brc-20240430

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q


☑			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended April 30, 2024


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from to

Commission File Number 1-14959

BRADY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Wisconsin						39-0178960
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6555 West Good Hope Road

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(414) 358-6600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	BRC	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☑

Accelerated filer

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

As of May 20, 2024, there were 43,941,713 outstanding shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and 3,538,628 shares of Class B Voting Common Stock. The Class B Voting Common Stock, all of which is held by affiliates of the Registrant, is the only voting stock.

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INDEX



			Page
PART I. Financial Information			3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)			3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income			5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity			6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			16
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			22
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			22
PART II. Other Information			23
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			23
Item 1A. Risk Factors			23
Item 2. Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			23
Item 5. Other Information			23
Item 6. Exhibits			24
Signatures			25

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)


	April 30, 2024		July 31, 2023
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	160,458	$	151,532
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $6,690 and $8,467, respectively	195,099		184,420
Inventories	153,272		177,078
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,443		11,790
Total current assets	521,272		524,820
Property, plant and equipment—net	194,732		142,149
Goodwill	588,095		592,646
Other intangible assets	53,893		62,096
Deferred income taxes	14,881		15,716
Operating lease assets	27,438		29,688
Other assets	23,785		22,142
Total	$	1,424,096	$	1,389,257
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	79,965	$	79,855
Accrued compensation and benefits	73,697		71,470
Taxes, other than income taxes	14,462		13,575
Accrued income taxes	7,945		12,582
Current operating lease liabilities	12,230		14,726
Other current liabilities	64,850		65,828
Total current liabilities	253,149		258,036
Long-term debt	63,774		49,716
Long-term operating lease liabilities	15,552		16,217
Other liabilities	69,519		74,369
Total liabilities	401,994		398,338
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A nonvoting common stock—Issued 51,261,487 shares, and outstanding 43,941,713 and 45,008,724 shares, respectively	513		513
Class B voting common stock—Issued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares	35		35
Additional paid-in capital	354,432		351,771
Retained earnings	1,129,739		1,021,870
Treasury stock—7,319,774 and 6,252,763 shares, respectively, of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost	(356,210)		(290,209)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(106,407)		(93,061)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,022,102		990,919
Total	$	1,424,096	$	1,389,257

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts, Unaudited)


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net sales	$	343,384	$	337,116	$	997,991	$	985,934
Cost of goods sold	166,357		167,425		487,162		504,539
Gross margin	177,027		169,691		510,829		481,395
Operating expenses:
Research and development	17,681		15,715		50,215		45,025
Selling, general and administrative	95,803		90,975		283,415		273,202
Total operating expenses	113,484		106,690		333,630		318,227
Operating income	63,543		63,001		177,199		163,168
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income	1,596		785		4,718		1,596
Interest expense	(728)		(753)		(2,284)		(2,886)
Income before income taxes	64,411		63,033		179,633		161,878
Income tax expense	13,521		14,981		37,874		36,399
Net income	$	50,890	$	48,052	$	141,759	$	125,479
Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:
Basic	$	1.06	$	0.97	$	2.94	$	2.52
Diluted	$	1.05	$	0.96	$	2.91	$	2.51
Net income per Class B Voting Common Share:
Basic	$	1.06	$	0.97	$	2.92	$	2.51
Diluted	$	1.05	$	0.96	$	2.90	$	2.49
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	48,004		49,653		48,294		49,755
Diluted	48,386		50,001		48,640		50,033

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net income	$	50,890	$	48,052	$	141,759	$	125,479
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,537)		95		(12,310)		12,985

Cash flow hedges:
Net gain recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income	447		496		1,236		2,165
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(173)		(463)		(1,712)		(1,261)
	274		33		(476)		904

Pension and other post-retirement benefits actuarial gain amortization	(152)		(151)		(454)		(267)

Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	(6,415)		(23)		(13,240)		13,622
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income	(51)		(8)		(106)		54
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(6,466)		(31)		(13,346)		13,676
Comprehensive income	$	44,424	$	48,021	$	128,413	$	139,155

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)


	Three months ended April 30, 2024
	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at January 31, 2024	$	548	$	353,794	$	1,090,045	$	(305,714)	$	(99,941)	$	1,038,732
Net income	—		—		50,890		—		—		50,890
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		(6,466)		(6,466)
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan	—		(521)		—		436		—		(85)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		1,159		—		—		—		1,159
Repurchase of shares of Class A Common Stock, including excise taxes	—		—		—		(50,932)		—		(50,932)
Cash dividends on Common Stock:
Class A — $0.2350 per share	—		—		(10,364)		—		—		(10,364)
Class B — $0.2350 per share	—		—		(832)		—		—		(832)
Balances at April 30, 2024	$	548	$	354,432	$	1,129,739	$	(356,210)	$	(106,407)	$	1,022,102


