Q2 2027 Titan Machinery Inc Earnings Call
Speaker #1: Greetings. Welcome to Titan Machinery Incorporated second quarter fiscal 2027 earnings call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation.
Operator: Greetings. Welcome to Titan Machinery Inc.'s Q2 FY 2027 earnings call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Please note this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Jeff Sonnek with ICR. Thank you. You may begin.
Speaker #1: If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star-zero on your telephone keypad. Please note, this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Jeff Sonnek with ICR.
Speaker #1: Thank you. You may begin.
Speaker #2: Thank you. Welcome to the Titan Machinery second quarter fiscal 2027 earnings conference call. On the call today from the company are Bryan Knutson, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bo Larsen, Chief Financial Officer.
Jeff Sonnek: Thank you. Welcome to the Titan Machinery Q2 FY 2027 earnings conference call. On the call today from the company are Bryan Knutson, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bo Larsen, Chief Financial Officer. By now, everyone should have access to the earnings release for the fiscal Q2 ended 31 July 2026, which is also available on Titan's Investor Relations website at ir.titanmachinery.com. In addition, we're providing a supplemental presentation to accompany today's prepared remarks, along with webcast and replay information, which can also be found on Titan's Investor Relations website within the Events and Presentations section. We would like to remind everyone that the prepared remarks contain forward-looking statements, and management may make additional forward-looking statements in response to your questions. The statements do not guarantee future performance, and therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon them.
Jeff Sonnek: Thank you. Welcome to the Titan Machinery Q2 FY 2027 earnings conference call. On the call today from the company are Bryan Knutson, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bo Larsen, Chief Financial Officer. By now, everyone should have access to the earnings release for the fiscal Q2 ended 31 July 2026, which is also available on Titan's Investor Relations website at ir.titanmachinery.com. In addition, we're providing a supplemental presentation to accompany today's prepared remarks, along with webcast and replay information, which can also be found on Titan's Investor Relations website within the Events and Presentations section. We would like to remind everyone that the prepared remarks contain forward-looking statements, and management may make additional forward-looking statements in response to your questions. The statements do not guarantee future performance, and therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon them.
Speaker #2: By now, everyone should have access to the earnings release for the fiscal second quarter ended July 31, 2026, which is also available on Titan's investor relations website at ir.titanmachinery.com.
Speaker #2: In addition, we're providing a supplemental presentation to accompany today's prepared remarks, along with webcast and replay information, which can also be found on Titan's investor relations website within the Events and Presentations section.
Speaker #2: We would like to remind everyone that the prepared remarks contain forward-looking statements, and management may make additional forward-looking statements in response to your questions.
Speaker #2: These statements do not guarantee future performance and, therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon them. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the forward-looking statements section of today's earnings release and the company's filings with the SEC, including the risk factors section of Titan's most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
Jeff Sonnek: These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the forward-looking statements section of today's earnings release and the company's filings with the SEC, including the Risk Factors section of Titan's most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by applicable law, Titan assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements that may be made in today's release or call. Please note that during today's call, we may discuss non-GAAP financial measures, including results on an adjusted basis. We believe these adjusted financial measures can facilitate a more complete analysis and greater transparency into Titan's ongoing financial performance, particularly when comparing underlying results from period to period.
Jeff Sonnek: These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the forward-looking statements section of today's earnings release and the company's filings with the SEC, including the Risk Factors section of Titan's most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by applicable law, Titan assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements that may be made in today's release or call. Please note that during today's call, we may discuss non-GAAP financial measures, including results on an adjusted basis. We believe these adjusted financial measures can facilitate a more complete analysis and greater transparency into Titan's ongoing financial performance, particularly when comparing underlying results from period to period.
Speaker #2: These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by applicable law, Titan assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements that may be made in today's release or call.
Speaker #2: Please note that during today's call, we may discuss non-GAAP financial measures, including results on an adjusted basis. We believe these adjusted financial measures can facilitate a more complete analysis and greater transparency into Titan's ongoing financial performance, particularly when comparing underlying results from period to period.
Speaker #2: We have included reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in today's release and supplemental presentation. At the conclusion of our prepared remarks, we will open the call to take your questions.
Jeff Sonnek: We have included reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in today's release and supplemental presentation. At the conclusion of our prepared remarks, we will open the call to take your questions. With that, I'd now like to introduce the company's President and CEO, Bryan Knutson. Please go ahead, Bryan.
Jeff Sonnek: We have included reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in today's release and supplemental presentation. At the conclusion of our prepared remarks, we will open the call to take your questions. With that, I'd now like to introduce the company's President and CEO, Bryan Knutson. Please go ahead, Bryan.
Speaker #2: And with that, I'd now like to introduce the company's President and CEO, Bryan Knutson. Please go ahead, Bryan.
Speaker #3: Thank you, Jeff. I'll begin today's call with a review of our second quarter results and then provide an update on what we are seeing across each of our business segments before turning the call over to Bo for his financial review and updated outlook assumptions.
Bryan Knutson: Thank you, Jeff. I'll begin today's call with a review of our Q2 results and then provide an update on what we are seeing across each of our business segments before turning the call over to Bo for his financial review and updated outlook assumptions. Overall, our Q2 results were largely in line with our expectations, and I am pleased with the continued progress our team is making on the operational priorities we established heading into FY 2027. The highlight of the quarter was the continued improvement in equipment margins across our agricultural business, which contributed to 190 basis point increase in consolidated gross margin compared to the prior year period. This improvement reflects the work our team has done over the last two years to reduce aged inventory, improve inventory mix, and strengthen inventory management processes across our organization.
Bryan Knutson: Thank you, Jeff. I'll begin today's call with a review of our Q2 results and then provide an update on what we are seeing across each of our business segments before turning the call over to Bo for his financial review and updated outlook assumptions. Overall, our Q2 results were largely in line with our expectations, and I am pleased with the continued progress our team is making on the operational priorities we established heading into FY 2027. The highlight of the quarter was the continued improvement in equipment margins across our agricultural business, which contributed to 190 basis point increase in consolidated gross margin compared to the prior year period. This improvement reflects the work our team has done over the last two years to reduce aged inventory, improve inventory mix, and strengthen inventory management processes across our organization.
Speaker #3: Overall, our second-quarter results were largely in line with our expectations, and I am pleased with the continued progress our team is making on the operational priorities we established heading into FY 2027.
Speaker #3: The highlight of the quarter was the continued improvement in equipment margins across our agricultural business, which contributed to a 190-basis-point increase in consolidated gross margin compared to the prior-year period.
Speaker #3: This improvement reflects the work our team has done over the last two years to reduce aged inventory, improve inventory mix, and strengthen inventory management processes across our organization.
Speaker #3: Importantly, these margin improvements are being driven by actions within our control, rather than a meaningful improvement in underlying industry demand. While the agricultural market remains challenged, our business is becoming healthier, more efficient, and better positioned to perform through the cycle.
Bryan Knutson: Importantly, these margin improvements are being driven by actions within our control rather than any meaningful improvement in underlying industry demand. While the agricultural market remains challenged, our business is becoming healthier, more efficient, and better positioned to perform through the cycle. I would like to thank and recognize our employees across the organization for their disciplined execution of our initiatives. Turning to the broader agricultural environment, customer profitability remains under pressure. Despite recent trends upward, commodity prices for key crops such as corn and soybeans continue to sit below levels that would support a meaningful rebound in equipment demand, while elevated input costs remain a headwind for many producers. As a result, customers continue to make equipment replacement decisions cautiously and remain highly focused on preserving cash. While this environment remains difficult, we continue to believe the industry is working through the trough of this cycle in 2026.
Bryan Knutson: Importantly, these margin improvements are being driven by actions within our control rather than any meaningful improvement in underlying industry demand. While the agricultural market remains challenged, our business is becoming healthier, more efficient, and better positioned to perform through the cycle. I would like to thank and recognize our employees across the organization for their disciplined execution of our initiatives. Turning to the broader agricultural environment, customer profitability remains under pressure. Despite recent trends upward, commodity prices for key crops such as corn and soybeans continue to sit below levels that would support a meaningful rebound in equipment demand, while elevated input costs remain a headwind for many producers. As a result, customers continue to make equipment replacement decisions cautiously and remain highly focused on preserving cash. While this environment remains difficult, we continue to believe the industry is working through the trough of this cycle in 2026.
Speaker #3: I would like to thank and recognize our employees across the organization for their disciplined execution of our initiatives. Turning to the broader agricultural environment, customer profitability remains under pressure.
Speaker #3: Despite recent upward trends, commodity prices for key crops such as corn and soybeans continue to sit below levels that would support a meaningful rebound in equipment demand, while elevated input costs remain a headwind for many producers.
Speaker #3: As a result, customers continue to make equipment replacement decisions cautiously and remain highly focused on preserving cash. While this environment remains difficult, we continue to believe the industry is working through the trough of this cycle in 2026.
Speaker #3: Dealer inventory levels across the market have improved significantly over the last two years, equipment fleets continue to age, and the long-term fundamentals supporting agricultural production remain intact.
Bryan Knutson: Dealer inventory levels across the market have improved significantly over the last two years. Equipment fleets continue to age and the long-term fundamentals supporting agricultural production remain intact. We also continue to support initiatives that improve demand for corn and soybean products, including higher ethanol blends, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Over time, stronger demand for those commodities should be supportive of healthier and sustainable farm income and equipment demand. Despite the challenges facing the industry, parts and service continue to provide an important foundation within our business. This doesn't happen without a lot of hard work, especially because the current lack of grower profitability causes more of a fix-as-fail maintenance mentality, causing customers to delay discretionary maintenance and repairs where possible. This dynamic highlights the importance of our customer care strategy and the investments we continue to make in supporting our customers and earning their business.
Bryan Knutson: Dealer inventory levels across the market have improved significantly over the last two years. Equipment fleets continue to age and the long-term fundamentals supporting agricultural production remain intact. We also continue to support initiatives that improve demand for corn and soybean products, including higher ethanol blends, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Over time, stronger demand for those commodities should be supportive of healthier and sustainable farm income and equipment demand. Despite the challenges facing the industry, parts and service continue to provide an important foundation within our business. This doesn't happen without a lot of hard work, especially because the current lack of grower profitability causes more of a fix-as-fail maintenance mentality, causing customers to delay discretionary maintenance and repairs where possible. This dynamic highlights the importance of our customer care strategy and the investments we continue to make in supporting our customers and earning their business.
Speaker #3: We also continue to support initiatives that improve demand for corn and soybean products, including higher ethanol blends, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. Over time, stronger demand for those commodities should be supportive of healthier and more sustainable farm income and equipment demand.
Speaker #3: Despite the challenges facing the industry, parts and service continue to provide an important foundation within our business. This doesn't happen without a lot of hard work, especially because the current lack of grower profitability causes more of a fix-as-fail maintenance mentality, leading customers to delay discretionary maintenance and repairs where possible.
Speaker #3: This dynamic highlights the importance of our customer care strategy and the investments we continue to make in supporting our customers and earning their business.
Speaker #3: Now, turning to more specifics on each segment. In domestic ag, the environment for our grower customers remains very challenging due to the factors I discussed earlier.
Bryan Knutson: Now turning to more specifics on each segment. In domestic ag, the environment for our grower customers remains very challenging due to the factors I discussed earlier. As a reminder, our top-line results through the H1 of the fiscal year were higher than internal expectations due to earlier than anticipated shipments of pre-sold equipment from the factories, which resulted in a pull forward of our deliveries to customers relative to prior expectations. This timing shift strengthened H1 results, but is expected to contribute to some relative headwinds to year-on-year comparisons in the back half of the fiscal year. Yields generally look good across much of our footprint, though dry conditions in July and August will translate to yield reductions in some areas. This is something our team is monitoring closely as we anticipate what year-end buying will look like. Our construction segment performed well during the quarter.
