Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR) 2026 Conference February 18, 2026 08:50 AM ET Company ParticipantsLal Karsanbhai - President and CEOMichael Baughman - EVP and CFOModeratorWe're gonna get started again. We are really excited to have Emerson with us today. We've got Lal Karsanbhai, who's the President and CEO of Emerson, and Mike Baughman, who is the CFO. Lal, as I walk over to you, it's been a year since you closed the acquisition of the remaining shares of AspenTech, almost a year. And I know you had a vision, ...

Core Insights - Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance grid reliability and resilience, particularly during peak load periods, thereby reducing the risk of brownouts and blackouts [2][3] - The integration of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, is facilitating the optimization of energy consumption and the deployment of DERs [6] Group 1: Benefits of DERs - Utilities can benefit from Demand Response (DR) and Demand-Side Management (DSM) by lowering operational costs and avoiding expensive peaker plants, while also providing potential equity ownership opportunities for customers [1] - DERs support peak-shaving and improve overall reliability, with virtual power plants (VPPs) effectively managing load resources to respond to grid conditions [1][2] - The global market for battery energy storage systems (BESS) is projected to grow to over $120 billion to $150 billion by 2030, with more than $30 billion expected in the U.S. alone [4] Group 2: Role of Microgrids - Microgrids are essential for deploying DERs, offering real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities to grid events, thereby enhancing overall performance [3][4] - San Diego Gas & Electric has launched four microgrids to improve grid reliability, demonstrating the practical application of energy storage in supporting critical infrastructure [3][4] Group 3: Advanced Technologies - Advanced technologies such as smart thermostats and electric water heaters are crucial for managing energy consumption based on grid conditions, promoting the adoption of DERs [6] - Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows electric vehicles to act as mobile distributed energy resources, providing power back to the grid during peak demand periods [6]

Summary of Emerson Electric Co. Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Emerson Electric Co. - **Industry**: Electrical Equipment and Automation Key Points and Arguments Company Transformation and Financial Performance - The CEO, Lal Karsanbhai, expressed optimism about the company's future, highlighting a significant transformation in the portfolio over the past four and a half years, creating a global automation company with a differentiated technology stack [6][7] - The company has improved gross margins by 1,000 basis points and EBITDA margins by 700 basis points [6] - Emerson generates strong cash flow, aiming for a 100% cash conversion measure [7][166] Market Performance and Geographic Insights - **Strong Markets**: The U.S., Middle East, Africa, and India are performing well, with the U.S. market strengthening throughout the year [7] - **Weak Markets**: China and Europe have shown weakness, with China expected to grow at mid-single digits in the next decade, down from historical growth rates [7][53] - The company anticipates orders to come in at the lower end of guidance (5-7%) due to ongoing weakness in Europe and China [8] Vertical Performance - **Strong Verticals**: Power, LNG, and life sciences are identified as strong growth areas, particularly in North America and the Middle East [18][71] - **Weak Verticals**: Traditional process industries, particularly bulk chemicals and automotive, are underperforming [23][20] Sustainability and Project Erosion - There has been a noted erosion of sustainability projects in the U.S., with smaller projects being removed from the funnel [31][34] - The company continues to see a decline in mega projects related to sustainability and decarbonization [34] Future Growth and Investment Strategy - Emerson is focused on capitalizing on the "age of America," with significant investment opportunities in energy policy, power generation, life sciences, and semiconductor nearshoring [52] - The company plans to maintain capital expenditures at around 2.5% of revenue and R&D spending at 8% [62][64] Margin and Profitability Outlook - The company expects normalized incremental margins around 40% going forward, with a focus on maintaining strong segment margins [118][121] - The CEO indicated that the company has achieved a 1,000 basis point improvement in gross margins, with a significant portion attributed to M&A activity [103] AI and Digital Transformation - Emerson is leveraging AI for internal processes and product offerings, including AI agents in LabVIEW and AspenTech, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing engineering time [192][194] - The company is focused on creating a unified data fabric to enhance digital transformation efforts [84] Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns - Emerson plans to return cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, while continuing to invest in innovation and growth opportunities [180] - The company is looking for bolt-on acquisitions, particularly in the test and measurement and software sectors, with a focus on technology that enhances growth and margins [189] Conclusion - Emerson Electric Co. is navigating a complex market environment with a focus on transformation, geographic strengths, and vertical opportunities while managing challenges in weaker markets. The company is committed to maintaining strong financial performance and shareholder returns through strategic investments and operational efficiencies.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported underlying sales growth of 3% for the quarter, with adjusted earnings per share of $1.52, which grew 6% year over year [19][21][24] - Adjusted segment EBITDA margin was 27.1%, meeting expectations, and was negatively impacted by tariffs [21][24] - Free cash flow generation was better than expected at $970 million, resulting in a margin of 21.3% [21][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Industrial Software annual contract value (ACV) grew double digits year over year, ending the quarter at $1.5 billion [8] - Process and Hybrid businesses saw underlying orders grow mid single digits, while Test and Measurement orders were up 16% [8][12] - MRO sales remained strong at 62% of total sales, driven by software and cybersecurity upgrades [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying orders in North America, India, and the Middle East and Africa showed strong growth, while Europe experienced a decline of 7% [20] - The company expects underlying sales growth of 5% to 6% in the fourth quarter, driven by improvements in Test and Measurement and sustained growth in Process and Hybrid businesses [10][14] - The tariff environment improved, with the annualized gross incremental tariff impact reduced to approximately $210 million [17][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on innovation, highlighted by collaborations with Total Energies and the launch of AI-enabled products [5][6] - The demand outlook remains healthy, with expectations for continued growth in LNG, power generation, and life sciences [12][14] - The company plans to host an investor conference to discuss its transport portfolio and value creation framework [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in discrete markets and the overall demand for automation [10][12] - The company anticipates strong exit rates for underlying orders to support sales growth in fiscal 2026 [10][14] - Management noted that the tariff environment has improved, leading to better visibility and decision-making from customers [86] Other Important Information - The company has a project funnel of $11.2 billion, with consistent project wins of $350 million to $400 million per quarter [87] - The Ovation AI-enabled Virtual Advisor has been launched and is already seeing customer adoption [106] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the margins in Intelligent Devices? - Management noted that tariffs and unexpected foreign exchange impacts affected margins, but underlying performance was positive [31][32] Question: What is driving the recovery in Test and Measurement? - The recovery is broad-based across segments, with strong performance in aerospace, defense, and semiconductors [34][35] Question: How did orders trend in May and June? - Orders remained consistent, with MRO bookings steady throughout the quarter [41][42] Question: What is the outlook for the power vertical? - Management believes sustainable growth rates can remain elevated in the high teens for the next couple of years [78][80] Question: How has the dialogue with customers changed regarding large projects? - There has been no slowdown in decision-making for projects in LNG, power, and life sciences [86][87] Question: What is the order outlook for Q4? - The company expects underlying sales growth of 5% to 7%, driven by various business segments [111]

