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Vertiv Holdings Co.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 22 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 7 raised, 7 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 30% year on year: Net sales were $2,650 million, up $614 million, with 23% organic growth, 4% from acquisitions and 3% from favorable currency translation. Source
  • Operating profit up 51%, adjusted 64%: Operating profit was $440 million, up $149 million. Adjusted operating profit was $551 million, up $214 million, from first quarter 2025. Source
  • Americas drove most of the growth: Americas net sales rose 53.1% to $1,814.4 million, with 44.3% organic growth; adjusted operating profit was $490.2 million, up 88.8%. Source
  • Adjusted margin up 430 basis points: Adjusted operating margin rose to 20.8% from 16.5%; management attributed the rise to operational leverage on higher volume and positive price-cost. Source
  • Data center demand described as robust: Management described data center market momentum as robust, supported by underlying demand fundamentals. Source
  • Operating cash flow of $767 million: Operating cash flow was $766.8 million; adjusted free cash flow was $652.8 million after capital expenditures of $112.6 million and software investment of $1.4 million. Source
  • Investment grade ratings received: Vertiv received inaugural investment grade ratings from Moody's (Baa3) and S&P (BBB-) in February 2026, and completed a $2.1 billion notes issuance. Source

“This quarter's financial performance reflects our ability to meet customers at this critical moment with unique capabilities.”

Giordano Albertazzi, Vertiv's Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceSecond quarter 2026$3,250M - $3,450MNew
Organic net sales growth SourceSecond quarter 202620% - 24%New
Adjusted operating profit SourceSecond quarter 2026$690M - $730MNew
Adjusted operating margin SourceSecond quarter 202620.7% - 21.7%New
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceSecond quarter 2026$1.37 - $1.43New
Adjusted diluted EPS growth SourceSecond quarter 202644% - 51%New
GAAP diluted EPS SourceSecond quarter 2026$1.22New
Net sales SourceFull year 2026$13,500M - $14,000MRaised from $13,250M - $13,750M
Organic net sales growth SourceFull year 202629% - 31%Raised from 27% - 29%
Adjusted operating profit SourceFull year 2026$3,140M - $3,260MRaised from $2,980M - $3,100M
Adjusted operating margin SourceFull year 202622.8% - 23.8%Raised from 22.0% - 23.0%
Diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$5.60 - $5.70Raised from $5.27 - $5.37
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$6.30 - $6.40Raised from $5.97 - $6.07
Adjusted diluted EPS growth SourceFull year 202650% - 52%Raised from 42% - 45%
Adjusted free cash flow SourceFull year 2026$2,100M - $2,300MKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 ranges raised for net sales, organic growth, adjusted operating profit and margin, GAAP and adjusted diluted EPS, and adjusted EPS growth. Source
  • New guidance: Second quarter 2026 guidance given for net sales, organic growth, adjusted operating profit and margin, adjusted diluted EPS and its growth. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year adjusted free cash flow range kept at $2,100 million to $2,300 million. Source
  • Ended: First quarter 2026 guidance from the prior release is no longer in effect; first quarter results are reported in this release.
  • New: Adjusted operating profit now excludes amortization of intangibles and contingent consideration; the prior release also excluded restructuring and merger and acquisition costs. Source
  • New: Vertiv received inaugural investment grade ratings and completed a $2.1 billion senior unsecured notes issuance in the period. Source
  • New: A new $2.5 billion revolving credit facility was put in place, and the term loan and ABL revolver were retired in March. Source
  • New: Vertiv was added to the S&P 500 in March, as stated by the Executive Chairman. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 30% year on year: Net sales were $2,650 million, up $614 million, with 23% organic growth, 4% from acquisitions and 3% from favorable currency translation. Source
  • Operating profit up 51%, adjusted 64%: Operating profit was $440 million, up $149 million. Adjusted operating profit was $551 million, up $214 million, from first quarter 2025. Source
  • Diluted EPS of $0.99 versus $0.42: Diluted EPS was $0.99 against $0.42 a year earlier, calculated on 392.1 million diluted shares for the quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $1.17 versus $0.64: Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.17 against $0.64, after excluding amortization of intangibles, contingent consideration and term loan repayment costs. Source

Segments and regions

  • Americas drove most of the growth: Americas net sales rose 53.1% to $1,814.4 million, with 44.3% organic growth; adjusted operating profit was $490.2 million, up 88.8%. Source
  • EMEA net sales and profit declined: EMEA net sales fell 20.3% to $321.4 million, or 29.4% organically; adjusted operating profit fell to $53.5 million and margin to 16.6%. Source
  • APAC sales up 15%, margin 13.1%: APAC net sales rose 14.9% to $513.7 million, with 12.0% organic growth; adjusted operating margin was 13.1%, up from 10.2%. Source
  • Corporate costs rose 27%: Corporate adjusted costs were $60.2 million, against $47.4 million a year earlier, covering headquarters and centralized global functions. Source

“When customers face their toughest infrastructure challenges, they're choosing us - not only because of our technology, but because we can deliver at scale.”

