Looking back on general industrial machinery stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR) 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 slower Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.5% below.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 17.6% since the latest earnings results.

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 $103.4 million, up 7.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 15.5%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Luxfer achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 4.4% since reporting and currently trades at $14.40.

Is now the time to buy Luxfer? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE)

One of the original 12 companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, General Electric (NYSE: GE) is a multinational conglomerate providing technologies for various sectors including aviation, power, renewable energy, and healthcare.

GE Aerospace reported revenues of $10.81 billion, up 14.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 13.7%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

GE Aerospace delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 3.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $180.92.

Is now the time to buy GE Aerospace? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO)

With 19 different brands across the globe, Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO) offers material handling equipment for the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.

Columbus McKinnon reported revenues of $234.1 million, down 7.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

Columbus McKinnon delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 65.1% since the results and currently trades at $12.37.

Read our full analysis of Columbus McKinnon’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 $128.2 million, down 5% year on year. This print came in 2% below analysts' expectations. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also produced a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

The stock is down 25.4% since reporting and currently trades at $19.31.

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 $10.09 billion, up 6.9% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. Aside from that, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

The stock is down 13.6% since reporting and currently trades at $192.

Read our full, actionable report on Honeywell here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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