Textron’s third quarter results received a negative market reaction after the company’s revenue fell short of Wall Street expectations, despite year-over-year growth. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to robust demand in its aviation and defense businesses, with notable gains in aftermarket aviation revenue and a strong backlog. CEO Scott Donnelly highlighted continued strength in commercial jet and turboprop deliveries, as well as progress in military programs such as the MV-75. He also acknowledged ongoing supply chain challenges, though improvements were noted compared to prior quarters. The company’s divestiture of its Powersports business also impacted industrial segment revenues.

Is now the time to buy TXT? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Textron’s Q3 Earnings Call

• Peter Arment (Baird) asked about the impact of the Army’s accelerated MV-75 timeline. CEO Scott Donnelly clarified that the acceleration does not materially affect near-term costs or risk due to the program’s modular architecture.
• Sheila Kahyaoglu (Jefferies) sought clarity on MV-75 contract structure and booking rates. Donnelly explained the majority is cost-plus, reducing the risk of significant losses compared to fixed-price contracts.
• João Santos (UBS) inquired about long-term aviation margin targets. Donnelly emphasized that higher volumes and favorable product mix are the primary levers for margin improvement.
• Myles Walton (Wolfe Research) questioned supply chain health and its effect on aviation revenue targets. Donnelly acknowledged ongoing supplier constraints but expressed confidence in meeting full-year revenue objectives.
• Kristine Liwag (Morgan Stanley) raised portfolio strategy concerns amid leadership change. Donnelly responded that portfolio reviews are ongoing and independent of the CEO transition, with recent divestitures reflecting this approach.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In future quarters, the StockStory team will closely monitor (1) progress on key defense program milestones, particularly the MV-75 and Ship-to-Shore Connector, (2) sustained aviation demand and the ramp-up in aircraft deliveries as supply chain issues are addressed, and (3) execution of the CEO transition and segment realignment. Additional attention will be paid to the integration of eAviation and any further portfolio adjustments that could affect Textron’s strategic direction.

Textron currently trades at $80, down from $82.58 just before the earnings. In the wake of this quarter, is it a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

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