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Crane Nxt, Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 11 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 10 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth quarter sales up 19.5%: Fourth quarter net sales were $476.9 million, up 19.5% year over year. Management attributed the increase to acquisitions, core growth and favorable foreign exchange. Source
  • Security and Authentication sales up 41.6%: SAT sales were $260.9 million. De La Rue added 23.7 points, core sales rose 10.7% and favorable foreign exchange added 7.2 points. Source
  • SAT margin fell on manufacturing costs: SAT operating margin was 14.4%, down from 20.3%; adjusted SAT margin was 20.5%, down from 24.7%. Higher volumes and productivity gains were outweighed by costs, mix and acquisition dilution. Source
  • Q4 adjusted margin down 130 basis points: Adjusted operating margin was 22.4% against 23.7%; GAAP operating margin was 16.7% against 17.7%, as higher manufacturing costs, unfavorable mix and acquisitions weighed. Source
  • SAT backlog declined in quarter: Security and Authentication order backlog fell from the prior quarter, while Crane Payment Innovations backlog rose slightly, per the backlog table. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow up 19%: Adjusted free cash flow was $221.8 million for 2025, up from $186.4 million; cash from operations was $241.5 million, with improved working capital management cited. Source
  • Antares Vision first phase completed: The company said it completed the first phase of the Antares Vision acquisition, with the initial equity investment closed in Q4. Source

“In 2025, we made significant progress evolving our portfolio and are accelerating organic growth while maintaining margins and strong free cash flow.”

Aaron W. Saak, Crane NXT's President, and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Crane NXT sales growth Sourcefull year 2026+4% to +6%New
CPI segment sales growth Sourcefull year 2026~FlatNew
Adjusted segment EBITDA margin Sourcefull year 2026~28%New
Adjusted EBITDA margin Sourcefull year 2026~25%New
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$4.10 to $4.40New
Corporate expense Sourcefull year 2026~$58New
Non-operating expense, net Sourcefull year 2026~$60New
Adjusted tax rate Sourcefull year 2026~21.5%New
Adjusted free cash flow conversion Sourcefull year 2026~90% to ~110%New
Diluted shares Sourcefull year 2026~58 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Full year 2026 guidance introduced for the first time, with growth rates measured over full year 2025. Source
  • New: Initial equity investment in Antares Vision closed in Q4, with the investment described as 32%. Source

Fourth quarter and full year results

  • Fourth quarter sales up 19.5%: Fourth quarter net sales were $476.9 million, up 19.5% year over year. Management attributed the increase to acquisitions, core growth and favorable foreign exchange. Source
  • Full year sales up 11.4%: Full year net sales were $1,656.7 million, up 11.4%, mainly from the OpSec Security and De La Rue acquisitions. Source
  • Full year GAAP and adjusted EPS: Full year GAAP diluted EPS was $2.50 against $3.19 a year earlier; Adjusted EPS was $4.06 against $4.26. Source
  • Fourth quarter GAAP EPS $0.83: Fourth quarter GAAP EPS was $0.83, against $1.00 a year earlier; Adjusted EPS was $1.27, against $1.20. Source

Segment results

  • Security and Authentication sales up 41.6%: SAT sales were $260.9 million. De La Rue added 23.7 points, core sales rose 10.7% and favorable foreign exchange added 7.2 points. Source
  • Crane Payment Innovations sales flat: CPI sales were $216.0 million, up 0.5%, with favorable foreign exchange of $1.7 million offsetting a core sales decline of $0.6 million, or 0.3%. Source
  • SAT margin fell on manufacturing costs: SAT operating margin was 14.4%, down from 20.3%; adjusted SAT margin was 20.5%, down from 24.7%. Higher volumes and productivity gains were outweighed by costs, mix and acquisition dilution. Source

“We continue to gain share in Crane Currency, winning a total of 20 new denominations with our leading micro-optics technology in 2025”

