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Howmet Aerospace Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue up 19% across all three markets: Revenue was $2,313 million, up 19% from $1,942 million. Commercial aerospace rose 20%, defense aerospace 10% and gas turbines 39%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 32.0%: Adjusted EBITDA was $740 million, up 32%, and the margin rose about 320 basis points to 32.0%. Adjusted operating income was $666 million, a 28.8% margin. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $359 million: Cash from operations was $453 million, against $253 million. After $94 million of capital expenditures, free cash flow was $359 million, against $134 million a year earlier. Source
  • Engine Products sales up 29%: Engine Products third-party sales were $1,253 million. Segment adjusted EBITDA rose 44% to $458 million, a 36.6% margin, about 400 basis points higher. Source
  • Iranian conflict may affect engine spares: Management said engine spares needs keep rising, although an effect could be felt from the Iranian conflict. The release gives no figure for that effect. Source
  • CAM acquired for about $1.8 billion: Howmet completed the acquisition of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC from Stanley Black & Decker on April 6, 2026, for about $1.8 billion. Source
  • Q1 buybacks $300 million, April $150 million: The company repurchased $300 million of stock in the first quarter at a $230.43 average, retiring about 1.3 million shares, and a further $150 million in April at $246.18. Source

“Looking ahead, we see a robust growth outlook in the key markets Howmet serves with its differentiated products and solutions.”

John Plant, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceQ2 2026$2,390 to $2,410 million (baseline $2,400 million)New
Revenue SourceFY 2026$9,575 to $9,725 million (baseline $9,650 million)Raised from $9.000B to $9.200B (baseline $9.100B)
Adjusted EBITDA SourceQ2 2026$760 to $770 million (baseline $765 million)New
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFY 2026$3,025 to $3,095 million (baseline $3,060 million)Raised from $2.710B to $2.810B (baseline $2.760B)
Adjusted EBITDA margin SourceQ2 202631.8% to 32.0% (baseline 31.9%)New
Adjusted EBITDA margin SourceFY 202631.6% to 31.8% (baseline 31.7%)Raised from 30.1% to 30.5% (baseline 30.3%)
Adjusted EPS SourceQ2 2026$1.22 to $1.24 (baseline $1.23)New
Adjusted EPS SourceFY 2026$4.88 to $5.00 (baseline $4.94)Raised from $4.35 to $4.55 (baseline $4.45)
Free cash flow SourceFY 2026$1,700 to $1,800 million (baseline $1,750 million)Raised from $1.550B to $1.650B (baseline $1.600B)
Revenue from portfolio changes SourceFY 2026approximately $275 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: All five full-year 2026 guidance lines were raised from the prior release: revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EPS and free cash flow. Source
  • New guidance: Second-quarter 2026 guidance was given for the first time, covering revenue, adjusted EBITDA, margin and adjusted EPS. Source
  • New: Acquisition of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC was completed on April 6, 2026, for about $1.8 billion. Source
  • New: The Savannah, Georgia disk forging facility was sold on March 31, 2026, for about $230 million. Source
  • New: Notes totaling $1.2 billion were issued on March 3, 2026, to finance the CAM acquisition. Source
  • New: Fitch Ratings upgraded the long-term issuer default rating to A- on February 13, 2026. Source
  • New: A titanium alloy operation moved from Engine Products to Engineered Structures in the first quarter, and comparable periods were recast. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue up 19% across all three markets: Revenue was $2,313 million, up 19% from $1,942 million. Commercial aerospace rose 20%, defense aerospace 10% and gas turbines 39%. Source
  • GAAP EPS up 71%, adjusted EPS up 42%: Diluted GAAP EPS was $1.44 against $0.84, and adjusted EPS was $1.22 against $0.86. Net income was $580 million, and operating income was $753 million, a 32.6% margin. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 32.0%: Adjusted EBITDA was $740 million, up 32%, and the margin rose about 320 basis points to 32.0%. Adjusted operating income was $666 million, a 28.8% margin. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $359 million: Cash from operations was $453 million, against $253 million. After $94 million of capital expenditures, free cash flow was $359 million, against $134 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and end markets

  • Engine Products sales up 29%: Engine Products third-party sales were $1,253 million. Segment adjusted EBITDA rose 44% to $458 million, a 36.6% margin, about 400 basis points higher. Source
  • Fastening Systems margin 31.8%: Fastening Systems third-party sales were $471 million, up 14%. Segment adjusted EBITDA was $150 million, up 18%, with a 31.8% margin, about 100 basis points higher. Source
  • Engineered Structures sales down 3%: Engineered Structures sales were $294 million, down 3% after further product rationalization. Segment adjusted EBITDA was flat at $66 million, with a 22.4% margin. Source
  • Forged Wheels sales up 17% on pass-through: Forged Wheels sales were $295 million, up 17%. Commercial transportation volumes were 11% lower, more than offset by aluminum and other inflationary cost pass-through. Source

“The beginning of 2026 was very active regarding the Howmet portfolio, and our updated guidance reflects these changes.”

