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Rockwell Automation 8-K Report, Financial Results (May 5, 2026)

Reports
Earnings & Results·Exhibits & Filings
Filing Date
Filed May 5, 2026
Period End
May 5, 2026
Security
ROK
In the record · 2016–202610-K1010-Q338-K110

ROK filed 10 annual reports (10-K), 33 quarterly reports (10-Q) and 110 current reports (8-K) between 2016 and 2026.

  1. Leadership change8-K · Jun ’17Jun ’17
  2. Leadership change8-K · Sep ’19Sep ’19
  3. Deal closed8-K · Sep ’21Sep ’21
  4. Material agreement8-K · May ’25May ’25

01—Abstract

Summary

Summary of the 8-K filed May 5, 2026. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.

Rockwell Automation (ROK) reported fiscal Q2 2026 (quarter ended March 31, 2026) results that beat expectations, with reported sales up 12% year over year to $2,239 milliona and organic sales up 9%.

Currency translation contributed roughly 3 points. Diluted EPS rose 40% to $3.10b and Adjusted EPS rose 32% to $3.30. The improvement was driven mainly by higher sales volume, positive price/cost inclusive of productivity, and favorable mix.

Enterprise operating margin expanded about 350 basis points to 22.5%c, and pre-tax margin rose to 19.7% from 14.9%. Management cited improving demand in warehouse automation, data center, semiconductor, and energy, while noting that capital investment remains muted in other key verticals. Software & Control was the standout, with organic growth of 17% and a 34.9% segment margin.

Lifecycle Services was flat to down, with organic sales down 1%. The company raised fiscal 2026 guidance. Reported sales growth is now expected at 5% to 9%, up from 3% to 7%, and diluted EPS at $11.88 to $12.48d, up from $10.75 to $11.55.

Adjusted EPS guidance rose to $12.50 to $13.10, from $11.40 to $12.20. The updated outlook excludes the Sensia joint venture, which was dissolved on April 1, 2026, and the guidance includes a roughly 1.5% divestiture drag on sales. Cash generation was solid, with free cash flow of $275 million and free cash flow conversion of 74% of Adjusted Income.

The company also repurchased about $454 million of stock in the quarter and has roughly $318 million remaining under its authorization. Investors should weigh the strong margin expansion and guidance raise against several watch items. Income tax rates rose because of BEPS Pillar Two minimum tax rules.

The Sensia dissolution introduces portfolio change and one-time costs that are excluded from non-GAAP results. Short-term debt rose to $1,118 million from $610 million, and cash on hand is modest at $423 million. The company also introduced new Enterprise operating profit and margin metrics that include corporate expenses, which makes the new measures a useful but non-standard lens.

02—Key points

Key Highlights

  1. Reported sales rose 12% to $2,239M, with organic growth of 9% and about 3 points from currency translation.
  2. Diluted EPS of $3.10 was up 40% year over year, and Adjusted EPS of $3.30 was up 32%.
  3. Enterprise operating margin expanded to 22.5% from 19.0%, and pre-tax margin rose to 19.7% from 14.9%.
  4. Software & Control led growth, with organic sales up 17% and segment margin of 34.9%. Intelligent Devices organic sales rose 9%, while Lifecycle Services organic sales fell 1%.
  5. Fiscal 2026 guidance was raised: reported sales growth to 5% to 9%, diluted EPS to $11.88 to $12.48, and Adjusted EPS to $12.50 to $13.10.
  6. Free cash flow was $275M (74% conversion), and the company repurchased about $454M of stock in the quarter.
  7. The Sensia joint venture was dissolved on April 1, 2026, which is excluded from second-half guidance. The Adjusted ETR rose to 20.6% due to BEPS Pillar Two minimum tax rules.

03—Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why did Rockwell raise its fiscal 2026 guidance?

    Results beat management's expectations, with double-digit sales growth and strong margin expansion driven by higher volume, positive price/cost, and favorable mix. Management also pointed to improving demand in warehouse automation, data center, semiconductor, and energy. The raised guidance excludes the divested Sensia businesses in the second half.

  2. What is the impact of the Sensia joint venture dissolution?

    Sensia was dissolved on April 1, 2026, and its sales, earnings, and cash flows are excluded from second-half guidance. Guidance includes about a 1.5% drag on sales from the divestiture. The company also excludes related dissolution costs and tax items from Adjusted EPS, with a $0.13 per share net impact in fiscal 2026 guidance.

  3. Are the margin gains sustainable, and what are the risks?

    The margin gains reflect volume recovery, pricing, and productivity, which support the case for durability. Risks include muted capital spending in several verticals, a rising tax rate from Pillar Two rules, higher compensation costs, and continued macroeconomic and tariff uncertainty. Lifecycle Services showed weak organic growth, which warrants monitoring.

  4. How strong is Rockwell's cash generation and balance sheet?

    Operating cash flow was $320M in the quarter and free cash flow was $275M, with 74% conversion to Adjusted Income. Short-term debt rose to $1,118M from $610M, and cash was $423M. Management continued returning capital, with $454M of buybacks and dividends paid during the first half.

  5. What do the new Enterprise operating profit and margin measures mean?

    These new non-GAAP measures include corporate and other expenses, so they reflect the full cost of running the enterprise. Enterprise operating profit was $504M, with a 22.5% margin in the quarter. Because the measure is company-defined, investors should compare it carefully against segment results and GAAP pre-tax income.

04—Continue

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