ESCO Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

St. Louis, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE) (ESCO, or the Company) today reported its operating results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Q2 2025). Operating Highlights Q2 2025 Sales increased $16.4 million (7 percent) to $265.5 million compared to $249.1 million in Q2 2024.Q2 2025 Entered Orders were $290.8 million for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.10x, resulting in record backlog of $932 million.Q2 2025 GAAP EPS increased 33 percent to $1.20 per share compared to $0.90 per share in Q2 2024.Q2 2025 Adjusted EPS increased 24 percent to $1.35 per share compared to $1.09 per share in Q2 2024.Net cash provided by operating activities was $58 million YTD, an increase of $39 million compared to the prior year period. Bryan Sayler, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, “Q2 was another strong quarter as we delivered 7 percent top line growth, 250 basis points of Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion, and a 24 percent increase in Adjusted EPS compared to the prior year. All three segments delivered solid revenue growth, highlighted by strength across our Navy, commercial aerospace, utility, and Test end-markets. It was very positive to see orders increase 22 percent over the prior year, with particular strength in both USG and Test. “As previously announced, we closed the SM&P acquisition on April 25th. Going forward, SM&P will be known as ESCO Maritime Solutions (Maritime). We are happy to welcome the Maritime employees to the ESCO team. Maritime’s signature and power management solutions meaningfully expand our naval product offerings in both the US and UK. We are optimistic about the future of ESCO and are pleased to have Maritime join us as an integral part of that journey.” Segment PerformanceAerospace & Defense (A&D) Sales increased $8.7 million (8 percent) to $123.4 million in Q2 2025 from $114.7 million in Q2 2024. The Q2 increase was driven by strength in Navy and aerospace sales.EBIT increased $6.9 million in Q2 2025 to $30.3 million from $23.4 million in Q2 2024. Adjusted EBIT increased $6.7 million in Q2 2025 to $30.3 million (24.6 percent margin) from $23.6 million (20.6 percent margin) in Q2 2024. Margin improvement was driven by price increases and mix, partially offset by inflationary pressures.Entered Orders increased $6 million (5 percent) to $122 million in Q2 2025 compared to $116 million in Q2 2024. Q2 2025 included a $6M order for PTI’s cartridge actuated devices/propellant actuated devices (CAD/PAD) products. The segment book-to-bill was 0.99x in the quarter, resulting in ending backlog of $605 million. Utility Solutions Group (USG) Sales increased $3.5 million (4 percent) to $90.8 million in Q2 2025 from $87.3 million in Q2 2024. Doble’s sales increased by $3.5 million (5 percent) driven by a strong quarter for offline and protection testing products and services, partially offset by lower cybersecurity/compliance (DUCe) solutions. NRG sales were flat to the prior year due to moderation in renewable energy projects.EBIT increased $3.2 million in Q2 2025 to $20.8 million from $17.6 million in Q2 2024. Adjusted EBIT increased $3.3 million in Q2 2025 to $20.9 million (23.0 percent margin) from $17.6 million (20.1 percent margin) in Q2 2024. Margin was favorably impacted by leverage on higher volume, price increases and mix, partially offset by inflationary pressures. Entered Orders increased $13 million (17 percent) to $92 million in Q2 2025. Doble orders increased by $11 million (17 percent) on strong offline test equipment and services orders. NRG orders increased by $2 million (15 percent) driven by solar orders in North America and EMEA. The segment book-to-bill was 1.02x in the quarter, resulting in ending backlog of $124 million. RF Test & Measurement (Test) Sales increased $4.3 million (9 percent) to $51.4 million in Q2 2025 from $47.1 million in Q2 2024. Sales growth was primarily driven by higher Test and Measurement, industrial shielding, and medical services in the US, along with a strong quarter for MPE filters projects.EBIT increased $0.9 million in Q2 2025 to $6.4 million from $5.5 million in Q2 2024. Adjusted EBIT increased $0.7 million in Q2 2025 to $6.4 million (12.4 percent margin) from $5.7 million (12.2 percent margin) in Q2 2024. Margin was favorably impacted by leverage on higher volume, price increases, and cost reduction efforts, partially offset by