Nordson Corporation Reports Record First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results and Increases Full Year Guidance

Key Terms

ebitda financial

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First Quarter Highlights:

• Sales were a first quarter record of $669 million, an increase of 9% year-over-year
• Earnings per diluted share were $2.38, up 44% year-over-year
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $2.37, a first quarter record and up 15% year-over-year
• Backlog grew approximately 4% year-over-year
• Increasing full year guidance for sales and earnings

WESTLAKE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN) today reported results for the fiscal first quarter ended January 31, 2026. Sales were a first quarter record of $669 million compared to the prior year’s first quarter sales of $615 million. The first quarter 2026 sales included an organic sales increase of 7% and a favorable currency translation impact of 4%, which was slightly offset by the medical contract manufacturing divestiture completed in the fourth quarter of last year.

Net income was $133 million, or $2.38 of earnings per diluted share, compared to prior year’s first quarter net income of $95 million, or $1.65 of earnings per diluted share. First quarter 2026 earnings benefited from a non-cash gain on a minority technology investment recognized during the quarter. Excluding the non-cash gain and acquisition-related amortization, first quarter adjusted earnings per diluted share were a record $2.37, a 15% increase from the prior year adjusted earnings per diluted share of $2.06.

EBITDA was also a first quarter record of $203 million or 30% of sales, an increase of 8% compared to prior year EBITDA of $188 million, or 31% of sales.

Commenting on the Company’s fiscal 2026 first quarter results, Nordson President and Chief Executive Officer Sundaram Nagarajan said, “Our proprietary technology portfolio, close to the customer business model and Ascend strategy have positioned us well to win in our inflecting end markets, particularly in the semiconductor space. We delivered organic growth in all our segments, as well as solid margin and cash flow. This strong first quarter performance has set the stage well for fiscal 2026.”

First Quarter Segment Results

Industrial Precision Solutions sales of $327 million increased 9% from the prior year, inclusive of an organic sales increase of 3% and favorable currency translation of 6%. The organic sales increase was driven by balanced growth across most product lines, with particular strength in Asia Pacific markets. EBITDA in the quarter was $110 million, or 34% of sales, compared to prior year first quarter EBITDA of $113 million.

Medical and Fluid Solutions sales of $193 million were flat compared to the prior year first quarter, inclusive of an organic sales increase of 3% and a favorable currency impact of 1%, which was offset by 4% related to the previously divested medical contract manufacturing business. The organic sales increase was driven by growth in engineered fluid solution product lines. EBITDA in the quarter was $70 million, or 36% of sales, up 9% versus the prior year first quarter EBITDA of $64 million.

Advanced Technology Solutions sales of $149 million increased 23% compared to the prior year first quarter, inclusive of an organic sales increase of 21% and favorable currency translation of 2%. The organic sales increase compared to prior year was driven by ongoing growth in electronics dispense systems and recovering demand for x-ray systems. EBITDA in the quarter was $33 million, or 22% of sales, up 43% from the prior year first quarter EBITDA of $23 million.

Outlook

The Company enters the second quarter with increased backlog, up approximately 4% over the prior year. Order entry momentum was broad-based in the quarter with particular strength in our ATS segment. These trends position the Company to deliver second quarter fiscal 2026 sales in the range of $710 to $740 million. Second quarter adjusted earnings are forecasted to be in the range of $2.70 to $2.90 per diluted share.

Based on the strong start to the year, the second quarter outlook and the current foreign exchange rate environment, the Company is increasing its full year guidance. Sales are now expected to be in the range of $2,860 to $2,980 million and adjusted earnings to be in the range of $11.00 to $11.60 per diluted share.

Reflecting on the full year outlook, Mr. Nagarajan said, “At the start of the year, we indicated that several of our key end markets had begun to inflect, and I am proud of our teams for delivering such a strong first quarter. We have growing confidence in our full year based on strengthening backlog and order entry, which is reflected in our increased annual guidance range. We remain focused on serving our customers and returning value to our shareholders.”

Nordson management will provide additional commentary on these results and outlook during its previously announced webcast on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. eastern time, which can be accessed at https://investors.nordson.com. Information about Nordson’s investor relations and shareholder services is available from Lara Mahoney, vice president, investor relations and corporate communications at (440) 204-9985 or lara.mahoney@nordson.com.