Bryan Knutson: Now turning to more specifics on each segment. In domestic ag, the environment for our grower customers remains very challenging due to the factors I discussed earlier. As a reminder, our top-line results through the H1 of the fiscal year were higher than internal expectations due to earlier than anticipated shipments of pre-sold equipment from the factories, which resulted in a pull forward of our deliveries to customers relative to prior expectations. This timing shift strengthened H1 results, but is expected to contribute to some relative headwinds to year-on-year comparisons in the back half of the fiscal year. Yields generally look good across much of our footprint, though dry conditions in July and August will translate to yield reductions in some areas. This is something our team is monitoring closely as we anticipate what year-end buying will look like. Our construction segment performed well during the quarter.
Speaker #3: As a reminder, our top-line results through the first half of the fiscal year were higher than internal expectations due to earlier-than-anticipated shipments of pre-sold equipment from the factories, which resulted in a pull-forward of our deliveries to customers relative to prior expectations.
Speaker #3: This timing shift strengthened first half results, but it is expected to contribute to some relative headwinds to year-on-year comparisons in the back half of the fiscal year.
Speaker #3: Yields generally look good across much of our footprint, though dry conditions in July and August will translate to yield reductions in some areas. This is something our team is monitoring closely as we anticipate what year-end buying will look like.
Speaker #3: Our construction segment performed well during the quarter. Activity related to infrastructure investment and data center projects remains healthy across much of our footprint and is providing support for improved equipment demand.
Bryan Knutson: Activity related to infrastructure investment and data center projects remains healthy across much of our footprint and is providing support for improved equipment demand. These end markets have helped offset softer activity from agricultural customers who also purchase construction equipment. Overall, we continue to view the underlying fundamentals for our construction business as stable and reasonably healthy. Within our Europe segment, results came in below our expectations. Part of the year-over-year decline was anticipated as we wind down our German operations and we anticipated some decline in Romania after last year's robust results. However, market conditions across the region have also become more challenging than we anticipated entering the year. Low commodity prices, elevated operating costs, broader geopolitical uncertainty, poor crop conditions in certain areas, and weaker farmer sentiment have led many customers to delay equipment purchasing decisions.
Bryan Knutson: Activity related to infrastructure investment and data center projects remains healthy across much of our footprint and is providing support for improved equipment demand. These end markets have helped offset softer activity from agricultural customers who also purchase construction equipment. Overall, we continue to view the underlying fundamentals for our construction business as stable and reasonably healthy. Within our Europe segment, results came in below our expectations. Part of the year-over-year decline was anticipated as we wind down our German operations and we anticipated some decline in Romania after last year's robust results. However, market conditions across the region have also become more challenging than we anticipated entering the year. Low commodity prices, elevated operating costs, broader geopolitical uncertainty, poor crop conditions in certain areas, and weaker farmer sentiment have led many customers to delay equipment purchasing decisions.
Speaker #3: These end markets have helped offset softer activity from agricultural customers, who also purchase construction equipment. Overall, we continue to view the underlying fundamentals for our construction business as stable and reasonably healthy.
Speaker #3: Within our Europe segment, results came in below our expectations. Part of the year-over-year decline was anticipated, as we wind down our German operations, and we anticipate some decline in Romania after last year's robust results.
Speaker #3: However, market conditions across the region have also become more challenging than we anticipated entering the year. Low commodity prices, elevated operating costs, broader geopolitical uncertainty, poor crop conditions in certain areas, and weaker farmer sentiment have led many customers to delay equipment purchasing decisions.
Speaker #3: As a result of these factors, we are adjusting our expectations downward for Europe, for the remainder of FY27. In Australia, equipment demand is being influenced by the same global dynamics pressuring our other ag markets.
Bryan Knutson: As a result of these factors, we are adjusting our expectations downward for Europe for the remainder of FY 2027. In Australia, equipment demand is being influenced by the same global dynamics pressuring our other ag markets, but with sharper increases in input costs, particularly diesel fuel and fertilizer, given the lack of in-country production. Helping offset this has been healthy rainfall and the resulting prospect for improved yields across much of our footprint, which is translating to improved customer sentiment and should help increase equipment demand as we progress through the H2 of the year. In closing, I'm extremely proud of the progress our team continues to make in the face of a challenging demand environment. However, inventory levels across the industry are getting healthier, and fundamentals are starting to suggest that 2026 could be the bottom of this ag cycle.
Bryan Knutson: As a result of these factors, we are adjusting our expectations downward for Europe for the remainder of FY 2027. In Australia, equipment demand is being influenced by the same global dynamics pressuring our other ag markets, but with sharper increases in input costs, particularly diesel fuel and fertilizer, given the lack of in-country production. Helping offset this has been healthy rainfall and the resulting prospect for improved yields across much of our footprint, which is translating to improved customer sentiment and should help increase equipment demand as we progress through the H2 of the year. In closing, I'm extremely proud of the progress our team continues to make in the face of a challenging demand environment. However, inventory levels across the industry are getting healthier, and fundamentals are starting to suggest that 2026 could be the bottom of this ag cycle.
Speaker #3: But with sharper increases in input costs, particularly diesel fuel and fertilizer, given the lack of in-country production. Helping offset this has been healthy rainfall and the resulting prospect for improved yields across much of our footprint, which is translating to improved customer sentiment and should help increase equipment demand as we progress through the second half of the year.
Speaker #3: In closing, I'm extremely proud of the progress our team continues to make in the face of a challenging demand environment. However, inventory levels across the industry are getting healthier, and fundamentals are starting to suggest that 2026 could be the bottom of this ag cycle.
Speaker #3: As for Titan, we continue to execute in the areas that we can control. Inventory quality is improving, equipment margins are strengthening, and our operating model continues to become more efficient.
Bryan Knutson: As for Titan, we continue to execute in the areas that we can control. Inventory quality is improving, equipment margins are strengthening, and our operating model continues to become more efficient. While we remain disciplined in our view of near-term demand, the actions we have taken over the past several years have positioned Titan Machinery to execute effectively and remain resilient through the remainder of this cycle and to capitalize on opportunities as industry conditions improve. With that, I will turn the call over to Beau.
Bryan Knutson: As for Titan, we continue to execute in the areas that we can control. Inventory quality is improving, equipment margins are strengthening, and our operating model continues to become more efficient. While we remain disciplined in our view of near-term demand, the actions we have taken over the past several years have positioned Titan Machinery to execute effectively and remain resilient through the remainder of this cycle and to capitalize on opportunities as industry conditions improve. With that, I will turn the call over to Beau.
Speaker #3: While we remain disciplined in our view of near-term demand, the actions we have taken over the past several years have positioned Titan Machinery to execute effectively and remain resilient through the remainder of this cycle, and to capitalize on opportunities as industry conditions improve.
Speaker #3: With that, I will turn the call over to Beau.
Speaker #2: Thanks, Brian, and good morning, everyone. Starting with our consolidated results for the FY27 second quarter, total revenue was $496.4 million, compared to $546.4 million in the prior-year period, reflecting a 6.2% decrease in same-store sales.
Bo Larsen: Thanks, Bryan, and good morning, everyone. Starting with our consolidated results for the FY 2027 second quarter. Total revenue was $496.4 million compared to $546.4 million in the prior year period, reflecting a 6.2% decrease in same-store sales. Despite the sales headwinds in the second quarter, gross profit was essentially flat at $92.4 million, resulting in gross profit margin expansion of 150 basis points to 18.6%. This year-over-year improvement primarily reflects stronger equipment margins, which improved 190 basis points year over year to 8.5%, driven by the continued improvement in inventory health alongside a higher mix of parts and service revenue in our consolidated totals. Operating expenses of $94.1 million were up modestly year over year. This is largely a function of higher variable expenses tied to our sales initiatives, including those in support of clearing aged inventory.
Bo Larsen: Thanks, Bryan, and good morning, everyone. Starting with our consolidated results for the FY 2027 second quarter. Total revenue was $496.4 million compared to $546.4 million in the prior year period, reflecting a 6.2% decrease in same-store sales. Despite the sales headwinds in the second quarter, gross profit was essentially flat at $92.4 million, resulting in gross profit margin expansion of 150 basis points to 18.6%. This year-over-year improvement primarily reflects stronger equipment margins, which improved 190 basis points year over year to 8.5%, driven by the continued improvement in inventory health alongside a higher mix of parts and service revenue in our consolidated totals. Operating expenses of $94.1 million were up modestly year over year. This is largely a function of higher variable expenses tied to our sales initiatives, including those in support of clearing aged inventory.
Speaker #2: Despite the sales headwinds in the second quarter, gross profit was essentially flat at $92.4 million, resulting in gross profit margin expansion of 150 basis points to 18.6%.
Speaker #2: This year-over-year improvement primarily reflects stronger equipment margins, which improved 190 basis points year-over-year to 8.5%, driven by the continued improvement in inventory health, alongside a higher mix of parts and service revenue in our consolidated totals.
Speaker #2: Operating expenses of $94.1 million were up modestly year-over-year. This is largely a function of higher variable expenses tied to our sales initiatives, including those in support of clearing aged inventory.
Speaker #2: However, the key message is that our headcount and discretionary spending continue to be down year-over-year as a result of disciplined expense management, which speaks to our efforts to control what we can and position ourselves for the other side of this cycle.
Bo Larsen: However, the key message is that our headcount and discretionary spending continue to be down year over year as a result of disciplined expense management, which speaks to our efforts to control what we can and position ourselves for the other side of this cycle. Floorplan and other interest expense decreased 30% to $8.1 million from last year's $11.5 million, reflecting the significant reduction in the interest-bearing inventory levels over the past year. In the second quarter of FY27, net loss was $9.2 million, or $0.40 per share. This compared to a net loss of $6 million, or $0.26 per share in the prior year period, which included a $2.2 million tax benefit that didn't repeat this year, given the tax valuation allowance that we put on in Q4 of last year.
Bo Larsen: However, the key message is that our headcount and discretionary spending continue to be down year over year as a result of disciplined expense management, which speaks to our efforts to control what we can and position ourselves for the other side of this cycle. Floorplan and other interest expense decreased 30% to $8.1 million from last year's $11.5 million, reflecting the significant reduction in the interest-bearing inventory levels over the past year. In the second quarter of FY27, net loss was $9.2 million, or $0.40 per share. This compared to a net loss of $6 million, or $0.26 per share in the prior year period, which included a $2.2 million tax benefit that didn't repeat this year, given the tax valuation allowance that we put on in Q4 of last year.
Speaker #2: Floor plan and other interest expense decreased 30% to $8.1 million, from last year’s $11.5 million, reflecting the significant reduction in the interest-bearing inventory levels over the past year.
Speaker #2: In the second quarter of FY27, net loss was $9.2 million, or $0.40 per share. This compares to a net loss of $6.0 million, or $0.26 per share, in the prior-year period, which included a $2.2 million tax benefit that didn’t repeat this year given the tax valuation allowance that we put on in Q4 of last year.
Speaker #2: Absent last year's tax benefit, net loss was very similar year-over-year despite the lower sales volume. Adjusted EBITDA was $4.6 million compared to $5.6 million last year.
Bo Larsen: Absent last year's tax benefit, net loss was very similar year over year, despite the lower sales volume. Adjusted EBITDA was $4.6 million, compared to $5.6 million last year. Now turning to a brief overview of our segment results for the second quarter. Domestic AG segment sales of $310.2 million reflected a same-store sales decrease of 8.4%, driven by softer equipment demand compared to the prior year. Equipment revenue in the segment came in modestly ahead of our expectations for the quarter and was down 13.5%, while parts and service revenues tracked closely to our expectations. Segment pre-tax loss improved by $9 million to $3.3 million versus the prior year period, reflecting the actions we have taken to accelerate inventory reductions and the resulting improvement in equipment margins that we have achieved. In our construction segment, same-store sales increased by 9.2% to $78.6 million, primarily due to higher equipment sales.
