Kennametal Inc. (KMT) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
The earnings call summary indicates strong organic growth in both Infrastructure and Metal Cutting segments, improved operating margins, and strategic positioning in emerging markets. Despite a decrease in free cash flow and increased working capital, the company has managed to mitigate risks associated with tungsten prices through diversified sourcing. The Q&A section reveals management's confidence in adapting to price changes and maintaining competitive advantages. The overall positive outlook, coupled with strategic market expansions and operational improvements, suggests a likely positive stock price movement in the short term.
Key Financial Performance
Sales Sales increased 10% organically year-over-year. This growth was driven by price realization, customers buying ahead of price increases, and modest improvement in certain end markets.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.1% compared to 13.9% in the prior year quarter. The improvement was due to strategic growth and restructuring initiatives, as well as price/raw timing effects from the increase in tungsten prices.
Adjusted EPS Adjusted EPS increased to $0.47 compared to $0.25 in the prior year quarter. The improvement was driven by price/raw material cost timing, higher sales and production volumes, and restructuring benefits.
Infrastructure Segment Sales Infrastructure sales increased 11% organically year-over-year. Growth was driven by mining share gains, higher global construction volumes, and price increases.
Metal Cutting Segment Sales Metal Cutting sales increased 9% organically year-over-year. Growth was driven by Aerospace and Defense, Energy, General Engineering, and Transportation end markets, as well as price increases.
Free Operating Cash Flow Free operating cash flow decreased to $38 million from $57 million in the prior year. The decline was due to working capital changes, including higher inventory costs from increased tungsten prices.
Primary Working Capital Primary working capital increased $97 million year-over-year, driven by an $85 million increase in inventory due to higher tungsten prices.
Adjusted Operating Margin (Metal Cutting) Adjusted operating margin for Metal Cutting was 9.6%, up 360 basis points year-over-year. The improvement was due to price and tariff surcharges, higher sales and production volumes, and restructuring savings.
Adjusted Operating Margin (Infrastructure) Adjusted operating margin for Infrastructure was 12.3%, up 370 basis points year-over-year. The improvement was driven by favorable timing of pricing compared to raw material costs and restructuring savings.
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Operating Highlights
Mining Orders in Earthworks: Secured significant mining orders in Asia Pacific and EMEA due to high-quality technical support and superior product performance.
Aerospace and Defense Projects: Won projects advancing growth focus in Aerospace and Defense.
Transportation Wins: Secured engine and transmission wins in Transportation.
General Engineering Share Increase: Increased share with a pump manufacturer by providing an innovative solution for machining valve seats.
Electricity Demand Growth: Electricity demand projected to grow at 3% annually through 2030, driven by AI data centers, EV adoption, and grid build-out.
Energy Mix Diversification: Incremental energy supply by 2030 expected to come from 45% natural gas, 35% solar, and 20% wind, with coal remaining significant.
Gas Turbines and Combustion Engines: Gas turbines projected to grow at 15% CAGR and combustion engines for backup generators at 10% CAGR.
Pricing Actions for Tungsten Costs: Implemented pricing actions to address historically high tungsten costs.
Restructuring Savings: Realized $8 million in restructuring savings this quarter, with plans extending into fiscal '27.
Sales and EPS Growth: Sales increased 10% organically, and adjusted EPS rose to $0.47 from $0.25 year-over-year.
Strategic Growth Initiatives: Focused on lean transformation, structural cost improvement, and exploring portfolio strengthening opportunities.
End Market Focus: Targeted growth in Transportation, Aerospace and Defense, and General Engineering markets.
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Risk or Challenges
Rising Tungsten Costs: The company is facing historically high tungsten costs, which could impact profitability and working capital requirements. While pricing actions have been implemented to offset these costs, the unprecedented increase poses a challenge.
Restructuring Delays: Some restructuring actions in EMEA are taking longer than expected, delaying cost savings and impacting fiscal '26 projections. These delays may extend into fiscal '27.
Buy-Ahead Sales Impact: The company experienced higher-than-expected sales due to customers buying ahead of price increases. This could lead to lower sales volumes in subsequent quarters, impacting revenue consistency.
