Nordson Corporation (NDSN Quick QuoteNDSN - Free Report) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.25 per share, up 19.0% year over year and 5.2% above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.09. Revenues of $817.67 million increased 10.3% and beat the consensus estimate of $779 million by 5.0%.

Broad organic growth across all three segments powered the quarter, with Advanced Technology Solutions leading the expansion. Order momentum also remained strong, with backlog up 35% from the prior-year level.

NDSN's Organic Sales Gain Momentum

Organic sales increased 11.7% year over year. The net impact of acquisitions and divestitures reduced growth by 1.2%, while currency translation was a 0.2% headwind. The company reported record third-quarter sales in each of its three business segments.

Asia Pacific revenues rose 22.2% to $293.76 million, marking the strongest regional increase. Americas sales increased 5.4% to $331.47 million, while Europe revenues advanced 3.1% to $192.43 million. The regional mix showed that growth extended beyond a single market.

Nordson's Segments Post Record Sales

Industrial Precision Solutions revenues rose 4.7% to $367.25 million. Organic sales increased 3.3%, driven by strength in packaging, industrial coatings, polymer processing and nonwovens product lines. Acquisitions added 0.9%, while currency contributed 0.5%. Segment EBITDA was $129.90 million, with margin at 35%. 

Medical and Fluid Solutions revenues increased 5.0% to $230.54 million, despite a 5.6% divestiture drag. Organic sales climbed 10.6% on growth in engineered fluid solutions and medical product lines. Advanced Technology Solutions revenues surged 28.4% to $219.88 million, supported by 30.9% organic growth in electronics dispense and test and inspection applications. 

Advanced Technology Solutions also delivered record EBITDA of $65.70 million, up 58.1%, with margin improving to 30% from 24%. Medical and Fluid Solutions EBITDA rose to a record $88.29 million, while its margin remained at 38%.

NDSN's Margin Profile Strengthens

Cost of sales increased 8.6% year over year to $363.94 million. Gross profit rose 11.6% to $453.73 million, while gross margin expanded 70 basis points to 55.5%. Selling and administrative expenses increased 11.7% to $230.64 million.

Operating profit jumped 18.8% to $223.09 million. Adjusted operating profit was $225.94 million, up 12.6%. EBITDA increased 10.1% to $262.48 million, while the EBITDA margin held at 32%. 

Net income rose to $152.85 million from $125.78 million. GAAP earnings were $2.73 per diluted share, up from $2.22 a year earlier. Net interest expense declined to $20.36 million from $25.70 million.

Nordson's Cash Flow Supports Deleveraging

For the first nine months of fiscal 2026, cash from operating activities increased 10.5% to $570.47 million. Free cash flow rose 13.5% to $530.16 million. Third-quarter free cash flow was $236.75 million, representing a 144% conversion rate.

Nordson exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $113.43 million, compared with $108.44 million at the end of fiscal 2025. Long-term debt declined to $1.53 billion from $1.68 billion, while short-term debt and current maturities fell to $202 million from $315 million.

NDSN's Capital Returns Remain Active

During the first nine months, NDSN paid $137.38 million in dividends, up 3.3% year over year. Treasury-share purchases totaled $158.79 million, down 27.2% from the prior-year period. Capital spending totaled $40.31 million, compared with $49.00 million a year ago.

The company repaid a net $258.03 million of debt during the period. Management also highlighted $1.1 billion of near-term capacity for strategic acquisitions, while net debt leverage improved to 1.7 times trailing 12-month EBITDA from 2.1 times at the end of fiscal 2025.

Nordson Raises Fiscal 2026 Guidance

Nordson now expects fiscal 2026 sales of $3,035-$3,075 million, up from the prior $2,930-$3,010 million range. Adjusted earnings are projected at $11.80-$12.00 per share, compared with the previous $11.30-$11.80 range. 

The revised outlook calls for sales growth of 9-10% and adjusted earnings growth of 15-17%. Management expects the strong sales pace from the first nine months to continue into the fourth quarter, supported by order-entry momentum and strength in key end markets. Foreign currency is expected to have a neutral impact on fourth-quarter sales if rates remain at current levels.

NDSN’s Zacks Rank

The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). 

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Companies

Constellium SE (CSTM Quick QuoteCSTM - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.04 per share in the second quarter of 2026, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.91 per share. This compares with earnings of $0.25 per share a year ago.

Constellium posted revenues of $2.75 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%. This compares with year-ago revenues of $2.1 billion.

Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC Quick QuoteGNRC - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.91 per share in the second quarter of 2026, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.95 per share. This compares with earnings of $1.65 per share a year ago.

Generac Holdings posted revenues of $1.17 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.37%. This compares with year-ago revenues of $1.06 billion.

Graco Inc. (GGG Quick QuoteGGG - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 91 cents per share, up 17% from 78 cents in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents by 12.4%.

The company’s net sales rose 3% year over year to $590.6 million but lagged the consensus estimate of $609 million by 3%. Organic order backlog (excluding acquisitions) rose 28% from the end of 2025.