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “continue,” “target,” or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. These statements reflect management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, U.S. and international economic and political conditions; financial and market conditions; currency exchange rates and devaluations; possible acquisitions and the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; the Company’s ability to successfully divest or dispose of businesses that are deemed not to fit with its strategic plan; the effects of changes in U.S. trade policy and trade agreements, including changes in tariffs by the U.S. or other nations; the effects of changes in tax law; and the possible effects of events beyond our control, such as political unrest, including the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, acts of terror, natural disasters and pandemics and the other factors discussed in Item 1A (Risk Factors) in the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be reviewed carefully. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release.

Nordson Corporation is an innovative precision technology company that leverages a scalable growth framework through an entrepreneurial, division-led organization to deliver top tier growth with leading margins and returns. The Company’s direct sales model and applications expertise serve global customers through a wide variety of critical applications. Its diverse end market exposure includes consumer non-durable, medical, electronics and industrial end markets. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the Company has operations and support offices in over 35 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at www.nordson.com, linkedin/Nordson, or www.facebook.com/nordson.

NORDSON CORPORATION SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended
	January 31, 2026							January 31, 2025
SALES
Industrial Precision Solutions	$	326,861						$	300,448
Medical and Fluid Solutions		193,183							193,609
Advanced Technology Solutions		149,417							121,363
Total sales	$	669,461						$	615,420
EBITDA
Industrial Precision Solutions	$	110,311			34	%		$	112,776			38	%
Medical and Fluid Solutions		70,206			36	%			64,332			33	%
Advanced Technology Solutions		32,600			22	%			22,771			19	%
Corporate expenses		(10,127	)						(11,776	)
Total EBITDA (non-GAAP) (1)	$	202,990			30	%		$	188,103			31	%

(1)	Total company EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures – net income to EBITDA.

NORDSON CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands except for per-share amounts)
	Three Months Ended
	January 31, 2026				January 31, 2025
Sales	$	669,461			$	615,420
Cost of sales		303,339				279,524
Gross profit		366,122				335,896
Gross margin %		54.7	%			54.6	%
Selling and administrative expenses		199,717				194,949
Operating profit		166,405				140,947
Interest expense — net		(22,741	)			(25,618	)
Other income — net		20,837				1,526
Income before income taxes		164,501				116,855
Income taxes		31,119				22,203
Net income	$	133,382			$	94,652
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic		55,789				57,129
Diluted		56,127				57,486
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings	$	2.39			$	1.66
Diluted earnings	$	2.38			$	1.65

NORDSON CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	January 31, 2026				October 31, 2025
Cash and cash equivalents	$	120,392			$	108,442
Receivables — net		571,583				587,843
Inventories — net		451,138				444,814
Other current assets		108,558				101,752
Total current assets		1,251,671				1,242,851
Property, plant and equipment - net		521,508				516,914
Goodwill		3,332,244				3,304,685
Other assets		855,499				853,231
	$	5,960,922			$	5,917,681
Notes payable and debt due within one year	$	54,312			$	315,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		405,737				443,260
Total current liabilities		460,049				758,260
Long-term debt		1,943,182				1,681,254
Other liabilities		445,585				434,596
Total shareholders' equity		3,112,106				3,043,571
	$	5,960,922			$	5,917,681

NORDSON CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended
	January 31, 2026				January 31, 2025
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	133,382			$	94,652
Depreciation and amortization		36,585				37,031
Other non-cash items		(11,675	)			3,160
Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other		(17,864	)			24,279
Net cash provided by operating activities		140,428				159,122
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(17,513	)			(21,399	)
Other — net		(158	)			7,123
Net cash used in investing activities		(17,671	)			(14,276	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance (repayment) of long-term debt		2,367				(22,563	)
Repayment of finance lease obligations		(1,616	)			(1,320	)
Dividends paid		(45,786	)			(44,602	)
Issuance of common shares		18,795				1,001
Purchase of treasury shares		(86,001	)			(60,098	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(112,241	)			(127,582	)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash:		1,434				(2,792	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		11,950				14,472
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		108,442				115,952
End of period	$	120,392			$	130,424

