Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for Q4 2025 reached $947 million, a 15% increase year-over-year, with organic growth of 11% and contributions from the I&C Solutions acquisition [4][5] - Operating income increased by 14%, with an operating margin of 19.7% [5][6] - Diluted earnings per share grew by 16% year-over-year, driven primarily by higher A&D sales [5][6] - Free cash flow was strong at $315 million, up 13%, reflecting a 224% conversion rate [6] - For the full year 2025, diluted earnings per share increased by 21%, and adjusted free cash flow reached a record $554 million [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerospace & Industrial segment sales increased by 5%, with strong OEM sales growth in commercial aerospace [12][13] - Defense Electronics segment saw a 17% sales growth, driven by increased demand for tactical communications equipment and embedded computing revenues [14][15] - Naval & Power segment sales increased by 21%, primarily due to strong revenue growth in naval defense and contributions from the I&C Solutions acquisition [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - A&D markets experienced a 16% growth, with commercial aerospace sales increasing by over 20% [5][9] - The overall order book reached a record of $4.1 billion, up 10% year-over-year, with a book-to-bill ratio of nearly 1.2 times [8][10] - Commercial nuclear market showed tremendous growth, driven by strong demand for aftermarket equipment and advancements in SMR designs [9][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to execute its "Pivot to Growth" strategy, focusing on operational and commercial excellence to drive sales and profitability [4][10] - 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 [7][10] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from increased global defense spending and the U.S. government's focus on nuclear energy dominance [32][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver strong performance in 2026, projecting organic sales growth of 6%-8% [10][11] - The outlook for A&D markets includes anticipated growth driven by U.S. defense budget priorities and increased demand for secure embedded computing solutions [18][20] - Management acknowledged potential headwinds in ground defense due to delays in orders but remains optimistic about future opportunities [8][19] Other Important Information - The company executed a record $465 million in share repurchases in 2025 and increased its annual dividend for the ninth consecutive year [10] - Capital expenditures are expected to increase by more than 25% year-over-year, reflecting ongoing investments to support growth [29][30] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Exposure to missile programs and growth opportunities - The company has minor exposure to missile programs, primarily in telemetry and flight test instrumentation, but is well-positioned in related areas such as the Iron Dome [43][44] Question: Clarification on expected AP1000 orders - Orders could come from either European customers or the U.S., with Westinghouse as the primary customer; specifics on order size are not available at this time [46][47] Question: Free cash flow guidance and working capital dynamics - The company has improved working capital management, targeting a working capital percentage of sales of approximately 18% for 2026, which would be a record [55][57] Question: C-17 order timing and defense electronics bookings - The C-17 order is a Q1 order, and delayed bookings in defense electronics were noted, impacting the book-to-bill ratio [60] Question: Operational and commercial excellence initiatives - The Operational Growth Platform has contributed approximately $12 million to the P&L in 2025, with ongoing initiatives expected to continue driving margin expansion [68][72]

Core Insights - Curtiss-Wright Corporation is advancing its commercial nuclear operations in response to the U.S. Government's plans for the next two decades, which have historically sidelined this segment due to public concerns [1] Group 1: Company Developments - The company is focusing on enhancing its commercial nuclear operations, indicating a strategic shift towards capitalizing on government initiatives [1] Group 2: Industry Context - The commercial nuclear sector has faced challenges in the past, primarily due to negative public perception, but recent government plans may provide new opportunities for growth [1]