ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC (ROK): Results of Operations and Financial Condition
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC (ROK) filed an SEC Form 8-K — Results of Operations and Financial Condition. Exhibit 99 1201 S. Second Street Milwaukee, WI 53204 USA News Release Contact Ed Moreland Media Relations Rockwell Automation 571.296.0391 Aijana Zellner Investor Relations Rockwell Automation 440.289.8439 Rockwell Automation Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results • Reported sales up
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The filing provides new earnings and guidance numbers, plus segment-level growth and margin changes, which can drive immediate repricing of FY2026 expectations and revisions to estimates.
Market read
ROK’s updated FY2026 diluted and adjusted EPS ranges and Q3 margin expansion are actionable for traders managing earnings and guidance risk.
What to watch
Sensia joint venture dissolution affects reported vs organic comparability and tax items; traders should separate one-time dissolution benefits from underlying run-rate.
Rockwell Automation Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
Reported sales increased 8%, organic sales increased 10%, Enterprise operating profit increased 23%, and diluted EPS and Adjusted EPS increased 40% and 22%, respectively. The company also updated fiscal 2026 reported sales growth, organic sales growth, diluted EPS, and Adjusted EPS guidance.
Actuals vs. the company’s prior outlook
from its previous release| Metric | Guided | Reported | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reported sales midpoint | ~$8.9B | $2,313 million | n/a |
| Reported sales growth | 5% - 9% | up 8% | n/a |
| Organic sales growth | 5% - 9% | increased 10% | n/a |
| Divestiture | ~ (1.5)% | decreased sales by (3)% | n/a |
| Currency translation | ~ 1.5% | increased sales by 1% | n/a |
| Diluted EPS | $11.88 - $12.48 | $3.65 per share | n/a |
| Adjusted EPS | $12.50 - $13.10 | $3.49 | n/a |
Key metrics
as reported| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalesGAAP | $2,313 million | – | up 8% |
| Organic salesnon-GAAP | 10% | – | increased 10% |
| Divestiture impact on salesother | (3)% | – | decreased sales by (3)% |
| Currency translation impact on salesother | 1% | – | increased sales by 1% |
| Income before income taxesGAAP | $470 million | – | – |
| Pre-tax marginGAAP | 20.3% | – | – |
| Enterprise operating profitnon-GAAP | $516 million | – | up 23% |
| Enterprise operating marginnon-GAAP | 22.3% | – | – |
| Net income attributable to Rockwell AutomationGAAP | $408 million | – | – |
| Diluted EPSGAAP | $3.65 per share | – | up 40% |
| Adjusted EPSnon-GAAP | $3.49 | – | up 22% |
| Cash provided by operating activitiesGAAP | $724 million | – | – |
| Free cash flownon-GAAP | $654 million | – | – |
| Organic ARR growthother | 6% | – | grew 6% compared to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2025 |
| Corporate and other expenseGAAP | $34 million | – | – |
| Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets expenseGAAP | $30 million | – | – |
| Effective tax rateGAAP | 13.2% | – | – |
| Adjusted Effective Tax Ratenon-GAAP | 19.2% | – | – |
| ROICGAAP | 18.4% | – | – |
| Adjusted ROICnon-GAAP | 18.8% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2025 | – | – |
| Net IncomeGAAP | $408 million | – | – |
| Adjusted EBITDAnon-GAAP | $565 million | – | – |
Segments
| Segment | Revenue | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent DevicesOrganic sales increased 10% and currency translation increased sales by 2%. Segment operating margin increased to 20.0% from 18.8% driven by higher sales volume, favorable currency, and favorable mix, partially offset by negative price/cost. | $1.1 billion | – | an increase of 12% |
| Software & ControlOrganic sales increased 18% and currency translation increased sales by 1%. Segment operating margin increased to 34.8% from 31.6% driven by higher sales volume, partially offset by negative price/cost. | $751 million | – | an increase of 19% |
| Lifecycle ServicesOrganic sales decreased (2)%. Divestitures decreased sales by (11)% and currency translation increased sales by 1%. Segment operating margin increased to 15.1% from 13.3% driven by strong project execution and the margin benefit from the Sensia joint venture dissolution, partially offset by lower sales volume. | $482 million | – | a decrease of (12)% |
fiscal 2026 outlook
- RevenueReported sales midpoint ~$9.0B
- NoteReported sales growth 7.5% - 9.5%
- NoteOrganic sales growth 7.5% - 9.5%
- NoteDivestiture ~ (1.5)%
- NoteCurrency translation ~ 1.5%
- NoteDiluted EPS $12.72 - $13.02
- NoteAdjusted EPS $13.00 - $13.30
- NoteGuidance does not include sales, earnings, or cash flows related to the divested businesses of the Sensia joint venture in the second half of fiscal 2026.
