Rockwell Automation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2026 Results; Introduces Fiscal 2027 Guidance

• Fourth quarter reported sales up 1%; organic sales up 3% year over year; both reduced by ~(4) percentage points from the customer tariff refund program
• Fourth quarter diluted EPS of $3.11 and Adjusted EPS of $3.88; up 153% and 16% year over year, respectively
  • Both include a favorable $0.11 net impact of IEEPA tariff refund related items
• Full year reported and organic sales up 8% year over year; both reduced by ~(1) percentage point from the customer tariff refund program
• Organic ARR grew 5% year over year; software ARR grew high single digits year over year
• Full year fiscal 2026 diluted EPS of $12.54 and Adjusted EPS of $13.42; up 63% and 27% year over year, respectively
  • Both include a favorable $0.11 net impact of IEEPA tariff refund related items
• Full year fiscal 2026 cash provided by operating activities of $1,958 million and free cash flow of $1,701 million; up 27% and 25% year over year, respectively
  • Both include a favorable $108 million impact of IEEPA tariff refunds and related interest income
• Fiscal 2027 guidance:
  • Reported sales growth of 4.5% to 7.5%; organic sales growth of 6% to 9%
  • Diluted EPS $13.78 - $14.78; Adjusted EPS $14.50 - $15.50

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) today reported fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full year results and introduced fiscal 2027 guidance.

"Rockwell delivered a strong finish to a great year, with broad-based topline growth, margin expansion, and double-digit earnings growth. Our results underscore the differentiation of our strategy and operating model, as we continue to gain share, strengthen our leadership in core markets, and expand our position in high-growth areas including semiconductor and data centers,” said Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, the Company received $103 million of International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff refunds (IEEPA tariff refunds) and $5 million of related interest, the benefits of which are reported as a reduction of Cost of sales and an increase in Interest income in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2026. In addition, the Company approved and communicated a refund program for customers (customer tariff refund program) that paid price increases on purchases of products that were impacted by IEEPA tariffs. The Company recognized an accrual of $85 million for estimated refunds to be issued to customers as a reduction of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2026. The impacts on Sales and Cost of sales are reported as unallocated in the segment Sales and Earnings Information. The after-tax net impact of IEEPA tariff refunds, including interest, the customer tariff refund program, and related non-recurring charges reported in unallocated, of $0.11 is included in diluted EPS and Adjusted EPS.

Fiscal Q4 2026 Financial Results

Fiscal 2026 fourth quarter sales were $2,332 million, up 1% compared to $2,316 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Organic sales increased 3%. Divestitures decreased sales by (2)%. Reported and Organic sales were reduced by ~(4) percentage points from the customer tariff refund program.

Income before income taxes was $433 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to $63 million in the same period last year. Pre-tax margin was 18.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to 2.7% in the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by the prior year non-cash impairment charge related to the Sensia joint venture and an accounting change and accrual increase for legacy asbestos liabilities, higher sales volume, the net impact of IEEPA tariff refund related items, favorable mix, and the margin benefit of the Sensia joint venture dissolution, partially offset by a charitable contribution, higher compensation, and restructuring charges. Enterprise operating profit was $572 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, up 16% compared to $493 million in the same period of fiscal 2025. Enterprise operating margin was 24.5% in the fourth quarter compared to 21.3% a year ago. The increase in Enterprise operating margin was driven by higher sales volume, the net impact of IEEPA tariff refund related items, favorable mix, and the margin benefit of the Sensia joint venture dissolution, partially offset by higher compensation.

Fiscal 2026 fourth quarter net income attributable to Rockwell Automation was $346 million or $3.11 per share, compared to $138 million or $1.23 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. The increases in net income attributable to Rockwell Automation and diluted EPS were primarily due to higher pre-tax income. Fiscal 2026 fourth quarter Adjusted EPS was $3.88, up 16% compared to $3.34 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, primarily due to higher sales volume and Enterprise operating profit.

Cash flow generated by operating activities in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was $680 million, compared to $454 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Free cash flow was $602 million, compared to $405 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Increases in cash flow provided by operating activities and free cash flow were primarily due to higher pre-tax income and $108 million of tariff refunds and related interest income.

Fiscal 2026 Full Year Financial Results

Fiscal 2026 sales were $8,989 million, a reported and organic increase of 8% from $8,342 million in fiscal 2025. Divestitures decreased sales by (2)% and currency translation increased sales by 2%. Reported and Organic sales were reduced by (1) percentage point from the customer tariff refund program.

Income before income taxes was $1,685 million in fiscal 2026, compared to $917 million in fiscal 2025. Pre-tax margin was 18.7% in fiscal 2026, compared to 11.0% in fiscal 2025. The increase was primarily due to the prior year non-cash impairment charge related to the Sensia joint venture and an accounting change and accrual increase for legacy asbestos liabilities, higher sales volume, price realization, favorable mix, productivity, and the net impact of IEEPA tariff refund related items, partially offset by higher compensation, a charitable contribution, and restructuring charges. Enterprise operating profit was $1,997 million in fiscal 2026, up 27% from $1,578 million in fiscal 2025. Enterprise operating margin was 22.2% compared to 18.9% a year ago. The increase was due to higher sales volume, price realization, favorable mix, productivity, and the net impact of IEEPA tariff refund related items, partially offset by higher compensation.