unfavorable mix and inflationary pressures. Entered Orders increased $33 million (75 percent) to $77 million in Q2 2025. The increase was primarily driven by a strong quarter for US Test & Measurement, filters, and medical and industrial shielding orders. In addition, orders in China increased $9M in the quarter, primarily related to Test & Measurement projects. The segment book-to-bill was 1.50x in the quarter, resulting in ending backlog of $203 million. Business Outlook – 2025 Guidance for Q3 2025 and FY 2025 is being shown both with and without the impact of Maritime to provide insight into our expectations for Maritime’s impact on the remainder of Q3 2025 (approximately 2 months) and FY 2025 (approximately 5 months). The transaction costs and purchase accounting amortization associated with the Maritime acquisition have not yet been finalized and are not included in our current business outlook. Consistent with our initial FY 2025 guidance, organic sales are expected to grow 6 to 8 percent in FY 2025. Maritime is expected to contribute sales in the range of $90 to $100 million in FY 2025. Guidance Range ($ Millions)Sales Guidance excluding Maritime $1,090 $1,110Maritime Impact $90 $100Sales Guidance including Maritime $1,180 $1,210 In our Q1 2025 earnings release (dated 2/6/2025), FY 2025 Adjusted EPS guidance was increased to $5.55-$5.75. Due to continued market strength and improvement in operational performance, we are raising our full-year guidance by another $0.10 to $5.65 to $5.85 (18 to 23 percent growth over the prior year). Maritime is expected to contribute Adjusted EPS in the range of $0.20 - $0.30 in FY 2025. Guidance RangePrevious FY 2025 Adjusted EPS Guidance $5.55 $5.75Guidance Increase $0.10 $0.10Updated FY'25 Adjusted EPS Guidance excluding Maritime $5.65 $5.85Maritime Impact $0.20 $0.30Updated FY'25 Adjusted EPS Guidance including Maritime $5.85 $6.15 Management’s expectation is for Q3 Adjusted EPS without Maritime to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.60 (15 to 22 percent growth over the prior year quarter). Maritime is expected to add Adjusted EPS in the range of $0.08 to $0.12 in Q3 2025. Guidance RangeQ3 2025 Adjusted EPS Guidance excluding Maritime $1.50 $1.60Maritime Impact $0.08 $0.12Q3 2025 Adjusted EPS Guidance including Maritime $1.58 $1.72 Dividend PaymentThe next quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share will be paid on July 17, 2025 to stockholders of record on July 2, 2025. Conference CallThe Company will host a conference call today, May 7, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time, to discuss the Company’s Q2 2025 results. A live audio webcast and an accompanying slide presentation will be available in the Investor Center of ESCO’s website. Participants may also access the webcast using this registration link. For those unable to participate, a webcast replay will be available after the call in the Investor Center of ESCO’s website. Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this press release regarding Management’s intentions, expectations and guidance for fiscal 2025, including restructuring and cost reduction actions, sales, orders, revenues, margin, earnings, Adjusted EPS, acquisition related amortization, and any other statements which are not strictly historical, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this presentation, and the Company undertakes no duty to update them except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment including but not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and the following: the timing and outcome, if any, of the Company’s strategic alternatives review of the VACCO business; the impacts of climate change and related regulation of greenhouse gases; the impacts of labor disputes, civil disorder, wars, elections, political changes, tariffs and trade disputes, terrorist activities, cyberattacks or natural disasters on the Company’s operations and those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; disruptions in manufacturing or delivery arrangements due to shortages or unavailability of materials or components or supply chain disruptions; inability to access work sites; the timing and content of future contract awards or customer orders; the timely appropriation, allocation and availability of Government funds; the termination for convenience of Government and other customer contracts or orders; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the success of the Company’s competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties or data breaches; the availability of acquisitions; delivery delays or defaults by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs and availability of certain raw materials; material changes in the cost of credit; changes in laws and regulations including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation; changes in interest, inflation and employment rates; costs relating to environmental matters arising from current or former facilities; uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of current disputes, claims, litigation or arbitration; and the integration and performance of acquired businesses. Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresThe financial measures EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS are presented in this press release. The Company defines “EBIT” as earnings before interest and taxes, “EBITDA” as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, “Adjusted EBIT” and “Adjusted EBITDA” as excluding the net impact of the items described in the attached Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, and “Adjusted EPS” as GAAP earnings per share excluding the net impact of the items described and reconciled in the attached Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures. EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS are not recognized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Management believes EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA are useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because they exclude interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by Management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation. The presentation of EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. About ESCOESCO Technologies is a global provider of highly engineered products and solutions serving diverse end-markets. It manufactures filtration and fluid control products, advanced composites, as well as signature and power management solutions for aviation, Navy, space, and industrial customers. ESCO is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing RF test and measurement products and systems; and provides diagnostic instruments, software and services to industrial power users and the electric utility and renewable energy industries. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, ESCO and its subsidiaries have offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide. For more information on ESCO and its subsidiaries, visit ESCO’s website at www.escotechnologies.com. ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Three MonthsEndedMarch 31,2025 Three MonthsEndedMarch 31,2024 Net Sales $265,519 249,129 Cost and Expenses: Cost of sales 156,298 152,347 Selling, general and administrative expenses 58,163 55,097 Amortization of intangible assets 7,989 8,572 Interest expense 2,195 3,226 Other expenses (income), net 375 666 Total costs and expenses 225,020 219,908 Earnings before income taxes 40,499 29,221 Income tax expense 9,466 6,002 Net earnings$31,033 23,219 Earnings Per Share (EPS) Diluted - GAAP$1.20 0.90 Diluted - As Adjusted Basis$1.35(1)1.09(2) Diluted average common shares O/S: 25,877 25,847 (1)Q2 2025 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.15 per share of after-tax charges consisting primarily of acquisition related amortization. (2)Q2 2024 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.19 per share of after-tax charges consisting of: $0.02 of MPE acquisition backlog charges, $0.02 of restructuring charges (primarily severance) within the Test and A&D segments, and $0.15 of acquisition related amortization. ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Six MonthsEndedMarch 31, 2025 Six MonthsEndedMarch 31, 2024 Net Sales $512,545 467,443 Cost and Expenses: Cost of sales 304,940 286,498 Selling, general and administrative expenses 116,947 109,065 Amortization of intangible assets 15,982 16,440 Interest expense 4,452 5,893 Other expenses (income), net (216) 872 Total costs and expenses 442,105 418,768 Earnings before income taxes 70,440 48,675 Income tax expense 15,934 10,287 Net earnings$54,506 38,388 Earnings Per Share (EPS) Diluted - GAAP$2.11 1.49 Diluted - As Adjusted Basis$2.42 (1)1.85(2) Diluted average common shares O/S: 25,854 25,846 (1)YTD Q2 2025 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.31 per share of after-tax charges consisting primarily of $0.01 of restructuring charges within the Test segment and $0.30 of acquisition related amortization. (2)YTD Q2 2024 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.36 per share of after-tax charges consisting of: $0.05 of MPE acquisition backlog and inventory step-up charges and acquisition costs, $0.02 of restructuring charges (primarily severance) within the Test and A&D segments, and $0.29 of acquisition related amortization. ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCondensed Business Segment Information (Unaudited)(Dollars in thousands) GAAP As Adjusted Q2 2025 Q2 2024 Q2 2025 Q2 2024 Net Sales Aerospace & Defense$123,369 114,701 123,369 114,701 USG 90,767 87,309 90,767 87,309 Test 51,383 47,119 51,383 47,119 Totals$265,519 249,129 265,519 249,129 EBIT Aerospace & Defense$30,296 23,377 30,298 23,640 USG 20,779 17,575 20,862 17,575 Test 6,369 5,542 6,369 5,745 Corporate (14,750) (14,047) (9,648) (8,260) Consolidated EBIT 42,694 32,447 47,881 38,700 Less: Interest expense (2,195) (3,226) (2,195) (3,226) Less: Income tax expense (9,466) (6,002) (10,659) (7,440) Net earnings$31,033 23,219 35,027 28,034 Note 1: Adjusted net earnings of $35.0 million in Q2 2025 exclude $4.0 million (or $0.15 per share) of after-tax charges consisting primarily of acquisition related amortization. Note 2: Adjusted net earnings of $28.0 million in Q2 2024 exclude $4.8 million (or $0.19 per share) of after-tax charges consisting of: $0.02 of MPE acquisition backlog charges, $0.02 of restructuring charges (primarily severance) within the Test and A&D segments, and $0.15 of acquisition related amortization. EBITDA Reconciliation to Net earnings: Q2 2025 - Q2 2024 - Q2 2025 Q2 2024 As Adjusted As Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA$56,668 46,550 56,895 47,174 Less: Depr & Amort (13,974) (14,103) (9,014) (8,474) Consolidated EBIT 42,694 32,447 47,881 38,700 Less: Interest expense (2,195) (3,226) (2,195) (3,226) Less: Income tax expense (9,466) (6,002) (10,659) (7,440) Net earnings$31,033 23,219 35,027 28,034 ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCondensed Business Segment Information (Unaudited)(Dollars in thousands) GAAP As Adjusted YTD Q2 2025 YTD Q2 2024 YTD Q2 2025 YTD Q2 2024 Net Sales Aerospace & Defense$237,670 209,434 237,670 209,434 USG 177,427 170,293 177,427 170,293 Test 97,448 87,716 97,448 87,716 Totals$512,545 467,443 512,545 467,443 EBIT Aerospace & Defense$51,892 40,040 51,920 40,303 USG 41,269 35,200 41,352 35,320 Test 10,791 7,321 11,256 7,797 Corporate (29,060) (27,993) (18,959) (16,860) Consolidated EBIT 74,892 54,568 85,569 66,560 Less: Interest expense (4,452) (5,893) (4,452) (5,893) Less: Income tax (15,934) (10,287) (18,390) (13,045) Net earnings$54,506 38,388 62,727 47,622 Note 1: Adjusted net earnings of $62.7 million in YTD 2025 exclude $8.2 million (or $0.31 per share) of after-tax charges consisting of: $0.01 of restructuring charges within the Test segment and acquisition related costs at Corporate, and $0.30 of acquisition related amortization. Note 2: Adjusted net earnings of $47.6 million in YTD 2024 exclude $9.2 million (or $0.36 per share) of after-tax charges consisting of: $0.05 of MPE acquisition backlog and inventory step-up charges and acquisition costs, $0.02 of restructuring costs (primarily severance) within the Test and A&D segments, and $0.29 of acquisition related amortization. EBITDA Reconciliation to Net earnings: YTD YTD YTD YTD Q2 2025 - Q2 2024 - Q2 2025 Q2 2024 As Adjusted As Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA$102,673 82,123 103,393 83,582 Less: Depr & Amort (27,781) (27,555) (17,824) (17,022) Consolidated EBIT 74,892 54,568 85,569 66,560 Less: Interest expense (4,452) (5,893) (4,452) (5,893) Less: Income tax expense (15,934) (10,287) (18,390) (13,045) Net earnings$54,506 38,388 62,727 47,622 ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)(Dollars in thousands) March 31,2025 September 30,2024 Assets Cash and cash equivalents$57,397 65,963 Accounts receivable, net 218,123 240,680 Contract assets 125,281 130,534 Inventories 231,200 209,164 Other current assets 28,752 22,308 Total current assets 660,753 668,649 Property, plant and equipment, net 172,081 170,596 Intangible assets, net 394,594 407,602 Goodwill 536,222 539,899 Operating lease assets 38,322 37,744 Other assets 13,690 14,130 $1,815,662 1,838,620 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current maturities of long-term debt$20,000 20,000 Accounts payable 81,244 98,371 Contract