Bo Larsen: Absent last year's tax benefit, net loss was very similar year over year, despite the lower sales volume. Adjusted EBITDA was $4.6 million, compared to $5.6 million last year. Now turning to a brief overview of our segment results for the second quarter. Domestic AG segment sales of $310.2 million reflected a same-store sales decrease of 8.4%, driven by softer equipment demand compared to the prior year. Equipment revenue in the segment came in modestly ahead of our expectations for the quarter and was down 13.5%, while parts and service revenues tracked closely to our expectations. Segment pre-tax loss improved by $9 million to $3.3 million versus the prior year period, reflecting the actions we have taken to accelerate inventory reductions and the resulting improvement in equipment margins that we have achieved. In our construction segment, same-store sales increased by 9.2% to $78.6 million, primarily due to higher equipment sales.
Speaker #2: Now, turning to a brief overview of our segment results for the second quarter. Domestic Ag segment sales of $310.2 million reflected a same-store sales decrease of 8.4%, driven by softer equipment demand compared to the prior year.
Speaker #2: Equipment revenue in the segment came in modestly ahead of our expectations for the quarter and was down 13.5%. Parts and service revenues tracked closely to our expectations.
Speaker #2: Segment pre-tax loss improved by $9 million to $3.3 million versus the prior year period, reflecting the actions we have taken to accelerate inventory reductions and the resulting improvement in equipment margins that we have achieved.
Speaker #2: In our construction segment, same-store sales increased by 9.2% to $78.6 million, primarily due to higher equipment sales. Equipment margins remained strong relative to the prior year, reflecting healthier inventory and improved industry conditions across our construction footprint.
Bo Larsen: Equipment margins remained strong relative to the prior year, reflecting healthier inventory and improved industry conditions across our construction footprint. Pre-tax income improved to $0.4 million, compared to a pre-tax loss of $1.2 million in the second quarter of the prior year. In our Europe segment, sales declined to $66.1 million for the quarter, which included a $1.1 million net benefit related to foreign currency fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased approximately 34%. As we noted last quarter, the wind-down of our German operations is a meaningful portion of the year-over-year decline in this segment and will continue to be through the balance of the year.
Bo Larsen: Equipment margins remained strong relative to the prior year, reflecting healthier inventory and improved industry conditions across our construction footprint. Pre-tax income improved to $0.4 million, compared to a pre-tax loss of $1.2 million in the second quarter of the prior year. In our Europe segment, sales declined to $66.1 million for the quarter, which included a $1.1 million net benefit related to foreign currency fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased approximately 34%. As we noted last quarter, the wind-down of our German operations is a meaningful portion of the year-over-year decline in this segment and will continue to be through the balance of the year.
Speaker #2: Pre-tax income improved to $0.4 million, compared to a pre-tax loss of $1.2 million in the second quarter of the prior year. In our Europe segment, sales declined to $66.1 million for the quarter.
Speaker #2: Which included a $1.1 million net benefit related to foreign currency fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased approximately 34%. As we noted last quarter, the wind-down of our German operations is a meaningful portion of the year-over-year decline in this segment, and will continue to be through the balance of the year.
Speaker #2: Germany contributed approximately $11 million, or about one-third of the year-over-year revenue decline in the second quarter, with the balance attributed to lower equipment demand in the current-year period against a strong prior-year comp, which benefited from the European Union stimulus programs in Romania.
Bo Larsen: Germany contributed approximately $11 million, or about one-third of the year-over-year revenue decline in Q2, with the balance attributed to lower equipment demand in the current year period against a strong prior year comp, which benefited from the European Union's stimulus programs in Romania. Pre-tax loss for the segment was $1.3 million, compared to a pre-tax income of $5.1 million in Q2 of last year. In our Australia segment, sales increased 36% to $41.4 million and included a $3.9 million net benefit related to foreign currency fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased $6.9 million, or 22.5%, with the current period benefiting from contributions from our addition of the New Holland brand to six of our rooftops in the fall of last year.
Bo Larsen: Germany contributed approximately $11 million, or about one-third of the year-over-year revenue decline in Q2, with the balance attributed to lower equipment demand in the current year period against a strong prior year comp, which benefited from the European Union's stimulus programs in Romania. Pre-tax loss for the segment was $1.3 million, compared to a pre-tax income of $5.1 million in Q2 of last year. In our Australia segment, sales increased 36% to $41.4 million and included a $3.9 million net benefit related to foreign currency fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased $6.9 million, or 22.5%, with the current period benefiting from contributions from our addition of the New Holland brand to six of our rooftops in the fall of last year.
Speaker #2: Pre-tax loss for the segment was $1.3 million, compared to pre-tax income of $5.1 million in the second quarter of last year. In our Australia segment, sales increased 36% to $41.4 million.
Speaker #2: And included a $3.9 million net benefit related to foreign currency fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased $6.9 million, or 22.5%, with the current period benefiting from contributions from our addition of the New Holland brand to six of our rooftops in the fall of last year.
Speaker #2: Pre-tax loss for the segment was $3.4 million, compared to a pre-tax loss of $2.1 million in the second quarter of last year. Now, on to our balance sheet and inventory position.
Bo Larsen: Pre-tax loss for the segment was $3.4 million, compared to a pre-tax loss of $2.1 million in Q2 of last year. Now on to our balance sheet and inventory position. We had cash of approximately $30 million and an adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio of 1.6 times as of 31 July 2026, which is well below our bank covenant of 3.5 times. Total inventory at quarter end was $931.5 million, a modest increase of $28 million compared to year end. This increase was very much in line with our expectations and reflects the normal seasonal cadence of inventory flows. As Bryan noted, our focus in FY27 remains on reducing aged inventory, mix optimization, and increasing inventory turns, all of which we continue to expect to see improvement throughout the rest of the year. Turning to our FY27 modeling assumptions.
Bo Larsen: Pre-tax loss for the segment was $3.4 million, compared to a pre-tax loss of $2.1 million in Q2 of last year. Now on to our balance sheet and inventory position. We had cash of approximately $30 million and an adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio of 1.6 times as of 31 July 2026, which is well below our bank covenant of 3.5 times. Total inventory at quarter end was $931.5 million, a modest increase of $28 million compared to year end. This increase was very much in line with our expectations and reflects the normal seasonal cadence of inventory flows. As Bryan noted, our focus in FY27 remains on reducing aged inventory, mix optimization, and increasing inventory turns, all of which we continue to expect to see improvement throughout the rest of the year. Turning to our FY27 modeling assumptions.
Speaker #2: We had cash of approximately $30 million and an adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio of 1.6 times as of July 31, 2026, which is well below our bank covenant of 3.5 times.
Speaker #2: Total inventory at quarter end was $931.5 million, a modest increase of $28 million compared to year-end. This increase was very much in line with our expectations and reflects the normal seasonal cadence of inventory flows.
Speaker #2: As Brian noted, our focus in FY27 remains on reducing aged inventory, mix optimization, and increasing inventory turns—all of which we continue to expect to see improve throughout the rest of the year.
Speaker #2: Turning to our FY27 modeling assumptions, we are reaffirming our overall profitability outlook for the year while updating a number of our segment revenue assumptions to reflect our year-to-date performance and our current expectations for the balance of the year.
Bo Larsen: We are reaffirming our overall profitability outlook for the year while updating a number of our segment revenue assumptions to reflect our year-to-date performance and our current expectations for the balance of the year. We continue to expect our domestic agriculture segment to be down in the range of 15% to 20%, though at this point we would expect it to be closer to the 15% range. In construction, we are raising our outlook for growth in the range of up 5% to 10%, reflecting the momentum we are seeing from infrastructure, data center, and otherwise generally improved demand in our footprint. In Europe, we are revising our outlook to a decrease of 30% to 40% and widening the range to reflect the uncertainty we are seeing in the region.
Bo Larsen: We are reaffirming our overall profitability outlook for the year while updating a number of our segment revenue assumptions to reflect our year-to-date performance and our current expectations for the balance of the year. We continue to expect our domestic agriculture segment to be down in the range of 15% to 20%, though at this point we would expect it to be closer to the 15% range. In construction, we are raising our outlook for growth in the range of up 5% to 10%, reflecting the momentum we are seeing from infrastructure, data center, and otherwise generally improved demand in our footprint. In Europe, we are revising our outlook to a decrease of 30% to 40% and widening the range to reflect the uncertainty we are seeing in the region.
Speaker #2: We continue to expect our domestic agriculture segment to be down in the range of 15% to 20%. Though at this point, we'd expect it to be closer to the 15% range.
Speaker #2: In construction, we are raising our outlook for growth in the range of up 5% to 10%, reflecting the momentum we're seeing from infrastructure, data center, and generally improved demand in our footprint.
Speaker #2: In Europe, we are revising our outlook to a decrease of 30% to 40%, and widening the range to reflect the uncertainty we're seeing in the region.
Speaker #2: A meaningful portion of that decline, or about $44 million, continues to be driven by the wind-down of our German operations, with the balance reflecting broader softness across the rest of the region.
Bo Larsen: A meaningful portion of that decline, or about $44 million, continues to be driven by the wind-down of our German operations, with the balance reflecting broader softness across the rest of the region. In Australia, we are raising our outlook for growth to be in the range of about 15% to 20%, and we expect full-year results to be closer to the high end of the range, around that 20% growth mark. Reported results for Australia are benefiting from favorable foreign currency translation, and that alone is expected to provide 8% growth for the full year. From a margin perspective, we expect consolidated full-year equipment margin to be approximately 8.3%, which compares to 7.3% in FY26.
Bo Larsen: A meaningful portion of that decline, or about $44 million, continues to be driven by the wind-down of our German operations, with the balance reflecting broader softness across the rest of the region. In Australia, we are raising our outlook for growth to be in the range of about 15% to 20%, and we expect full-year results to be closer to the high end of the range, around that 20% growth mark. Reported results for Australia are benefiting from favorable foreign currency translation, and that alone is expected to provide 8% growth for the full year. From a margin perspective, we expect consolidated full-year equipment margin to be approximately 8.3%, which compares to 7.3% in FY26.
Speaker #2: In Australia, we are raising our outlook for growth to be in the range of about 15% to 20%. And we expect full-year results to be closer to the high end of the range, around that 20% growth mark.
Speaker #2: Reported results for Australia are benefiting from favorable foreign currency translation, and that alone is expected to provide 8% growth for the full year. From a margin perspective, we expect consolidated full-year equipment margin to be approximately 8.3%.
Speaker #2: Which compares to 7.3% in fiscal year 2026. I'd note that through the first half of the year, we are at 8.2%, which speaks to the impact of our inventory initiatives and our confidence in delivering against this full-year expectation across the balance of the year.
Bo Larsen: I'd note that through the H1 of the year, we are at 8.2%, which speaks to the impact of our inventory initiatives and our confidence in delivering against this full-year expectation across the balance of the year. Full-year operating expenses will decrease year-over-year despite our continued investment in our customer care strategy, which is supporting stability in our parts and service businesses. We expect operating expenses to be approximately 17.5% to 18% of sales. On floorplan interest expense, given the great progress on the health of our inventory, we now expect to achieve a year-over-year decline of approximately 30% for the full fiscal year. Bringing it all together, we are reaffirming our full-year adjusted EBITDA range of $17 to $29 million and our adjusted diluted loss per share range of $1.25 to $1.75.
Bo Larsen: I'd note that through the H1 of the year, we are at 8.2%, which speaks to the impact of our inventory initiatives and our confidence in delivering against this full-year expectation across the balance of the year. Full-year operating expenses will decrease year-over-year despite our continued investment in our customer care strategy, which is supporting stability in our parts and service businesses. We expect operating expenses to be approximately 17.5% to 18% of sales. On floorplan interest expense, given the great progress on the health of our inventory, we now expect to achieve a year-over-year decline of approximately 30% for the full fiscal year. Bringing it all together, we are reaffirming our full-year adjusted EBITDA range of $17 to $29 million and our adjusted diluted loss per share range of $1.25 to $1.75.