Dave Cote, Vertiv's Executive Chairman

Products and services mix

  • Product sales up 30%: Product sales were $2,091.2 million, up 29.8%, while services and spares reached $558.3 million, up 31.4%. Source
  • Americas product sales up 54%: Americas product sales rose to $1,475.9 million from $958.3 million, and Americas services and spares rose 49.1%. Source
  • EMEA product sales fell 27%: EMEA product sales were $234.2 million, down 26.6% from $319.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Organic product growth 24.9%: Excluding currency and acquisitions, product sales grew 24.9% and services and spares grew 13.7%. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Adjusted margin up 430 basis points: Adjusted operating margin rose to 20.8% from 16.5%; management attributed the rise to operational leverage on higher volume and positive price-cost. Source
  • SG&A and amortization rose: SG&A was $456.7 million, up from $346.3 million; amortization of intangibles was $77.6 million, up from $46.0 million. Source
  • Contingent consideration excluded from adjusted: A $33.2 million contingent consideration amount tied to the PurgeRite acquisition is excluded from adjusted operating profit and adjusted EPS. Source
  • Nonrecurring tax item in prior year: Income tax expense was $48.2 million against $100.9 million; the prior-year reconciliation adjusts out a $39.5 million nonrecurring tax item. Source

“This quarter demonstrates that Vertiv has built the kind of competitive position that compounds over time,”

Dave Cote, Vertiv's Executive Chairman

Demand and customer requirements

  • Data center demand described as robust: Management described data center market momentum as robust, supported by underlying demand fundamentals. Source
  • Customers prioritize design and speed: Management said customers now weigh optimized design, deployment speed and operational efficiency, which is changing how they approach deployment. Source
  • Customers want speed, reliability, services: Management said customers demand faster deployment, greater reliability and comprehensive services as infrastructure density rises. Source

Cash flow and working capital

  • Operating cash flow of $767 million: Operating cash flow was $766.8 million; adjusted free cash flow was $652.8 million after capital expenditures of $112.6 million and software investment of $1.4 million. Source
  • Working capital and cash interest helped: Management cited higher adjusted operating profit, working capital efficiency and lower cash interest, partly offset by higher cash taxes and capital expenditures. Source
  • Inventories rose to $1.83 billion: Inventories rose to $1,834.6 million from $1,456.5 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Deferred revenue rose to $2.46 billion: Deferred revenue was $2,461.8 million at March 31, 2026, against $1,814.7 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Capital expenditures rose to $113 million: Capital expenditures were $112.6 million against $36.5 million a year earlier, and capitalized software investment was $1.4 million. Source

Capital, debt and shareholder payouts

  • Investment grade ratings received: Vertiv received inaugural investment grade ratings from Moody's (Baa3) and S&P (BBB-) in February 2026, and completed a $2.1 billion notes issuance. Source
  • Term loan and ABL revolver retired: The company retired its term loan and ABL revolver in March and put in place a new $2.5 billion revolving credit facility. Source
  • Net leverage about 0.2x at quarter end: Net leverage was about 0.2x at the end of the quarter. Source
  • Dividends paid $23.9 million: Dividend payments were $23.9 million, against $14.2 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Capacity expansion being accelerated: Management said it is further accelerating capacity expansion and strategic investments to meet demand and capture market share. Source
  • Technology and capacity investments cited: Management attributed market share gains to investments in technology and capacity, combined with strategic acquisitions. Source
  • Investment in affiliates and acquisitions: Investment in affiliates was $13.9 million, and acquisitions net of cash acquired were $0.4 million in the quarter. Source

Leadership and index inclusion

  • Added to S&P 500 in March: Executive Chairman Dave Cote said the March addition to the S&P 500 reflects financial performance and market leadership in critical digital infrastructure. Source
  • Executive Chairman cites long-term trajectory: Dave Cote said the strategic momentum gives him confidence in the company's long-term trajectory. Source
  • CEO on positioning with large projects: Giordano Albertazzi said Vertiv is positioned to be the partner customers need for their most ambitious projects, at scale. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Book-to-bill ratio~2.9x (fourth quarter 2025)
Backlog$15.0 billion (fourth quarter 2025)

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited tariff impacts and tariff mitigation countermeasures as part of the price-cost result. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release said the company continues its commitment to investment grade ratings; this release reports inaugural ratings received in February 2026.
  • Not stated: The prior release said the company was increasing ER&D investment and expanding production capacity; this release refers to further accelerating capacity expansion.

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.