Benchmark Electronics Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call
What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Fourth-quarter revenue reached $704 million: Revenue was $704.3 million, against $681 million in the third quarter and $656.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
- Non-GAAP EPS rose while GAAP EPS fell: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.71, up from $0.62 in the third quarter and $0.61 a year earlier. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.17, down from $0.39 in the third quarter. Source
- AC&C sales fell for the year: AC&C revenue was $345 million for 2025, against $475 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter AC&C revenue was $108 million, up from $85 million a year earlier. Source
- Restructuring and other costs rose to $14.1M: Restructuring charges and other costs were $14.1 million in the fourth quarter, against $0.7 million a year earlier, and $29.5 million for the year. Source
- Cash conversion cycle shortened to 67 days: Days in the cash conversion cycle were 67, against 77 in the third quarter and 89 a year earlier. Source
- Free cash flow for the year was $85 million: Full-year free cash flow was $85.4 million, against $156.0 million in 2024. Operating cash flow was $124.0 million, against $189.2 million. Source
- Benck steps back from CEO role: Jeff Benck is transitioning out of the CEO role at the end of the quarter, and management said it has complete confidence in the leadership team. Source
“I am proud of our team’s performance in 2025, culminating in the fourth quarter’s high single-digit revenue growth and EPS growth at more than double that rate,”
Jeff Benck, Benchmark’s CEO
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue Source | first quarter 2026 | $655 million to $695 million | New |
| Diluted GAAP EPS Source | first quarter 2026 | $0.31 to $0.37 | New |
| Diluted non-GAAP EPS Source | first quarter 2026 | $0.53 to $0.59 | New |
| Stock-based compensation excluded from non-GAAP EPS Source | first quarter 2026 | approximately $5.4 million | New |
| Other non-operating expenses excluded from non-GAAP EPS Source | first quarter 2026 | $5.1 million to $5.5 million | New |
What changed from last quarter
- New guidance: First-quarter 2026 guidance was given for revenue, diluted GAAP EPS and diluted non-GAAP EPS. Source
- Ended: Jeff Benck is transitioning out of the CEO role at the end of the quarter. Source
- New: The release reports an immaterial correction of an income tax calculation error, with 2024 comparatives adjusted. Source
Fourth-quarter and full-year results
- Fourth-quarter revenue reached $704 million: Revenue was $704.3 million, against $681 million in the third quarter and $656.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
- Non-GAAP EPS rose while GAAP EPS fell: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.71, up from $0.62 in the third quarter and $0.61 a year earlier. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.17, down from $0.39 in the third quarter. Source
- Full-year revenue was $2,659 million: Full-year revenue was $2,659 million, against $2,656 million in 2024. Full-year diluted GAAP EPS was $0.68, against $1.66, and non-GAAP EPS was $2.40, against $2.29. Source
Segments and end markets
- AC&C sales fell for the year: AC&C revenue was $345 million for 2025, against $475 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter AC&C revenue was $108 million, up from $85 million a year earlier. Source
- Semi-Cap remained the largest sector: Semi-Cap was $171 million, or 24% of fourth-quarter revenue, down from $185 million in the third quarter. For the year it was $741 million, or 28% of revenue. Source
- A&D sales rose in both periods: A&D revenue was $137 million in the fourth quarter, up from $117 million a year earlier, and $514 million for the year, up from $434 million. Source
- Medical revenue rose for the year: Medical revenue was $144 million in the fourth quarter, or 21% of revenue, and $484 million for the year, up from $451 million. Source
- Industrial revenue was flat for the year: Industrial revenue was $144 million in the fourth quarter, down from $153 million in the third quarter, and $575 million for the year, against $573 million. Source
“I want to thank Jeff for his leadership and for the strong foundation he has built for Benchmark’s next chapter.”
