is very manageable for us. If there was an actual acquisition in front of us, we would evaluate that relative to share buybacks or debt buybacks. That's not there right now.

Speaker #8: You know , I look at it on a an implied return on investment , given where our stock is trading . It's a very attractive investment to do that .

Speaker #8: I mean , that's in part why we continue to we increase the size of the facility from 400 to 500 million that , you know , we we still like that , you know , obviously we're value buyers on our debt .

Speaker #8: And , you know , if it hits our bid , we'll buy . Obviously we know it's going to go to par in in a couple of months .

Speaker #8: So you know that will open up opportunities for us . So look I'm looking at that I'm looking at that . I'm also at what is our maintenance CapEx , which is very manageable for us .

Speaker #8: You know , if there was an actual acquisition in front of us , we would evaluate that relative to share buybacks or debt buybacks .

Speaker #8: But , you know , that's not there right now . So with that , you know , our best course of action is to continue to buyback our shares .

Paul Evans: With that, our best course of action is to continue to buy back our shares and also where it's economic, we'll buy back our debt.

Speaker #8: And also where where it's economic . We'll buy back our debt . .

Kurt Wolf: Matt, just to be clear, with respect to capital allocation, we're always going to be incredibly opportunistic. One of the things we're pushing as an organization is being nimble in everything that we do. We'll evaluate whether the debt market's available, what sort of pricing. We'll look at where our stock price is. Paul mentioned acquisitions. Any acquisition we do is almost certainly going to be pretty small in size. That's not going to be a major use of capital, but we still want to consider that as part of capital allocation. I would just keep that in mind as we move forward that we're always going to look at how best to maximize that. Currently, one thing that I will say is we believe we can carry a lot more debt based on our outlook for the business than the market does.

Speaker #4: And Matt , just to be clear with respect to capital allocation , we're always going to be incredibly opportunistic . You know , one of the things we're pushing is an organization is to be nimble in we do .

Speaker #4: So we'll evaluate , you know , whether the debt markets are what sort of pricing we'll look at , you know , where our stock price is .

Speaker #4: You know , Paul mentioned acquisitions . You know , there any acquisition we do is almost certain going to be pretty small in size .

Speaker #4: So that's not going to be a major use of capital . But we still want to want to consider that as part of capital allocation .

Speaker #4: So you know , I would just keep that in mind as as we move forward that we're always going to look at how to maximize that .

Speaker #4: And and currently one thing that I will say is we believe we can carry a lot more debt based on our outlook for the business everything that the market does .

Kurt Wolf: We are very cognizant that the market sets, the market drives everything. The market, I think, is comfortable with about a 3.0 leverage ratio that's written into our current covenants. If that's where the debt market is for us, then we want to make sure that we're getting below that 3.0 from time to time to reset our covenants, but also just to keep the debt markets comfortable with our level of leverage. We have very strong conviction. Longer term, we can carry heavier debt. Until the market agrees with us, we're going to make sure that we meet the market's expectations with respect to our debt.

Speaker #4: But we are very cognizant that the market the market , drives everything . So the market , I think the market's comfortable with about a 3.3.0 leverage ratio .

Speaker #4: That's written into our current covenants . And if that's where the market , you know , the debt market is for us , then , you know , we want to make sure that we're , you know , getting below that three , 3.0 , you know , from time to time to , you know , reset our covenants .

Speaker #4: But also just to keep the debt markets comfortable with the level of leverage . But again , we have very strong conviction . Longer term we can carry heavier debt .

Speaker #4: But until the market agrees with us , we're going to make sure that we meet the market's expectations with respect to our debt .

[Analyst 2]: That's great. Thank you very much, Kurt. Thank you, Paul.

Speaker #10: That's great . Well , thank you very much , Kurt . Thank you Paul .

Kurt Wolf: Thank you, Matt.

Speaker #4: Thank you Matt .

Paul Evans: Thanks.

Speaker #8: Thanks .

Alex Brown: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Justin Dopierala with DOMO Capital Management.

Speaker #2: Thank you . Our next question comes from the line of Justin Dopierala with Domo Capital . Mark management .

Justin Dopierala: Good afternoon.

Speaker #11: Good afternoon .

Kurt Wolf: Hey Justin.

Speaker #4: Hey , Justin .

Justin Dopierala: Most of my questions have been answered. I just have a couple, I haven't had a chance to work through all those huge share repurchase numbers you guys had. I'm just wondering, do you have an idea or can you give an approximate approximation of where we stand today, as of shares outstanding.

