Lear Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results; Raises Full-Year Guidance
Rhea-AI Summary
Lear (NYSE: LEA) reported second quarter 2026 revenue of $6.2 billion, up 3% from $6.0 billion a year earlier, with global vehicle production roughly flat on a Lear sales-weighted basis. Net income rose to $193 million and adjusted net income to $217 million.
Core operating earnings increased to $313 million (5.0% margin) from $292 million (4.8%). Diluted EPS was $3.79 and adjusted EPS $4.28, up 24% and 23% year-over-year, supported by share repurchases. Operating cash flow grew 55% to $461 million and free cash flow 69% to $288 million.
Lear repurchased $100 million of stock, paid $39 million in dividends and ended the quarter with $1.0 billion in cash and $3.0 billion in total liquidity. The company raised midpoints and narrowed ranges of its 2026 guidance, now targeting net sales of $23.54-$24.01 billion and free cash flow of $590-$690 million.
Positive
- Q2 2026 revenue up 3% year-over-year to $6.2 billion
- Core operating earnings up 7% to $313 million, 5.0% margin
- Diluted EPS up 24% to $3.79; adjusted EPS up 23% to $4.28
- Operating cash flow up 55% to $461 million; free cash flow up 69% to $288 million
- $100 million of share repurchases and $39 million in dividends in Q2 2026
- Raised 2026 guidance midpoints, net sales now $23.54-$24.01 billion and free cash flow $590-$690 million
- E-Systems adjusted margin increased to 5.8% from 4.9% year-over-year
Negative
- Seating segment margin declined to 6.2% of sales from 6.4% year-over-year
- Lear assumes 2026 global industry production down about 2% on a sales-weighted basis
- Planned 2026 restructuring costs of approximately $175 million
- North America and Asia quarterly net sales slightly below prior-year levels
News Explained
The July 31 results release reports that Lear repurchased 735,873 common shares for
Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 01 | First-quarter earnings | Positive | +4.2% | Revenue, EPS, and adjusted EPS increased year-over-year; full-year guidance was reaffirmed. |
| Feb 04 | Full-year earnings | Positive | +10.7% | Adjusted EPS increased, share repurchases continued, and major E-Systems awards were secured. |
| Oct 31 | Third-quarter earnings | Positive | +1.1% | Free cash flow improved, guidance midpoint increased, and E-Systems awards expanded. |
| Jul 25 | Second-quarter earnings | Negative | -8.1% | Net income declined, tariff uncertainty persisted, and full-year guidance was restored. |
| May 06 | First-quarter earnings | Negative | -2.5% | Revenue and net income declined, while management withheld full-year guidance. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Tag-matched earnings reactions were generally positive, but included a -8.09% decline, indicating mixed historical responses.
Key Terms
core operating earnings financial
adjusted ebitda financial
free cash flow financial
gaap financial
sales-weighted basis technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Second Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights
- Revenue of
, an increase of$6.2 billion 3% , compared to in the second quarter of 2025$6.0 billion - Net income of
and adjusted net income of$193 million , compared to$217 million and$165 million , respectively, in the second quarter of 2025$188 million - Core operating earnings of
, an increase of$313 million 7% , compared to in the second quarter of 2025$292 million - Earnings per share of
and adjusted earnings per share of$3.79 , compared to$4.28 and$3.06 , respectively, in the second quarter of 2025$3.47 - Earnings per share increased
24% year-over-year and adjusted earnings per share increased23% year-over-year, reflecting higher earnings and the benefit of our share repurchase program - Net cash provided by operating activities increased
55% to and free cash flow increased$461 million 69% to , compared to$288 million and$296 million , respectively, in the second quarter of 2025$171 million - Repurchased
of shares and paid$100 million in dividends$39 million - Cash and cash equivalents at quarter-end of
and total liquidity of$1.0 billion $3.0 billion
Second Quarter 2026 Business Highlights
- Expanded our Seating leadership position through significant new and conquest awards with Audi for complete seats, ComfortFlex™ and FlexAir® in
Europe andNorth America , a complete seat award with Leapmotor inSouth America (an important award with a Chinese automaker outside ofChina ) and being named the 2025 General Motors Supplier of the Year as well as a 2026 Automotive News PACE Award finalist for our modular thermal comfort systems (ComfortFlexTM and ComfortMax Seat by LearTM) - Continued to grow our core E-Systems products with new awards for wire with a luxury Chinese automaker and BAIC in