	Nine months ended April 30, 2024
	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at July 31, 2023	$	548	$	351,771	$	1,021,870	$	(290,209)	$	(93,061)	$	990,919
Net income	—		—		141,759		—		—		141,759
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		(13,346)		(13,346)
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan	—		(3,910)		—		6,829		—		2,919
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions	—		149		—		—		—		149
Stock-based compensation expense	—		6,422		—		—		—		6,422
Repurchase of shares of Class A Common Stock, including excise taxes	—		—		—		(72,830)		—		(72,830)
Cash dividends on Common Stock:
Class A — $0.7050 per share	—		—		(31,454)		—		—		(31,454)
Class B — $0.6884 per share	—		—		(2,436)		—		—		(2,436)
Balances at April 30, 2024	$	548	$	354,432	$	1,129,739	$	(356,210)	$	(106,407)	$	1,022,102

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	Three months ended April 30, 2023
	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at January 31, 2023	$	548	$	348,513	$	947,051	$	(233,338)	$	(95,370)	$	967,404
Net income	—		—		$	48,052	—		—		48,052
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		(31)		(31)
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan	—		199		—		748		—		947
Stock-based compensation expense	—		2,046		—		—		—		2,046
Repurchase of shares of Class A Common Stock	—		—		—		(11,913)		—		(11,913)
Cash dividends on Common Stock:
Class A — $0.2300 per share	—		—		(10,595)		—		—		(10,595)
Class B — $0.2300 per share	—		—		(814)		—		—		(814)
Balances at April 30, 2023	$	548	$	350,758	$	983,694	$	(244,503)	$	(95,401)	$	995,096


	Nine months ended April 30, 2023
	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at July 31, 2022	$	548	$	345,266	$	892,417	$	(217,856)	$	(109,077)	$	911,298
Net income	—		—		125,479		—		—		125,479
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		13,676		13,676
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan	—		(1,001)		—		3,127		—		2,126
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions	—		66		—		—		—		66
Stock-based compensation expense	—		6,427		—		—		—		6,427
Repurchase of shares of Class A Common Stock	—		—		—		(29,774)		—		(29,774)
Cash dividends on Common Stock:
Class A — $0.6900 per share	—		—		(31,819)		—		—		(31,819)
Class B — $0.6734 per share	—		—		(2,383)		—		—		(2,383)
Balances at April 30, 2023	$	548	$	350,758	$	983,694	$	(244,503)	$	(95,401)	$	995,096

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)


	Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023
Operating activities:
Net income	$	141,759	$	125,479
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	22,406		24,522
Stock-based compensation expense	6,422		6,427
Gain on sale of business	—		(3,770)
Deferred income taxes	(6,902)		(5,947)
Other	1,358		(1,336)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(15,915)		1,744
Inventories	20,861		9,279
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,849)		(3,429)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,347		(19,704)
Income taxes	(4,393)		(3,404)
Net cash provided by operating activities	171,094		129,861

Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(69,157)		(12,912)
Sale of business	—		8,000
Other	(1,174)		11
Net cash used in investing activities	(70,331)		(4,901)

Financing activities:
Payment of dividends	(33,890)		(34,202)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,583		4,091
Payments for employee taxes withheld from stock-based awards	(2,664)		(1,965)
Purchase of treasury stock	(72,225)		(29,774)
Proceeds from borrowing on credit agreement	111,790		102,916
Repayment of borrowing on credit agreement	(97,732)		(147,067)
Other	149		66
Net cash used in financing activities	(88,989)		(105,935)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,848)		1,953

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	8,926		20,978
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	151,532		114,069

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	160,458	$	135,047

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Nine Months Ended April 30, 2024

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE A — Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Brady Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company," "Brady," "we," or "our") without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of the Company, the foregoing statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023, its results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, and cash flows for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from the estimates.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2023.

NOTE B — New Accounting Pronouncements

Standards not yet adopted

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The guidance requires expanded interim and annual disclosures of segment information including the disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within segment profit and loss. The guidance is effective for the Company's fiscal 2025 Form 10-K and interim periods thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the ASU to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The guidance requires expanded annual disclosures including the standardization and disaggregation of income tax rate reconciliation categories and the amount of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal 2026 Form 10-K. The Company is currently evaluating the ASU to determine its impact on the Company’s disclosures.

NOTE C — Additional Balance Sheet Information

Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following as of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023:


	April 30, 2024		July 31, 2023
Finished products	$	89,054	$	103,350
Work-in-process	24,663		26,884
Raw materials and supplies	39,555		46,844
Total inventories	$	153,272	$	177,078

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Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is presented net of accumulated depreciation in the amount of $302,424 and $292,680 as of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively.

NOTE D — Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets as of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023 consisted of the following:


	April 30, 2024							July 31, 2023
	Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Amortized other intangible assets:
Tradenames	3	$	600	$	(583)	$	17	3	$	1,114	$	(947)	$	167
Customer relationships	9	64,048		(21,304)		42,744		9	64,513		(15,947)		48,566
Technology	5	9,240		(5,660)		3,580		5	9,313		(4,235)		5,078
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Tradenames	N/A	7,552		—		7,552		N/A	8,285		—		8,285
Total		$	81,440	$	(27,547)	$	53,893		$	83,225	$	(21,129)	$	62,096

The decrease in the gross carrying amount of other intangible assets as of April 30, 2024 compared to July 31, 2023 was primarily due to the removal of a fully amortized tradename as well as a discontinued tradename during the nine-month period.

