Carpenter Technology Q2 2026 Carpenter Technology Corp Earnings Call | AllMind AI Earnings | AllMind AI
Q2 2026 Carpenter Technology Corp Earnings Call
Speaker #1: Ladies standing I will be is by . gentlemen , thank and today . My name conference operator your Desiree , and At this time , I would like welcome to everyone to the Carpenter Technologies fiscal year earnings second quarter call .
Speaker #1: All lines have been plays on mute to background prevent any After the noise . speakers there will be question and remarks , a session .
Speaker #1: answer would like to ask a If you question during this time , simply press star , followed by the number one on your telephone keypad .
Speaker #1: If you would like to withdraw your question , press the star one . to turn the would now like conference I over John to Hewitt .
Speaker #1: You may begin .
Speaker #2: you . Good morning welcome Operator . , everyone , and to the Carpenter Technology Conference call for Thank the Earnings fiscal second quarter ended 2026 December 31st , 2025 .
John Huyette: This call is also being broadcast over the internet along with presentation slides. For those of you listening by phone, you may experience a time delay in slide movement. Speakers on the call today are Tony Thene, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Tim Lain, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Statements made by management during this earnings presentation that are forward-looking statements are based on current expectations. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements can be found in Carpenter Technology's most recent SEC filings, including the company's 10-K for the year ended 30 June 2025, 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 September 2025, and the exhibits attached to those filings. Please also note that in the following discussion, unless otherwise noted, when management discussed the sales or revenue, that reference excludes surcharge.
John Huyette: This call is also being broadcast over the internet along with presentation slides. For those of you listening by phone, you may experience a time delay in slide movement. Speakers on the call today are Tony Thene, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Tim Lain, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Statements made by management during this earnings presentation that are forward-looking statements are based on current expectations.
Speaker #2: This call is also being over the internet , along broadcast with presentation slides . For those of you experience listening phone , you may a time slide delay in movement .
Speaker #2: call today are Chairman and Tan , Speakers on the chief Tony executive , and officer senior vice president and Tim financial officer chief .
Speaker #2: by Statements made management during this earnings presentation that are looking are forward statements based on current expectations . Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from these materially forward looking statements can be found in CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY CORP most recent SEC filings , including Form the company's 10-K report on ended for the year June 30th , Form the 10-q for 2025 .
Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements can be found in Carpenter Technology's most recent SEC filings, including the company's 10-K for the year ended 30 June 2025, 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 September 2025, and the exhibits attached to those filings. Please also note that in the following discussion, unless otherwise noted, when management discussed the sales or revenue, that reference excludes surcharge.
Speaker #2: quarter ended September 30th , 2025 , exhibits and the attached to this filings Please also . note that in the following discussion , otherwise noted , unless when management discussed the sales or revenue that excludes reference surcharge when referring to margins , that is based operating on operating adjusted income , excluding special and items sales .
John Huyette: When referring to operating margins, that is based on adjusted operating income excluding special items, and sales excluding surcharge. I will now turn the call over to Tony. Thank you, John, and good morning to everyone. I will begin on slide 4 with a review of our safety performance. We ended Q2 of fiscal year 2026 with a total case incident rate of 1.4. We saw improvement over the last quarter, and as a result of the actions in this area, I expect to see continued progress going forward. As always, we remain committed to our ultimate goal, a zero-injury workplace. Let's turn to slide 5 for an overview of our Q2 performance. Q2 performance continued our earnings momentum and sets us up for a strong second half to fiscal year 2026. Let me highlight the four major takeaways for you. One, record earnings.
When referring to operating margins, that is based on adjusted operating income excluding special items, and sales excluding surcharge. I will now turn the call over to Tony.
Speaker #2: Excluding surcharge, we will now—I'll turn the call over to Tony.
Tony Thene: Thank you, John, and good morning to everyone. I will begin on slide 4 with a review of our safety performance. We ended Q2 of fiscal year 2026 with a total case incident rate of 1.4. We saw improvement over the last quarter, and as a result of the actions in this area, I expect to see continued progress going forward. As always, we remain committed to our ultimate goal, a zero-injury workplace. Let's turn to slide 5 for an overview of our Q2 performance. Q2 performance continued our earnings momentum and sets us up for a strong second half to fiscal year 2026.
Speaker #3: Thank you good morning , John , and to everyone . begin
Speaker #3: slide on I will safety four with a review performance of our . . We second quarter of ended the fiscal year a 2026 total case with incident rate of 1.4 .
Speaker #3: We saw improvement over the last quarter , and as result of the a actions in this area , I expect to see continued forward progress going .
Speaker #3: remain always , we committed to our As goal a ultimate workplace zero injury . Let's turn to slide five for an overview of our second quarter performance .
Speaker #3: performance continued our earnings Second quarter momentum and sets us up for a strong second half to fiscal 2026 . Let me year takeaways highlight the four major for you One .
Let me highlight the four major takeaways for you. One, record earnings. In Q2, we generated $155 million in operating income, exceeding our previous record set in the prior quarter. It is a 31% increase over Q2 of fiscal year 2025, another meaningful step up year-over-year. Our consistent earnings growth continues to be the result of our solid execution, strong market position, and unique capacity and capabilities.
John Huyette: In Q2, we generated $155 million in operating income, exceeding our previous record set in the prior quarter. It is a 31% increase over Q2 of fiscal year 2025, another meaningful step up year-over-year. Our consistent earnings growth continues to be the result of our solid execution, strong market position, and unique capacity and capabilities. Two, expanding operating margins. The SAO segment continued to expand margins, reaching an adjusted operating margin of 33.1% in the quarter. This margin compares to 28.3% a year ago and 32% in the prior quarter. Keep in mind that there are lots of factors that impact what our operating margins can be in any given quarter, most notably the mix of our products. So going forward, we may see some quarters that are flat or slightly lower, but the overall trajectory is anticipated to continue upwards.
Speaker #3: record earnings in the second quarter , we $155 million in operating generated income our , exceeding previous record set in quarter prior the and it is a 31% , increase second quarter of over our fiscal year 2025 .
Speaker #3: Meaningful over step up another year. Our consistent earnings growth continues to be the result of our solid performance, strong market position, and unique capacity and capabilities.
Two, expanding operating margins. The SAO segment continued to expand margins, reaching an adjusted operating margin of 33.1% in the quarter. This margin compares to 28.3% a year ago and 32% in the prior quarter. Keep in mind that there are lots of factors that impact what our operating margins can be in any given quarter, most notably the mix of our products. So going forward, we may see some quarters that are flat or slightly lower, but the overall trajectory is anticipated to continue upwards.
Speaker #3: operating Two expanding margins the Sao segment continued to expand margins , reaching an adjusted operating margin of quarter 33.1% in the This . margin compares to ago , 28.3% a year and 32% in the quarter .
Speaker #3: there are impact prior Keep in mind that lots of what our can operating margins in any factors that given quarter . notably , the mix of Most our products .
Speaker #3: going some quarters that So we may flat or slightly lower , forward , but overall the trajectory is anticipated to continue upwards . With that being said , our current outlook calls for increasing Sao margins over the next two quarters of fiscal 2026 , as in the year past , the positive trend will continue to driven by be productivity increased , product mix , optimization and pricing actions result as a of the expanding margins .
John Huyette: With that being said, our current outlook calls for increasing SAO margins over the next two quarters of fiscal year 2026. As in the past, the positive trend will continue to be driven by increased productivity, product mix optimization, and pricing actions. As a result of expanding margins, the SAO segment recorded $174.6 million in operating income, an increase of 29% year-over-year, and another all-time record for the segment. Three, strengthening market demand, especially in the aerospace and defense in-use market, as we continue to see strengthening demand signals in terms of OEM production and order intake rates. Our customers are keenly aware of these demand signals and are positioning themselves accordingly. In the quarter, bookings for the aerospace and defense in-use market increased 8% sequentially.
With that being said, our current outlook calls for increasing SAO margins over the next two quarters of fiscal year 2026. As in the past, the positive trend will continue to be driven by increased productivity, product mix optimization, and pricing actions. As a result of expanding margins, the SAO segment recorded $174.6 million in operating income, an increase of 29% year-over-year, and another all-time record for the segment.
Speaker #3: The Sao segment recorded 174.6 million in operating income , an increase of year , 29% year over and another all time segment . record for the market Three strengthening demand , especially in the aerospace and and use defense continue market as we to see strengthening in terms demand of signals OEM intake production and order .
Three, strengthening market demand, especially in the aerospace and defense in-use market, as we continue to see strengthening demand signals in terms of OEM production and order intake rates. Our customers are keenly aware of these demand signals and are positioning themselves accordingly. In the quarter, bookings for the aerospace and defense in-use market increased 8% sequentially.
Speaker #3: are Our rates customers these aware of keenly demand signals and our positioning themselves accordingly . In the quarter , bookings for the aerospace and defense market end use increased However , 8% sequentially .
John Huyette: However, it is important to note that defense sub-market orders were down materially in the quarter due to the government shutdown and uncertainty in terms of the defense budget. Most importantly, commercial aerospace bookings were up 23% sequentially. This is the fourth consecutive quarter of sequential order intake increases for the aerospace and defense in-use market. Seeing such strong bookings in a quarter that's usually quieter due to the holidays is a good indication of the accelerating demand for our materials. And four, pricing continues to be a tailwind. Given the strong demand outlook, our customers continue to be focused on securing their supply, and our pricing continues to increase. As evidence of this, we completed three additional long-term agreements with aerospace customers with significant price increases during the quarter.
However, it is important to note that defense sub-market orders were down materially in the quarter due to the government shutdown and uncertainty in terms of the defense budget. Most importantly, commercial aerospace bookings were up 23% sequentially. This is the fourth consecutive quarter of sequential order intake increases for the aerospace and defense in-use market. Seeing such strong bookings in a quarter that's usually quieter due to the holidays is a good indication of the accelerating demand for our materials.
Speaker #3: important to it is defense note that orders were down materially submarket in the quarter due government to the shutdown and uncertainty in terms of the defense budget .
Speaker #3: Most importantly , commercial aerospace bookings were up 23% sequentially . This is the fourth consecutive quarter of sequential order intake increases for the aerospace and defense end use market , seeing such strong bookings in a quarter , that's usually quieter due to the holidays .
Speaker #3: that good Is indication of the accelerating demand for our materials and pricing continues to for tailwind given the strong be a demand outlook ?
And four, pricing continues to be a tailwind. Given the strong demand outlook, our customers continue to be focused on securing their supply, and our pricing continues to increase. As evidence of this, we completed three additional long-term agreements with aerospace customers with significant price increases during the quarter.
Speaker #3: Our continued customers continue to be focused on securing their supply pricing, and our continues to increase. As evidence of this, we completed three additional long-term agreements with aerospace customers with significant increases during the quarter.
John Huyette: These long-term agreements represent good value for us and our customers as they look to secure their material needs going forward. Let's turn to slide 6 and have a closer look at second quarter sales and market dynamics. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, our total sales, excluding raw material surcharge, were up 8% over the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 and down 2% sequentially. Net sales were, as we expected, the result of multiple factors, including available operating days and customer closure schedules, items which we see at every calendar year end and which I noted in last quarter's earnings call. As we enter our third quarter, these factors are not in play, and we expect a sequential increase in net sales. Let me briefly review some of the key markets, starting with aerospace and defense.
These long-term agreements represent good value for us and our customers as they look to secure their material needs going forward. Let's turn to slide 6 and have a closer look at second quarter sales and market dynamics. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, our total sales, excluding raw material surcharge, were up 8% over the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 and down 2% sequentially. Net sales were, as we expected, the result of multiple factors, including available operating days and customer closure schedules, items which we see at every calendar year end and which I noted in last quarter's earnings call.
Speaker #3: These long term agreements represent good value for us and our customers as they look to secure material their needs going forward . Let's turn to slide six and have a closer look at second quarter sales and market dynamics .
Speaker #3: In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 , our total sales , excluding raw material surcharge , were up 8% over the second quarter of fiscal year , 2025 .
Speaker #3: down 2% sequentially . Net And sales were as we and the expected , result of multiple factors , including available operating days and customer closure schedules we see .
Speaker #3: at every calendar year Items which which I noted in quarter's last earnings end and call . As we quarter , these enter our third factors are not in play , and expect a we sequential increase in net sales .