Speaker #2: Full-year operating expenses will decrease year-over-year, despite our continued investment in our customer care strategy, which is supporting stability in our parts and service businesses.
Speaker #2: We expect operating expenses to be approximately 17.5% to 18% of sales. On floor plan interest expense, given the great progress on the health of our inventory, we now expect to achieve a year-over-year decline of approximately 30% for the full fiscal year.
Speaker #2: Bringing it all together, we are reaffirming our full-year adjusted EBITDA range of $17 million to $29 million, and our adjusted diluted loss per share range of $1.25 to $1.75.
Speaker #2: In summary, our second quarter results reflect the continued progress we're making on inventory health and our operational priorities as we progress through the bottom of this cycle.
Bo Larsen: In summary, our Q2 results reflect the continued progress we're making on inventory health and our operational priorities as we progress through the bottom of this cycle. We remain focused on executing the initiatives within our control to position us well when industry conditions inflect. This concludes our prepared comments. Operator, we are now ready for the question-and-answer session of our call.
Bo Larsen: In summary, our Q2 results reflect the continued progress we're making on inventory health and our operational priorities as we progress through the bottom of this cycle. We remain focused on executing the initiatives within our control to position us well when industry conditions inflect. This concludes our prepared comments. Operator, we are now ready for the question-and-answer session of our call.
Speaker #2: We remain focused on executing the initiatives within our control to position us well when industry conditions inflect. This concludes our prepared comments, Operator. We are now ready for the question-and-answer session of our call.
Speaker #1: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue.
Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For a participant using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. Please ask one question and one follow-up question, and re-queue for additional questions. Our first question is from Liam Burke with B. Riley Securities. Please proceed.
Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For a participant using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. Please ask one question and one follow-up question, and re-queue for additional questions. Our first question is from Liam Burke with B. Riley Securities. Please proceed.
Speaker #1: You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys.
Speaker #1: Please ask one question and one follow-up question, and then re-queue for additional questions. Our first question is from Liam Burke with B. Reilly Securities. Please proceed.
Speaker #3: Thank you. Good morning, Bryan. Good morning, Beau.
Liam Burke: Thank you. Good morning, Bryan. Good morning, Bo.
Liam Burke: Thank you. Good morning, Bryan. Good morning, Bo.
Speaker #4: Good morning.
Bo Larsen: Morning.
Bo Larsen: Morning.
Bryan Knutson: Good morning.
Bryan Knutson: Good morning.
Speaker #3: The headlines and the turmoil in the Black Sea, with not only shipments—you've obviously discussed the implications in Europe—does that have a ripple effect on other markets that you're serving, particularly the U.S., either good or bad?
Liam Burke: The headlines and the turmoil in the Black Sea with not only shipment. You've discussed the implications in Europe. Does that have a ripple effect on other of the markets that you're serving, particularly the US, either good or bad?
Liam Burke: The headlines and the turmoil in the Black Sea with not only shipment. You've discussed the implications in Europe. Does that have a ripple effect on other of the markets that you're serving, particularly the US, either good or bad?
Speaker #4: Yeah, Liam. You know, certainly a lot of small grain especially comes out of those areas between Ukraine and Russia, and both have been heavily impacted.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah, Liam. Certainly, a lot of small grain especially comes out of that area between Ukraine and Russia, and both have been heavily impacted. We are certainly monitoring that closely with our Ukraine customers. They are having difficulty moving grain for sure. We're stocking appropriately and managing inventories appropriately in Ukraine as we go forward here based on what we're anticipating for sales out of that region over the rest of the year and into next year due to the impact there. On the other hand, definitely a positive for US, a positive for us in our Australia footprint. What we're anticipating, especially wheat and other small grain prices to continue to be on the rise here, that continues to be a positive for them.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah, Liam. Certainly, a lot of small grain especially comes out of that area between Ukraine and Russia, and both have been heavily impacted. We are certainly monitoring that closely with our Ukraine customers. They are having difficulty moving grain for sure. We're stocking appropriately and managing inventories appropriately in Ukraine as we go forward here based on what we're anticipating for sales out of that region over the rest of the year and into next year due to the impact there. On the other hand, definitely a positive for US, a positive for us in our Australia footprint. What we're anticipating, especially wheat and other small grain prices to continue to be on the rise here, that continues to be a positive for them.
Speaker #4: And so, we are certainly monitoring that closely with our Ukraine customers. They are having difficulty moving grain, for sure. And so, we're stocking appropriately and managing inventories appropriately.
Speaker #4: In Ukraine, as we go forward here, based on what we're anticipating for sales out of that region over the rest of the year and into next year due to the impact there.
Speaker #4: But on the other hand, definitely a positive for us, a positive for us in our Australia footprint. We're anticipating, especially with wheat and other small grain prices, to continue to be on the rise here.
Speaker #4: That continues to be a positive for them.
Speaker #3: Terrific. And we sort of look at a benchmark of corn pricing at $5, and are starting to think that the agriculture segment begins to benefit at corn at $5 and above.
Liam Burke: Terrific. We sort of look at a benchmark of corn pricing at $5 and starting to think that the agriculture segment begins to benefit at corn at five and above. It's now at sort of the $5.50 area. How long does it have to stay there in order for the agriculture segment to start being comfortable with loosening the purse strings?
Liam Burke: Terrific. We sort of look at a benchmark of corn pricing at $5 and starting to think that the agriculture segment begins to benefit at corn at five and above. It's now at sort of the $5.50 area. How long does it have to stay there in order for the agriculture segment to start being comfortable with loosening the purse strings?
Speaker #3: It's now at sort of the $5.50 area. How long does it have to stay there in order for the agriculture segment to start being comfortable with loosening the purse strings?
Speaker #4: Yeah, you know, maybe first, just to clarify how the basis impacts that. Just in the Midwest or depending on the area's distance from major ports or shipping routes and so on, that basis will vary.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Maybe first, just to clarify how the basis impacts that, Liam. In the Midwest or depending on an area's distance from major ports or shipping routes and so on, that basis will vary. In the Midwest here, we have pretty large basis, so always important to differentiate the future's price versus the cash grain price. That can be anywhere from, like right now, 30 to 50 cents in some of our areas of Iowa and Nebraska, all the way up to almost a dollar in Minnesota and about 80 to 90 cents in North Dakota as an example right now. So that's that basis spread that essentially for cash grain price today, you'd have to subtract off of there. But to your question, this definitely a run here lately in commodity prices. Yesterday was a really big day.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Maybe first, just to clarify how the basis impacts that, Liam. In the Midwest or depending on an area's distance from major ports or shipping routes and so on, that basis will vary. In the Midwest here, we have pretty large basis, so always important to differentiate the future's price versus the cash grain price. That can be anywhere from, like right now, 30 to 50 cents in some of our areas of Iowa and Nebraska, all the way up to almost a dollar in Minnesota and about 80 to 90 cents in North Dakota as an example right now. So that's that basis spread that essentially for cash grain price today, you'd have to subtract off of there. But to your question, this definitely a run here lately in commodity prices. Yesterday was a really big day.
Speaker #4: In the Midwest here, we have a pretty large basis, so I always think it's important to differentiate the futures price versus the cash grain price. That can be anywhere from, like right now, $0.30 to $0.50 in some of our areas of Iowa.
Speaker #4: And Nebraska, all the way up to almost a dollar in Minnesota, and about $0.80 to $0.90 in North Dakota as an example right now.
Speaker #4: So that's that basis spread that, essentially, for cash grain price today, you'd have to subtract off of there. But to your question, you know, there’s definitely been a run here lately in commodity prices.
Speaker #4: Yesterday was a really big day. We anticipate further increases here. As the Pro Farmer tour continues, certainly they're seeing that the previously anticipated yields aren't there.
Bryan Knutson: We anticipate further increases here as the Pro Farmer Crop Tour continues. Certainly, they're seeing that the previously anticipated yields aren't there and that the drought conditions and some of the fertilizer impact has certainly impacted the crop along with other weather events all over the globe. So that's helping with the ending stocks and the stock-to-use ratio predictions as well as, you've heard us talk a lot about other uses for the crops and so we're starting to see the fruits of some of that with the renewable fuels and more E15 adoption and purchasing, as well as biodiesel and the additional crushing plants that have been coming online. You look at some other positives with now selling soybean meal over to Europe is a really big positive and the purchases recently from China here, and I think you're going to see more of that.
Bryan Knutson: We anticipate further increases here as the Pro Farmer Crop Tour continues. Certainly, they're seeing that the previously anticipated yields aren't there and that the drought conditions and some of the fertilizer impact has certainly impacted the crop along with other weather events all over the globe. So that's helping with the ending stocks and the stock-to-use ratio predictions as well as, you've heard us talk a lot about other uses for the crops and so we're starting to see the fruits of some of that with the renewable fuels and more E15 adoption and purchasing, as well as biodiesel and the additional crushing plants that have been coming online. You look at some other positives with now selling soybean meal over to Europe is a really big positive and the purchases recently from China here, and I think you're going to see more of that.
Speaker #4: And the drought conditions, in addition to some of the fertilizer impacts, have certainly affected the crop, along with other weather events all over the globe.
Speaker #4: So that's helping with the ending stocks and the stock-to-use ratio predictions, as well as—as you've heard us talk a lot about—other uses for the crops.
Speaker #4: And so we're starting to see the fruits of some of that with the renewable fuels and more E15 adoption and purchasing, as well as biodiesel, and the additional crushing plants that have been coming online.
Speaker #4: You look at some other positives with now selling soybean meal over to Europe. There's a really big positive in the purchases recently from China here.
Speaker #4: And I think you're going to see more of that. Even though we're getting pretty well into the year here, before the end of the year I think you'll see a fair amount more opportunity for purchases from China—both soybeans and U.S. corn as well.
Bryan Knutson: Even though we're getting pretty well into the year here, before the end of the year, I think you'll see a fair amount more opportunity for purchases from China, both soybeans and US corn as well. There's some of those more structural fundamentals that we're really starting to see the positivity around and as we look at the Renewable Fuel Standard for next year, that also is going to bode well. So, we'll continue to monitor the weather closely. That's what's driving it up here, like yesterday and as the crop continues to come in and then see how weather patterns develop next year. But basically, also to your question, these recent movements look very encouraging for getting our farmers into the black for 2026 here. Then, when could we start to see the impact of that? Of 2027 or a material impact to it, I should say.
Bryan Knutson: Even though we're getting pretty well into the year here, before the end of the year, I think you'll see a fair amount more opportunity for purchases from China, both soybeans and US corn as well. There's some of those more structural fundamentals that we're really starting to see the positivity around and as we look at the Renewable Fuel Standard for next year, that also is going to bode well. So, we'll continue to monitor the weather closely. That's what's driving it up here, like yesterday and as the crop continues to come in and then see how weather patterns develop next year. But basically, also to your question, these recent movements look very encouraging for getting our farmers into the black for 2026 here. Then, when could we start to see the impact of that? Of 2027 or a material impact to it, I should say.
Speaker #4: So there's some of those more structural fundamentals that we're really starting to see the positivity around. And as we look at the renewable fuel standards for next year, that also is going to bode well.
Speaker #4: Continue to monitor the weather closely. That's what's driving it up here, like yesterday, and as the crop continues to come in. Then we'll see how weather patterns develop next year.
Speaker #4: But basically, also to your question, these recent movements look very encouraging for getting our farmers into the black for 2026 here. And then, when can we start to see the impact of that?
Speaker #4: You know, of '27 or a material impact to it, I should say. If these can sustain, and they'll do forward contracting, you know, into '27.
Bryan Knutson: If these can sustain and they'll do forward contracting into 2027, and put together a good crop and then anticipate that buying would really pick up then.
Bryan Knutson: If these can sustain and they'll do forward contracting into 2027, and put together a good crop and then anticipate that buying would really pick up then.
Speaker #4: And you'll put together a good crop, and then anticipate that buying would really pick up then.