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $2,365 and $2,461 for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $7,084 and $9,350 for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

NOTE E — Leases

The Company leases certain manufacturing facilities, warehouse and office spaces, and vehicles accounted for as operating leases. Lease terms typically range from one year to ten years. As of April 30, 2024, the Company did not have any finance leases.

Operating lease expense was $3,688 and $3,997 for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $11,557 and $11,645 for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which was recognized in either "Cost of goods sold" or "Selling, general and administrative" expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income, based on the nature of the lease. Short-term lease expense, variable lease expenses, and sublease income was immaterial to the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023.

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:


	Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023
Operating cash outflows from operating leases	$	12,441	$	13,196
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	8,903		6,545

(1) Includes new leases and remeasurements or modifications of existing leases.

NOTE F — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, which includes net investment hedges and long-term intercompany loan translation adjustments, unrealized gains from cash flow hedges, and the unamortized gain on post-retirement plans, net of their related tax effects.

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The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the nine months ended April 30, 2024:


	Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges		Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans		Foreign currency translation adjustments		Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2023	$	1,641	$	756	$	(95,458)	$	(93,061)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	702		—		(12,310)		(11,608)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,284)		(454)		—		(1,738)
Ending balance, April 30, 2024	$	1,059	$	302	$	(107,768)	$	(106,407)

The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of April 30, 2024 compared to July 31, 2023 was primarily due to the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the nine-month period.

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 were as follows:


	Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges		Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans		Foreign currency translation adjustments		Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2022	$	954	$	1,436	$	(111,467)	$	(109,077)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	1,966		—		12,985		14,951
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(946)		(329)		—		(1,275)
Ending balance, April 30, 2023	$	1,974	$	1,107	$	(98,482)	$	(95,401)

The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of April 30, 2023 compared to July 31, 2022 was primarily due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the nine-month period.

Of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, unrealized gains on cash flow hedges were reclassified to "Cost of goods sold" and unamortized gains on post-retirement plans were reclassified into "Investment and other income" on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The following table illustrates the income tax (expense) benefit on the components of other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income:
Cash flow hedges	$	(51)	$	(8)	$	(106)	$	116
Pension and other post-retirement benefits	—		—		—		(62)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(51)	$	(8)	$	(106)	$	54

NOTE G — Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the product or service transfers to the customer at an amount that represents the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products and services. The Company’s revenues are primarily from the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products that are shipped and billed to customers. All revenue is from contracts with customers and is included in “Net sales” on the condensed consolidated statements of income. See Note H, “Segment Information,” for the Company’s disaggregated revenue disclosure.

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The Company offers extended warranty coverage that is included in the sales price of certain products, which it accounts for as service warranties. The Company accounts for the deferred revenue associated with extended service warranties as a contract liability. The balance of contract liabilities associated with service warranty performance obligations was $3,149 and $2,757 as of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively. The current portion and non-current portion of contract liabilities are included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities," respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized revenue of $325 and $311 during the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $960 and $928 during the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the respective period from the amortization of extended service warranties. Of the contract liability balance outstanding at April 30, 2024, the Company expects to recognize 11% by the end of fiscal 2024, an additional 36% by the end of fiscal 2025, and the remaining balance thereafter.

NOTE H — Segment Information

The Company is organized and managed within two regions: Americas & Asia and Europe & Australia, which are the reportable segments. The following is a summary of net sales by segment and geographic region for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net sales:
Americas & Asia
Americas	$	200,602	$	198,074	$	582,864	$	584,505
Asia	24,164		24,739		75,171		76,870
Total	$	224,766	$	222,813	$	658,035	$	661,375
Europe & Australia
Europe	$	104,925	$	100,480	$	299,629	$	284,432
Australia	13,693		13,823		40,327		40,127
Total	$	118,618	$	114,303	$	339,956	$	324,559

Total Company	$	343,384	$	337,116	$	997,991	$	985,934

The following is a summary of segment profit for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Segment profit:
Americas & Asia	$	49,697	$	49,192	$	143,489	$	130,511
Europe & Australia	19,537		17,099		51,335		47,316
Total profit from reportable segments	$	69,234	$	66,291	$	194,824	$	177,827

Total profit from reportable segments is a measure of operating income that excludes administrative costs related to corporate functions that are otherwise included in the Company's operating income. The following is a reconciliation of total profit from reportable segments to income before income taxes for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Total profit from reportable segments	$	69,234	$	66,291	$	194,824	$	177,827
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs	(5,691)		(7,060)		(17,625)		(18,429)
Gain on sale of business	—		3,770		—		3,770
Investment and other income	1,596		785		4,718		1,596
Interest expense	(728)		(753)		(2,284)		(2,886)
Income before income taxes	$	64,411	$	63,033	$	179,633	$	161,878