Working Capital Pressure: The increase in tungsten prices has led to higher inventory costs, putting pressure on working capital and free operating cash flow.
Regional Market Weakness: While some regions like the Americas showed improvement, EMEA continues to face weaker demand in certain sectors, such as General Engineering.
Tariffs and General Inflation: Higher tariffs and general inflation are adding to operational costs, which could impact margins if not offset by pricing or efficiency gains.
Supply Chain and Production Costs: Easing supply chain pressures in some areas, but higher compensation and production costs remain a challenge, particularly in Metal Cutting.
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Guidance & Outlook
Fiscal Year 2026 Sales Outlook: Sales are expected to be between $2.19 billion and $2.25 billion, with volume ranging from flat to positive 3%. Net price and tariff surcharge combined are approximately 11%, and there is an approximate 2% tailwind from foreign exchange.
Adjusted EPS for Fiscal Year 2026: Expected to range between $2.05 and $2.45, including approximately a $0.95 year-over-year benefit related to the timing of price and raw material costs.
Free Operating Cash Flow for Fiscal Year 2026: Expected to be approximately 60% of adjusted net income, reflecting additional working capital required by rising tungsten costs.
Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Sales Outlook: Sales are expected to be between $545 million and $565 million, reflecting the effects of buy-ahead in the second quarter. Volumes are expected to range from negative 4% to flat, with price and tariff surcharge realization of approximately 13% and a 5% positive impact from foreign exchange.
Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Adjusted EPS: Expected to range between $0.50 and $0.60, including approximately $0.30 year-over-year benefit related to price/raw timing.
Electricity Demand Growth: Projected to grow at about 3% annually through 2030, driven by AI data centers, electric vehicle adoption, and grid build-out. Data centers alone could represent 17% of U.S. power demand by 2030.
Energy Mix Diversification: By 2030, incremental energy supply is expected to come from 45% natural gas, 35% solar, and 20% wind, with coal remaining a meaningful source.
Gas Turbines and Combustion Engines Growth: Gas turbines are projected to grow at a 15% CAGR, and combustion engines for backup generators at a 10% CAGR through 2030.
U.S. High-Power Transmission Lines Growth: Forecasted to grow at a 20% CAGR through 2030.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Dividends Paid: We returned $15 million to our shareholders through dividends.
Dividend Commitment: As we've had every quarter since becoming a public company over 50 years ago, we paid a dividend to our shareholders.
Share Repurchase Program: We did not repurchase shares in the second quarter due to the unprecedented increase in level of tungsten prices and the corresponding increase in our working capital.
Share Repurchase Authorization: Inception to date, we have repurchased $70 million or 3 million shares under our $200 million authorization.
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Key Q&A
Q:Is there a significant price increase for tungsten that led to pull-forward in the last quarter?
A:There was a modest price increase of mid-single digits on January 1. Customers were informed about the direction of tungsten prices, which have risen significantly.
Q:How quickly can the company adjust to the rising tungsten prices?
A:Prices in some parts of the business, like spot buys and indexed pricing, adjust quickly. For Metal Cutting, which is on a list price basis, adjustments take more time but align with order patterns and lead times.
Q:Is the company concerned about access to tungsten and potential supply tightness?
A:The company has multiple sources, long-term agreements, and uses a diversified mix of recycled materials. They do not depend on Chinese material and believe there is ample supply in the long term.
Q:What are the volume trends for the year and how do they compare to previous quarters?
A:Volume projections have improved from -2.5% in August to +1.5% now. Adjusted for pull-forward, Q2 was flat, Q3 was +1%, and Q1 was -1%. Overall, volume is moving in the right direction.
Q:What is the outlook for the Transportation and General Engineering markets?
A:Transportation has shown slight improvement, with EMEA and Asia Pacific improving and Americas flat. General Engineering has seen tangible improvement in the Americas, while EMEA and APAC remain flat.
Q:What is driving the significant uplift in Q4 and how does it impact FY27?
A:The uplift in Q4 is driven by significant price increases in tungsten, which will also carry over into early FY27. Additional restructuring and performance-based compensation will also impact FY27.
