Earning Preview: Curtiss-Wright revenue is expected to increase by 12.75%, and institutional views are cautiously bullish

Earnings Agent11:44

Abstract

Curtiss-Wright will report fiscal fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 11, 2026, Post Market. This preview synthesizes recent financials, company guidance, and institutional commentary to frame market expectations for revenue, margins, and adjusted EPS, alongside segment dynamics and consensus views.

Market Forecast

Based on the company’s latest guidance framework and market tracking, Curtiss-Wright’s current-quarter projections imply revenue of USD 0.89 billion, a gross profit margin near 37.68%, a net profit margin near 14.36%, and adjusted EPS of USD 3.69, with forecast year-over-year growth of 12.75% in revenue and 19.33% in EPS. Across the main businesses, Power, Defense, and Aerospace/Industrial are seen sustaining mid- to high-single-digit revenue trajectories, with Power expected to remain the highest revenue contributor and Defense supported by program ramp-ups. The most promising segment appears to be Defense, with revenue momentum and double-digit year-over-year growth potential cited by the market’s latest forecasts.

Last Quarter Review

Curtiss-Wright’s previous quarter delivered revenue of USD 0.87 billion, a gross profit margin of 37.68%, GAAP net profit attributable to the parent company of USD 0.12 billion, a net profit margin of 14.36%, and adjusted EPS of USD 3.40, with year-over-year growth for adjusted EPS at 14.48%. Notably, EBIT of USD 170.37 million outpaced estimates, reflecting operational efficiency and effective cost controls through the quarter. Main business highlights included Power revenue of USD 368.18 million, Defense revenue of USD 253.64 million, and Aerospace/Industrial revenue of USD 248.02 million, illustrating a well-balanced revenue base with Power as the largest contributor.

Current Quarter Outlook

Main Business: Power, Defense, and Aerospace/Industrial

Power remains the largest revenue pillar, anchored by recurring aftermarket and equipment sales tied to nuclear and industrial end markets. The segment’s steady backlog and pricing discipline help preserve gross margin quality near the recent 37.68% level, while integration and productivity initiatives continue to support EBIT resilience. For this quarter, demand cadence in regulated and contracted markets should keep revenue growth on track, but timing of project milestones could introduce variability in quarterly comparisons. The overall margin setup benefits from favorable mix and disciplined SG&A, implying adjusted EPS conversion aligned with the USD 3.69 forecast.

Defense is positioned to capture program-funded growth, with avionics, shipboard systems, and embedded computing contributing to the run-rate. Management’s execution on cost and delivery schedules has historically produced consistent EBIT outperformance versus estimates, as seen last quarter with USD 170.37 million of EBIT exceeding consensus. This quarter, visibility from funded backlog and hardware deliveries is expected to sustain low-double-digit revenue expansion and stable contribution margins, reinforcing the net profit margin around 14.36% absent unexpected contract timing and mix effects. The revenue composition suggests Defense may outperform on a year-over-year basis and be a key driver of EPS meeting or modestly exceeding the USD 3.69 estimate.

Aerospace/Industrial continues to benefit from commercial aerospace build-rate normalization and industrial automation demand. The segment contributes a material portion of revenue and provides diversification benefits, helping balance cyclicality across the portfolio. While the quarter could see mixed signals from industrial customers, aggregate demand looks constructive enough to maintain mid-single-digit growth, supporting consolidated revenue near USD 0.89 billion. Margin retention depends on pricing capture and supply-chain costs; ongoing productivity initiatives and selective price actions should limit pressure, keeping consolidated gross margins tracking close to last quarter’s 37.68% metric.

Most Promising Business: Defense

Defense stands out as the likely strongest near-term growth vector, with programs in aerospace and naval applications offering multi-year funding visibility. The previous quarter’s solid EBIT performance underscores operating leverage potential as deliveries scale and engineering spend normalizes. For this quarter, forecast indicators point to year-over-year growth that could outpace the consolidated 12.75% revenue estimate, supported by backlog conversion and continued demand for mission-critical systems. Importantly, the segment’s margin mix aligns well with consolidated net margin targets, providing a supportive backdrop for adjusted EPS near USD 3.69.

Operationally, integration of new program awards and production ramp-ups is crucial; execution risks are centered on supply-chain timing and labor availability, but recent results suggest those are being managed effectively. If Defense delivers above-plan shipments or achieves favorable mix, incremental margin could lift EBIT beyond the USD 180.23 million estimate, with modest upside to EPS. Conversely, any slip in program schedules could push revenue recognition, but the funded nature of contracts mitigates medium-term risk to growth.

Stock Price Drivers This Quarter

Earnings quality metrics—gross margin, EBIT margin, and cash conversion—will be pivotal to investor reaction, alongside confirmation of backlog growth and order intake across Defense and Power. The market is likely to focus on management’s commentary regarding pricing sustainability and supply-chain normalization, with any indication of easing cost pressure viewed positively for margin durability. A beat-and-raise setup hinges on Defense delivery timing and mix, while a confirm-in-line scenario would rely on balanced performance across all segments keeping consolidated revenue near USD 0.89 billion and adjusted EPS around USD 3.69.

Guidance for the next fiscal year will be scrutinized for signals on capital deployment, including share repurchases and bolt-on acquisitions, which historically support EPS accretion. Any update on long-cycle Power projects and aftermarket cadence could influence sentiment about multi-quarter visibility. Finally, confirmation that prior operational improvements continue to anchor margins will be a key factor supporting valuation stability through the quarter.

Analyst Opinions

The prevailing institutional view skews bullish, with a majority calling for in-line to modest upside versus consensus, citing backlog support and disciplined execution in Defense and Power. Several analyst notes highlight the USD 0.89 billion revenue and USD 3.69 EPS markers for the quarter, with incremental upside tied to EBIT potentially exceeding the USD 180.23 million forecast if Defense mix is favorable. Commentary also points to robust year-over-year comparisons for EPS at 19.33%, continuing a trend of operational efficiency that delivered USD 170.37 million of EBIT last quarter.

Well-followed institutional voices emphasize that steady gross margin near 37.68% and net margin around 14.36% are consistent with Curtiss-Wright’s recent performance pattern, which investors consider a hallmark of execution reliability. On balance, the market favors the view that program and aftermarket dynamics—especially in Defense and Power—can sustain revenue growth around the 12.75% expectation and support adjusted EPS close to USD 3.69. The consensus frames risk as timing-related rather than demand-related, keeping the skew toward cautious optimism for the report on February 11, 2026, Post Market.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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