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NOTE I — Net Income per Common Share

Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows:


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Numerator (in thousands):
Net income (Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share)	$	50,890	$	48,052	$	141,759	$	125,479
Less:
Preferential dividends	—		—		(748)		(769)
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options	—		—		(5)		(4)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class B Voting Common Share	$	50,890	$	48,052	$	141,006	$	124,706
Denominator (in thousands):
Denominator for basic income per share for both Class A and Class B	48,004		49,653		48,294		49,755
Plus: Effect of dilutive equity awards	382		348		346		278
Denominator for diluted income per share for both Class A and Class B	48,386		50,001		48,640		50,033
Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:
Basic	$	1.06	$	0.97	$	2.94	$	2.52
Diluted	$	1.05	$	0.96	$	2.91	$	2.51
Net income per Class B Voting Common Share:
Basic	$	1.06	$	0.97	$	2.92	$	2.51
Diluted	$	1.05	$	0.96	$	2.90	$	2.49

Potentially dilutive securities attributable to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share where the combined exercise price and average unamortized fair value were greater than the average market price of the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The amount of anti-dilutive shares were 47,409 and 447,210 for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 136,919 and 555,247 for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

NOTE J — Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with fair value accounting guidance, the Company determines fair value based on the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that are accessible as of the reporting date.

Level 2 — Other significant pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3 — Significant unobservable pricing inputs, which result in the use of management's own assumptions.

The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023:


	April 30, 2024		July 31, 2023		Fair Value Hierarchy
Assets:
Deferred compensation plan assets	$	19,238	$	18,288	Level 1
Foreign exchange contracts	602		492		Level 2
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts	—		189		Level 2

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The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Deferred compensation plan assets: The Company’s deferred compensation investments consist of investments in mutual funds, which are included in "Other assets" on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Foreign exchange contracts: The Company’s foreign exchange contracts were classified as Level 2 as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models that use observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign exchange rates. See Note K, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” for additional information.

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other liabilities approximated carrying values due to their short-term nature.

NOTE K — Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate on a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management program is to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts.

Main foreign currency exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Mexican Peso, Chinese Yuan, Malaysian Ringgit and Singapore dollar. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions.

The U.S. dollar equivalent notional amounts of outstanding forward exchange contracts were as follows:


	April 30, 2024		July 31, 2023
Designated as cash flow hedges	$	13,284	$	39,661
Non-designated hedges	4,793		4,803
Total foreign exchange contracts	$	18,077	$	44,464

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company has designated a portion of its forward foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects income. As of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023, unrealized gains of $1,104 and $1,580 have been included in OCI, respectively.

Net Investment Hedges

The Company has designated certain third party foreign currency denominated debt borrowed under its credit agreement as net investment hedges. These debt obligations, denominated in Euros and British Pounds, were designated as net investment hedges to hedge portions of the Company's net investment in its European operations. The Company’s foreign currency denominated debt obligations are valued under a market approach using publicized spot prices, and the net gains or losses attributable to the changes in spot prices are recorded as cumulative translation within AOCI and are included in the foreign currency translation adjustments section of the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. As of April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023, the cumulative balances recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income were losses of $799 and $1,746, respectively, on any outstanding foreign currency denominated debt obligations.

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The following table summarizes the amount of pre-tax gains and losses related to derivatives designated as hedging instruments:


	Three months ended April 30,				Nine months ended April 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Gains (losses) recognized in OCI:
Forward exchange contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	447	$	496	$	1,236	$	2,165
Foreign currency denominated debt (net investment hedges)	408		(661)		947		(1,502)
Gains reclassified from OCI into cost of goods sold
Forward exchange contracts (cash flow hedges)	173		463		1,712		1,261

Fair values of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows:


	April 30, 2024						July 31, 2023
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		Other current liabilities		Long-term obligations		Prepaid expenses and other current assets		Other current liabilities		Long-term obligations
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	595	$	—	$	—	$	485	$	189	$	—
Foreign currency denominated debt (net investment hedges)	—		—		35,774		—		—		36,716
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts (non-designated hedges)	7		—		—		7		—		—
Total derivative instruments	$	602	$	—	$	35,774	$	492	$	189	$	36,716

NOTE L — Income Taxes

The income tax rate for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023 was 21.0% and 23.8%, respectively. The income tax rate for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, was 21.1% and 22.5%, respectively. The decrease in the tax rate in the nine-month period was primarily due to tax benefits from stock-based compensation and other permanent adjustments. The Company expects its ongoing annual income tax rate to be approximately 21% based on its current global business mix and based on tax laws and statutory rates currently in effect.

