GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gabelli Funds, LLC, will host its 36th Annual Pump, Valve, & Water Systems Symposium at Convene 530 Fifth Avenue in New York, NY on Thursday, February 26th, 2026. The event will feature discussions with leading companies and organizations across the industrial landscape, with an emphasis on critical infrastructure, aerospace and defense, machine tools, and the oil and gas industry. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with management in a one-o ...

Core Viewpoint - Mueller Water Products, Inc. is set to release its financial results for the first quarter ending December 31, 2025, on February 4, 2026, after U.S. market close, followed by a conference call on February 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the earnings and business results [1]. Company Overview - Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a prominent manufacturer and marketer of products and solutions for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water in North America [2]. - The company's extensive portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe connection and repair products, metering products, leak detection, pipe condition assessment, pressure management products, and software that provides essential water system data [2]. - Mueller Water Products aims to assist municipalities in enhancing operational efficiencies, improving customer service, and prioritizing capital spending, reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry [2].

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Manufacturing - General Industrial sector should consider Mueller Water Products (MWA) and Nordson (NDSN) for potential value opportunities [1] Group 1: Company Rankings and Outlook - Both MWA and NDSN currently hold a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook supported by favorable analyst estimate revisions [3] - The Zacks Rank system emphasizes companies with improving earnings forecasts, which is a key interest for value investors [2] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - MWA has a forward P/E ratio of 17.90, while NDSN has a higher forward P/E of 23.35, suggesting MWA may be more attractively priced [5] - MWA's PEG ratio is 1.19, indicating a better valuation relative to its expected EPS growth compared to NDSN's PEG ratio of 1.80 [5] - MWA's P/B ratio stands at 4.02, compared to NDSN's P/B of 4.82, further supporting MWA's stronger valuation metrics [6] Group 3: Value Grades - MWA has received a Value grade of B, while NDSN has a Value grade of D, indicating that MWA is currently viewed as the superior value option [6][7]

Core Insights - Piper Sandler's "Macro Select" stock-picking model significantly outperformed the S&P 500 in 2025, achieving a return of approximately 22% compared to the S&P 500's 16% gain [1] - The updated Macro Select list for 2026 focuses on stocks with strong earnings surprises, earnings revisions, attractive earnings yield, and high return on equity (ROE) [3] Stock Performance - AT&T Inc. (Ticker: T) in the Communication Services sector had a 1-year return of 10% [5] - Graham Holdings (Ticker: GHC) in the Consumer Discretionary sector had a 1-year return of 4% [6] - Par Pacific Holdings (Ticker: EAT) in the Consumer Discretionary sector had a 1-year return of 12% [7] - Deluxe Corporation (Ticker: PARR) in the Energy sector had a 1-year return of 13% [8] - Mueller Water Products (Ticker: MWA) in the Industrials sector had a 1-year return of 14% [10] - Kilroy Realty (Ticker: KRC) in the Real Estate sector had a 1-year return of 6% [11] - UGI Corporation (Ticker: UGI) in the Utilities sector had a 1-year return of 33% [12] - Clearway Energy (Ticker: CWEN) in the Utilities sector had a 1-year return of 23% [13]

Core Viewpoint - Mueller Water Products, Inc. has nominated Gregg C. Sengstack to join its Board of Directors, while Thomas Hansen will retire from the Board at the upcoming Annual Meeting on February 9, 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: Board Changes - The Board of Directors has nominated Gregg C. Sengstack, who previously served as a Board Observer, to enhance the Board's operational and financial expertise [3]. - Thomas Hansen is recognized for his significant contributions and long-standing service to the company [2]. - Following the Annual Meeting, the Board will consist of nine directors, with eight being independent and all having joined within the past seven years [3]. Group 2: Background of Gregg C. Sengstack - Gregg C. Sengstack has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing leadership, international market development, and financial stewardship [4]. - He served as Chairperson and CEO of Franklin Electric Co. from 2014 to July 2024, where he led a strategic transformation that significantly increased shareholder value [5]. - Sengstack holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Bucknell University [6]. Group 3: Company Overview - Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water in North America [7]. - The company's product portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, metering products, and software for critical water system data [7].