Speaker #3: Great. Thank you very much.
Liam Burke: Great. Thank you very much.
Liam Burke: Great. Thank you very much.
Speaker #4: Yeah, thank you.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Thank you.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Thank you.
Speaker #1: Our next question is from Steve Dryer with Craig-Hallum Capital Group. Please proceed.
Operator: Our next question is from Steve Dyer with Craig-Hallum Capital Group. Please proceed.
Operator: Our next question is from Steve Dyer with Craig-Hallum Capital Group. Please proceed.
Speaker #2: Hey, thanks. This is Matthew Robin for Steve. Maybe picking up where you left off there, Bryan. Maybe where we stand from a U.S. ag perspective and what your current thoughts are into next year.
Matthew Raab: Hey, thanks. This is Matthew Raab on for Steve. Maybe picking up where you left off there, Bryan, maybe where we stand from a US Ag perspective and what your current thoughts are into next year. Deere commented last week that their EOPs are up in the mid-single-digit range. We will see where that actually ends up, but at least moving in the right direction. Maybe Bryan or Bo, give you the opportunity to comment on that, and whether you are hearing similar or different across your stores as we look into next year.
Matthew Raab: Hey, thanks. This is Matthew Raab on for Steve. Maybe picking up where you left off there, Bryan, maybe where we stand from a US Ag perspective and what your current thoughts are into next year. Deere commented last week that their EOPs are up in the mid-single-digit range. We will see where that actually ends up, but at least moving in the right direction. Maybe Bryan or Bo, give you the opportunity to comment on that, and whether you are hearing similar or different across your stores as we look into next year.
Speaker #2: Deere commented last week that their EOPs are up in the mid-single-digit range. We'll see where that actually ends up, but at least they're moving in the right direction.
Speaker #2: Maybe Bryan or Beau, I'll give you the opportunity to comment on that, and whether you're hearing similar or different feedback across your stores as we look into next year.
Speaker #4: Yeah. And generally we're seeing the same as the OEMs on that front. And again, it's early. I know Deanna commented on that on Deere's call, too, that with both—all the OEMs tend to come out earlier with the seasonal spring equipment, like the planters and sprayers.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Generally we are seeing the same as the OEMs on that front. Again, it is early. I know Deanna commented on that on Deere's call too, that all the OEMs tend to come out earlier with the seasonal spring equipment like the planters and sprayers. So those we are a little farther into, but still not done with those yet either. So we will kind of see how that wraps up and then certainly a little ways to go here yet on the bulk of it, which is the tractors and combines. But early indications are basically in line with what they are seeing. Then just as a reminder for us, we also have our inventory sales too, which will be a big indicator as well.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Generally we are seeing the same as the OEMs on that front. Again, it is early. I know Deanna commented on that on Deere's call too, that all the OEMs tend to come out earlier with the seasonal spring equipment like the planters and sprayers. So those we are a little farther into, but still not done with those yet either. So we will kind of see how that wraps up and then certainly a little ways to go here yet on the bulk of it, which is the tractors and combines. But early indications are basically in line with what they are seeing. Then just as a reminder for us, we also have our inventory sales too, which will be a big indicator as well.
Speaker #4: And so, those were a little farther into, but still not done with those yet either. So, we'll kind of see how that wraps up, and then certainly there's a little ways to go here yet on the bulk of it, which is the tractors and combines. But early indications are basically in line with what they're seeing.
Speaker #4: And then, just as a reminder for us, we also have our inventory sales too, which will be a big indicator as well. So hopefully this run continues in the commodity prices here, with some of the Section 179 incentives out there and stuff.
Bryan Knutson: Hopefully this run continues in the commodity prices here, which with some of the Section 179 incentives out there and stuff, could be a benefit for growers here if they get into a profitability scenario. Yeah, again, there is a lot of structural fundamentals though out there that I want to reiterate and point to, besides just some of the recent gains we are seeing in commodity prices that are more so tied to the weather. But as we look at the again, as I mentioned with biofuels and just really looking at the livestock markets right now and our livestock producers have had good prices here for quite a while. So, early in that run, if we go all the way back to last year, they are paying down debt and hesitant to spend some of that money, but that has been a good run now.
Bryan Knutson: Hopefully this run continues in the commodity prices here, which with some of the Section 179 incentives out there and stuff, could be a benefit for growers here if they get into a profitability scenario. Yeah, again, there is a lot of structural fundamentals though out there that I want to reiterate and point to, besides just some of the recent gains we are seeing in commodity prices that are more so tied to the weather. But as we look at the again, as I mentioned with biofuels and just really looking at the livestock markets right now and our livestock producers have had good prices here for quite a while. So, early in that run, if we go all the way back to last year, they are paying down debt and hesitant to spend some of that money, but that has been a good run now.
Speaker #4: It could be a benefit for growers here if they get into a profitability scenario. So, yeah, again, there's a lot of structural fundamentals out there that I want to reiterate and point to, besides just some of the recent gains we're seeing in commodity prices that are more so tied to the weather.
Speaker #4: But as we look at it again, as I mentioned with biofuels, and just really looking at the livestock markets right now—they've had, our livestock producers have had, good prices here for quite a while.
Speaker #4: So early in that run, if we go all the way back to last year, they're paying down debt and hesitant to spend some of that money.
Speaker #4: But that's been a good run now. And then also just replacement demand. As we get into and look to 2027, if we can again continue commodity prices up and some of these structural things that support commodity prices, there are also those structural benefits within our business that the fleet just continues to age here.
Bryan Knutson: Then also just replacement demand, as we get into and look to 2027. If we can, again, continue commodity prices up and some of these structural things that support commodity prices. There are also those structural benefits within our business, that the fleet just continues to age here. We have been at really low industry volumes now for a long time. FY27 will start out looking at roughly 25% below where we were 10 years ago for industry volumes. So, that just continues to age the fleet and put more hours on and exacerbate the need to trade. If they do not, it bodes well for our parts and service.
Bryan Knutson: Then also just replacement demand, as we get into and look to 2027. If we can, again, continue commodity prices up and some of these structural things that support commodity prices. There are also those structural benefits within our business, that the fleet just continues to age here. We have been at really low industry volumes now for a long time. FY27 will start out looking at roughly 25% below where we were 10 years ago for industry volumes. So, that just continues to age the fleet and put more hours on and exacerbate the need to trade. If they do not, it bodes well for our parts and service.
Speaker #4: We've been at really low industry volumes now for a long time. In FY27, we'll start out looking at roughly 25% below where we were about 10 years ago for industry volumes.
Speaker #4: And so that just continues to age the fleet and put more hours on, and exacerbate the need to trade. And if they don't, it bodes well for our parts and service.
Speaker #2: Very helpful. And then, maybe from an equipment gross margin perspective, it was 100 bps higher in Q2. Beau, I'm curious how the domestic ag segment looks and how you think that trends through the second half.
Matthew Raab: Very helpful. Then maybe from an equipment gross margin perspective, it was 100 basis points higher in Q1, nearly 200 in Q2. Bo, I am curious how the domestic ag segment looks and how you think that trends through the second half. Then I know you do not have a guide out for FY28, but directionally, how should we think about that stepping-off point from the second half into next year from a margin perspective?
Matthew Raab: Very helpful. Then maybe from an equipment gross margin perspective, it was 100 basis points higher in Q1, nearly 200 in Q2. Bo, I am curious how the domestic ag segment looks and how you think that trends through the second half. Then I know you do not have a guide out for FY28, but directionally, how should we think about that stepping-off point from the second half into next year from a margin perspective?
Speaker #2: And then, I know you don't have a guide out for fiscal year '28, but directionally, how should we think about that stepping-off point from the second half into next year, from a margin perspective?
Speaker #4: Yeah, so no, I've been really pleased specifically with our domestic ag margins. For the first half of the year, domestic ag equipment margins are 6.7%.
Bo Larsen: Yeah. I've been really pleased, specifically with our domestic ag margins. For the H1 of the year, domestic ag equipment margins is 6.7%. Last year's was unusually compressed. That was down at like 3.1%. So we're up significantly 360 basis points. Last year, we still had a lot of those factors that we were having to work through and make progress on from an inventory perspective. Then we saw that margin inflect in the H2 of the year. So it's been really good to see that it's continued to go up. Generally speaking, our guide, I mentioned H1 was 6.70%, generally expecting about 6.90% for full year domestic ag equipment margins. So expecting a little bit more improvement, but not to the same extent as the H1 of the year.
Bo Larsen: Yeah. I've been really pleased, specifically with our domestic ag margins. For the H1 of the year, domestic ag equipment margins is 6.7%. Last year's was unusually compressed. That was down at like 3.1%. So we're up significantly 360 basis points. Last year, we still had a lot of those factors that we were having to work through and make progress on from an inventory perspective. Then we saw that margin inflect in the H2 of the year. So it's been really good to see that it's continued to go up. Generally speaking, our guide, I mentioned H1 was 6.70%, generally expecting about 6.90% for full year domestic ag equipment margins. So expecting a little bit more improvement, but not to the same extent as the H1 of the year.
Speaker #4: Last year's was unusually compressed—that was down at like 3.1%. So we're up significantly, 360 basis points. But last year, right, we still had a lot of those factors that we were having to work through and make progress on from an inventory perspective.
Speaker #4: And then we saw that margin inflect in the second half of the year, so it's been really good to see that it's continued to go up.
Speaker #4: Generally speaking, our guide—I mentioned first half was 6.7. Generally expecting about 6.9 for full-year domestic ag equipment margins. So, expecting a little bit more improvement, but not to the same extent as the first half of the year.
Speaker #4: Again, really pleased with where we're at from an inventory health perspective, but still have some work to do. As a reminder, we generally would prescribe a range of domestic ag equipment margins in terms of a normal range between, call it, 8% and 11 or 12%.
Bo Larsen: Again, really pleased with where we're at from an inventory health perspective, but still have some work to do. As a reminder, we generally would prescribe a range of domestic ag equipment margins, in terms of a normal range, between call it 8% and 11% or 12%. Those higher ends really in peak conditions and the lower end really below mid-cycle. Just as a reminder, this year we're 50% of the average of the last 25 years. So to get us inching closer to the 7% and on the way to 8% when we're so far below average, that's been really pleasing. As we continue to make progress, I would expect that margins slowly march upwards toward that 8%, but I think we do need a bit of a lift on those industry volumes.
Bo Larsen: Again, really pleased with where we're at from an inventory health perspective, but still have some work to do. As a reminder, we generally would prescribe a range of domestic ag equipment margins, in terms of a normal range, between call it 8% and 11% or 12%. Those higher ends really in peak conditions and the lower end really below mid-cycle. Just as a reminder, this year we're 50% of the average of the last 25 years. So to get us inching closer to the 7% and on the way to 8% when we're so far below average, that's been really pleasing. As we continue to make progress, I would expect that margins slowly march upwards toward that 8%, but I think we do need a bit of a lift on those industry volumes.
Speaker #4: Those higher ends are really in peak conditions, and the lower end is really below mid-cycle. But just as a reminder, right, this year we're at 50% of the average of the last 25 years.
Speaker #4: So, to get us inching closer to the 7% and on the way to 8% when we're so far below average, that's been really pleasing.
Speaker #4: As we continue to make progress, I would expect that margins slowly march upwards toward that 8%. But I think we do need a bit of a lift on those industry volumes.
Speaker #4: We don't need to get anywhere near mid-cycle, but we're at half of it right now. We're at half of the historical average, I should say. So as we make progress there, we'll get into the lower end of that range, and yeah, we'll continue to see how expectations develop for demand heading into next year.
Bo Larsen: We don't need to get anywhere near mid-cycle, but we're half of it right now, or half of the historical average, I should say. As we make progress there, we'll get into the lower end of that range. We'll continue to see how expectations develop for demand heading into next year.