As we enter our third quarter, these factors are not in play, and we expect a sequential increase in net sales. Let me briefly review some of the key markets, starting with aerospace and defense. Sales in the aerospace and defense in-use market were down 1% sequentially and up 15% year-over-year. While down modestly on a sequential basis, the aerospace and defense in-use market net sales represented our second-best quarter on record, and activity with our aerospace and defense customers continues to increase.
Speaker #3: Let me briefly review some of the key markets , starting with aerospace and defense sales in the aerospace and defense end use market were down 1% sequentially and up 15% year over year , while down modestly on a sequential basis , the aerospace and defense end use market net sales our represented second best quarter on record , and activity with aerospace and defense customers continues to increase .
John Huyette: Sales in the aerospace and defense in-use market were down 1% sequentially and up 15% year-over-year. While down modestly on a sequential basis, the aerospace and defense in-use market net sales represented our second-best quarter on record, and activity with our aerospace and defense customers continues to increase. I will mention two important data points from the aerospace engine and structural sub-markets. Order intake in the quarter for our aerospace engine materials was up 30% sequentially, signaling continued growing strength in demand. And very importantly, our aerospace structural customers are moving off the sidelines and ramping up order placement. Many of them recently placed their first large orders with us in several quarters and are already preparing their next round of orders, which they anticipate being larger and even more urgent.
I will mention two important data points from the aerospace engine and structural sub-markets. Order intake in the quarter for our aerospace engine materials was up 30% sequentially, signaling continued growing strength in demand. And very importantly, our aerospace structural customers are moving off the sidelines and ramping up order placement. Many of them recently placed their first large orders with us in several quarters and are already preparing their next round of orders, which they anticipate being larger and even more urgent.
Speaker #3: I will mention two important data points from the aerospace engine and structural submarkets , order intake in the quarter for aerospace engine materials was up 30% sequentially , signaling continued growing strength in demand and very importantly , our aerospace structural customers are moving off the sidelines and ramping up order placement .
Speaker #3: Many of them recently placed their first large orders with us, several in orders over the past quarters, and are already preparing the next round of orders, which they anticipate being larger and even more urgent.
John Huyette: Moving on to the medical in-use market, our sales were down 7% sequentially and 22% compared to the prior year's Q2. The decrease is isolated to certain titanium products for a specific set of medical distribution customers, and all within our PEP segment. Clearly, this has impacted the earnings of the much smaller PEP segment, but the impact is not material to total Carpenter Technology results and not material to our overall earnings outlook or our ability to deliver on such outlook. Outside of these distribution customers for titanium, we do see bright spots in other areas of the medical in-use market. Sales to our orthopedic and dental sub-markets remain strong, both near and all-time record. Our advanced solutions, which are ultimately used to support improved patient outcomes and are critical to trends like minimally invasive surgeries, metal sensitivities, and robotics, remain highly valued by our customers.
Moving on to the medical in-use market, our sales were down 7% sequentially and 22% compared to the prior year's Q2. The decrease is isolated to certain titanium products for a specific set of medical distribution customers, and all within our PEP segment. Clearly, this has impacted the earnings of the much smaller PEP segment, but the impact is not material to total Carpenter Technology results and not material to our overall earnings outlook or our ability to deliver on such outlook. Outside of these distribution customers for titanium, we do see bright spots in other areas of the medical in-use market. Sales to our orthopedic and dental sub-markets remain strong, both near and all-time record.
Speaker #3: Moving on to the medical and use market , our sales were down 7% sequentially and 22% compared to the prior year . Second quarter .
Speaker #3: The decrease is isolated to certain titanium products for a specific set of medical distribution customers, and all within our segment. Clearly, this has impacted the earnings of the much smaller PEP segment.
Speaker #3: But the impact is not material to total Carpenter results and not material to our overall earnings outlook or our ability to deliver on such outlook.
Speaker #3: Outside of these distribution customers , for titanium , we do see bright spots in other areas of the medical end use market sales to our orthopedic and dental submarkets remain strong , both near and all time record .
Our advanced solutions, which are ultimately used to support improved patient outcomes and are critical to trends like minimally invasive surgeries, metal sensitivities, and robotics, remain highly valued by our customers.
Speaker #3: Our solutions , advanced which are ultimately used improved to patient are support critical to trends like minimally surgeries , metal invasive sensitivities and robotics , remain highly valued by our customers .
John Huyette: Shifting to the energy in-use market, sales were down 10% sequentially and up 19% year-over-year. As I've said many times, sales in the power generation sub-market will fluctuate quarter to quarter due to the frequency of orders and our practice of strategically slotting them into our production process. Power generation demand continues to accelerate, driven primarily by the immense energy needs of data centers. We remain in close coordination with the power generation customers across multiple platform types and OEMs to plan for their future material needs. Altogether, we are operating in a strengthening demand environment across the high-value in-use markets that we believe will drive meaningful growth in both the near term and long term. Now, I will turn it over to Tim for the financial summary. Thanks, Tony. Good morning, everyone. I'll start on the income statement summary.
Shifting to the energy in-use market, sales were down 10% sequentially and up 19% year-over-year. As I've said many times, sales in the power generation sub-market will fluctuate quarter to quarter due to the frequency of orders and our practice of strategically slotting them into our production process. Power generation demand continues to accelerate, driven primarily by the immense energy needs of data centers. We remain in close coordination with the power generation customers across multiple platform types and OEMs to plan for their future material needs.
Speaker #3: energy and Shifting to the use market , sales were down 10% sequentially and up year . As I have said many times , power sales in the generation submarket will fluctuate to quarter quarter due to the frequency of orders and our practice of strategically slotting them into our production process .
Speaker #3: Power generation demand continues to accelerate , driven primarily by the energy needs immense of data centers . We remain in close coordination with the power generation customers across multiple platform types and OEMs to plan for their future material needs .
Altogether, we are operating in a strengthening demand environment across the high-value in-use markets that we believe will drive meaningful growth in both the near term and long term. Now, I will turn it over to Tim for the financial summary.
Speaker #3: Altogether , we are operating in a strengthening demand environment across the high use value end markets believe will drive meaningful growth in both the near term and long term .
Speaker #3: Now , I will turn it over to Tim financial summary .
Tim Lain: Thanks, Tony. Good morning, everyone. I'll start on the income statement summary.
Speaker #4: Thanks , Good Tony . morning everyone . I'll start on the income statement . Summary starting at the top sales excluding surcharge increased 8% year over year on 5% higher volume .
John Huyette: Starting at the top, sales excluding surcharge increased 8% year-over-year on 5% higher volume. Sequentially, sales were down 2% on 4% higher volume. The improving productivity, product mix, and pricing are evident in our gross profit, which increased to $218.3 million in the current quarter, up slightly sequentially and up 23% from the same quarter last year. Selling general and administrative, or SG&A, expenses were $63.1 million in the second quarter, flat sequentially and up $4.5 million from the same quarter last year. The SG&A line includes corporate costs, which were $26.2 million. This is flat sequentially and up $2.6 million from the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. For the upcoming third quarter of fiscal year 2026, we expect corporate costs to be about $25 million.
Starting at the top, sales excluding surcharge increased 8% year-over-year on 5% higher volume. Sequentially, sales were down 2% on 4% higher volume. The improving productivity, product mix, and pricing are evident in our gross profit, which increased to $218.3 million in the current quarter, up slightly sequentially and up 23% from the same quarter last year. Selling general and administrative, or SG&A, expenses were $63.1 million in the second quarter, flat sequentially and up $4.5 million from the same quarter last year. The SG&A line includes corporate costs, which were $26.2 million. This is flat sequentially and up $2.6 million from the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. For the upcoming third quarter of fiscal year 2026, we expect corporate costs to be about $25 million.
Speaker #4: Sequentially , sales were down 2% 4% higher volume . The improving productivity product mix and pricing are evident in our gross profit , which increased to 218.3 million in the current quarter , up slightly and up sequentially 23% from the same quarter last year .
Speaker #4: Selling , general and administrative or G&A expenses were 63.1 million in the second quarter , flat sequentially and up 4.5 million from the same quarter last year .
Speaker #4: The line includes corporate costs , which were 26.2 million . This is flat sequentially and 2.6 million from the up second quarter of fiscal For the year 2025 .
Speaker #4: upcoming third quarter year 2026 , costs to corporate fiscal of be about 25 million . Operating income was 155.2 million in the current quarter , which is 31% higher than our second quarter of fiscal 2025 and up year slightly from our recent first quarter .
John Huyette: Operating income was $155.2 million in the current quarter, which is 31% higher than our second quarter of fiscal year 2025 and up slightly from our recent first quarter. As Tony mentioned earlier, this represents another record quarterly operating income result, breaking the previous record set last quarter. Moving on to our effective tax rate, which was 19% in the current quarter. This quarter's effective tax rate was lower than anticipated, primarily due to discrete tax benefits associated with the exercise of certain equity awards in the current quarter. For the balance of the fiscal year, we expect the effective tax rate to be between 22% to 23%. For the full fiscal year 2026, the effective tax rate is expected to be on the low end of the full year guidance we previously provided of 21% to 23%. Finally, the adjusted earnings per diluted share was $2.33 for the quarter.
Operating income was $155.2 million in the current quarter, which is 31% higher than our second quarter of fiscal year 2025 and up slightly from our recent first quarter. As Tony mentioned earlier, this represents another record quarterly operating income result, breaking the previous record set last quarter. Moving on to our effective tax rate, which was 19% in the current quarter. This quarter's effective tax rate was lower than anticipated, primarily due to discrete tax benefits associated with the exercise of certain equity awards in the current quarter.
Speaker #4: As Tony mentioned earlier , this represents another record quarterly operating income result , breaking the previous record set last quarter . Moving on to our effective tax rate , which was 19% in the current quarter this quarter's effective tax rate was lower than anticipated , primarily due to discrete tax benefits associated with the exercise of certain equity awards in the current quarter .
For the balance of the fiscal year, we expect the effective tax rate to be between 22% to 23%. For the full fiscal year 2026, the effective tax rate is expected to be on the low end of the full year guidance we previously provided of 21% to 23%. Finally, the adjusted earnings per diluted share was $2.33 for the quarter.
Speaker #4: the For balance of the fiscal year , we expect the tax rate effective to be between 22 to 23% for the full fiscal year 2026 , the tax effective rate is expected to be on the low end of the full year guidance we previously provided of Finally , the 21 to 23% .
Speaker #4: Earnings per diluted share was $2.33 for the quarter. The adjusted earnings per share excludes the impact of the debt refinancing we completed in the quarter.
John Huyette: The adjusted earnings per share excludes the impact of the debt refinancing we completed in the quarter. I'll talk about that shortly. Now, turning to more detail on each of the segments, starting with our SAO results. Net sales excluding surcharge for the second quarter were $527.3 million. Compared to the same quarter last year, sales were up 10% on 5% higher volume, reflecting the impact of product mix optimization and pricing actions. Sequentially, sales were down 1% on 5% higher volume. We recognize there is a significant focus externally on our reported sales and volume each quarter and ultimately the selling price per pound of our products, particularly in our SAO segment as an indicator of pricing changes. As we've stated before, the selling price per pound in any given quarter is highly dependent on the mix of products that we ship in any one quarter.
The adjusted earnings per share excludes the impact of the debt refinancing we completed in the quarter. I'll talk about that shortly. Now, turning to more detail on each of the segments, starting with our SAO results. Net sales excluding surcharge for the second quarter were $527.3 million. Compared to the same quarter last year, sales were up 10% on 5% higher volume, reflecting the impact of product mix optimization and pricing actions. Sequentially, sales were down 1% on 5% higher volume. We recognize there is a significant focus externally on our reported sales and volume each quarter and ultimately the selling price per pound of our products, particularly in our SAO segment as an indicator of pricing changes. As we've stated before, the selling price per pound in any given quarter is highly dependent on the mix of products that we ship in any one quarter.
Speaker #4: talk I'll about that shortly . Now , turning to more detail on each of the segments , starting with our SEO results , net sales , excluding surcharge for the second quarter were 527.3 million compared to the same quarter last year .
Speaker #4: Sales were up 10% 5% higher on volume , reflecting the impact of product mix optimization and pricing actions . Sequentially , sales were down 1% on 5% higher volume .
Speaker #4: We recognized there is a significant focus externally on our reported sales and Each volume . quarter , and ultimately the selling price per pound of our products , particularly in our SEO segment .
Speaker #4: As an indicator of pricing changes . As we've before , stated the selling price per pound in any given quarter is highly dependent on the mix we products that of any one quarter .
