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RBC Bearings Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 15 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth quarter sales rose 18.3%: Net sales were $518.0 million, up 18.3% from $437.7 million a year earlier, with Aerospace & Defense up 41.2% and Industrial up 5.5%. Source
  • Segment sales rose in dollars: A&D sales were $222.1 million in the quarter, from $157.3 million, and $788.0 million for the year, from $592.8 million. Industrial sales were $295.9 million in the quarter, from $280.4 million, and $1,082.9 million for the year, from $1,043.5 million. Source
  • Backlog reached $2.3 billion: Backlog at March 28, 2026 was $2.3 billion, compared with $2.1 billion at December 27, 2025 and $0.9 billion at March 29, 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EPS reached $3.62: Diluted EPS was $2.89 against $2.30; adjusted diluted EPS was $3.62 against $2.83, and adjusted net income was $114.9 million against $89.3 million. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose to $415.7M: Net cash from operating activities was $415.7 million for fiscal 2026, against $293.6 million; capital expenditures were $73.1 million against $49.8 million. Source
  • Term loans repaid $240.0 million: Term loan repayments were $240.0 million against $262.0 million, and $200.0 million was drawn on revolving credit facilities. Source

“This record year for RBC was a true team effort, and I want to thank our employees across the organization for their hard work, dedication, and continued commitment to serving our customers with excellence.”

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

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 2027$500.0 million to $510.0 millionNew
Net sales growth SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 202714.7% to 17.0%New
Net sales growth excluding VACCO SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 20278.3% to 10.6%New
Adjusted gross margin SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 202745.25% to 45.5%New
SG&A as a percentage of net sales SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 202716.50% to 16.75%New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Guidance now covers the first quarter of fiscal 2027; the prior guidance covered the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth quarter sales rose 18.3%: Net sales were $518.0 million, up 18.3% from $437.7 million a year earlier, with Aerospace & Defense up 41.2% and Industrial up 5.5%. Source
  • VACCO added $30.0 to quarter sales: VACCO, acquired on July 18, 2025, contributed $30.0 million of fourth quarter net sales. Source
  • Full-year sales rose 14.3%: Fiscal 2026 net sales were $1,870.9 million, up 14.3%, with Aerospace & Defense up 32.9% and Industrial up 3.8% for the year. Source
  • Segment sales rose in dollars: A&D sales were $222.1 million in the quarter, from $157.3 million, and $788.0 million for the year, from $592.8 million. Industrial sales were $295.9 million in the quarter, from $280.4 million, and $1,082.9 million for the year, from $1,043.5 million. Source
  • Backlog reached $2.3 billion: Backlog at March 28, 2026 was $2.3 billion, compared with $2.1 billion at December 27, 2025 and $0.9 billion at March 29, 2025. Source

Margins and profitability

  • Fourth quarter gross margin 44.4%: Gross margin was 44.4% against 44.2% last year; adjusted gross margin, which removes transaction and restructuring items, was 45.3%. Source
  • Full-year gross margin held at 44.4%: Fiscal 2026 gross margin was 44.4%, the same as last year; adjusted gross margin was 45.2% compared with 44.4%. Source
  • Quarter operating income rose: Operating income was $119.1 million (23.0% of net sales) against $100.7 million; adjusted operating income was $124.3 million (24.0%). Source
  • Adjusted EPS reached $3.62: Diluted EPS was $2.89 against $2.30; adjusted diluted EPS was $3.62 against $2.83, and adjusted net income was $114.9 million against $89.3 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose: Adjusted EBITDA was 32.6% of net sales against 31.9%; net income attributable to common stockholders was 17.7% of net sales against 16.6%. Source

“As we look ahead to fiscal year 2027, we remain highly encouraged by the strength of our operating environment and the momentum we are seeing across the businesses.”

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

Operating costs and tax

  • SG&A rose $14.8 million: SG&A was $86.9 million, 16.8% of net sales, against $72.1 million and 16.5% a year earlier. Source
  • Amortization drove other expenses: Other operating expenses were $24.0 million against $20.6 million, including $21.4 million of intangible amortization in the quarter. Source
  • Interest expense fell on debt reduction: Net interest expense was $11.2 million against $12.8 million, which the company attributed mainly to debt reduction efforts. Source
  • Tax rate included discrete benefit: The effective tax rate was 15.8%, including a net $8.8 million discrete benefit; without discrete items it would have been 23.8%. Source

Non-GAAP adjustments

  • Transaction costs excluded from adjusted results: Transaction and related costs of $5.9 million were excluded from quarterly operating income, and $14.8 million for the year. Source
  • Acquisition amortization excluded: M&A-related amortization of $19.5 million was excluded from quarterly adjusted net income, against $16.4 million a year earlier; stock compensation of $11.2 million was also excluded. Source
  • Tax effect on adjustments shown: The tax effect of adjustments and other tax matters was $13.3 million for the quarter, against $9.5 million; the overall rate on adjusted pre-tax earnings was 21.0%. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow rose to $415.7M: Net cash from operating activities was $415.7 million for fiscal 2026, against $293.6 million; capital expenditures were $73.1 million against $49.8 million. Source
  • Acquisition cash outflow of $276.7M: The acquisition of business used $276.7 million of cash in fiscal 2026, against none in fiscal 2025; net cash used in investing activities was $349.7 million. Source
  • Inventory and receivables increased: Inventory was $762.8 million against $654.5 million, and receivables were $340.6 million against $307.6 million, at fiscal year-end. Source
  • Cash balance rose to $57.3M: Cash was $57.3 million at year-end against $36.8 million a year earlier. Source

Debt, equity and shareholder payments

  • Term loans repaid $240.0 million: Term loan repayments were $240.0 million against $262.0 million, and $200.0 million was drawn on revolving credit facilities. Source
  • Current debt rose to $173.8M: Current portion of long-term debt was $173.8 million against $1.7 million; long-term debt, less current portion, was $701.7 million against $918.4 million. Source
  • No preferred dividends paid this year: Preferred stock dividends paid were nil in fiscal 2026, against $17.2 million in fiscal 2025; exercise of equity awards brought in $24.2 million. Source
  • Equity-award tax withholding rose: Tax withholding on common stock issued under equity incentive plans was $14.4 million against $9.5 million; treasury stock at cost was $115.0 million against $100.6 million. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Backlog Source$2.3 billion

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.