Looking back on general industrial machinery stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Crane (NYSE: CR) and its peers.
Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand for general industrial machinery companies. Those who innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles, but all general industrial machinery companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending and interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the industrial production that drives demand for these companies’ offerings.
The 15 general industrial machinery stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.5% below.
Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 5.1% on average since the latest earnings results.
Crane (NYSE: CR)
Based in Connecticut, Crane (NYSE: CR) is a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products, including fluid handling, and aerospace technologies.
Crane reported revenues of $557.6 million, up 9.3% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
Max Mitchell, Crane's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We delivered a very strong start to 2025, with exceptional results in the first quarter of 24.1% adjusted EPS growth driven by 7.5% core sales growth and strong operating leverage. Furthermore, demand trends across our strategic growth platforms were solid in the quarter, with 15.6% year-over-year core order growth and 12.1% year-over-year core backlog growth.
The stock is up 16.7% since reporting and currently trades at $173.27.
Is now the time to buy Crane? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q1: Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR)
With its magnesium alloys used in the construction of the famous Spirit of St. Louis aircraft, Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR) offers specialized materials, components, and gas containment devices to various industries.
Luxfer reported revenues of $97 million, up 8.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 11.9%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
Luxfer pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 12.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $11.25.
Is now the time to buy Luxfer? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q1: Icahn Enterprises (NASDAQ: IEP)
Founded in 1987, Icahn Enterprises (NASDAQ: IEP) is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in investment and asset management across various sectors.
Icahn Enterprises reported revenues of $1.87 billion, down 24.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 29%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.
Icahn Enterprises delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 4% since the results and currently trades at $8.38.
Read our full analysis of Icahn Enterprises’s results here.
L.B. Foster (NASDAQ: FSTR)
Founded with a $2,500 loan, L.B. Foster (NASDAQ: FSTR) is a provider of products and services for the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, including rail products, construction materials, and coating solutions.
L.B. Foster reported revenues of $97.79 million, down 21.3% year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 14.5%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded full-year EBITDA guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.
L.B. Foster scored the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 7.2% since reporting and currently trades at $18.95.
Read our full, actionable report on L.B. Foster here, it’s free.
Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON)
Originally founded in 1906 as a thermostat company, Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) is a multinational conglomerate known for its aerospace systems, building technologies, performance materials, and safety and productivity solutions.
Honeywell reported revenues of $9.82 billion, up 7.9% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
The stock is up 11.8% since reporting and currently trades at $224.14.
Read our full, actionable report on Honeywell here, it’s free.
Market Update
In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.
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