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Crane Co.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 27 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 1 lowered, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EPS rose 27%: Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was $1.64 against $1.29, up 27%. GAAP EPS from continuing operations was $1.56 against $1.25. Source
  • Sales growth from core and deals: Sales were $589.2 million, up 7.5%. Core sales added 5.6 points, Technifab 0.9 points and foreign exchange 1.0 points. Source
  • Aerospace & Electronics sales up 13%: Sales were $270.2 million, up 13.0%, with core sales up 12.8% and a slight foreign exchange benefit. Source
  • Aftermarket grew 20%: Aftermarket sales rose 20% in the quarter, which management named as the main driver of segment growth. Source
  • Demand described as generally stable: Management described demand trends in this segment as generally stable. Source
  • Free cash flow of $116.8 million: Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $130.2 million, capex $13.4 million, free cash flow $116.8 million; adjusted free cash flow $118.9 million. Source
  • No debt after term loan prepayment: Cash was $388.2 million at September 30, 2025, with no debt outstanding after the former term loan was prepaid in the quarter. Source

“This quarter’s earnings performance was ahead of our expectations, and further highlights our differentiated technology, commercial excellence focus and consistent operational discipline.”

Max Mitchell, Crane's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2025$5.75-$5.95Raised from $5.50-$5.80
Total sales growth Sourcefull year 2025approximately 7.5%Raised from approximately 6.5%
Core sales growth Sourcefull year 2025higher end of 4% to 6% rangeRaised from approximately 4% to 6%
Adjusted segment operating margin Sourcefull year 202522.5%+Kept
Corporate cost Sourcefull year 2025$85 millionRaised from $80 million
Net non-operating income Sourcefull year 2025$7 millionRaised from $4 million
Adjusted tax rate Sourcefull year 202523.0%Lowered from 23.5%
Diluted shares Sourcefull year 2025~59 millionKept
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA Sourceupon close of PSI acquisitionroughly 1xKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EPS range raised and narrowed from the prior range. Source
  • Guidance raised: Total sales growth assumption raised. Source
  • Guidance raised: Core sales growth assumption moved to the higher end of the 4% to 6% range. Source
  • Guidance raised: Corporate cost and net non-operating income assumptions both raised. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Adjusted tax rate assumption lowered to 23.0%. Source
  • New: Credit agreement entered at quarter end, with two facilities maturing September 30, 2030. Source
  • Ended: Former term loan prepaid in the quarter, leaving no debt outstanding. Source

Third quarter results and drivers

  • Adjusted EPS rose 27%: Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was $1.64 against $1.29, up 27%. GAAP EPS from continuing operations was $1.56 against $1.25. Source
  • Sales growth from core and deals: Sales were $589.2 million, up 7.5%. Core sales added 5.6 points, Technifab 0.9 points and foreign exchange 1.0 points. Source
  • Operating profit rose 19.6%: Operating profit was $118.4 million, up 19.6%; adjusted operating profit was $122.1 million, up 18.8%. Management cited net price and higher productivity. Source
  • Management cited backlog for raised view: Management tied the raised full-year adjusted EPS range to backlog, consistent execution and year-to-date performance. Source

Aerospace & Electronics

  • Aerospace & Electronics sales up 13%: Sales were $270.2 million, up 13.0%, with core sales up 12.8% and a slight foreign exchange benefit. Source
  • Aftermarket grew 20%: Aftermarket sales rose 20% in the quarter, which management named as the main driver of segment growth. Source
  • Segment margin up 210 basis points: Operating margin was 25.1%, up 210 basis points; adjusted operating margin was also 25.1%, up 160 basis points. Source
  • Segment backlog edged up: Segment backlog was $1,054.1 million, against $1,052.8 million at June 30, 2025 and $833.3 million a year earlier. Source

“The credit agreement locks in the required financing for our acquisition of PSI, as well as providing significant financial flexibility for further M&A.”

