Crane NXT(US:CXT)2026-02-12 16:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales growth was approximately 20% in Q4 and 11% for the full year 2025, with adjusted EBITDA margin at approximately 25% in Q4 and 24% for the full year [4][11] - Adjusted EPS was $1.27 in Q4 and $4.06 for the full year [5][11] - Free cash flow conversion ratio was approximately 135% in Q4 and 94% for the full year [4][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the CPI segment, core sales were flat in Q4, with double-digit growth in gaming offset by softness in other markets, and adjusted operating margin improved to approximately 32% [12] - Security and Authentication Technologies (SAT) saw core sales up approximately 11% in Q4, driven by strong performance in Crane Currency, with adjusted operating margin decreasing by approximately 420 basis points [13][15] - Crane Authentication performed as expected, contributing to the overall growth in SAT, with a backlog up more than 50% year-over-year [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international currency business showed strong performance, with organic backlog up over 30% year-over-year and 20 new Micro-optics wins in 2025 [6][24] - The company secured significant contract renewals with major sports leagues, enhancing its market position in authentication and traceability technologies [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on accelerating organic revenue growth while maintaining strong margins and free cash flow, with significant investments in international currency and micro-optics technology [4][24] - The acquisition of Antares Vision is a strategic move to expand into higher growth markets, with plans to take the company private by mid-2026 [9][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the sales outlook for 2026, driven by a strong backlog and new currency series launches, including the new $10 bill [6][19] - The company anticipates full-year sales growth of 4%-6% in 2026, with adjusted EPS expected in the range of $4.10-$4.40 [18][21] Other Important Information - The company announced a 6% increase in its annual dividend while maintaining capacity for future acquisitions [18] - Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be approximately flat year-over-year at around 28% for 2026 [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the margin performance in SAT and pricing strategies? - Management highlighted strong growth and backlog in international currency, emphasizing that contracts are executed from backlog, which provides visibility into future performance [36] Question: What is the expected EPS cadence throughout the year? - EPS is expected to accelerate through the first half of the year, with a total guidance of $4.10-$4.40 reflecting continued strength in currency and authentication [40][41] Question: What are the dynamics in the CPI segment for the first quarter? - CPI is expected to be flat in 2026, with mid-single-digit growth in services and low single-digit declines in vending due to tariffs [51] Question: What is the status of the $10 bill onboarding? - The company is preparing for a mid-year announcement from the U.S. Treasury, with expectations for full consumer release in Q4 [54][81] Question: Can you provide insights on the international currency growth drivers? - Management identified increased counterfeiting, growth in emerging economies, and faster redesign times as key drivers for sustainable growth in international currency [66]