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Phinia Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 8 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 10.3% year over year: Net sales were $878 million against $796 million in Q1 2025. The increase includes currency and the SEM acquisition. Source
  • Organic sales rose 3.6%: Excluding currency and the SEM acquisition, net sales rose $29 million. Management attributed this mainly to volumes in Asia and the Americas and to tariff recoveries. Source
  • Adjusted EPS reached $1.29: Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.29, with $0.33 per share of non-operating items excluded. The release cites operating increases and a lower share count. Source
  • CNG fuel rail win in India: A CNG fuel rail assembly contract with a leading global OEM, the third consecutive quarter of a major alternative fuel program win in India. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 20 bps: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.1% against 12.9%. Management cites supplier savings, overhead cost control and net tariff recoveries. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow a Q1 record: Adjusted free cash flow was $42 million, against $(3) million in Q1 2025, per the non-GAAP reconciliation. Source

“I’m pleased with our first-quarter performance, which underscores our disciplined execution and continued focus on creating value for our shareholders.”

Brady Ericson, President and Chief Executive Officer of PHINIA

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceFull year 2026$3.52 billion to $3.72 billionKept
Net sales growth SourceFull year 20261% to 7%Kept
Net earnings SourceFull year 2026$165 million to $195 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$485 million to $525 millionKept
Net earnings margin SourceFull year 20264.7% to 5.2%Kept
Adjusted EBITDA margin SourceFull year 202613.7% to 14.3%Kept
Adjusted free cash flow SourceFull year 2026$200 million to $240 millionKept
Adjusted tax rate SourceFull year 202630% to 34%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: 2026 guidance ranges were continued with the same figures as the fourth-quarter 2025 release. Source
  • New: A CNG fuel rail assembly contract with a leading global OEM was won in India during the quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 10.3% year over year: Net sales were $878 million against $796 million in Q1 2025. The increase includes currency and the SEM acquisition. Source
  • Organic sales rose 3.6%: Excluding currency and the SEM acquisition, net sales rose $29 million. Management attributed this mainly to volumes in Asia and the Americas and to tariff recoveries. Source
  • Currency and SEM added to sales: Currency added $39 million to the year-over-year increase in net sales. The SEM acquisition added $14 million. Source
  • Net earnings and margin rose: Net earnings were $37 million against $26 million, and net margin was 4.2%. Diluted EPS was $0.96 against $0.63 a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EPS reached $1.29: Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.29, with $0.33 per share of non-operating items excluded. The release cites operating increases and a lower share count. Source
  • Fuel Systems and Aftermarket sales: Fuel Systems sales were $549 million against $490 million. Aftermarket sales were $329 million against $306 million. Source

Products and customer wins

  • CNG fuel rail win in India: A CNG fuel rail assembly contract with a leading global OEM, the third consecutive quarter of a major alternative fuel program win in India. Source
  • Jet fuel injectors for drone engines: A jet fuel direct injector program for unmanned aerial drone engines, won with a new customer, highlights advanced propulsion capabilities. Source
  • Luxury SUV fuel rail for China: A direct injection fuel rail assembly contract with a major Chinese OEM for a luxury SUV platform with a dual-fuel-injection V8 engine. Source
  • Two new European aftermarket customers: Two new aftermarket customers were added in Europe, and a propulsion-agnostic program was expanded in Asia Pacific. Source
  • Americas warehouse distributor adds lines: A major Americas warehouse distributor added steering and suspension and vehicle electronics products, widening an existing relationship. Source
  • Starter program renewed with OEM: A starter program was renewed with a global commercial vehicle and off-highway OEM, for severe duty and long-haul applications. Source

“Adjusted earnings per diluted share increased by more than 37% compared with the first quarter of 2025.”

Brady Ericson, President and Chief Executive Officer of PHINIA

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin fell to 21.4%: Gross margin was 21.4% against 21.6% a year earlier. Gross profit rose to $188 million from $172 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 20 bps: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.1% against 12.9%. Management cites supplier savings, overhead cost control and net tariff recoveries. Source
  • Pre-tax earnings and tax provision: Earnings before income taxes were $57 million against $50 million. The provision for income taxes was $20 million against $24 million. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Adjusted free cash flow a Q1 record: Adjusted free cash flow was $42 million, against $(3) million in Q1 2025, per the non-GAAP reconciliation. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose $13 million: Net cash from operating activities was $53 million against $40 million in Q1 2025. Capital expenditures were $32 million against $35 million. Source
  • Working capital and capex drove gain: Adjusted free cash flow rose $45 million, which the company attributes to higher earnings adjusted for non-cash charges, working capital and lower capex. Source
  • Liquidity and net debt: Cash was $328 million with $480 million available under the revolver. Net debt rose to $664 million from $611 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Returned $67 million to holders: Returns comprised $56 million of share repurchases and $11 million of dividends. Source
  • Lower share count supported EPS: Diluted weighted average shares were 38.7 million against 41.5 million a year earlier. The company cites the lower share count for adjusted EPS. Source
  • Treasury stock payments in cash flow: The cash flow statement shows $54 million of treasury stock payments, against $56 million of share repurchases in the release. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management continues to expect the 2026 guidance ranges set earlier. Source
  • Not stated: The CEO refers to confidence shared at the 2026 Investor Day. 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.