NORDSON CORPORATION SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended								Sales Variance
	January 31, 2026				January 31, 2025				Organic			Acquisitions / Divestitures			Currency			Total
SALES BY SEGMENT
Industrial Precision Solutions	$	326,861			$	300,448			3.2	%		—	%		5.6	%		8.8	%
Medical and Fluid Solutions		193,183				193,609			2.7	%		(4.3	)%		1.4	%		(0.2	)%
Advanced Technology Solutions		149,417				121,363			20.7	%		—	%		2.4	%		23.1	%
Total sales	$	669,461			$	615,420			6.5	%		(1.4	)%		3.7	%		8.8	%
SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION
Americas	$	261,930			$	267,836			(0.4	)%		(2.9	)%		1.1	%		(2.2	)%
Europe		182,461				167,762			(0.3	)%		(0.2	)%		9.3	%		8.8	%
Asia Pacific		225,070				179,822			23.2	%		—	%		2.0	%		25.2	%
Total sales	$	669,461			$	615,420			6.5	%		(1.4	)%		3.7	%		8.8	%

NORDSON CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES - NET INCOME TO EBITDA (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended
	January 31, 2026				January 31, 2025
Net income	$	133,382			$	94,652
Income taxes		31,119				22,203
Interest expense — net		22,741				25,618
Other income — net		(20,837	)			(1,526	)
Inventory step-up amortization (1)		—				3,135
Severance and other (1)		—				5,961
Acquisition-related costs (1)		—				1,030
Adjusted operating profit		166,405				151,073
Depreciation and amortization		36,585				37,030
EBITDA (non-GAAP) (2)	$	202,990			$	188,103

(1)	Represents non-recurring cost reduction actions as well as fees and non-cash inventory charges associated with acquisitions.
(2)	EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations. EBITDA is defined as operating profit plus certain adjustments, such as non-recurring cost reduction actions, fees and non-cash inventory charges associated with acquisitions, plus depreciation and amortization.

NORDSON CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES - ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended
	January 31, 2026				January 31, 2025
GAAP AS REPORTED
Net income	$	133,382			$	94,652
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.38			$	1.65
Shares outstanding — diluted		56,127				57,486
ADJUSTMENTS
Inventory step-up amortization (1)	$	—			$	3,135
Acquisition costs (1)		—				1,030
Severance and other (1)		—				5,961
Acquisition amortization of intangibles		19,569				19,311
Non-cash gain on minority investment (2)		(22,238	)			—
Total adjustments	$	(2,669	)		$	29,437
Adjustments net of tax	$	(632	)		$	23,844
EPS effect of adjustments	$	(0.01	)		$	0.41
NON-GAAP
Adjusted net income (3)		132,750			$	118,496
Adjusted earnings per share (4)	$	2.37			$	2.06

(1)	Represents non-recurring cost reduction actions as well as fees and non-cash inventory charges associated with acquisitions.
(2)	Represents non-cash gain on minority investment accounted for at fair value.
(3)	Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure defined as net income plus tax effected adjustments and other discrete tax items.
(4)	Adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP measure defined as GAAP EPS adjusted for tax effected adjustments and other discrete tax items.

NORDSON CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES - OPERATING CASH FLOW TO FREE CASH FLOW (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	Year to Date
	January 31, 2026				January 31, 2025
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	140,428			$	159,122
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(17,513	)			(21,399	)
Free cash flow — year to date (1)	$	122,915			$	137,723
Net income — year to date	$	133,382			$	94,652
Non-cash gain on minority investment — after-tax		(16,679	)			—
Net income excluding non-cash gain on minority investment — year to date (2)	$	116,703			$	94,652
Free cash flow conversion — year to date (3)		105	%			146	%

(1)	Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations and is defined as Net cash provided by operating activities minus Additions to property, plant and equipment.
(2)	Net income excluding non-cash gain on minority investment is a non-GAAP measure used by management as an input to the calculation of Free cash flow conversion and is defined as Net income excluding non-cash gains/losses on minority investment.
(3)	Free cash flow conversion is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations and is defined as Free cash flow divided by Net income excluding non-cash gain on minority investment.

Management uses certain non-GAAP measures, such as adjusted net income, adjusted EPS and EBITDA, internally to make strategic decisions, forecast future results, and evaluate the Company's current performance. Given management's use of these non-GAAP measures, the Company believes these measures are important to investors in understanding the Company's current and future operating results as seen through the eyes of management. In addition, management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in enabling them to better assess changes in the Company's core business across different time periods. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures to other companies' non-GAAP financial measures, even if they have similar names. Amounts may not add due to rounding.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260218403558/en/

Lara Mahoney

Vice President

Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

440.204.9985

Lara.Mahoney@nordson.com

Source: Nordson Corporation