- Q4 Sales & Margin Growth Sales rose 1% to $752M, with EBITDA hitting record $256M (34% margin), up from previous levels.
- FY2025 Records Achieved $2.8B sales (+4% YoY) and $10.24 adjusted EPS, exceeding guidance, alongside $900M EBITDA (32% margin).
- Cash Flow Strength Generated $661M free cash flow in FY2025, converting 136% of net income, with $194M in Q4 alone (128% conversion).
- 2026 Guidance Forecasts 3.5% sales growth midpoint and 9% adjusted EPS growth, with Q1 2026 sales targeted at $630–$670M.
- Segment Dynamics Semi (50% revenue) driven by AI/data centers, while medical saw strong Q4 but expects margins to stabilize in upper 30s.
Segment Performance and Outlook
In the ATS segment, Nordson's semi business is driven by AI applications, cloud computing, and data center growth, accounting for 50% of revenues. The company expects margins to remain robust, with IPS and ATS in line with historical performance. The medical side had a strong quarter, but margins are expected to normalize to the upper 30s. In IPS, polymer processing weakness is masking stable growth in other parts of the business, but the company expects improvement in 2026. Precision agriculture is expected to grow double digits, driving hot melt adhesives businesses.
Guidance and Expectations for Fiscal 2026
Nordson expects fiscal 2026 sales to be 1% to 6% above fiscal 2025 sales, with a midpoint of 3.5%, and adjusted earnings growth of 6% to 12% per diluted share, with a midpoint of 9%. The company guides for a range of potential outcomes, planning for both upside and downside. A strong start to the year is expected, with a favorable comp in Q1. The guidance range contemplates potential risks, but no downside indicators are seen currently. With a P/E Ratio of 27.82 and an EV/EBITDA of 17.78, the market is pricing in a certain level of growth and profitability.
Cash Flow and Dividend Considerations
Nordson generated record cash flow of $194 million in Q4 2025, with a conversion rate to net income of 128%. For the full year, the company generated free cash flow of $661 million, with a conversion rate of 136% of net income. The company's strong free cash flow conversion is driven by working capital improvements, which it expects to sustain with further opportunities ahead. With a Free Cash Flow Yield of 4.93% and a Dividend Yield of 1.66%, Nordson appears to offer an attractive return profile.
Strategic Focus and M&A
Nordson remains focused on delivering growth through its NBS Next plan, with EBITDA margins increasing from 27% to 32%. The company is also actively pursuing M&A opportunities, with a focus on adding highly differentiated businesses that are additive to growth. With a strong balance sheet and cash flow generation, Nordson is well-positioned to pursue its strategic goals while returning cash to shareholders. Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at 3.7%, which is in line with the company's guidance.