John Huyette: As we saw this quarter, our product mix was influenced by the planned maintenance activities and holidays. As a result, and as expected given these dynamics, our reported net sales excluding surcharge per pound were down slightly sequentially and up year-over-year. Most importantly, SAO's adjusted operating margin continued to increase and, in fact, hit record levels, reaching 33.1% in adjusted operating margin. This marks the 16th consecutive quarter of margin expansion. As a result, SAO reported operating income of $174.6 million in Q2, a new all-time high for the segment. In addition to mix and price benefits, the record performance reflects the SAO team's ability to actively manage our production schedules, increase productivity at key work centers, manage costs, and execute thoughtful planned maintenance activities.
As we saw this quarter, our product mix was influenced by the planned maintenance activities and holidays. As a result, and as expected given these dynamics, our reported net sales excluding surcharge per pound were down slightly sequentially and up year-over-year. Most importantly, SAO's adjusted operating margin continued to increase and, in fact, hit record levels, reaching 33.1% in adjusted operating margin. This marks the 16th consecutive quarter of margin expansion. As a result, SAO reported operating income of $174.6 million in Q2, a new all-time high for the segment. In addition to mix and price benefits, the record performance reflects the SAO team's ability to actively manage our production schedules, increase productivity at key work centers, manage costs, and execute thoughtful planned maintenance activities.
Speaker #4: As we saw this product mix was influenced by the planned maintenance activities and holidays . As a result , and as expected , given these dynamics , our reported net sales excluding surcharge per pound , were down slightly sequentially and up year over year .
Speaker #4: Most importantly , sales adjusted operating margin continued to increase and in fact hit record levels reaching 33.1% in adjusted operating margin . This marks the 16th consecutive quarter of margin expansion .
Speaker #4: As a result , SEO reported operating income of 174.6 million in the second quarter , a new all time high for the segment .
Speaker #4: In addition to mix and price benefits , the record performance reflects the SEO team's ability to actively manage our production schedules , increased productivity at key work centers , managed costs , and execute thoughtful , planned maintenance .
John Huyette: Looking ahead to our third quarter of fiscal year 2026, we anticipate SAO will generate operating income in the range of $195 to $200 million. This implies a healthy 12% to 15% increase from SAO's second quarter record results. Now, turning to slide 10 in our PEP segment results. Net sales excluding surcharge in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 were $77.2 million, down 11% sequentially, and down 10% from the same quarter a year ago. As Tony mentioned earlier, the decline was primarily driven by titanium sales, which were heavily impacted by lower demand from specific medical customers. As a result, PEP reported an operating income of $6.9 million in the current quarter, compared with $9.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 and $7 million in the same quarter a year ago.
Looking ahead to our third quarter of fiscal year 2026, we anticipate SAO will generate operating income in the range of $195 to $200 million. This implies a healthy 12% to 15% increase from SAO's second quarter record results. Now, turning to slide 10 in our PEP segment results. Net sales excluding surcharge in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 were $77.2 million, down 11% sequentially, and down 10% from the same quarter a year ago. As Tony mentioned earlier, the decline was primarily driven by titanium sales, which were heavily impacted by lower demand from specific medical customers. As a result, PEP reported an operating income of $6.9 million in the current quarter, compared with $9.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 and $7 million in the same quarter a year ago.
Speaker #4: activities Looking ahead to our third quarter of fiscal year 2026 , we anticipate Sao will generate operating income in the range of 195 million to 200 million .
Speaker #4: This implies a healthy 12 to 15% increase from Sao second quarter record results . Now turning to slide ten . In our pep segment , results , net sales excluding surcharge in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 were 77.2 million , down 11% sequentially and down 10% from the same quarter a year ago .
Speaker #4: As Tony mentioned earlier , the decline was primarily driven by titanium sales , which were heavily impacted by lower demand from specific medical customers .
Speaker #4: As a result , Pep reported an operating income of 6.9 million in the current quarter , compared with 9.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 and 7 million in the same quarter a year ago .
John Huyette: The year-over-year improvement in operating margin reflects increasing sales in our additive business driven by demand, as well as the cost benefits of actions we took last year to reduce structural costs in this business. We currently anticipate the PEP segment's operating income for the upcoming Q3 to be in line with the Q2 of fiscal year 2026. Before we move to cash flow, I just wanted to pull together the pieces that make up our outlook for operating income for the Q3 of fiscal year 2026. We anticipate total operating income of $177 million to $182 million. This includes SAO at $195 million to $200 million, PEP at roughly $7 million, and corporate costs of $25 million. Now, turning to the next slide to talk about our cash generation and capital allocation priorities.
The year-over-year improvement in operating margin reflects increasing sales in our additive business driven by demand, as well as the cost benefits of actions we took last year to reduce structural costs in this business. We currently anticipate the PEP segment's operating income for the upcoming Q3 to be in line with the Q2 of fiscal year 2026. Before we move to cash flow, I just wanted to pull together the pieces that make up our outlook for operating income for the Q3 of fiscal year 2026. We anticipate total operating income of $177 million to $182 million. This includes SAO at $195 million to $200 million, PEP at roughly $7 million, and corporate costs of $25 million.
Speaker #4: The year over year improvement in operating reflects margin sales in increasing business our , as demand , driven by cost benefits of actions we took last year to reduce structural costs in this business .
Speaker #4: We currently anticipate the PEP segment's operating income for the upcoming third quarter to be in line with the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. Before we move to cash flow, I just wanted to pull together the pieces that make up our outlook for operating income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. We anticipate total operating income of $177 million to $182 million.
Speaker #4: This includes Sao at Pat . 195 to 200 million , At roughly 7 million , and corporate costs of 25 million . Now turning to the next about our slide to talk cash generation and capital allocation priorities in quarter , we the current generated 132.2 million of cash from operating activities and spent 46.3 million on capital expenditures , which resulted in adjusted free cash flow 85.9 million .
Now, turning to the next slide to talk about our cash generation and capital allocation priorities. In the current quarter, we generated $132.2 million of cash from operating activities and spent $46.3 million on capital expenditures, which resulted in adjusted free cash flow of $85.9 million. As I mentioned last quarter, we expect capital spending will accelerate in the second half of fiscal year 2026, as construction activities related to the brownfield capacity expansion project broaden and equipment delivery and installation begins in earnest.
John Huyette: In the current quarter, we generated $132.2 million of cash from operating activities and spent $46.3 million on capital expenditures, which resulted in adjusted free cash flow of $85.9 million. As I mentioned last quarter, we expect capital spending will accelerate in the second half of fiscal year 2026, as construction activities related to the brownfield capacity expansion project broaden and equipment delivery and installation begins in earnest. As we look ahead, we expect to generate at least $280 million of adjusted free cash flow in fiscal year 2026. Our free cash flow generation is important as it enables us to deploy a balanced capital allocation. As we've discussed before, our primary focus areas for capital deployment are investing cash in attractive and accretive growth projects and returning cash to shareholders.
Speaker #4: As I mentioned last quarter, we expect capital spending will accelerate in the second half of fiscal year 2026 as construction activities related to the brownfield capacity expansion project broaden and equipment delivery and installation begin in earnest.
As we look ahead, we expect to generate at least $280 million of adjusted free cash flow in fiscal year 2026. Our free cash flow generation is important as it enables us to deploy a balanced capital allocation. As we've discussed before, our primary focus areas for capital deployment are investing cash in attractive and accretive growth projects and returning cash to shareholders.
Speaker #4: As we look ahead , we expect to generate at least 280 million of adjusted free cash flow in fiscal year 2026 . Our free cash flow generation is important as it enables us to deploy a balanced capital allocation .
Speaker #4: As we've discussed before , our primary focus areas for deployment are cash in investing attractive and accretive growth projects and returning cash to shareholders .
John Huyette: In that regard, we continue to execute against our share repurchase authorization and repurchased $32.1 million of shares in the current quarter. This brings the total to $183.1 million spent to date against the $400 million authorization that we announced in July 2024. In addition to the buyback program, we also continue to fund a recurring and long-standing quarterly dividend. That brings us to investing in growth. As noted, the brownfield expansion project construction activities are ongoing and rapidly progressing. The project is currently on budget and on schedule. Finally, our ability to deploy capital is also supported by our healthy liquidity and strong balance sheet. In the current quarter, we took actions to strengthen both our balance sheet and liquidity. Namely, we completed a refinancing of our long-term debt to extend the maturity of our notes to 2034 while reducing the interest rate.
In that regard, we continue to execute against our share repurchase authorization and repurchased $32.1 million of shares in the current quarter. This brings the total to $183.1 million spent to date against the $400 million authorization that we announced in July 2024. In addition to the buyback program, we also continue to fund a recurring and long-standing quarterly dividend. That brings us to investing in growth.
Speaker #4: regard , we continue to our against share repurchase In that authorization and repurchased 32.1 million of shares in the current quarter . This brings the total to 183.1 million spent to , date against the $400 million authorization that we announced in July of 2024 .
Speaker #4: In addition to the buyback program , we also continued to fund a recurring and long standing quarterly dividend . That brings us to investing and growth .
As noted, the brownfield expansion project construction activities are ongoing and rapidly progressing. The project is currently on budget and on schedule. Finally, our ability to deploy capital is also supported by our healthy liquidity and strong balance sheet. In the current quarter, we took actions to strengthen both our balance sheet and liquidity. Namely, we completed a refinancing of our long-term debt to extend the maturity of our notes to 2034 while reducing the interest rate.
Speaker #4: As noted , the brownfield Expansion project construction activities are ongoing and rapidly progressing . The project is currently on budget and on schedule .
Speaker #4: Finally , our ability to deploy capital is also supported by our healthy liquidity and strong balance sheet . In the current quarter , we took actions to strengthen both our balance sheet and liquidity .
Speaker #4: Namely , we completed the refinancing of our long term debt to extend the maturity of our notes to 2034 . While reducing the interest rate .
John Huyette: In addition, we amended and restated our revolving credit facility, primarily to increase our credit facility from $350 million to $500 million and extended the term to 2030. As of the most recent quarter end, our total liquidity was $730.8 million, including $231.9 million of cash and $498.9 million of available borrowings under our credit facility. Our credit metrics remain very strong, with our net debt-to-EBITDA ratio remaining well below one times. Altogether, we believe our strong balance sheet and outlook for significant cash generation positions us well to fund continued growth and deliver significant shareholder returns. With that, I will turn the ball back to Tony. Thanks, Tim. Each quarter, important things emerge that become the focus of attention in the investment community. As I did last quarter, I will address them in detail to make sure Carpenter Technology's position is clear.
In addition, we amended and restated our revolving credit facility, primarily to increase our credit facility from $350 million to $500 million and extended the term to 2030. As of the most recent quarter end, our total liquidity was $730.8 million, including $231.9 million of cash and $498.9 million of available borrowings under our credit facility. Our credit metrics remain very strong, with our net debt-to-EBITDA ratio remaining well below one times.
Speaker #4: In addition , we amended and restated our revolving credit facility primarily to increase our credit facility from 350 million to 500 million and extended the term to 2030 .
Speaker #4: As of the most recent quarter end , our total liquidity was 730.8 million , including 231.9 million of cash and 498.9 million of available borrowings .
Speaker #4: Under our credit facility . Our credit metrics remain very strong with our net debt to EBITDA ratio remaining well below one times altogether .
Altogether, we believe our strong balance sheet and outlook for significant cash generation positions us well to fund continued growth and deliver significant shareholder returns. With that, I will turn the ball back to Tony.
Speaker #4: We believe our strong balance sheet and outlook for significant cash generation positions us well to fund continued growth and deliver significant shareholder returns .
Tony Thene: Thanks, Tim. Each quarter, important things emerge that become the focus of attention in the investment community. As I did last quarter, I will address them in detail to make sure Carpenter Technology's position is clear.
Speaker #4: With that, I will turn the call back to Tony.
Speaker #3: Tim Thanks , . Each quarter . Important themes emerged that become the focus of attention in the investment community , as I did last quarter .
Speaker #3: I will address them in detail to make sure CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY CORP position is clear . First , the ongoing discussion concerning the strength and acceleration of the aerospace demand environment , with a focus on current and anticipated build rates on last quarter's earnings call , I spent a lot of time providing details of positive momentum in the demand environment repeating everything .
