Crane raises 2026 outlook after core growth and acquisition gains
Crane Company beat a published Q3 consensus range and raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance as core growth, acquisitions and cash generation strengthened.
Crane Company reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.05, up 23% year over year, as sales rose 28.1% to $754.6 million. The industrial manufacturer also raised and narrowed its full-year adjusted EPS outlook.
Acquisitions lifted growth, while core demand also improved
Sales growth included 7.7% core growth and a 21.1% acquisition contribution, partly offset by foreign exchange. Aerospace & Advanced Technologies grew core sales 9.5%, while Process Flow Technologies grew 6.2% and reported 19.7% core order growth. Adjusted operating profit rose 35.8% to $169.9 million, and adjusted margin expanded to 22.5% from 21.2%.
The reported adjusted EPS of $2.05 exceeded the approximately $1.81–$1.82 consensus range cited by MarketBeat and Earnings Whispers. The comparison is provider-specific and should not be treated as a single official consensus measure.
Cash generation supports the higher outlook, but debt remains material
Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $128.4 million and free cash flow was $116.3 million in the quarter. At September 30, Crane held $315.7 million of cash against $928.5 million of total debt, implying roughly $612.8 million of net debt. The balance sheet can support ongoing investment, but acquisition integration and leverage remain important variables as the company reshapes its portfolio.
Crane raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $7.23–$7.38, from $6.85–$7.05. Management expects approximately 26% sales growth at the midpoint, about 24.0% adjusted segment operating margin and roughly $58 million of net non-operating expense. It also announced a planned £230 million divestiture of its UK Building Services & Utilities business and an agreement to acquire a U.S. water and wastewater pump business from Trillium Flow Technologies; both transactions remain subject to customary approvals.
Q3 sales
$754.6M
↑ +28.1% YoY reported
Adjusted EPS
$2.05
↑ +23% YoY reported
Q3 free cash flow
$116.3M
continuing ops
FY26 EPS guide
$7.23–7.38
↑ raised adjusted
Sources
Quarterly revenue, Crane
Margins by quarter
Twelve quarters of figures
| Quarter | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $474M | $484M | $510M | $529M | $548M | $544M | $558M | $577M | $589M | $581M | $696M | $725M |
| Revenue growth | — | — | 13.0% | 16.8% | 15.7% | 12.4% | 9.3% | 9.2% | 7.5% | 6.8% | 24.9% | 25.6% |
| Gross margin | 40.2% | 38.0% | 40.5% | 40.0% | 41.4% | 40.9% | 42.6% | 42.0% | 42.7% | 41.6% | 40.4% | 42.4% |
| Operating margin | 14.5% | 12.9% | 15.9% | 16.9% | 18.1% | 15.8% | 18.1% | 17.8% | 20.1% | 17.5% | 14.4% | 19.9% |
| Net income | $55.2M | $49.4M | $64.8M | $71.6M | $77.3M | $81.0M | $107M | $86.4M | $91.4M | $81.7M | $67.1M | $95.9M |
| Diluted EPS | $0.96 | $0.86 | $1.12 | $1.23 | $1.33 | $1.38 | $1.83 | $1.47 | $1.56 | $1.39 | $1.14 | $1.63 |
| Cash from operations | $86.9M | $128M | −$70.9M | $51.3M | $75.4M | $202M | −$46.2M | $105M | $130M | $206M | −$29.5M | $122M |
| Capital expenditure | $9.2M | $9.3M | $8.0M | $6.7M | $8.1M | $13.8M | $14.2M | $16.1M | $13.4M | $9.8M | $10.7M | $14.6M |
| Free cash flow | $77.7M | $119M | −$78.9M | $44.6M | $67.3M | $188M | −$60.4M | $88.9M | $117M | $196M | −$40.2M | $108M |
| Dividends and buybacks | $10.2M | $10.3M | $11.7M | $11.7M | $11.7M | $11.8M | $13.2M | $13.2M | $13.3M | $13.2M | $14.7M | $14.7M |
This story describes figures the company has published. It is for information only and is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Check the original filings before relying on any figure. Stoqly is not affiliated with the SEC or Crane.
