Core Insights - Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) is positioned to benefit from growth across its segments, strategic acquisitions, and shareholder-friendly initiatives [1][7] Business Strength - ZBRA is experiencing growth in the Enterprise Visibility & Mobility and Asset Intelligence & Tracking segments, with revenues in the former increasing by 6.7% year-over-year in Q2 2025, driven by higher sales of mobile computing and data capture solutions [4] - The Asset Intelligence & Tracking segment saw a 5.3% year-over-year sales increase, supported by rising demand for printing solutions and RFID products [4] Expansion Efforts - Zebra Technologies has enhanced its business through acquisitions, including the planned acquisition of Elo Touch Solutions, which is expected to expand its addressable market by approximately $8 billion [5] - The acquisition of Photoneo in March 2025 will integrate 3D machine vision solutions with ZBRA's existing technologies, enhancing its capabilities in high-value applications [5] - Acquisitions contributed 0.2% to total revenues in Q2 2025 [5] Rewards to Shareholders - ZBRA has been proactive in rewarding shareholders, repurchasing $250 million in shares during the first half of 2025, compared to $47 million in the same period of 2024 [6] - The company has a share repurchase program authorized for up to $1 billion, with $597 million remaining at the end of Q2 2025 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) shows a significant improvement in earnings outlook, making it an attractive investment option as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts are increasingly optimistic about Zebra's earnings prospects, particularly for its products related to bar codes, plastic cards, and RFID tags, which is reflected in higher stock price estimates [2]. - The Zacks Rank system indicates a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and stock price movements, with Zacks 1 Ranked stocks averaging a +25% annual return since 2008 [3]. Current Quarter Estimates - For the current quarter, Zebra is expected to earn $3.75 per share, representing a year-over-year increase of +7.5% [5]. - In the last 30 days, three estimates have been revised upward with no negative revisions, leading to a 15.96% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [5]. Current Year Estimates - The expected earnings for the full year are $15.39 per share, reflecting a +13.8% change from the previous year [6]. - Over the past month, four estimates have been raised with no negative revisions, resulting in a 5.68% increase in the consensus estimate [6][7]. Zacks Rank - Zebra currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to favorable estimate revisions, which is a reliable indicator for investors [8]. - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) have been shown to significantly outperform the S&P 500 [8]. Market Performance - Zebra's stock has gained 5.7% over the past four weeks, driven by solid estimate revisions, indicating strong earnings growth prospects [9].

Company Overview - Zebra Technologies Corporation is a leading provider of enterprise asset intelligence solutions in the automatic identification and data capture solutions industry globally [11] - The company offers a diversified portfolio that includes cloud-based subscriptions and a full range of services such as maintenance, repair, technical support, and managed and professional services [11] - Zebra Technologies operates in 180 countries and employs approximately 9,900 individuals worldwide as of the end of 2024 [11] Investment Rating - Zebra Technologies holds a 2 (Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank, indicating a favorable investment outlook [12] - The company has a VGM Score of B, suggesting a balanced assessment of value, growth, and momentum [12] Performance Metrics - The Momentum Style Score for Zebra Technologies is rated A, reflecting strong recent performance with shares increasing by 5.7% over the past four weeks [12] - In the last 60 days, four analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising by $0.88 to $15.39 per share [12] - Zebra Technologies has demonstrated an average earnings surprise of +7.4%, indicating a history of exceeding earnings expectations [12] Investment Consideration - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Zebra Technologies is recommended for investors' consideration [13]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the thermal printer industry Core Insights - Thermal printers account for over 50% of the total shipment volume in the printer market, making them a mainstream application type [4] - The global thermal printer market is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2030, driven by demand from retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors [20] - The thermal printer market in China is projected to grow rapidly, with an expected increase in global shipment share from approximately 5% in 2024 [21] Summary by Sections Market Overview - Thermal