NOTE M — Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to a variety of investigations, claims, suits, and other legal proceedings, including but not limited to, intellectual property, employment, unclaimed property, tort, and breach of contract matters. Any legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and these matters and their potential effects may change in the future. The Company records a liability for contingencies when a loss is deemed to be probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company currently believes that the outcomes of such proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on its business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE N — Subsequent Events

On May 20, 2024, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock of $0.235 per share payable on July 31, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 10, 2024.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. The Company is organized and managed on a geographic basis with two reportable segments: Americas & Asia and Europe & Australia. Within each of the reportable segments, the Company sells products under the product identification, wire identification, healthcare identification and safety and facility identification product lines to a diverse base of customers. The product identification, wire identification, and healthcare identification product lines include high-performance and innovative products that are designed, manufactured, and distributed within the Company's value chain. The safety and facility identification product line includes a broad range of stock and custom products that the Company manufactures, as well as a wide variety of products that the Company purchases and resells as a distributor.

The ability to provide customers with a broad range of proprietary, customized and diverse products for use in various applications across multiple industries and geographies, along with a commitment to quality and service, have made Brady a leader in many of its markets. Brady's long-term sales growth and profitability will depend not only on the overall economic environment and our ability to successfully navigate changes in the macro environment, but also on our ability to develop and market innovative products, deliver a high level of customer service, advance our digital capabilities, and continuously improve the efficiency of our global operations. Our strategy for growth includes an increased focus on certain industries and products, streamlining our product offerings, expanding into higher growth end-markets, improving the overall customer experience, developing technologically advanced, innovative, and proprietary products, and improving our digital capabilities.

The following are key initiatives supporting our strategy in fiscal 2024:

•Investing in organic growth by enhancing our research and development process and utilizing customer feedback and observations to develop innovative new products that solve customer needs and improve environmental sustainability.

•Providing our customers with the highest level of customer service.

•Expanding and enhancing our sales capabilities through an improved digital presence and the use of data-driven marketing automation tools.

•Maintaining profitability through pricing mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of ongoing supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures while ensuring prices are market competitive.

•Integrating acquisitions to further enhance our strategic position and accelerate long-term sales growth.

•Driving operational excellence and executing sustainable efficiency gains within our selling, general and administrative structures and within our global operations including insourcing of critical products and manufacturing activities while reducing our environmental footprint.

•Building on our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion to increase employee engagement and enhance recruitment and retention practices in order to drive differentiated performance and execute our strategy.

Macroeconomic Conditions and Trends

The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, inflationary pressures and supply chain and other business disruptions through the end of fiscal 2024. While we have seen certain pressures alleviate, we expect raw materials and labor cost inflation to continue. Thus far, the Company has been able to mitigate the impact of inflation through pricing actions and the execution of sustainable efficiency gains.

We believe we have the financial strength to continue to invest in organic sales growth opportunities including sales, marketing and research and development ("R&D"), as well as inorganic sales opportunities including acquisitions, while continuing to drive sustainable efficiency gains and automation in our operations and selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") functions and return capital to our shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. At April 30, 2024, we had cash of $160.5 million, as well as a credit agreement with $234.5 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased up to $1,084.5 million at the Company's option and subject to certain conditions, for total available liquidity of $1,245.0 million.

We believe that our financial resources and liquidity levels, including the remaining undrawn amount of the credit agreement and our ability to increase that credit line as necessary are sufficient to manage the continuing impact of economic or geopolitical events which may result in reduced sales, net income, or cash provided by operating activities. Refer to Risk Factors, included in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2023, for further discussion of the possible impact of global economic or geopolitical events on our business.

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Results of Operations

A comparison of results of operating income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, is as follows:


	Three months ended April 30,								Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2024		% Sales		2023		% Sales		2024		% Sales		2023		% Sales
Net sales	$	343,384			$	337,116			$	997,991			$	985,934
Gross margin	177,027		51.6	%	169,691		50.3	%	510,829		51.2	%	481,395		48.8	%
Operating expenses:
Research and development	17,681		5.1	%	15,715		4.7	%	50,215		5.0	%	45,025		4.6	%
Selling, general and administrative	95,803		27.9	%	90,975		27.0	%	283,415		28.4	%	273,202		27.7	%
Total operating expenses	113,484		33.0	%	106,690		31.6	%	333,630		33.4	%	318,227		32.3	%
Operating income	$	63,543	18.5	%	$	63,001	18.7	%	$	177,199	17.8	%	$	163,168	16.5	%

References in this Form 10-Q to “organic sales” refer to sales calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and sales recorded from divested companies up to the first anniversary of their divestiture. The Company's organic sales disclosures exclude the effects of foreign currency translation as foreign currency translation is subject to volatility that can obscure underlying business trends. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure of organic sales is meaningful to investors as it provides them with useful information to aid in identifying underlying sales trends in our businesses and facilitating comparisons of our sales performance with prior periods.

Net sales for the three months ended April 30, 2024 increased 1.9% to $343.4 million compared to $337.1 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 4.5%, partially offset by a decrease from foreign currency translation of 0.3% and a decrease due to divestitures of 2.3%. Organic sales grew 4.5% in the Americas & Asia segment and 4.4% in the Europe & Australia segment during the three months ended April 30, 2024.