Speaker #11: Most of my questions have been answered . I just have a couple . You know , I haven't had a chance to work through all those huge share repurchase numbers .

Speaker #11: You guys had . I'm just wondering , do you have an idea or can you give an approximate , approximate an approximation of where we stand today ?

Speaker #11: As of shares outstanding .

Speaker #8: What about approximately 160 million ?

Paul Evans: About approximately $160 million.

Justin Dopierala: Perfect, thank you. Lastly, to me, this is a cash flow story. There kind of seems to be an impression in the market that this year's cash flow is sort of a one-time event fueled by the over $100 million you freed up with the Pitney Bowes Bank Receivable purchase program, even though that really shouldn't have any impact on free cash flow. Can you confirm this and also confirm there haven't been any material one-time impacts of free cash flow in 2025 that wouldn't be unrepeatable for 2026.

Speaker #11: Perfect . Thank you . And then I mean , lastly , you know , to me , this is a cash flow story , you know , kind of seems to be an impression in the market that this year's cash flow is sort of a one time event fueled by , you know , the over $100 million you freed up with the Pitney Bowes Inc receivables purchase program , even though that really shouldn't have any impact on free cash flow .

Speaker #11: Can you confirm this ? And also confirm there haven't been any , you know , material one time impacts to free cash flow in 2025 that you know wouldn't be unrepeatable for 2026 .

Kurt Wolf: Yeah, Justin. To tick those off, with respect to the receivable purchase program, that does not impact cash flow, it just frees up what used to be restricted cash, makes it unrestricted. No, our free cash flow forecast is not impacted by that. With respect to any sort of one time items, tax assets has come up as something we've talked about. As we look at it, the degree to which we've been able to take advantage of our deferred tax assets, we expect to be able to do for another couple of years. I don't think that's in the, at some point we won't have the same benefit. For years to come, perhaps two, three years, we expect to be able to recognize the same cash benefit from our tax asset. With respect to other one time items, I don't know if Paul has this number handy.

Speaker #4: Yeah . No . Justin . So the tick those off with respect to the receivable purchase program . That does not impact cash flow .

Speaker #4: It just frees up what used to be restricted cash makes it unrestricted . So no , our current free cash flow forecast is not impacted by that .

Speaker #4: With respect to any sort of one time items . You know , tax assets has come up as something we've talked about . You know , as we look at it , the degree to which we've been able to take advantage of our deferred tax assets , we expect to be able to do for another couple of years .

Speaker #4: So I don't think that's in the , you know , at some point we will won't have the same for years to come .

Speaker #4: Perhaps 2 or 3 years , we expect to be able to recognize the same cash benefit from , from , from our tax asset .

Speaker #4: And then with respect to other one time items , I don't benefit . has this number handy . I'm trying to look for it .

Kurt Wolf: I'm trying to look for it. Working capital is a significant use of cash this year. Based on our business, I think it's going to be a much larger use of cash this year than it normally would be. If you were to normalize our working capital in the current year, our free cash flow would actually be a fair bit higher. Just looking at it, $205 million working capital, okay, so I'm being told that year to date working capital has been a use of $205 million. That will somewhat reverse in Q4. I believe Q4 of last year we had free cash flow of about $145 million. I'm not saying we'll be exactly there.

Speaker #4: Working capital is a significant use of cash . This year based on our business . That's I think it's going to be a much larger use of cash this year than it normally would be .

Speaker #4: So, if you were to normalize our working capital in the current year, our free cash flow would actually be a fair bit higher.

Speaker #4: And just looking at it, $205 million in free cash working capital. Okay, so, but I'm being told that year-to-date working capital has been a use of $205 million.

Speaker #4: That will somewhat reverse in Q4. I believe Q4 of last year we had free cash flow of about $145 million. I'm not saying we'll be exactly there.

Kurt Wolf: I guess based on our guidance, I think it may actually be, I think we're expecting a higher level of free cash flow in this Q4, but that will be some reversal of that use of cash. Bottom line, if anything, one time items are actually restraining our free cash flow this year due to working capital as opposed to the opposite.

Speaker #4: You know , I guess based on our guidance , I think it may actually be I think we're expecting a higher level free cash flow in this Q4 , but that will be some reversal of that use of cash .

Speaker #4: So bottom line , if anything , one time items are actually restraining our free cash flow this year due to working capital as opposed to the opposite .

Alex Brown: It.

Justin Dopierala: Got it. I mean, based on that and the other things you've announced, you know, the cost savings, etc., it sounds like free cash flow for 2026 should really be greater than 2025 then.

