Company Overview - Autoliv, Inc. is a leading supplier of automotive safety systems with a global footprint and a diversified customer base among major car manufacturers [6] - The company generates revenue through the sale of safety system modules and components to automotive manufacturers worldwide, focusing on both OEM supply contracts and ongoing product innovation [8] - Autoliv's revenue for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is $10.81 billion, with a net income of $735 million and a dividend yield of 2.59% [4] Recent Developments - On February 2, Tweedy, Browne Co disclosed the sale of 31,740 shares of Autoliv, valued at approximately $3.79 million, reducing their stake to 400,924 shares [2][3] - The value of Tweedy, Browne's position in Autoliv decreased by $5.84 million due to the sale and market movements over the quarter [2] - Autoliv's shares were priced at $120.49 as of February 2, reflecting a 32% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 12.78 percentage points [3] Financial Performance - In the most recent quarterly release, Autoliv reported $2.82 billion in revenue, representing a 7.7% year-over-year increase, with operating cash flow reaching a record $544 million [10] - Full-year operating cash flow totaled $1.16 billion, supporting dividends, buybacks, and maintaining a leverage ratio well below management's 1.5x ceiling [10] Future Outlook - Management is guiding for roughly flat organic growth in 2026, with an adjusted operating margin expected to be between 10.5% and 11.0% [11] - A weaker first quarter is anticipated, with expectations for improvement later in the year, indicating a solid but not explosive growth outlook [11] Investment Perspective - Autoliv remains a meaningful position in Tweedy Browne's portfolio, representing nearly 4% of assets, alongside other high-conviction holdings [12] - The recent share price increase suggests a disciplined approach to risk management, as even strong companies may warrant partial profit-taking after significant gains [9][12]

Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE:ALV) posted upbeat fourth-quarter earnings on Friday.The company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $3.19, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $2.90. Quarterly sales of $2.817 billion outpaced the Street view of $2.772 billion."We reached new record high sales for a quarter and a full year, driven mainly by strong growth in India and with Chinese OEMs," said CEO Mikael Bratt. "Sales to COEMs grew by almost 40% in the quarter and by 23% for the full year. Our org ...

Key Takeaways ALV posted Q4 adjusted EPS of $3.19, beating estimates, while net sales rose 7.7% year over year.Autoliv's organic sales grew 4.2% on new product launches, though adjusted margin fell to 12%.ALV saw Airbags sales hit $1.90B, China revenues up 9.8%, and generated $434M in free cash flow.Autoliv Inc. (ALV) reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $3.19 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.85 and rose 5% year over year. The company reported net sales of $2.82 billion, ...

Key Takeaways ALV reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $3.19 on $2.82B sales, up year over year.Autoliv sees record 2025 sales, near-44% share, and strong China and India growth from new launches.ALV flags 2026 headwinds from raw materials and capex, but targets 10.5-11% adjusted margin.Autoliv, Inc. (ALV) , a global leader in automotive safety, reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $3.19 per share, which rose from $3.05 reported in the year-ago quarter. The company reported net sales of $2.82 billion in ...

Group 1 - Autoliv Inc (NYSE:ALV) is recognized as one of the best auto parts stocks by hedge funds, with analysts providing mixed ratings and price target adjustments [1][3]. - Baird analyst Luke Junk reaffirmed a Neutral rating for Autoliv, raising the price target from $133 to $137, reflecting a cautious outlook amid supply chain disruptions affecting auto affordability [1][2]. - Wolfe Research's Emmanuel Rosner maintained an Outperform rating but lowered the price target from $149 to $143, indicating a potential upside of over 13% from the current level despite the revision [3]. Group 2 - Rosner anticipates that Autoliv's management may provide 2026 guidance that could exceed Wall Street consensus, projecting adjusted operating margins of approximately 11%, compared to the consensus estimate of 10.8% [4]. - Autoliv is the largest global supplier of automotive safety systems, offering products such as airbags, seatbelts, and pedestrian protection solutions, primarily serving car manufacturers [5].