Net sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 increased 1.2% to $998.0 million compared to $985.9 million in the same period in the prior year. The increase consisted of organic sales growth of 3.0% and an increase from foreign currency translation of 0.6%, which was partially offset by a decrease of 2.4% due to divestitures. Organic sales grew 3.0% in the Americas & Asia segment and 2.8% in the Europe & Australia segment during the nine months ended April 30, 2024.

Gross margin increased 4.3% to $177.0 million in the three months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $169.7 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 51.6% from 50.3% in the three-month period. Gross margin increased 6.1% to $510.8 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $481.4 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 51.2% from 48.8% in the nine-month period. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to organic sales growth in higher gross margin product lines during both the three and nine-month periods.

R&D expenses increased 12.5% to $17.7 million in the three months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $15.7 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, R&D expenses increased to 5.1% from 4.7% in the three-month period. R&D expenses increased 11.5% to $50.2 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $45.0 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, R&D expenses increased to 5.0% from 4.6% in the nine-month period. The increase in R&D spending was primarily due to an increase in R&D headcount. The Company remains committed to investing in new product development to increase sales within our businesses. Investments in new printing systems, materials and an industrial track and trace solution remain the primary focus of R&D expenditures in fiscal 2024.

SG&A expenses include selling and administrative costs directly attributed to the Americas & Asia and Europe & Australia segments, as well as certain other administrative expenses including finance, information technology, human resources, and corporate administrative expenses. SG&A expenses increased 5.3% to $95.8 million in the three months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $91.0 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of sales, SG&A increased to 27.9% from 27.0% in the three-month period. SG&A expenses increased 3.7% to $283.4 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $273.2 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A increased to 28.4% from 27.7% in the nine-month period. SG&A expenses include a gain of $3.8 million from the sale of the PremiSys business during the three months ended April 30, 2023. The increase in SG&A expenses during the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 was primarily due to increased headcount in sales and technology roles, investments in digital advertising and the gain on sale of business recorded in the prior period, which was partially offset by a decrease in headcount and advertising expense from divested businesses and a decrease in amortization expense.

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Operating income increased 0.9% to $63.5 million and increased 8.6% to $177.2 million in the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $63.0 million and $163.2 million in the same periods in the prior year. The increase in operating income in both the three and nine-month periods was primarily due to organic sales growth and increased gross margin, which was partially offset by investments in sales, technology and R&D personnel along with the gain of $3.8 million from the sale of the PremiSys business in the prior period.

OPERATING INCOME TO NET INCOME


	Three months ended April 30,								Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2024		% Sales		2023		% Sales		2024		% Sales		2023		% Sales
Operating income	$	63,543	18.5	%	$	63,001	18.7	%	$	177,199	17.8	%	$	163,168	16.5	%
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income	1,596		0.5	%	785		0.2	%	4,718		0.5	%	1,596		0.2	%
Interest expense	(728)		(0.2)	%	(753)		(0.2)	%	(2,284)		(0.2)	%	(2,886)		(0.3)	%
Income before income taxes	64,411		18.8	%	63,033		18.7	%	179,633		18.0	%	161,878		16.4	%
Income tax expense	13,521		3.9	%	14,981		4.4	%	37,874		3.8	%	36,399		3.7	%
Net income	$	50,890	14.8	%	$	48,052	14.3	%	$	141,759	14.2	%	$	125,479	12.7	%

Investment and other income was $1.6 million and $4.7 million in the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $0.8 million and $1.6 million in the same periods in the prior year. The increase in income during the three and nine-month periods was primarily due to an increase in interest income and an increase in the market value of securities held in deferred compensation plans.

Interest expense decreased to $0.7 million and $2.3 million in the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $0.8 million and $2.9 million in the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in outstanding borrowings on the Company's credit agreement, which was partially offset by an increase in interest rates on the Company's credit agreement compared to the same periods in the prior year.

The Company's income tax rate was 21.0% and 23.8% in the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and the income tax rate was 21.1% and 22.5% for the nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Refer to Note L, "Income Taxes" for additional information on the Company's income tax rates.

Business Segment Operating Results

The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit and customer sales. Interest expense, investment and other income, income tax expense, and certain corporate administrative expenses are excluded when evaluating segment performance.

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The following is a summary of segment information for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three months ended April 30,						Nine months ended April 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
SALES GROWTH INFORMATION
Americas & Asia
Organic	4.5		%	1.2		%	3.0		%	4.0		%
Currency	(0.1)		%	(0.8)		%	—		%	(1.1)		%
Divestiture	(3.5)		%	(0.3)		%	(3.5)		%	(0.1)		%
Total	0.9		%	0.1		%	(0.5)		%	2.8		%
Europe & Australia
Organic	4.4		%	3.4		%	2.8		%	7.0		%
Currency	(0.6)		%	(4.8)		%	1.9		%	(10.1)		%
Total	3.8		%	(1.4)		%	4.7		%	(3.1)		%
Total Company
Organic	4.5		%	1.9		%	3.0		%	5.0		%
Currency	(0.3)		%	(2.1)		%	0.6		%	(4.1)		%
Divestiture	(2.3)		%	(0.2)		%	(2.4)		%	(0.1)		%
Total	1.9		%	(0.4)		%	1.2		%	0.8		%
SEGMENT PROFIT
Americas & Asia	$	49,697		$	49,192		$	143,489		$	130,511
Europe & Australia	19,537			17,099			51,335			47,316
Total	$	69,234		$	66,291		$	194,824		$	177,827
SEGMENT PROFIT AS A PERCENT OF NET SALES
Americas & Asia	22.1		%	22.1		%	21.8		%	19.7		%
Europe & Australia	16.5		%	15.0		%	15.1		%	14.6		%
Total	20.2		%	19.7		%	19.5		%	18.0		%

