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Rockwell Automation, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 2 lowered, 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Reported sales rose 12%: Reported sales were $2,105 million, up from $1,881 million. Organic sales rose 10% and currency translation added 2%. Source
  • Segment margin rose to 20.7%: Total segment operating earnings rose 36% to $435 million. Margin was 20.7% against 17.1%, attributed to volume, price/cost including productivity, favorable mix, partly offset by compensation. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 49%: Adjusted EPS was $2.75 against $1.85. Diluted EPS was $2.69 against $1.61, up 67%, with a lower effective tax rate also contributing. Source
  • Diluted EPS guidance range raised: Diluted EPS guidance moved to $10.75 to $11.55 from $10.40 to $11.40. The company said the change reflects an updated full-year tax rate; sales growth ranges were kept. Source
  • Software & Control margin rose to 31.2%: Sales were $629 million, up 19% (organic 17%). Segment operating earnings were $196 million against $133 million, a 31.2% margin against 25.1%. Source
  • Lifecycle Services sales fell 4%: Sales were $523 million, down 4% (organic down 6%). Segment margin rose to 14.1% from 12.5% on productivity and project execution, partly offset by lower volume and higher compensation. Source
  • Demand across end markets held up: Management said demand across key end markets held up, driving double-digit sales growth and continued momentum in the product and software businesses. Source
  • Free cash flow fell to $170 million: Free cash flow was $170 million against $293 million; free cash flow conversion was 55% against 139%. Capital expenditures were $64 million against $71 million. Source
  • Sensia items reduced diluted EPS by $0.15: Cost and tax items tied to the Sensia dissolution reduced diluted EPS by $0.15 in reaching Adjusted EPS. Pre-tax cost was $4 million. Source

“I'm pleased with Rockwell's start to fiscal 2026, with sales, margins, and earnings all exceeding our expectations.”

Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Reported sales growth SourceFiscal 20263% - 7%Kept
Organic sales growth SourceFiscal 20262% - 6%Kept
Reported sales midpoint SourceFiscal 2026~$8.8BKept
Inorganic sales growth SourceFiscal 2026~ 0%Kept
Currency translation SourceFiscal 2026~ 1%Kept
Diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2026$10.75 - $11.55Raised from $10.40 - $11.40
Adjusted EPS SourceFiscal 2026$11.40 - $12.20Raised from $11.20 - $12.20
Effective tax rate SourceFiscal 2026~ 18.5%Lowered from ~ 20%
Adjusted effective tax rate SourceFiscal 2026~ 19.5%Lowered from ~ 20%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Diluted EPS guidance range raised to $10.75 - $11.55 from $10.40 - $11.40. The company said the change reflects an updated full-year tax rate. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted EPS guidance low end raised to $11.40 from $11.20; high end kept at $12.20. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Effective tax rate guidance is approximately 18.5% and adjusted effective tax rate approximately 19.5%, each against approximately 20% previously. Source
  • New: Adjusted Income and Adjusted EPS now exclude cost and tax items tied to the anticipated Sensia dissolution, a change from the prior definition. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Reported sales rose 12%: Reported sales were $2,105 million, up from $1,881 million. Organic sales rose 10% and currency translation added 2%. Source
  • Pre-tax margin rose to 16.2%: Income before income taxes was $342 million against $213 million. Pre-tax margin was 16.2% against 11.3% a year earlier. Source
  • Segment margin rose to 20.7%: Total segment operating earnings rose 36% to $435 million. Margin was 20.7% against 17.1%, attributed to volume, price/cost including productivity, favorable mix, partly offset by compensation. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 49%: Adjusted EPS was $2.75 against $1.85. Diluted EPS was $2.69 against $1.61, up 67%, with a lower effective tax rate also contributing. Source
  • Net income attributable reached $305 million: Net income attributable to Rockwell Automation was $305 million against $184 million a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted EPS guidance range raised: Diluted EPS guidance moved to $10.75 to $11.55 from $10.40 to $11.40. The company said the change reflects an updated full-year tax rate; sales growth ranges were kept. Source

