Curtiss-Wright (CW) Q4 2025 Earnings Transcript

Core Insights - The company reported a record financial performance for the full year 2025, with significant growth in revenue and operating income across all segments, driven by strong demand in naval defense and commercial nuclear markets [1][4][11] - New orders increased by 18% in the fourth quarter, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of nearly 1.2 times, indicating robust demand [1][6] - The company achieved a record operating margin of 18.6%, reflecting a year-over-year expansion of 110 basis points, attributed to operational excellence initiatives and restructuring actions [1][5][11] Financial Performance - Total sales for the fourth quarter reached $947 million, a 15% increase year-over-year, with organic growth of 11% [3][12] - Operating income rose by 14%, with diluted earnings per share growing by 16% year-over-year, driven by higher aerospace and defense sales [2][5] - Free cash flow was strong at $315 million, up 13%, reflecting a conversion rate of 224% [2] Segment Performance - Aerospace and Defense markets saw a 16% growth, exceeding expectations, driven by increased revenues in Ground and Naval Defense [3][12] - Commercial aerospace sales increased by over 20%, with a 13% growth in commercial markets, primarily due to higher revenues in the Power and Process market [2][15] - The Enablement Power segment reported a 21% increase in sales, driven by strong revenue growth in Naval Defense and aftermarket services [15][16] Future Outlook - For 2026, the company projects organic sales growth of 6% to 8%, with operating income growth expected to outpace sales growth [10][11] - The guidance includes anticipated operating margin expansion of 30 to 60 basis points, reaching a range of 18.9% to 19.2% [10][11] - Diluted EPS is expected to grow by 11% to 15%, supported by strong operational performance and a reduction in share count due to share repurchases [31][32] Market Trends - The company is well-positioned to benefit from increased global defense spending, particularly from the U.S. budget and NATO commitments [35][39] - In the commercial nuclear sector, the U.S. government's support for nuclear energy is expected to accelerate opportunities, including the construction of new reactors [41][42] - The company anticipates strong growth in small modular reactor (SMR) developments as projects transition from design to prototype stages [43][44] Operational Excellence - The company continues to focus on operational and commercial excellence, which has contributed to margin expansion and improved profitability [66][70] - Investments in research and development are being accelerated to support future organic growth, with a commitment to grow R&D faster than sales over time [5][37] - The disciplined approach to capital allocation aims to enhance shareholder value through strategic investments and share repurchases [9][10]