Fiscal 2026 net income attributable to Rockwell Automation was $1,409 million or $12.54 per share, compared to $869 million or $7.67 per share in fiscal 2025. The increases in net income attributable to Rockwell Automation and diluted EPS were primarily due to higher pre-tax income. Fiscal 2026 Adjusted EPS was $13.42, up 27% compared to $10.53 in fiscal 2025. The increase in Adjusted EPS was primarily due to higher Enterprise operating profit.

Cash flow generated by operating activities in fiscal year 2026 was $1,958 million, compared to $1,544 million in fiscal 2025. Free cash flow was $1,701 million compared to $1,358 million last year. Increases in cash flow provided by operating activities and free cash flow were driven by higher pre-tax income and $108 million of tariff refunds and related interest income.

Fiscal Year 2027 Outlook

The table below provides guidance for sales growth and earnings per share for fiscal 2027.

“We enter fiscal 2027 from a position of strength, with healthy customer demand and significant new product releases. As industrial operations become increasingly AI-enabled and autonomous, Rockwell is uniquely positioned to orchestrate plant-wide workflows. We are committed to growing customer value, increasing market share, and expanding margins,” Moret continued.

Following is a discussion of quarter and full year results for our business segments.

Intelligent Devices

Intelligent Devices fiscal 2026 fourth quarter sales were $1,144 million, a reported and organic increase of 5% compared to $1,086 million in the same period last year. Segment operating earnings were $247 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to $215 million in the same period last year. Segment operating margin increased to 21.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 from 19.8% a year ago driven by higher sales volume, favorable currency, positive price/cost, and favorable mix, partially offset by higher compensation.

Intelligent Devices fiscal 2026 sales were $4,185 million, an increase of 11% from $3,756 million last year. Organic sales increased 10% and currency translation increased sales by 1%. Segment operating earnings were $839 million in fiscal 2026 compared to $676 million in fiscal 2025. Segment operating margin increased to 20.0% in fiscal 2026 from 18.0% a year ago driven by higher sales volume, productivity, and favorable mix, partially offset by higher compensation.

Software & Control

Software & Control fiscal 2026 fourth quarter sales were $754 million, a reported and organic increase of 15% compared to $657 million in the same period last year. Segment operating earnings were $256 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to $205 million in the same period last year. Segment operating margin increased to 34.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 from 31.2% a year ago driven by higher sales volume.

Software & Control fiscal 2026 sales were $2,818 million, an increase of 18% from $2,383 million last year. Organic sales increased 17% and currency translation increased sales by 1%. Segment operating earnings were $952 million in fiscal 2026 compared to $708 million in fiscal 2025. Segment operating margin increased to 33.8% in fiscal 2026 from 29.7% a year ago driven by higher sales volume, partially offset by higher compensation.

Lifecycle Services

Lifecycle Services fiscal 2026 fourth quarter sales were $519 million, a decrease of (9)% compared to $573 million in the same period last year. Organic sales increased 2%. Divestitures decreased sales by (11)%. Segment operating earnings were $85 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to $100 million in the same period last year. Segment operating margin decreased to 16.4% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 from 17.5% a year ago due to higher compensation and unfavorable project mix, partially offset by the margin benefit from the Sensia joint venture dissolution and higher sales volume.

Lifecycle Services fiscal 2026 sales were $2,071 million, a decrease of (6)% from $2,203 million in fiscal 2025. Organic sales decreased by (2)%. Divestitures decreased sales by (6)% and currency translation increased sales by 2%. Segment operating earnings were $312 million in fiscal 2026 compared to $319 million in fiscal 2025. Segment operating margin increased to 15.1% in fiscal 2026 from 14.5% a year ago due to strong project execution and the margin benefit from the Sensia joint venture dissolution, partially offset by higher compensation.

Supplemental Information

ARR - Organic ARR grew 5% compared to the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

Corporate and Other - Fiscal 2026 fourth quarter Corporate and other expense was $26 million compared to $27 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Corporate and other expense was $116 million for the full fiscal year 2026 compared to $125 million in fiscal 2025.

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets - Fiscal 2026 fourth quarter Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets expense was $29 million, down $6 million from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Full year fiscal 2026 Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets expense was $120 million, down $21 million from fiscal 2025. The decreases were primarily due to the dissolution of the Sensia joint venture.

Restructuring charges - Fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full year restructuring charges were $25 million. Fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and full year included an accrual reversal of $5 million.

Charitable Contribution – In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 the Company made a $50 million contribution to the Rockwell Automation Charitable Corporation. The contribution optimizes tax benefits and provides funding for philanthropic priorities.