John Huyette: First, the ongoing discussion concerning the strength and acceleration of the aerospace demand environment, with a focus on current and anticipated build rates. On last quarter's earnings call, I spent a lot of time providing details of positive momentum in the aerospace demand environment. Without repeating everything, I will just state again that the aerospace market is in the midst of one of the largest build ramps ever to meet the unprecedented demand projections. Let me provide a couple of new positive data points that have appeared over the last quarter. Notably, Boeing achieved the milestone of building 42 737s in the month of December. On their earnings call earlier this week, Boeing reaffirmed their intention to increase build rates in calendar year 2026.
First, the ongoing discussion concerning the strength and acceleration of the aerospace demand environment, with a focus on current and anticipated build rates. On last quarter's earnings call, I spent a lot of time providing details of positive momentum in the aerospace demand environment. Without repeating everything, I will just state again that the aerospace market is in the midst of one of the largest build ramps ever to meet the unprecedented demand projections.
Speaker #3: I will just state again that the aerospace market is in the midst of one of the largest build ramps ever to meet the unprecedented demand projections.
Let me provide a couple of new positive data points that have appeared over the last quarter. Notably, Boeing achieved the milestone of building 42 737s in the month of December. On their earnings call earlier this week, Boeing reaffirmed their intention to increase build rates in calendar year 2026.
Speaker #3: Let me provide a couple of new positive data points that have appeared over the last quarter. Notably, we achieved the Boeing milestone of building 42 737s in the month of December.
Speaker #3: On their earnings call earlier this week , Boeing reaffirmed their intention to increase build rates in calendar year 2026 , and most notably , they emphasized that builds would be increasing much higher than deliveries , given that finished plane inventory has now been depleted and their intent to build some 737 ahead of delivery in While 2027 .
John Huyette: Most notably, they emphasized that builds would be increasing much higher than deliveries, given that finished plane inventory has now been depleted, and their intent to build some 737s ahead of delivery in 2027. While citing an expected 10% increase in deliveries, Boeing noted that build activity would have to increase much more to account for the factors I just mentioned. In light of this, our aerospace customers continue to report increasing demand in the supply chain to support the build rate ramp. This, in turn, is accelerating confidence in the aerospace outlook across each of our submarkets. Our aerospace engine customers are full steam ahead. The engine OEMs are asking us whether the supply chain has ordered enough material to support part builds. Our direct customers are focused on getting orders placed against, in many cases, recently signed long-term agreements.
Most notably, they emphasized that builds would be increasing much higher than deliveries, given that finished plane inventory has now been depleted, and their intent to build some 737s ahead of delivery in 2027. While citing an expected 10% increase in deliveries, Boeing noted that build activity would have to increase much more to account for the factors I just mentioned. In light of this, our aerospace customers continue to report increasing demand in the supply chain to support the build rate ramp.
Speaker #3: citing an expected 10% increase in deliveries , Boeing noted that build activity would have to increase much more to account for the factors .
Speaker #3: I just mentioned . In aerospace light of customers this , our continue to report increasing demand in the supply chain to support the build rate ramp .
This, in turn, is accelerating confidence in the aerospace outlook across each of our submarkets. Our aerospace engine customers are full steam ahead. The engine OEMs are asking us whether the supply chain has ordered enough material to support part builds. Our direct customers are focused on getting orders placed against, in many cases, recently signed long-term agreements.
Speaker #3: This in turn , is accelerating confidence in the aerospace outlook across each of our submarkets . Our Aerospace Engine customers full steam are ahead .
Speaker #3: The engine OEMs are asking us whether the supply chain has ordered enough material to support part builds , and our direct customers are focused on getting orders placed against , in many cases .
Speaker #3: Recently signed long term agreements . Importantly , and as I mentioned previously , we continue to see meaningful sequential increases in order intake for our aerospace engine materials up 30% sequentially .
John Huyette: Importantly, and as I mentioned previously, we continue to see meaningful sequential increases in order intake for our aerospace engine materials, up 30% sequentially. I will also repeat my statement from earlier that our aerospace structural customers are moving off the sidelines and ramping up order placement. This is an aerospace submarket that has been lagging to others, and the recent placement of their first large orders with us in several quarters is an encouraging sign of strengthening confidence in the aerospace ramp. We are also working closely with our aerospace fastener customers to ensure they get the materials needed as they are projecting big increases for calendar year 2026. Altogether, we are clearly in the midst of an acceleration of aerospace demand.
Importantly, and as I mentioned previously, we continue to see meaningful sequential increases in order intake for our aerospace engine materials, up 30% sequentially. I will also repeat my statement from earlier that our aerospace structural customers are moving off the sidelines and ramping up order placement. This is an aerospace submarket that has been lagging to others, and the recent placement of their first large orders with us in several quarters is an encouraging sign of strengthening confidence in the aerospace ramp. We are also working closely with our aerospace fastener customers to ensure they get the materials needed as they are projecting big increases for calendar year 2026.
Speaker #3: I will also repeat my statement from earlier that our Aerospace structural customers are moving off the sidelines and ramping up order placement . This is aerospace an submarket that has been and the lagging others , recent placement of their first large orders with us in several quarters is an encouraging sign of strengthening confidence in aerospace ramp .
Speaker #3: We are also working closely with our Aerospace Fastener customers to ensure they get the materials needed as they are projecting big increases for calendar year 2026 .
Altogether, we are clearly in the midst of an acceleration of aerospace demand. Our sophisticated customers understand the accelerating demand dynamics, and we continue to work with them to ensure they have their orders in place so they are not last in line. Our customers also understand that nickel-based superalloys will be in short supply, with only a few qualified producers globally. That point leads to the second topic to discuss: nickel-based superalloy industry supply. This can be a difficult topic to understand and to quantify, as there are numerous complex nickel-based superalloys that are supplied into aerospace engines and other critical areas of the aircraft, such as landing gear, avionics, and structural.
Speaker #3: Altogether , we are clearly in the midst of an acceleration of aerospace demand . Our sophisticated customers understand the accelerating demand dynamics and we continue to work with them to ensure they have their orders in place so they are not last in line .
John Huyette: Our sophisticated customers understand the accelerating demand dynamics, and we continue to work with them to ensure they have their orders in place so they are not last in line. Our customers also understand that nickel-based superalloys will be in short supply, with only a few qualified producers globally. That point leads to the second topic to discuss: nickel-based superalloy industry supply. This can be a difficult topic to understand and to quantify, as there are numerous complex nickel-based superalloys that are supplied into aerospace engines and other critical areas of the aircraft, such as landing gear, avionics, and structural. Before I address supply, it is important to understand the demand projections for nickel-based superalloys into the aerospace supply chain. As we have detailed in our investor event about a year ago, the aerospace industry is targeting build rates of 2,100+ airplanes per year.
Speaker #3: Our customers also understand that nickel based superalloys will be in short supply , with only a few qualified producers globally . That point leads to the second topic to discuss nickel based superalloy industry supply .
Speaker #3: This can be a difficult topic to understand and to quantify , as are numerous , complex , nickel based that are superalloys supplied into aerospace engines and other critical areas of the aircraft , such as landing gear , avionics , and .
Before I address supply, it is important to understand the demand projections for nickel-based superalloys into the aerospace supply chain. As we have detailed in our investor event about a year ago, the aerospace industry is targeting build rates of 2,100+ airplanes per year.
Speaker #3: Before I address structural supply , it is important to understand the demand projections for nickel based superalloys into the aerospace supply chain . As we have detailed in our investor event about a year ago , the aerospace industry is targeting build rates of 2100 plus airplanes year per .
John Huyette: To put that into perspective, that is at least 30% higher than the pre-COVID high calendar year 2019, when the industry was effectively sold out of nickel-based superalloy. But aerospace OEM demand is not the only area that competes for scarce nickel-based superalloy. As the installed fleet of planes continues to grow and ages, MRO demand is projected to be at significantly higher levels going forward versus today. Defense demand is increasing rapidly, driven by the increased number of platforms and by the need of even more advanced capabilities, both of which mean higher demand for specialty material solutions. Demand for specialty materials used in space has also been increasing, with one driver being that the number of commercial satellite launches continues to increase as the space economy grows. And lastly, power generation demand is increasing substantially.
To put that into perspective, that is at least 30% higher than the pre-COVID high calendar year 2019, when the industry was effectively sold out of nickel-based superalloy. But aerospace OEM demand is not the only area that competes for scarce nickel-based superalloy. As the installed fleet of planes continues to grow and ages, MRO demand is projected to be at significantly higher levels going forward versus today.
Speaker #3: To put that into perspective , that is at least 30% higher than the pre-COVID high . Calendar year 2019 , when the industry was effectively sold out of nickel based superalloys .
Speaker #3: But aerospace OEM demand is not the only area that competes for scarce nickel based superalloys the . As installed fleet of planes continues to grow and , MRO demand ages is projected to be at significantly higher levels going forward versus today .
Defense demand is increasing rapidly, driven by the increased number of platforms and by the need of even more advanced capabilities, both of which mean higher demand for specialty material solutions. Demand for specialty materials used in space has also been increasing, with one driver being that the number of commercial satellite launches continues to increase as the space economy grows. And lastly, power generation demand is increasing substantially.
Speaker #3: demand is Defense increasing rapidly , driven number of by the increased platforms and by the need of even more advanced capabilities , both of which mean higher demand for specialty materials solutions .
Speaker #3: Demand for specialty materials used in space has also been increasing, with one driver being that the number of commercial satellite launches continues to increase as the space economy grows.
Speaker #3: And lastly , power generation demand is increasing substantially . This has been widely discussed with news articles on this topic . Nearly weekly , and it is driven by the need power to for support the growing data build center , out , as well as increasing needs from economies developing .
John Huyette: This has been widely discussed, with news articles on this topic nearly weekly, and it is driven by the need for power to support the growing data center build-out, as well as increasing needs from developing economies. It's important to include the power generation demand in this discussion because, in many cases, it competes for time on the same assets used to produce aerospace nickel-based superalloy. Taking into consideration increasing demand from several areas, it becomes clear that macro trends support an accelerating explosion of demand for nickel-based superalloy. Now, let's address the supply of these alloys. Since the pre-COVID year of 2019, there has been no meaningful increase in overall qualified nickel-based superalloy supply, other than from internal productivity improvements from the current suppliers.
This has been widely discussed, with news articles on this topic nearly weekly, and it is driven by the need for power to support the growing data center build-out, as well as increasing needs from developing economies. It's important to include the power generation demand in this discussion because, in many cases, it competes for time on the same assets used to produce aerospace nickel-based superalloy. Taking into consideration increasing demand from several areas, it becomes clear that macro trends support an accelerating explosion of demand for nickel-based superalloy.
Speaker #3: It's important to include the power generation demand in this, because in many discussion cases, it competes for time on the same assets used to produce aerospace, nickel-based superalloys.
Speaker #3: Taken into consideration , increasing demand from several areas , it macro becomes clear that trends support an accelerating explosion of demand for nickel based superalloys .
Now, let's address the supply of these alloys. Since the pre-COVID year of 2019, there has been no meaningful increase in overall qualified nickel-based superalloy supply, other than from internal productivity improvements from the current suppliers.
Speaker #3: let's address Now supply of the these alloys . Since the pre-COVID year of 2019 , there has been no meaningful increases in overall qualified nickel based superalloy supply .
Speaker #3: Other than from internal productivity improvements from the current suppliers . Since that time , Technology has been the only Carpenter company to formally announce any investment in capacity expansion .
John Huyette: Since that time, Carpenter Technology has been the only company to formally announce any investment in capacity expansion in this specific area, as we did recently at our February 2025 investor update. For those who are unfamiliar, we are investing in a brownfield capacity expansion focused on primary melt, specifically a new vacuum induction melting furnace, which is a critical piece of equipment in the manufacturing process of high-purity specialty alloys. In total, this project plans to add 9,000 additional tons, roughly a 7% increase over our 2019 shipments. While this is meaningful to the financials of Carpenter Technology, it is not a meaningful increase for the industry. Remember, Carpenter Technology is one of three players participating in the high-end nickel-based alloy market, and we are only adding a modest 7% additional capacity versus our 2019 shipment levels only.
Since that time, Carpenter Technology has been the only company to formally announce any investment in capacity expansion in this specific area, as we did recently at our February 2025 investor update. For those who are unfamiliar, we are investing in a brownfield capacity expansion focused on primary melt, specifically a new vacuum induction melting furnace, which is a critical piece of equipment in the manufacturing process of high-purity specialty alloys. In total, this project plans to add 9,000 additional tons, roughly a 7% increase over our 2019 shipments. While this is meaningful to the financials of Carpenter Technology, it is not a meaningful increase for the industry.