China , a replacement and partial conquest award for low- and high-voltage wire with Renault inEurope , new awards with Stellantis inNorth America , and being named the 2025 General Motors Supplier of the Year for Wire for the first time
"Lear continued its strong start to 2026 despite a dynamic operating environment, delivering improved year-over-year revenue and operating income in both segments - results that give us the confidence to raise our full-year guidance. We continue to win significant new business awards, including key new and conquest program awards with Audi, while accelerating our growth with Chinese automakers, including our award with Leapmotor in
Second Quarter Financial Results (in millions, except per share amounts) | |||
2026 | 2025 | ||
Reported | |||
Sales | $ 6,209.4 | $ 6,030.4 | |
Net income | $ 192.8 | $ 165.2 | |
Earnings per share | $ 3.79 | $ 3.06 | |
Adjusted(1) | |||
Core operating earnings | $ 313.2 | $ 291.8 | |
Adjusted net income | $ 217.4 | $ 187.8 | |
Adjusted earnings per share | $ 4.28 | $ 3.47 | |
In the second quarter, global vehicle production was flat compared to a year ago, with
Sales in the second quarter were
Core operating earnings were
In the Seating segment, margins and adjusted margins were
Net income was
Earnings per share were
In the second quarter of 2026, net cash provided by operating activities was
(1) For more information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures, see "Non-GAAP Financial Information" below.
(2) The global and regional production changes are based on Mobility Global estimates. The production change on a Lear sales-weighted basis is calculated using Lear's prior year regional sales mix and second quarter fiscal calendar. Management believes this provides a more meaningful comparison of the Company's global revenue growth relative to global vehicle production.
Share Repurchase Program
During the second quarter of 2026, Lear repurchased 735,873 shares of our common stock for a total of
Since initiating the share repurchase program in 2011, we have repurchased 63.6 million shares of our common stock for a total of
2026 Financial Outlook
We have increased the midpoints and narrowed the ranges of our 2026 financial outlook across most metrics.
At the midpoint of our guidance range, we have assumed that global industry production will decrease approximately
Our outlook excludes any future impact of potential changes to tariffs or Company or industry-wide production disruptions.
Our 2026 financial outlook is summarized below:
Full Year 2026 Financial Outlook | ||
Net Sales | ||
Core Operating Earnings | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | ||
Restructuring Costs | ≈ | |
Operating Cash Flow | ||
Capital Spending | ≈ | |
Free Cash Flow |
The financial outlook is based on full year average exchange rates of
Certain of the forward-looking financial measures above are provided on a non-GAAP basis. The Company does not provide a reconciliation of such forward-looking measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP because to do so would be potentially misleading and not practical given the difficulty of projecting event-driven transactional and other non-core operating items in any future period. The magnitude of these items, however, may be significant.
Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call and Webcast Information
A conference call and webcast will be held to discuss Lear's second quarter 2026 financial results and related matters on July 31, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The webcast link for the conference call will be available through Lear's investor relations webpage at ir.lear.com. In addition, the conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 (domestic) or 1-412-902-6506 (international) with Conference I.D. 1239896. The webcast replay will be available two hours following the call.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
Management believes the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's financial position and results of operations. In particular, management believes that core operating earnings, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are useful measures in assessing the Company's financial performance by excluding certain items that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance or that may obscure trends useful in evaluating the Company's continuing operating activities. Management also believes that these measures provide improved comparability between fiscal periods. Management believes that free cash flow is useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's ability to service and repay its debt. Further, management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for planning and forecasting future periods.
