Core Insights - Crane reported exceptional fourth-quarter results for 2025, with adjusted EPS of $1.53, a 21% increase year-over-year, and full-year adjusted EPS growth of 24% compared to 2024, driven by strong performance in aerospace and advanced technologies [2][3][5] Financial Performance - The company achieved a 5.4% growth in core sales for Q4 and a 16% increase in adjusted operating profit, attributed to higher productivity and favorable pricing net of inflation [1][2] - Adjusted free cash conversion reached 102% for the year, indicating strong cash performance [1] - The adjusted operating margin for Process Flow Technologies expanded by 170 basis points to 22%, despite flat sales and softer chemical orders [5][7] Segment Highlights - Aerospace and Advanced Technologies (AAT) saw a 15% increase in Q4 sales to $272 million, with a record backlog exceeding $1 billion, up 25% year-over-year [6][8] - Process Flow Technologies (PFT) reported flat sales of $309 million in Q4, with core sales down 1.5%, but still managed to expand margins due to productivity and pricing [7][8] Acquisitions and Integration - Crane completed multiple acquisitions at the start of 2026, including Reuter-Stokes, Panametrics, Druck, and Optek-Danulat, which are expected to be slightly accretive to earnings in 2026 [4][9][10] - The integration of these businesses is progressing well, with expected cost and growth synergies [10] Leadership Transition - Alex Alcala will become CEO on April 27, 2026, with Max Mitchell transitioning to Executive Chairman [11] 2026 Guidance - Crane provided initial adjusted EPS guidance for 2026 of $6.55 to $6.75, reflecting a change in non-GAAP presentation to exclude acquisition-related intangible amortization [12] - The company anticipates Q1 2026 to be seasonally soft, with earnings weighted 45% to the first half and 55% to the second half of the year [13] Market Outlook - AAT is expected to achieve core sales growth at the high end of the long-term growth assumption of 7% to 9% in 2026, while PFT is projected to have flat to low single-digit core growth due to sluggish orders [16][17] - The nuclear sector is viewed as an increasingly attractive area for growth, particularly following the acquisition of Reuter-Stokes [18]

Core Insights - RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC) is positioned to benefit from strong performance across its business segments, synergies from acquisitions, and shareholder-friendly policies, focusing on growth opportunities and long-term market strength [1] End-Market Strength - The Aerospace/Defense segment is experiencing strong performance, with revenues increasing by 10.4% year-over-year in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by robust growth in orders from both OEM and aftermarket verticals [2] - The backlog for the Aerospace/Defense segment reached $1.02 billion at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, indicating strong future demand [2] - The Industrial segment also shows strength, with revenues up 5.5% year-over-year in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, supported by stable demand in various markets [3] - For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, RBC anticipates net sales between $445 million and $455 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 11.8% to 14.4% [3] Acquisition Benefits - RBC has been enhancing its business through acquisitions, including the purchase of VACCO Industries for approximately $275 million in cash, which will expand its offerings in defense, space, and commercial markets [4] Price Performance - Over the past year, RBC's shares have increased by 35.5%, significantly outperforming the industry average growth of 8.4% [6] Shareholder-Friendly Policies - RBC is committed to increasing shareholder value through dividend payments and share repurchases, having paid $17.2 million in preferred stock dividends and repurchased shares worth $9.5 million in fiscal 2025 [6] Estimate Revisions - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RBC's fiscal 2026 earnings has increased by 1.6% in the past 30 days, while the estimate for fiscal 2027 has been revised upward by 3.8% [9]