Curtiss-Wright Reports Strong Q1 2026 Results with Double-Digit Growth and Increased Backlog
CW has more than doubled off its 52-week low of $359.48.
Summary
Curtiss-Wright reported strong Q1 2026 financial results with double-digit growth in sales, operating income, and EPS, alongside a significant increase in new orders and backlog, confirming prior guidance.
Key Events · Earnings and Guidance · CW
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Strong Q1 2026 Financial Performance
Net sales increased 13% to $913.7 million, operating income rose 23% to $159.5 million, and net earnings grew 26% to $128.2 million. Diluted EPS was up 29% to $3.46.
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Significant Increase in New Orders and Backlog
New orders for the quarter increased 16% to $1.2 billion, contributing to a robust total backlog of approximately $4.3 billion as of March 31, 2026.
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Improved Cash Flow from Operations
Net cash used in operating activities decreased by $33 million, indicating improved working capital management compared to the prior year period.
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Executive 10b5-1 Trading Plans Adopted
The CEO, CFO, and other executives adopted Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements in March 2026 for future, pre-planned sales of a small aggregate number of shares.
Analysis · CW · Technology
Curtiss-Wright Corporation delivered a robust first quarter for 2026, confirming the strong performance previously indicated in the 8-K filing on the same day. The company achieved double-digit growth across key financial metrics, including a 13% increase in net sales, a 23% rise in operating income, and a 26% surge in net earnings. Diluted EPS also saw a significant 29% jump. This strong performance was broad-based across all segments, with Naval & Power leading the growth. New orders increased by 16% to $1.2 billion, pushing the total backlog to a substantial $4.3 billion, which provides strong revenue visibility for the next three years. Cash flow from operating activities, while still negative, significantly improved compared to the prior year. The adoption of Rule 10b5-1 trading plans by several executives for future share sales is noted, but the aggregate amount of shares involved is very small relative to the company's market capitalization, suggesting these are routine, pre-planned transactions rather than a strong negative signal. Overall, these results demonstrate continued operational strength and positive momentum, justifying the stock's position near its 52-week high.
At the time of this filing, CW was trading at $724.20 on NYSE in the Technology sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $26.7B. The 52-week trading range was $359.48 to $750.00. This filing was assessed with positive market sentiment and an importance score of 8 out of 10.