Segments and regions

  • Software & Control margin rose to 31.2%: Sales were $629 million, up 19% (organic 17%). Segment operating earnings were $196 million against $133 million, a 31.2% margin against 25.1%. Source
  • Intelligent Devices sales rose 18%: Sales were $953 million, up 18% (organic 16%). Segment operating earnings were $165 million against $120 million, margin 17.3% against 14.9%. Currency and compensation partly offset volume gains. Source
  • Lifecycle Services sales fell 4%: Sales were $523 million, down 4% (organic down 6%). Segment margin rose to 14.1% from 12.5% on productivity and project execution, partly offset by lower volume and higher compensation. Source
  • North America led regional growth: North America sales were $1,339 million, up 16% with no currency effect. EMEA rose 12% reported (4% organic), Asia Pacific 2%, and Latin America fell 6% reported (down 12% organic). Source

“We are pleased with the start to the year and continue to expect gradual sequential improvement as we move through this fiscal year.”

Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO

Demand and customer investment

  • Demand across end markets held up: Management said demand across key end markets held up, driving double-digit sales growth and continued momentum in the product and software businesses. Source
  • Customers keep investing in automation: Management said customers continue to invest in automation, digital transformation and productivity, and that Rockwell is positioned to help accelerate Factory of the Future initiatives. Source
  • Recurring revenue grew 7%: Total annual recurring revenue (ARR) grew 7% against the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025. ARR measures annual contract value of active recurring contracts. Source

Costs and margin structure

  • Gross margin rose to 48.3%: Gross profit was $1,016 million, or 48.3% of sales against 46.7%. SG&A fell to 22.7% of sales from 25.3%; engineering and development was 8.2% against 8.3%. Source
  • Engineering costs now reported separately: Engineering and development costs were $172 million; they were previously within cost of sales. Prior year figures were recast to the current presentation. Source
  • Corporate expense eased to $30 million: Corporate and other expense was $30 million against $35 million. Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization was $32 million against $35 million. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow declined: Operating cash flow was $234 million against $364 million. Management attributed the decline to the fiscal 2025 incentive payout and higher working capital, partly offset by higher pre-tax income. Source
  • Free cash flow fell to $170 million: Free cash flow was $170 million against $293 million; free cash flow conversion was 55% against 139%. Capital expenditures were $64 million against $71 million. Source
  • Debt and cash position: Cash and cash equivalents were $444 million. Short-term debt rose to $826 million from $610 million; long-term debt was $2,574 million against $2,614 million. Source
  • Assets held for sale appeared: Current assets held for sale were $258 million at December 31, 2025, with $65 million of related current liabilities. No such line appeared at September 30, 2025. Source

Share repurchases and returns

  • Buybacks of $154 million: About 0.4 million shares were repurchased at a cost of $154 million during the quarter. Source
  • $773 million authorization remained: About $773 million remained under the existing repurchase authorization at December 31, 2025, compared with $927 million at September 30, 2025. Source
  • Dividends rose to $156 million: Cash dividends were $156 million against $149 million a year earlier. Source
  • ROIC rose to 16.3%: Return on invested capital was 16.3% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, against 14.5% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. Source

Sensia joint venture dissolution

  • Sensia items reduced diluted EPS by $0.15: Cost and tax items tied to the Sensia dissolution reduced diluted EPS by $0.15 in reaching Adjusted EPS. Pre-tax cost was $4 million. Source
  • Tax benefit lowered GAAP tax rate: GAAP effective tax rate was 11.7% against 16.4%, mainly from higher discrete tax benefits, including one tied to the Sensia dissolution, and excess benefits on share-based compensation. Source
  • Guidance excludes Sensia sales impact: Sales growth and Adjusted EPS guidance do not include the impact of the anticipated Sensia dissolution. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 February 2026

  • Sensia dissolution expected to close: The Sensia joint venture dissolution is expected to close on April 1, 2026. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Intelligent Devices margin gain was partly offset by currency effects and higher compensation. Source
  • Demand: Lifecycle Services margin gain was partly offset by lower sales volume and higher compensation. Source
  • External: Management cited ongoing volatility in the broader environment as a factor in its view for the year. Source
  • Financial: Operating cash flow and free cash flow declined mainly from the fiscal 2025 incentive compensation payout and higher working capital. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it is confident in its ability to gain share, execute and deliver on commitments. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it continues to expect gradual sequential improvement as the year progresses. Source
  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the reported and organic sales growth ranges for 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.