Speaker #3: In this specific area . As we did at our recently February 2025 investor update . For those who are unfamiliar , we are investing in a brownfield capacity expansion focused on primary melt .
Speaker #3: Specifically , a new vacuum induction melting furnace , which is a critical piece of equipment in the manufacturing process of high purity specialty alloys .
Speaker #3: In total , this project plans to add 9000 additional a tons , over our 2019 shipments . While this is meaningful to the financials of Carpenter technology , it is not a meaningful increase for the industry .
Remember, Carpenter Technology is one of three players participating in the high-end nickel-based alloy market, and we are only adding a modest 7% additional capacity versus our 2019 shipment levels only.
Speaker #3: Remember , Carpenter Technology is one of three players participating in the high end nickel based alloy market , and we are only adding a modest 7% additional versus capacity our shipment 2019 levels .
John Huyette: Taking into consideration the significant projected increase in aerospace OEM builds combined with the projected demand increases for aerospace MRO, defense, space, and power generation applications, our capacity increase may account for only a small single-digit percentage of the total projected supply-demand deficit. Of course, there could be other incremental capacity announcements on the horizon, given the demand environment, but they, too, will likely be minimal in terms of their impact on closing the projected gap in supply. Keep in mind, this type of capacity is highly specialized, difficult to operate, costly, and takes significant time to build, install, develop, and qualify. It is this persistent supply-demand gap that is driving the current pricing environment, particularly in the nickel-based superalloy market, and we don't see that changing materially. This leads to the third topic: nickel-based superalloy pricing.
Taking into consideration the significant projected increase in aerospace OEM builds combined with the projected demand increases for aerospace MRO, defense, space, and power generation applications, our capacity increase may account for only a small single-digit percentage of the total projected supply-demand deficit. Of course, there could be other incremental capacity announcements on the horizon, given the demand environment, but they, too, will likely be minimal in terms of their impact on closing the projected gap in supply.
Speaker #3: Only taking into consideration the significant projected increase in aerospace OEM builds combined with projected the demand increases for aerospace MRO defense , space and power generation applications , our capacity increase may account for only a small , single digit percentage of the total projected supply demand deficit .
Speaker #3: Of course , there could be other incremental capacity announcements on the horizon given the demand environment , but they too will likely be minimal in terms of their impact on closing the projected gap in supply in .
Keep in mind, this type of capacity is highly specialized, difficult to operate, costly, and takes significant time to build, install, develop, and qualify. It is this persistent supply-demand gap that is driving the current pricing environment, particularly in the nickel-based superalloy market, and we don't see that changing materially. This leads to the third topic: nickel-based superalloy pricing.
Speaker #3: Keep mind , this type of capacity is highly specialized , difficult to operate , costly and take significant time to build , install , develop and qualify .
Speaker #3: It is this persistent supply demand gap driving the that is current pricing environment , particularly in the nickel based Superalloy market , and we don't see that changing materially .
Speaker #3: This leads to the third topic nickel based superalloy pricing . Similar to the aerospace demand environment topic . I also spent a lot of time providing details of our pricing and customer contractual arrangements .
John Huyette: Similar to the aerospace demand environment topic, I also spent a lot of time providing details of our pricing and customer contractual arrangements on last quarter's earnings call. Again, all of that commentary still holds true. I will note again to support our view of the pricing dynamic for our materials that in the quarter, we completed negotiations on three long-term agreements with aerospace customers with significant price increases. It is also important to note that, in turn, our customers also benefit greatly as they are getting surety of supply of our products, which is highly valuable to them in an extraordinarily high-demand environment.
Similar to the aerospace demand environment topic, I also spent a lot of time providing details of our pricing and customer contractual arrangements on last quarter's earnings call. Again, all of that commentary still holds true. I will note again to support our view of the pricing dynamic for our materials that in the quarter, we completed negotiations on three long-term agreements with aerospace customers with significant price increases. It is also important to note that, in turn, our customers also benefit greatly as they are getting surety of supply of our products, which is highly valuable to them in an extraordinarily high-demand environment.
Speaker #3: On last quarter's earnings call . Again , all of that commentary still holds true . I will note again , to support our view of the pricing dynamic for our materials that in the quarter , we completed negotiations on three long term agreements with aerospace customers with significant price increases .
Speaker #3: It is also important note that to turn , our , in also customers benefit greatly as they are getting surety of supply of our products , which is highly valuable to them in an extraordinarily high demand environment .
John Huyette: Final point on this topic: we have communicated publicly many times and state again today that we believe pricing actions will continue to be a positive tailwind into the future due to the supply-demand imbalance that exists today and that is expected to intensify in the future for nickel-based superalloy. Lastly, we continue to receive questions about our confidence in our earnings guidance. As you have come to understand, our earnings guidance philosophy is very structured and well thought out. We believe in establishing challenging targets that we have line of sight to achieving, with disciplined action plans in place. We have earned the reputation of achieving and exceeding our targets. At the start of fiscal year 2026, we projected operating income for the current fiscal year of $660 million to $700 million.
Final point on this topic: we have communicated publicly many times and state again today that we believe pricing actions will continue to be a positive tailwind into the future due to the supply-demand imbalance that exists today and that is expected to intensify in the future for nickel-based superalloy.
Speaker #3: Final point on this topic . We have communicated publicly many times and state again today that we believe pricing actions will continue to be a positive tailwind into the future due to the supply demand imbalance that exists today and as expected , to intensify in the future for nickel based superalloys .
Lastly, we continue to receive questions about our confidence in our earnings guidance. As you have come to understand, our earnings guidance philosophy is very structured and well thought out. We believe in establishing challenging targets that we have line of sight to achieving, with disciplined action plans in place. We have earned the reputation of achieving and exceeding our targets. At the start of fiscal year 2026, we projected operating income for the current fiscal year of $660 million to $700 million.
Speaker #3: Lastly, we continue to receive questions about our confidence in our earnings guidance. As you have come to understand, our earnings guidance philosophy is very well structured and thought out.
Speaker #3: We believe in establishing challenging targets that we have line of sight to achieving with disciplined action plans in place. We have earned a reputation of achieving and exceeding our targets. At the start of fiscal year we 2026, projected operating income for the current fiscal year of $660 million to $700 million.
John Huyette: Given the supply-demand dynamics I just covered and the visibility we have for the second half of the fiscal year 2026, we are raising our guidance to $680 million to $700 million. This range for fiscal year 2026 represents a 30% to 33% increase over our record fiscal year 2025 earnings. As you recall, we established fiscal year 2027 guidance of $765 million to $800 million almost a year ago in February 2025. At that time, we stated our belief that the targets for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 were the highest earnings growth trajectory among our industry peers, and we still believe that to be true. However, let me be clear: as this aerospace market continues to accelerate, our focus is not on achieving the fiscal year 2027 guidance. The focus is on exceeding that target.
Given the supply-demand dynamics I just covered and the visibility we have for the second half of the fiscal year 2026, we are raising our guidance to $680 million to $700 million. This range for fiscal year 2026 represents a 30% to 33% increase over our record fiscal year 2025 earnings. As you recall, we established fiscal year 2027 guidance of $765 million to $800 million almost a year ago in February 2025. At that time, we stated our belief that the targets for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 were the highest earnings growth trajectory among our industry peers, and we still believe that to be true.
Speaker #3: Given the supply demand dynamics , I just covered and the visibility we have for the second half of the fiscal year 2026 , we are raising our guidance to 680 million to 700 million .
Speaker #3: This range for fiscal year 2026 represents a 30 to 33% increase over our record fiscal year 2025 earnings . As you recall , we established fiscal year 2020 guidance of 765 million to 800 million , almost a year ago , in February of 2025 , at that time , we stated our belief that the targets for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 were the highest earnings growth trajectory among our industry peers , and we still believe that to be true .
However, let me be clear: as this aerospace market continues to accelerate, our focus is not on achieving the fiscal year 2027 guidance. The focus is on exceeding that target. As we continue to fine-tune our outlook, I would expect, in the next few quarters, we will be updating the fiscal year 2027 guidance, as well as adding longer-term annual guidance. Now, let's turn to the final slide to summarize this great story.
Speaker #3: However, let me be clear: as this aerospace market continues to accelerate, our focus is not on achieving the fiscal year 2027 guidance.
Speaker #3: However , let me be clear as this aerospace market continues to accelerate our focus is not on achieving the fiscal year The focus is on exceeding that target as we continue to tune our fine outlook .
John Huyette: As we continue to fine-tune our outlook, I would expect, in the next few quarters, we will be updating the fiscal year 2027 guidance, as well as adding longer-term annual guidance. Now, let's turn to the final slide to summarize this great story. Let me close as I did last quarter with why I think Carpenter Technology is a compelling story for existing and potential shareholders. Let's take a look at the three major areas most important to shareholders. One, we have an enviable market position in the industry. We are in the midst of a significant acceleration in demand, especially in the aerospace and defense in-use market. With accelerating build rates driving higher demand for our materials, a fundamental supply-demand imbalance in nickel-based superalloys will tighten even further. Our world-class collection of unique manufacturing assets and related capabilities are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate.
Speaker #3: would expect in I the next few quarters , we will be updating the fiscal year 2027 guidance , as well as adding longer term annual guidance .
Speaker #3: Now, let's turn to the final slide to summarize this great story. Let me close as I did last quarter with why I think Carpenter Technology Corp is a compelling story for both existing and potential shareholders.
Let me close as I did last quarter with why I think Carpenter Technology is a compelling story for existing and potential shareholders. Let's take a look at the three major areas most important to shareholders. One, we have an enviable market position in the industry. We are in the midst of a significant acceleration in demand, especially in the aerospace and defense in-use market. With accelerating build rates driving higher demand for our materials, a fundamental supply-demand imbalance in nickel-based superalloys will tighten even further. Our world-class collection of unique manufacturing assets and related capabilities are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate.
Speaker #3: Let's take at the three major areas . Most important to shareholders one . We have an enviable market position in the industry . We are in the midst of a significant acceleration in demand , especially in the aerospace and defense .
Speaker #3: Induced market , with accelerating build rates , driving higher demand for our materials . A fundamental supply demand imbalance in nickel based superalloys will tighten even further .
Speaker #3: Our world class collection of unique manufacturing assets and related capabilities are difficult , if not impossible , to replicate . Our capacity and further leading are capabilities differentiated by stringent qualifications necessary to supply advanced materials for aerospace and defense and other key end use market applications .
John Huyette: Our leading capacity and capabilities are further differentiated by stringent qualifications necessary to supply advanced materials for aerospace, defense, and other key in-use market applications. Two, we are committed to a balanced capital allocation approach. We have a healthy liquidity position and a strong balance sheet, combined with an impressive free cash flow generation outlook. We are focused on returning cash to shareholders via a long-standing dividend and a robust share repurchase plan. In addition, our strong performance enables us to invest in highly accretive growth projects, like our recently announced brownfield expansion, that accelerates earnings growth but will not materially impact the nickel-based supply-demand imbalance. And three, we have delivered impressive financial results with a strong earnings outlook. We have just completed another record quarter of profitability, driven by significant margin expansion in our SAO segment.
Our leading capacity and capabilities are further differentiated by stringent qualifications necessary to supply advanced materials for aerospace, defense, and other key in-use market applications. Two, we are committed to a balanced capital allocation approach. We have a healthy liquidity position and a strong balance sheet, combined with an impressive free cash flow generation outlook. We are focused on returning cash to shareholders via a long-standing dividend and a robust share repurchase plan.
Speaker #3: Two we are committed to a balanced capital allocation approach . We have a healthy liquidity position and a strong balance sheet combined with an impressive free cash flow generation outlook .
Speaker #3: We are focused on returning cash to shareholders via a long-standing dividend and a robust share repurchase plan. In addition, our strong performance enables us to invest in highly accretive growth projects, like our recently announced brownfield expansion that accelerates earnings growth but does not materially impact the nickel-based supply/demand imbalance.
In addition, our strong performance enables us to invest in highly accretive growth projects, like our recently announced brownfield expansion, that accelerates earnings growth but will not materially impact the nickel-based supply-demand imbalance. And three, we have delivered impressive financial results with a strong earnings outlook. We have just completed another record quarter of profitability, driven by significant margin expansion in our SAO segment.
Speaker #3: And three , we have delivered impressive financial results with a strong earnings outlook . We have just completed another record quarter of profitability , driven by significant margin expansion in our Sal segment .
