A. O. Smith Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
Rhea-AI Summary
A. O. Smith (NYSE: AOS) reported Q2 2026 net sales of $1.00 billion, down 1% YoY, with net earnings of $124.9 million and diluted EPS of $0.91, both below Q2 2025. Adjusted earnings were $142.0 million and adjusted EPS $1.03, reflecting exclusion of $22.6 million in North America water treatment restructuring and impairment costs.
North America sales rose 5% to $820.5 million, including a $16 million contribution from the Leonard Valve acquisition and 21% boiler growth; Rest of World sales fell 19% to $194.9 million amid weaker China demand. First-half operating cash flow increased 42% to $253.8 million and free cash flow 67% to $233.3 million. The company raised its 2026 share repurchase target 50% to $300 million and now guides 2026 sales growth of 2–3%, diluted EPS of $3.60–$3.75, and adjusted EPS of $3.70–$3.85.
Positive
- North America sales +5% to $820.5 million in Q2 2026
- Boiler sales +21% in North America, supporting segment growth
- Adjusted EPS $1.03 in Q2 2026 vs. $1.07 prior year (modest decline vs. GAAP)
- Free cash flow +67% YoY to $233.3 million year-to-date
- Share repurchase target +50% to $300 million for full-year 2026
- Organic North America growth 3% excluding Leonard Valve acquisition impact
Negative
- Net earnings -18% to $124.9 million in Q2 2026
- Diluted EPS -15% to $0.91 vs. $1.07 in Q2 2025
- Rest of World sales -19% to $194.9 million, led by China weakness
- China sales -28% in local currency in Q2 2026
- North America segment margin down to 21.6% (adjusted 24.4%) from 25.4%
- 2026 EPS outlook below 2025: diluted $3.60–$3.75 vs. $3.85 actual in 2025
News Explained
Repurchases returned cash while acquisition borrowing raised debt, leaving the disclosed near-term holder mechanics mixed.
A. O. Smith reported second-quarter 2026 results on
Separately, debt financing used for the Leonard Valve acquisition left total debt at
Together, the disclosed cash repurchases and acquisition-related borrowing describe mixed near-term capital-allocation mechanics for existing common holders: shares were repurchased while debt was higher.
Market Reaction – AOS
Following this news, AOS has gained 3.84%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 2 alerts so far, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $64.42.
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Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30 | Q1 earnings report | Negative | -2.9% | Lowered full-year outlook amid China weakness and restructuring charges |
| Oct 28 | Q3 earnings report | Positive | -2.6% | Higher earnings and cash flow with narrowed full-year guidance |
| Jul 24 | Q2 earnings report | Positive | +3.6% | Raised outlook alongside earnings growth and regional margin improvement |
| Apr 29 | Q1 earnings report | Positive | +3.5% | Maintained outlook amid mixed regional sales and margin improvement |
| Oct 11 | Q3 guidance update | Negative | -6.3% | Lowered full-year EPS guidance due to China and North America weakness |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Four of five tag-matched earnings events aligned with the stock's subsequent direction, while one positive earnings event diverged negatively.