Q:What are the competitive dynamics in the company's markets?
A:The company faces competition but leverages its core competencies in material science, application engineering, and global footprint. They have seen wins in Aerospace, Earthworks, Energy, Transportation, and General Engineering.
Q:How should incremental margins be viewed if both volume and price increase?
A:Incremental margins are expected to be mid-40s on volume through the cycle, with Metal Cutting having higher leverage than Infrastructure.
Q:How quickly do list prices adjust in Metal Cutting if tungsten prices change?
A:List prices in Metal Cutting generally adjust with a lag of about 3 months. If tungsten prices fall, the company aims to stay competitive and will adjust accordingly.
Q:What is the company's strategy regarding plant closures and repositioning the business?
A:The company has closed two plants and divested one business in the last 12 months. They continue to monitor market demands and adjust plans as needed to benefit shareholders, customers, and the team.
Q:Does the company have sourcing exposure to India and how would tariff changes impact them?
A:The company has minimal sourcing exposure to India, so tariff changes have little impact. However, reduced tariffs could benefit the domestic Indian market where the company is a significant player.
Q:How does the company handle tariff surcharges and potential trade deal impacts?
A:Tariff surcharges are kept separate and not converted to permanent price changes. If tariffs are reduced, the company will immediately adjust prices downward.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing specific details on January order growth, stating only that they had a good start and were confident in their outlook. Additionally, they did not provide clarity on the exact timing or extent of potential price adjustments if tungsten prices fall.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
Americas Asia
Cutting restructuring
Cutting sale
Defense General
Gap
General Engineering
Kennametal
benefit price
buy volume
center power
combustion engine
compensation tariff
demand electricity
effect buy
effect price
engine transmission
exchange divestiture
extraction
gas
grid
increase inventory
increase price
inflation Slide
level ability
price increase
price market
price tariff
production volume
sale price
sale production
saving compensation
slide outlook
solution
surcharge sale
tariff inflation
timing price
transmission line
transmission win
turbine combustion
volume Metal
volume effect
KMT Transcript
Kennametal Inc. (KMT) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive2-4
The earnings call summary indicates strong organic growth in both Infrastructure and Metal Cutting segments, improved operating margins, and strategic positioning in emerging markets. Despite a decrease in free cash flow and increased working capital, the company has managed to mitigate risks associated with tungsten prices through diversified sourcing. The Q&A section reveals management's confidence in adapting to price changes and maintaining competitive advantages. The overall positive outlook, coupled with strategic market expansions and operational improvements, suggests a likely positive stock price movement in the short term.
Kennametal Inc. (KMT) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive11-5
The earnings call reveals positive developments: market share gains, strong project pipelines, and improved outlooks in key sectors like Aerospace and Energy. The Q&A highlights analysts' confidence in the company's strategies and solutions, despite some uncertainties. The company's ability to manage tungsten prices and tariff surcharges effectively further supports a positive sentiment. With a market cap of around $1.8 billion, the stock is likely to react positively to these factors, suggesting a 2% to 8% increase in stock price over the next two weeks.
Kennametal Inc. (KMT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown8-7
The earnings call reveals weak financial performance with declining sales, EPS, and EBITDA margins. Despite management's optimistic guidance for FY26, the Q&A highlights uncertainties in market conditions, structural challenges, and lack of clarity on strategic actions. The market's response may be negative due to these concerns, especially given the company's small market cap, which tends to react more strongly to negative news.
Kennametal Inc. (NYSE:KMT) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown5-8
The earnings call summary reveals mixed signals. Financial performance shows improvement in EPS and operating margin, but sales decline and free cash flow reduction are concerning. The Q&A section highlights uncertainties, especially regarding tariffs and end-market demand. Additionally, guidance for Q3 and FY 2025 is weak, with declining sales expectations. Positive aspects include restructuring savings and share repurchases, but these are offset by foreign exchange headwinds and market pressures. Given the market cap of $1.82 billion, the overall sentiment remains neutral, with no strong catalysts to drive significant stock price movement.
KMT Slides
KMT Report
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