Americas & Asia

Americas & Asia net sales increased 0.9% to $224.8 million in the three months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $222.8 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 4.5% and decreases from foreign currency translation of 0.1% and divestitures of 3.5%. Americas & Asia net sales declined 0.5% to $658.0 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $661.4 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 3.0% that was offset by a decrease due to divestitures of 3.5%.

Organic sales in the Americas increased in the mid-single digits in the three months ended April 30, 2024 and increased in the low-single digits in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales growth during the three-month period was driven by growth in all major product lines with the strongest growth in the safety and facility identification and wire identification product lines. Organic sales growth during the nine-month period was primarily driven by growth in the wire identification, safety and facility identification and product identification product lines, which was partially offset by an organic sales decline in the healthcare identification product line.

Organic sales in Asia increased in the low-single digits in both the three and nine-month periods ended April 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The organic sales increase during the three and nine-month periods was driven by sales growth in India, Singapore and Japan, which was partially offset by a decline in volume in China.

Americas & Asia segment profit increased 1.0% to $49.7 million in the three months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $49.2 million in the same period in the prior year. Segment profit increased 9.9% to $143.5 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $130.5 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, segment profit remained flat at 22.1% in the three-month period and segment profit increased to 21.8% from 19.7% in the nine-month period ended April 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in segment profit was primarily due to organic sales growth in higher gross margin product lines and a decrease in headcount and advertising expenses from divested businesses, which was partially offset by increased headcount in sales and R&D roles during both the three and nine-month periods.

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Europe & Australia

Europe & Australia net sales increased 3.8% to $118.6 million in the three months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $114.3 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 4.4% and a decrease from foreign currency translation of 0.6%. Europe & Australia net sales increased 4.7% to $340.0 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $324.6 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 2.8% and an increase from foreign currency translation of 1.9%.

Organic sales in Europe increased in the mid-single digits in the three months ended April 30, 2024 and increased in the low-single digits in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales during the three and nine-month periods grew in all major product lines with the strongest growth in the safety and facility identification product line. Organic sales in the three-month period were stronger than the first half of the fiscal year primarily due to growth in Western Europe, specifically due to an increased growth rate in France and Germany.

Organic sales in Australia increased in the low-single digits in both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales growth during the three and nine-month periods was primarily driven by the wire identification product line and, to a lesser extent, the product identification product line.

Europe & Australia segment profit increased 14.3% to $19.5 million in the three months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $17.1 million in the same period in the prior year. Segment profit increased 8.5% to $51.3 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $47.3 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, segment profit increased to 16.5% from 15.0% for the three-month period and segment profit increased to 15.1% from 14.6% for the nine-month period ended April 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in segment profit during both periods was primarily due to organic sales growth and improved gross margins due to product mix and reductions in freight expenses, which was partially offset by increased headcount in sales and R&D roles.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's cash balances are generated and held in numerous locations throughout the world. At April 30, 2024, 97% of the Company's cash and cash equivalents were held outside the United States. The Company's organic and inorganic growth has historically been funded by a combination of cash provided by operating activities and debt financing. The Company believes that its cash flow from operating activities and its borrowing capacity are sufficient to fund its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development, share repurchases, and dividend payments for the next 12 months and beyond. Although the Company believes these sources of cash are currently sufficient to fund domestic operations, annual cash needs could require repatriation of cash to the U.S. from foreign jurisdictions, which may result in additional tax payments.

Cash Flows

Cash and cash equivalents were $160.5 million at April 30, 2024, an increase of $8.9 million from July 31, 2023. The significant changes were as follows:


	Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2024		2023
Net cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	171,094	$	129,861
Investing activities	(70,331)		(4,901)
Financing activities	(88,989)		(105,935)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,848)		1,953
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	8,926	$	20,978

Net cash provided by operating activities was $171.1 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $129.9 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to improved profitability, reduced inventory spend and lower annual incentive compensation payments compared to the same period in the prior year.

Net cash used in investing activities was $70.3 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $4.9 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the purchase of a previously leased facility in Mexico, in addition to facility construction costs in Belgium.

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Net cash used in financing activities was $89.0 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2024 compared to $105.9 million in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to increased net borrowings to fund higher level of capital expenditures during the nine months ended April 30, 2024, which was partially offset by an increase in share repurchases.

