With earnings down, Toro sets sights on technology investments

Toro Co.'s second-quarter earnings are down, with a lower profit margin because of inflation and supply-chain costs.

But its earnings call and presentation was still upbeat, with a focus on how new technology will allow the company to keep pace or surpass competitors in several ways.

For example, earlier this year the Bloomington-based company introduced an autonomous fairway mower at a key golf industry trade show and last week announced a robotic lawn mower for residential markets for the spring 2023 season — though a price and product name haven't been announced.

While too early to project accurate sales for new products, Toro President and CEO Richard Olson told analysts on the company's second-quarter earnings call that the response to their new products has been "absolutely fantastic across the board."

In the last fiscal year, Toro spent about $130 million on research and experimental expenditures. It has steadily increased the investment as a percentage of net sales over the past 10 years, from about 1.5% of net sales to more than 3.5%.

Olson told analysts to expect new technologies to have a big effect going forward.

"We are seeing what should be a steady flow of some really exciting products going forward. That also gives us confidence in the future," Olson said.

Margins did improve over Toro's first quarter, but the company is making operational improvements, adding more pricing increases and counting on its new products to help boost profits down the line.

Earnings for the quarter were down 8% to $131.1 million, or $1.24 a share. Adjusted earnings of $1.25 a share also were down but beat analysts' expectations.

Sales of $1.25 billion rose 8.7% but missed analyst expectations. Toro shares closed Thursday at $85.44, a jump of 5.5%. Over the last 52 weeks Toro's shares have ranged between $74.29 and $115.68.

Price increases and the acquisition of the Intimidator Group, which makes zero-turn mowers under the Spartan brand, helped lift sales in the professional segment by 12%. The residential business only saw a 1.7% sales increase, and the unit's earnings fell 19% in part because of late-arriving spring weather.

Olson said in the quarterly earnings release that despite supply-chain challenges, demand remains strong and Toro is raising guidance for the remainder of its fiscal year. The company now expects fiscal year sales to increase 14 to 16% and adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $4 to $4.15.

Those technology advancements to stay with and ahead of competitors in their markets, along with strategic acquisitions, will continue to be key drivers of Toro's quarterly results.

Last week's announcement of the robotic mower "far exceeded our expectations in terms of interest and the number of social media and other outlets that picked that up," Olson said.