Capital returns
- During the third quarter of fiscal 2026, the Company repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $145 million.
- At June 30, 2026, approximately $1.2 billion remained available under existing share repurchase authorizations.
What drove it
- Healthy customer demand, an accelerated pace of innovation, and disciplined execution.
- Continued strength in semiconductor, data center, and warehouse automation.
- Improving activity in automotive and life sciences.
- Higher sales volume, favorable mix, and the margin benefit of the Sensia joint venture dissolution.
- Software ARR up high single digits year over year.
Concerns
- Negative price/cost partially offset margin expansion in Intelligent Devices and Software & Control.
- Lifecycle Services organic sales decreased (2)% and lower sales volume partially offset its margin improvement.
- Divestitures decreased total sales by (3)% and Lifecycle Services sales by (11)%.
- The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate increased to 19.2% from 15.3%, primarily due to the impact of BEPS Pillar Two minimum tax rules.
What to watch
- Execution against fiscal 2026 reported sales growth guidance of 7.5% - 9.5% and organic sales growth guidance of 7.5% - 9.5%.
- Performance in semiconductor, data center, warehouse automation, automotive, and life sciences.
- Whether favorable mix, sales volume, and the Sensia joint venture dissolution continue to support Enterprise operating margin.
- Lifecycle Services sales following the divestiture of certain businesses to the Sensia joint venture partner.
- The impact of negative price/cost and BEPS Pillar Two minimum tax rules.
Balance sheet and cash flow
- Cash provided by operating activities in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 was $724 million compared to $527 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.
- Free cash flow in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 was $654 million, compared to $489 million in the same period last year.
Analysis
Rockwell Automation reported a strong third quarter of fiscal 2026. Sales were $2,313 million, up 8%, while organic sales increased 10%. Management cited healthy customer demand and continued strength in semiconductor, data center, and warehouse automation, alongside improving activity in automotive and life sciences. The quarter also included a (3)% sales impact from divestitures and a 1% benefit from currency translation following the April 1 dissolution of the Sensia joint venture.
Growth was led by Software & Control, where sales were $751 million, an increase of 19%, with organic sales up 18%. Intelligent Devices sales were $1.1 billion, an increase of 12%, and organic sales increased 10%. Lifecycle Services was the exception, with sales of $482 million, a decrease of (12)%, reflecting an (11)% divestiture impact and a (2)% organic sales decline. Organic ARR grew 6% compared to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2025, while software ARR was up high single digits year over year.
Profitability expanded materially. Enterprise operating profit was $516 million, up 23% from $418 million, and Enterprise operating margin was 22.3% compared to 19.5% a year ago. Pre-tax margin was 20.3% compared to 16.0%. The company attributed the margin gains to higher sales volume, favorable mix, and the margin benefit of the Sensia joint venture dissolution, partly offset by negative price/cost. Diluted EPS was $3.65 per share compared to $2.60 per share, while Adjusted EPS was $3.49 compared to $2.85.