Tax - On a GAAP basis, the effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was 20.1% compared to 52.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The effective tax rate for the full fiscal year 2026 was 16.5% compared to 18.3% in fiscal 2025. The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was 20.9% compared to 17.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate for the full fiscal year 2026 was 19.6% compared to 17.1% in fiscal 2025. The decreases in the GAAP effective tax rate for the fourth quarter and full year were primarily due to the absence of certain Sensia-related tax impacts from 2025 and higher discrete tax benefits in 2026, including a benefit related to the dissolution of the Sensia joint venture, partially offset by BEPS Pillar Two minimum taxes. The increases in the Adjusted Effective Tax Rate were primarily due to BEPS Pillar Two minimum taxes, partially offset by higher discrete tax benefits.

Share Repurchases - The Company repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $500 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. For the full fiscal year 2026, the Company repurchased 3.1 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $1,254 million. At September 30, 2026, $673 million remained available under the existing share repurchase authorization.

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) - On a GAAP basis, ROIC was 23.3% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2026, compared to 13.2% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2025. Adjusted ROIC was 20.4% for fiscal year 2026, compared to 14.6% for fiscal year 2025. The increase in ROIC and Adjusted ROIC was due to higher pre-tax income.

Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA - Net Income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was $346 million, compared to $30 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was $620 million, compared to $538 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Net Income for fiscal year 2026 was $1,407 million, compared to $749 million for fiscal year 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $2,182 million for fiscal year 2026, compared to $1,753 million for fiscal year 2025. The increase was primarily driven by higher net income.

Definitions

Non-GAAP Measures - Organic sales, Enterprise operating profit, Enterprise operating margin, Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, free cash flow, free cash flow conversion, Adjusted ROIC, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP measures that are reconciled to GAAP measures in the attachments to this release.

Total ARR - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) is a key metric that enables measurement of progress in growing our recurring revenue business. It represents the annual contract value of all active recurring revenue contracts at any point in time. Recurring revenue is defined as a revenue stream that is contractual, typically for a period of 12 months or more, and has a high probability of renewal. The probability of renewal is based on historical renewal experience of the individual revenue streams, or management's best estimates if historical renewal experience is not available. Total ARR growth is calculated as the dollar change in ARR, adjusted to exclude the effects of currency, divided by ARR as of the prior period. The effects of currency translation are excluded by calculating Total ARR on a constant currency basis. Total ARR includes acquisitions even if there was no comparable ARR in the prior period. We believe that Total ARR provides useful information to investors because it reflects our recurring revenue performance period over period including the effect of acquisitions. Our measure of ARR may be different from measures used by other companies. Because ARR is based on annual contract value, it does not represent revenue recognized during a particular reporting period or revenue to be recognized in future reporting periods and is not intended to be a substitute for revenue, contract liabilities, or backlog.

Organic ARR - Organic annual recurring revenue is Total ARR that excludes comparable ARR in the prior period for the divested businesses.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the quarterly results will be held at 7:30 a.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, November 5, 2026. This call will be an audio webcast and accessible on the Rockwell Automation Investor Relations website (https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/company/investor-relations.html). Presentation materials will also be available on the website prior to the call.

Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing the following numbers: +1 (585) 542-9983 in the United States or +1 (833) 461-5787 toll-free. International dial-in numbers are available here: https://help.events.q4inc.com/eahc/international-dial-in-numbers. The meeting ID is 697888635.

This call is also accessible via webcast (https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/697888635/guest).

A replay of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Rockwell Automation website through December 7, 2026.

This news release contains statements (including certain projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe”, “estimate”, “project”, “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “intend”, and other similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to:

• macroeconomic factors, including inflation, global and regional business conditions, commodity prices, currency exchange rates, the cyclical nature of our customers’ capital spending, and sovereign debt concerns;
• laws, regulations, and governmental policies affecting our activities in the countries where we do business, including those related to trade policies, including tariffs, taxation, trade controls, cybersecurity, and climate change;
• the severity and duration of disruptions to our business due to natural disasters (including those as a result of climate change), pandemics, acts of war, strikes, terrorism, social unrest or other causes;
• the availability and price of components and materials;
• our ability to manage and mitigate the risks related to the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as security vulnerabilities and breaches, in our hardware and software products, solutions, and services;
• the availability, effectiveness, and security of our information technology systems;
• the successful execution of our cost productivity and margin expansion initiatives;
• our ability to attract, develop, and retain qualified employees;
• the successful integration and management of strategic transactions and achievement of the expected benefits of these transactions;
• the successful development of advanced technologies and demand for and market acceptance of new and existing hardware and software products;
• our ability to manage and mitigate the risks associated with our solutions and services businesses;
• competitive hardware and software products, solutions, and services, pricing pressures, and our ability to provide high quality products, solutions, and services;
• the availability and cost of capital;
• disruptions to our distribution channels or the failure of distributors to develop and maintain capabilities to sell our products;
• intellectual property infringement claims by others and the ability to protect our intellectual property;
• the uncertainty of claims by taxing authorities in the various jurisdictions where we do business;
• the uncertainties of litigation, including liabilities related to the safety and security of the hardware and software products, solutions, and services we sell;
• our ability to manage costs related to employee retirement and health care benefits; and
• other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 27,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2026. To learn more about how we are bringing Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

Ed Moreland
Media Relations
Rockwell Automation
571.296.0391

Aijana Zellner
Investor Relations
Rockwell Automation
440.289.8439