Strategic Portfolio Adjustments Drive Strong Growth and Enhanced Focus for Long-Term Value Creation LANCASTER, Pa., Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Burnham Holdings, Inc. (OTC-Pink: BURCA) ("BHI", the "Company", "we" or "our") today reported its consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025, demonstrating continued growth driven by record high net sales and strategic portfolio adjustments aimed at strengthening its core boiler business. The financial statement presentation has been adjusted t ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sales of $3.8 billion in 2025, a slight increase over the previous year, with earnings per share (EPS) rising 6% to a record $3.85 [10][6] - Free cash flow for 2025 was $546 million, a 15% increase compared to 2024, with a free cash flow conversion rate of 100% [13][14] - The company returned $597 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [6][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America segment sales were $3 billion, slightly up from 2024, with a segment margin of 24.4%, an increase of 20 basis points year-over-year [10][11] - North America water heater sales increased by 1%, while boiler sales grew by 8% due to higher commercial and residential volumes [7][10] - Water treatment sales in North America decreased by 2%, but sales in priority channels grew by 10% [8][9] - Rest of the World segment sales decreased by 4% to $880 million, primarily due to lower sales in China [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In China, third-party sales decreased by 12% in local currency due to economic weakness and soft consumer demand [9][11] - The company expects China sales to decrease mid-single digits in 2026 due to ongoing market challenges [20][21] - The India business, including Pureit, is projected to grow approximately 10% as the company leverages brand synergies [21][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on portfolio management, innovation, and operational excellence as key strategic priorities [22][24] - The acquisition of Leonard Valve is aimed at expanding into the water management market, enhancing digital capabilities and integrated product offerings [26][27] - The company plans to continue investing in gas tankless offerings and other energy-efficient products to maintain market leadership [16][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the U.S. residential market is expected to remain flat to down due to pressures in new home construction [18][19] - The company anticipates a return to growth in China in the second half of 2026, driven by internal actions and market recovery [21][38] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate competitive pressures and maintain profitability through strategic actions [28][29] Other Important Information - The company has increased its dividend for over 30 consecutive years, with a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share approved [14][15] - The company expects to repurchase approximately $200 million of its stock in 2026 [17][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the persistent downturn in residential volumes? - Management indicated that the downturn is primarily due to pressures in new home construction, with emergency and proactive replacements remaining stable [36][37] Question: What indicators suggest a return to growth in China? - Management highlighted the need to move past the impact of government subsidies and focus on remodeling and refurbishments as key drivers for growth [38] Question: Can you elaborate on the competitive intensity in the wholesale channel? - Management noted that competitive pressure is increasing due to low new home construction and retail gaining market share, but emphasized their strong position in both retail and wholesale channels [42][43] Question: What is the growth outlook for the water treatment business? - Management expressed optimism about continued growth and margin expansion in the water treatment business, driven by strategic focus and integration efforts [70][73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sales of $3.8 billion in 2025, a slight increase over the previous year, with earnings per share (EPS) rising 6% to a record $3.85 [9][5][4] - Free cash flow for 2025 was $546 million, a 15% increase compared to 2024, driven by lower capital investments and higher earnings [12][10] - The company returned $597 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [5][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America segment sales were $3 billion, slightly increasing from 2024, with segment earnings of $728 million, up 2% year-over-year [9][10] - North America water heater sales increased by 1%, while boiler sales grew by 8% due to higher commercial and residential volumes [6][7] - Water treatment sales in North America decreased by 2%, but sales in priority channels grew by 10% [8][6] - Rest of the World segment sales decreased by 4% to $880 million, primarily due to a 12% decline in China [10][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In China, third-party sales decreased by 12% in local currency due to economic weakness and soft consumer demand [8][10] - The company anticipates a mid-single-digit decline in China sales for 2026, with expected challenges in the first half of the year [20][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its portfolio through acquisitions, such as the recent acquisition of Leonard