Key Terms
free cash flow financial
organic sales growth financial
non-GAAP financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Second Quarter 2026 Highlights
(Comparisons are year-over-year ("YoY"), unless otherwise noted)
- Sales of
; net earnings of$1 billion and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of$125 million ; adjusted earnings of$0.91 1 and adjusted EPS of$142 million 1$1.03 North America segment sales of increased$820.5 million 5% driven by the Leonard Valve acquisition,21% boiler sales growth and carryover pricing actions, partially offset by lower residential water heater volumes- Rest of World segment sales of
decreased$194.9 million 19% , reflecting continued weakness inChina's consumer appliance market - Year-to-date operating cash flow increased
42% to and free cash flow increased$254 million 67% to$233 million - 2026 full year share repurchase target increased to
$300 million - 2026 full year sales EPS guidance updated to:
- Sales growth of between
2% and3% - Diluted EPS of between
and$3.60 $3.75 - Adjusted EPS of between
and$3.70 $3.85
- Sales growth of between
1 | Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS exclude the impact of restructuring and impairment expenses associated with targeted restructuring actions taken in the |
Key Financial Metrics
Second Quarter
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Q2 2026 | Q2 2025 | % Change YoY | |
Net sales | $ 1,004.3 | -1 % | |
Net earnings | $ 124.9 | $ 152.2 | -18 % |
Adjusted earnings | $ 142.02 | $ 152.2 | -7 % |
Diluted earnings per share | $ 0.91 | $ 1.07 | -15 % |
Adjusted earnings per share | $ 1.032 | $ 1.07 | -4 %
|
2 | Excludes |
"Our team continued to execute well in the second quarter, demonstrating the resilience of the A. O. Smith team and our business model," said Steve Shafer, chairman and chief executive officer. "While North America continued to face softer residential water heater demand, we are pleased with the progress we are making in our market share, as well as the strong growth in our boiler business. Operational excellence and delivering for our customers remained key priorities throughout the quarter. In
Segment-level Performance
Second quarter sales increased
Segment earnings were
Rest of World
Rest of World sales of
Segment earnings were
Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation
As of June 30, 2026, cash balances totaled
Cash provided by operations was
As part of its commitment to return capital to shareholders, the Company deployed
On July 13, 2026, the Company's board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of
Outlook
2026 Outlook
(in millions, except per share amounts)
2025 | 2026 Outlook | |||
Actual | Low End | High End | ||
Net sales | $ 3,830 | $ 3,900 | $ 3,950 | |
Diluted earnings per share | $ 3.85 | $ 3.60 | $ 3.75 | |
Adjusted earnings per share | $ 3.85 | $ 3.703 | $ 3.853 | |
3 | Excludes |
Due to continued softness in residential water heater industry volumes, the Company narrowed its full-year 2026 sales growth outlook to a range of
Shafer concluded, "While residential water heater demand remains soft, we are confident in our business fundamentals, competitive position and ability to execute our strategy. Our strong cash flow generation underscores the resilience of our operating model and supports disciplined capital deployment, including our decision to increase the full-year share repurchase target by
The Company's guidance excludes the potential impacts from future acquisitions, any potential outcomes of the assessment of its
A. O. Smith will host a webcasted conference call at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) today. The call can be heard live on the Company's website click here. An audio replay of the call will be available on the Company's website after the live event. To access the archived audio replay, go to the "Investors" page and select the Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call link.
To provide improved transparency into the operating results of its business, the Company is providing non-GAAP measures. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operations less capital expenditures.
Forward-looking Statements
This release contains statements that the Company believes are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "continue," "guidance," "outlook", "confident" or words of similar meaning. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things, the following: further softening in
About A. O. Smith
A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings (dollars in millions, except share data) (unaudited)
| |||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,004.3 | $ | 1,011.3 | $ | 1,949.9 | $ | 1,975.2 | |||
