Eaton Corporation plcETN reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.68 per share, up 19.9% year over year and 3.95% above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.54.
GAAP earnings were $2.77 per share, up 6.9% from $2.59 a year ago. Strong electrical demand supported results, with organic sales growing 19%. Electrical-sector backlog increased 46% year over year, reflecting sustained demand across key end markets.
ETN's Organic Growth Drives Total Revenues
Revenues of $8.95 billion increased 28% and surpassed the consensus mark of $8.48 billion by 5.48%. Third-quarter sales growth included a 19% increase in organic revenues, an 8% contribution from acquisitions and a 1% benefit from currency translation.
Management highlighted accelerating demand across data centers, commercial and institutional markets, utilities and industrial facilities. Data center revenues increased approximately 65% year over year, while electrical-sector data center orders more than doubled on a rolling 12-month basis.
Electrical-sector orders increased 43% on a rolling 12-month basis. The expanding order pipeline reflects demand beyond data centers, providing additional visibility into future business activity.
Eaton Corporation, PLC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Eaton Corporation, PLC price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Eaton Corporation, PLC Quote
Eaton's Segment Results Reflect Broad-Based Strength
Electrical Americassales reached $4.17 billion, up 22% organically. Operating profit increased 20% to $1.24 billion, while operating margin was 29.8%, down 50 basis points year over year but improving 230 basis points sequentially.
Orders increased 39% on a rolling 12-month basis, while backlog grew 33% to $16 billion. The segment maintained a book-to-bill ratio of 1.3, indicating that orders continued to exceed sales.
Electrical Globalsales surged 58% to $2.73 billion. Organic growth contributed 27%, while the Boyd Thermal acquisition added 31%. Operating profit climbed 75% to $576 million, with margin expanding 200 basis points to 21.1%.
The segment's backlog increased 121% year over year, while rolling 12-month orders rose 51% organically. Boyd Thermal recorded approximately triple-digit year-over-year revenue and order growth, with backlog nearly tripling.
Aerospacesales increased 11% to $1.2 billion, supported by 6% organic growth and a 5% acquisition contribution. Operating profit advanced 6% to $298 million, while margin contracted 100 basis points to 24.9%.
Aerospace orders increased 20% on a rolling 12-month basis, and backlog advanced 33%.
Mobilitysales rose 10% to $852 million, with 9% organic growth. Operating profit increased 39% to $146 million, while margin expanded 370 basis points to 17.2%.
ETN's Margins Improve Despite Higher Expenses
Total segment operating profit increased 29% to $2.26 billion. Segment operating margin reached a record 25.3%, improving 30 basis points year over year and exceeding the high end of management's guidance.
Selling and administrative expenses increased to $1.28 billion from $1.11 billion a year earlier. Research and development expenses rose to $238 million from $203 million, while net interest expense increased to $198 million from $67 million.
Eaton's Cash Flow Supports Growth Investments
Operating cash flow totaled $1.31 billion during the quarter, while free cash flow reached $1.03 billion. Adjusted earnings increased 20% year over year to $1.43 billion.
At Sept. 30, 2026, Eaton held $528 million in cash and $290 million in short-term investments. Long-term debt stood at $17.80 billion, while total assets were $57.45 billion.
Eaton's Portfolio Expansion Strengthens Growth Prospects
The company announced an agreement to acquire COL Group for approximately $921 million, expanding its European medium-voltage power distribution capabilities. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.
Eaton also remains on track to separate its Mobility business through a Reverse Morris Trust transaction with Dana during the first four months of 2027. Management expects approximately 11% end-market growth in 2027, supported by continued strength in data centers and other electrical markets.
ETN Raises Full-Year Earnings and Growth Guidance
For 2026, Eaton now expects adjusted earnings of $13.70-$13.80 per share, up from its previous projection of $13.40-$13.60. Organic growth guidance increased to 13-15% from 11-13%.
Management maintained its full-year segment margin outlook of 24.1-24.5%. Operating cash flow is projected at $5-$5.4 billion, while free cash flow is expected between $3.9 billion and $4.3 billion.
For the fourth quarter, Eaton expects adjusted earnings of $4.05-$4.15 per share, organic growth of 13-15% and segment operating margins of 25.4-25.8%.
ETN's Zacks Rank
Eaton has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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ABB Ltd.ABBNY reported quarterly earnings of 68 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.10 by 38.18%. The long-term earnings growth rate is pinned at 21.16%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.64 for 2026 earnings per share has increased 54.22% year over year.
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