Aaron W. Saak, Crane NXT's President, and Chief Executive Officer

Currency and authentication products

  • 20 new Currency denominations won: Crane Currency won 20 new denominations in 2025 with its micro-optics technology, which management described as continued share gains. Source
  • SAT growth from Currency volumes: Management attributed the SAT core sales increase primarily to higher volumes in the Currency business. Source
  • U.S. currency equipment upgrades completed: Investments to upgrade U.S. Currency equipment were completed, according to the CEO's remarks. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Q4 adjusted margin down 130 basis points: Adjusted operating margin was 22.4% against 23.7%; GAAP operating margin was 16.7% against 17.7%, as higher manufacturing costs, unfavorable mix and acquisitions weighed. Source
  • CPI margin rose on pricing: CPI operating margin was 28.8%, up from 23.1%, driven by favorable pricing, productivity gains and cost saving actions, partly offset by unfavorable product mix. Source
  • Full year margin fell on acquisitions: Full year GAAP operating margin was 14.9% against 18.1%, reflecting acquisition dilution, higher manufacturing costs and unfavorable mix, partly offset by pricing, productivity and cost actions. Source
  • Restructuring and transaction costs: Restructuring charges were $6.0 million in Q4 and $16.8 million for the year; transaction related expenses were $4.9 million in Q4 and $24.1 million for the year. Source

“are well-positioned to accelerate growth in 2026 and deliver durable, long‑term value for our shareholders”

Aaron W. Saak, Crane NXT's President, and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and order book

  • Q4 core sales led by Currency: Fourth quarter core sales growth came from Crane Currency, per management, while CPI core sales declined. Source
  • Full year core growth came from Currency: Full year core sales growth was driven by Currency sales, while acquisitions and foreign exchange contributed the balance of sales growth. Source
  • SAT backlog declined in quarter: Security and Authentication order backlog fell from the prior quarter, while Crane Payment Innovations backlog rose slightly, per the backlog table. Source

Cash flow and debt

  • Adjusted free cash flow up 19%: Adjusted free cash flow was $221.8 million for 2025, up from $186.4 million; cash from operations was $241.5 million, with improved working capital management cited. Source
  • Free cash flow and capital spending: Free cash flow was $198.3 million for the year, up from $168.7 million, after capital expenditures of $43.2 million. Source
  • Debt rose to fund acquisitions: Total debt was $1,139.5 million at year end, up from $750.6 million, reflecting financing of De La Rue and Antares Vision; the net leverage ratio was 2.3. Source

Dividend and shareholder returns

  • Quarterly dividend raised about 6%: The company declared a first quarter 2026 dividend of $0.18 per share, against $0.17 for the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Average diluted shares slightly higher: Average diluted shares were 58.1 million in the fourth quarter and 58.0 million for the year, against 57.9 and 57.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Share subscription proceeds received: The cash flow statement shows $21.4 million of proceeds from share subscriptions in the fourth quarter, the same amount for the year. Source

Antares Vision and portfolio

  • Antares Vision first phase completed: The company said it completed the first phase of the Antares Vision acquisition, with the initial equity investment closed in Q4. Source
  • Portfolio extended to life sciences: Management said the Antares Vision acquisition expands the portfolio into Life Sciences and Food & Beverage sectors. Source
  • Crane Authentication created: Management said the creation of Crane Authentication further solidified its position as a trusted technology leader in global authentication. Source

Coming up, as management said on 11 February 2026

  • U.S. $10 banknote launch expected: Management expects the launch of the new U.S. $10 banknote later this year. Source
  • Antares Vision acquisition to complete: Management said it is on track to complete the Antares Vision acquisition in 2026. Source
  • Dividend payment dates set: The $0.18 quarterly dividend is payable March 11, 2026 to holders of record on February 28, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total order backlog at December 31, 2025 Source$492.8 million
CPI order backlog at December 31, 2025 Source$113.4 million
SAT order backlog at December 31, 2025 Source$379.4 million

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management cited higher manufacturing costs and unfavorable product mix as reasons the Q4 operating margin declined. Source
  • Financial: Total debt rose from financing the De La Rue and Antares Vision acquisitions, as the company reported. Source
  • Operational: Restructuring charges relate to severance from integrating De La Rue and OpSec and aligning CPI's cost structure. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: The Q3 release anticipated closing of the overall transaction in the first half of 2026; this release says it remains on track to complete in 2026. Source

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.