John Huyette: Our increased guidance for fiscal year 2026 implies a 30% to 33% increase over a record fiscal year 2025, and we are well on our way to achieving and even surpassing the earnings target for fiscal year 2027. I don't know of anyone in our industry who can say they have a stronger earnings outlook than Carpenter Technology. Of course, fiscal year 2027 is not expected to be our peak. We have plans and line of sight to further earnings growth beyond 2027. In summary, we believe Carpenter Technology checks every important shareholder criteria box. We have created significant shareholder value to date, but we are only at the beginning of this growth journey. The best is still to come. As always, we remain focused on supporting our customer needs, operational execution, and living our values as we drive to exceptional near-term and long-term performance. Thank you for your attention.
Our increased guidance for fiscal year 2026 implies a 30% to 33% increase over a record fiscal year 2025, and we are well on our way to achieving and even surpassing the earnings target for fiscal year 2027. I don't know of anyone in our industry who can say they have a stronger earnings outlook than Carpenter Technology.
Speaker #3: Our increased guidance for fiscal year 2026 implies a 30 to 33% increase over a record fiscal year 2025 , and we are well on our way to achieving and even surpassing the earnings target for fiscal year 2027 .
Speaker #3: I don't know of anyone in our industry who can say they have a stronger earnings outlook than Carpenter Technology Corp. Of course, fiscal year 2027 is not expected to be our peak.
Of course, fiscal year 2027 is not expected to be our peak. We have plans and line of sight to further earnings growth beyond 2027. In summary, we believe Carpenter Technology checks every important shareholder criteria box. We have created significant shareholder value to date, but we are only at the beginning of this growth journey. The best is still to come. As always, we remain focused on supporting our customer needs, operational execution, and living our values as we drive to exceptional near-term and long-term performance.
Speaker #3: We have plans and line of sight to further earnings growth beyond 2027 . In summary , we believe CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY CORP checks every important shareholder criteria box .
Speaker #3: We have created significant shareholder value to date , but we are only at the beginning of this growth journey . The best is still to come .
Speaker #3: As always , we remain focused on supporting our customer needs . Operational execution and living . Our values drive to as we exceptional and long near term term performance your .
Thank you for your attention. I will now turn the call back to the operator.
John Huyette: I will now turn the call back to the operator. Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. If you have dialed in and would like to ask a question, please press Star 1 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue. If you would like to withdraw your question, simply press Star 1 again. If you are called upon to ask your question and are listening via speakerphone in your device, please pick up your handset to ensure that your phone is not on mute when asking your question. Again, press Star 1 to join the queue. Our first question comes from the line of Gautam Khanna with TD Cowen. Your line is open. Yeah, thanks. Good morning, guys. I was wondering, Tony, if you could elaborate on how broad-based you're starting to see the airframe customers participate in ordering.
Speaker #3: Thank you for attention . I will now turn the call back to the operator .
Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. If you have dialed in and would like to ask a question, please press Star 1 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue. If you would like to withdraw your question, simply press Star 1 again. If you are called upon to ask your question and are listening via speakerphone in your device, please pick up your handset to ensure that your phone is not on mute when asking your question. Again, press Star 1 to join the queue. Our first question comes from the line of Gautam Khanna with TD Cowen. Your line is open.
Speaker #1: Thank you . We will now begin the question and answer session . If you have dialed in and would like to ask a question , please press star one on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue .
Speaker #1: If you would like to withdraw your question, simply press star one again. If you are called upon to ask your question and are listening via speakerphone on your device, please pick up your handset to ensure that your phone is not on speaker.
Speaker #1: When asking your question again , press star one to join the queue . Our first question comes from the line of Gautam Khanna with TD .
Gautam Khanna: Yeah, thanks. Good morning, guys. I was wondering, Tony, if you could elaborate on how broad-based you're starting to see the airframe customers participate in ordering.
Speaker #1: line is Your open .
Speaker #5: Yeah , thanks . Good morning guys . I was wondering if you could on elaborate how broad based you're starting to see the airframe customers ordering participate in .
John Huyette: Is this kind of Boeing-specific stuff where you were previously experiencing a bit of a destock post-strike over at Boeing? Hey, good morning, Gautam. Hope you're doing well. Yes, I think two really important points that I made in the prepared remarks. I will say at a high level across all of our aerospace sub-markets, whether that be engine, fastener, and structural, we're seeing increased activity with increasing forward demand. Specifically, though, in this quarter, the two things that stood out the most are that you had engine orders continuing to increase sequentially, 30% this quarter. That's significant. Maybe you could argue even more significant is what our structural customers did in the quarter. You rightly said, Gautam, the impact of Boeing really put them on the sidelines. Prior to those issues, they had been probably the top sub-market in terms of ordering quantity.
Is this kind of Boeing-specific stuff where you were previously experiencing a bit of a destock post-strike over at Boeing?
Speaker #5: And is this kind of Boeing specific stuff where you are , you know , previously experienced a bit of a destock post the strike over at Boeing .
Tony Thene: Hey, good morning, Gautam. Hope you're doing well. Yes, I think two really important points that I made in the prepared remarks. I will say at a high level across all of our aerospace sub-markets, whether that be engine, fastener, and structural, we're seeing increased activity with increasing forward demand. Specifically, though, in this quarter, the two things that stood out the most are that you had engine orders continuing to increase sequentially, 30% this quarter. That's significant.
Speaker #3: Hey , good morning . I hope you're doing hope you're doing well . Yes , I think two really important points that I made in the prepared remarks , I will say at a high level across all of our aerospace submarkets , whether that be engine , fastener , structural , we're seeing increased activity with , you know , increasing forward demand specifically , though , in this quarter , the two things that stood out the most or are that you had engine orders continue to increase sequentially , 30% .
Maybe you could argue even more significant is what our structural customers did in the quarter. You rightly said, Gautam, the impact of Boeing really put them on the sidelines. Prior to those issues, they had been probably the top sub-market in terms of ordering quantity.
Speaker #3: This quarter , that's significant . Maybe you could argue even more significant is what our structural customers did in the quarter . And you rightly said Gotham , the of really put impact bowling on the sidelines prior to those issues .
Speaker #3: had been They probably the top submarket as terms of ordering quantity . So they they had a lot of inventory to see them .
John Huyette: So they had a lot of inventory. To see them now come off the sidelines and two things: not only one, place some significant orders, but then immediately come back to us and say, "There's more coming, and they're going to be bigger and more urgent," that's a big positive sign. And I would agree with you that, at least on the structural side, that that was primarily driven by the confidence in Boeing, not just in what they believe they can do, but what they've actually achieved in this last month. Okay, that's very helpful. And you mentioned the defense sub-market saw a bit of a government shutdown impact. Do you have any visibility from customers in that sub-market as to how they expect to kind of put in orders over the next couple of quarters? Yeah, we've already seen that come back.
So they had a lot of inventory. To see them now come off the sidelines and two things: not only one, place some significant orders, but then immediately come back to us and say, "There's more coming, and they're going to be bigger and more urgent," that's a big positive sign. And I would agree with you that, at least on the structural side, that that was primarily driven by the confidence in Boeing, not just in what they believe they can do, but what they've actually achieved in this last month.
Speaker #3: Now come off the sidelines . And two things , not only one place , some significant orders , but then immediately come back to us and say , there's more coming and they're going to be bigger and more urgent .
Speaker #3: big That's a positive sign . And I would agree with you that at least on the structural side , that that was primarily driven by the confidence in Boeing , not just in what they believe they can do , but what they've actually , you know , achieved in this last month .
Gautam Khanna: Okay, that's very helpful. And you mentioned the defense sub-market saw a bit of a government shutdown impact. Do you have any visibility from customers in that sub-market as to how they expect to kind of put in orders over the next couple of quarters?
Speaker #5: Okay . That's very helpful . And you mentioned the defense sub , a bit of a government shutdown impact . Do you have any visibility from customer customers in submarket as that to how they expect to kind of put in orders over the next couple of quarters ?
Tony Thene: Yeah, we've already seen that come back. I mean, quite frankly, they would have liked to have been placing orders during that time but weren't able to do so, weren't allowed to do so because of the government shutdown. So you've got some pent-up order demand there. So we see that coming back very rapidly.
John Huyette: I mean, quite frankly, they would have liked to have been placing orders during that time but weren't able to do so, weren't allowed to do so because of the government shutdown. So you've got some pent-up order demand there. So we see that coming back very rapidly. Okay, and last one for me, just on you mentioned the mix and the quarter itself. So the basic message, I think, is that overall pricing saw no reduction. This is purely a mixed dynamic. Pricing's still trending, as you've said, for the last couple of years, higher for longer. Is that right? Well, it's 100% right. And maybe if you allow me to speak more about this, this is something that we've talked about a lot.
Speaker #3: already seen Yeah , we've that come back . I mean , quite frankly , they would have liked to have been placing orders during that time but weren't able to do so .
Speaker #3: Weren't allow to do so because of the government shutdown . So you've got some pent up , you know , order , demand there .
Gautam Khanna: Okay, and last one for me, just on you mentioned the mix and the quarter itself. So the basic message, I think, is that overall pricing saw no reduction. This is purely a mixed dynamic. Pricing's still trending, as you've said, for the last couple of years, higher for longer. Is that right?
Speaker #3: So we see that coming back very rapidly .
Speaker #5: Okay . And last one for me just on you mentioned the mix in the quarter itself . So the the basic message I think is that overall pricing saw no reduction .
Speaker #5: This is purely a mix dynamic pricing still trending , as you said , for the last couple of years , higher for longer .
Tim Lain: Well, it's 100% right. And maybe if you allow me to speak more about this, this is something that we've talked about a lot.
Speaker #5: Is that right ?
Speaker #3: What's 100% right . Maybe if you allow me to to speak more about this , this is something that we've talked about a lot .
John Huyette: In fact, we signaled this on the last call where we said, based on some of the planned maintenance that we're going to do specifically in some of the testing equipment at the back end that a lot of the higher-priced aerospace needs to go through, that that would impact that, all right? So I've talked about that quite a bit. And I think that if there's some belief that a small sequential price decline, which we've said could happen multiple times, is somehow a red flag, I don't think you could be any more wrong than that. I mean, we just talked about it, Gautam. Aerospace-only bookings up 23%. Aerospace engine bookings up 30%. Just completed three aerospace engine LTAs at substantial price increases. I can tell you very clearly, we are not or we did not discount premium aerospace products in the quarter.
In fact, we signaled this on the last call where we said, based on some of the planned maintenance that we're going to do specifically in some of the testing equipment at the back end that a lot of the higher-priced aerospace needs to go through, that that would impact that, all right? So I've talked about that quite a bit. And I think that if there's some belief that a small sequential price decline, which we've said could happen multiple times, is somehow a red flag, I don't think you could be any more wrong than that.
Speaker #3: In fact , we signaled this on the last call where we said , based on some of the planned we're maintenance , going that that to do specifically in testing equipment at the some of the back end , that a lot of the the higher priced aerospace needs to go through that that would impact that .
Speaker #3: All right . So I've talked about that quite a bit . And I think that if there's some belief that a small sequential price decline , which we've said could happen multiple times , it somehow a red flag , I don't think be he could any more wrong than that .
I mean, we just talked about it, Gautam. Aerospace-only bookings up 23%. Aerospace engine bookings up 30%. Just completed three aerospace engine LTAs at substantial price increases. I can tell you very clearly, we are not or we did not discount premium aerospace products in the quarter.
Speaker #3: I mean , we just talked about it at Gotham Aerospace only bookings up 23% . Aerospace engine bookings up 30% . Just completed three .
Speaker #3: Aerospace engine ltas at substantial price can I tell you very clearly we are not or we did not discount premium aerospace products in the quarter .
John Huyette: There's absolutely no reason to do so. I've repeated this many, many times, and we've said it probably several times over the last year, that we see pricing actions continue to be a positive tailwind for us going forward. And I would just say, quite frankly, this should be obvious due to the supply-demand imbalance that exists today, and that's only expected to intensify. So there is no issue with what happened in this quarter in terms of a slight price per pound decrease, and you'll see that continuing to go up over the next several quarters. Hopefully, that's helpful. Very much so. Thank you, Tony. Thank you, sir. Our next question comes from the line of Scott Deuschle with Deutsche Bank. Your line is open. Hey, good morning. Tony, I'm going to take a shot at a question.