liabilities 128,114 124,845 Other current liabilities 92,661 106,638 Total current liabilities 322,019 349,854 Deferred tax liabilities 72,580 75,333 Non-current operating lease liabilities 35,948 34,810 Other liabilities 39,787 39,273 Long-term debt 68,000 102,000 Shareholders' equity 1,277,328 1,237,350 $1,815,662 1,838,620 ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)(Dollars in thousands) Six MonthsEndedMarch 31, 2025 Six MonthsEndedMarch 31, 2024Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings$54,506 38,388 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 27,781 27,555 Stock compensation expense 5,323 4,144 Changes in assets and liabilities (27,207) (47,869)Effect of deferred taxes (2,128) (2,981)Net cash provided by operating activities 58,275 19,237 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (56,179)Capital expenditures (15,350) (16,301)Additions to capitalized software (5,465) (5,912)Net cash used by investing activities (20,815) (78,392) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from long-term debt 66,000 154,000 Principal payments on long-term debt and short-term borrowings (100,000) (65,000)Dividends paid (4,130) (4,125)Purchases of common stock into treasury (7,189)Other (6,146) (1,432)Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (44,276) 76,254 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (1,750) 471 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (8,566) 17,570 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 65,963 41,866 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$57,397 59,436 ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESOther Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)(Dollars in thousands) Backlog And Entered Orders - Q2 2025 A&D USG Test Total Beginning Backlog - 1/1/25$606,687 122,857 177,404 906,948 Entered Orders 121,706 92,184 76,950 290,840 Sales (123,369) (90,767) (51,383) (265,519) Ending Backlog - 3/31/25$605,024 124,274 202,971 932,269 Backlog And Entered Orders - YTD Q2 2025 A&D USG Test Total Beginning Backlog - 10/1/24$600,382 119,943 158,644 878,969 Entered Orders 242,312 181,758 141,775 565,845 Sales (237,670) (177,427) (97,448) (512,545) Ending Backlog - 3/31/25$605,024 124,274 202,971 932,269 ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – Q2 2025 EPS – GAAP Basis – Q2 2025$1.20 Adjustments (defined below) 0.15 EPS – As Adjusted Basis – Q2 2025$1.35 Adjustments exclude $0.15 per share consisting primarily of acquisition related amortization. The $0.15 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $5.2 million of pre-tax charges offset by $1.2 million of tax benefit for net impact of $4 million. EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – Q2 2024 EPS – GAAP Basis – Q2 2024$0.90 Adjustments (defined below) 0.19 EPS – As Adjusted Basis – Q2 2024$1.09 Adjustments exclude $0.19 per share consisting primarily of $0.02 of MPE acquisition backlog charges, $0.02 of restructuring charges within the Test and A&D segments, and $0.15 of acquisition related amortization. The $0.19 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $6.2 million of pre-tax charges offset by $1.4 million of tax benefit for net impact of $4.8 million. EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – YTD Q2 2025 EPS – GAAP Basis – YTD Q2 2025$2.11 Adjustments (defined below) 0.31 EPS – As Adjusted Basis – YTD Q2 2025$2.42 Adjustments exclude $0.31 per share consisting primarily of $0.01 of restructuring charges within the Test segment and $0.30 of acquisition related amortization. The $0.31 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $10.7 million of pre-tax charges offset by $2.5 million of tax benefit for net impact of $8.2 million. EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – YTD Q2 2024 EPS – GAAP Basis – YTD Q2 2024$1.49 Adjustments (defined below) 0.36 EPS – As Adjusted Basis – YTD Q2 2024$1.85 Adjustments exclude $0.36 per share consisting primarily of $0.05 of MPE acquisition backlog charges, inventory step-up charges and acquisition costs, $0.02 of restructuring charges, and $0.29 of acquisition related amortization. The $0.36 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $12 million of pre-tax charges offset by $2.8 million of tax benefit for net impact of $9.2 million. SOURCE ESCO Technologies Inc.Kate Lowrey, Vice President of Investor Relations, (314) 213-7277

ESCO Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

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