Core operating earnings, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income attributable to Lear, diluted net income per share attributable to Lear, cash provided by (used in) operating activities or other income statement or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. In addition, the calculation of free cash flow does not reflect cash used to service debt and, therefore, does not reflect funds available for investment or other discretionary uses. Also, these non-GAAP financial measures, as determined and presented by the Company, may not be comparable to related or similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Set forth below are reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding anticipated financial results and liquidity. The words "may," "designed to," "outlook," "believes," "should," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "forecasts", "targets" and similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements. The Company also may provide forward-looking statements in oral statements or other written materials released to the public. All statements contained or incorporated in this press release or in any other public statements that address operating performance, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including the section entitled "Risk Factors," and its other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Future operating results will be based on various factors, including actual industry production volumes, the impact of, and our ability to mitigate the effects of,
Information in this press release relies on assumptions in the Company's core sales backlog. The Company's core sales backlog reflects anticipated net sales from formally awarded new programs less lost and discontinued programs and excludes the impact of non-core products winding down in our E-Systems business. The Company enters into contracts with its customers to provide production parts generally at the beginning of a vehicle's life cycle. Typically, these contracts do not provide for a specified quantity of production, and many of these contracts may be terminated by the Company's customers at any time. Therefore, these contracts do not represent firm orders. Further, the calculation of the core sales backlog does not reflect customer price reductions on existing or newly awarded programs. The core sales backlog may be impacted by various assumptions embedded in the calculation, including vehicle production levels on new programs, foreign exchange rates and the timing of major program launches.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update, amend or clarify them to reflect events, new information or circumstances occurring after the date hereof.
About Lear Corporation
Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is a global automotive leader in Seating and E-Systems. The company designs, manufactures, and delivers advanced technologies to the world's major automakers. Building on more than 100 years of heritage, Lear is the largest
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Net sales | $ 6,209.4 | $ 6,030.4 | ||
Cost of sales | 5,739.1 | 5,591.3 | ||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 197.5 | 186.3 | ||
Amortization of intangible assets | 4.9 | 4.7 | ||
Interest expense | 24.2 | 25.4 | ||
Other expense, net | 2.8 | 5.2 | ||
Consolidated income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates | 240.9 | 217.5 | ||
Income taxes | 48.5 | 41.6 | ||
Equity in net income of affiliates | (19.3) | (16.0) | ||
Consolidated net income | 211.7 | 191.9 | ||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 18.9 | 26.7 | ||
Net income attributable to Lear | $ 192.8 | $ 165.2 | ||
Diluted net income per share attributable to Lear | $ 3.79 | $ 3.06 | ||
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding | 50.8 | 54.1 | ||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts) | ||||
Six Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Net sales | $ 12,032.2 | $ 11,590.7 | ||
Cost of sales | 11,111.6 | 10,792.4 | ||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 387.8 | 358.7 | ||
Amortization of intangible assets | 9.9 | 9.9 | ||
Interest expense | 49.8 | 51.2 | ||
Other expense, net | 15.5 | 25.6 | ||
Consolidated income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates | 457.6 | 352.9 | ||
Income taxes | 86.9 | 86.8 | ||
Equity in net income of affiliates | (33.7) | (28.3) | ||
