Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to other information set forth in this report, readers should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated and supplemented below. Any of the risk factors disclosed in our reports could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described here and in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. The discussion of the risk factor below updates the corresponding disclosure under the same heading in the 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and may contain material changes to the corresponding risk factor discussion in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in economic and geopolitical conditions, domestic and foreign trade policies, monetary policies and other factors beyond our control may adversely impact our business, operations and financial condition.
Our operations and performance are significantly impacted by global, regional and U.S. economic and geopolitical conditions. The global macroeconomic environment continues to be challenging due to the effects of inflation, instability in global credit markets, uncertainty regarding global central bank monetary policy, instability in the geopolitical environment in many parts of the world, current economic challenges in China, and other factors. Periods of diplomatic or armed conflict, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East and China-Taiwan relations, may result in (i) new and rapidly evolving sanctions and trade restrictions, which may impair trade with sanctioned individuals and countries, and (ii) negative impacts to regional trade ecosystems among our customers, partners, and us. Non-compliance with sanctions, as well as general ecosystem disruptions, could result in reputational harm, operational delays, monetary fines, lost revenues, increased costs, lost export privileges or criminal sanctions.
The U.S. government recently announced changes to its trade policies, including increasing tariffs on imports, in some cases significantly, and potentially negotiating or terminating existing trade agreements. Many of the announced tariffs apply to countries from which we import our raw materials, component parts and finished products, including Mexico, Ireland and China, which could significantly increase our manufacturing costs. The current tariff environment is dynamic and uncertain, as the U.S. government has imposed, modified and paused tariffs multiple times since the beginning of 2025. Changes to tariffs and other trade restrictions can be announced at any time with little or no notice. We cannot predict with certainty the future trade policy of the United States or other countries. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the imposition of tariffs on our business and financial condition. However, the ultimate impact of any announced or future tariffs will depend on various factors, including (i) whether such tariffs are ultimately implemented, (ii) the timing and duration of implementation and the amount, scope and nature of such tariffs and (iii) potential exclusions from the application of those tariffs.
Additionally, potential tariffs or other U.S. trade policy measures could trigger retaliatory actions by other countries, including by countries that are significant markets for our products, such as China. For example, in response to the recent tariffs announced by the U.S. government, on April 12, 2025, China imposed a 125% tariff on goods imported from the U.S., which could significantly increase our expenses on some of our products sold in China. The escalation of trade tensions could impact Merit in a variety of ways, including (i) increases in manufacturing costs, including with respect to our products manufactured in the U.S., Mexico and Ireland, (ii) disruptions or delays to our global supply chain, (iii) limitations on our ability to sell our products domestically or abroad, and (iv) reductions in sales volumes and gross margins for our products, any of which could negatively affect our business, operations and financial condition.
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Furthermore, tariffs or other trade restrictions may lead to continuing uncertainty and volatility in U.S. and global financial and economic conditions and commodity markets, significant inflation, and ultimately reduced demand for our products. Also, disruptions and volatility in the financial markets may lead to adverse changes in the availability, terms and cost of capital. Such adverse changes could increase our costs of capital and limit our access to external financing sources to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures, or refinancing of debt maturities on similar terms, which could in turn reduce our cash flows and limit our ability to pursue growth opportunities.
The above factors, as well as other economic and geopolitical factors in the U.S. and abroad, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition, including:
● changes in economic, monetary and fiscal policies in the U.S. and abroad;
● a global or regional economic slowdown in any of our market segments;
● public health crises, and government and social responses;
● government cost-reduction initiatives, including such initiatives implemented by the Trump administration;
● policies in various countries that favor domestic industries or restrict foreign companies;
● postponement of spending, in response to tighter credit, financial market volatility and other factors;
● rapid escalation of the cost of regulatory compliance and litigation; and
● credit risks, longer payment cycles and other challenges in collecting accounts receivable.