Core Insights - Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) is experiencing strong demand across most of its end markets, leading to an increase in underlying sales by 2% year over year in the first half of fiscal 2025 [1][3] - The company has updated its fiscal 2025 sales growth forecast to approximately 4% year over year, up from the previous estimate of 1.5-3.5% [3][7] - The acquisition of AspenTech has enhanced EMR's automation portfolio and expanded its market presence, particularly in software-defined control [4][7] Demand and Performance - Solid demand in the process and hybrid industries is driving sales growth, particularly in life sciences, energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and power end markets [1][7] - The Intelligent Devices and Software & Control segments are showing strong momentum, with notable growth in the Final Control business and Measurement & Analytical business across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa [2] Financials and Shareholder Returns - In the first half of 2025, Emerson paid out dividends totaling $598 million and repurchased $1.12 billion in common stocks, with plans to repurchase $2.3 billion and pay out $1.2 billion in dividends for the full fiscal year [5] - The stock has gained 13.5% over the past year, outperforming the industry, which saw a decline of 12.3% [6] Challenges and Risks - The company faces challenges in the Safety & Productivity, Discrete Automation, and Test & Measurement businesses due to weak demand and regional softness, particularly in Europe and Asia [9] - Adverse foreign currency translation impacted sales by 1% year over year in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, highlighting the risks associated with its significant international presence [10]

