ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC

Previous wording

The following discussion refers to the Company’s results from continuing operations, except where noted. In the third quarter of 2025, the Company announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell VACCO Industries (VACCO) to RBC Bearings Incorporated. This transaction was completed subsequent to June 30, 2025, on July 18, 2025. VACCO is reflected as discontinued operations and/or assets held for sale in the financial statements and related notes for all periods shown. References to the third quarters of 2025 and 2024 represent the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Current wording

References to the first quarters of 2026 and 2025 represent the three-month periods ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Previous wording

In the third quarter of 2025, sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $296.3 million, $24.8 million and $0.96 per share, respectively, compared to $233.6 million, $28.3 million and $1.10 per share, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of 2025, sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share were $742.7 million, $71.4 million and $2.76 per share, respectively, compared to $645.6 million, $63.3 million and $2.46 per share, respectively, in the first nine months of 2024.

Current wording

Sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $289.7 million, $28.7 million and $1.11 per share, respectively, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $214.6 million, $20.3 million and $0.79 per share, respectively, in the first quarter of 2025.

Previous wording

In the third quarter of 2025, net sales of $92.4 million were $2.1 million, or 2.3%, higher than the $90.3 million in the third quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of 2025, net sales of $269.8 million were $9.2 million, or 3.5%, higher than the $260.6 million in the first nine months of 2024. The increase in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter of 2024 was mainly due to an increase in net sales of NRG’s wind and solar products and an increase in net sales at Doble driven by higher offline test products. The increase in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the corresponding period of 2024 was mainly due to an increase in net sales at Doble driven by higher sales of offline products and services partially offset by lower NRG sales due to renewables market weakness.

Current wording

Net sales of $87.5 million in the first quarter of 2026 were $0.8 million, or 0.9% higher than the $86.7 million in the first quarter of 2025. The increase in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 was mainly due to a $4.1 million increase in net sales at Doble driven by higher sales of condition monitoring and offline products, partially offset by a $3.3 million decrease in net sales at NRG driven by lower shipments of solar and wind products due to renewables market weakness.

Previous wording

Backlog from continuing operations was $1,165 million at June 30, 2025 compared with $664 million at September 30, 2024. The Company received new orders totaling $749.1 million in the third quarter of 2025 compared to $254.9 million in the third quarter of 2024. Of the new orders received in the third quarter of 2025, $582.4 million related to A&D products (including $364.2 million of Maritime acquired backlog), $105.5 million related to USG products, and $61.2 million related to Test products. Of the new orders received in the third quarter of 2024, $90.1 million related to A&D products, $100.0 million related to USG products, and $64.8 million related to Test products.

Current wording

Backlog was $1,401.1 million at December 31, 2025 compared with $1,133.6 million at September 30, 2025. The Company received new orders totaling $557.2 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $229.2 million from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2025. Of the new orders received in the first quarter of 2026, $382.3 million related to A&D products, $98.8 million related to USG products, and $76.1 million related to Test products. Of the new orders received in the first quarter of 2025, $74.8 million related to A&D products, $89.6 million related to USG products, and $64.8 million related to Test products.

Previous wording

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2025 were $62.0 million (20.9% of net sales), compared with $51.0 million (21.8% of net sales) for the third quarter of 2024. For the first nine months of 2025, SG&A expenses were $171.3 million (23.1% of net sales) compared to $152.6 million (23.6% of net sales) for the first nine months of 2024. The increase in SG&A in the third quarter and first nine months of 2025 compared to the corresponding periods of 2024 was due to an increase within the A&D segment due to the Maritime acquisition, increased expenses at all three business segments primarily related to higher sales and inflationary impacts and an increase at Corporate mainly due to acquisition costs.

Current wording

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses from continuing operations were $61.2 million (21.1% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2026, compared with $55.0 million (25.6% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in SG&A in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 was mainly due to an increase within the A&D segment primarily due to the Maritime acquisition. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 within all three business segments.

Previous wording

Amortization of intangible assets was $16.8 million and $32.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively, compared to $8.1 million and $24.6 million for the corresponding periods of 2024. Amortization expenses consist of amortization of acquired intangible assets from acquisitions and other identifiable intangible assets (primarily software). The increase in amortization expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2025 compared to the corresponding periods of 2024 was mainly due to an increase in amortization of intangible assets related to the Maritime acquisition.

Current wording

Amortization of intangible assets was $20.3 million and $8.0 million for the first quarter of 2026 and 2025, respectively. Amortization expenses consist of amortization of acquired intangible assets from acquisitions and other identifiable intangible assets (primarily software). The increase in amortization expense in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 was mainly due to an increase in amortization of intangible assets related to the Maritime acquisition.

Previous wording

Other expenses, net, was $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2025 compared to other (income) of ($0.3) million in the third quarter of 2024. Other expenses, net, was $1.9 million in the first nine months of 2025 compared to $0.4 million of expenses in the first nine months of 2024. The principal component of other expenses, net, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2025 was $1.3 million of UK stamp duties on the Maritime acquisition. There were no individually significant items in other expenses (income), net, in the third quarter of 2024. The principal component of other expenses, net, in the first nine months of 2024 was approximately $0.5 million of restructuring charges (primarily severance) within the Test, USG and A&D segments.