Core Viewpoint - Autoliv Inc. has reported strong financial results for Q4 2025, exceeding market expectations and demonstrating competitive strength in the automotive safety systems industry [1] Financial Performance - Earnings per share (EPS) for Q4 2025 was $3.19, surpassing the estimated $2.85, resulting in an 11.75% earnings surprise [2][6] - Revenue reached approximately $2.82 billion, exceeding estimates and marking a 2.25% revenue surprise, with a 7.7% increase from $2.62 billion in the same quarter the previous year [3][6] - Operating margin for the quarter was 11.3%, with an adjusted operating margin of 12.0% [4][6] Growth and Projections - Autoliv anticipates around 0% organic sales growth in 2026, with a positive foreign exchange effect of approximately 1% on net sales [4] - The company projects an adjusted operating margin between 10.5% and 11.0% for the upcoming year [4] Market Valuation - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 12.84, and the price-to-sales ratio stands at about 0.91 [5] - The enterprise value to sales ratio is around 1.10, and the enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 11.30 [5] - Autoliv maintains a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.95, indicating a moderate level of debt and liquidity [5]

Core Insights - Autoliv reported record sales, cash flow, and earnings per share for both the fourth quarter and full year 2025, driven by strong growth with Chinese OEMs and in India, while anticipating margin expansion in 2026 despite a softer light-vehicle production outlook [5][4]. Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter sales increased 8% year-over-year to over $2.8 billion, marking the highest quarterly level in the company's history [4]. - Gross profit rose by $22 million year-over-year, although gross margin declined by 70 basis points [1]. - Adjusted operating income decreased 4% year-over-year to $337 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 12.0%, down 140 basis points [3]. - For the full year, net sales reached $10.8 billion, up 4% from 2024, and adjusted operating income rose 11% to $1.1 billion, improving the adjusted operating margin to 10.3% [7]. Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - Fourth-quarter operating cash flow increased by 30% year-over-year to $544 million, while free operating cash flow rose to $434 million from $288 million a year earlier [2]. - The company returned approximately $590 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks in 2025, raising the quarterly dividend from $0.70 to $0.87 per share [12]. Market Environment and Regional Growth - Global light vehicle production reached its highest level for any quarter on record, with a 1.3% increase in the fourth quarter, driven by stronger-than-expected production in China and India [8][10]. - Autoliv outperformed global light vehicle production by 3 percentage points in the quarter, with particularly strong performance in Asia, excluding China [10]. Operational Efficiency - The company achieved significant operational efficiency improvements, including lower logistics and labor costs, contributing to gross profit [6]. - Autoliv has realized $100 million of a $130 million structural cost savings plan, with expectations to achieve the remaining savings in the coming years [17]. 2026 Outlook - Autoliv anticipates flat organic sales for 2026, with growth in China, India, and South America offset by lower sales in North America and Europe [15]. - The company expects an adjusted operating margin of around 10.5% to 11% and operating cash flow of about $1.2 billion for 2026 [15]. Business Developments - Autoliv announced an agreement with Tensor to develop the first foldable steering wheel for robo cars, targeted for volume production in late 2026 [20]. - The company secured its first order with a Chinese OEM for vehicle production in Europe, establishing a customer relationship [20].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record high sales for both the quarter and the full year, with consolidated sales exceeding $2.8 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year [5][21] - Adjusted operating income for Q4 decreased by 4% to $337 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 12%, down 140 basis points from the previous year [8][21] - Free operating cash flow for 2025 reached $734 million, an increase of over $230 million compared to the previous year, driven by higher profitability and disciplined capital management [7][24] - Adjusted earnings per share rose 18% to $9.85, reflecting higher net profit and reduced share count from repurchase activities [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales to Chinese OEMs surged nearly 40% in the quarter, significantly contributing to the overall sales growth [5] - India represented nearly half of the company's global organic growth, showcasing exceptional growth in that market [5] - The adjusted operating income for the full year increased by 11% to $1.1 billion, with an adjusted operating margin of 10.3% compared to 9.7% in 2024 [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global light vehicle production for Q4 increased by 1.3%, exceeding expectations, with production in China coming in 8 percentage points above expectations [10][11] - The regional light vehicle production mix has shifted, with a larger share coming from lower content per vehicle markets in Asia [10] - The company outperformed the market by 3 percentage points globally, despite an unfavorable regional light vehicle production mix [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced the development of the first foldable steering wheel for autonomous vehicles, marking a strategic step in expanding its role in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem [8] - The company aims to continue outperforming light vehicle production in both China and India in 2026, supported by strong customer partnerships and ongoing structural cost savings [5][33] - The company is focused on improving operational efficiency and reducing costs while navigating a dynamic and competitive industry landscape [16][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to deliver attractive shareholder returns, with a debt leverage ratio reduced to 1.1x [7][30] - The outlook for 2026 indicates expectations of flat organic sales overall, with growth in China, India, and South America offset by lower sales in North America and Europe [33] - Management highlighted geopolitical uncertainty and trade restrictions as significant risks to the 2026 light vehicle production outlook [32] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $590 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks in 2025 [29] - The company has achieved $100 million of the $130 million structural cost savings target set previously [42] - The company reported a market share of 44% in 2025, maintaining its position globally [59] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you frame the major puts and takes regarding margins? - Management quantified raw material headwinds at about $10 million for 2025, expecting it to increase to around $30 million in 2026, primarily due to non-ferrous metals like gold [40] Question: Is the Hyundai airbag recall quantified in the guidance? - Management indicated that there is no current indication of impact on their products and they are working with the customer [44] Question: Why is the outperformance for 2026 only 1%? - Management explained that the outperformance is consistent with their organic growth components, with light vehicle production and content contributing to the overall performance [49] Question: What is the current market share in the industry? - Management confirmed a market share of 44% in 2025, defending their position globally while also seeing strong growth with Chinese OEMs [59] Question: How is the raw material headwind calculated? - Management stated that the headwind is based on a mix of long-term agreements and updated contracts, with the largest impact from gold [62] Question: What part of the order intake is structural versus temporary? - Management indicated that the high turnover of platforms is a structural effect, while cancellations of programs are more temporary [68] Question: Will the foldable steering wheel lead to more products for autonomous driving? - Management expressed optimism about the growth potential of advanced products, with positive customer feedback on the foldable steering wheel [72] Question: Is the margin guidance for the full year within the company's control? - Management confirmed that the guidance is based on their best knowledge of the future and is within their control, although external factors can influence the outcome [85]

