Another miss when all we needed was a tick up in demand; D/G to U/P, PO to $35

Research evidence excerpt

Another miss when all we needed was a tick up in demand; D/G to U/P, PO to $35

nsumer-initiated channels, remain choppy and less predictable than anticipated

despite the normalization of weather-related headwinds.

Lead generation loses steam

The softer demand backdrop also hampered margins (22% vs. Street at 23%) as mgmt.

entered the year with headcount and operating investments positioned for a stronger

peak selling season, expecting improved weather and normal demand patterns to

support acceleration. Instead, weaker lead generation left the company carrying a cost

structure built for growth that failed to materialize. We would expect tomorrow's call to

focus on actions to better align the cost structure with current demand trends, including

headcount rationalization, marketing optimization, and reallocating spend toward

relationship-based customer acquisition channels where returns appear more attractive.

Given softer Residential demand trends and 1H incrementals of just 8% versus the

company's 25-30% guidance for 2026, we would expect a more cautious near-term

outlook. As such, we expect mgmt. to reset both organic growth and incremental margin

guidance lower and now model 6.2% organic growth and 12% incrementals, versus our

prior expectations of 7% and 21%, respectively.

Lowering PO to $35 on hindered visibility

We lower our PO to $35 (from $55) on our revised estimates and now based on 28x

2027 EPS (from 40x). ROL has historically traded at a significant premium multiple on

both an absolute basis (44x avg. over 5yrs) and relative to peers given steady HSD

organic growth, a long runway for industry consolidation through share gains/M&A and

attractive industry fundamentals. However, given much lower visibility on near-term