Donaldson Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2026 Sales and Earnings

Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) (Donaldson or the Company), a global leader in technology-led filtration products and solutions, today reported fiscal 2026 GAAP net earnings of $129.3 million in the fourth quarter and $453.8 million for the full year, compared with $114.3 million and $367.0 million, respectively, in fiscal 2025. Fiscal 2026 GAAP EPS were $1.10 in the fourth quarter and $3.85 for the full year, compared with $0.97 and $3.05, respectively, in the prior year. Fourth quarter and full-year 2026 adjusted EPS were $1.15 and $3.98, respectively, compared to $1.03 and $3.68, respectively, in fiscal 2025.

“Donaldson’s fourth quarter sales and earnings reached an all-time high, driven by strong organic volume growth, augmented by the acquisition of Facet Filtration, and supported by robust execution across all three of our segments,” said Rich Lewis, president and chief executive officer. “Our global teams successfully delivered another significant step-up in profitability through ongoing operational improvements in Industrial Solutions and continued momentum in Mobile Solutions and Life Sciences.

“We enter fiscal 2027 focused on capitalizing on increasing demand in several of our key, higher-margin businesses, further improving our operating efficiency and thoughtfully investing for future profitable growth, all aimed at serving our customers through our differentiated technology-led solutions. We are forecasting another record year, including record sales, operating margin, and earnings, as we build an even stronger Donaldson for the future and continue our long history of shareholder value creation.”

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Sales increased 8.0% to $1,058.8 million from $980.7 million in 2025, primarily due to higher volume, including approximately $30 million from the Facet acquisition, and pricing benefits.

Mobile Solutions segment (Mobile) sales increased 7.9%, driven by strength in Aftermarket and On-Road. Aftermarket sales grew 9.4% from robust growth in both the OE and independent channels. On-Road sales rose 8.7%, due to increased truck production in the United States and Europe following volume declines in the prior year. Off-Road sales were roughly flat, with sales growth in the construction end market offsetting weaker agriculture sales.

Industrial Solutions segment (Industrial) sales increased 7.7%, with the Facet acquisition within Aerospace and Defense contributing 980 basis points of growth to the Industrial segment. Organic Aerospace and Defense sales declined 2.8% from prior year as a result of ongoing supply chain constraints. Industrial Filtration Solutions (IFS) sales declined 2.0% as weaker new equipment sales in dust collection were partially offset by strength in Power Generation new equipment and IFS replacement part sales.

Life Sciences segment sales increased 9.7% year over year as a result of double-digit growth in Disk Drive and solid new equipment and replacement part sales in Food and Beverage.

Gross margin was 36.3%, up 180 basis points from 34.5% in 2025 primarily due to higher volume, pricing and mix, partially offset by increased input costs and a continued headwind from Power Generation production inefficiencies. Fiscal 2025 gross margin was negatively impacted by tariff-related inflation and inventory valuation headwinds. Adjusted gross margin, which excludes restructuring charges, was 36.7% compared with 34.8% in the prior year.

Operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 19.6% versus 19.1% in the prior year, primarily from the inclusion of Facet-related run-rate expenses and amortization, combined with higher incentive compensation. Adjusted operating expenses as a percentage of sales, which excludes restructuring and business development charges, were 19.1% compared with 18.3% in 2025.

Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) of 16.7% was 120 basis points above prior year as a result of gross margin expansion partially offset by higher operating expenses. Adjusted operating margin was 17.5%, a 110 basis point increase compared with 2025.

Interest expense was $14.7 million versus $7.1 million in 2025 as a result of higher debt levels from the Facet acquisition and higher interest rates. The Company’s effective tax rate was 22.5% versus 23.6% a year ago due to higher net discrete tax benefits.

For the full year, Donaldson paid $141.2 million in dividends and repurchased 1.2% of its outstanding shares for $108.5 million.