Rich Maue, Crane's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Process Flow Technologies

  • Process Flow sales up 3.2%: Sales were $319.0 million, up 3.2%. Core sales were nil; Technifab added 1.6 points and foreign exchange 1.6 points. Source
  • Margin up on productivity and mix: Operating margin was 22.2%, up 100 basis points; adjusted margin was 22.4%, up 60 basis points, on productivity, mix and net price. Source
  • Demand described as generally stable: Management described demand trends in this segment as generally stable. Source
  • Segment backlog down from June: Segment backlog was $383.0 million, against $403.1 million at June 30, 2025 and $392.0 million a year earlier. Technifab accounted for $7.3 million. Source

Orders and backlog

  • Total backlog down from June: Total backlog was $1,437.1 million, down from $1,455.9 million at June 30, 2025, and $1,225.3 million a year earlier. Source
  • Core order growth was 1.8%: Core order growth was 1.8% this quarter, against 19.6% in the second quarter, with strength at Aerospace & Electronics. Source
  • Core backlog growth 16.4% year over year: Management cited core backlog growth of 16.4% and said it is focused on converting its pipeline and maintaining momentum. Source

“We continue to see market outgrowth in Aerospace & Electronics providing us strong visibility into 2026 and beyond, while demand trends within Process Flow Technologies remain generally stable.”

Max Mitchell, Crane's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Margins and costs

  • Operating margin up 200 basis points: Operating margin was 20.1%, up 200 basis points; adjusted operating margin was 20.7%, also up 200 basis points. Source
  • Net price and productivity drove profit: Management attributed the operating profit increase primarily to net price and higher productivity. Source
  • Corporate cost lower year over year: Corporate operating cost was $20.1 million, against $21.4 million a year earlier; adjusted corporate cost was $17.1 million, against $20.8 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin 22.7%: Adjusted EBITDA was $133.9 million, up 17.8%, at a 22.7% margin against 20.7% a year earlier. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Free cash flow of $116.8 million: Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $130.2 million, capex $13.4 million, free cash flow $116.8 million; adjusted free cash flow $118.9 million. Source
  • Working capital provided cash in quarter: Operating working capital provided $32.2 million in the quarter, against a $5.7 million use a year earlier; nine months used $108.7 million. Source
  • No debt after term loan prepayment: Cash was $388.2 million at September 30, 2025, with no debt outstanding after the former term loan was prepaid in the quarter. Source
  • Nine-month capital spending rose: Nine-month capital expenditures were $43.7 million, against $22.8 million; nine-month free cash flow was $145.3 million. Source

Capital returns and dividend

  • Fourth quarter dividend $0.23: The company declared a $0.23 regular dividend for the fourth quarter, the same amount declared for the third quarter. Source
  • Dividends paid rose in quarter: Dividends paid were $13.3 million in the quarter and $39.7 million for the nine months. Source
  • Average diluted shares slightly higher: Average diluted shares were 58.6 million, against 58.3 million a year earlier. Source

Acquisitions, financing and strategy

  • PSI acquisition pending, from Baker Hughes: The company signed the PSI agreement in the second quarter, buying it from Baker Hughes; the acquisition remains pending.
  • Two strategic growth platforms: Management describes two strategic growth platforms: Aerospace & Electronics and Process Flow Technologies. Source
  • Financing supports further M&A: Management said the credit facilities add flexibility for further acquisitions beyond PSI. Source
  • Engineered Materials sale cash in nine months: Nine-month investing cash from discontinued operations came from the sale of Engineered Materials. Source

Coming up, as management said on 27 October 2025

  • Fourth quarter dividend payment date: The $0.23 fourth quarter dividend is payable December 10, 2025, to holders of record on November 28, 2025. Source
  • Further transactions expected from pipeline: Management expects transactions from its active pipeline in both segments; most of the new revolver is available for them. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Core order growth Source1.8%
Core backlog growth Source16.4%
Aerospace & Electronics order backlog Source$1,054.1 million
Process Flow Technologies order backlog Source$383.0 million
Total order backlog Source$1,437.1 million
Aerospace & Electronics aftermarket sales growth Source20%

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said the pending PSI acquisition remains on track to close at year end. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release said management expected to deploy the balance sheet over the next few quarters; this release does not state progress on that.

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.