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Dauch Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 1 lowered, 1 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales nearly doubled year-over-year: Sales reached $2.96 billion in Q2 2026 versus $1.54 billion in Q2 2025, representing 92 percent increase driven by Dowlais consolidation. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margins stable at 13.2%: Adjusted EBITDA reached $389.6 million with margin of 13.2 percent of sales in Q2 2026, matching 13.2 percent margin in Q2 2025. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow tripled: Adjusted free cash flow surged to $148.4 million in Q2 2026 from $48.7 million in Q2 2025 on operational improvements. Source
  • Full-year sales guidance raised: Full-year sales guidance increased to $10.6-10.8 billion from $10.3-10.8 billion reflecting stronger Dowlais performance. Source
  • EBITDA range increased and raised: Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to $1.36-1.425 billion from $1.30-1.425 billion on operational improvements. Source
  • Free cash flow guidance raised: Adjusted free cash flow raised to $260-325 million from $235-325 million reflecting combined business cash generation. Source

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Sales SourceFull year 2026$10.6 - $10.8 billionRaised from $10.3 - $10.8 billion
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$1.36 - $1.425 billionRaised from $1.30 - $1.425 billion
Synergy benefits SourceFull year 2026$60 - $75 millionRaised from $50 - $75 million
Adjusted free cash flow SourceFull year 2026$260 - $325 millionRaised from $235 - $325 million
Synergy run-rate achievement SourceFull year 2026Greater than $100 millionNew
Capital expenditures SourceFull year 20264.5% to 5% of salesKept
Restructuring cash payments SourceFull year 2026$115 - $150 millionRaised from $110 - $150 million
Synergy implementation cash payments SourceFull year 2026$95 - $110 millionLowered from $100 - $125 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Sales low end increased $300 million to $10.6 billion from $10.3 billion reflecting stronger Dowlais contribution. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted EBITDA low end raised $60 million to $1.36 billion on improved operational performance. Source
  • Guidance raised: Synergy benefits low end raised $10 million to $60 million reflecting accelerated integration. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted free cash flow low end raised $25 million to $260 million from $235 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Synergy implementation payments range lowered and narrowed to $95-110 million from $100-125 million. Source

Dowlais Acquisition and Integration

  • CEO highlights strategic momentum: Chief Executive Officer states second-quarter results reflect continued positive acceleration for combined company with focus on unlocking full strategic potential. Source

Second Quarter Results and Sales Growth

  • Sales nearly doubled year-over-year: Sales reached $2.96 billion in Q2 2026 versus $1.54 billion in Q2 2025, representing 92 percent increase driven by Dowlais consolidation. Source
  • Adjusted EPS decreased slightly: Adjusted earnings per share declined to $0.32 in Q2 2026 from $0.34 in Q2 2025 reflecting higher share count from acquisition. Source

EBITDA Margins and Operating Performance

  • Adjusted EBITDA margins stable at 13.2%: Adjusted EBITDA reached $389.6 million with margin of 13.2 percent of sales in Q2 2026, matching 13.2 percent margin in Q2 2025. Source
  • Absolute EBITDA nearly doubled: Adjusted EBITDA increased 93 percent to $389.6 million from $202.1 million on sales base expansion from Dowlais. Source

Segment Performance

  • Driveline segment doubled from acquisition: Driveline sales reached $2,225.0 million in Q2 2026 from $1,107.2 million in Q2 2025, up 101 percent from GKN Automotive consolidation. Source

Cash Generation and Capital

  • Operating cash flow improved 17 percent: Net cash from operating activities increased to $107.5 million in Q2 2026 from $91.9 million in Q2 2025. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow tripled: Adjusted free cash flow surged to $148.4 million in Q2 2026 from $48.7 million in Q2 2025 on operational improvements. Source
  • Capital expenditures tracking to guidance: Capital expenditures of $201.9 million in first half 2026 represent 3.8 percent of sales, within 4.5 to 5 percent full-year guidance. Source

Updated 2026 Guidance Raised

  • Full-year sales guidance raised: Full-year sales guidance increased to $10.6-10.8 billion from $10.3-10.8 billion reflecting stronger Dowlais performance. Source
  • EBITDA range increased and raised: Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to $1.36-1.425 billion from $1.30-1.425 billion on operational improvements. Source
  • Free cash flow guidance raised: Adjusted free cash flow raised to $260-325 million from $235-325 million reflecting combined business cash generation. Source
  • Integration spending quantified: Restructuring costs estimated $115-150 million and synergy implementation $95-110 million for full year 2026. Source

Operating Environment and Key Assumptions

  • Global production guidance by region: 2026 production assumptions include North America 15.1 million, Europe 16.9 million, China 31.6 million, and global 91.1 million units. Source
  • USMCA and tariff assumptions held: Guidance assumes no changes to USMCA trade agreement and ability to mitigate majority of incremental tariff costs. Source
  • China JV equity income raised: Equity income from China joint venture guidance raised to $70-80 million from $65-75 million on improved performance. Source

Coming up, per management

  • Integration and synergy execution continuing: Company plans to continue Dowlais integration activities with restructuring payments of $115-150 million and synergy spending of $95-110 million through year-end 2026. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management committed that combined synergies will equate to run rate greater than $100 million by end of first year. Source

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.