EMERSON ELECTRIC CO
For the period ended Sep 30, 2025. Filed Nov 10, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2025 · Filed Nov 10, 2025
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-12.
0000032604-24-000041
Item 1A. RISK FACTORSCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2025-09-30; filed 2025-11-10.
0000032604-25-000087
Item 1A. RISK FACTORSThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 42 previous paragraphs and 43 current paragraphs.
36 unchanged; 3 reworded; 4 added; 2 removed; 1 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (4)
Current report
We May Use Artificial Intelligence in Our Businesses and in Our Products and Services, and Challenges With Managing its Use Could Result in Reputational Harm, Competitive Harm, and Legal Liability, and Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations
Current report
Our businesses increasingly rely on artificial intelligence solutions to optimize our operations, improve customer experiences, and enhance our products and services. While the use of artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities, it also introduces a range of risks that could result in reputational harm, competitive harm, and legal liability, and adversely affect our results of operations.
Current report
Our artificial intelligence efforts subject us to risks related to accuracy, intellectual property infringement or misappropriation, data privacy, and cybersecurity, among others, and if our use of artificial intelligence becomes controversial, we may experience brand or reputational harm, competitive harm, or legal liability. Additionally, our competitors or other third parties may incorporate artificial intelligence into their products, services or operations more quickly or successfully than us, or develop superior products and services with the aid of artificial intelligence, which could impair our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our results of operations. Finally, the regulatory landscape surrounding artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving and the use of artificial intelligence may be subject to new legal or regulatory requirements, the impact of which may be prohibitive or pose further risks from a legal or regulatory perspective.
Current report
The recent changes in U.S. trade policy involving the application or increase of tariffs and the subsequent retaliatory measures against the U.S. have created a dynamic environment that may have a material adverse impact on our business. While we have deployed strategies to mitigate the impact of these dynamic trade policies, there is no assurance that we will be able to mitigate the full impact of all such tariffs, retaliatory tariffs or other trade policies that have or may develop in this rapidly changing environment. Increasing trade tensions and changes in trade policies have the potential to adversely impact our costs, the demand for our products, our supply chain and the global economy, which may have an adverse impact on our business, including operating and financial results and conditions.
Removed paragraphs (2)
Previous report
Our Portfolio Actions Including the Proposed Acquisition of the Remaining Interest in AspenTech Not Already Owned by the Company and the Process to Explore Strategic Alternatives for the Company's Safety & Productivity Segment May Not Be Completed or Completed on the Terms and Conditions Contemplated, or With the Expected Benefits
Previous report
On November 5, 2024, the Company announced a proposal to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of AspenTech not already owned by Emerson for $240 per share in cash, which implies a fully diluted market capitalization for AspenTech of $15.3 billion and an enterprise value of $15.1 billion, and would be financed from cash on hand, committed lines of credit and/or other available sources of financing. Also on November 5, 2024, the Company announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives, including a cash sale, for its Safety & Productivity segment. No assurance can be given whether the proposal or the review will lead to one or more transactions. We can make no assurance as to the completion, terms, timing, costs or benefits anticipated from any such transactions. Unforeseen developments, including delays in obtaining various tax, regulatory and other approvals, could delay any such transactions, or cause one or more of them to occur on terms and conditions that are less favorable, or at a higher cost, than expected.
Reworded paragraphs (3)
Previous wording
Technology, Inc., and entered into joint venture arrangements intended to complement or expand our business, and may continue to do so in the future. As a result of these transactions, the Company has a narrower business which is focused on higher growth markets including software, innovation and disruptive technologies, and may encounter more volatility and be more vulnerable to changing market conditions. The success of these transactions will depend on our ability to achieve higher rates of growth, integrate assets and personnel acquired in these transactions and to cooperate with our strategic partners. We may encounter difficulties in integrating acquisitions with our operations as well as separating divested businesses, and in managing strategic investments. Furthermore, we may not realize the degree, or timing, of anticipated benefits including, among others, increasing rates of profitability and growth. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Current wording
We regularly seek growth through strategic acquisitions as well as evaluate our portfolio for potential divestitures. These activities require favorable environments to execute these transactions, and we may encounter difficulties in obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals in both domestic and foreign jurisdictions. In 2025 and in past years, we have made various acquisitions and divestitures, including ourpurchase of the remaining outstanding shares of common stock of AspenTech not already owned by the Company, ouracquisition of National Instruments, and our divestiture of the Climate Technologies business (now renamed Copeland), and entered into joint venture arrangements intended to complement or expand our business, and may continue to do so in the future. As a result of these transactions, the Company has a narrower business which is focused on higher growth markets including software, innovation and disruptive technologies, and may encounter more volatility and be more vulnerable to changing market conditions. The success of these transactions will depend on our ability to achieve higher rates of growth, integrate assets and personnel acquired in these transactions and to cooperate with our strategic partners. We may encounter difficulties in integrating acquisitions with our operations as well as separating divested businesses, and in managing strategic investments. Furthermore, we may not realize the degree, or timing, of anticipated benefits including, among others, increasing rates of profitability and growth. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Previous wording
We are, and may in the future be, a party to a number of legal proceedings and claims, including those involving intellectual property, commercial transactions, government contracts, the integration of emerging technologies (for example, artificial intelligence and machine learning, among others), M&A, employment, employee benefit plans, antitrust, anti-corruption, accounting, import and export, health and safety matters, product liability (including asbestos) and environmental matters, several of which claim, or may in the future claim, significant damages. Given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, we can offer no assurance that existing litigation or a future adverse development will not have a material adverse impact. We also are subject to various laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and the discharge of materials into the environment, and we could incur substantial costs as a result of the noncompliance with or liability for cleanup or other costs or damages under environmental laws. In addition, increased public awareness and concern regarding global climate change may result in more international, federal, and/or state or other stakeholder requirements or expectations that could result in more restrictive or expansive standards, such as stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions or more prescriptive reporting of environmental, social, and governance metrics. There continues to be a lack of consistent climate change legislation and standards, which creates economic and regulatory uncertainty. While the Company has adopted certain voluntary targets, environmental laws, regulations or standards may be changed, accelerated or adopted and impose significant operational restrictions and compliance requirements upon the Company, its products or customers, which could negatively impact the Company’s business, capital expenditures, results of operations, financial condition and competitive position.