David Moezidis, Benchmark’s President
Gross and operating margins
- Gross margin rose to 10.5% in Q4: GAAP gross margin was 10.5% in the fourth quarter, up from 10.0% in the third quarter. Non-GAAP gross margin was 10.6% in the quarter and 10.2% for the year. Source
- Full-year operating margins compared with 2024: For 2025, GAAP operating margin was 2.9%, against 4.1% in 2024. Non-GAAP operating margin was 4.9%, against 5.1%. Source
Costs, charges and tax
- Restructuring and other costs rose to $14.1M: Restructuring charges and other costs were $14.1 million in the fourth quarter, against $0.7 million a year earlier, and $29.5 million for the year. Source
- Impairments excluded from non-GAAP results: Asset impairments of $11.1 million in the fourth quarter are added back in the non-GAAP reconciliation. The full-year legal and other settlement loss was $13.1 million. Source
- Mexico tax settlement in full-year charges: The 2025 legal and other settlement loss includes settlement of a Mexico tax assessment previously disclosed in the 2024 Form 10-K. Source
- SG&A fell from the third quarter: GAAP SG&A was $38.8 million in the fourth quarter, against $41.5 million in the third quarter. Non-GAAP SG&A was $35.9 million, flat with the third quarter, and $141.6 million for the year, up from $136.0 million. Source
- Discrete tax charges excluded from non-GAAP: Fourth-quarter GAAP income tax expense was $10.0 million on $15.9 million of pre-tax income. The release excludes $4.7 million of discrete tax charges for the quarter and $16.0 million for the year. Source
Working capital and cash conversion
- Cash conversion cycle shortened to 67 days: Days in the cash conversion cycle were 67, against 77 in the third quarter and 89 a year earlier. Source
- Inventory balance fell during the year: Inventories were $482.5 million at December 31, 2025, down from $553.7 million a year earlier. Prepaid expenses and other current assets rose to $69.2 million. Source
- Advance payments from customers declined: Advance payments from customers were $115.5 million, down from $143.6 million a year earlier. Accrued liabilities were $113.1 million, down from $144.5 million. Source
- Payable days rose to 58: Days in accounts payable were 58, up from 56 in the third quarter and 54 a year earlier. Source
Cash flow, capital and returns
- Free cash flow for the year was $85 million: Full-year free cash flow was $85.4 million, against $156.0 million in 2024. Operating cash flow was $124.0 million, against $189.2 million. Source
- Fourth-quarter free cash flow of $48 million: Fourth-quarter operating cash flow was $58.7 million, and free cash flow was $48.1 million, against $25.1 million in the third quarter. Source
- Share repurchases rose to $26.8 million: Share repurchases were $26.8 million for 2025, against $5.1 million in 2024. Net debt activity was minus $47.4 million, against minus $74.3 million. Source
- Long-term debt declined to $206.8 million: Long-term debt, net of current installments, was $206.8 million at December 31, 2025, down from $250.5 million a year earlier. Source
- Cash balance rose to $322 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $322.1 million, up from $315.2 million, while restricted cash was $0.3 million, down from $12.9 million. Source
Leadership and transition
- Benck steps back from CEO role: Jeff Benck is transitioning out of the CEO role at the end of the quarter, and management said it has complete confidence in the leadership team. Source
- Moezidis listed as President: The release gives David Moezidis's title as President. The previous release listed him as President and Chief Commercial Officer.
- Growth strategy and momentum named: Moezidis said he is confident in the opportunities ahead and looks forward to continued momentum as the company executes its growth strategy. Source
Accounting correction for 2024 tax
- Income tax calculation error identified: Management identified immaterial errors in its income tax calculation during the fourth quarter. Source
- 2024 comparatives adjusted: The 2024 income tax expense was understated by $2.2 million and deferred tax liabilities by $3.7 million. Management said the errors were not material to earlier statements. Source
- Deferred tax assets and equity overstated: At December 31, 2024, deferred tax assets were overstated by $7.2 million and shareholders' equity by $8.7 million. Source
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Inventory days Source | 69 days (Q4 2025), against 75 in Q3 and 85 a year earlier |
| Gross margin Source | 10.5% GAAP, 10.6% non-GAAP (Q4 2025) |
| End-market revenue: Semi-Cap Source | $171 million, 24% of revenue (Q4 2025) |
| End-market revenue: Industrial Source | $144 million, 20% of revenue (Q4 2025) |
| End-market revenue: A&D Source | $137 million, 20% of revenue (Q4 2025) |
| End-market revenue: Medical Source | $144 million, 21% of revenue (Q4 2025) |
| End-market revenue: AC&C Source | $108 million, 15% of revenue (Q4 2025) |
Earlier plans management reported on
- Met: Management said third-quarter revenue and non-GAAP EPS reached the high end of guidance.
- Not stated: In the third-quarter release management said it was encouraged by signs of stronger growth as the year ended. The fourth-quarter release does not refer back to this view.
Other quarters
Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.