Fiscal 2027 Outlook

Full-year EPS is forecast to be between $4.22 and $4.38, including approximately $0.12 of dilution from Facet and compared with fiscal 2026 GAAP and adjusted EPS of $3.85 and $3.98, respectively. Sales are projected to increase between 5.5% and 9.5%, including an approximate 2% benefit from Facet sales, pricing of 2%, and a foreign currency translation tailwind of 1%.

Mobile sales are expected to increase 2% to 6% year over year. Off-Road sales are projected to increase mid-single digits and On-Road sales are estimated to increase high-single digits due to favorable end-market conditions, including in construction and transportation. Aftermarket sales are forecast to grow mid-single digits, driven by ongoing market share gains and continued strength in vehicle utilization rates.

Industrial sales are expected to grow mid-teens versus 2026. IFS sales are forecast to increase mid-single digits with strength across all businesses, including dust collection and Power Generation. Aerospace and Defense sales are projected to increase over 50%, driven by incremental Facet sales. Organic Aerospace and Defense sales growth is forecast in the mid-teens from improving supply chain conditions after pressure in 2026.

Life Sciences sales are projected to grow between 7% and 11% compared with prior year from continued strength in Food & Beverage and Disk Drive volume growth.

Operating margin is expected to be between 16.6% and 17.2% versus 15.4%, or 16.0% on an adjusted basis, in 2026, driven by gross margin expansion, partially offset by expense deleveraging, largely as a result of the full-year impact of Facet run-rate expenses as well as higher amortization expense.

Interest expense is projected to be between $55 million and $60 million, compared with $36 million in 2026, driven by higher debt levels from the Facet acquisition, and other income is expected to be between $16 million and $20 million. Donaldson expects a fiscal 2027 effective income tax rate of between 23.5% and 25.5%.

Capital expenditures are forecast to be between $70 million and $90 million and free cash flow conversion is projected to be between 95% and 105%. For the full year, Donaldson expects to repurchase approximately 1% of its shares outstanding.

Miscellaneous

The Company will webcast its fourth quarter and full-year 2026 earnings conference call today at 9:00 a.m. CT. To listen to the webcast, visit the “Events & Presentations” section of Donaldson’s Investor Relations website (IR.Donaldson.com), and click on the “listen to webcast” option. The webcast replay will be available at approximately 12:00 p.m. CT today. Also available on the website is the Company’s supplemental quarterly earnings presentation.

Statements in this release regarding future events and expectations, such as forecasts, plans, trends and projections relating to the Company’s business and financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are identified by words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “will allow,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “plan” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date such statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company’s performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed. These factors include, but are not limited to, challenges in global operations; changes in international trade policy; impacts of global economic, industrial and political conditions on product demand; impacts from unexpected events; effects of unavailable raw materials, significant demand fluctuations or material cost changes; inability to attract and retain qualified personnel; inability to meet customer demand; inability to maintain competitive advantages; threats from disruptive technologies; effects of highly competitive markets with pricing pressure; exposure to customer concentration in certain cyclical industries; inability to manage productivity improvements; inability to achieve commitments related to sustainability; results of execution of any acquisition, divestiture and other strategic transactions; risks relating to the Facet acquisition; inability to achieve the intended outcomes of AI technologies development; vulnerabilities associated with information technology systems and security; inability to protect and enforce intellectual property rights; costs associated with governmental laws and regulations; impacts of foreign currency fluctuations; and effects of changes in capital and credit markets. These and other factors are described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2025. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law. The results presented herein are preliminary, unaudited and subject to revision until the Company files its results with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K.

About Donaldson Company, Inc.

Founded in 1915, Donaldson (NYSE: DCI) is a global leader in technology-led filtration products and solutions, serving a broad range of industries and advanced markets. Diverse, skilled employees at over 150 locations on six continents partner with customers – from small business owners to R&D organizations and the world’s biggest OEM brands. Donaldson solves complex filtration challenges through three primary segments: Mobile Solutions, Industrial Solutions and Life Sciences. Additional information is available at www.Donaldson.com.

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