01—Abstract
Summary
Summary of the 8-K filed October 29, 2026. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.
Wesco International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC) reported record third-quarter 2026 results on October 29, 2026, furnished under Item 2.02 with a press release (Exhibit 99.1) and an investor slide presentation (Exhibit 99.2) under Item 7.01.
Net sales rose 16.6% year over year to $7.23 billiona, with organic sales also up 16.6%. Data center sales reached $1.8 billion, up approximately 55%, and total company backlog was up approximately 80% year over year to a record level. GAAP diluted EPS was $5.43, versus $3.79 a year earlier, and adjusted diluted EPS was $5.77, up 47.2%.
Adjusted EBITDA was $561.5 millionb, up 32.7%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.8%. Cash generation improved sharply. Operating cash flow for the quarter was $193.9 million, compared with an outflow of $82.7 million in the prior-year quarter, and free cash flow was $184.2 million.
Financial leverage fell to 2.8x from 3.4x at the end of 2025. For the nine months, net sales were $19.97 billionc, up 14.5%, and free cash flow was $429.9 million. Management raised its full-year 2026 outlook.
Reported sales are now expected at $26.8 to $27.0 billiond (up 14% to 15%), adjusted EBITDA margin at about 7.2%, and adjusted diluted EPS at $18.00 to $18.50, compared with prior ranges of $25.9 to $26.3 billion and $16.00 to $17.50. The company also said October preliminary sales per workday were up high teens and guided fourth-quarter reported sales up low to mid-teens.
02—Key points
Key Highlights
- Q3 2026 net sales of $7,226.4 million, up 16.6% year over year and up 8.4% sequentially; organic sales also up 16.6%.
- Record total company backlog, up approximately 80% year over year, with record backlog in each of the three business units.
- Data center sales of $1.8 billion in Q3 2026, up approximately 55% year over year; non-data center sales up 7%.
- GAAP diluted EPS of $5.43 (vs. $3.79) and adjusted diluted EPS of $5.77 (vs. $3.92), up 47.2%.
- Operating cash flow of $193.9 million and free cash flow of $184.2 million in Q3, versus negative results in Q3 2025.
- Financial leverage improved to 2.8x from 3.4x at year-end 2025, with the 2031 and 2034 Senior Notes used to redeem the 2028 Notes.
- Full-year 2026 outlook raised: reported sales of $26.8–$27.0 billion and adjusted diluted EPS of $18.00–$18.50.
03—Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Wesco perform in the third quarter of 2026?
Wesco reported record third-quarter net sales of $7.23 billion, up 16.6% year over year. GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $267.8 million, and adjusted EBITDA was $561.5 million, up 32.7%, with a 7.8% margin.
What drove the growth in backlog and sales?
The filing attributes growth to volume increases in all three segments (CSS, EES and UBS) and a favorable price impact. Management cited data center sales of $1.8 billion, up about 55%, and multi-year customer commitments as key drivers of the backlog, which rose about 80%.
How much did the company change its 2026 guidance?
Reported sales guidance was raised to $26.8–$27.0 billion from $25.9–$26.3 billion, and adjusted diluted EPS guidance was raised to $18.00–$18.50 from $16.00–$17.50. The adjusted EBITDA margin outlook was raised to about 7.2% from 6.9%–7.1%, and free cash flow guidance was unchanged at $300–$600 million.
How did cash flow and the balance sheet change?
Operating cash flow was $469.0 million for the first nine months, compared with $53.1 million a year earlier, driven mainly by higher accounts payable and customer advance payments. Cash and cash equivalents rose to $842.5 million, and financial leverage fell to 2.8x.
What did the company say about its outlook for the fourth quarter?
Management said October preliminary sales per workday were up high teens. For the fourth quarter, it expects reported sales up low to mid-teens and adjusted EBITDA margin up about 50 basis points year over year.
04—Continue