Current wording
We are, and may in the future be, a party to a number of legal proceedings and claims, including those involving intellectual property, commercial transactions, government contracts, the integration of emerging technologies (for example, artificial intelligence and machine learning, among others), M&A, employment, employee benefit plans, antitrust, anti-corruption, accounting, import and export, health and safety matters, product liability (including asbestos) and environmental matters, several of which claim, or may in the future claim, significant damages. Given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, we can offer no assurance that existing litigation or a future adverse development will not have a material adverse impact. We also are subject to various laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and the discharge of materials into the environment, and we could incur substantial costs as a result of the noncompliance with or liability for cleanup or other costs or damages under environmental laws. In addition, increased public awareness and concern regarding global climate change may result in more international, federal, and/or state or other stakeholder requirements or expectations that could result in more restrictive or expansive standards, such as stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions or more prescriptive reporting of environmental, social, and governance metrics. There continues to be a lack of consistent climate change legislation and standards, which creates economic and regulatory uncertainty. While the Company has adopted certain voluntary goals or targets, environmental laws, regulations or standards may be changed, accelerated or adopted and impose significant operational restrictions and compliance requirements upon the Company, its products or customers, which could negatively impact the Company’s business, capital expenditures, results of operations, financial condition and competitive position.
Previous wording
In response to growing customer, investor, employee, governmental, and other stakeholder interest in our ESG practices, we have increased reporting of our ESG programs and performance and have established and announced our aspirational purpose, causes, values, and related commitments, goals or targets, including those regarding sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, our net zero ambition, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Our ability to achieve such goals and aspirations is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which rely on the collective efforts of others or may be outside of our control. Such risks include, among others, the availability and adoption of new or additional technologies that reduce carbon or eliminate energy sources on a commercially reasonable basis, competing and evolving economic, policy and regulatory factors, the ability of suppliers and others to meet our sustainability, diversity and other goals, the availability of qualified candidates in our labor markets and our ability to recruit and retain diverse talent, and customer engagement in our goals. There may be times where actual outcomes vary from those aimed for or expected and sometimes challenges may delay or block progress. As a result, we cannot offer assurances that the results reflected or implied by any such statements will be realized or achieved. Moreover, standards and expectations for ESG matters continue to evolve and may be subject to varying interpretations, which may result in significant revisions to our goals or progress. In addition, certain of our product offerings may become less attractive as standards evolve. A failure or perceived failure to meet our aspirational purpose, causes, values, and related commitments, goals or targets within the timelines we announce, or at all, or a failure or perceived failure to meet evolving stakeholders expectations and standards, could damage our reputation, adversely affect employee retention or engagement or support from our various stakeholders and could subject us to government enforcement actions or penalties and private litigation. Such outcomes could negatively impact the Company’s business, capital expenditures, results of operations, financial condition and competitive position.
Current wording
In response to growing customer, investor, employee, governmental, and other stakeholder interest in our ESG practices, we have increased reporting of our ESG programs and performance and have established and announced our aspirational purpose, causes, values, and related commitments, goals or targets, including those regarding sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, and our net zero ambition. Our ability to achieve such goals and aspirations is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which rely on the collective efforts of others or may be outside of our control. Such risks include, among others, the availability and adoption of new or additional technologies that reduce carbon or eliminate energy sources on a commercially reasonable basis, competing and evolving economic, policy and regulatory factors, the ability of suppliers and others to meet our sustainability and other goals, the availability of qualified candidates in our labor markets and our ability to recruit and retain diverse talent, and customer engagement in our goals. There may be times where actual outcomes vary from those aimed for or expected and sometimes challenges may delay or block progress. As a result, we cannot offer assurances that the results reflected or implied by any such statements will be realized or achieved. Moreover, standards and expectations for ESG matters continue to evolve and may be subject to varying interpretations, which may result in significant revisions to our goals or progress. In addition, certain of our product offerings may become less attractive as standards evolve. A failure or perceived failure to meet our aspirational purpose, causes, values, and related commitments, goals or targets within the timelines we announce, or at all, or a failure or perceived failure to meet evolving stakeholders expectations and standards, could damage our reputation, adversely affect employee retention or engagement or support from our various stakeholders and could subject us to government enforcement actions or penalties and private litigation. Such outcomes could negatively impact the Company’s business, capital expenditures, results of operations, financial condition and competitive position.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
We regularly seek growth through strategic acquisitions as well as evaluate our portfolio for potential divestitures. These activities require favorable environments to execute these transactions, and we may encounter difficulties in obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals in both domestic and foreign jurisdictions. In 2024 and in past years, we have made various acquisitions and divestitures, including our acquisition of National Instruments, our divestiture of the Climate Technologies business (now renamed Copeland), and our majority stake in Aspen