Valve, which expands its water management market reach [5][26] - Strategic priorities include portfolio management, innovation, and operational excellence to drive long-term growth [21][22] - The company is focusing on expanding its water treatment business and enhancing profitability through targeted investments [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating a dynamic environment, citing strong performance in commercial markets despite challenges in residential channels [4][5] - The outlook for 2026 includes an expected EPS range of $3.85-$4.15, reflecting a 4% growth over 2025 [14][15] - Management noted that the first half of 2026 may be particularly challenging due to subdued consumer demand in China [20][19] Other Important Information - The company has increased its dividend for over 30 consecutive years, with a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share approved [14][13] - The company plans to repurchase approximately $200 million of its stock in 2026 [16][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the persistent downturn in residential volumes? - Management indicated that the downturn is primarily due to pressures in new home construction, with emergency and proactive replacements remaining stable [35][36] Question: What indicators suggest a return to growth in China? - Management noted that the return to growth will be driven by moving past the phase of government subsidies and focusing on remodel and refurbishment needs [37][36] Question: Can you elaborate on the competitive intensity in the wholesale channel? - Management explained that competitive pressure is increasing due to low new home construction and retail gaining market share, but they maintain a strong position in both retail and wholesale channels [41][42] Question: How do you expect price costs to trend through the year? - Management expects to protect the price-cost relationship but acknowledges potential challenges due to rising input costs [55][54] Question: What are the growth prospects for Leonard Valve? - Management indicated that Leonard Valve has been growing at double digits, and they expect it to contribute approximately $70 million in sales in 2026 [54][53]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sales of $3.8 billion in 2025, a slight increase from the previous year [9] - Earnings per share (EPS) increased by 6% to a record $3.85, compared to adjusted earnings of $3.73 per share in 2024 [5][9] - Free cash flow reached $546 million in 2025, a 15% increase over 2024, with a conversion rate of 100% [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America segment sales were $3 billion, slightly up from 2024, with a segment margin of 24.4%, an increase of 20 basis points year-over-year [9][10] - North America water heater sales increased by 1%, while boiler sales grew by 8% [6][9] - Water treatment sales in North America decreased by 2%, but sales in priority channels grew by 10% [7][8] - Rest of the World segment sales decreased by 4% to $880 million, primarily due to a 12% decline in China [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In China, third-party sales decreased by 12% in local currency due to economic weakness and soft consumer demand [8] - The company anticipates a mid-single-digit decline in China sales for 2026, with expected challenges in the first half of the year [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on portfolio management, innovation, and operational excellence as key strategic priorities [22] - The acquisition of Leonard Valve is aimed at expanding into the water management market and enhancing digital capabilities [25][26] - The company plans to continue investing in gas tankless offerings and expects to generate strong free cash flow in 2026 [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the softness in new home construction is expected to persist into 2026, impacting residential industry volumes [18][35] - The company is optimistic about returning to growth in China in the second half of 2026, driven by internal actions and market recovery [20][36] - The outlook for 2026 includes an expected EPS range of $3.85-$4.15, representing a 4% growth over 2025 [15] Other Important Information - The company returned $597 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2025 [5][14] - The board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share, marking over 30 consecutive years of dividend increases [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is causing the persistent downturn in residential volumes? - Management indicated that the downturn is primarily due to pressures in new home construction, which is expected to continue without stimulus or lower interest rates [34][35] Question: What indicators suggest a return to growth in China? - Management highlighted the need to move past the phase of government subsidies and focus on remodel and refurbishment demand as key drivers for growth [36] Question: Can you elaborate on the competitive intensity in the wholesale channel? - Management noted that competitive pressure is increasing due to low new home construction and retail gaining market share, but they maintain a strong position in both retail and wholesale channels [41][42] Question: How will earnings and revenue cadence look in 2026? - Management expects a more normalized year in 2026, with a potential 50/50 split between the first and second halves, contrasting with previous years where the front half was stronger [44][45] Question: What are the growth prospects for Leonard Valve? - Leonard Valve is expected to contribute approximately $70 million in sales in 2026, with a growth rate in the double digits driven by digital market expansion [52][53]