There's absolutely no reason to do so. I've repeated this many, many times, and we've said it probably several times over the last year, that we see pricing actions continue to be a positive tailwind for us going forward. And I would just say, quite frankly, this should be obvious due to the supply-demand imbalance that exists today, and that's only expected to intensify. So there is no issue with what happened in this quarter in terms of a slight price per pound decrease, and you'll see that continuing to go up over the next several quarters. Hopefully, that's helpful.
Speaker #3: There's absolutely no reason to do so . And I've repeated this many , many times and we said it probably several times over the we see year last that pricing continuing to actions tailwind positive be a for us going forward .
Speaker #3: And I would just say , quite frankly , this should be obvious due to the supply demand imbalance that exists today . And that's only expected to intensify .
Speaker #3: So there is no issue what happened with in this in this quarter in terms of a slight , you know , price per pound decrease .
Speaker #3: And you'll see that continuing to go up over the next several quarters. Hopefully that's helpful.
Gautam Khanna: Very much so. Thank you, Tony.
Tony Thene: Thank you, sir.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Scott Deuschle with Deutsche Bank. Your line is open.
Speaker #5: Very much so. Thank you, Tony.
Speaker #3: Thank you sir .
Speaker #1: Our question next comes from the line of Scott Duchal with Deutsche Bank . Your line is open .
Scott Deuschle: Hey, good morning. Tony, I'm going to take a shot at a question. I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer, but for the aerospace LTAs that have renewed over the last six months, can you say whether the average price increase is more or less than 30%?
John Huyette: I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer, but for the aerospace LTAs that have renewed over the last six months, can you say whether the average price increase is more or less than 30%? Scott, I think you already know the answer to that. I mean, these are substantial price increases going forward. 30% is not substantial. And these are post-COVID LTAs? There have been one or two that are longer, that were signed prior to COVID, but primarily, these are ones that have come due again since that time, yes. Okay. And 30% is not substantial for those? I agree with you. Okay. Tony, just to deliver this strong SAO guide for Q3, should we expect volume, price per pound, and EBIT per pound to all move up sequentially? Yeah, you know, Scott, I would say yes to that.
Speaker #6: Hey, good morning, Tony. I'm going to take a shot at a question. Not sure if you'll be able to answer, but for the aerospace LTAs that have renewed over the last six months—
Speaker #3: Yeah .
Speaker #6: Can you say whether the average price increase is more or less than 30% ?
Tony Thene: Scott, I think you already know the answer to that. I mean, these are substantial price increases going forward. 30% is not substantial.
Speaker #3: Scott , I think you already know the answer to that . I mean , these are substantial price increases going forward . 30% is not substantial .
Scott Deuschle: And these are post-COVID LTAs?
Tony Thene: There have been one or two that are longer, that were signed prior to COVID, but primarily, these are ones that have come due again since that time, yes.
Speaker #6: And these are post Covid ltas .
Speaker #3: There are there have been 1 or 2 that that are longer . You know , that that that were signed prior to Covid .
Speaker #3: But primarily these are ones that are that have come due again since that time . Yes .
Scott Deuschle: Okay. And 30% is not substantial for those?
Speaker #6: Okay . And 30% is not substantial for those .
Tony Thene: I agree with you.
Scott Deuschle: Okay. Tony, just to deliver this strong SAO guide for Q3, should we expect volume, price per pound, and EBIT per pound to all move up sequentially?
Speaker #3: I agree with you .
Speaker #6: Okay . Tony , just to deliver this strong Sao guide for the third quarter , should we expect volume , price per pound and Ebit per pound to all move up sequentially ?
Tony Thene: Yeah, you know, Scott, I would say yes to that.
Speaker #3: Yeah . You Scott , I , I would say yes to that . I don't manage at that level of detail . Like I know I am sitting on a gold mine here .
John Huyette: I don't manage at that level of detail. I know I am sitting on a gold mine here, right, doing something that very few people in the world can do. So I'm going to supply all of those customers to the best of our ability to maximize their profitability. If one quarter my margin goes down a half a percentage point, Scott, that's not an issue, right? The overall trajectory is going forward. And I think we get very hung up with this fact of quarter-over-quarter, you have some of these small movements, basically because you've got a complex production system that's making 1,000 different types of alloys in any one quarter, right? So I wouldn't get so hung up on slight movements to that quarter-over-quarter. I will say year-over-year, absolutely, you will see increases in price per pound and earnings per pound.
I don't manage at that level of detail. I know I am sitting on a gold mine here, right, doing something that very few people in the world can do. So I'm going to supply all of those customers to the best of our ability to maximize their profitability. If one quarter my margin goes down a half a percentage point, Scott, that's not an issue, right?
Speaker #3: Very few are doing something that people in the world can do right. So I'm going to supply all of those customers to the best of our ability to maximize the profitability.
Speaker #3: If one quarter my margin goes down , a half a percentage point , Scott , that that's not an issue , right ? The overall trajectory is going forward .
The overall trajectory is going forward. And I think we get very hung up with this fact of quarter-over-quarter, you have some of these small movements, basically because you've got a complex production system that's making 1,000 different types of alloys in any one quarter, right? So I wouldn't get so hung up on slight movements to that quarter-over-quarter. I will say year-over-year, absolutely, you will see increases in price per pound and earnings per pound.
Speaker #3: And I think we get very hung up with this fact of quarter over quarter . You have some of these small movements basically because you've got a complex production system that that's making a thousand different types of alloys in any one quarter , right ?
Speaker #3: So I wouldn’t get so hung up on slight movements to that quarter over quarter. I will say year over year, absolutely.
Speaker #3: You will see increases in price per pound and earnings per pound . There is no doubt it's impossible for us not to deliver that based on the overall market dynamics going forward .
John Huyette: There is no doubt. It's impossible for us not to deliver that based on the overall market dynamics going forward. Does that make sense? Okay. Thank you. Absolutely. And just last question, the medical distribution channel, is there any real sizable revenue left in that channel that you're shipping this past quarter? Or I'm just trying to think, is there still downward pressure potential there, or is it basically completely bottomed out and near zero? Well, I can tell you that the good news in January, from a booking standpoint, that we saw that specific area come back and have the highest order intake than it had of any month in 2025. So that would suggest that I agree that, yes, you're right, that it's probably hit the bottom. And I think the big piece here is that's very impactful to the PEP segment.
There is no doubt. It's impossible for us not to deliver that based on the overall market dynamics going forward. Does that make sense?
Scott Deuschle: Okay. Thank you. Absolutely. And just last question, the medical distribution channel, is there any real sizable revenue left in that channel that you're shipping this past quarter? Or I'm just trying to think, is there still downward pressure potential there, or is it basically completely bottomed out and near zero?
Speaker #3: Does that make sense ?
Speaker #6: Thank you . Absolutely . Just last question . The medical distribution channel is any revenue sizable real left in that channel that you're shipping this past quarter or .
Speaker #6: trying to I'm just there still downward think , is pressure potential there , or is it basically completely bottomed out in near zero ?
Tony Thene: Well, I can tell you that the good news in January, from a booking standpoint, that we saw that specific area come back and have the highest order intake than it had of any month in 2025. So that would suggest that I agree that, yes, you're right, that it's probably hit the bottom. And I think the big piece here is that's very impactful to the PEP segment.
Speaker #3: Well , I can tell you that the good news in January from a booking standpoint that we saw that specific area come back and have the highest order intake than it had of any month in 2025 .
Speaker #3: So that would suggest that I agree that , yes , you're right , that it's probably hit the bottom . And I think the big piece here is that's very impactful to the pep segment , as you well know , Scott , you cover us very closely .
John Huyette: As you well know, Scott, you cover us very closely. It's not material to overall Carpenter, and it doesn't impact what I say about my guidance whatsoever. I want to see that bounce up, and I think when it does here in the next couple of quarters, it will be a tailwind for us. But it's not something I rely on to hit my guidance numbers. Thank you. Thank you. Next question comes from the line of Josh Sullivan with JonesTrading. Your line is open. Hey, good morning. Good morning, Josh. Tony, you made an interesting comment there. You said jet engine OEMs are asking you if their own supply chains have ordered enough materials to meet projected build rates. But you kind of left us on a cliffhanger there. What was your answer? And I guess, how are those conversations translating to the expectations of their suppliers?
As you well know, Scott, you cover us very closely. It's not material to overall Carpenter, and it doesn't impact what I say about my guidance whatsoever. I want to see that bounce up, and I think when it does here in the next couple of quarters, it will be a tailwind for us. But it's not something I rely on to hit my guidance numbers.
Speaker #3: It's not material to overall Carpenter . And it doesn't I say impact what about my guidance whatsoever . I want to see that bounce up .
Speaker #3: And I think when it when it does here in the next couple of quarters , it will be a tailwind for us . But it's not something I to guidance rely on to hit numbers .
Scott Deuschle: Thank you.
Tony Thene: Thank you.
Operator: Next question comes from the line of Josh Sullivan with JonesTrading. Your line is open.
Speaker #6: Thank you .
Speaker #3: you Thank .
Speaker #1: Next question comes from the line of Josh Sullivan with JonesTrading. Your line is open.
Josh Sullivan: Hey, good morning.
Tony Thene: Good morning, Josh.
Josh Sullivan: Tony, you made an interesting comment there. You said jet engine OEMs are asking you if their own supply chains have ordered enough materials to meet projected build rates. But you kind of left us on a cliffhanger there. What was your answer? And I guess, how are those conversations translating to the expectations of their suppliers?
Speaker #7: good Hey morning .
Speaker #3: Good morning Josh .
Speaker #7: Tony , Tony , you made an interesting comment there . You said jet engine OEMs are asking you if their own supply chains have ordered enough materials to meet projected build rates , but you kind of left us on a cliffhanger .
Speaker #7: There . What was your answer ? And I guess how is the how are those conversations translating to the expectations of their suppliers ?
John Huyette: Well, I mean, the answer can be different depending on the customer. I would say that in many cases, our answer to that is no, they're not ordering quick enough. There needs to be more orders in the system based on the demand or the build rate that you want to achieve. So I would say, and that's a positive thing for me to say, is that there needs to be more orders to hit this build rate projection that's out there. We've just talked about specifically on the structural side, their hesitation to place orders and wanting to see more and more evidence of prolonged performance from the airframers, specifically Boeing. You're starting to see that. So you see them now coming off the sidelines. I've said that phrase several times now, and placing large orders.
Tony Thene: Well, I mean, the answer can be different depending on the customer. I would say that in many cases, our answer to that is no, they're not ordering quick enough. There needs to be more orders in the system based on the demand or the build rate that you want to achieve. So I would say, and that's a positive thing for me to say, is that there needs to be more orders to hit this build rate projection that's out there.
Speaker #3: Well , I mean , the answer can be different depending on the customer . I would say that in many cases , our answer to that is no , they're not ordering quick enough .
Speaker #3: There needs to be more orders in the system based on the demand, or the build rate that you want to achieve.
Speaker #3: So I would and that's a say , positive thing for me to that there needs to say , is more to hit this orders build rate projection that's out there .
We've just talked about specifically on the structural side, their hesitation to place orders and wanting to see more and more evidence of prolonged performance from the airframers, specifically Boeing. You're starting to see that. So you see them now coming off the sidelines. I've said that phrase several times now, and placing large orders.
Speaker #3: just specifically talked about on the structural side . There , hesitation to place orders and wanting to see more and more evidence of prolonged performance from the Airframer specifically you're Boeing , starting to see that .
Speaker #3: So you see them now coming up off the sidelines . I've said that phrase several times now , and placing large orders . So I I've talked about this , Scott , more than once about there is not going to be a gradual increase in orders .
John Huyette: So I've talked about this, Scott, more than once, about there is not going to be a gradual increase in orders. You're seeing it now, and then you're going to see a significant hockey stick. That's the way it's happened in the past. I believe that's the way it'll happen again this time. And I think the structural customers with the activity they had in this last quarter is one of the leading indicators to that. And actually, that dovetails nicely into just the conversation around the long-term agreements you highlighted. What's your calculus or your mindset on committing to those versus leaving spot capacity open, as you've talked about in the past, how you've got the golden goose? Just curious on your thoughts there. Well, I mean, that's another you know this. I mean, the words matter to me. I don't have spot pricing, right?
So I've talked about this, Scott, more than once, about there is not going to be a gradual increase in orders. You're seeing it now, and then you're going to see a significant hockey stick. That's the way it's happened in the past. I believe that's the way it'll happen again this time. And I think the structural customers with the activity they had in this last quarter is one of the leading indicators to that.
Speaker #3: You're seeing it now, and then you're going to see a significant hockey stick. That's the way it's happened in the past. I believe that's the way it will happen again this time.