Bo Larsen: We don't need to get anywhere near mid-cycle, but we're half of it right now, or half of the historical average, I should say. As we make progress there, we'll get into the lower end of that range. We'll continue to see how expectations develop for demand heading into next year.
Speaker #2: That's great. And then maybe if I can squeeze one more in here, how are you thinking about Q3 versus Q4? Fairly even between the quarters or are there some differences that we should know?
Matthew Raab: That's great. Maybe if I can squeeze one more in here. How are you thinking about Q3 versus Q4? Fairly even between the quarters, or are there some differences that we should know?
Matthew Raab: That's great. Maybe if I can squeeze one more in here. How are you thinking about Q3 versus Q4? Fairly even between the quarters, or are there some differences that we should know?
Speaker #4: Yeah, and appreciate the question there too. Before I directly answer that, I just want to say, we had some commentary in terms of timing of shipments from OEMs and the deliveries to customers.
Bo Larsen: Yeah, and appreciate the question there too. Before I directly answer that, I just want to say, we had some of the commentary in terms of timing of shipments from OEMs and then deliveries to customers, and that's partly because of the differences there. Domestic ag, in the H1 of the year, equipment sales was down about 13.5%. Our guide is implying more that equipment sales in the H2 of the year is down more like 20%, which would bring the full year at 17% and kind of right in the middle of the expected range from an industry volume perspective of down 15% to 20%. That's partly why we were calling that out. We're definitely expecting that. We've been really expecting that kind of all year.
Bo Larsen: Yeah, and appreciate the question there too. Before I directly answer that, I just want to say, we had some of the commentary in terms of timing of shipments from OEMs and then deliveries to customers, and that's partly because of the differences there. Domestic ag, in the H1 of the year, equipment sales was down about 13.5%. Our guide is implying more that equipment sales in the H2 of the year is down more like 20%, which would bring the full year at 17% and kind of right in the middle of the expected range from an industry volume perspective of down 15% to 20%. That's partly why we were calling that out. We're definitely expecting that. We've been really expecting that kind of all year.
Speaker #4: And that's partly because of the differences. So, domestic ag in the first half of the year, equipment sales was down about 13.5%.
Speaker #4: Our guide is implying more that equipment sales in the back half of the year is down more like 20%, which would bring the full year at 17 and kind of right in the middle of the expected range from an industry volume perspective of down 15 to 20, right?
Speaker #4: So that's partly why we were calling that out. We're definitely expecting that. We've been really expecting that kind of all year, but yeah, overall from a consolidated perspective, across segments, across revenue streams, we're expecting Q4 to be a little stronger than Q3, but pretty balanced there.
Bo Larsen: But yeah, overall, from a consolidated perspective across segments, across revenue streams, expecting Q4 to be a little stronger than Q3, but pretty balanced there. Yeah, as we're looking at ag, or domestic ag, which is about 70% of that business, there is a bit of a change there on the equipment sales side of things. We were wanting to call that out to make sure people understood what we were expecting to see.
Bo Larsen: But yeah, overall, from a consolidated perspective across segments, across revenue streams, expecting Q4 to be a little stronger than Q3, but pretty balanced there. Yeah, as we're looking at ag, or domestic ag, which is about 70% of that business, there is a bit of a change there on the equipment sales side of things. We were wanting to call that out to make sure people understood what we were expecting to see.
Speaker #4: And yeah, as we're looking at ag, which—or domestic ag—which is about 70% of that business, there is a bit of a change there on the equipment sales side of things.
Speaker #4: And that's what we were wanting to call out, to make sure people understood what we were expecting.
Speaker #2: That's great. Thank you very much.
Matthew Raab: That's great. Thank you very much.
Matthew Raab: That's great. Thank you very much.
Speaker #1: Our next question is from Meg Dobre with Baird. Please proceed.
Operator: Our next question is from Mircea Dobre with Baird. Please proceed.
Operator: Our next question is from Mircea Dobre with Baird. Please proceed.
Speaker #5: Good morning, guys. I want to talk about Australia a little bit. I know we don't spend a lot of time focusing there, but you've had good growth, and I understand some of that is FX. But even if we take FX out, you've had good growth.
Mircea Dobre: Good morning, guys. I want to talk about Australia a little bit. I know we don't spend a lot of time focusing here, but you've had good growth, and I understand some of that is FX, but even if we take FX out, you've had good growth. You're guiding for growth. At the same time, we're looking at pretty soft pre-tax margins here. We're looking at a loss. I guess trying to understand really the moving pieces here in terms of what is causing this drag on margins and what do you think needs to happen here in order to get this breakeven or better?
Mig Dobre: Good morning, guys. I want to talk about Australia a little bit. I know we don't spend a lot of time focusing here, but you've had good growth, and I understand some of that is FX, but even if we take FX out, you've had good growth. You're guiding for growth. At the same time, we're looking at pretty soft pre-tax margins here. We're looking at a loss. I guess trying to understand really the moving pieces here in terms of what is causing this drag on margins and what do you think needs to happen here in order to get this breakeven or better?
Speaker #5: You're guiding for growth, and at the same time, we're looking at pretty soft pre-tax margins here—we're looking at a loss. So I guess I'm trying to understand the moving pieces here in terms of what is causing this drag on margins, and what do you think needs to happen in order to get this to breakeven or better?
Speaker #4: Yeah, so from a full-year perspective for Australia, we're expecting a total pre-tax loss in the low single digits. So, extrapolating the Q2 results would kind of overemphasize what that would be.
Bo Larsen: Yeah. So from a full-year perspective for Australia, we're expecting a total pre-tax loss of low single digits. Extrapolating the Q2 results would kind of overemphasize what that would be. But really this year it's softer equipment margins for Australia. We've really been working on their aging profile. Each of the regions obviously has a little bit different timing. Generally speaking, Australia a little bit farther behind. Equipment takes longer to get in the country. They caught up later. They sold through their backlog. Their aging is a bit later and they're just working through all of that. Additionally, the H1 of the year here, I would say farmer sentiment was pretty weak and demand was really soft. We saw TIVs pulling back to multi-decade lows in some cases. That said, rainfall has been really good across our footprint.
Bo Larsen: Yeah. So from a full-year perspective for Australia, we're expecting a total pre-tax loss of low single digits. Extrapolating the Q2 results would kind of overemphasize what that would be. But really this year it's softer equipment margins for Australia. We've really been working on their aging profile. Each of the regions obviously has a little bit different timing. Generally speaking, Australia a little bit farther behind. Equipment takes longer to get in the country. They caught up later. They sold through their backlog. Their aging is a bit later and they're just working through all of that. Additionally, the H1 of the year here, I would say farmer sentiment was pretty weak and demand was really soft. We saw TIVs pulling back to multi-decade lows in some cases. That said, rainfall has been really good across our footprint.
Speaker #4: But really, this year it's softer equipment margins for Australia. We've really been working on their aging profile. Each of the regions obviously has a little bit different timing.
Speaker #4: Generally speaking, Australia is a little bit farther behind. Equipment takes longer to get into the country. They caught up later, right? So then they sold through their backlog.
Speaker #4: So then their aging is a bit later, and they're just working through all of that. Additionally, the first half of the year here, I would say farmer sentiment was pretty weak and demand was really soft.
Speaker #4: We saw TIVs pulling back to multi-decade lows in some cases. That said, rainfall has been really good across our footprint. Generally speaking, we're expecting some really nice yields.
Bo Larsen: Generally speaking, we're expecting some really nice yields. We've started to see farmer sentiment pick up. That is baked into the expectations on the growth side. To answer the question, the pullback in profitability is equipment margin driven. It was us attacking aging. We like the progress we're making there. Still have some work to do there this year, but definitely expect that to work back up next year and then kind of see improved profitability profile, without necessarily calling what demand is going to look like.
Bo Larsen: Generally speaking, we're expecting some really nice yields. We've started to see farmer sentiment pick up. That is baked into the expectations on the growth side. To answer the question, the pullback in profitability is equipment margin driven. It was us attacking aging. We like the progress we're making there. Still have some work to do there this year, but definitely expect that to work back up next year and then kind of see improved profitability profile, without necessarily calling what demand is going to look like.
Speaker #4: We've started to see farmer sentiment pick up. That is baked into the expectations on the growth side. But to answer the question, the pullback in profitability is equipment margin driven.
Speaker #4: It was us attacking aging. We like the progress we’re making there. Still have some work to do there this year, but definitely expect that to work back up next year and then kind of see improved profitability profile without necessarily calling what demand is going to look like.
Speaker #5: I'm sorry. I don't think I understand your comments here in terms of what improves the margins on a go-forward basis.
Mircea Dobre: I'm sorry, I don't think I understand your comments here in terms of what improves the margins on a go-forward basis and exactly what the-
Mig Dobre: I'm sorry, I don't think I understand your comments here in terms of what improves the margins on a go-forward basis and exactly what the-
Speaker #4: It's simply working through the age. It's working through the aging inventory. Just like we saw on the U.S. side, I'd just say that their timing is behind the U.S.
Bo Larsen: It's working through the aged inventory, just like we saw on the US side. I'd just say that their timing is behind the US.
Bo Larsen: It's working through the aged inventory, just like we saw on the US side. I'd just say that their timing is behind the US.
Speaker #5: And then I guess my follow-up, just conceptually here: you've expanded into Europe, you're obviously reworking the footprint there. What are you doing in Germany?
Mircea Dobre: I guess my follow-up, just conceptually here. You've expanded into Europe. You're obviously reworking the footprint there with what you're doing in Germany. You've expanded into Australia. Thus far, we haven't really seen any profits out of this Australian business flow through. I guess the bigger picture question that I'm wondering here is, do you view the geographic expansion as an asset for the company? Is there an argument to be made that refocusing towards expanding within Canada or the US proper is actually more conducive to generating superior longer-term returns? Thank you.
Mig Dobre: I guess my follow-up, just conceptually here. You've expanded into Europe. You're obviously reworking the footprint there with what you're doing in Germany. You've expanded into Australia. Thus far, we haven't really seen any profits out of this Australian business flow through. I guess the bigger picture question that I'm wondering here is, do you view the geographic expansion as an asset for the company? Is there an argument to be made that refocusing towards expanding within Canada or the US proper is actually more conducive to generating superior longer-term returns? Thank you.
Speaker #5: You've expanded into Australia. Thus far, we haven't really seen any profits out of this Australian business flow through. I guess the bigger-picture question that I'm wondering here is, do you view the geographic expansion as an asset for the company?
Speaker #5: And is there an argument to be made that refocusing towards expanding within Canada or the U.S. proper is actually more conducive to generating superior longer-term returns?
Speaker #5: Thank you.
Speaker #4: Yeah. So I feel proud about—we both feel proud about—the work that we've done on the footprint. And focusing down, right, and divesting of Germany.
Bo Larsen: Yeah. So now I feel proud about, we both feel proud about the work that we've done on the footprint and focusing down, right, and divesting of Germany. We've divested of some outlying locations on the US side to really be focusing on the upper Midwest. Within Australia, I think you'll see that focus as well and you're recently getting dual branded in 6 of the 15 locations. But yeah, for sure, we're excited about the pipeline on the US side in the upper Midwest, really focusing on that density. Dollar for dollar, when those opportunities present themselves, that's where we want it to be. At the same time, yeah, we're happy with and absolutely consider Australia an asset. The timing obviously wasn't favorable relative to us buying and then really demand conditions across the globe getting softer, right?
Bo Larsen: Yeah. So now I feel proud about, we both feel proud about the work that we've done on the footprint and focusing down, right, and divesting of Germany. We've divested of some outlying locations on the US side to really be focusing on the upper Midwest. Within Australia, I think you'll see that focus as well and you're recently getting dual branded in 6 of the 15 locations. But yeah, for sure, we're excited about the pipeline on the US side in the upper Midwest, really focusing on that density. Dollar for dollar, when those opportunities present themselves, that's where we want it to be. At the same time, yeah, we're happy with and absolutely consider Australia an asset. The timing obviously wasn't favorable relative to us buying and then really demand conditions across the globe getting softer, right?