Howmet Aerospace Inc., press release

Demand and the order book

  • OEM customers target rate increases: Management said commercial aerospace OEM customers continue to target production rate increases, supported by record backlogs. Engine spares needs also continue to increase. Source
  • Iranian conflict may affect engine spares: Management said engine spares needs keep rising, although an effect could be felt from the Iranian conflict. The release gives no figure for that effect. Source
  • Defense and gas turbines markets active: Management described defense markets as healthy and the gas turbines market as very active. Source
  • Commercial transportation demand caution: Management sees signs of demand improvement in commercial transportation but remains cautious. The prior release had expected the first quarter to be the low point for that market. Source

Costs, margins and tax

  • Margin gains from commercial and gas turbines: Management attributed the year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA to commercial aerospace and gas turbines growth, and the margin rose about 320 basis points. Source
  • Engine Products added 235 net headcount: The segment took on about 235 net headcount in the quarter to support expected revenue increases. Source
  • Effective tax rate 18.1% reported: Reported effective tax rate was 18.1%, and the operational rate, excluding special items, was 20.6%. A $21 million excess stock compensation benefit was a discrete item. Source

“The free cash flow also enabled $300 million in common stock repurchases.”

John Plant, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Portfolio moves and deals

  • CAM acquired for about $1.8 billion: Howmet completed the acquisition of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC from Stanley Black & Decker on April 6, 2026, for about $1.8 billion. Source
  • $1.2 billion of notes issued: Notes issued March 3 totaled $1.2 billion, due 2028, 2029 and 2036. Together with $450 million of commercial paper and about $150 million of Savannah sale cash, they financed CAM. Source
  • Savannah disk forging facility sold: The disk forging facility in Savannah, Georgia, within Engineered Structures, sold March 31 for about $230 million. The sale produced a $93 million pre-tax gain treated as a special item. Source
  • Brunner adds larger-size fasteners: Brunner Manufacturing, a privately held fastener producer in Mauston, Wisconsin, was acquired February 6 for about $120 million in an all-cash deal. The company said it adds larger-size fasteners. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Q1 buybacks $300 million, April $150 million: The company repurchased $300 million of stock in the first quarter at a $230.43 average, retiring about 1.3 million shares, and a further $150 million in April at $246.18. Source
  • $1,047 million authorization left: Remaining repurchase authorization was $1,047 million as of May 4, 2026. Source
  • Quarterly dividend raised 20% to $0.12: A $0.12 quarterly dividend was paid on February 25, up 20% from $0.10 a year earlier. Another $0.12 dividend has been declared. Source
  • Fitch upgrade to A-: Fitch raised the long-term issuer default rating to A- from BBB+ on February 13. Management noted that all three major credit rating agencies rate the company at least three notches into investment grade. Source
  • Cash rose to $2,435 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $2,435 million at March 31, up from $742 million at December 31, 2025. The accounts receivable securitization program was unchanged at $250 million outstanding. Source

Strategy and capital allocation

  • Capital directed to higher-growth units: Management said the portfolio transactions followed its stated strategy of allocating capital to businesses with higher growth and margin potential. Source
  • Portfolio changes add $275 million revenue: The net revenue effect of the portfolio adjustments in 2026 guidance is about $275 million. The EPS effect is insignificant in 2026. Source
  • Titanium move recast prior periods: A titanium alloy operation moved from Engine Products to Engineered Structures for better operational alignment, and comparable periods were recast. Consolidated results were unaffected. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 May 2026

  • Dividend payable May 26: A $0.12 per share dividend is payable May 26, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on May 8, 2026. Source
  • Accretion from portfolio changes expected 2027: Management expects the portfolio adjustments to be accretive to EPS in 2027, after an insignificant effect in 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Commercial transportation volumes, Forged Wheels Source11% lower

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management flagged a possible effect from the Iranian conflict on engine spares demand, while describing spares needs as still rising. Source
  • Demand: Management stated caution on commercial transportation demand despite signs of improvement. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted EPS were above the high end of the prior guidance range. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release expected the CAM closing in the first half of 2026; the current release reports completion on April 6, 2026, without stating a status against the expectation.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected the first quarter 2026 to be the quarterly low point for commercial transportation, with healthier demand in the second half.

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.