Eaton Reports Record First Quarter 2026 Results, with Accelerating Growth in Sales, Orders and Backlog, and Raises 2026 Organic Growth Guidance to 10% from 8% at the Midpoint
-
Twelve-month rolling average order acceleration in Electrical Americas, up 42%, driven by data center momentum, and
Electrical Global and Aerospace order growth, up 13%
- Strong year-over-year total backlog growth of 48% in Electrical sector and 28% in Aerospace segment
- First quarter sales were up 17% with organic sales growth of 10%, above the high end of the 5-7% guidance range
-
Closed
$11 billion of strategic acquisitions in the quarter, includingBoyd Thermal andUltra PCS Limited
-
For full year 2026, earnings per share expected to be between
$10.88 and$11.33 , up 6% at the midpoint over 2025, and adjusted earnings per share expected to be between$13.05 and$13 .50, up 10% at the midpoint over 2025
Sales in the quarter were
Segment margins were 22.7%, above the guidance range, and down 120bps from the first quarter of 2025.
Operating cash flow was
In the quarter, the company also closed
Guidance
For the full year 2026, the company anticipates:
- Organic growth of 9-11%
- Segment margins of 24.1-24.5%
-
Earnings per share between
$10.88 and$11.33 -
Adjusted earnings per share between
$13.05 and$13.50
For the second quarter of 2026, the company anticipates:
- Organic growth of 9-11%
- Segment margins of 22.6-23.0%
-
Earnings per share between
$2.29 and$2.39 -
Adjusted earnings per share between
$3.00 and$3.10
Business Segment Results
Sales for the Electrical Americas segment were a record
The twelve-month rolling average of orders in the first quarter was up 42% organically. Total backlog at the end of March remained strong and was up 44% over
Sales for the Electrical Global segment were a record
The twelve-month rolling average of orders in the first quarter was up 13% organically. Total backlog at the end of March was up 73% over
On a rolling twelve-month basis, the book-to-bill ratio for the Electrical businesses increased to 1.2.
Aerospace segment sales were a record
The twelve-month rolling average of orders in the first quarter was up 13% organically. Total backlog at the end of March was up 28% over
The Mobility segment posted sales of
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial and institutional, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.
Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of
Notice of conference call: Eaton’s conference call to discuss its first quarter results is available to all interested parties today as a live audio webcast at
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning second quarter and full year 2026 earnings per share, adjusted earnings per share, organic growth and segment margins; impact of acquisitions and portfolio changes on near- and long-term financial results; anticipated multi-year restructuring program charges and savings; and the anticipated separation of the Mobility business. These statements should be used with caution and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the company’s control. The following factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: the impact of acquisitions, joint ventures, and investments and the integration of acquired entities; disruptions by natural disasters, labor strikes, wars, geopolitical instability and/or conflict, political unrest, terrorist activity, economic upheaval, or public health concerns that impact our production facilities; significant inflation or shortages of raw materials, energy, components, and/or labor, or similar challenges for our customers; reliance on suppliers to provide raw materials, components and services; the development and use of artificial intelligence in our business operations, including potential impacts on compliance with law and our reputation; service interruptions, data corruption, loss or impairment, network security and related operational impacts due to cybersecurity attacks; weather disruptions and regulatory, market and social reactions to such disruptions; our ability to identify, attract, develop, engage and retain qualified employees; our ability to complete the anticipated spin-off of our Mobility business; stock price and end market impacts due to technology disruptions; volatility of end markets; continued successful research, development and marketing of new or improved products; geopolitical, economic or other risks arising from worldwide or regional economic conditions; the global nature of Eaton’s business and exposure to economic and political instability, including war or armed conflict, changes in governmental laws, regulations and policies; changes in countries’ trade policies, including the imposition of sanctions or tariffs; changes in our tax rates or tax laws and regulations applicable to our business; rules, regulations, audits and investigations and related compliance risks associated with being a governmental contractor; our ability to protect our intellectual property; litigation and environmental regulations impacting our business; and the other risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
Financial Results
The company’s comparative financial results for the three months ended
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME |
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Three months ended
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(In millions except for per share data) |
|
2026 |
|
|
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2025 |
|
|
Net sales |
$ |
7,451 |
|
|
$ |
6,377 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Cost of products sold |