Autoliv (NYSE:ALV) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 30, 2026 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsAgnieszka Vilela - Managing DirectorAnders Trapp - VP of Investor RelationsFredrik Westin - CFOMikael Bratt - President and CEOWinnie Dong - Director of Equity ResearchConference Call ParticipantsColin M. Langan - Automotive and Mobility AnalystEmmanuel Rosner - AnalystHampus Engellau - Equity Analyst Capital Goods and Head of Sector Research Nordic EquitiesJairam Nathan - Research AnalystTom Narayan - Lead Equity Anal ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record high sales for both the quarter and the full year, with consolidated sales over $2.8 billion, representing an 8% year-over-year increase [10][20] - Adjusted operating income for Q4 decreased by 4% to $337 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 12%, which is 140 basis points lower than the same quarter last year [6][20] - Free operating cash flow for 2025 was $734 million, an increase of over $230 million compared to the previous year, driven by higher profitability and disciplined capital management [5][24] - Adjusted earnings per share rose 18% to $9.85, reflecting higher net profit and reduced share count from repurchase activities [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales to rapidly expanding Chinese OEMs surged nearly 40% in the quarter, significantly contributing to the overall sales growth [4] - The company outperformed the market by 3 percentage points globally, despite an unfavorable regional light vehicle production mix [11] - Sales to Chinese OEMs accounted for 23% of group sales, with organic sales growth in China of 23% [10][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global light vehicle production for Q4 increased by 1.3%, exceeding expectations by 4 percentage points, primarily driven by China and India [9] - Light vehicle production in China was 8 percentage points above expectations, supported by consumer incentives [9] - The regional production mix has shifted significantly, with a larger share coming from lower content per vehicle markets in Asia [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced the development of the first foldable steering wheel for autonomous vehicles, marking a strategic step in expanding its role in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem [6] - The company expects to continue to significantly outperform light vehicle production in both China and India in 2026 [4] - The company aims for margin improvement supported by higher operational efficiency and ongoing structural cost reductions [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed confidence in the ability to deliver attractive shareholder returns, with a debt leverage ratio reduced to 1.1 times [5] - The outlook for 2026 anticipates flat organic sales overall, with growth in China, India, and South America offset by lower sales in North America and Europe [32] - Geopolitical uncertainty and trade restrictions are expected to be significant risks to the 2026 light vehicle production outlook [31] Other Important Information - The company paid a dividend of $0.87 per share in Q4, representing a 24% increase from the previous dividend [28] - The company has improved working capital by approximately $740 million over the past five years, supporting a stronger balance sheet [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you frame the major puts and takes regarding margins? - The company expects about $30 million in raw material headwinds in 2026, primarily from non-ferrous metals, especially gold [39] Question: Is there any impact from Hyundai's airbag recall? - Currently, there is no indication that the recall affects the company's products, and they are working with the customer [43] Question: Why is the outperformance for 2026 only 1%? - The company expects a neutral mix effect for 2026, with lower-end vehicles growing, impacting overall performance [49] Question: What is the current market share in the industry? - The company maintains a market share of 44% globally, with strong growth in China and India [59] Question: How is the raw material headwind calculated? - The headwind is based on a mix of long-term agreements and updated contracts, with a focus on spot prices [62]