Preformed Line Products (PLPC) posts 19% Q1 2026 sales growth as EPS eases
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Preformed Line Products Company reported strong top-line growth for the first quarter of 2026 while earnings declined from a year ago. Net sales were $176.3 million, up 19% from Q1 2025, with all segments growing and PLP-USA sales up 26% on higher energy and communications demand. Foreign currency translation added $7.2 million to net sales.
Net income attributable to shareholders was $10.5 million, or $2.14 diluted EPS, compared to $11.5 million, or $2.33 per diluted share, in Q1 2025. Gross profit rose to $55.2 million, but higher personnel and a $1.3 million tax charge in France weighed on earnings. Compared with Q4 2025, gross margin, net income, and diluted EPS all improved, and management highlighted a 150 basis point gross margin increase from Q4 2025. The company also posted an investor presentation on its website.
Positive
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Negative
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Insights
PLP delivered strong Q1 2026 revenue growth, but higher costs and taxes compressed year-over-year earnings.
Preformed Line Products grew Q1 2026 net sales to $176.3 million, a 19% increase from Q1 2025, with particularly strong 26% growth in PLP-USA driven by energy and communications demand. Gross profit expanded to $55.2 million, helped by a favorable $7.2 million currency impact.
Despite higher gross profit, net income attributable to shareholders declined to $10.5 million from $11.5 million, as selling, general and administrative, and research and engineering expenses all rose to support strategic growth. A one-time $1.3 million tax charge in France and increased personnel costs were notable headwinds.
Sequentially, management emphasized improving profitability versus Q4 2025, including a 150-basis-point gross margin uplift and higher diluted EPS of $2.14. The balance sheet shows $69.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and modest debt levels at $34.7 million long term, supporting comments about strong liquidity and capacity for acquisitions and capital returns.
8-K Event Classification
3 items: 2.02, 7.01, 9.01
3 items
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Net sales Q1 2026: $176.3M
Net sales Q1 2025: $148.5M
Net income Q1 2026: $10.5M
+5 more
8 metrics
Net sales Q1 2026
$176.3M
First quarter 2026 net sales, 19% higher than Q1 2025
Net sales Q1 2025
$148.5M
First quarter 2025 net sales baseline for comparison
Net income Q1 2026
$10.5M
Net income attributable to PLPC shareholders for Q1 2026
Net income Q1 2025
$11.5M
Net income attributable to PLPC shareholders for Q1 2025
Diluted EPS Q1 2026
$2.14/share
Diluted earnings per share attributable to PLPC shareholders
Diluted EPS Q1 2025
$2.33/share
Prior-year first quarter diluted earnings per share
Gross profit margin
31.3%
Q1 2026 gross profit margin, up 150 bps from Q4 2025
Cash and equivalents
$69.5M
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of March 31, 2026
Key Terms
gross profit margin, foreign currency translation, tariff headwinds, noncontrolling interest, +2 more
6 terms
gross profit margin financial
"Gross profit margin of 31.3%, up 150 basis points from Q4 2025."
Gross profit margin shows how much money a company keeps from sales after paying for the goods or services it sold. It’s like checking how much profit is left over from each dollar earned before covering other costs. A higher margin indicates the company makes more money from its sales, which helps assess its profitability and efficiency.
foreign currency translation financial
"Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact of $7.2 million on the first quarter of 2026 net sales."
Foreign currency translation is the process of converting financial statements prepared in one currency into another currency so they can be combined or compared. Investors care because exchange rate swings can change reported revenue, profit and asset values even when a company’s underlying business hasn’t changed — like converting vacation spending back to your home money and seeing the total rise or fall depending on the day’s exchange rate.
tariff headwinds financial
"Q4 2025, which contained many of the same tariff headwinds that impacted Q1 2025, gross profit margins, net income, and diluted EPS all increased."
Tariff headwinds refer to the challenges and increased costs that arise when governments impose taxes on imported goods. These tariffs can make foreign products more expensive, potentially reducing sales and profits for companies that rely on imported materials or sell goods abroad. For investors, tariff headwinds signal potential obstacles to business growth and profitability, which can influence market performance and company valuations.
noncontrolling interest financial
"Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests"
The portion of a business owned by investors other than the controlling owner when one company has control of another; it represents outside shareholders’ share of the subsidiary’s assets and profits. For investors, it matters because those outside claims reduce the amount of profit and net assets attributable to the parent owner — similar to saying part of a pizza belongs to someone else — and thus affects earnings, book value and valuation.
forward-looking statements regulatory
"This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
accumulated other comprehensive loss financial
"Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (54,790)"
Accumulated other comprehensive loss is the running negative total of certain gains and losses that companies record outside their regular profit-and-loss statement, such as changes in the value of some investments, pension adjustments, or currency translation effects. It matters to investors because it reduces shareholders’ equity and reveals economic swings that haven’t affected reported net income yet — like a side ledger showing pending ups and downs that could influence future cash flow or balance-sheet strength.