Cost of products sold | 616.5 | 614.2 | 1,196.4 | 1,202.7 | |||||||
Gross profit | 387.8 | 397.1 | 753.5 | 772.5 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 197.7 | 191.3 | 401.6 | 383.9 | |||||||
Restructuring and impairment expenses | 22.6 | — | 22.6 | — | |||||||
Interest expense | 8.1 | 4.6 | 15.2 | 7.5 | |||||||
Other expense (income), net | 1.4 | (0.4) | 1.4 | (1.6) | |||||||
Earnings before provision for income taxes | 158.0 | 201.6 | 312.7 | 382.7 | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | 33.1 | 49.4 | 69.8 | 93.9 | |||||||
Net earnings | $ | 124.9 | $ | 152.2 | $ | 242.9 | $ | 288.8 | |||
Diluted earnings per share of common stock(1) | $ | 0.91 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 1.75 | $ | 2.01 | |||
Average common shares outstanding (000's omitted) | 137,863 | 142,484 | 138,511 | 143,440 | |||||||
(1) | Earnings per share amounts are calculated discretely and, therefore, may not add up to the total due to rounding. |
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (dollars in millions)
| |||||
(Unaudited) | December 31, | ||||
ASSETS: | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 181.3 | $ | 174.5 | |
Marketable securities | — | 18.7 | |||
Receivables | 669.8 | 582.3 | |||
Inventories | 482.7 | 479.3 | |||
Other current assets | 55.5 | 36.7 | |||
Total Current Assets | 1,389.3 | 1,291.5 | |||
Net property, plant and equipment | 619.0 | 635.1 | |||
Goodwill and other intangibles | 1,504.2 | 1,072.9 | |||
Operating lease assets | 49.7 | 46.3 | |||
Other assets | 82.3 | 97.0 | |||
Total Assets | $ | 3,644.5 | $ | 3,142.8 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | |||||
Trade payables | $ | 525.7 | $ | 504.1 | |
Accrued payroll and benefits | 74.0 | 93.6 | |||
Accrued liabilities | 160.9 | 147.5 | |||
Product warranties | 71.6 | 75.0 | |||
Debt due within one year | 39.5 | 42.3 | |||
Total Current Liabilities | 871.7 | 862.5 | |||
Long-term debt | 598.0 | 112.7 | |||
Pension liabilities | 7.4 | 7.4 | |||
Operating lease liabilities | 39.2 | 37.1 | |||
Other liabilities | 286.3 | 265.1 | |||
Stockholders' equity | 1,841.9 | 1,858.0 | |||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 3,644.5 | $ | 3,142.8 | |
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (dollars in millions) (unaudited)
| |||||
Six Months Ended | |||||
2026 | 2025 | ||||
Operating Activities | |||||
Net earnings | $ | 242.9 | $ | 288.8 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||
Depreciation & amortization | 48.5 | 41.2 | |||
Share based compensation expense | 9.3 | 8.6 | |||
Deferred income taxes | 25.1 | (9.1) | |||
Non cash impairment | 12.4 | — | |||
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||
Current assets and liabilities | (97.1) | (159.0) | |||
Noncurrent assets and liabilities | 12.7 | 7.8 | |||
Cash Provided by Operating Activities | 253.8 | 178.3 | |||
Investing Activities | |||||
Capital expenditures | (20.5) | (38.4) | |||
Acquisitions | (470.0) | — | |||
Investment in marketable securities | — | (22.6) | |||
Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities | 18.7 | 59.2 | |||
Cash Used in Investing Activities | (471.8) | (1.8) | |||
Financing Activities | |||||
Proceeds from debt | 819.0 | 611.3 | |||
Repayments of debt | (333.2) | (503.1) | |||
Common stock repurchases | (162.4) | (251.3) | |||
Net payments from stock option activity | — | (0.5) | |||
Dividends paid | (99.8) | (97.5) | |||
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities | 223.6 | (241.1) | |||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 1.2 | 2.9 | |||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 6.8 | (61.7) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period | 174.5 | 239.6 | |||
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period | $ | 181.3 | $ | 177.9 | |
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Business Segments (dollars in millions) (unaudited)
| |||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
Net sales | |||||||||||
$ | 820.5 | $ | 779.0 | $ | 1,573.9 | $ | 1,527.7 | ||||
Rest of World | 194.9 | 240.1 | 395.6 | 466.8 | |||||||
Inter-segment sales | (11.1) | (7.8) | (19.6) | (19.3) | |||||||
$ | 1,004.3 | $ | 1,011.3 | $ | 1,949.9 | $ | 1,975.2 | ||||
Earnings | |||||||||||
$ | 177.2 | $ | 198.1 | $ | 352.6 | $ | 383.3 | ||||
Rest of World | 10.2 | 25.3 | 22.6 | 45.0 | |||||||
Inter-segment earnings elimination | — | (0.2) | — | (0.2) | |||||||
187.4 | 223.2 | 375.2 | 428.1 | ||||||||
Corporate expense | (21.3) | (17.0) | (47.3) | (37.9) | |||||||
Interest expense | (8.1) | (4.6) | (15.2) | (7.5) | |||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 158.0 | 201.6 | 312.7 | 382.7 | |||||||
