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RBC Bearings Inc.: Q1 FY2027 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2027, from the documents filed with the SEC on 31 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales grew 19.2%: Net sales grew 19.2% to $519.5 million, with both segments growing over the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Sales finished above May guidance: The May guidance range for this quarter was $500.0 million to $510.0 million in net sales, and reported sales came in above that range.
  • Diluted EPS rose to $3.20: On an adjusted basis diluted EPS was $3.88 against $2.84, and GAAP net income was $101.5 million against $68.5 million. Source
  • Aerospace & Defense sales rose to $225.4M: Aerospace & Defense net sales were $225.4 million against $164.6 million a year earlier, and Industrial net sales were $294.1 million against $271.4 million. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 47.7%: Gross margin was 47.7% of net sales against 44.8% a year earlier, and adjusted gross margin was 47.7% against 45.4%. Source
  • Backlog reached record levels: Management said backlog reached record levels during the quarter, alongside record margins and cash flow. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose to $171.8M: Net cash provided by operating activities was $171.8 million against $120.0 million, and capital expenditures were $24.9 million against $15.7 million. Source

“Sales in our first quarter expanded by 19% as margins, cash flow and backlog achieved record levels.”

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

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceSecond quarter of fiscal 2027approximately $505.0 million to $515.0 millionNew
Net sales growth rate SourceSecond quarter of fiscal 202710.9% to 13.1%New
Gross margin (percentage of net sales) SourceSecond quarter of fiscal 202745.5% to 45.75%New
SG&A (percentage of net sales) SourceSecond quarter of fiscal 202716.5% to 16.75%New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: The company began giving second-quarter fiscal 2027 ranges for net sales, gross margin and SG&A. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales grew 19.2%: Net sales grew 19.2% to $519.5 million, with both segments growing over the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Sales finished above May guidance: The May guidance range for this quarter was $500.0 million to $510.0 million in net sales, and reported sales came in above that range.
  • Operating income rose sharply: Adjusted operating income was $141.2 million against $105.3 million a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $3.20: On an adjusted basis diluted EPS was $3.88 against $2.84, and GAAP net income was $101.5 million against $68.5 million. Source

Segments and VACCO contribution

  • Aerospace & Defense sales rose to $225.4M: Aerospace & Defense net sales were $225.4 million against $164.6 million a year earlier, and Industrial net sales were $294.1 million against $271.4 million. Source
  • VACCO added $34.4 million: VACCO, which the company acquired on July 18, 2025, contributed $34.4 million of net sales this quarter. Source
  • Segments make up total sales: The two reported segments together add to consolidated net sales, with no other reporting segment shown. Source

“Today we are operating extremely well in a robust commercial environment where the vast majority of our end markets are expanding.”

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

Margins and cost lines

  • Gross margin rose to 47.7%: Gross margin was 47.7% of net sales against 44.8% a year earlier, and adjusted gross margin was 47.7% against 45.4%. Source
  • Margin and SG&A against May ranges: Against the May guidance, adjusted gross margin was above the 45.25% to 45.5% range, and SG&A was within its 16.50% to 16.75% range.
  • SG&A rose in dollars, fell as share: SG&A was $85.8 million, up $11.9 million from the prior year, and fell as a percentage of net sales from 16.9% to 16.5%. Source
  • Amortization drives other expenses: Other operating expenses were $21.2 million, mostly intangible amortization of $21.0 million, with $0.4 million of restructuring costs. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose: Adjusted EBITDA was $181.2 million, or 34.9% of net sales, against 32.5% in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Tax rate with discrete benefits: The effective tax rate was 22.1% against 21.9%, including $1.4 million of discrete stock-compensation benefits; without discrete items it would have been 23.2%. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Backlog reached record levels: Management said backlog reached record levels during the quarter, alongside record margins and cash flow. Source
  • End markets described as expanding: Management said the company operates in a robust commercial environment in which most of its end markets are expanding. Source
  • Confidence for the rest of year: Management said it is excited and confident about the position for the balance of the fiscal year. Source

“Clearly, we are excited and confident in the positive outlook for the balance of the year.”

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

Cash, capital and debt

  • Operating cash flow rose to $171.8M: Net cash provided by operating activities was $171.8 million against $120.0 million, and capital expenditures were $24.9 million against $15.7 million. Source
  • Term loans repaid, cash higher: Term loan repayments were $77.0 million, and cash at quarter end was $124.5 million against $57.3 million at March 28, 2026. Source
  • Interest expense fell on debt reduction: Interest expense, net was $10.1 million against $12.2 million, which management attributed mainly to continued debt reduction. Source
  • Current debt portion declined: The current portion of long-term debt was $96.2 million, down from $173.8 million at March 28, 2026. Source

Non-GAAP adjustments

  • Adjusted net income rose to $123.0M: Adjusted net income was $123.0 million against $89.6 million; the company describes it as excluding items it views as not indicative of core operating performance. Source
  • Acquisition amortization added back: Adjusted net income adds back $19.5 million of M&A-related amortization and $6.7 million of stock compensation expense, before a tax impact of $5.9 million. Source
  • Restructuring charges lower: Restructuring and consolidation charges were $0.4 million against $4.1 million a year earlier, and transaction costs were nil against $0.1 million. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Backlog at June 27, 2026 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.