Lennox International reports record margins despite revenue decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 01 2022
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Should l Buy LII?
Lennox International's stock rose 5.01% as it reached a 5-day high amid a challenging market environment.
The company reported an 11% revenue decline in Q4 2025, primarily due to weak residential and commercial demand, yet achieved a record margin of 20.4% for the year, demonstrating resilience amid tariff and inflation pressures. Lennox anticipates total revenue growth of 6%-7% in 2026 and plans to increase operating expenses by $35 million, reflecting confidence in future growth and strategic investments.
Despite the revenue challenges, Lennox's effective cash management resulted in $640 million in free cash flow for 2025, exceeding guidance, and the company remains committed to enhancing shareholder value through share repurchases and acquisitions.
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Analyst Views on LII
Wall Street analysts forecast LII stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LII is 577.90 USD with a low forecast of 475.00 USD and a high forecast of 680.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
6 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 517.150
Low
475.00
Averages
577.90
High
680.00
Current: 517.150
Low
475.00
Averages
577.90
High
680.00
About LII
Lennox International Inc. is focused on climate-control solutions. The Company designs, manufactures and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration markets. The Company's segments include Home Comfort Solutions and Building Climate Solutions. Its Home Comfort Solutions segment's products and services include furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, packaged heating and cooling systems, indoor air quality equipment, replacement parts and supplies. Its brands include Lennox, Ducane, AirEase, Concord, MagicPak, Supco, among others. Its Building Climate Solutions segment's products and services include unitary heating and air conditioning equipment, applied systems, controls, installation and service of commercial heating and cooling equipment. Its brands include Enlight, Xion, Energence, Prodigy, Duro Dyne, among others. It sells its products and services through a combination of direct sales, distributors and Company-owned stores.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Lennox International Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Historic Margin Achievement: Lennox achieved its first-ever full-year margin above 20% in 2025, with a record segment margin of 20.4%, demonstrating resilience amid tariff and inflation pressures, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Revenue Decline: The company reported an 11% year-over-year revenue decline in Q4, primarily due to weak residential and commercial markets and channel destocking, although operating cash flow reached $406 million, with a total of $758 million for the year, showcasing effective cash management during challenging times.
- Future Outlook: Lennox anticipates total revenue growth of 6%-7% in 2026 and plans to increase operating expenses by $35 million despite facing 2.5% inflation, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth and commitment to strategic investments.
- Shareholder Returns: In 2025, Lennox repurchased $482 million in shares and invested $545 million in acquisitions and joint ventures, indicating proactive measures to enhance shareholder value and strengthen its market position.
See More
Lennox International Q4 Earnings Call Highlights
- Market Challenges and Profitability: Lennox International reported an 11% revenue decline in Q4 2025, primarily due to weak residential and commercial demand, yet achieved a record 20.4% margin for the year, demonstrating resilience in profitability amid challenges.
- Cash Flow and EPS: The company generated $640 million in free cash flow for 2025, exceeding the $550 million guidance, with adjusted EPS at $23.16, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year, showcasing effective cost control and cash management.
- Inventory Management and Accounting Change: Adopting FIFO inventory accounting in Q4 2025 is expected to boost EPS by approximately $1, despite a $300 million increase in inventory, as management aims for inventory normalization in 2026.
- 2026 Outlook: Lennox anticipates a revenue growth of 6% to 7% and adjusted EPS between $23.50 and $25 for 2026, indicating confidence in market recovery and plans for continued margin expansion in the future.
See More
Lennox International Misses Q4 Earnings and Revenue Expectations
- Performance Decline: Lennox International reported an adjusted EPS of $4.45 for Q4, a 22% drop that missed Wall Street's expectation of $4.72, indicating significant pressure on profitability.
- Revenue Drop: The company generated $1.2 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter, an 11% decline that fell short of analysts' forecast of $1.26 billion, reflecting weak market demand and the impact of a change in accounting methods.
- Market Challenges: The home comfort solutions segment saw a 21% revenue decline, primarily due to channel destocking and a slowdown in new construction activity, which exacerbated pressures amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
- Outlook: Despite an expected revenue growth of 6% to 7% for 2026, the company faces ongoing market challenges, forecasting adjusted EPS between $23.50 and $25.00, highlighting future uncertainties.
See More
Lennox International to Host Q4 2025 Earnings Call
- Earnings Call Announcement: Lennox International will host a conference call on January 28, 2026, at 9:30 AM ET to discuss its Q4 2025 earnings results, aiming to provide investors with the latest performance insights and future outlook.
- Live Webcast Access: Investors can participate in the live webcast of the earnings call by logging onto Lennox's official website, ensuring transparent information dissemination and enhancing interaction with shareholders.
- Importance of Performance Discussion: The call will focus on the company's financial performance in Q4 2025, analyzing market trends and corporate strategies to help investors assess Lennox's future growth potential.
- Strengthening Investor Relations: By conducting regular earnings calls, Lennox International not only enhances its relationship with investors but also demonstrates its commitment to transparency and corporate governance, thereby boosting market confidence.
See More
Lennox International Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations
- Disappointing Earnings: Lennox International reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $4.45, missing expectations by $0.27, indicating pressure on the company's profitability.
- Revenue Decline: The company's Q4 revenue of $1.2 billion represents an 11.1% year-over-year decline, falling short of expectations by $60 million, reflecting weak market demand.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Revenue for 2026 is anticipated to grow by approximately 6% to 7%, with completed acquisitions contributing about 4%, demonstrating a cautiously optimistic view of future performance.
- Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow: Projected capital expenditures are around $250 million, with free cash flow estimated between $750 million and $850 million, indicating strategic considerations in investment and cash management.
See More
Lennox International Reports Decline in Q4 Profit
- Profit Decline: Lennox International's Q4 net profit fell to $142.5 million, or $4.07 per share, down from $201.9 million and $5.64 per share last year, indicating significant profitability pressures faced by the company.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, Lennox reported adjusted earnings of $155.8 million, or $4.45 per share, demonstrating efforts in cost control, yet insufficient to offset the overall profit decline.
- Revenue Drop: The company's Q4 revenue decreased by 11.2% to $1.195 billion from $1.345 billion last year, highlighting the negative impact of weak market demand on performance.
- Market Challenges: The decline in Lennox's performance may reflect broader industry challenges, particularly amid economic slowdown and intensified competition, necessitating cautious evaluation of future growth prospects.
See More
Lennox International Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Historic Margin Achievement: Lennox achieved its first-ever full-year margin above 20% in 2025, with a record segment margin of 20.4%, demonstrating resilience amid tariff and inflation pressures, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Revenue Decline: The company reported an 11% year-over-year revenue decline in Q4, primarily due to weak residential and commercial markets and channel destocking, although operating cash flow reached $406 million, with a total of $758 million for the year, showcasing effective cash management during challenging times.
- Future Outlook: Lennox anticipates total revenue growth of 6%-7% in 2026 and plans to increase operating expenses by $35 million despite facing 2.5% inflation, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth and commitment to strategic investments.
- Shareholder Returns: In 2025, Lennox repurchased $482 million in shares and invested $545 million in acquisitions and joint ventures, indicating proactive measures to enhance shareholder value and strengthen its market position.
See More
Lennox International Q4 Earnings Call Highlights
- Market Challenges and Profitability: Lennox International reported an 11% revenue decline in Q4 2025, primarily due to weak residential and commercial demand, yet achieved a record 20.4% margin for the year, demonstrating resilience in profitability amid challenges.
- Cash Flow and EPS: The company generated $640 million in free cash flow for 2025, exceeding the $550 million guidance, with adjusted EPS at $23.16, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year, showcasing effective cost control and cash management.
- Inventory Management and Accounting Change: Adopting FIFO inventory accounting in Q4 2025 is expected to boost EPS by approximately $1, despite a $300 million increase in inventory, as management aims for inventory normalization in 2026.
- 2026 Outlook: Lennox anticipates a revenue growth of 6% to 7% and adjusted EPS between $23.50 and $25 for 2026, indicating confidence in market recovery and plans for continued margin expansion in the future.
See More
Lennox International Misses Q4 Earnings and Revenue Expectations
- Performance Decline: Lennox International reported an adjusted EPS of $4.45 for Q4, a 22% drop that missed Wall Street's expectation of $4.72, indicating significant pressure on profitability.
- Revenue Drop: The company generated $1.2 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter, an 11% decline that fell short of analysts' forecast of $1.26 billion, reflecting weak market demand and the impact of a change in accounting methods.
- Market Challenges: The home comfort solutions segment saw a 21% revenue decline, primarily due to channel destocking and a slowdown in new construction activity, which exacerbated pressures amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
- Outlook: Despite an expected revenue growth of 6% to 7% for 2026, the company faces ongoing market challenges, forecasting adjusted EPS between $23.50 and $25.00, highlighting future uncertainties.
See More
Lennox International to Host Q4 2025 Earnings Call
- Earnings Call Announcement: Lennox International will host a conference call on January 28, 2026, at 9:30 AM ET to discuss its Q4 2025 earnings results, aiming to provide investors with the latest performance insights and future outlook.
- Live Webcast Access: Investors can participate in the live webcast of the earnings call by logging onto Lennox's official website, ensuring transparent information dissemination and enhancing interaction with shareholders.
- Importance of Performance Discussion: The call will focus on the company's financial performance in Q4 2025, analyzing market trends and corporate strategies to help investors assess Lennox's future growth potential.
- Strengthening Investor Relations: By conducting regular earnings calls, Lennox International not only enhances its relationship with investors but also demonstrates its commitment to transparency and corporate governance, thereby boosting market confidence.
See More
Lennox International Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations
- Disappointing Earnings: Lennox International reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $4.45, missing expectations by $0.27, indicating pressure on the company's profitability.
- Revenue Decline: The company's Q4 revenue of $1.2 billion represents an 11.1% year-over-year decline, falling short of expectations by $60 million, reflecting weak market demand.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Revenue for 2026 is anticipated to grow by approximately 6% to 7%, with completed acquisitions contributing about 4%, demonstrating a cautiously optimistic view of future performance.
- Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow: Projected capital expenditures are around $250 million, with free cash flow estimated between $750 million and $850 million, indicating strategic considerations in investment and cash management.
See More
Lennox International Reports Decline in Q4 Profit
- Profit Decline: Lennox International's Q4 net profit fell to $142.5 million, or $4.07 per share, down from $201.9 million and $5.64 per share last year, indicating significant profitability pressures faced by the company.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, Lennox reported adjusted earnings of $155.8 million, or $4.45 per share, demonstrating efforts in cost control, yet insufficient to offset the overall profit decline.
- Revenue Drop: The company's Q4 revenue decreased by 11.2% to $1.195 billion from $1.345 billion last year, highlighting the negative impact of weak market demand on performance.
- Market Challenges: The decline in Lennox's performance may reflect broader industry challenges, particularly amid economic slowdown and intensified competition, necessitating cautious evaluation of future growth prospects.
See More