printers are widely used in various sectors including retail, dining, logistics, industrial manufacturing, and healthcare, with a shipment volume share exceeding 50% in the overall printer market [4] - The market share by sales value for thermal printers is approximately 35%, attributed to a wide price range from hundreds to thousands of dollars [4] Advantages of Thermal Printers - Thermal printers offer advantages such as portability, fast printing speed, and low cost, making them suitable for real-time printing scenarios [5] - They do not require ink cartridges or toner, only needing periodic replacement of thermal paper [5] Technological Innovations - Future innovations in the thermal printer industry include dual-color printing and AI integration, enhancing user experience and application versatility [10] Key Components and Domestic Progress - The thermal print head is identified as the core component, directly influencing print quality [16] - There is significant potential for domestic replacement in the thermal print head market, currently dominated by Japanese manufacturers [17] Market Size and Growth - The global thermal printer market size is projected to reach approximately $6.67 billion in 2024, with label printers accounting for nearly 75% of this market [20] - The Chinese market is expected to see a gradual increase in thermal printer shipment share due to rapid development in various industries [21] Competitive Landscape - The global thermal printer market features a clear tiered structure, with leading companies like Zebra and Honeywell dominating the first tier [27] - In China, the market is more fragmented, with domestic companies like TSC and Hanin leading in shipment volume [28]

Core Insights - Zebra Technologies Corporation reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings, with adjusted earnings of $3.61 per share, surpassing market estimates of $3.31 per share [1] - The company raised its FY2025 adjusted EPS guidance from a range of $13.75-$14.75 to $15.25-$15.75 and narrowed its sales guidance from $5.13 billion-$5.33 billion to $5.23 billion-$5.33 billion [1] Financial Performance - Zebra Technologies' sales for the second quarter were in line with estimates at $1.29 billion [1] - The company experienced solid demand and lower-than-expected tariffs, contributing to the positive earnings results [2] Management Commentary - CEO Bill Burns highlighted the excellent execution by the team and the expectation for growth in the second half of the year, leading to an improved outlook for sales and profitability [2] - The focus remains on driving shareholder value and advancing industry leadership through innovative solutions [2] Analyst Reactions - Following the earnings announcement, analysts adjusted their price targets for Zebra Technologies, with Needham analyst James Ricchiuti maintaining a Buy rating and raising the target from $325 to $345 [8] - Truist Securities analyst Jamie Cook maintained a Hold rating and increased the price target from $269 to $319 [8] Stock Performance - Despite the positive earnings report, Zebra Technologies shares fell 11.4% to close at $302.60 [2]

Core Viewpoint - Zebra Technologies' Q2 earnings report indicates strong performance, with revenue and adjusted EPS exceeding analyst expectations, positioning the company favorably for future growth driven by automation and AI [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - The company reported $1.29 billion in revenue, reflecting a 6.2% year-over-year increase and a 6.3% organic growth rate [2][3]. - Adjusted EPS was $3.61, surpassing analyst forecasts by over 25 cents and showing a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year [4][5]. Segment Growth - The Enterprise Visibility and Mobility (EVM) segment grew by 6.5%, while the Asset Intelligence Tracking (AIT) segment saw a growth of 5.8% [3]. Stock Forecast - Analysts have set a 12-month price target of $341.56, indicating an 11.81% upside potential from the current price of $305.47 [4]. - The stock is expected to reach the $400 level by the end of the year, with potential for further increases in early 2026 [11]. Guidance and Acquisitions - Zebra Technologies raised its revenue and earnings forecasts for the year, exceeding consensus estimates [5][6]. - The company announced plans to acquire Elo Touch Solutions for $1.3 billion, which will be funded through cash on hand and a revolving credit facility [7][9]. Financial Health - The company maintains a healthy balance sheet with sufficient cash flow and free cash flow to support growth investments and acquisitions [5][8]. - There has been a slight reduction in cash and an increase in debt, but overall liabilities are low, and equity has increased by nearly 1% [8]. Market Sentiment - Analysts have shown bullish sentiment towards Zebra Technologies, with numerous price target increases and upgrades leading up to the Q2 results [2][4]. - Despite a moderate buy rating, some top analysts believe there are better investment opportunities available [12].