Current wording

Other expenses, net, was $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to other (income), net, of ($0.6) million in the first quarter of 2025. There were no individually significant items in other expenses (income), net, in the first quarter of 2026 or 2025.

Previous wording

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on EBIT, and provides EBIT on a consolidated basis. EBIT is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures in Note 8 to the condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, above. EBIT from continuing operations was $41.0 million (13.8% of net sales) for the third quarter of 2025 compared to $39.3 million (16.8% of net sales) for the third quarter of 2024. For the first nine months of 2025, EBIT was $105.7 million (14.2% of net sales) compared to $89.6 million (13.9% of net sales) for the first nine months of 2024.

Current wording

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on EBIT, and provides EBIT on a consolidated basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, above. EBIT from continuing operations was $38.4 million (13.2% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $28.1 million (13.1% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2025.

Previous wording

The following table presents a reconciliation of EBIT from continuing operations to net earnings.

Current wording

The following table presents a reconciliation of EBIT from continuing operations to a GAAP financial measure:

Previous wording

Corporate costs included in EBIT were $27.9 million and $56.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively, compared to $12.3 million and $40.3 million in the corresponding periods of 2024. The increase in Corporate costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2025 as compared to the corresponding periods of 2024 was mainly due to an $8.4 million increase in acquisition related amortization and $5.2 million of acquisition costs, both due to the Maritime acquisition, as well as an increase in share-based compensation costs.

Current wording

Corporate costs included in EBIT were $27.2 million and $14.3 million in the first quarter of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase in Corporate costs in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 was mainly due to increases in acquisition related amortization and share based compensation costs.

Previous wording

The Company’s overall financial position and liquidity remains strong. Working capital from continuing operations (current assets less current liabilities) decreased to $255.8 million at June 30, 2025 from $283.9 million at September 30, 2024. The main driver of the decrease was an increase in contract liabilities of $124.7 million primarily due to the Maritime acquisition and an increase within the USG segment. Inventories increased $41.6 million during this period due to a $25.4 million increase within the A&D segment primarily due to the Maritime acquisition, and a $11.5 million increase within the USG segment and a $4.7 million increase within the Test segment primarily from an increase in finished goods and raw materials inventories due to timing of manufacturing existing orders.

Current wording

The Company’s overall financial position and liquidity remain strong. Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) decreased to $171.3 million at December 31, 2025 from $180.4 million at September 30, 2025. Accounts receivable decreased $8.2 million during this period mainly due to a $4.7 million decrease within the Test segment and a $4.6 million decrease within the USG segment due to strong cash collections during the quarter. Inventories increased $9.3 million during this period mainly due to a $5.0 million increase within the USG segment, a $3.4 million increase within the Test segment and a $0.9 million increase within the A&D segment primarily from an increase in work in process inventories due to timing of manufacturing existing orders. Contract liabilities increased $35.8 million primarily within the A&D segment due to timing of payments received under long-term contracts.

Previous wording

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $88.3 million and $63.1 million in the first nine months of 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2025 as compared to the first nine months of 2024 was mainly driven by lower working capital and higher earnings.

Current wording

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $68.9 million and $29.2 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the first quarter of 2025 was mainly driven by an increase in net earnings and an increase in contract liabilities.

Previous wording

Capital expenditures for continuing operations were $24.2 million and $19.6 million in the first nine months of 2025 and 2024, respectively. In addition, the Company incurred expenditures for capitalized software and other intangible assets from continuing operations of $13.0 million and $8.5 million in the first nine months of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Current wording

Capital expenditures from continuing operations were $5.9 million and $5.1 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase in the first quarter of 2026 was mainly due to an increase in building improvements and machinery & equipment within the A&D segment. In addition, the Company incurred expenditures for capitalized software of approximately $2.2 million and $2.6 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Previous wording

At June 30, 2025, the Company had approximately $338 million available to borrow under its bank credit facility, a $250 million increase option, and $78.7 million cash on hand. At June 30, 2025, the Company had $505 million of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and Incremental Facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $7.2 million. Cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Company’s credit facility are expected to meet the Company’s capital requirements and operational needs for the foreseeable future. The Company’s ability to access the additional $250 million increase option of the credit facility is subject to acceptance by participating or other outside banks.

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately $469 million available to borrow under its bank credit facility, excluding the Incremental Facility, plus a $250 million increase option, and $103.8 million cash on hand. At December 31, 2025, the Company had $145.5 million of outstanding borrowings under the Credit facility, Incremental facility and short-term borrowings at its foreign locations, in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $10.7 million. Cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Company’s credit facility are expected to meet the Company’s capital requirements and operational needs for the foreseeable future. The Company’s ability to access the additional $250 million increase option of the credit facility is subject to acceptance by participating or other outside banks.