Consolidated net income | 404.4 | 294.4 | ||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 39.3 | 48.5 | ||
Net income attributable to Lear | $ 365.1 | $ 245.9 | ||
Diluted net income per share attributable to Lear | $ 7.13 | $ 4.54 | ||
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding | 51.2 | 54.1 | ||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In millions) | ||||
July 4, | December 31, | |||
(Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||
ASSETS | ||||
Current: | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 1,000.6 | $ 1,033.0 | ||
Accounts receivable | 4,210.8 | 3,902.8 | ||
Inventories | 1,723.9 | 1,693.2 | ||
Other | 1,450.1 | 1,034.0 | ||
8,385.4 | 7,663.0 | |||
Long-Term: | ||||
PP&E, net | 2,864.7 | 2,913.1 | ||
Goodwill | 1,777.1 | 1,777.8 | ||
Other | 2,623.3 | 2,489.2 | ||
7,265.1 | 7,180.1 | |||
Total Assets | $ 15,650.5 | $ 14,843.1 | ||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||
Current: | ||||
Short-term borrowings | $ 28.8 | $ 27.9 | ||
Accounts payable and drafts | 3,931.0 | 3,416.5 | ||
Accrued liabilities | 2,418.4 | 2,219.0 | ||
Current portion of long-term debt | 4.0 | 3.7 | ||
6,382.2 | 5,667.1 | |||
Long-Term: | ||||
Long-term debt | 2,713.4 | 2,711.5 | ||
Other | 1,230.2 | 1,263.5 | ||
3,943.6 | 3,975.0 | |||
Equity | 5,324.7 | 5,201.0 | ||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ 15,650.5 | $ 14,843.1 | ||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Supplemental Data (Unaudited; in millions, except content per vehicle and per share amounts) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Net Sales | ||||
$ 2,498.4 | $ 2,519.3 | |||
2,326.4 | 2,163.2 | |||
1,125.4 | 1,144.6 | |||
259.2 | 203.3 | |||
Total | $ 6,209.4 | $ 6,030.4 | ||
Content per Vehicle 1 | ||||
$ 633 | $ 637 | |||
$ 517 | $ 474 | |||
Free Cash Flow 2 | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ 460.5 | $ 296.2 | ||
Capital expenditures | (172.7) | (125.4) | ||
Free cash flow | $ 287.8 | $ 170.8 | ||
Core Operating Earnings 2 | ||||
Net income attributable to Lear | $ 192.8 | $ 165.2 | ||
Interest expense | 24.2 | 25.4 | ||
Other expense, net | 2.8 | 5.2 | ||
Income taxes | 48.5 | 41.6 | ||
Equity in net income of affiliates | (19.3) | (16.0) | ||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 18.9 | 26.7 | ||
Restructuring costs and other special items - | ||||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 32.0 | 33.9 | ||
Recoveries related to Fisker Inc. | — | (0.5) | ||
Impairments (recoveries) related to Russian operations, net | 0.2 | (0.1) | ||
Other | 13.1 | 10.4 | ||
Core operating earnings | $ 313.2 | $ 291.8 | ||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Supplemental Data (continued) (Unaudited; in millions, except content per vehicle and per share amounts) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share 2 | ||||
Net income attributable to Lear | $ 192.8 | $ 165.2 | ||
Restructuring costs and other special items - | ||||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 30.4 | 32.1 | ||
Term loan refinancing | — | 0.5 | ||
Recoveries related to Fisker Inc. | — | (0.5) | ||
Impairments (recoveries) related to Russian operations, net | 0.2 | (0.1) | ||
Foreign exchange gains due to foreign exchange rate volatility related to | (0.2) | — | ||
Other | 4.1 | 6.2 | ||
Tax impact of special items and other net tax adjustments 3 | (9.9) | (15.6) | ||
Adjusted net income | $ 217.4 | $ 187.8 | ||
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding | 50.8 | 54.1 | ||
Diluted net income per share attributable to Lear | $ 3.79 | $ 3.06 | ||
Adjusted earnings per share | $ 4.28 | $ 3.47 | ||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Supplemental Data (continued) (Unaudited; in millions, except content per vehicle and per share amounts) | ||||
Six Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Net Sales | ||||
$ 4,722.0 | $ 4,768.1 | |||
4,627.3 | 4,225.3 | |||
2,210.3 | 2,216.2 | |||
472.6 | 381.1 | |||
Total | $ 12,032.2 | $ 11,590.7 | ||
Content per Vehicle 1 | ||||
$ 601 | $ 623 | |||
$ 503 | $ 471 | |||
Free Cash Flow 2 | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ 558.6 | $ 168.5 | ||
Capital expenditures | (297.3) | (229.4) | ||
Free cash flow | $ 261.3 | $ (60.9) | ||
Core Operating Earnings 2 | ||||
Net income attributable to Lear | $ 365.1 | $ 245.9 | ||
Interest expense | 49.8 | 51.2 | ||
Other expense, net | 15.5 | 25.6 | ||