Material Cash Requirements

Our material cash requirements for known contractual obligations include capital expenditures, borrowings on our credit agreement and lease obligations. We believe that net cash provided by operating activities will continue to be adequate to meet our liquidity and capital needs for these items over the next 12 months and in the long-term beyond the next 12 months. We also have cash requirements for purchase orders and contracts for the purchase of inventory and other goods and services, which are based on current and anticipated customer needs and are fulfilled by our suppliers within short time horizons. We do not have significant agreements for the purchase of inventory or other goods or services specifying minimum order quantities. In addition, we may have liabilities for uncertain tax positions, but we do not believe that the cash requirements to meet any of these liabilities will be material.

Credit Agreement

On August 1, 2019, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an unsecured $200 million multi-currency credit agreement with a group of five banks.

On December 21, 2021, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the credit agreement dated August 1, 2019 to adjust to alternative benchmarks due to the elimination of the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR).

On November 14, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 2”) with a group of six banks, which amended the original credit agreement dated August 1, 2019. Amendment No. 2 amended the credit agreement to, among other items, (a) increase the lending commitments by $100 million for total lending commitments of $300 million, (b) extend the final maturity date to November 14, 2027, (c) increase the interest rate on certain borrowings by 0.125%, and (d) increase the available amount under the credit agreement, at the Company's option and subject to certain conditions, from $300 million up to (i) an amount equal to the incremental borrowing necessary to bring the Company's consolidated net debt-to-EBITDA ratio as defined in the credit agreement to 2.5 to 1.0 plus (ii) $200 million. Borrowings under Amendment No. 2 are unsecured and are guaranteed by certain of the Company's domestic subsidiaries.

As of April 30, 2024, the outstanding balance on the Company's credit agreement was $63.8 million. The maximum amount outstanding on the credit agreement during the nine months ended April 30, 2024 was $64.7 million. As of April 30, 2024, the U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings of $28.0 million bear interest at 6.3%; the Euro-denominated borrowings of €24.0 million bear interest at 4.7%; and the British Pound-denominated borrowings of £8.0 million bear interest at 6.1% for a weighted average interest rate of 5.6%. The Company had letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement of $1.7 million as of April 30, 2024, and there was $234.5 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased to $1,084.5 million at the Company's option, subject to certain conditions. The credit agreement has a final maturity date of November 14, 2027. As such, borrowings were classified as long-term on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Covenant Compliance

The Company's credit agreement requires it to maintain certain financial covenants, including a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined in the credit agreement, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio) and the trailing twelve months EBITDA to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of April 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants, with a ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined by the agreement, equal to 0.2 to 1.0 and the interest expense coverage ratio equal to 98.1 to 1.0.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, income, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.

The use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors,

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some of which are beyond Brady's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from:

•Increased cost of raw materials and labor as well as raw material shortages and supply chain disruptions

•Decreased demand for the Company's products

•Ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute the Company's strategy

•Ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands

•Difficulties in protecting websites, networks, and systems against security breaches and difficulties in preventing phishing attacks, social engineering or malicious break-ins

•Ability to identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies, and to manage contingent liabilities from divested businesses

•Risks associated with the loss of key employees

•Extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities

•Litigation, including product liability claims

•Adverse impacts of regional epidemics or global pandemics

•Foreign currency fluctuations

•Potential write-offs of goodwill and other intangible assets

•Changes in tax legislation and tax rates

•Differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders and changes in the regulatory and business environment around dual-class voting structures

•Numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including major public health crises and government responses thereto and those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A of Part I of Brady's Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2023.

These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2023. There has been no material change in this information since the 2023 Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Brady Corporation maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer (the "Chief Executive Officer") and its Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer (the "Chief Financial Officer"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information set forth in Note M, "Contingencies" included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2023. There have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the 2023 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Company maintains a share repurchase program for the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The program may be implemented by purchasing shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company's stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes.

On August 30, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company's share repurchase program, authorizing the repurchase of an additional $100.0 million of the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, which expanded upon the Company's prior authorization. The share repurchase program may be implemented from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and has no expiration date. As of April 30, 2024, there was $37.8 million worth of repurchase authority remaining pursuant to the existing share repurchase program.

The following table provides information with respect to the purchases by the Company of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock during the three months ended April 30, 2024:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan (Dollars in Thousands)
February 1, 2024 - February 29, 2024	85,382	$	57.12	85,382	$	83,339
March 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024	449,459	57.96		449,459	57,288
April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024	328,524	59.35		328,524	37,788
Total	863,365	$	58.41	863,365	$	37,788

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

During the three months ended April 30, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is identified in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.						Exhibit Description

10.1						Put Option Letter, dated as of March 15, 2024, by and between Brady Corporation and MML Capital Europe VI II S.A. and other institutional and individual holders

31.1						Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Russell R. Shaller

31.2						Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Ann E. Thornton

32.1						Section 1350 Certification of Russell R. Shaller

32.2						Section 1350 Certification of Ann E. Thornton

101.INS						XBRL Instance Document (The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.)

101.SCH						XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document

101.CAL						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE						XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Label Linkbase Document

104						Cover Page Inline XBRL data (contained in Exhibit 101)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.