Speaker #4: We've divested some outlying locations on the U.S. side to really focus on Upper Australia. I think you'll see that focus as well.
Speaker #4: And you've recently getting dual-branded in six of the 15 locations. But yeah, for sure, we're excited about the pipeline on the US side in the upper Midwest, really focusing on that density dollar-for-dollar when those opportunities present themselves.
Speaker #4: That's where we want it to be. At the same time, yeah, we're happy with and absolutely consider Australia an asset. The timing, obviously, wasn't favorable relative to us buying, and then really demand conditions across the globe getting softer, right?
Speaker #4: But what we're measuring ourselves against right now is troughs, multi-decade low industry demand both on the US well, everywhere. Right? So is that normalizes that'll improve?
Bo Larsen: But what we're measuring ourselves against right now is troughs multi-decade low industry demand, both on the US, well, everywhere. Right? So as that normalizes, that'll improve. But I would say for sure, considering that a strong asset for the future that'll generate returns for shareholders, but absolutely focused on the upper Midwest of the United States and really want to continue to see M&A activity there. That is dollar for dollar, the most impactful, and it's going to leverage the synergies we have here and everything we're investing in from a customer care strategy perspective. We've talked about this at length, right? Sharing parts, sharing equipment, leaner balance sheets, all of that good stuff. The more that we continue to execute on that in the upper Midwest here, I think the stronger the profitability will look going forwards.
Bo Larsen: But what we're measuring ourselves against right now is troughs multi-decade low industry demand, both on the US, well, everywhere. Right? So as that normalizes, that'll improve. But I would say for sure, considering that a strong asset for the future that'll generate returns for shareholders, but absolutely focused on the upper Midwest of the United States and really want to continue to see M&A activity there. That is dollar for dollar, the most impactful, and it's going to leverage the synergies we have here and everything we're investing in from a customer care strategy perspective. We've talked about this at length, right? Sharing parts, sharing equipment, leaner balance sheets, all of that good stuff. The more that we continue to execute on that in the upper Midwest here, I think the stronger the profitability will look going forwards.
Speaker #4: But I would say for sure, considering that a strong asset for the future that'll generate returns for shareholders. But we're absolutely focused on the Upper Midwest in the United States and really want to continue to see M&A activity there.
Speaker #4: That is, dollar for dollar, the most impactful. And it's going to leverage the synergies we have here. And everything we're investing in from a customer care strategy perspective—we've talked about this at length, right?
Speaker #4: Sharing parts, sharing equipment, leaner balance sheets—all of that good stuff. The more that we continue to execute on that in the Upper Midwest here, I think the stronger the profitability will look going forward.
Speaker #5: Thank you.
Mircea Dobre: Thank you.
Mig Dobre: Thank you.
Speaker #1: As a reminder, this is star one on your telephone keypad. If you would like to ask a question, our next question is from David Rasko with Evercore ISI.
Operator: As a reminder, it is star 1 on your telephone keypad if you would like to ask a question. Our next question is from David Raso with Evercore ISI. Please proceed.
Operator: As a reminder, it is star 1 on your telephone keypad if you would like to ask a question. Our next question is from David Raso with Evercore ISI. Please proceed.
Speaker #1: Please proceed.
Speaker #5: Hi, I appreciate the time. Thank you. Can you clarify a little bit? When you say earlier-than-anticipated shipments of pre-sold equipment, can you just explain why, and provide any quantification—how much that was, and how much earlier than you expected it to arrive?
David Raso: Hi, I appreciate the time. Thank you. Can you clarify a little bit when you say earlier than anticipated shipments of pre-sold equipment? Can you just explain why and any quantification of how much that was and how much earlier than you did expect it to arrive? Then thinking about some of the comments about maybe some of the economics here, get some of your customers back into the black. When we think of bonus depreciation buying at year-end, how you are thinking of managing your inventory, are you getting quote activity in a different way the last few weeks? Because obviously that swing to profitability puts at least in position to think about using bonus depreciation more. I do not think I heard you comment about your own inventory management. Has anything changed with the recent improved economics out there for the farmer? Thank you.
David Raso: Hi, I appreciate the time. Thank you. Can you clarify a little bit when you say earlier than anticipated shipments of pre-sold equipment? Can you just explain why and any quantification of how much that was and how much earlier than you did expect it to arrive? Then thinking about some of the comments about maybe some of the economics here, get some of your customers back into the black. When we think of bonus depreciation buying at year-end, how you are thinking of managing your inventory, are you getting quote activity in a different way the last few weeks? Because obviously that swing to profitability puts at least in position to think about using bonus depreciation more. I do not think I heard you comment about your own inventory management. Has anything changed with the recent improved economics out there for the farmer? Thank you.
Speaker #5: And then, thinking about some of the comments about maybe some of the economics here—getting some of your customers back into the black—when we think of bonus depreciation, buying at year-end, how you're thinking of managing your inventory, are you getting quote activity in a different way the last few weeks?
Speaker #5: Because, obviously, that swing to profitability puts us at least in a position to think about using bonus depreciation more. And I don't think I heard you comment about your own inventory management.
Speaker #5: Has anything changed with the recent improved economics out there for the farmer? Thank you.
Speaker #4: Yeah, thank you, David. I'll take just a couple of those high-level and then let both follow up with some more details. Yeah, so to your question on the farmer economics and recent activity picking up, we've definitely seen some of that, especially at this juncture on the used equipment.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Thank you, David. I will take just a couple of those high level and then let Bo follow up with some more details. Yeah. So to your question on the farmer economics and recent activity picking up. We have definitely seen some of that, especially at this juncture on the used equipment. This time of year is typically a little slower time as you look at farmers are just either finishing wheat harvest or about to start corn and soybean harvest, as an example. So as we plan well out with them and often work hand-in-hand with them, the goal is to try to have them ready to go by right now with what they have. Therefore, you do not typically see if it were going the other way, we would not see a lot down either the other way at this time of year.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Thank you, David. I will take just a couple of those high level and then let Bo follow up with some more details. Yeah. So to your question on the farmer economics and recent activity picking up. We have definitely seen some of that, especially at this juncture on the used equipment. This time of year is typically a little slower time as you look at farmers are just either finishing wheat harvest or about to start corn and soybean harvest, as an example. So as we plan well out with them and often work hand-in-hand with them, the goal is to try to have them ready to go by right now with what they have. Therefore, you do not typically see if it were going the other way, we would not see a lot down either the other way at this time of year.
Speaker #4: This time of year is typically a little slower. As you look at it, farmers are just either finishing wheat harvest or about to start corn and soybean harvest, as an example.
Speaker #4: And so as we plan well out with them and often work with hand in hand with them, it's the goal is to try to have them ready to go by right now with what they have.
Speaker #4: So, therefore, you don't typically see—if it were going the other way, we wouldn't see a lot down either the other way at this time of year.
Speaker #4: So as we start to get through harvest, and then that's where we'll see if this continues some of the benefits of that. As far as the timing of orders from the factories, there's obviously a lot of components that go into this very complex technology-advanced equipment, a lot of different suppliers that the OEMs are getting components from and so on.
Bo Larsen: As we start to get through harvest, that is where we will see if this continues some of the benefits of that. As far as the timing of orders from the factories, there are obviously a lot of components that go into this very complex technology, advanced equipment. A lot of different suppliers that the OEMs are getting components from and so on. With anything, when we do pre-sales or when we order inventory, we work very closely with the factories on the lead times, and of course, they are always their best predictions. But it is certainly not uncommon to have those fluctuate plus or minus a month depending on, again, how deliveries work through from their suppliers and how their build schedules are going and so forth.
Bryan Knutson: As we start to get through harvest, that is where we will see if this continues some of the benefits of that. As far as the timing of orders from the factories, there are obviously a lot of components that go into this very complex technology, advanced equipment. A lot of different suppliers that the OEMs are getting components from and so on. With anything, when we do pre-sales or when we order inventory, we work very closely with the factories on the lead times, and of course, they are always their best predictions. But it is certainly not uncommon to have those fluctuate plus or minus a month depending on, again, how deliveries work through from their suppliers and how their build schedules are going and so forth.
Speaker #4: So with anything, when we do pre-sells or when we order inventory, we work very closely with the factories and on the lead times, and of course, those are always their best predictions.
Speaker #4: But it's certainly not uncommon to have those fluctuate plus or minus a month, depending on, again, how deliveries work through from their suppliers and how their build schedules are going, and so forth.
Speaker #4: And so, just from our suppliers, they essentially shipped us some of these a little earlier than requested and anticipated. And then the growers, typically, and the contractors want them as soon as possible.
Bryan Knutson: From our suppliers, they essentially shipped us some of these a little earlier than requested and anticipated. The growers typically, and the contractors want them as soon as possible. It is just generally standard process that we get them in here and do what we do to them, which is a lot of pre-delivery and inspection and finishing some of the technology and so forth, and then get them turned around and delivered to the customers. So that is what that was specifically.
Bryan Knutson: From our suppliers, they essentially shipped us some of these a little earlier than requested and anticipated. The growers typically, and the contractors want them as soon as possible. It is just generally standard process that we get them in here and do what we do to them, which is a lot of pre-delivery and inspection and finishing some of the technology and so forth, and then get them turned around and delivered to the customers. So that is what that was specifically.
Speaker #4: So it's just generally standard process that we get them in here and do what we do to them, which is a lot of pre-delivery and inspection and finishing some of the technology and so forth, and then get them turned around and delivered to the customers.
Speaker #4: So that's what that was specifically.
Speaker #5: Yeah, and I would just say, not trying to overstate that. So, I might just think about, again, the splits. First half of the year, domestic ag revenues down 13.5%.
Bo Larsen: Yeah. I would just say, not trying to overstate that. I might just think about, again, the splits. H1 of the year, domestic ag revenue is down 13.5%. H2, we are saying 20%. It is not that we are saying demand is softening for H2 of the year. There are just some timing differences there, and thus, we were not down as much in H1 as we will be in H2. But it has really been, for domestic ag, it is as is anticipated, right? I do not think anybody has changed large ag expectation of down 15% to 20%. It just seems to be exactly as advertised. In some ways, in this environment, it has been comforting. Clearly, the improvement in commodity prices, does that pick up year-end buying?
Bo Larsen: Yeah. I would just say, not trying to overstate that. I might just think about, again, the splits. H1 of the year, domestic ag revenue is down 13.5%. H2, we are saying 20%. It is not that we are saying demand is softening for H2 of the year. There are just some timing differences there, and thus, we were not down as much in H1 as we will be in H2. But it has really been, for domestic ag, it is as is anticipated, right? I do not think anybody has changed large ag expectation of down 15% to 20%. It just seems to be exactly as advertised. In some ways, in this environment, it has been comforting. Clearly, the improvement in commodity prices, does that pick up year-end buying?
Speaker #5: Second half, we're seeing 20. It's not that we're saying demand is softening for the second half of the year. Either just some timing differences there and thus we were not down as much in the first half as we will be in the second.
Speaker #5: But it's really been for domestic ag—it's been as anticipated, right? I don't think anybody has changed large ag expectations of down 15% to 20%.
Speaker #5: It's just seems to be exactly as advertised. And in some ways, in this environment, it's been comforting. Clearly, the improvement in commodity prices, does that pick up year-end buying a lot of that when it comes down to depreciation?
Bo Larsen: A lot of that when it comes down to depreciation, they do not know what things look like until they get late November, December. That is when you would see who is in the black, and then is that driving some incremental behavior where they are showing up on the lot and looking at stuff they might want to buy. Generally, from an overall inventory perspective, I would say as conditions are improving, I would not say it is necessarily changing how we are managing inventory. First, just a couple of points as well. I will take the opportunity since we are talking about it. We were expecting inventory generally flat, pretty much is. We certainly usually have some seasonal build here and heading into the fall, getting some combines to land on the balance sheet. We will get those turned around to customers.