Income taxes | 86.9 | 86.8 | ||
Equity in net income of affiliates | (33.7) | (28.3) | ||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 39.3 | 48.5 | ||
Restructuring costs and other special items - | ||||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 75.0 | 121.3 | ||
Acquisition costs | — | 0.1 | ||
Disposal costs | — | 0.6 | ||
Recoveries related to Fisker Inc. | — | (0.9) | ||
Impairments (recoveries) related to Russian operations, net | 0.4 | (1.5) | ||
Other | 12.2 | 12.9 | ||
Core operating earnings | $ 610.5 | $ 562.2 | ||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Supplemental Data (continued) (Unaudited; in millions, except content per vehicle and per share amounts) | ||||
Six Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Lear 2 | ||||
Net income attributable to Lear | $ 365.1 | $ 245.9 | ||
Restructuring costs and other special items - | ||||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 73.4 | 119.8 | ||
Acquisition costs | — | 0.1 | ||
Loss related to disposal of non-core business | 0.4 | 3.3 | ||
Disposal costs | — | 0.6 | ||
Term loan refinancing | — | 0.5 | ||
Recoveries related to Fisker Inc. | — | (0.9) | ||
Impairments (recoveries) related to Russian operations, net | 0.4 | (1.5) | ||
Foreign exchange losses due to foreign exchange rate volatility related to | 0.5 | 2.9 | ||
Other | 4.3 | 10.6 | ||
Tax impact of special items and other net tax adjustments 3 | (27.2) | (24.2) | ||
Adjusted net income attributable to Lear | $ 416.9 | $ 357.1 | ||
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding | 51.2 | 54.1 | ||
Diluted net income per share attributable to Lear | $ 7.13 | $ 4.54 | ||
Adjusted earnings per share | $ 8.14 | $ 6.60 | ||
Diluted Shares Outstanding at End of Period 4 | 50,399,429 | 53,841,222 | ||
1 Content per Vehicle for 2025 has been updated to reflect actual production levels. | ||||
2 See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" included in this press release. | ||||
3 Represents the tax effect of restructuring costs and other special items, as well as several discrete tax items. The identification of these tax items is judgmental in nature, and their calculation is based on various assumptions and estimates. | ||||
4 Calculated using stock price at end of quarter. | ||||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Segment Supplemental Data (Unaudited; in millions, except margins) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Adjusted Segment Earnings | ||||
Seating | ||||
Net sales | $ 4,624.1 | $ 4,473.9 | ||
Segment earnings | $ 286.2 | $ 284.5 | ||
Restructuring costs and other special items - | ||||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 25.3 | 14.1 | ||
Impairments (recoveries) related to Russian operations, net | 0.2 | (0.1) | ||
Other | (0.2) | 0.4 | ||
Adjusted segment earnings | $ 311.5 | $ 298.9 | ||
Segment margins | 6.2 % | 6.4 % | ||
Adjusted segment margins | 6.7 % | 6.7 % | ||
E-Systems | ||||
Net sales | $ 1,585.3 | $ 1,556.5 | ||
Segment earnings | $ 85.1 | $ 55.2 | ||
Restructuring and other special items - | ||||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 5.6 | 18.1 | ||
Recoveries related to Fisker Inc. | — | (0.5) | ||
Other | 0.6 | 3.0 | ||
Adjusted segment earnings | $ 91.3 | $ 75.8 | ||
Segment margins | 5.4 % | 3.5 % | ||
Adjusted segment margins | 5.8 % | 4.9 % | ||
Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Segment Supplemental Data (continued) (Unaudited; in millions, except margins) | ||||
Six Months Ended | ||||
July 4, | June 28, | |||
Adjusted Segment Earnings | ||||
Seating | ||||
Net sales | $ 9,028.5 | $ 8,625.0 | ||
Segment earnings | $ 563.6 | $ 500.2 | ||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 52.1 | 78.6 | ||
Impairments (recoveries) related to Russian operations, net | 0.4 | (1.5) | ||
Other | 0.2 | 1.5 | ||
Adjusted segment earnings | $ 616.3 | $ 578.8 | ||
Segment margins | 6.2 % | 5.8 % | ||
Adjusted segment margins | 6.8 % | 6.7 % | ||
E-Systems | ||||
Net sales | $ 3,003.7 | $ 2,965.7 | ||
Segment earnings | $ 158.4 | $ 110.7 | ||
Costs related to restructuring actions | 18.4 | 34.9 | ||
Recoveries related to Fisker Inc. | — | (0.9) | ||
Other | 1.0 | 4.9 | ||
Adjusted segment earnings | $ 177.8 | $ 149.6 | ||
Segment margins | 5.3 % | 3.7 % | ||
Adjusted segment margins | 5.9 % | 5.0 % | ||
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SOURCE Lear Corporation