Company Overview - Mueller Water Products (MWA) specializes in engineering valves, hydrants, and metering systems for water infrastructure [1] - The company operates through two reportable segments: Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions [1] - MWA's operations are primarily based in the United States and Canada [1] Analyst Background - The analyst has over 10 years of experience in the investment arena, starting as an analyst and advancing to a management role [1] - The analyst holds a master's degree in Analytics from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in Accounting [1] - Dividend investing is a personal interest of the analyst, who aims to share insights with the Seeking Alpha community [1]

Group 1 - Crude Value Insights provides an investment service and community focused on the oil and natural gas sectors, emphasizing cash flow and companies that generate it [1] - The service offers subscribers access to a model account with over 50 stocks, detailed cash flow analyses of exploration and production (E&P) firms, and live chat discussions about the sector [1] Group 2 - A two-week free trial is available for new subscribers, promoting engagement with the oil and gas market [2]

Group 1 - Crude Value Insights provides an investment service and community focused on the oil and natural gas sector, emphasizing cash flow and companies that generate it [1] - The service offers subscribers access to a model account with over 50 stocks, detailed cash flow analyses of exploration and production (E&P) firms, and live chat discussions about the sector [1] Group 2 - A two-week free trial is available for new subscribers, promoting engagement with the oil and gas market [2]

Sales Performance - Water Flow Solutions accounted for approximately 58% of fiscal 2025 consolidated net sales, with net sales recognized at $824.9 million, $755.5 million, and $634.4 million for fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023 respectively[25][35] - Water Management Solutions represented about 42% of fiscal 2025 consolidated net sales, with net sales of $604.8 million, $559.2 million, and $641.3 million for fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023 respectively[26][37] - The company’s two largest distributors accounted for approximately 37%, 38%, and 35% of gross sales in fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively[48] - Seasonal demand affects net sales and operating income, with historically lower performance in the first and second fiscal quarters due to weather conditions impacting construction activity[47] - Approximately 5% of Water Flow Solutions' net sales were to Canadian customers in fiscal year 2025, compared to 6% in the previous two fiscal years[49] Operational Investments - The company plans to make disciplined investments to improve operational excellence and expand capabilities, aiming to drive sales growth and improve product margins[27] - Capital investments since 2018 have focused on modernizing manufacturing facilities, expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities, and accelerating new product development[28] - The new brass foundry in Decatur, Illinois is operational, replacing a legacy foundry built in the early 1900s, which is expected to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities[28][43] - The company operates ten manufacturing facilities across the United States, Israel, and China, with plans to increase capital investments to expand production capacity[43][44] Backlog and Future Sales - Water Flow Solutions' backlog at the end of 2025 was $208.0 million, an increase from $199.0 million in 2024, while Water Management Solutions' backlog increased from $103.5 million in 2024 to $112.7 million in 2025[51] - Approximately 22% of Water Flow Solutions' backlog is expected to be shipped after 2026, while 4% of Water Management Solutions' backlog is anticipated to be shipped after 2026[51] - The company experienced an increase in overall backlog due to heightened demand for specialty valve and hydrant products compared to the prior year[51] Research and Development - R&D expenses were $19.9 million, $20.5 million, and $25.9 million during fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively[55] Workforce and Diversity - As of September 30, 2025, the company employed approximately 3,500 people, with 83% based in the United States[72] - The employee turnover rate in the United States for fiscal year 2025 was approximately 20%[72] - Approximately 42% of the United States workforce was represented by collective bargaining agreements as of September 30, 2025[72] - The company has successfully negotiated and extended several collective bargaining agreements, with expirations ranging from December 2025 to October 2027[74] - As of September 30, 2025, women and minorities represented 33% and 44% of the Board of Directors, respectively[65] Financial Management - Purchased components and raw materials accounted for approximately 35% and 8% of the cost of sales in 2025, respectively[45] - The company experienced approximately 3% inflation in 2025 compared to 2024, impacting product margins and profitability[239] - The principal financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, which are not subject to material potential near-term losses[238] - The company manages market risks through established policies and procedures, including the use of foreign exchange contracts when appropriate[237] - The company monitors commodity price fluctuations and may adjust selling prices or implement supplier pricing agreements to manage risks[239] Environmental and Social Responsibility - The company’s environmental strategy includes reduction targets for key performance indicators such as GHG emissions and waste to landfill[59] - The company prioritizes employee engagement through programs like employee experience surveys and global quarterly town halls[71] Competitive Landscape - The competitive environment for water infrastructure products is mature, with strong brand recognition among established competitors[52] - The company will continue to seek acquisitions and investments in businesses and technologies to strengthen its competitive position and expand into new markets[33]

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