Earnings Snapshot
Net sales: $176.3M
Q1 2026
Net sales
$176.3M
+19% YoY
Net income attributable to PLPC shareholders
$10.5M
Diluted EPS
$2.14
Gross profit
$55.2M
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________________________
FORM 8-K
_________________________________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 29, 2026
_________________________________________________________
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
_________________________________________________________
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 440 461-5200
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
_________________________________________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | ||||||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | ||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | ||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | ||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On April 29, 2026, Preformed Line Products Company issued a press release announcing earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except, as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On April 29, 2026, the Company posted an investor presentation to its website at plp.com/investor-relations.
This information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except, as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press release dated April, 29, 2026, announcing earnings for the first quarter 2026 financial results | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY | |||||||||||
| Date: | April 29, 2026 | By: | /s/ Andrew S. Klaus | ||||||||
| Andrew S. Klaus, CFO | |||||||||||
 | Exhibit 99.1  | ||||
PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS
CLEVELAND, OHIO – April 29, 2026 - Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) today reported financial results for its first quarter of 2026.
Q1 2026 highlights:
•Quarterly net sales of $176.3 million, an increase of 19% from Q1 2025.
•USA sales growth of 26% from Q1 2025, driven by robust demand in energy and communications markets.
•Gross profit margin of 31.3%, up 150 basis points from Q4 2025.
•Diluted EPS of $2.14 per share, up 24% from Q4 2025.
Net sales in the first quarter of 2026 were $176.3 million compared to $148.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 19% increase. All segments recorded sales growth compared to the first quarter of 2025, with the PLP-USA business growing by 26%, primarily due to higher demand for energy and communications products. Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact of $7.2 million on the first quarter of 2026 net sales.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, was $10.5 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, compared to $11.5 million, or $2.33 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2025. While gross profit was up approximately $6.5 million from Q1 2025, period expenses were impacted by increased personnel costs supporting strategic market growth in core product offerings in both energy and communications, primarily for sales, sales support and engineering resources. Net income for the first quarter of 2026 was affected by an income tax charge of $1.3 million related to PLP's French subsidiary. Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact of $0.1 million on the first quarter of 2026 net income. Compared against Q4 2025, which contained many of the same tariff headwinds that impacted Q1 2025, gross profit margins, net income, and diluted EPS all increased.
"As we reflect on the first quarter of 2026, I am proud of the Company’s continued resilience in a challenging and dynamic global environment," said Rob Ruhlman, Executive Chairman. "Our team achieved exceptional sales growth this quarter, propelled by outstanding results from our U.S. manufacturing operations and our ability to meet rising demand. We faced margin pressure from higher manufacturing and ongoing tariff-related costs, as well as volatility in commodity prices. However, our impressive 150 basis point increase in gross profit percentage from Q4 2025 shows that we are actively managing these challenges through supply chain optimization, pricing strategies, and investment in efficiency and innovation. Our healthy balance sheet and strong liquidity provide flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions, while also investing in facility modernization and returning capital to our valued shareholders. While the ongoing tariff and geopolitical uncertainties present challenges, I believe our team is well prepared to adapt. Our focus is unchanged: provide our customers with the high-quality products and superior customer service they have come to expect from PLP."
A presentation on first quarter results will also be available on PLP’s website at www.plp.com/investor-relations.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the Company, including those statements regarding the Company’s and management’s beliefs and expectations concerning the Company’s future performance or anticipated financial results, among others. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in those statements. Among other things, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements include the uncertainty in global business conditions and the economy due to factors such as inflation, rising interest rates, tariffs, labor disruptions, military conflict, international hostilities, political instability, exchange rates, natural disasters and health epidemics, the strength of demand and availability of funding for the Company’s products (including in light of price increases) and the mix of products sold, the relative degree of competitive and customer price pressure on the Company’s products, the cost, availability and quality of raw materials required for the manufacture of products and customer demand, opportunities for business growth through acquisitions and the ability to successfully integrate any acquired businesses, changes in regulations and tax rates, security breaches, litigation and claims and the Company’s ability to continue to develop proprietary technology and maintain high-quality products and customer service to meet or exceed new industry performance standards and individual customer expectations, and other factors described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2026 and subsequent filings with the SEC. The Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s other filings with the SEC can be found on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
ABOUT PLP
PLP protects the world’s most critical connections by creating stronger and more reliable networks. The company’s precision-engineered solutions are trusted by energy and communications providers worldwide to perform better and last longer. With locations in 20 countries, PLP works as a united global corporation, delivering high-quality products and unparalleled service to customers around the world.