Provision for incomes taxes | 33.1 | 49.4 | 69.8 | 93.9 | |||||||
Net earnings | $ | 124.9 | $ | 152.2 | $ | 242.9 | $ | 288.8 | |||
Additional Information | |||||||||||
(1) Adjustments: | |||||||||||
includes restructuring and impairment of: | $ | 22.6 | $ | — | $ | 22.6 | $ | — | |||
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (dollars in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)
| |||||||||||
The following is a reconciliation of net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and
| |||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
Net Earnings (GAAP) | $ | 124.9 | $ | 152.2 | $ | 242.9 | $ | 288.8 | |||
Restructuring and impairment expenses, before tax | 22.6 | — | 22.6 | — | |||||||
Tax effect on above items | (5.5) | — | (5.5) | — | |||||||
Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) | $ | 142.0 | $ | 152.2 | $ | 260.0 | $ | 288.8 | |||
Diluted Earnings Per Share (GAAP)(1) | $ | 0.91 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 1.75 | $ | 2.01 | |||
Restructuring and impairment expenses, per diluted share, before tax | 0.16 | — | 0.16 | — | |||||||
Tax effect on above items per diluted share | (0.04) | — | (0.04) | — | |||||||
Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)(1) | $ | 1.03 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 1.87 | $ | 2.01 | |||
(1) | Earnings per share amounts are calculated discretely and, therefore, may not add up to the total due to rounding. |
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Sales Growth (Decline) (unaudited)
| |||||
The following table provides the components of net sales growth (decline):
| |||||
Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 | |||||
Rest of World | Total | ||||
Sales Growth (Decline) | 5 % | (19) % | (1) % | ||
Acquisition Impact(1) | 2 % | — | 1 % | ||
Foreign Exchange Impact | — % | 3 % | 1 % | ||
Organic Sales Growth (Decline) (non-GAAP) | 3 % | (22) % | (3) % | ||
Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 | |||||
Rest of World | Total | ||||
Sales Growth (Decline) | 3 % | (15) % | (1) % | ||
Acquisition Impact(1) | 2 % | — | 2 % | ||
Foreign Exchange Impact | — % | 3 % | 1 % | ||
Organic Sales Growth (Decline) (non-GAAP) | 1 % | (18) % | (4) % | ||
(1) | The acquisition effect includes the sales impact of the Leonard Valve acquisition in 2026. |
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Adjusted Segment Earnings (dollars in millions) (unaudited)
| |||||||||||
The following is a reconciliation of reported earnings before provision for income taxes to total segment earnings (non-GAAP) and
| |||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
Earnings Before Provision for Income Taxes (GAAP) | $ | 158.0 | $ | 201.6 | $ | 312.7 | $ | 382.7 | |||
Add: Corporate expense | 21.3 | 17.0 | 47.3 | 37.9 | |||||||
Add: Interest expense | 8.1 | 4.6 | 15.2 | 7.5 | |||||||
Total Segment Earnings (non-GAAP) | $ | 187.4 | $ | 223.2 | $ | 375.2 | $ | 428.1 | |||
$ | 177.2 | $ | 198.1 | $ | 352.6 | $ | 383.3 | ||||
Rest of World | 10.2 | 25.3 | 22.6 | 45.0 | |||||||
Inter-segment earnings elimination | — | (0.2) | — | (0.2) | |||||||
Total Segment Earnings (non-GAAP) | $ | 187.4 | $ | 223.2 | $ | 375.2 | $ | 428.1 | |||
Additional Information | |||||||||||
(1)North America Segment Earnings | $ | 177.2 | $ | 198.1 | $ | 352.6 | $ | 383.3 | |||
Restructuring and impairment expenses, before tax | 22.6 | — | 22.6 | — | |||||||
Adjusted North America Segment Earnings (non-GAAP) | $ | 199.8 | $ | 198.1 | $ | 375.2 | $ | 383.3 | |||
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Free Cash Flow (dollars in millions) (unaudited)
| |||||
The following is a reconciliation of reported cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow (non-GAAP):
| |||||
Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||
2026 | 2025 | ||||
Cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) | $ | 253.8 | $ | 178.3 | |
Less: Capital expenditures | (20.5) | (38.4) | |||
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) | $ | 233.3 | $ | 139.9 | |
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION 2026 Adjusted EPS Guidance and 2025 EPS (unaudited)
| ||||||
The following is a reconciliation of diluted EPS to adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) (all items are net of tax):
| ||||||
2026 Guidance | 2025 | |||||
Diluted EPS (GAAP) | $ | 3.60-3.75 | $ | 3.85 | ||
Restructuring and impairment expenses | 0.10 | (1) | — | |||
Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) | $ | 3.70-3.85 | $ | 3.85 | ||
(1) | Includes |
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SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation