Flowserve Corporation (FLS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
The earnings call highlights strong financial performance, optimistic guidance, and strategic growth initiatives, such as margin expansion, nuclear market opportunities, and share repurchases. Despite some uncertainties in Venezuela and Trillium synergies, the overall sentiment is positive, with raised EPS guidance and a focus on shareholder value enhancement. The Q&A session reinforced confidence in growth prospects, particularly in nuclear and traditional power markets. The market is likely to react positively over the next two weeks.
Key Financial Performance
Bookings $1.2 billion for the quarter, growing roughly 3% year-over-year. Aftermarket bookings grew 10% to $682 million. Reasons for growth include steady project activity, significant opportunities in nuclear and traditional power, and broadly positive trends in most other end markets.
Total Revenues $1.2 billion for the quarter, a 4% year-over-year increase. Organic sales growth was roughly 1%, with a 240 basis point benefit from foreign currency translation. Growth was driven by a diversified portfolio and strong aftermarket activity.
Aftermarket Sales Increased 8% in the quarter. Growth was partially offset by a 2% decline in original equipment revenues, which was due to customer delays and timing of receiving materials on percentage of completion projects.
Adjusted Gross Margin 36% for the quarter, a 320 basis point improvement year-over-year. Improvement was driven by operational excellence initiatives, 80-20 complexity reduction, and cost performance improvements.
Adjusted Operating Margin 16.8% for the quarter, a 420 basis point increase year-over-year. Growth was attributed to operational excellence initiatives and SG&A leverage.
Adjusted EPS $1.11 for the quarter, a 59% year-over-year increase. Growth was driven by improved margins and operational performance.
FPD Bookings Grew 8% for the quarter, led by a 12% increase in aftermarket growth. Original equipment bookings were up 1%, with growth offset by muted large engineered project activity in the energy end market.
FPD Sales $833 million for the quarter, a 5% year-over-year increase. Growth was supported by strong aftermarket momentum.
FCD Adjusted Gross Margin 34% for the quarter, a 220 basis point improvement year-over-year. Improvement was driven by execution of the Flowserve Business System and contributions from Mogas.
FCD Adjusted Operating Margin 19.7% for the quarter, a 440 basis point increase year-over-year. Growth was supported by operational improvements and accretive contributions from Mogas.
Cash from Operations $199 million for the quarter, delivering 121% free cash flow conversion. Growth was driven by adjusted net income growth and working capital management.
Full Year Operating Cash Flow $506 million, a 19% year-over-year increase. Growth was supported by improved cash flow generation and working capital management.
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Operating Highlights
Red Raven digital offering integration: Flowserve entered a strategic partnership with Honeywell to integrate its Red Raven digital offering into Honeywell's Forge asset performance management system. This aims to enhance efficiency for customers and scale the offering for large industrial facilities.
Trillium valve and actuation business acquisition: Flowserve signed an agreement to acquire Trillium's valve and actuation business, strengthening its portfolio in nuclear, traditional power, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. This acquisition brings significant recurring demand for high-margin aftermarket services and parts.
Nuclear energy market: Flowserve secured $400 million in nuclear awards in 2025, with the four largest awards totaling over $150 million. The company is positioned as a global leader in nuclear flow control, with expectations for nuclear energy to become a significant component of its business over the next 5-10 years.
General industries and energy markets: Positive trends in mining, pharmaceuticals, and water sectors, particularly in North America and the Middle East. Elevated utilization rates and maintenance activities in large process industries are driving growth in the energy market.
Flowserve Business System: The system has driven operational excellence, process standardization, and real-time problem-solving, resulting in improved financials and customer response. It also enabled the successful integration of acquisitions like Mogas and Trillium.
80/20 complexity reduction: This initiative has reduced operational complexity, improved margins, and freed up manufacturing capacity, allowing for potential consolidation.
M&A strategy: Flowserve continues to focus on disciplined M&A to grow the business, diversify end markets, and expand margins. Recent acquisitions include Greenray and Trillium.
Commercial excellence initiative: Early phases of implementation are showing positive results, with expectations for sustainable growth through improved visibility and processes.
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Risk or Challenges
Original Equipment Revenues: Declined by 2% in Q4 2025 due to customer delays and timing of receiving materials on percentage of completion projects. This could impact revenue generation in the short term.
Energy End Market: Large engineered project activity remains muted, impacting original equipment bookings and growth in this sector.