Core Insights - A. O. Smith Corporation reported a slight increase in net sales and earnings for the full year 2025, with net sales reaching $3.83 billion and net earnings at $546.2 million, marking a 2% increase year-over-year [2][5] - The company achieved a record diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.85, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year [2][5] - The acquisition of Leonard Valve is expected to enhance the company's growth opportunities in the water management sector [3][5] Financial Performance - Full Year 2025: - Net sales: $3,830 million, up from $3,818 million in 2024 - Net earnings: $546.2 million, a 2% increase from $533.6 million in 2024 - Diluted EPS: $3.85, up 6% from $3.63 in 2024 [2][5] - Fourth Quarter 2025: - Net sales: $912.5 million, slightly up from $912.4 million in Q4 2024 - Net earnings: $125.4 million, a 14% increase from $109.7 million in Q4 2024 - Diluted EPS: $0.90, a 20% increase from $0.75 in Q4 2024 [3][5] Segment Performance - North America: - Full Year 2025 sales: $3.0 billion, with segment earnings of $727.9 million and a margin of 24.4%, up from 24.0% in 2024 [6][7] - Fourth Quarter 2025 sales: $713.7 million, a 3% increase year-over-year, with segment earnings of $164.9 million and a margin of 23.1% [8][9] - Rest of World: - Full Year 2025 sales: $880.4 million, down 4% year-over-year, primarily due to a 12% decrease in sales in China [10][11] - Fourth Quarter 2025 sales: $205.7 million, a 13% decrease year-over-year, with segment earnings of $16.0 million and a margin of 7.8% [12][13] Cash Flow and Capital Allocation - Free cash flow for 2025 was $546 million, representing 100% of net earnings, with cash provided by operations at $616.8 million [5][15] - The company returned $597 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2025 [5][16] - A dividend of $0.36 per share was approved, marking 86 consecutive years of dividend payments [17] Outlook for 2026 - The company projects net sales for 2026 to be between $3.9 billion and $4.02 billion, with EPS guidance between $3.85 and $4.15 [18][19] - Anticipated challenges in the China market are expected to continue, with a forecasted mid-single digit sales decline, while double-digit sales growth is projected in India [18][19]

Core Viewpoint - A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 29, with expectations of a slight revenue increase but a decline in adjusted earnings per share [1][2][10]. Financial Performance Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AOS's revenues is $923.7 million, reflecting a 1.2% increase from the prior-year quarter [2]. - The consensus estimate for adjusted earnings is 84 cents per share, indicating a 1.2% decline from the year-ago quarter [2]. Segment Performance Insights - Strong demand for commercial water heaters and boilers is anticipated to boost the North America segment's revenues by 1.8% year over year to $702.4 million [3]. - Recent acquisitions, including the Pureit business from Unilever and Impact Water Products, are expected to positively impact AOS's top line and enhance its water treatment offerings [4][5]. Challenges and Risks - The ongoing challenges in the Chinese real estate market are likely to negatively affect the Rest of the World segment, with expected revenues decreasing by 3% year over year to $229.6 million [6]. - AOS is facing rising costs, with SG&A expenses projected to increase by 11.1% year over year to $202.2 million, which may pressure its bottom line [7]. - Foreign currency headwinds are also expected to impact profitability due to the company's significant international operations [7]. Earnings Prediction Insights - The current Earnings ESP for AOS is 0.00%, indicating no expected earnings beat, as both the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are at 84 cents per share [9]. - AOS holds a Zacks Rank of 3, suggesting a neutral outlook for the stock [11].

Core Insights - Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) has partnered with Siemens Energy to supply steam turbine generator sets for a power project aimed at supporting a data centre operated by Applied Digital, with a goal to deliver 1GW of power by the end of 2028 [1][3] - The companies have initiated a limited notice to proceed, with a comprehensive contract expected in Q1 2026 [1] Group 1: Project Details - B&W has signed a limited notice to proceed with Applied Digital for the development and installation of four natural gas-fired power plants, each with a capacity of 300MW [2] - The project will include boilers and associated steam turbines, along with an ongoing contract for parts and services to support the facility post-commercial operations [2] Group 2: Technology and Innovation - B&W's chairman and CEO highlighted the collaboration as a combination of innovation and leadership in the power generation sector, leveraging Siemens Energy's advanced turbine technology alongside B&W's boiler systems [3] - The facilities will utilize gas-fired boilers to generate steam for turbine operation, ensuring reliable power output to meet project timelines [3] Group 3: Industry Context - B&W has successfully implemented similar boiler solutions at various utility and industrial sites globally, aiming to apply this experience to energy infrastructure for AI and data centres [4] - Siemens Energy's senior vice-president emphasized that the combination of their steam turbine systems with B&W's boiler technology provides a cohesive setup for large-scale power, suitable for the continuous demand of modern AI facilities [5]