MEDIA RELATIONS | INVESTOR RELATIONS | |||||||
| JOSH NELSON | ANDREW S. KLAUS | |||||||
MANAGER, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | |||||||
+1 440 473 9120 | +1 440 473 9246 | |||||||
JOSH.NELSON@PLP.COM | ANDY.KLAUS@PLP.COM | |||||||
PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY (PLPC)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
| (Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 69,452 | $ | 83,389 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 130,840 | 113,175 | |||||||||
| Inventories, net | 151,810 | 148,730 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | 12,998 | 12,961 | |||||||||
| Other current assets | 6,287 | 5,206 | |||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 371,387 | 363,461 | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 225,279 | 222,781 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 30,351 | 30,684 | |||||||||
| Other intangible assets, net | 9,837 | 10,140 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 6,794 | 7,481 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 18,181 | 19,074 | |||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 661,829 | $ | 653,621 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | $ | 56,766 | $ | 49,520 | |||||||
| Notes payable to banks | 1,318 | 1,213 | |||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 5,891 | 5,392 | |||||||||
| Accrued compensation and other benefits | 24,084 | 29,207 | |||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 35,532 | 29,378 | |||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | 123,591 | 114,710 | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, less current portion | 34,737 | 32,860 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred income taxes | 29,919 | 30,500 | |||||||||
| SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
Common shares $2 par value per share, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 4,888,012 and 4,907,787 issued and outstanding, at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 | 13,890 | 13,860 | |||||||||
Common shares issued to rabbi trust, 222,506 and 222,506 shares at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively | (9,586) | (9,586) | |||||||||
| Deferred compensation liability | 9,586 | 9,586 | |||||||||
| Paid-in capital | 66,047 | 67,217 | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | 593,869 | 584,360 | |||||||||
Treasury shares, at cost, 2,056,379 and 2,021,940 shares at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively | (145,492) | (136,554) | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (54,790) | (53,365) | |||||||||
| TOTAL PLPC SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 473,524 | 475,518 | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | 58 | 33 | |||||||||
| TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 473,582 | 475,551 | |||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 661,829 | $ | 653,621 | |||||||
PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||
| (Thousands, except per share data) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 176,278 | $ | 148,541 | |||||||
| Cost of products sold | 121,058 | 99,870 | |||||||||
| GROSS PROFIT | 55,220 | 48,671 | |||||||||
| Costs and expenses | |||||||||||
| Selling | 13,769 | 12,181 | |||||||||
| General and administrative | 21,053 | 17,626 | |||||||||
| Research and engineering | 6,736 | 5,479 | |||||||||
| Other operating (income) expense, net | (54) | 255 | |||||||||
| 41,504 | 35,541 | ||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME | 13,716 | 13,130 | |||||||||
| Other income (expense) | |||||||||||
| Interest income | 777 | 510 | |||||||||
| Interest expense | (232) | (376) | |||||||||
| Other income, net | 69 | 407 | |||||||||
| 614 | 541 | ||||||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 14,330 | 13,671 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | 3,781 | 2,118 | |||||||||
| NET INCOME | $ | 10,549 | $ | 11,553 | |||||||
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | (25) | (36) | |||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PLPC SHAREHOLDERS | $ | 10,524 | $ | 11,517 | |||||||
| AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING: | |||||||||||
| Basic | 4,906 | 4,928 | |||||||||
| Diluted | 4,927 | 4,950 | |||||||||
| EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE TO PLPC SHAREHOLDERS: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 2.15 | $ | 2.34 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | 2.14 | $ | 2.33 | |||||||
| Cash dividends declared per share | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.20 | |||||||
FAQ
How did Preformed Line Products (PLPC) perform financially in Q1 2026?
Preformed Line Products reported solid revenue growth in Q1 2026, with net sales of $176.3 million, up 19% from Q1 2025. Net income attributable to shareholders was $10.5 million, or $2.14 diluted EPS, compared with $11.5 million and $2.33 a year earlier.
What drove PLPC’s revenue growth in the first quarter of 2026?
Revenue growth was driven by broad-based strength across segments, with all regions growing versus Q1 2025. PLP-USA sales increased 26%, primarily from higher demand in energy and communications markets. Foreign currency translation also contributed a favorable $7.2 million to net sales in the quarter.
Why did PLPC’s Q1 2026 net income decline despite higher sales?
Net income declined as higher operating expenses and taxes offset stronger sales and gross profit. Selling, general and administrative, and research and engineering costs increased to support strategic growth, and an income tax charge of $1.3 million related to the French subsidiary further reduced Q1 2026 earnings.
How did PLPC’s margins and EPS in Q1 2026 compare to Q4 2025?
Compared with Q4 2025, PLPC improved profitability. Gross profit margin rose 150 basis points, and both net income and diluted EPS increased. Diluted EPS reached $2.14 per share in Q1 2026, with management highlighting actions in supply chain, pricing, and efficiency gains.
What does the Q1 2026 balance sheet show about PLPC’s financial position?
The balance sheet shows $69.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of March 31, 2026, and long-term debt of $34.7 million. Total assets were $661.8 million, and total shareholders’ equity was $473.6 million, supporting comments about strong liquidity and financial flexibility.
Did PLPC change its dividend in the first quarter of 2026?
PLPC modestly increased its cash dividend. Cash dividends declared per share were $0.21 in Q1 2026 compared with $0.20 in Q1 2025. This indicates a slight year-over-year rise in the quarterly dividend paid to common shareholders during the period.
Where can investors find more details on PLPC’s Q1 2026 results?
Investors can review the Q1 2026 earnings press release and financial statements and access an investor presentation. The company posted the presentation on its website at plp.com/investor-relations, complementing the detailed balance sheet and income statement data disclosed for the quarter.