Previous wording

A dividend of $0.08 per share, totaling $2.1 million, was paid on October 16, 2024 to stockholders of record as of October 2, 2024. A dividend of $0.08 per share, totaling $2.1 million, was paid on January 17, 2025 to stockholders of record as of January 2, 2025. A dividend of $0.08 per share, totaling $2.1 million, was paid on April 17, 2025 to stockholders of record as of April 2, 2025. Subsequent to June 30, 2025, a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, totaling $2.1 million, was paid on July 17, 2025 to stockholders of record as of July 12, 2025.

Current wording

A dividend of $0.08 per share, totaling $2.1 million, was paid on October 16, 2025 to stockholders of record as of October 2, 2025. Subsequent to December 31, 2025, a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, totaling $2.1 million, was paid on January 16, 2026 to stockholders of record as of January 2, 2026.

Previous wording

Management has evaluated the accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and related notes and believes those policies to be reasonable and appropriate. Certain of these accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by Management in selecting appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on historical experience, trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. The most significant areas involving Management judgments and estimates may be found in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in Note 1 to the condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

Current wording

Management has evaluated the accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and related notes and believes those policies to be reasonable and appropriate. Certain of these accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by Management in selecting appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on historical experience, trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. The most significant areas involving Management judgments and estimates may be found in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.

Previous wording

Statements contained in this Form 10-Q regarding future events and the Company’s future results that reflect or are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections or assumptions about the Company’s performance and the industries in which the Company operates are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Federal securities laws. These may include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements about: the strength of certain end markets served by the Company, and the timing of the recovery of certain end markets which the Company serves; the adequacy of the Company’s credit facility and the Company’s ability to increase it; the outcome of current litigation, claims and charges; the determination of the current portion of the Company’s long-term debt and the timing of its repayment; future revenues from remaining performance obligations; fair values of reporting units; the deductibility of goodwill; estimates and assumptions that affect the reported values of assets and liabilities; the future recognition of compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements; the Company’s ability to hedge against or otherwise manage market risks through the use of derivative financial instruments; the extent to which hedging gains or losses will be offset by losses or gains on related underlying exposures; and any other statements contained herein which are not strictly historical. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

Current wording

Statements contained in this Form 10-Q regarding future events and the Company’s future results that reflect or are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections or assumptions about the Company’s performance and the industries in which the Company operates are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Federal securities laws. These may include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements about: the strength of certain end markets served by the Company, and the timing of the recovery of certain end markets which the Company serves; the adequacy of the Company’s credit facility and the Company’s ability to increase it; the outcome of current litigation, claims and charges; timing of the repayment of the current portion of the Company’s long-term debt; future revenues from remaining performance obligations; fair values of reporting units; the deductibility of goodwill; estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; the recognition of compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements; the Company’s ability to hedge against or otherwise manage market risks through the use of derivative financial instruments; the extent to which hedging gains or losses will be offset by losses or gains on related underlying exposures; and any other statements contained herein which are not strictly historical. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

Previous wording

Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q, and the Company undertakes no duty to update them except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment, including but not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, and the following: the impacts of climate change and related regulation of greenhouse gases; the impacts of labor disputes, civil disorder, wars, elections, political changes, tariffs and trade disputes, terrorist activities, cyberattacks or natural disasters on the Company’s operations and those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; disruptions in manufacturing or delivery arrangements due to shortages or unavailability of materials or components; or supply chain disruptions; inability to access work sites; the timing and content of future contract awards or customer orders; the timely appropriation, allocation and availability of Government funds; the termination for convenience of Government and other customer contracts or orders; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the success of the Company’s competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties or data breaches; the availability of selected acquisitions; delivery delays or defaults by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs and availability of certain raw materials; material changes in the cost of credit; changes in laws and regulations including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation; changes in interest, inflation and employment rates; costs relating to environmental matters arising from current or former facilities; uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of current disputes, claims, litigation or arbitration; and the integration and performance of recently acquired businesses.

Current wording

Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q, and the Company undertakes no duty to update them except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment, including but not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, and the following: the impacts of climate change and related regulation of greenhouse gases; the impacts of labor disputes, civil disorder, wars, elections, political changes, tariffs and trade disputes, terrorist activities, cyberattacks or natural disasters on the Company’s operations and those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; disruptions in manufacturing or delivery arrangements due to shortages or unavailability of materials or components; or supply chain disruptions; inability to access work sites; the timing and content of future contract awards or customer orders; the timely appropriation, allocation and availability of Government funds; the termination for convenience of Government and other customer contracts or orders; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the success of the Company’s competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties or data breaches; the availability of selected acquisitions; delivery delays or defaults by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs and availability of certain raw materials; material changes in the cost of credit; changes in laws and regulations including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation; changes in interest rates; costs relating to environmental matters arising from current or former facilities; uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of current disputes, claims, litigation or arbitration; and the integration and performance of recently acquired businesses.