Core Viewpoint - Burnham Holdings, Inc. (BHI) is refocusing its boiler business by divesting a substantial portion of its subsidiaries' legacy asbestos liabilities to Burnham Industries, LLC (BI), which will manage these liabilities independently [1][3][5]. Divestiture - The Legacy Subsidiaries will be capitalized with cash, real estate, and insurance related to legacy liabilities, with BI assuming full responsibility for managing these subsidiaries and their asbestos-related claims [2][3]. - Proceeds from the divestiture of Thermo Products and Norwood Manufacturing were utilized to fund this transaction, neutralizing its impact on existing credit capacity [2]. Strategic Initiatives - This transaction allows BHI to address legacy asbestos liabilities effectively, reducing operational and financial risks while simplifying its corporate structure [3][5]. - BHI's strategic changes include the winddown of Crown Boiler Company operations, divestiture of Thermo Products and Norwood Manufacturing, and the opening of a new Condensing Center of Excellence [4]. Commitment to Long-Term Growth - The divestiture aligns with BHI's commitment to growth in key boiler markets, focusing on core businesses and leveraging strong management teams for improved efficiencies and synergies [4][5]. - The company anticipates a pre-tax loss of approximately $24.0 million in Q4 2025 due to this transaction, but it will eliminate further financial exposure to the legacy liabilities [5]. Company Overview - BHI is a parent company of multiple subsidiaries that manufacture boilers, furnaces, and HVAC products for various applications, listed on the OTC Exchange under the ticker symbol "BURCA" [6].

Core Insights - A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) is experiencing strong demand for commercial water heaters and boilers in North America, with organic sales in India increasing by 12.9% year over year in Q3 2025 [1]. - The company anticipates a sales growth of approximately 4-6% in its North America boiler business and low-single-digit growth in the commercial water heater business for the year [1]. Business Acquisitions - A. O. Smith is focused on acquiring businesses to expand its customer base, regions, and product lines, exemplified by its acquisition of LVC Holdco LLC (Leonard Valve) for $470 million, expected to close in Q1 2026 [2]. - The acquisition of Pureit from Unilever in November 2024 has enhanced A. O. Smith's offerings in water treatment solutions and strengthened its market position in India [3]. Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns - In the first nine months of 2025, A. O. Smith paid dividends totaling $145.1 million and repurchased shares worth $335.4 million, with a 6% increase in dividends to 36 cents per share announced in October 2025 [4]. - The company reported cash and cash equivalents of $152.7 million at the end of Q3 2025, significantly higher than its current debt of $19 million [4]. Market Challenges - The company faced challenges in its Rest of the World segment, particularly in China, where revenues declined by 1% year over year in Q3 2025, with a projected 10% decrease in sales for 2025 in local currency [7]. - Rising operating expenses, with costs of sales and selling, general, and administrative expenses increasing by 2.2% and 7% year over year, respectively, are putting pressure on A. O. Smith's profitability [8].

Core Viewpoint - A. O. Smith Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire LVC Holdco LLC (Leonard Valve) for $470 million, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, enhancing A. O. Smith's presence in the water management market [1][3][7] Financial Summary - The acquisition is valued at approximately $412 million after adjusting for estimated tax benefits, representing an adjusted multiple of about 12 times forecasted 2026 EBITDA [1][7] - A. O. Smith expects the transaction to be accretive to its earnings per share in 2026, with strong growth, margins, and free cash flow generation [7] Strategic Fit - The acquisition establishes a new growth platform in the fast-growing water management category, complementing A. O. Smith's core water heater and boiler businesses [4][7] - Leonard Valve's advanced digital mixing technology and Heat-Timer platform will accelerate A. O. Smith's digital and connected water strategy, creating leading smart water building management capabilities [7] Market Positioning - Leonard Valve's products serve critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and industrial markets, which will broaden A. O. Smith's commercial exposure and strengthen relationships with specifying engineers [7] - The acquisition aligns with A. O. Smith's disciplined acquisition framework, meeting key financial thresholds [7] Leadership Perspectives - A. O. Smith's CEO emphasized the strategic fit and alignment of values between the two companies, highlighting the potential for delivering integrated, high-performance systems [3][5] - Leonard Valve's CEO expressed excitement about the partnership, noting significant opportunities to accelerate the adoption of digital water-management technologies [5]