Bo Larsen: A lot of that when it comes down to depreciation, they do not know what things look like until they get late November, December. That is when you would see who is in the black, and then is that driving some incremental behavior where they are showing up on the lot and looking at stuff they might want to buy. Generally, from an overall inventory perspective, I would say as conditions are improving, I would not say it is necessarily changing how we are managing inventory. First, just a couple of points as well. I will take the opportunity since we are talking about it. We were expecting inventory generally flat, pretty much is. We certainly usually have some seasonal build here and heading into the fall, getting some combines to land on the balance sheet. We will get those turned around to customers.
Speaker #5: They don't know what things look like until they get late November to December. That's when you would see who is in the black and then is that driving some incremental behavior where they're showing up on the lot and looking at stuff they might want to buy.
Speaker #5: And then generally, from an overall inventory perspective, I would say as conditions are improving—it's not, I wouldn't say it's necessarily changing how we're managing inventory.
Speaker #5: And first, just a couple of points as well. I'll take the opportunity since we're talking about it. We were expecting inventory generally flat, pretty much as it certainly usually is. We have some seasonal build here heading into the fall, getting some combines to land on the balance sheet.
Speaker #5: We'll get those turned around to customers. But there's plenty of evidence that things are continuing to work in the right direction. I definitely highlight from a year-to-date perspective, used equipment is down 40 million.
Bo Larsen: But there's plenty of evidence that things are continuing to work in the right direction. I'd definitely highlight from a year-to-date perspective, used equipment is down $40 million. That's a huge plus for us. A lot of that was focused on getting aging down. New equipment is up like $60 million. That speaks to the mix, right? We're getting that stuff landed and ready to deliver to customers ahead of harvest, for example. Total ag inventory, which domestic ag inventory, which of course we're talking about the softest market in several decades. That inventory is down actually $16 million this year. Then from a strength perspective, we've talked about construction and demand conditions improving, and the inventory there is up $30 million. I think everything we're doing is working and things continue to trend in the right direction.
Bo Larsen: But there's plenty of evidence that things are continuing to work in the right direction. I'd definitely highlight from a year-to-date perspective, used equipment is down $40 million. That's a huge plus for us. A lot of that was focused on getting aging down. New equipment is up like $60 million. That speaks to the mix, right? We're getting that stuff landed and ready to deliver to customers ahead of harvest, for example. Total ag inventory, which domestic ag inventory, which of course we're talking about the softest market in several decades. That inventory is down actually $16 million this year. Then from a strength perspective, we've talked about construction and demand conditions improving, and the inventory there is up $30 million. I think everything we're doing is working and things continue to trend in the right direction.
Speaker #5: That's a huge plus for us. A lot of that was focused on getting aging down. New equipment is up, like $60 million. That speaks to the mix, right?
Speaker #5: We're getting that stuff landed and ready to deliver to customers ahead of harvest, for example. Total ag inventory—domestic ag inventory—which, of course, we're talking about the softest market in several decades, that inventory is down actually $16 million this year.
Speaker #5: And then from a strength perspective, we've talked about construction and demand conditions improving and the inventory there is up 30 million. So I think everything we're doing is working and things continue to trend in the right direction.
Speaker #5: We continue to see those decreases on the floor plan interest perspective. We're convinced that we want to continue to drive higher pre-sale rates, get our turns up closer and tighter—around the two and a half times turns.
Bo Larsen: We continue to see those decreases on the floorplan interest perspective. We're convinced that we want to continue to drive higher pre-sale rates, get our turns up closer and tighter around the 2.5 times turns. In order to do that, we are changing the way we've done some things in the past, and we're more aggressive on how we look at the aging profile for used and what we need to do to move that. We're looking more at how we leverage our footprint and not have to have the same stock inventory in every location, right? Leveraging the fact that we can go down the road to the next dealership if somebody's wanting to get in the cab on something.
Bo Larsen: We continue to see those decreases on the floorplan interest perspective. We're convinced that we want to continue to drive higher pre-sale rates, get our turns up closer and tighter around the 2.5 times turns. In order to do that, we are changing the way we've done some things in the past, and we're more aggressive on how we look at the aging profile for used and what we need to do to move that. We're looking more at how we leverage our footprint and not have to have the same stock inventory in every location, right? Leveraging the fact that we can go down the road to the next dealership if somebody's wanting to get in the cab on something.
Speaker #5: And in order to do that, we are changing the way we've done some things in the past, and we're more aggressive in how we look at the aging profile for used, and what we need to do to move that.
Speaker #5: We're looking more at how we leverage our footprint and not have to have the same stock inventory in every location, right? Leveraging the fact that we can go down the road to the next dealership if somebody's wanting to get in the cab on something.
Speaker #5: So, we're purposely building towards what we think is a leaner, meaner balance sheet that really helps de-risk some of the profitability volatility that we've seen in the last cycle.
Bo Larsen: So, we're purposefully building towards what we think is a leaner, meaner balance sheet that really helps de-risk some of the profitability volatility that we've seen in the last cycle and combine that with what we're doing from a customer care perspective. We're getting really excited about what we think we can do here when demand inflects. That's what we're working on a lot on the daily basis here. We're not necessarily talking a lot about it. Inventory tends to get the oxygen here as well as the current demand environment. But we're excited to show what we can do based on everything we're building towards and the moves we've made here over the last two years.
Bo Larsen: So, we're purposefully building towards what we think is a leaner, meaner balance sheet that really helps de-risk some of the profitability volatility that we've seen in the last cycle and combine that with what we're doing from a customer care perspective. We're getting really excited about what we think we can do here when demand inflects. That's what we're working on a lot on the daily basis here. We're not necessarily talking a lot about it. Inventory tends to get the oxygen here as well as the current demand environment. But we're excited to show what we can do based on everything we're building towards and the moves we've made here over the last two years.
Speaker #5: And combine that with what we're doing from a customer care perspective, we're getting really excited about what we think we can do here when demand inflects.
Speaker #5: And that's what we're working on a lot on a daily basis here. We're not necessarily talking about it much. Inventory tends to get the oxygen here, as well as the current demand environment.
Speaker #5: But we're excited to show what we can do based on everything we're building towards and the moves we've made here over the last two years.
Speaker #5: That was all very helpful. Thank you. On my way out the door here, can we just ask about pricing a little bit? What are you seeing large ag versus small?
David Raso: That was all very helpful. Thank you. On my way out the door here, can we just ask about pricing a little bit? What are you seeing large ag versus small? I'm thinking more domestic market on new and used. Thank you.
David Raso: That was all very helpful. Thank you. On my way out the door here, can we just ask about pricing a little bit? What are you seeing large ag versus small? I'm thinking more domestic market on new and used. Thank you.
Speaker #5: And I'm thinking more about the domestic market on new and used. Thank you.
Speaker #4: Yeah. On the new side, relatively flat—a little bit of list price increases, maybe generally offset by a little bit of programming. On the used side, I think you've heard all the OEMs comment lately about the divergence now coming to an end here from the new-to-used spread.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. On the new side, relatively flat. A little bit of list price increases, maybe generally offset by a little bit of programming. On the used side, I think you have heard all the OEMs comment lately about the divergence now coming to an end here from the new-to-used spread. In other words, used values stabilizing that almost catching a falling knife scenario we had going on in 2024 and throughout most of 2025 as well. Again, the used market kind of finding a bottom here and stabilizing. Yet to converge, though. I think as we talk about farmer profitability and we look at the long-term fundamentals and commodity prices and so on, we will need to get that for a while yet and sustained for a while yet in order to see the used prices come up a bit more.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. On the new side, relatively flat. A little bit of list price increases, maybe generally offset by a little bit of programming. On the used side, I think you have heard all the OEMs comment lately about the divergence now coming to an end here from the new-to-used spread. In other words, used values stabilizing that almost catching a falling knife scenario we had going on in 2024 and throughout most of 2025 as well. Again, the used market kind of finding a bottom here and stabilizing. Yet to converge, though. I think as we talk about farmer profitability and we look at the long-term fundamentals and commodity prices and so on, we will need to get that for a while yet and sustained for a while yet in order to see the used prices come up a bit more.
Speaker #4: In other words, used values stabilized after almost catching a falling knife scenario we had going on in '24 and throughout most of '25 as well.
Speaker #4: Again, the used market is kind of finding a bottom here and stabilizing—yet to converge, though. So again, I think as we talk about farmer profitability and we look at the long-term fundamentals and commodity prices and so on, we'll need to get that for a while yet and sustain for a while yet.
Speaker #4: In order to see the used prices come up a bit more—again, there's a lot of healthy things in play there, as we've been an early mover in reducing our inventories and reducing our aged inventory, as Bo indicated.
Bryan Knutson: Again, there is a lot of healthy things in play there as we have been an early mover in reducing our inventories and reducing our aged inventory as Bo indicated, especially around the used side. Other dealers that have been a little behind have been working through that now in 2026 and are on a really good pace and trajectory to very plausibly by the end of the year have that generally cleaned up. As our peers in the rest of the industry get that cleaned up, that also will bode well for used prices as well. As that market tightens and all that should start to bring used values up more, which is actually what we need to decrease or diminish some of that spread that we saw happen over the last few years here on the new-to-used trade differences.
Bryan Knutson: Again, there is a lot of healthy things in play there as we have been an early mover in reducing our inventories and reducing our aged inventory as Bo indicated, especially around the used side. Other dealers that have been a little behind have been working through that now in 2026 and are on a really good pace and trajectory to very plausibly by the end of the year have that generally cleaned up. As our peers in the rest of the industry get that cleaned up, that also will bode well for used prices as well. As that market tightens and all that should start to bring used values up more, which is actually what we need to decrease or diminish some of that spread that we saw happen over the last few years here on the new-to-used trade differences.
Speaker #4: Especially around the used side. Other dealers that have been a little behind have been working through that now in ’26 and are on a really good pace and trajectory to very plausibly, by the end of the year, have that generally cleaned up.
Speaker #4: So as our peers in the rest of the industry get that cleaned up, that also will bode well for used prices as well. And as that market tightens—and all that should start to bring used values up more—which is actually what we need to decrease or diminish some of that spread that we saw happen over the last few years here on the new-to-used trade differences.
Speaker #4: So again, that will also bode well for trading as we go into next year, and for industry volume potential.
Bryan Knutson: That will also bode well for trading as we go into next year and industry volume potential.
Bryan Knutson: That will also bode well for trading as we go into next year and industry volume potential.
Speaker #5: Thank you again.
David Raso: Thank you again.
David Raso: Thank you again.
Speaker #1: There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the call back over to management for closing remarks.
Operator: There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the call back over to management for closing remarks.
Operator: There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the call back over to management for closing remarks.
Speaker #4: Yeah. Thank you to all of you for your interest in Titan Machinery, and again, thanks to all our employees for tremendous execution on our controllables here. Thank you also to all our contractors and farmers that we serve.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Thank you to all of you for your interest in Titan Machinery, and again, thanks to all our employees for tremendous execution on our controllables here. Thank you to all our contractors and farmers that we serve in what we do believe to be the two most noble industries in the world. Wish them the best building and feeding the world here as we go forward. Thanks again, everyone. Look forward to talking to you on our next call.
Bryan Knutson: Yeah. Thank you to all of you for your interest in Titan Machinery, and again, thanks to all our employees for tremendous execution on our controllables here. Thank you to all our contractors and farmers that we serve in what we do believe to be the two most noble industries in the world. Wish them the best building and feeding the world here as we go forward. Thanks again, everyone. Look forward to talking to you on our next call.
Speaker #4: And what we believe to be the two most noble industries in the world, and wish them the best in building and feeding the world here as we go forward.
Speaker #4: Thanks again, everyone. I look forward to talking to you on our next call.
Operator: Thank you. This will conclude today's conference. You may disconnect at this time, and thank you for your participation.
Operator: Thank you. This will conclude today's conference. You may disconnect at this time, and thank you for your participation.
