Emerson(EMR) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, underlying sales increased by 4%, with adjusted segment EBITDA margin at 27.5%, up 1.3 points year-over-year [5][6] - For the full year, underlying sales grew by 3%, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $6, reflecting a 9% increase year-over-year [6][15] - Free cash flow reached $3.24 billion, up 12% year-over-year, exceeding guidance [6][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The test and measurement segment saw a significant increase of 27% in orders during Q4, contributing to overall growth [5][8] - Software and control grew by 5%, while intelligent devices increased by 2% [17] - Process and hybrid businesses were up 4%, while discrete businesses finished slightly up at 1% [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying orders grew by 6% in Q4, with strong performance in North America, India, and the Middle East and Africa, while Europe and China remained soft [7][12] - The backlog at the end of the year was $7.4 billion, up 3% year-over-year, indicating strong positioning for 2026 [18] - The LNG market backlog was approximately $2 billion, with $350 million specifically in the backlog [92] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for 4% underlying sales growth in 2026, supported by investments in growth verticals and robust performance in test and measurement [6][25] - Plans to return approximately $2.2 billion to shareholders, including $1 billion in share repurchases and $1.2 billion in dividends, marking a 5% increase in dividend per share [6][7] - Continued investment in technology, with 8% of sales allocated to innovation in 2025 [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about future growth, driven by resilient demand for automation technologies and digital transformation [5][6] - The company anticipates challenges in Europe and China but expects strong growth in North America and India [21][24] - Management highlighted the importance of software annual contract value (ACV), projecting a 10% growth in ACV for 2026 [82] Other Important Information - The company achieved record gross profit margin of 52.8% and adjusted segment EBITDA margin of 27.6% [13] - Integration of AspenTech is progressing well, with $50 million in synergies realized in 2025, and plans to achieve $100 million in run rate synergies by the end of 2026 [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on software renewal impact - Management confirmed that the software renewal dynamic is an accounting issue affecting revenue recognition, with no impact on free cash flow [35][39] Question: Orders growth in different segments - Orders in process and hybrid remained resilient, while discrete markets showed recovery driven by test and measurement [44] Question: Visibility on power generation projects - Management indicated strong visibility in power generation, with significant projects added to the funnel [80] Question: LNG backlog and market dynamics - Approximately $2 billion of the $11.1 billion project funnel is related to LNG, with expectations for continued activity despite challenges in Europe and China [92][94]