Speaker #11: Got it . So then I mean , I mean , based on that and the other things you've announced is , you know , the cost savings , etc.

Speaker #11: , I mean , it sounds like free cash flow for 2026 should really be greater than 2025 . Then .

Kurt Wolf: Yeah, we're not giving guidance for 2026. I would just say, you know, everybody on this call is pretty proficient with Excel. If you look at where we are, you have some sense of where revenue should be, some sense of how that flows through the income statement. Look at the $50 to $60 million of cost out. Paul can correct me on this, it should all be done by the end of 2026. The vast majority is being implemented currently and should be done by the end of 2025. I think the run rate in 2025 is going to be awfully high. There will be a significant improvement. I will say just, you know, full transparency, there's obviously offsets to that.

Speaker #4: You know , we're not giving guidance for 2026 . I would just say , you know , you know , everybody on this call , you know , is , you know , pretty proficient with Excel .

Speaker #4: If you look at where we , you have some sense of , you know , where revenue should be . Some sense of how that flows through the income statement .

Speaker #4: Look at the $50 million to $60 million of cost out. And Paul can correct me on this. It should all be done by the end of 2026.

Speaker #4: The vast majority is being implemented currently and should be done by the end of 2025 . So I think the run rate in 2025 is going to be awfully high .

Speaker #4: So there'll be a significant improvement . I will say just , you know , full transparency . There's obviously offsets to that . So I think when you look at merit increases , you look at , you know , benefits some other factors .

Kurt Wolf: When you look at merit increases, you look at benefits, some other factors, there's maybe $15 to $20 million that we're anticipating in additional costs, just cost of living adjustments, et cetera, but still that's a significant cost reduction. As you say, we haven't modeled it out yet, but this is an unusually high use of working capital this year. I'm not, you know, I'll let you draw your own conclusion. Based on all that, I would say that where you're coming out makes a lot of sense to me.

Speaker #4: There's there's maybe 15 to 20 million that we're anticipating an additional costs , just , you know , cost of living adjustments etc. .

Speaker #4: But still that's a significant cost reduction . And as you you know , we haven't modeled it out yet , but this is an unusually high use of working capital this year .

Speaker #4: I'm not you know , I'll let you draw your own conclusion , but based on all that , I would say that you know , where you're coming out makes a lot of sense to me .

Operator: Perfect.

Justin Dopierala: Thanks a lot. Really appreciate your time.

Speaker #11: Perfect . Thanks a lot . I really appreciate your time .

Kurt Wolf: Absolutely. Thank you, Justin.

Speaker #4: Absolutely . Thank you . Justin .

Alex Brown: Thank you. I'll now hand the call back over to Chief Executive Officer Kurt Wolf for any closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Thank you. I'll now call on Chief Executive Officer Kurt Wolff for any closing remarks.

Paul Evans: Yeah.

Kurt Wolf: Thank you, everybody, for being on this call. I just want to make one last comment. I know I say it a lot, but I can't say it enough. As an investor in this company, I hope everybody appreciates the employee base that we have at this company. As I said already, we've gone through a lot of changes at this company. This last round of taking out another $50 to $60 million of costs impacts a lot of people and a lot of lives. The employee base, like I said, it's impressive. People show up every day ready to work, asking how they can be of help. As an investor, hopefully you have some confidence in the leadership team. As investors, I hope you appreciate just how special a workforce we have here at Pitney Bowes Inc.

Speaker #4: Yeah . Thank you , back over You know , I know I say it a lot and I and I can't but I can't say it enough is an investor in this company .

Speaker #4: I hope everybody appreciates the employee base that we have at this company . As I said already , we've gone through a lot of changes at this company , this last round of taking out another 50 to $60 million of costs .

Speaker #4: It impacts a lot of people and a lot of lives . And the employee base , like I said , it's impressive . People show up every day ready to work , asking how they can be of help and just , you know , as an investor , you know , hopefully you have some confidence in the leadership team .

Speaker #4: But , you know , as investors , I hope you appreciate just how special a workforce we have here at Pitney Bowes . It's , you know , the position we have in our markets .

Kurt Wolf: The position we have in our markets, the products we have, the services we have is something special, but the employees we have at this company is as well. I hope everybody appreciates that. Just a special thank you to our employee base for everything they do for us.

Speaker #4: The products we have , the services we have is something special . But the employees we have at this company is as well .

Speaker #4: So I hope everybody appreciates that . And just a special thank you to our employee base for everything they do for us . So thank you all .

Operator: Thank you all.

Alex Brown: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating. This does conclude today's program, and you may now disconnect.