|
4,799 |
|
|
|
3,930 |
|
|
Selling and administrative expense |
|
1,269 |
|
|
|
1,048 |
|
|
Research and development expense |
|
211 |
|
|
|
198 |
|
|
Interest expense - net |
|
106 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
Other income - net |
|
(41 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
Income before income taxes |
|
1,107 |
|
|
|
1,177 |
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
240 |
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
Net income |
|
868 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
Less net income for noncontrolling interests |
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders |
$ |
866 |
|
|
$ |
964 |
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||||
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Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders |
|
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||||
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Diluted |
$ |
2.22 |
|
|
$ |
2.45 |
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Basic |
|
2.23 |
|
|
|
2.46 |
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Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
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||||
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Diluted |
|
389.2 |
|
|
|
393.6 |
|
|
Basic |
|
388.2 |
|
|
|
392.2 |
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|
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||||
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Reconciliation of net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders to adjusted earnings |
|
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||||
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Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders |
$ |
866 |
|
|
$ |
964 |
|
|
Excluding acquisition and divestiture charges, after-tax |
|
87 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Excluding restructuring program charges, after-tax |
|
30 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
Excluding intangible asset amortization expense, after-tax |
|
111 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
Adjusted earnings |
$ |
1,094 |
|
|
$ |
1,070 |
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|
|
|
|
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||||
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Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders - diluted |
$ |
2.22 |
|
|
$ |
2.45 |
|
|
Excluding per share impact of acquisition and divestiture charges, after-tax |
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
Excluding per share impact of restructuring program charges, after-tax |
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
Excluding per share impact of intangible asset amortization expense, after-tax |
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
|
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share |
$ |
2.81 |
|
|
$ |
2.72 |
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See accompanying notes. |
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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION |
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Three months ended
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(In millions) |
|
2026 |
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2025 |
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Net sales |
|
|
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||||
|
Electrical |
$ |
3,600 |
|
|
$ |
3,010 |
|
|
Electrical Global |
|
1,945 |
|
|
|
1,610 |
|
|
Aerospace |
|
1,139 |
|
|
|
979 |
|
|
Mobility |
|
766 |
|
|
|
779 |
|
|
Total net sales |
$ |
7,451 |
|
|
$ |
6,377 |
|
|
|
|
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Segment operating profit |
|
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||||
|
Electrical |
$ |
922 |
|
|
$ |
904 |
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Electrical Global |
|
373 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
Aerospace |
|
304 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
Mobility |
|
89 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
Total segment operating profit |
|
1,690 |
|
|
|
1,522 |
|
|
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Corporate |
|
|
|
||||
|
Intangible asset amortization expense |
|
(140 |
) |
|
|
(106 |
) |
|
Interest expense - net |
|
(106 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
Pension and other postretirement benefits income |
|
4 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
Restructuring program charges |
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
Other expense - net |
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
(193 |
) |
|
Income before income taxes |
|
1,107 |
|
|
|
1,177 |
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
240 |
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
Net income |
|
868 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
Less net income for noncontrolling interests |
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders |
$ |
866 |
|
|
$ |
964 |
|
|
See accompanying notes. |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
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(In millions) |
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Assets |
|
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Current assets |
|
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|
||||
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Cash |
$ |
565 |
|
|
$ |
622 |
|
|
