About Cabling Installation & Maintenance

Our mission: Bringing practical business and technical intelligence to today's structured cabling professionals

For more than 30 years, Cabling Installation & Maintenance has provided useful, practical information to professionals responsible for the specification, design, installation and management of structured cabling systems serving enterprise, data center and other environments. These professionals are challenged to stay informed of constantly evolving standards, system-design and installation approaches, product and system capabilities, technologies, as well as applications that rely on high-performance structured cabling systems. Our editors synthesize these complex issues into multiple information products. This portfolio of information products provides concrete detail that improves the efficiency of day-to-day operations, and equips cabling professionals with the perspective that enables strategic planning for networks’ optimum long-term performance.

Throughout our annual magazine, weekly email newsletters and 24/7/365 website, Cabling Installation & Maintenance digs into the essential topics our audience focuses on.

  • Design, Installation and Testing: We explain the bottom-up design of cabling systems, from case histories of actual projects to solutions for specific problems or aspects of the design process. We also look at specific installations using a case-history approach to highlight challenging problems, solutions and unique features. Additionally, we examine evolving test-and-measurement technologies and techniques designed to address the standards-governed and practical-use performance requirements of cabling systems.
  • Technology: We evaluate product innovations and technology trends as they impact a particular product class through interviews with manufacturers, installers and users, as well as contributed articles from subject-matter experts.
  • Data Center: Cabling Installation & Maintenance takes an in-depth look at design and installation workmanship issues as well as the unique technology being deployed specifically for data centers.
  • Physical Security: Focusing on the areas in which security and IT—and the infrastructure for both—interlock and overlap, we pay specific attention to Internet Protocol’s influence over the development of security applications.
  • Standards: Tracking the activities of North American and international standards-making organizations, we provide updates on specifications that are in-progress, looking forward to how they will affect cabling-system design and installation. We also produce articles explaining the practical aspects of designing and installing cabling systems in accordance with the specifications of established standards.

Cabling Installation & Maintenance is published by Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

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Smith & Wesson’s Q1 Earnings Call: Our Top 5 Analyst Questions

SWBI Cover Image

Smith & Wesson’s first quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, reflecting the company’s miss against Wall Street’s revenue and profit expectations. Management attributed the performance to macroeconomic challenges and a softer overall firearms market, which led to lower production volumes and pressured margins. CEO Mark Smith noted, “Fourth quarter proved more difficult than we anticipated, largely due to macroeconomic and industry trends.” The company’s flexible manufacturing model and disciplined cost management helped partially offset the bottom line impact, but the quarter’s results were ultimately shaped by reduced consumer demand and changes in product mix.

Is now the time to buy SWBI? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

Smith & Wesson (SWBI) Q1 CY2025 Highlights:

  • Revenue: $140.8 million vs analyst estimates of $152.4 million (11.6% year-on-year decline, 7.6% miss)
  • Adjusted EPS: $0.20 vs analyst expectations of $0.23 (13% miss)
  • Adjusted EBITDA: $24.14 million vs analyst estimates of $26.19 million (17.2% margin, 7.8% miss)
  • Operating Margin: 10.6%, down from 17.4% in the same quarter last year
  • Market Capitalization: $394.4 million

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions Smith & Wesson’s Q1 Earnings Call

  • Mark Eric Smith (Lake Street Capital) asked about the impact of smaller competitors exiting the market. CEO Mark Smith responded that this is viewed as a long-term opportunity, not a near-term headwind, as the market share up for grabs is limited and unlikely to disrupt inventory levels.
  • Mark Eric Smith (Lake Street Capital) inquired about pricing strategy and whether broader discounting would be needed. CEO Mark Smith stated the company will rely on its brand and new product introductions rather than widespread price cuts, though targeted promotions and bundling will continue.
  • Mark Eric Smith (Lake Street Capital) questioned shifts in consumer demand across product segments. CEO Mark Smith confirmed that the strongest demand remains at the high and entry-level price points, with mid-tier products seeing weaker trends.
  • Mark Eric Smith (Lake Street Capital) asked about the timing and impact of the extended summer shutdown. CEO Mark Smith explained the additional shutdown week will occur in the second quarter, aligning production with expected demand and helping manage inventory.
  • Matthew Joseph Raab (Craig-Hallum) sought details on tariff exposure, especially for steel, and its effect on margins. CEO Mark Smith explained that while Smith & Wesson’s U.S.-based supply chain limits exposure relative to some peers, rising domestic raw material costs remain a risk, and the company is implementing cost controls and monitoring developments.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In upcoming quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) the pace and impact of new product launches, especially in the entry-level handgun category, (2) progress on reducing inventory and improving cash flow as the company manages production schedules, and (3) the evolution of cost pressures tied to tariffs and raw materials, particularly steel. Changes in the competitive landscape and Smith & Wesson’s ability to preserve or expand market share will also be key areas of focus.

Smith & Wesson currently trades at $8.75, down from $10.89 just before the earnings. In the wake of this quarter, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

Our Favorite Stocks Right Now

Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth.

While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we’re leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

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