Core Insights - Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $3.61 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.31, marking a 13.5% increase from $3.18 per share in the same quarter last year [1][10] - Total revenues reached $1.29 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.28 billion, with a year-over-year growth of 6.2% driven by strong performance in the Enterprise Visibility & Mobility and Asset Intelligence & Tracking segments [2][10] Financial Performance - Revenues from the Asset Intelligence & Tracking segment increased by 5.3% year over year to $418 million, although it fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $430 million [3] - The Enterprise Visibility & Mobility segment reported revenues of $875 million, up 6.7% year over year, exceeding the consensus estimate of $853 million [4] - The cost of sales for the second quarter was $677 million, a 7.8% increase year over year, while total operating expenses rose by 2.6% to $433 million [5] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - At the end of the second quarter, Zebra Technologies had cash and cash equivalents of $872 million, down from $901 million at the end of December 2024, with long-term debt increasing to $2.13 billion from $2.09 billion [6] - In the first half of 2025, the company generated net cash of $325 million from operating activities, down from $413 million in the previous year, with free cash flow amounting to $288 million compared to $389 million in the year-ago period [7] Guidance - For the third quarter of 2025, Zebra Technologies anticipates net sales growth in the range of 2-6% year over year, with an expected adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 21% and adjusted earnings per share projected between $3.60 and $3.80 [8] - The company has raised its adjusted earnings outlook for 2025 to a range of $15.25-$15.75 per share, up from the previous estimate of $13.75-$14.75, and expects net sales to increase by 5-7% year over year [9][10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2, total company sales reached $1.3 billion, reflecting a greater than 6% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA margin at 20.6%, a 10 basis point improvement [9][11][13] - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $3.61, representing a 14% increase compared to the prior year [9][13] - Year-to-date free cash flow generated was $288 million, with $250 million in stock repurchases [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong growth was observed in mobile computing, scanning, and RFID, particularly in North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific [9][12] - North America sales grew by 8%, with double-digit growth in mobile computing and RFID; Asia Pacific sales increased by 20% [12] - EMEA experienced a sales decline of 1%, cycling strong comparisons, particularly in mobile computing [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific regions showed strong sales growth, while EMEA faced challenges [12][70] - The company noted resilience in demand despite uncertainties in trade policy, with customers maintaining capital spending levels [10][34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of Elo Touch Solutions is aimed at enhancing the connected frontline experience and expanding the addressable market by approximately $8 billion [7][23] - The company is focused on digitizing and automating workflows, leveraging innovations in hardware, software, and services [20][25] - Strategic priorities include expanding into consumer-facing solutions and enhancing self-service capabilities [20][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding demand, noting that customers are navigating uncertain trade policies but have generally maintained spending [10][34] - The company raised its full-year sales growth guidance to between 5% and 7%, reflecting strong second-quarter results and a solid backlog [18][84] - Management highlighted the potential positive impact of recent U.S. tax legislation on capital spending [35][43] Other Important Information - The company is experiencing a gross profit impact of approximately $30 million from U.S. import tariffs for the full year, which is favorable compared to previous expectations [15][18] - The balance sheet remains strong, with $872 million in cash and a net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio of 1.2 [14] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Can you explain how the Elo acquisition technology ties in with Zebra's? - The acquisition enhances Zebra's portfolio with self-service and customer-facing solutions, expanding the addressable market significantly [30][31] Question: How do you feel about customer budget releases for the second half? - Demand has remained resilient, and customers are generally maintaining their capital spending levels despite some caution [34][35] Question: Can you discuss Elo's business cyclicality compared to Zebra's? - Elo's business is more balanced throughout the year, unlike Zebra's which typically sees year-end spending [40][41] Question: What is the potential for market share gains given competitive dynamics? - The company feels confident about its competitive position and