Short-term investments |
|
186 |
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
Accounts receivable - net |
|
6,366 |
|
|
|
5,387 |
|
|
Inventory |
|
5,146 |
|
|
|
4,721 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
1,743 |
|
|
|
1,444 |
|
|
Total current assets |
|
14,005 |
|
|
|
12,355 |
|
|
|
|
|
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||||
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Property, plant and equipment - net |
|
4,574 |
|
|
|
4,316 |
|
|
|
|
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|
||||
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Other noncurrent assets |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
21,402 |
|
|
|
15,769 |
|
|
Other intangible assets |
|
11,259 |
|
|
|
5,054 |
|
|
Operating lease assets |
|
844 |
|
|
|
768 |
|
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
585 |
|
|
|
707 |
|
|
Other assets |
|
2,417 |
|
|
|
2,281 |
|
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Total assets |
$ |
55,085 |
|
|
$ |
41,251 |
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Liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
|
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|
Current liabilities |
|
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|
||||
|
Short-term debt |
$ |
2,510 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
84 |
|
|
|
1,136 |
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
4,910 |
|
|
|
4,168 |
|
|
Accrued compensation |
|
573 |
|
|
|
644 |
|
|
Other current liabilities |
|
3,665 |
|
|
|
3,421 |
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
11,741 |
|
|
|
9,370 |
|
|
|
|
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|
||||
|
Noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
|
||||
|
Long-term debt |
|
18,535 |
|
|
|
8,758 |
|
|
Pension liabilities |
|
670 |
|
|
|
702 |
|
|
Other postretirement benefits liabilities |
|
160 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
Operating lease liabilities |
|
704 |
|
|
|
637 |
|
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
1,605 |
|
|
|
265 |
|
|
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
1,905 |
|
|
|
1,889 |
|
|
Total noncurrent liabilities |
|
23,579 |
|
|
|
12,412 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
||||
|
Eaton shareholders’ equity |
|
19,721 |
|
|
|
19,425 |
|
|
Noncontrolling interests |
|
44 |
|
|
44 |
||
|
Total equity |
|
19,765 |
|
|
|
19,469 |
|
|
Total liabilities and equity |
$ |
55,085 |
|
|
$ |
41,251 |
|
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See accompanying notes. |
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NOTES TO THE FIRST QUARTER 2026 EARNINGS RELEASE
Amounts are in millions of dollars unless indicated otherwise (per share data assume dilution). Columns and rows may not add and the sum of components may not equal total amounts reported due to rounding.
Note 1. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per ordinary share, and free cash flow, each of which differs from the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). A reconciliation of each of these financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is included in this earnings release. Management believes that these financial measures are useful to investors because they provide additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our business performance and trends, and they allow investors to more easily compare
The Company's second quarter and full year net income per ordinary share and adjusted earnings per ordinary share guidance for 2026 is as follows:
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Three months ended
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|
Year ended
|
||
|
Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders - diluted |
|
|
|
||
|
Excluding per share impact of acquisition and divestiture charges, after tax |
0.43 |
|
0.97 |
||
|
Excluding per share impact of restructuring program charges, after tax |
0.06 |
|
0.24 |
||
|
Excluding per share impact of intangible asset amortization expense, after tax |
0.22 |
|
0.96 |
||
|
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share |
|
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A reconciliation of net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders per share to adjusted earnings per ordinary share is as follows:
|
|
Year ended
|
||
|
Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders - diluted |
$ |
10.45 |
|
|
Excluding per share impact of acquisition and divestiture charges, after tax |
|
0.37 |
|
|
Excluding per share impact of restructuring program charges, after tax |
|
0.26 |
|
|
Excluding per share impact of intangible asset amortization expense, after tax |
|
0.99 |
|
|
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share |
$ |
12.07 |
|
Reconciliations of operating cash flow to free cash flow is as follows:
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Three months ended |
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(In millions) |
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Operating cash flow |
$ |
507 |
|
|
$ |
238 |
|
|
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment |
|
(193 |
) |
|
|
(147 |
) |
|
Free cash flow |
$ |
314 |
|
|
$ |
91 |
|
Note 2. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
During the first quarter of 2026, Eaton re-segmented certain business segments due to a reorganization of the Company's businesses. The new segment is Mobility, which includes the legacy Vehicle and eMobility segments. Historical segment information has been recast to reflect this change.
