Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 14% year-over-year increase in sales for Q4, exceeding expectations, with about 1% growth attributed to currency effects and 4% from price increases [29][30] - Adjusted EPS for Q4 was $3.34, above expectations, driven by revenue outperformance and favorable pricing [30] - For the full year fiscal 2025, reported and organic sales increased by 1% to $8.3 billion, with adjusted EPS of $10.53, reflecting a 7% increase [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Intelligent devices segment saw a 14% year-over-year organic sales growth, driven by strong performance in power control and the CUBIC acquisition [9][10] - Software and control segment experienced a 30% year-over-year organic sales growth, with a margin increase of 880 basis points [30] - Lifecycle services segment reported a 4% decline in organic sales, with a book-to-bill ratio of 0.9, consistent with historical Q4 seasonality [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America was the best-performing region, with expectations to remain strong in fiscal 2026, supported by a $2 billion investment over five years [19] - The discrete market saw a 20% year-over-year sales increase, particularly in e-commerce and warehouse automation, with automotive sales also exceeding expectations [15] - The process segment grew 10% year-over-year, with customers focusing on efficiency amid weaker demand and low commodity prices [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cost reduction and margin expansion, with a target of over 100 basis points margin improvement in fiscal 2026 [21] - Plans to streamline operations and enhance efficiency to deliver customer value and expand margins were highlighted [6][12] - The dissolution of the Sensia joint venture is expected to lead to lower revenue but higher operating margins, with a commitment to grow in the Oil and Gas market [12][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to gain market share and expand margins despite uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment [20][21] - The company anticipates reported sales growth in the range of 3%-7% for fiscal 2026, with a sequential sales decline expected in Q1 [20][21] - Management noted that increased stability in trade policy could unlock additional capital spending [20] Other Important Information - Free cash flow conversion for the year was 114%, with a record $1.4 billion in free cash flow [28] - The company made a voluntary $70 million contribution to its U.S. pension plan in Q4 [27] - Adjusted effective tax rate for Q4 was about 18%, up from 15% the previous year [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the postmortem of the Sensia joint venture? - Management indicated that the joint venture faced challenges due to its broad scope and the impact of COVID-19 on energy markets, leading to a decision to simplify operations by dissolving the JV [46][48] Question: Can you provide insight into Logix volumes relative to pre-COVID levels? - Management noted that Logix unit volumes touched pre-COVID levels in the back half of the year, with expectations to return to and exceed those levels in fiscal 2026 [60][62] Question: What is the outlook for book-to-bill ratios moving forward? - Management expects the book-to-bill ratio to remain close to one, with gradual improvement anticipated in capital expenditure projects [70][72] Question: How does the company plan to achieve its margin targets? - Management emphasized ongoing cost reduction and productivity initiatives, with a focus on achieving the current margin target of 23.5% before considering new targets [95][98] Question: What level of inflation was observed in the quarter? - Management reported that inflation was relatively modest, with ongoing cost reduction efforts helping to offset inflationary pressures [103]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 14% year-over-year increase in sales for Q4, exceeding expectations, with organic growth driven by price increases and favorable currency effects [28][30] - Adjusted EPS for Q4 was $3.34, above expectations, primarily due to revenue outperformance and better segment mix [30] - For the full year fiscal 2025, reported and organic sales increased by 1% to $8.3 billion, with adjusted EPS of $10.53, reflecting a 7% increase [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Intelligent devices segment saw a 14% year-over-year organic sales growth, driven by strong performance in power control and autonomous mobile robots [9][10] - Software and control segment experienced a 30% year-over-year organic sales growth, with significant contributions from the Logix business [10][31] - Lifecycle services segment reported a 4% decline in organic sales, with a book-to-bill ratio of 0.9, consistent with historical Q4 seasonality [11][31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America was the best-performing region, with expectations for continued strength in fiscal 2026 [17][18] - The discrete market saw a 20% year-over-year sales increase, particularly in e-commerce and warehouse automation, which grew over 70% [14][15] - The process segment grew 10% year-over-year, with customers focusing on efficiency amid weaker demand [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cost reduction and margin expansion, with a target of over 100 basis points margin improvement for fiscal 2026 [19][21] - Plans to increase investments in plant and digital infrastructure, targeting capital expenditures of about 3% of sales [35] - The dissolution of the Sensia joint venture is expected to simplify operations and improve profitability in the oil and gas vertical [12][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to gain market share and expand margins despite uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment [19][20] - The company anticipates reported sales growth for fiscal 2026 to be in the range of 3%-7%, with a sequential decline expected in Q1 [19][20] - Annual recurring revenue is projected to grow in the high single digits for the upcoming year [20] Other Important Information - The company achieved a free cash flow conversion of 114% for the year, with free cash flow reaching a record $1.4 billion [28][30] - A one-time pre-tax charge of $136 million related to legacy asbestos exposure was recorded in Q4, impacting adjusted EPS [25][26] - The introduction of a new engineering and development expense line aims to enhance visibility into key metrics and improve gross margin reporting [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the postmortem of the Sensia joint venture? - Management indicated that the joint venture faced challenges due to its broad scope and the impact of COVID-19 on energy markets, leading to a decision to dissolve it for simplification and improved profitability [45][46] Question: What is the outlook for Logix volumes relative to pre-COVID levels? - Management noted that Logix unit volumes are expected to return to pre-COVID levels in fiscal 2026, with strong market growth anticipated [58][60] Question: What is the current book-to-bill ratio and outlook for larger CapEx projects? - Management confirmed that the book-to-bill ratio is close to one time, with expectations for gradual improvement in capital spending as projects are delayed [67][68] Question: What level of inflation was experienced in the quarter? - Inflation was described as relatively modest, with ongoing cost reduction measures helping to offset its impact [98] Question: What is the pricing outlook for fiscal 2026? - Management expects a 1% underlying price increase and 1% from tariff-based pricing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced pricing approach [82][83]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rockwell Automation reported a 14% year-over-year increase in sales for Q4, exceeding expectations, with organic sales growth of 13% driven by strong product business performance [5][26] - Adjusted EPS for Q4 was $3.34, above expectations, primarily due to revenue outperformance and favorable pricing [12][27] - Full-year adjusted EPS for fiscal 2025 was $10.53, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the previous year [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Intelligent Devices segment saw organic sales growth of 14% year-over-year, driven by power control business and successful acquisitions [7][8] - Software and Control segment experienced a significant 30% organic sales growth, with strong performance in the Logix business [9][28] - Lifecycle Services segment reported a 4% decline in organic sales, with a book-to-bill ratio of 0.9, consistent with historical Q4 seasonality [10][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America was the best-performing region, with expectations to continue leading in fiscal 2026 [17][18] - E-commerce and warehouse automation sales grew over 70% year-over-year, highlighting strong demand in these sectors [13] - The automotive sector showed low double-digit growth, with a shift in focus from electric vehicles to a mix of traditional and hybrid vehicles [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cost reduction and margin expansion, with a target of achieving over 100 basis points margin improvement in fiscal 2026 [19][20] - Rockwell Automation plans to invest $2 billion over the next five years to modernize infrastructure and enhance digital capabilities, primarily benefiting the U.S. market [18] - The dissolution of the Sensia joint venture is expected to simplify operations and improve profitability in the oil and gas vertical [11][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to gain market share and expand margins despite uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment [19][20] - The company anticipates reported sales growth for fiscal 2026 to be in the range of 3%-7%, with a sequential sales decline expected in Q1 [19][20] - Management highlighted the importance of investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities as countries recognize their strategic significance [5][12] Other Important Information - Free cash flow for Q4 was $405 million, contributing to a full-year free cash flow conversion of 114% [26] - The company introduced a new engineering and development expense line to enhance visibility into innovation spending [22] - A one-time pre-tax charge of $136 million related to legacy asbestos exposure was recorded in Q4, impacting adjusted EPS [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the postmortem on Sensia? - Management noted that the joint venture faced challenges due to its broad scope and the impact of COVID-19 on energy markets, leading to a decision to dissolve it for simplification and improved profitability [39][40] Question: Can you provide insight into Logix volumes relative to pre-COVID levels? - Logix unit volumes are expected to return to pre-COVID levels in fiscal 2026, with strong market growth anticipated [42][43] Question: What is the outlook for book-to-bill ratios moving forward? - The book-to-bill ratio is expected to remain around one, with gradual improvement anticipated as capital expenditure projects progress [45][46] Question: How does the company plan to achieve its margin targets? - Management emphasized ongoing cost reduction and productivity initiatives, with a focus on achieving a 40% incremental margin in fiscal 2026 [56][57] Question: What are the expectations for inflation and tariff impacts? - Inflation is expected to remain modest, with tariff-based pricing aimed at offsetting costs rather than expanding margins [57][59]