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Motorola Solutions, Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 2 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Record third-quarter sales and earnings: Sales were $3,009 million, up 8%. Non-GAAP EPS was $4.06, up 9%; GAAP EPS was $3.33, up 1%. Source
  • Software and Services grew 11%: Segment sales were $1,112 million, up 11%, led by MCN, Command Center and Video. GAAP operating margin rose to 28.1% from 26.3%. Source
  • Non-GAAP margin rose 80 basis points: Non-GAAP operating margin was 30.5%, up from 29.7%, on higher sales and operating leverage, partly offset by higher tariffs. Source
  • Record third-quarter backlog: Ending backlog was $14.6 billion, up 3% from a year ago, driven by record Q3 orders. Source
  • Record third-quarter operating cash flow: Operating cash flow was $799 million, up from $759 million. Free cash flow was $733 million, up from $702 million. Source
  • Silvus closed during the quarter: Silvus Technologies was acquired for $4.4 billion and the transaction closed during the quarter. Source
  • Federal shutdown still ongoing: A U.S. government shutdown began October 1, 2025 and was still ongoing as of October 30, 2025. Source
  • Contempt order for about $70 million: The District Court ordered Hytera to pay about $70 million for unpaid royalties and interest on H-Series products. Source

“Our Q3 was outstanding, with record third-quarter revenue, earnings and cash flow,”

Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue growth SourceFourth quarter 2025 vs fourth quarter 2024approximately 11%New
Non-GAAP EPS SourceFourth quarter 2025$4.30 to $4.36 per shareNew
Revenue SourceFull-year 2025approximately $11.65 billion or 7.7% growthKept
Non-GAAP EPS SourceFull-year 2025$15.09 to $15.15 per shareRaised from $14.88 to $14.98 per share
Non-GAAP effective tax rate SourceFull-year 2025approximately 22.5%Lowered from approximately 23%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2025 non-GAAP EPS guidance raised to $15.09 to $15.15 from $14.88 to $14.98. Source
  • New guidance: First guidance for Q4 2025: revenue growth about 11% and non-GAAP EPS $4.30 to $4.36. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year non-GAAP tax rate assumption moved to about 22.5% from about 23%. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2025 revenue guidance kept at about $11.65 billion, 7.7% growth. Source
  • New: Silvus Technologies acquisition closed during the quarter for $4.4 billion. Source
  • New: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was enacted in July 2025, adding federal funding over four years. Source
  • New: A U.S. government shutdown began October 1, 2025 and was still ongoing as of October 30, 2025. Source
  • New: On August 25, 2025 the District Court held Hytera in civil contempt and ordered about $70 million paid. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Record third-quarter sales and earnings: Sales were $3,009 million, up 8%. Non-GAAP EPS was $4.06, up 9%; GAAP EPS was $3.33, up 1%. Source
  • Acquisitions and currency added sales: Acquired businesses added $123 million and currency $21 million. Organic revenue rose 3% to $2,886 million. Source
  • Tax rate rose on Silvus costs: GAAP effective tax rate was 22.2%, up from 19.0%, driven by non-deductible Silvus transaction costs. Non-GAAP rate was 20.7%. Source

Segments and regions

  • North America and International led sales: Management attributed the 8% sales growth to North America and International. Source
  • Products and Systems Integration grew 6%: Segment sales were $1,897 million, up 6%, led by Mission Critical Networks and Video. GAAP operating margin was 24.1%, down from 25.0%. Source
  • Software and Services grew 11%: Segment sales were $1,112 million, up 11%, led by MCN, Command Center and Video. GAAP operating margin rose to 28.1% from 26.3%. Source

“As a result, we’re again raising our earnings expectations for the year.”

Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions

Products and customer wins

  • Large P25 system upgrades won: Products and Systems Integration wins included a $110 million P25 system upgrade for Colorado and an $84 million upgrade for Tennessee. Source
  • Software and Services wins led by Louisiana: Largest Software and Services win was a $57 million P25 services order for Louisiana, followed by a $25 million Command Center order for Idaho. Source
  • Federal and Silvus orders listed: Listed wins also included a $40 million P25 device order for a U.S. federal customer and a $10 million Silvus order for a NATO country. Source
  • Mobile video orders in New York: Mobile video orders included $14 million for the New York State Park Police and $10 million for the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior. Source

Margins and cost pressure

  • Non-GAAP margin rose 80 basis points: Non-GAAP operating margin was 30.5%, up from 29.7%, on higher sales and operating leverage, partly offset by higher tariffs. Source
  • GAAP operating margin nearly flat: GAAP operating margin was 25.6% of sales, compared with 25.5% a year earlier. Source
  • Tariff costs substantially mitigated: Management said increased material and component costs from tariffs have been substantially mitigated during the year, with mitigation work continuing. Source

“Demand for our safety and security solutions remains robust and our Silvus acquisition is off to a strong start.”

Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions

Demand and order book

  • Record third-quarter backlog: Ending backlog was $14.6 billion, up 3% from a year ago, driven by record Q3 orders. Source
  • Products and Systems Integration backlog fell: Segment backlog fell $604 million, or 14%, driven mainly by MCN shipments. Source
  • Software and Services backlog rose: Segment backlog rose $1.1 billion, or 11%, partly offset by U.K. Home Office revenue recognition and helped by currency. Source
  • Demand supported by several funding sources: Management said demand for its products and services is supported by a range of funding sources. Source

Cash flow and capital returns

  • Record third-quarter operating cash flow: Operating cash flow was $799 million, up from $759 million. Free cash flow was $733 million, up from $702 million. Source
  • Cash flow rose on earnings: Management attributed the cash flow increase mainly to higher earnings, net of non-cash charges. Capital expenditures were $66 million. Source
  • Dividends and buybacks in quarter: The company paid $182 million in cash dividends and repurchased $121 million of common stock during the quarter. Source
  • Debentures settled in quarter: The company settled $70 million of 6.5% debentures due in the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents were $894 million at quarter end. Source

Silvus acquisition and funding

  • Silvus closed during the quarter: Silvus Technologies was acquired for $4.4 billion and the transaction closed during the quarter. Source
  • Notes and term loans funded deal: The deal was funded mainly by $2.0 billion of senior notes and $1.5 billion of new term loans. About $900 million was paid from cash and commercial paper. Source
  • Silvus transaction fees excluded: Acquisition-related transaction fees were $55 million in the quarter and are excluded from non-GAAP operating earnings. Source

Federal funding and shutdown

  • One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted in July 2025, adds funding over four years for border security and national security. Source
  • Federal shutdown still ongoing: A U.S. government shutdown began October 1, 2025 and was still ongoing as of October 30, 2025. Source
  • Expected added federal funding: Management expects OBBB to add a funding source for federal government customers over the four-year period. Source

Hytera litigation

  • Contempt order for about $70 million: The District Court ordered Hytera to pay about $70 million for unpaid royalties and interest on H-Series products. Source
  • Hytera payments received in 2025: The company received $74 million of Hytera payments in Q3 and $94 million for the nine months, recorded as gains in Other charges. Source
  • Appeal does not stay payment: Hytera has appealed the $70 million order, but the appeal does not automatically stay the payment obligation. Source
  • Hytera gains excluded from non-GAAP: Hytera litigation gains are excluded from non-GAAP operating income, consistent with the treatment of earlier proceeds. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 October 2025

  • Fourth-quarter guidance given: Management expects Q4 2025 non-GAAP EPS between $4.30 and $4.36 per share. Source
  • Hytera escrow ruling pending: The District Court heard arguments on October 14-15, 2025 on whether Hytera must pay the $70 million into escrow. No ruling yet. Source
  • Tariff mitigation work continues: Management expects to keep developing tariff mitigation actions going forward. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Ending backlog Source$14.6 billion
Products and Systems Integration backlog Sourcedown $604 million, or 14%
Software and Services backlog Sourceup $1.1 billion, or 11%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management described a complex, evolving trade environment with tariffs and import/export rules, including rare earth restrictions. Source
  • Operational: The company continues to observe elevated volatility and uncertainty in the global supply chain and works with its supply base. Source
  • Demand: A prolonged federal government shutdown may affect shipments and contract fulfillment for certain federal customers. Source
  • Regulatory: Hytera's appeal does not automatically stay the $70 million payment obligation, and the company continues to seek collection. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Earlier plan to substantially mitigate tariff-related cost increases; management says these have been substantially mitigated during the year. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it is maintaining its prior full-year revenue guidance. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it is again raising earnings expectations for the year. 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.