Mobility
The Mobility segment designs, manufactures, markets, and supplies a broad portfolio of mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems that improve emissions, fuel economy, power management, performance, and safety across on‑road and off‑road vehicles. The Mobility segment serves global OEMs and aftermarket customers with solutions spanning internal combustion, hybrid, and electrified powertrains, including transmissions and transmission components, clutches, differentials, hybrid systems, engine valves, fuel and vapor components, as well as high‑voltage inverters and converters, power electronics, circuit protection, vehicle controls, and power distribution systems. The principal markets for the Mobility segment are OEM and aftermarket customers of heavy-, medium-, and light‑duty trucks, SUVs, CUVs, passenger cars, construction, agricultural, material handling, and mining equipment.
Note 3. ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURE OF BUSINESSES
Acquisition of
On
As part of the acquisition, Eaton assumed
Acquisition of
On
As part of the acquisition, Eaton assumed employee incentives with a maximum payout of
Investment in SPAN
On
Acquisition of
On
The Company incurred
Acquisition of Boyd Thermal
On
The Company incurred
Spin-off of Mobility business
On
Note 4. ACQUISITION AND DIVESTITURE CHARGES
Eaton incurs integration charges and transaction costs to acquire and integrate businesses, and transaction, separation and other costs to divest and exit businesses. Eaton also recognizes gains and losses on the sale of businesses. A summary of these Corporate items is as follows:
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Three months ended
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(In millions except for per share data) |
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Acquisition integration, divestiture charges and transaction costs |
$ |
109 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
Income tax benefit |
|
21 |
|
|
2 |
||
|
Total charges after income taxes |
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
Per ordinary share - diluted |
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
Acquisition integration, divestiture charges and transaction costs in 2026 and 2025 are primarily related to the following:
-
The acquisitions of
Fibrebond Corporation ,Resilient Power Systems Inc. ,Ultra PCS Limited , Boyd Thermal, and Exertherm, the anticipated spin-off of the Mobility business, transactions completed prior to 2023, and other charges to acquire and exit businesses. -
Employee transaction and retention award compensation expense related to the acquisition of Fibrebond of
$14 million in the first quarter of 2026. -
Employee incentive compensation expense related to the acquisition of Resilient of
$11 million in the first quarter of 2026.
Charges in 2026 and 2025 were included in Cost of products sold, Selling and administrative expense, or Other income - net. In Business Segment Information, the charges were included in Other expense - net.
Note 5. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
During the first quarter of 2024, Eaton implemented a multi-year restructuring program to accelerate opportunities to optimize its operations and global support structure. These actions will better align the Company's functions to support anticipated growth and drive greater effectiveness throughout the Company. Since the inception of the program, the Company has incurred charges of
A summary of restructuring program charges is as follows:
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Three months ended
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(In millions except for per share data) |
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Workforce reductions |
$ |
24 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
Plant closing and other |
|
14 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Total before income taxes |
|
39 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
Income tax benefit |
|
8 |
|
|
4 |
||
|
Total after income taxes |
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
Per ordinary share - diluted |
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
Restructuring program charges (income) related to the following segments:
|
|
Three months ended
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||||||
|
(In millions) |
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Electrical |
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
Electrical Global |
|
31 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
Aerospace |
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
Mobility |
|
5 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
Corporate |
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Total |
$ |
39 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
These restructuring program charges (income) were included in Cost of products sold, Selling and administrative expense, Research and development expense, or Other income - net, as appropriate. In Business Segment Information, these restructuring program charges are treated as Corporate items.
Note 6. INTANGIBLE ASSET AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
Intangible asset amortization expense is as follows:
|
|
Three months ended
|
||||||
|
(In millions except for per share data) |
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Intangible asset amortization expense |
$ |
140 |
|
|
$ |
106 |
|
|
Income tax benefit |
|
30 |
|
|
22 |
||
|
Total after income taxes |
$ |
111 |
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
|
Per ordinary share - diluted |
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260504450402/en/
Media Relations
+1 (440) 523-4006
jennifertolhurst@eaton.com
Investor Relations
+1 (440) 523-7558
Source: