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RBC Bearings Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 17.0%: Net sales were $461.6 million against $394.4 million a year earlier. Nine-month net sales were $1,352.9 million against $1,198.6 million. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $2.13: GAAP diluted EPS was $2.13 against $1.82. Adjusted diluted EPS was $3.04 against $2.34. Nine-month diluted EPS was $6.20 against $5.38. Source
  • Aerospace/Defense segment sales grew: Aerospace/Defense net external sales were $202.5 million against $143.2 million. Nine-month sales were $565.9 million against $435.5 million. Source
  • VACCO added $29.2 million of sales: VACCO, acquired July 18, 2025, contributed $29.2 million of third-quarter net sales. The prior release reported $24.7 million from VACCO in the second quarter. Source
  • Gross margin flat, adjusted margin up: Gross margin was 44.3%, the same as a year earlier. Adjusted gross margin was 45.1% against 44.3%. Source
  • Backlog growth tied to A&D wins: Management cited recent contract wins within the A&D space as having benefited a backlog that continued to grow. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $99.1 million: Free cash flow was $99.1 million against $73.6 million. Free cash flow conversion was 147.0% against 127.1%. Source

“We are pleased that we were able to deliver another strong quarter of results, driven by continued momentum in our Aerospace & Defense business and steady performance in our Industrial business.”

Dr. Michael J. Hartnett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales Sourcefourth quarter of fiscal 2026$495.0 million to $505.0 millionNew
Net sales growth excluding VACCO Sourcefourth quarter of fiscal 20266.4% to 8.7%New
Adjusted gross margin Sourcefourth quarter of fiscal 202645.0% to 45.25%New
SG&A as a percentage of net sales Sourcefourth quarter of fiscal 202616.0% to 16.25%New

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 17.0%: Net sales were $461.6 million against $394.4 million a year earlier. Nine-month net sales were $1,352.9 million against $1,198.6 million. Source
  • Operating income rose 20.3%: GAAP operating income was $103.0 million against $85.6 million. Adjusted operating income was $107.4 million against $85.7 million. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $2.13: GAAP diluted EPS was $2.13 against $1.82. Adjusted diluted EPS was $3.04 against $2.34. Nine-month diluted EPS was $6.20 against $5.38. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 32.4%: Adjusted EBITDA was $149.6 million against $122.6 million, or 32.4% of net sales against 31.1%. Source
  • Net income rose to $67.4 million: Net income was $67.4 million against $57.9 million. Adjusted net income was $96.3 million against $74.0 million. Source

Segment sales and VACCO

  • Aerospace/Defense segment sales grew: Aerospace/Defense net external sales were $202.5 million against $143.2 million. Nine-month sales were $565.9 million against $435.5 million. Source
  • Industrial segment sales were higher: Industrial net external sales were $259.1 million against $251.2 million. Nine-month sales were $787.0 million against $763.1 million. Source
  • VACCO added $29.2 million of sales: VACCO, acquired July 18, 2025, contributed $29.2 million of third-quarter net sales. The prior release reported $24.7 million from VACCO in the second quarter. Source

“We are well-positioned for growth in calendar year 2026 and beyond, given our robust, growing backlog, which has continued to benefit from recent contract wins within the A&D space.”

Dr. Michael J. Hartnett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Margins, costs and tax

  • Gross margin flat, adjusted margin up: Gross margin was 44.3%, the same as a year earlier. Adjusted gross margin was 45.1% against 44.3%. Source
  • Other operating expenses rose on amortization: Other operating expenses were $23.5 million against $19.2 million. Intangible amortization was $21.0 million against $17.9 million a year earlier. Source
  • SG&A eased as a share of sales: SG&A was $77.9 million against $70.1 million, or 16.9% of net sales against 17.8% a year earlier. Source
  • Effective tax rate rose to 24.6%: The effective tax rate was 24.6% against 22.5%. Excluding discrete items, the rate would have been 22.9%. Source

Demand and order book

  • Backlog growth tied to A&D wins: Management cited recent contract wins within the A&D space as having benefited a backlog that continued to grow. Source
  • Industrial performance described as steady: The Chairman and CEO described the quarter as driven by A&D momentum and steady performance in the Industrial business. Source
  • Core-market demand described earlier: The prior release said demand from many core markets had reached unprecedented levels. This release points to A&D contract wins instead.

Cash, debt and shareholder items

  • Free cash flow rose to $99.1 million: Free cash flow was $99.1 million against $73.6 million. Free cash flow conversion was 147.0% against 127.1%. Source
  • Nine-month operating cash flow rose: Nine-month operating cash flow was $330.5 million against $224.4 million. Nine-month capital expenditures were $55.4 million against $35.6 million. Source
  • Revolver draw and term loan repayments: Nine-month revolver proceeds were $200.0 million, and term loan repayments were $125.0 million. Acquisition of business was $275.0 million. The prior release tied the $200.0 draw to VACCO. Source
  • Interest expense fell on debt reduction: Interest expense, net, was $13.0 million against $14.2 million. Management attributed the decrease primarily to debt reduction efforts. Source
  • Cash and debt at quarter-end: Cash was $107.6 million against $36.8 million at March 29, 2025. Current debt was $288.6 million and long-term debt was $701.6 million. Source
  • Equity award proceeds and withholding: Nine-month equity award exercise proceeds were $21.7 million and tax withholding was $13.2 million. No preferred dividends were paid, against $17.2 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and people

  • Focus on profitable growth and capacity: Management said it is focused on strategic, profitable growth, increasing production capacity, and delivering free cash flow. Source
  • Employees credited for execution: The Chairman and CEO thanked employees for their dedication and disciplined execution behind the performance of recent quarters. Source
  • Positioned for calendar 2026 growth: Management said RBC is well-positioned for growth in calendar year 2026 and beyond, citing its backlog. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Backlog Source$2.1 billion at December 27, 2025

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Management noted a $0.7 deferred tax change for new state tax filings and $1.1 of estimated liabilities and interest for prior years in those states. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said the performance of recent quarters has positioned RBC for a record year. No status against that aim is given. 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.