Chemical Sector: Represents the lowest growth end market with only moderate recovery expected in 2026, following a period of stabilization in 2025.
FCD Bookings: Declined due to headwinds from the 80/20 program and lower original equipment awards from project delays.
Backlog Conversion: Lower conversion factor of 76% for 2026 due to an increasing mix of longer tenure nuclear projects and reduced OE energy projects, potentially delaying revenue realization.
First Half 2026 Earnings: Expected to represent only 40% of full-year earnings due to ongoing headwinds from 80/20 initiatives and backlog composition.
Trillium Valves Acquisition: Expected to be neutral to adjusted EPS in 2026 due to incremental financing costs, despite potential long-term benefits.
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Guidance & Outlook
Revenue Growth: Flowserve expects total reported sales growth of 5% to 7% in 2026, with organic sales growth of 1% to 3%. Reported sales are anticipated to benefit from favorable foreign currency translation and acquisitions, including Greenray and Trillium Valves.
Profitability: Adjusted operating margin is expected to expand approximately 100 basis points in 2026. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) is projected to be between $4 and $4.20, representing a midpoint increase of 13% compared to 2025.
Bookings and Backlog: Bookings are expected to grow mid-single digits in 2026, supported by stable end markets and a healthy project funnel. Approximately 76% of the existing backlog is anticipated to convert into revenue within the next 12 months, with a higher mix of longer-tenure nuclear projects.
Nuclear Energy Growth: Flowserve anticipates nuclear energy to become a significant growth driver over the next 5 to 10 years, with potential to accelerate bookings growth above long-term targets. The Trillium Valves acquisition is expected to enhance Flowserve's position in the nuclear market.
Capital Expenditures: Capital expenditure investments in 2026 are expected to range between $90 million and $100 million, aimed at driving organic growth and operational efficiency.
Market Trends: Positive trends are expected in traditional power, nuclear, and general industries, particularly in mining, pharmaceuticals, and water sectors. The chemical sector is cautiously anticipated to recover moderately in 2026.
Mergers and Acquisitions: Flowserve plans to continue pursuing M&A opportunities to enhance growth, diversify end markets, and expand margins. The Trillium Valves acquisition is expected to close mid-2026 and contribute to growth and margin expansion.
Long-Term Financial Targets: Flowserve targets a mid-single-digit organic sales CAGR from 2025 to 2030 and aims to achieve 20% adjusted operating margins by 2030, with a double-digit adjusted EPS CAGR over the same period.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Cash returned to shareholders in Q4 2025: $84 million
Cash returned to shareholders in full year 2025: $365 million
Dividends included in cash returned to shareholders: Yes
Share repurchases in Q4 2025: $57 million
Share repurchases in full year 2025: $255 million
Average price per share repurchased in 2025: $53
Remaining share repurchase authorization: $200 million
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Key Q&A
Q:Can we talk about the organic revenue growth being light this quarter and the guide for 2026?
A:Amy Schwetz explained that about 50 basis points of revenue headwinds from engineered projects on POC revenue were pushed into the first half of the year due to customer delays or inventory delays. Backlog conversion in 2026 is expected to be lower at 76%, with strong aftermarket growth and slower nuclear market development. Revenue growth is expected to accelerate in the second half of the year.
Q:What is the opportunity in Venezuela for Flowserve?
A:Robert Rowe stated that Flowserve had a significant presence in Venezuela in the past, with $80 million in annual revenue and three operational QRCs. Currently, one QRC is operational, and the company is prepared to resume operations if investments in the country resume. However, this is not included in the 2026 numbers.
Q:What is the confidence in mid-single-digit order progression this year?
A:Robert Rowe expressed confidence in mid-single-digit organic growth, driven by strong aftermarket growth, power end market growth (including nuclear and traditional power), and improved project funnel visibility. Geographically, growth is expected in the Middle East, North America, and Latin America.
Q:What is the momentum and synergy opportunity with the Trillium acquisition?
A:Robert Rowe highlighted Trillium's strong presence in nuclear and traditional power markets, contributing 70% of its business. The acquisition adds 200,000 valves and actuators to Flowserve's portfolio. Synergies include operational excellence, supply chain savings, and leveraging Flowserve's QRC network. Cost synergies are expected, but corporate synergies are limited due to the carve-out nature of the acquisition.
Q:What is the outlook for 2030 and the implied acceleration in growth after 2026?
A:Robert Rowe and Amy Schwetz discussed mega trends like electricity, regionalization, and digitalization driving long-term growth. The Flowserve Business System and commercial excellence initiatives are expected to support mid-single-digit growth. Backlog conversion in 2026 is a headwind, but nuclear market growth is a tailwind for 2030 targets.
Q:What is the outlook for general industrial bookings and EPS cadence?
A:Robert Rowe noted strong growth in general industries, particularly in North America, Latin America, and the Middle East, with focus on water markets and pharmaceuticals. Amy Schwetz stated that EPS will be back-end weighted, with about 40% in the first half of the year and the first quarter being the lowest.
Q:How much of the 2030 margin guide is dependent on volume?
A:Robert Rowe and Amy Schwetz emphasized that margin expansion is driven by operational excellence, 80/20 initiatives, and improved mix, rather than volume growth. Actions like roofline reductions and commercial excellence are already in motion to support margin improvement.
Q:What are the implications if nuclear power build-out is less than expected?
A:Robert Rowe stated that Flowserve is well-positioned for growth in traditional power markets if nuclear growth is slower. The Trillium acquisition supports traditional power, and aftermarket opportunities exist in both nuclear and traditional power.
Q:What has been learned from the Mogas integration and its bookings opportunities?
A:Robert Rowe highlighted successful integration of Mogas, with improved shop floor operations, margin expansion, and training of sales teams. Bookings in 2025 were slow, but the 2026 project funnel looks healthy.
Q:What is the impact of tariffs and higher metal prices on the 2026 guide?
A:Robert Rowe stated that the 2026 guide is net of tariffs, with mitigation achieved through pricing actions and supply chain adjustments. The team remains nimble in addressing dynamic situations.
Q:What caused the procurement issue in the quarter, and what are the remedies?
A:Amy Schwetz clarified that it was a timing delay in inventory receipts, not a procurement issue. Expeditors are deployed to vendors to address such delays.
Q:What is the expanded content opportunity in nuclear with the Trillium acquisition?
A:Robert Rowe explained that Flowserve's content per new nuclear reactor increases from $100 million to $115-$120 million with Trillium's products, including butterfly valves, check valves, actuators, and control valves.
Q:What are the successes and areas for improvement in the 80/20 initiative?
A:Robert Rowe noted significant success in reducing complexity, improving margins, and focusing on best products and customers. The initiative has led to SKU reductions, margin improvements, and operational efficiency.
Q:What is the focus for capital allocation after the Trillium acquisition?
A:Amy Schwetz stated that the balance sheet remains strong, with opportunities for share buybacks and M&A. Capital allocation focuses on strategic fit, financial accretion, and balance sheet protection.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing specific details on the timing and scale of potential opportunities in Venezuela, stating that it is not included in the 2026 numbers and refraining from making predictions. Additionally, they did not provide a specific cost synergy number for the Trillium acquisition, citing the carve-out nature of the deal.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
Aftermarket booking
FCD margin
FPD FCD
Slide result
System Slide
System integration
Valves acquisition
aftermarket
asbestos
aspect System
base
bill
capital allocation
consolidation
customer relationship
digit
end market
energy end
enterprise
equipment booking
excellence
margin basis
margin expansion
megatrends
momentum
offering
point benefit
power award
profitability margin
program
reactor
sector
share repurchase
value
valve actuation
FLS Transcript
Flowserve Corporation (FLS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive2-6
The earnings call highlights strong financial performance, optimistic guidance, and strategic growth initiatives, such as margin expansion, nuclear market opportunities, and share repurchases. Despite some uncertainties in Venezuela and Trillium synergies, the overall sentiment is positive, with raised EPS guidance and a focus on shareholder value enhancement. The Q&A session reinforced confidence in growth prospects, particularly in nuclear and traditional power markets. The market is likely to react positively over the next two weeks.
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Neutral12-3
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Neutral11-12
Flowserve Corporation (FLS) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive10-29
The earnings call summary reflects positive sentiment with increased EPS guidance, margin expansion, and strong cash flow projections. The Q&A section highlights strategic initiatives like the Mogas integration and nuclear market opportunities, which are viewed positively. Despite some uncertainties in OE projects and energy bookings, the overall outlook remains optimistic with a focus on growth and capital allocation. The company's proactive pricing strategy and asbestos liability resolution further enhance financial health, supporting a positive stock price movement in the near term.
FLS Report
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