Core Insights - Emerson has made $40 billion in acquisitions over the past four years and is not finished with its acquisition strategy, focusing on high-quality assets in its core domains [1][4] - Recent significant acquisitions include National Instruments for $8.2 billion and AspenTech for $7.2 billion, indicating a strong push into automated test equipment and industrial software [2][3] - The company aims to enhance its operating strength in production automation and test and measurement sectors, with a focus on optimization and software to support its vision of boundless automation [3][6] Acquisition Strategy - Emerson's acquisition strategy is not about high spending but about acquiring the right assets that align with its core competencies [4] - The company is particularly interested in research and development in the automated test sphere, while most acquisitions will likely focus on software that enhances enterprise operations [6][8] - Competitors like ABB, Honeywell, Siemens, Schneider, and Yokogawa are also active in the industrial software acquisition space, indicating a competitive market [7] Technological Focus - Emerson emphasizes the importance of software in the industrial technology stack, aiming for a software-defined hardware advantage to improve productivity, reliability, safety, and sustainability [8] - The company launched 'Project Beyond', described as the industry's first software-defined, operational technology-ready digital platform, to manage AI applications and models [9][10] - The ultimate goal is to transition customers from digitally connected plants to self-optimizing and autonomous operations [8][10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Emerson reported underlying orders growth of 4%, exceeding expectations, with all regions showing positive results, including China [6][12] - Underlying sales were up 2%, with Process and Hybrid businesses growing mid-single digits, while adjusted earnings per share increased by 9% year over year to $1.48 [12][24] - Free cash flow was $738 million, reflecting a 14% increase year over year, with a free cash flow margin of 17% [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Process and Hybrid markets grew by 6%, while Discrete businesses turned positive with Test and Measurement orders up 8% [6][14] - Software and Control segment grew by 7%, driven by higher software sales, while Intelligent Devices remained flat due to safety and productivity issues [22] - The Industrial Software business saw an 11% year-over-year increase in annual contract value (ACV), supported by strong demand for AspenTech's offerings [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand for Process and Hybrid businesses remained strong, particularly in energy and LNG projects, with significant capital investment noted in regions like the Middle East, Africa, and India [14][18] - The Americas experienced mid-single-digit growth, while Europe saw low single-digit growth, with continued momentum in Energy Transition and Life Sciences [18][19] - The company expects mid-single-digit growth in Process and Hybrid sales in the second half, with a more muted recovery anticipated in factory automation and automotive sectors [20][36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Emerson is focused on integrating AspenTech as a key priority for 2025, targeting $100 million in cost synergies by 2028 [10] - The company has completed its portfolio transformation, retaining the Safety and Productivity business due to its strong profitability and cash generation potential [11] - Emerson aims to maintain disciplined capital allocation, prioritizing reinvestment in the business, dividends, and share repurchases while targeting bolt-on acquisitions under $1 billion [39][96] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's plans for the year, guiding for underlying sales growth of approximately 4% and raising the midpoint of adjusted EPS guidance to between $5.90 and $6.05 [9][34] - The management noted that while there are signs of tariff-induced impacts, they have not seen widespread indications affecting demand [16][32] - The company anticipates a favorable spending environment in LNG and power sectors, driven by energy security and self-reliance commitments [16][36] Other Important Information - Emerson's gross exposure to tariffs is estimated at $245 million for 2025, which the company expects to fully mitigate through pricing actions and operational adjustments [7][31] - The company reported a backlog of $7.5 billion, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.04, indicating a healthy order flow [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is improving in discrete automation? - Management highlighted recovery in Test and Measurement driven by Aerospace and Defense, while noting continued weakness in automotive sectors, particularly in China and Germany [42][44] Question: How real is the pharmaceutical spending? - Management confirmed that the commitments from pharmaceutical companies are genuine, with early projects emerging in the life sciences sector [46][48] Question: What can be done with AspenTech now that the deal is closed? - Management expressed excitement about the growth opportunities with AspenTech, emphasizing the potential for double-digit ACV growth and enhanced collaboration with existing Emerson platforms [53][55] Question: Will tariff impacts be offset by the end of the fiscal year? - Management confirmed that they expect to completely cover the tariff impacts by the end of fiscal 2025 [57][59] Question: Why retain the Safety and Productivity business? - Management concluded that retaining the business would provide the best value for shareholders, given its strong profitability and alignment with U.S. manufacturing trends [66][68] Question: What data points indicate softness in China? - Management noted that softness is primarily in the chemical sector, with some positive signs in power generation and marine business [70][72] Question: What is the outlook for Test and Measurement? - Management indicated strong growth in Aerospace and Defense and a recovery in semiconductors, while automotive remains a concern [92][94]

Core Viewpoint - Emerson Electric Co. is experiencing growth due to strong performance across its segments and strategic acquisitions, making it an attractive option for investors [1][3]. Segmental Strength - Healthy demand in most end markets is positively impacting Emerson's results, with underlying sales increasing by 2% in the fiscal first quarter [3]. - The Intelligent Devices and Software and Control segments are showing solid momentum, particularly in the Final Control business and Measurement & Analytical business, supported by robust growth across geographies and strong backlog conversion [4]. Accretive Acquisitions - Emerson is enhancing its product portfolio through acquisitions, including a deal to acquire the remaining shares of AspenTech for $265 per share, increasing its ownership to 100% [5]. - The acquisitions of Afag and Flexim in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 have expanded Emerson's capabilities in factory automation and flow measurement [6]. - The recent acquisition of National Instruments for $8.2 billion has strengthened Emerson's position in global automation, particularly in high-growth markets such as semiconductors and electric vehicles [7]. Rewards to Shareholders - Emerson is committed to returning value to shareholders, having paid out $301 million in dividends and repurchased $899 million in common stocks in the fiscal first quarter [8]. - The company plans to repurchase shares worth $2 billion and distribute $1.2 billion in dividends in fiscal 2025, alongside a 0.5% dividend increase in November 2024 [8]. Business Weakness - Despite overall strength, Emerson is facing challenges in the Safety & Productivity, Discrete Automation, and Test & Measurement segments, with sales declines of 3%, 5%, and 6% respectively in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 [9]. Forex Woes - Emerson's international operations expose it to currency fluctuation risks, with adverse foreign currency translation impacting sales by 1% year over year in the fourth quarter and an expected impact of approximately 1.5% in fiscal 2025 [10].