Cash generation was also higher, with cash provided by operating activities of $724 million and free cash flow of $654 million, compared with $527 million and $489 million, respectively. The company repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares at a cost of $145 million and had approximately $1.2 billion remaining under existing repurchase authorizations at June 30, 2026. The GAAP effective tax rate declined to 13.2% from 14.3% due to favorable discrete tax items related to the Sensia dissolution, while the Adjusted Effective Tax Rate increased to 19.2% from 15.3% primarily due to BEPS Pillar Two.
The company updated fiscal 2026 guidance. Reported sales growth and organic sales growth are now guided to 7.5% - 9.5%, compared with prior ranges of 5% - 9%. The reported sales midpoint is ~$9.0B versus ~$8.9B previously. Diluted EPS guidance is $12.72 - $13.02 versus $11.88 - $12.48, and Adjusted EPS guidance is $13.00 - $13.30 versus $12.50 - $13.10. Guidance excludes sales, earnings, and cash flows related to the divested Sensia businesses in the second half of fiscal 2026.
Management, verbatim
Our strong third-quarter performance reflects healthy customer demand, an accelerated pace of innovation, and disciplined execution. Continued strength in semiconductor, data center, and warehouse automation, as well as improving activity in automotive and life sciences, drove growth across the business. Our 10% organic sales growth, combined with favorable mix and operational discipline, yielded double-digit earnings growth and expanded margins,
Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO
Our updated fiscal 2026 outlook reflects the strong execution of our team and our confidence in the opportunities ahead. We continue to perform at the high end of our growth framework while expanding margins and investing in innovation. With a differentiated portfolio, a world-class partner ecosystem, and a highly engaged team, we are well positioned to extend our leadership and deliver sustainable value over the long term,
Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Gross profit and gross margin
- Operating expenses
- GAAP operating income
- Prior-quarter sales, profit, earnings, EPS, cash flow, and segment comparisons
- Total ARR value
- Software ARR value and exact growth percentage
- Cash and cash equivalents
- Debt and net debt
- Dividend amount or dividend declaration
- Capital expenditures
- Free cash flow conversion
- Adjusted EBITDA margin
- Fiscal 2026 gross margin, operating expenses, tax rate, cash flow, capital expenditure, and free cash flow guidance
- Comparable fiscal-year actual results needed to assess prior fiscal 2026 guidance against actual fiscal-year performance
- Clarification of the differing prior-year net-income figures of $295 million and $293 million
- Clarification of the Adjusted ROIC period label, which reports both value and comparison as for the twelve months ended June 30, 2025
AlphaAI analysis generated from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure was cross-checked against the filing text; consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.
Background
This is Rockwell Automation’s SEC Form 8-K with Q3 FY2026 results and updated FY2026 guidance, including adjustments related to the Sensia joint venture dissolution completed April 1.
Ticker impact
Rockwell Automation reported Q3 FY2026 sales up 8% YoY, EPS $3.65, and updated FY2026 diluted EPS guidance to $12.72-$13.02.
Likely positive bias for the stock as traders reprice FY2026 EPS and margin trajectory.
The filing includes fresh, company-specific Q3 results and explicit updated FY2026 sales and EPS ranges, which are direct inputs to valuation and positioning.
Market effects
Signals continued strength in industrial automation demand pockets (semiconductor, data center, warehouse) and software ARR momentum.
Primarily US-listed industrials sentiment; could modestly influence broader industrial automation peers’ near-term read-through.
Global industrial capex and automation spending expectations may be reinforced by the company’s organic growth and margin expansion.
Counterpoint
Organic growth is strong, but the company notes negative price/cost and segment lifecycle services sales decline, which could cap upside if demand normalizes.
Key entities
- issuerRockwell Automation, Inc.
Reported Q3 FY2026 results, updated FY2026 sales and EPS guidance, and discussed Sensia joint venture dissolution impacts.
- corporate_eventSensia joint venture
Dissolved April 1; divestitures and dissolution benefits are used to adjust organic metrics and margins.
- executiveBlake Moret
Chairman and CEO quoted on performance drivers and outlook.