sees opportunities for market share gains through strong customer relationships and expanded offerings [64][66] Question: What changes have been observed in various market sectors? - Strong growth continues in North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, while EMEA has shown mixed performance with some softness [68][70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, Zebra Technologies reported sales of $1.3 billion, representing a greater than 6% increase compared to the prior year [6] - Adjusted EBITDA margin was 20.6%, reflecting a 10 basis point improvement year over year [6] - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $3.61, a 14% increase from the previous year [6][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong growth was observed in mobile computing, scanning, and RFID, with double-digit growth in mobile computing and RFID in North America [6][10] - The services and software recurring revenue business grew slightly during the quarter [8] - Transportation logistics, retail, and e-commerce were the highest growth verticals, while healthcare and manufacturing continued to lag [6][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America sales grew by 8%, while Asia Pacific sales increased by 20%, led by Australia, New Zealand, and India [10] - Latin America saw an 11% sales growth, while EMEA experienced a slight decline of 1% due to strong prior year comparisons [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of Elo Touch Solutions is aimed at enhancing Zebra's market leadership and expanding its portfolio of customer-facing solutions [5][21] - The company is focused on digitizing and automating workflows across various industries, leveraging its innovative solutions [18][22] - Zebra plans to pursue attractive market and geographic expansion opportunities while delivering a comprehensive software-differentiated portfolio [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding demand resilience despite uncertainties in trade policy and macroeconomic conditions [7][34] - The recently passed U.S. tax legislation is expected to be beneficial for some customers, although its impact on demand is still uncertain [7][34] - The company raised its full-year sales growth guidance to between 5% and 7%, reflecting strong second-quarter results and a solid backlog [16][34] Other Important Information - Zebra generated $288 million of free cash flow year to date and repurchased $250 million of stock [12] - The company expects a $30 million gross profit impact from tariffs for the full year, which is favorable compared to previous expectations [16][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the Elo acquisition technology tie in with Zebra's? - The acquisition expands Zebra's addressable market by approximately $8 billion, enhancing customer-facing solutions like point of sale and self-service kiosks [28][30] Question: How is customer budget release expected in the second half? - Demand has remained resilient, with customers generally maintaining capital spending levels despite some caution [32][34] Question: What is Elo's business cyclicality compared to Zebra's? - Elo's demand cycle is more balanced throughout the year, unlike Zebra's which sees significant year-end spending [39] Question: How are tariffs being monitored and managed? - Zebra is actively working with trade partners to understand tariff impacts and has a playbook for managing supply chain resilience [63][64] Question: What is the competitive landscape post-Elo acquisition? - The acquisition is expected to enhance Zebra's competitive position, leveraging strong customer relationships and expanding into new markets [66][68] Question: What are the trends in various verticals? - Retail and e-commerce continue to show strength, while manufacturing is slower compared to other sectors [71][94]

Core Insights - Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) reported quarterly earnings of $3.61 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.31 per share, and up from $3.18 per share a year ago [1] - The earnings surprise for the quarter was +9.06%, and the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates in all four of the last quarters [2] - Zebra's revenues for the quarter reached $1.29 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.17% and increasing from $1.22 billion year-over-year [3] Financial Performance - The company has consistently exceeded consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $3.24, with expected revenues of $1.28 billion, and for the current fiscal year, the EPS estimate is $14.51 on revenues of $5.23 billion [8] Market Position - Zebra shares have underperformed the market, losing about 11.6% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 7.6% [4] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Manufacturing - Thermal Products is in the top 41% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable position within the sector [9] Future Outlook - The earnings outlook and estimate revisions will be crucial for Zebra's stock performance moving forward [5][6] - The current Zacks Rank for Zebra is 3 (Hold), suggesting that the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [7]