We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Can Snap-on's Tools Group Sustain Growth Momentum Ahead?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
SNA's Tools Group sales rose 3% organically, supported by power tools, torque products and diagnostics.
SNA's product pivot drove at least two-thirds of Tools Group growth in the second quarter.
Snap-on's Tools Group margins declined as higher personnel and freight costs offset sales growth.
Snap-on Incorporated (SNA - Free Report) reported continued sales growth in its Tools Group in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with sales increasing 3% organically to $508.8 million from $491 million a year ago. The increase reflected low single-digit gains in both U.S. and international operations, supported by higher sales of featured new products, including power tools, air-conditioning service and diagnostics.
The company continued its shift toward products offering quicker customer payback, with management indicating that the pivot was contributing to Tools Group growth. Management indicated that power tools and torque products were important contributors to the increase, noting that both were key parts of the company's pivot. They estimated that two-thirds or more of the Tools Group's growth was related to the pivot, while the recently launched APOLLO diagnostic product also had a strong quarter and contributed to the increase.
However, the segment continued to face higher operating costs. Operating expenses increased to 25.4% of sales from 24.5%, reflecting higher personnel, freight and other costs. Operating earnings declined to $115.1 million from $116.7 million, while operating margin contracted to 22.6% from 23.8% in the previous year period. Gross margin also declined 30 basis points year over year to 48% from 48.3%, primarily due to a year-over-year shift in product mix, partly offset by savings from the segment's rapid continuous improvement (RCI) initiatives.
Management said that additional personnel resources were being directed toward growth opportunities, while new products continued to support sales. At the same time, tool storage remained weak, and technicians continued to show reluctance toward longer-term obligations on larger-ticket purchases. Overall, Snap-on’s evolving product mix and customer-focused innovation could support continued Tools Group momentum, although rising operating expenses and softness in larger purchases may constrain profitability. The segment’s ability to balance growth investments with cost discipline will likely remain important.
The Zacks Rundown for SNA
Snap-on’s shares have gained 12.4% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 9.9% growth. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SNA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.24X compared with the industry’s average of 20.23X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SNA’s current and next fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a rise of 0.9% and 7.3%, respectively, from the previous year figures.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Carter’s, Inc. (CRI - Free Report) designs, sources, and markets branded children's wear in the United States and internationally. At present, CRI currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRI’s current fiscal-year earnings implies a decline of 10.1% from the year-ago figures. CRI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 415.9%, on average.
Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB - Free Report) , a lifestyle apparel company, designs, manufactures, procures, sells, and licenses apparel, footwear, and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler, Lee, and Helly Hansen brands. At present, KTB carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KTB’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 14.3% and 6.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. KTB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.2%, on average.
Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) designs, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells casual lifestyle footwear and accessories for men, women, and kids. At present, CROX carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CROX’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 1.4% and 10.8%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. CROX delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.6%, on average.
Image: Bigstock
Can Snap-on's Tools Group Sustain Growth Momentum Ahead?
Key Takeaways
Snap-on Incorporated (SNA - Free Report) reported continued sales growth in its Tools Group in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with sales increasing 3% organically to $508.8 million from $491 million a year ago. The increase reflected low single-digit gains in both U.S. and international operations, supported by higher sales of featured new products, including power tools, air-conditioning service and diagnostics.
The company continued its shift toward products offering quicker customer payback, with management indicating that the pivot was contributing to Tools Group growth. Management indicated that power tools and torque products were important contributors to the increase, noting that both were key parts of the company's pivot. They estimated that two-thirds or more of the Tools Group's growth was related to the pivot, while the recently launched APOLLO diagnostic product also had a strong quarter and contributed to the increase.
However, the segment continued to face higher operating costs. Operating expenses increased to 25.4% of sales from 24.5%, reflecting higher personnel, freight and other costs. Operating earnings declined to $115.1 million from $116.7 million, while operating margin contracted to 22.6% from 23.8% in the previous year period. Gross margin also declined 30 basis points year over year to 48% from 48.3%, primarily due to a year-over-year shift in product mix, partly offset by savings from the segment's rapid continuous improvement (RCI) initiatives.
Management said that additional personnel resources were being directed toward growth opportunities, while new products continued to support sales. At the same time, tool storage remained weak, and technicians continued to show reluctance toward longer-term obligations on larger-ticket purchases. Overall, Snap-on’s evolving product mix and customer-focused innovation could support continued Tools Group momentum, although rising operating expenses and softness in larger purchases may constrain profitability. The segment’s ability to balance growth investments with cost discipline will likely remain important.
The Zacks Rundown for SNA
Snap-on’s shares have gained 12.4% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 9.9% growth. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SNA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.24X compared with the industry’s average of 20.23X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SNA’s current and next fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a rise of 0.9% and 7.3%, respectively, from the previous year figures.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Carter’s, Inc. (CRI - Free Report) designs, sources, and markets branded children's wear in the United States and internationally. At present, CRI currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRI’s current fiscal-year earnings implies a decline of 10.1% from the year-ago figures. CRI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 415.9%, on average.
Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB - Free Report) , a lifestyle apparel company, designs, manufactures, procures, sells, and licenses apparel, footwear, and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler, Lee, and Helly Hansen brands. At present, KTB carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KTB’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 14.3% and 6.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. KTB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.2%, on average.
Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) designs, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells casual lifestyle footwear and accessories for men, women, and kids. At present, CROX carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CROX’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 1.4% and 10.8%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. CROX delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.6%, on average.