Rothe highlighted gross margin expansion driven by “positive price, cost, and productivity and favorable mix,” while SG&A was flat year over year. Engineering and development spending rose 10% year over year and remained about 8% of sales, which the company described as aligned with its innovation plans.Rockwell posted total company segment margin of 20.7% and adjusted EPS of $2.75, both above management’s expectations. The quarter’s margin performance was driven by higher volume, favorable mix, and product ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 12% year-over-year increase in sales for Q1, with approximately 2 points of growth attributed to currency and 3 points from organic growth driven by price increases [17][18] - Adjusted EPS for Q1 was $2.75, exceeding expectations, with a favorable tax rate contributing to this performance [10][19] - Total company segment margin was 20.7%, reflecting improvements driven by higher volume, favorable mix, and strong productivity [10][18] Business Segment Performance Changes - Intelligent Devices segment saw organic sales growth of 16% year-over-year, with strong performance in drives and motion [8][21] - Software and Control segment experienced a 17% increase in organic sales, with North American sales of Logix up over 25% year-over-year [9][21] - Lifecycle Services segment organic sales declined by 6% year-over-year, consistent with expectations, but margins improved to 14.1% [10][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Discrete sales were up low double digits year-over-year, driven by strong demand in e-commerce and warehouse automation, which grew over 60% [11][12] - The process industries segment reported a 10% increase in sales, with notable growth in chemicals, water, and energy [14][15] - Life sciences sales declined low single digits year-over-year, primarily due to project delays, but the pipeline remains strong [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand margins while maintaining solid top-line performance, focusing on productivity and structural efficiency [4][5] - Investments in new manufacturing facilities and digital infrastructure underscore the company's commitment to the U.S. market [16] - The company is well-positioned to lead in automation and digital transformation as customers accelerate their Factory of the Future initiatives [5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The macro environment remains fluid with geopolitical uncertainties impacting capital spending, but there are positive signals in certain sectors [5][28] - The company maintains an organic sales growth outlook of 2%-6% for fiscal 2026, with expectations for gradual improvement throughout the year [16][24] - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding capital expenditures, noting that while there are positive indicators, a broad-based release of orders is still needed [36][96] Other Important Information - The company plans to close the Sensia joint venture on April 1, which is expected to have no significant impact on adjusted EPS but will reduce annualized sales by approximately $250 million [25] - Free cash flow in Q1 was $170 million, which was lower than the previous year due to changes in working capital and incentive compensation payments [20][86] Q&A Session Summary Question: CapEx budgets and spending behavior - Management noted that while there is optimism in certain areas, a broad-based release of orders is needed before adjusting guidance higher [36][37] Question: Margin drivers and segment performance - Management expects slight sequential improvement in margins across segments, with Lifecycle Services maintaining around 14% margin [44][45] Question: Demand trends and project orders - Management indicated good demand for modernizations and new capacity, but orders are not coming through at the expected speed [71][73] Question: Semiconductor market opportunities - Management acknowledged a tough comp in Q1 for semiconductors but noted ongoing opportunities in industrial applications and AI-related investments [66][68] Question: Process market outlook - Management highlighted strong performance in the process segment, particularly in energy and specialty chemicals, while remaining cautious about capital spending in oil and gas [91][92]