Lewis said, "I am excited about the opportunities in front of us. We have a strong leadership team, a clear strategy, and a culture deeply committed to our customers and operational excellence. I look forward to building on the momentum established under Tod's leadership and continuing to deliver value for our employees, customers and shareholders.†Lewis joined Donaldson in 2002 and became chief operating officer in August 2025. He has held a broad range of senior leadership roles across the Company, incl ...

Core Insights - Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Mid Cap Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to buy now [1] - Jefferies upgraded Donaldson to Buy from Hold, raising the price target to $120 from $92, citing early signs of improvement in mining and non-residential construction markets [2] - The company reported record sales of $935 million for fiscal Q1 2026, with an operating margin of 15.5% and EPS of $0.94, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year [3] Financial Performance - Donaldson's fiscal Q1 2026 results showed broad-based momentum, with growth in Mobile Aftermarket, Power Generation, Food and Beverage, and Disk Drive sectors [3] - The company raised its full-year operating margin outlook by 10 basis points to a range of 16.2%–16.8%, with a midpoint of 16.5% [5] - EPS guidance for fiscal 2026 was increased by $0.03, now forecasting between $3.95 and $4.11, with a midpoint of $4.03 [5] Market Position and Growth Drivers - CEO Tod Carpenter highlighted expanding partnerships, including work with NAPA, and noted that the independent channel experienced nearly double-digit sales growth [4] - Strength in the Off-Road segment was attributed to construction activity, which helped mitigate weaker conditions in agriculture [4] - Strong demand in Power Generation was noted, driven by spending in data centers and AI-related infrastructure [4]

Core Insights - Major U.S. stock market indices closed positively on January 9, 2026, following December jobs data, with unemployment rate decreasing to 4.4% but job additions missing expectations [1] Group 1: Market Trends - Investors are shifting towards dividend-growth stocks due to a preference for quality and visibility amid economic uncertainty, as these stocks signal robust cash flows [2][9] - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are seen as better investments for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks [3][6] Group 2: Characteristics of Dividend Growth Stocks - Dividend growth stocks belong to mature companies, providing a hedge against market volatility and economic uncertainty while offering downside protection through consistent payout increases [4] - These stocks typically exhibit superior fundamentals, including sustainable business models, profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, and strong balance sheets [5] Group 3: Selected Dividend Growth Stocks - Woodward Inc. (WWD): Expected revenue growth of 11.2% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15.20%, and annual dividend yield of 0.35% [10][11] - Cardinal Health (CAH): Projected revenue growth of 16.2% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 13.90%, and annual dividend yield of 1.02% [12] - Fox Corp. (FOX): Anticipated revenue growth of 3.6% for fiscal 2027, long-term earnings growth rate of 10.10%, and annual dividend yield of 0.84% [13] - Kinross Gold (KGC): Expected revenue growth of 11% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 36.5%, and annual dividend yield of 0.45% [14] - Donaldson (DCI): Projected revenue growth of 3.5% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and annual dividend yield of 1.26% [15]

Core Viewpoint - Investors should closely monitor Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) stock due to significant implied volatility in the options market, particularly the Feb 20, 2026 $55.00 Put option [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectation of future stock movement, with high levels suggesting potential for a significant price change or an upcoming event that could impact the stock [2] - High implied volatility in options may attract traders looking to sell premium, as they anticipate that the underlying stock will not move as much as expected by expiration [4] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Donaldson currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) within the Pollution Control Industry, which is positioned in the bottom 23% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, one analyst has raised their earnings estimate for the current quarter, while three have lowered theirs, resulting in a consensus estimate decrease from 91 cents to 90 cents per share [3]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market experienced a slight decline on December 26, 2025, primarily due to low trading volume following the Christmas holiday, with many institutional investors absent for the year [1] - Major indexes such as the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq saw small dips, ending short winning streaks observed earlier in the week [1][9] Investment Strategy - During the holiday season, equity investors may favor dividend-growth stocks over high price-growth stocks, as companies with a consistent history of dividend increases often exhibit strong financial health [2] - Dividend-growth stocks provide a defensive hedge against economic uncertainty and market volatility, making them attractive during periods of low market activity [4] Dividend Growth Stocks - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are considered healthier investments, offering greater potential for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks [3][6] - Five selected dividend-growth stocks include: - Woodward Inc. (WWD): Expected revenue growth of 11.1% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15.20%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.36% [10] - Enersys (ENS): Projected revenue growth of 4% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.70% [11] - Donaldson (DCI): Anticipated revenue growth of 3.5% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.31% [12] - Rockwell Automation (ROK): Expected revenue growth of 5.8% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.38% [13] - Vertiv Holdings (VRT): Projected revenue growth of 27.5% for fiscal 2025, long-term earnings growth rate of 30.2%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.15% [14] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks selected for their strong fundamentals include criteria such as: - 5-Year Historical Dividend Growth Greater Than Zero [6] - 5-Year Historical Sales Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - 5-Year Historical EPS Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - Next 3-5 Year EPS Growth Rate Greater Than Zero [7] - Price/Cash Flow Less Than Industry Median [8] - 52-Week Price Change Greater Than S&P 500 [8]

Market Overview - Major U.S. stock indices experienced a significant decline on December 12, 2025, primarily driven by sell-offs in technology stocks due to concerns over an AI bubble narrative [1] - Investors reacted negatively to news from Broadcom, which indicated expected margin pressure in its AI business for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, despite exceeding fiscal fourth-quarter earnings estimates [1] Investment Strategy - In the current market environment, equity investors may favor dividend-growth stocks over high price-growth stocks, as companies with a history of raising dividends typically demonstrate strong financial health, providing a defensive hedge against economic uncertainty [2] - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are suggested to form a healthier portfolio with greater potential for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks or those with high yields [2] Selected Dividend Growth Stocks - Five dividend growth stocks have been identified as potential solid choices for investment: TE Connectivity (TEL), Enersys (ENS), Donaldson (DCI), Lam Research (LRCX), and Leidos Holdings (LDOS) [3][9] - These stocks exhibit positive sales and earnings per share (EPS) growth histories, consistent dividend increases, solid fundamentals, and favorable valuation metrics [9] Characteristics of Dividend Growth Stocks - Stocks with a strong history of dividend growth are typically associated with mature companies that are less vulnerable to market volatility, thus providing a hedge against economic or political uncertainties [4] - These stocks are characterized by superior fundamentals, including sustainable business models, long-term profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, strong balance sheets, and value characteristics [5] - Although these stocks may not have the highest yields, they have historically outperformed the broader stock market and other dividend-paying stocks [6] Performance Metrics - Selected stocks must meet specific criteria, including: - 5-Year Historical Dividend Growth Greater Than Zero - 5-Year Historical Sales Growth Greater Than Zero - 5-Year Historical EPS Growth Greater Than Zero - Next 3-5 Year EPS Growth Rate Greater Than Zero [7] - Additional metrics include a Price/Cash Flow ratio less than the industry median and a 52-Week Price Change greater than the S&P 500 [8] Individual Stock Insights - **TE Connectivity (TEL)**: Expected fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 10.2%, long-term earnings growth rate of 12.3%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.23% [10][11] - **Enersys (ENS)**: Projected fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 4%, long-term earnings growth rate of 15%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.71% [11][12] - **Donaldson (DCI)**: Anticipated fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 3.4%, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.30% [12] - **Lam Research (LRCX)**: Expected fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 14.1%, long-term earnings growth rate of 20.3%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.65% [13] - **Leidos Holdings (LDOS)**: Projected fiscal 2025 revenue growth of 3.4%, long-term earnings growth rate of 11.6%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.84% [14]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Donaldson (DCI) - Donaldson currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating a favorable position in momentum investing [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting strong potential for outperformance in the market [3] Performance Metrics - DCI shares have increased by 2.83% over the past week, while the Zacks Pollution Control industry remained flat [5] - Over the past month, DCI's price change is 7.48%, significantly outperforming the industry's 0.24% [5] - In the last quarter, DCI shares rose by 13.86%, and over the past year, they gained 28.13%, compared to the S&P 500's increases of 5.09% and 14.7%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - DCI's average 20-day trading volume is 742,294 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, four earnings estimates for DCI have been revised upwards, while none have been lowered, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $4.02 to $4.04 [9] - For the next fiscal year, two estimates have also moved upwards, with no downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Considering the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, DCI is positioned as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying strong candidates can be challenging due to inherent volatility and risks [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Donaldson (DCI) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock, possessing a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 13%, with projected EPS growth of 9.8% this year, significantly outperforming the industry average of 5.6% [4] Group 2: Financial Metrics - Donaldson's asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets ratio) is 1.25, indicating that the company generates $1.25 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 0.74 [5] - The company's sales are expected to grow by 3.4% this year, while the industry average is stagnant at 0% [6] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - There is a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Donaldson, with the current-year earnings estimates increasing by 0.8% over the past month [7] - The company has earned a Growth Score of B and holds a Zacks Rank 2 due to these positive earnings estimate revisions, positioning it well for potential outperformance [9]

Core Viewpoint - Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) has shown a strong stock performance, gaining approximately 25% since June of the previous year, with expectations for further upside in the future [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - The stock of DCI has performed well, with a notable increase of around 25% since the last coverage in June [1]. - There is an optimistic outlook for DCI, suggesting potential for further stock price appreciation [1]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - The focus is on GARP (Growth at Reasonable Price) opportunities within the industrial, consumer, and technology sectors [1].

Core Viewpoint - Donaldson (DCI) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Investor Sentiment - The upgrade reflects an improvement in Donaldson's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Donaldson has increased by 0.7%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Donaldson's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].