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Plexus Corp.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 22 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 8 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Non-GAAP EPS exceeded guidance: Fourth-quarter non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.14 against guidance of $1.82 to $1.97; GAAP diluted EPS was $1.87 on revenue of $1.058 billion. Source
  • Fiscal 2025 revenue and EPS rose: Fiscal 2025 revenue was $4.033 billion against $3.961 billion, with GAAP diluted EPS of $6.26 against $4.01 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $7.43 against $5.72. Source
  • Fourth-quarter wins reached 28: The company won 28 manufacturing programs in the fourth quarter, representing $274 million in annualized revenue when fully ramped into production. Source
  • Cash cycle fell to 63 days: Cash cycle was 63 days, six days lower than the third quarter's 69 days; management said it was the best result in the past five years. Source
  • Gross inventory down seventh straight quarter: Gross inventory declined for the seventh consecutive quarter and ended fiscal 2025 $82 million lower than fiscal 2024. Source
  • Fourth-quarter free cash flow $97 million: Fourth-quarter free cash flow was $97.2 million, from $132.0 million of operating cash flow less $34.8 million of capital expenditures. Source
  • Q1 revenue, margin and EPS guided: Management guided fiscal first-quarter revenue of $1.050 billion to $1.090 billion, non-GAAP operating margin of 5.6% to 6.0%, and non-GAAP EPS of $1.66 to $1.81. Source

“I am particularly pleased with our non-GAAP EPS of $2.14, which exceeded guidance, and our free cash flow, which again exceeded projections.”

Todd Kelsey, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefiscal first quarter 2026$1.050 billion to $1.090 billionNew
GAAP operating margin Sourcefiscal first quarter 20264.9% to 5.3%New
GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefiscal first quarter 2026$1.40 to $1.55New
Non-GAAP operating margin Sourcefiscal first quarter 20265.6% to 6.0%New
Non-GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefiscal first quarter 2026$1.66 to $1.81New
Stock-based compensation per share, net of tax Sourcefiscal first quarter 2026$0.26New
Stock-based compensation as share of revenue Sourcefiscal first quarter 2026approximately 70 bpsNew
Free cash flow Sourcefiscal 2026approximately $100 millionNew
Revenue growth goal Sourcefiscal 20269% to 12%

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fiscal first quarter 2026 guidance was initiated for revenue, margins and EPS. Source
  • New guidance: A fiscal 2026 free cash flow figure of approximately $100 million was stated in this release. Source

Fourth quarter and full-year results

  • Non-GAAP EPS exceeded guidance: Fourth-quarter non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.14 against guidance of $1.82 to $1.97; GAAP diluted EPS was $1.87 on revenue of $1.058 billion. Source
  • Fiscal 2025 revenue and EPS rose: Fiscal 2025 revenue was $4.033 billion against $3.961 billion, with GAAP diluted EPS of $6.26 against $4.01 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $7.43 against $5.72. Source
  • Non-GAAP margin expanded 40 basis points: Management said fiscal 2025 non-GAAP operating margin expanded 40 basis points, to 5.9%, with non-GAAP EPS growth of 30%. Source

Program wins and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter wins reached 28: The company won 28 manufacturing programs in the fourth quarter, representing $274 million in annualized revenue when fully ramped into production. Source
  • Fiscal 2025 wins totaled 141: For fiscal 2025 the company recorded 141 manufacturing wins, $941 million in annualized revenue, which management said supports revenue growth above end markets. Source
  • Ramps and share gains drive growth: Management said new program ramps, including share gains, drive revenue growth in excess of modest end-market growth. Source
  • Engineering and sustaining wins rose: Efforts to diversify engineering engagements drove more wins in fiscal 2025, and the sustaining services team recorded record wins for the year. Source
  • Revenue growth goal of 9% to 12%: Management said it aims to accelerate fiscal 2026 revenue growth toward a 9% to 12% goal. Source

“These results provide momentum and position us well in fiscal 2026 to accelerate revenue growth toward our 9% to 12% goal and sustain strong financial performance.”

Todd Kelsey, President and Chief Executive Officer

Segments and regions

  • Asia-Pacific remained largest segment: Asia-Pacific revenue was $605 million in the fourth quarter, against $618 million a year earlier, and $2,393 million for fiscal 2025, against $2,213 million. Source
  • Americas revenue higher in quarter: Americas revenue was $336 million in the fourth quarter, against $312 million in the third quarter and $307 million a year earlier; fiscal 2025 was $1,217 million. Source
  • EMEA revenue lower on the year: EMEA revenue was $119 million in the fourth quarter, against $128 million a year earlier, and $440 million for fiscal 2025, against $538 million. Source

Market sectors and customer concentration

  • Industrial was largest sector: Industrial revenue was $461 million, 44% of the fourth quarter, and $1,715 million, 43% of fiscal 2025. Source
  • Healthcare/Life Sciences share rose: Healthcare/Life Sciences revenue was $424 million in the fourth quarter, 40% of revenue, and 40% for fiscal 2025, against 38% a year earlier. Source
  • Aerospace/Defense revenue declined: Aerospace/Defense revenue was $173 million in the fourth quarter, down from $184 million a year earlier, and $689 million for fiscal 2025, down from $698 million. Source
  • Top 10 customers 49% of revenue: Top 10 customers were 49% of fourth-quarter revenue, up one point from the third quarter and down three points from a year earlier; fiscal 2025 was also 49%. Source

“We delivered $154 million in free cash flow for fiscal 2025, a result well above our projections.”

Patrick Jermain, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Margins and cost items

  • Gross margin slightly lower in quarter: Gross margin was 9.9% in the fourth quarter, against 10.1% in the third quarter and 10.3% a year earlier; fiscal 2025 was 10.1% against 9.6%. Source
  • GAAP and non-GAAP operating margins reported: GAAP operating margin was 5.0% and non-GAAP operating margin 5.8%, against 5.3% and 6.0% in the third quarter. Source
  • Stock-based compensation excluded from non-GAAP: Stock-based compensation was about 80 bps of fourth-quarter operating margin and $0.27 per share net of tax; it was $1.02 per share for fiscal 2025. Source
  • Fiscal 2025 restructuring charges: Restructuring costs were $4.7 million, or $0.15 per share net of tax, for severance in the EMEA and AMER regions; none were recorded in the fourth quarter. Source

Cash cycle and inventory

  • Cash cycle fell to 63 days: Cash cycle was 63 days, six days lower than the third quarter's 69 days; management said it was the best result in the past five years. Source
  • Gross inventory down seventh straight quarter: Gross inventory declined for the seventh consecutive quarter and ended fiscal 2025 $82 million lower than fiscal 2024. Source
  • Days in inventory fell to 118: Days in inventory were 118, against 128 in the third quarter and 127 a year earlier; payables days were 70 and advanced payment days 55. Source
  • Advanced payments lower year over year: Advanced payments from customers were $575.9 million at September 27, 2025, against $709.2 million a year earlier. Source

Free cash flow, buybacks and returns

  • Fourth-quarter free cash flow $97 million: Fourth-quarter free cash flow was $97.2 million, from $132.0 million of operating cash flow less $34.8 million of capital expenditures. Source
  • Fiscal 2025 free cash flow $154 million: Fiscal 2025 free cash flow was $154.0 million, from $249.2 million of operating cash flow less $95.2 million of capital expenditures. Source
  • Fourth-quarter share repurchases: Fourth-quarter repurchases were $21.5 million at an average of $134.07 per share; $85.0 million remains under the $100.0 million authorization. Source
  • Fiscal 2025 buybacks totaled $65 million: Fiscal 2025 repurchases totaled $65.0 million at an average of $136.80 per share. Source
  • Borrowing reduced, net cash position: Management said it reduced borrowing with free cash flow and ended the fiscal year in a net cash position. Source
  • Fiscal 2025 ROIC 14.6%: Fiscal 2025 ROIC was 14.6%, 570 basis points above the 8.9% weighted average cost of capital. Source

Fiscal first quarter 2026 guidance

  • Q1 revenue, margin and EPS guided: Management guided fiscal first-quarter revenue of $1.050 billion to $1.090 billion, non-GAAP operating margin of 5.6% to 6.0%, and non-GAAP EPS of $1.66 to $1.81. Source
  • Investment continues ahead of growth: Management said it will keep investing in talent, technology, facilities and capabilities in the quarter to prepare for expected fiscal 2026 revenue growth. Source
  • GAAP EPS includes stock-based compensation: GAAP diluted EPS is guided at $1.40 to $1.55, including $0.26 of stock-based compensation expense. Source

Community and sustainability

  • Volunteer hours rose 47%: The global team contributed more than 32,000 paid volunteer hours in fiscal 2025, and Plexus donated $1.4 million to global non-profits through its foundation. Source
  • Landfill waste and zero-waste sites: Waste to landfill fell more than 30% globally, and eight sites now operate at zero waste to landfill. Source
  • Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduced: Absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions at global manufacturing sites were reduced by more than 10% against the fiscal 2023 baseline. Source

Coming up, as management said on 22 October 2025

  • Fiscal first quarter ends January 3: Guidance covers the fiscal first quarter ending January 3, 2026. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said fourth-quarter non-GAAP EPS of $2.14 exceeded guidance. Source
  • Ahead: Management said fiscal 2025 free cash flow was well above its projections. Source
  • Ahead: Management said the fourth-quarter cash cycle of 63 days was favorable to its expectations. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it intends to accelerate revenue growth toward a 9% to 12% goal in fiscal 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.