Speaker #3: And I think the structural customers, with the activity they had in this last quarter, is that two indicators—one of the leading.
Josh Sullivan: And actually, that dovetails nicely into just the conversation around the long-term agreements you highlighted. What's your calculus or your mindset on committing to those versus leaving spot capacity open, as you've talked about in the past, how you've got the golden goose? Just curious on your thoughts there.
Speaker #7: And actually, that dovetails nicely into just the conversation around the long-term agreements you highlighted. What's your calculus or your mindset on committing to those versus leaving spot capacity open?
Speaker #7: As you've talked about in the past ? You've got the golden goose , you know , just curious on your thoughts there .
Tony Thene: Well, I mean, that's another you know this. I mean, the words matter to me. I don't have spot pricing, right?
Speaker #3: Well , I don't I mean , that's another you know , this I mean , the words matter to me . I don't have spot pricing , right ?
John Huyette: I don't have a generic alloy sitting on the shelf waiting for the highest bidder to come get, right? My LTAs are based on a mutually beneficial relationship with my customers. You have a lot of volume. I'm going to give you surety of supply. So I'm not here trying to be the riverboat gambler, trying to say, "Let's keep it all speculative." That's not what I'm trying to do. But I do understand the value of my product, as do my customers. So when there's that beneficial relationship to say, "Let's enter into an LTA with increasing prices," that's good for both of us. So I think, Josh, you know this. I'm not sitting on the sidelines waiting for somebody to bid on my products. I'm pretty sure that's not what you were trying to allude to anyway. No, I was just curious in the long term.
I don't have a generic alloy sitting on the shelf waiting for the highest bidder to come get, right? My LTAs are based on a mutually beneficial relationship with my customers. You have a lot of volume. I'm going to give you surety of supply. So I'm not here trying to be the riverboat gambler, trying to say, "Let's keep it all speculative." That's not what I'm trying to do. But I do understand the value of my product, as do my customers.
Speaker #3: I don't have I don't have a generic alloy sitting on the shelf waiting for the highest bidder to come get right . My ltas are based on a mutual beneficial relationship with my customers .
Speaker #3: have a lot You of volume . I'm going to give you surety of supply . So I'm not here trying to be the riverboat gambler , to say , trying let's keep it all you know , speculative .
Speaker #3: That's not what I'm trying to do . But I do understand the of my value product , as do my customers . So when there's that beneficial relationship to say , let's enter a into LTA with increasing prices , that's , that's good for both of us .
So when there's that beneficial relationship to say, "Let's enter into an LTA with increasing prices," that's good for both of us. So I think, Josh, you know this. I'm not sitting on the sidelines waiting for somebody to bid on my products. I'm pretty sure that's not what you were trying to allude to anyway.
Speaker #3: So I think , Josh , you know this , I'm not sitting on the sidelines waiting for somebody to bid on my my products .
Speaker #3: I'm pretty sure that's not what you were trying to allude to anyway .
Josh Sullivan: No, I was just curious in the long term. And then I guess just relatedly, just outside of aerospace, are you seeing more interest in those types of relationships as you talk about IGT and some of those other markets? Are you seeing similar levels of interest?
John Huyette: And then I guess just relatedly, just outside of aerospace, are you seeing more interest in those types of relationships as you talk about IGT and some of those other markets? Are you seeing similar levels of interest? Absolutely. The capacity might not be there. Okay. Absolutely. Primarily on the power generation side, because as you well know, in many cases, they use the same assets. But we also see some of that on the medical side as well, primarily on the SAO business, because there's times that there can be overlap on some of the production assets between some of those alloys. So you see more interest in those specific alloys for medical customers, because in many cases, we're the sole supplier and have a proprietary alloy there.
Speaker #7: I just curious in the long term , and I guess , just relatedly , just outside of aerospace , are you seeing more interest in those types of relationships as you talk about IGT and some of those other markets , are you seeing similar levels of interest in the capacity might not be there .
Tony Thene: Absolutely.
Josh Sullivan: The capacity might not be there. Okay.
Tony Thene: Absolutely. Primarily on the power generation side, because as you well know, in many cases, they use the same assets. But we also see some of that on the medical side as well, primarily on the SAO business, because there's times that there can be overlap on some of the production assets between some of those alloys. So you see more interest in those specific alloys for medical customers, because in many cases, we're the sole supplier and have a proprietary alloy there.
Speaker #7: Okay .
Speaker #3: Absolutely . Primarily on the power generation side , because as you well know , in many cases they use the same assets . But we also see some of that on the medical side as well , primarily on the Sao business .
Speaker #3: You know , because there's times that there can be overlap some of the on production assets between some of those alloys . So you see more interest in know specific medical alloys for because in customers many cases we're the sole supplier and have a proprietary alloy there .
John Huyette: So in both non-distribution medical and especially in power generation, we see some of the same dynamics as far as the openness or the willingness or wanting to have an LTA with us in those areas. Great. Thank you for the time. Thank you. Next question comes from the line of Bennett Moore with J.P. Morgan. Your line is open. Good morning, Tony and Tim. Congrats on yet another impressive quarter. Thank you. Real quick, I wanted to thank you for all the color and commentary on the bookings, but could you also comment on how engine and fastener sales trended during the quarter and year-over-year, and also what lead times look like for structural products relative to engine alloys? Yeah, it's a good question. Our overall aerospace, you saw our sales were relatively flat quarter-over-quarter, basically because of the number of operating days.
So in both non-distribution medical and especially in power generation, we see some of the same dynamics as far as the openness or the willingness or wanting to have an LTA with us in those areas.
Speaker #3: So in both Non-distribution and medical especially in power generation , we see some of the same as the as far openness or dynamics the to LTA with willingness have a in us those or wanting areas .
Josh Sullivan: Great. Thank you for the time.
Tony Thene: Thank you.
Operator: Next question comes from the line of Bennett Moore with J.P. Morgan. Your line is open.
Speaker #7: Thank you for the great time.
Speaker #3: Thank you .
Speaker #1: Next question comes from the line of Bennett . More with J.P. Morgan . Your line is open .
Bennett Moore: Good morning, Tony and Tim. Congrats on yet another impressive quarter. Thank you. Real quick, I wanted to thank you for all the color and commentary on the bookings, but could you also comment on how engine and fastener sales trended during the quarter and year-over-year, and also what lead times look like for structural products relative to engine alloys?
Speaker #8: Good morning , Tony and Tim . Congrats on yet another impressive quarter .
Speaker #3: Yeah . Thank you .
Speaker #8: Real quick I wanted to , you know , thank you for all the commentary color and bookings . But on the could you also comment on how engine and fastener sales trended during the quarter and year over year ?
Speaker #8: And also what lead times look like for structural products relative to engine alloy's ?
Tony Thene: Yeah, it's a good question. Our overall aerospace, you saw our sales were relatively flat quarter-over-quarter, basically because of the number of operating days.
Speaker #3: Yeah , it's a good question . You know , our overall saw our sales were quarter flat over quarter basically because of the number of operating days .
John Huyette: You've written about this, as well as the holidays. So aerospace engine sales were relatively flat, down a couple percent. Engine fasteners was flat, I think, up 1%. So all of the sub-markets inside of aerospace were plus or minus 1 or 2 on a sequential basis. Certainly, on a year-over-year basis, all of them up quite substantially, as you would expect. The second part of your question was on lead times. You're also very well aware that lead times isn't a universal indicator of demand increasing just because we cap lead times. But I can say that in that area, you have seen them extend across all the areas inside of aerospace. And I think we'll be pushing right back up to that same level that we were before in very short order. But yes, we did see some expansion of lead times.
You've written about this, as well as the holidays. So aerospace engine sales were relatively flat, down a couple percent. Engine fasteners was flat, I think, up 1%. So all of the sub-markets inside of aerospace were plus or minus 1 or 2 on a sequential basis. Certainly, on a year-over-year basis, all of them up quite substantially, as you would expect. The second part of your question was on lead times. You're also very well aware that lead times isn't a universal indicator of demand increasing just because we cap lead times.
Speaker #3: You've you've written about as well as this the holidays . So aerospace engine sales were relatively flat down a couple percent . Engine fasteners was flat , I think up 1% .
Speaker #3: So all of the submarkets inside of aerospace were , you know , plus or -1 or 2 on a sequential basis , certainly on a year over year basis , all of them up quite substantially , as you would expect .
Speaker #3: The second part of your question was on lead times . You're also very well aware , you know , that lead times isn't .
Speaker #3: A universal indicator of of demand increasing just because we limit we cap lead times . But I can say that in that in that area you have seen , you have seen them extend across all the areas inside of aerospace .
But I can say that in that area, you have seen them extend across all the areas inside of aerospace. And I think we'll be pushing right back up to that same level that we were before in very short order. But yes, we did see some expansion of lead times.
Speaker #3: And I think , you know , back up be pushing right we'll to that same level that we were before in , in very short order .
Speaker #3: But yes, see, we did some. We did see expansion of lead times.
John Huyette: I guess in the context of your positive commentary around structural customers moving off the sidelines, is it just fair to assume that lead times generally for these structural alloys are shorter than the engine alloys so we could see that benefit sooner? Yes. I think in general, that is a true statement. Great. And then real quick, I just wanted to ask about the additive business, and you showed strong growth during the quarter. Was this lumpy, or are you seeing improved adoption in this space? And can you remind us how the margin profile compares for these products and if this is a space Carpenter would look to grow into into the future? Yeah, I think the second part of your question is the right way to look at it. We see it as something that could be a tailwind for us in the future.
Bennett Moore: I guess in the context of your positive commentary around structural customers moving off the sidelines, is it just fair to assume that lead times generally for these structural alloys are shorter than the engine alloys so we could see that benefit sooner?
Speaker #8: And I guess in the context of your , you know , positive commentary structural customers around moving off the sidelines , is it just fair to assume that lead times , generally for these structural alloys are , shorter than the engine alloys ?
Tony Thene: Yes. I think in general, that is a true statement.
Speaker #8: So we could see that benefit sooner?
Speaker #3: Yes . I think in general that is a true statement .
Bennett Moore: Great. And then real quick, I just wanted to ask about the additive business, and you showed strong growth during the quarter. Was this lumpy, or are you seeing improved adoption in this space? And can you remind us how the margin profile compares for these products and if this is a space Carpenter would look to grow into into the future?
Speaker #8: And then Great . real quick , I just wanted to ask about the additive business . And you showed strong growth during the quarter .
Speaker #8: Was this lumpy? Are you seeing improved adoption in this space? And can you remind us how the margin compares for profile of these products?
Speaker #8: And if this is a space Carpenter would look to grow into in the future?
Tony Thene: Yeah, I think the second part of your question is the right way to look at it. We see it as something that could be a tailwind for us in the future.
Speaker #3: Yeah , I think the second part of your question is way to the right look at it . We see it as something that could be a tailwind for us , for us future .
John Huyette: We've been inside the additive business for quite some time. This is a higher adoption rate and some increased activity with some very large customers that we bring a proprietary alloy in that area. So it's still relatively small in the whole scheme of things, Bennett. But yes, I think it's something we want to stay in. And I think going forward, we'll see continued growth in that area. So I'm very happy, quite frankly, with the performance of additive. Again, relatively small from an earnings standpoint, but very happy with the way they've been performing over the last couple of quarters. Great. Tony, team, thank you for all the comments. Best of luck. Thank you, sir. Next question comes from the line of Andre Madrid with BTIG. Your line is open. Hey, good morning. Good morning, sir.
We've been inside the additive business for quite some time. This is a higher adoption rate and some increased activity with some very large customers that we bring a proprietary alloy in that area. So it's still relatively small in the whole scheme of things, Bennett. But yes, I think it's something we want to stay in. And I think going forward, we'll see continued growth in that area. So I'm very happy, quite frankly, with the performance of additive. Again, relatively small from an earnings standpoint, but very happy with the way they've been performing over the last couple of quarters.
Speaker #3: in the We've been inside the additive business for time quite some a . This is higher adoption rate . And and know , you some increased activity with some very large customers that we bring a proprietary alloy in that in that area .
Speaker #3: So it's still relatively small in the whole scheme of things . But it's something yes , I think we want to stay in .
Speaker #3: I think going forward we'll see . Continued growth in that area . So I'm very happy , quite with the frankly , performance of additive again , relatively small from an earnings standpoint .
Speaker #3: But very happy with the way they've been performing over the last couple of quarters .
Bennett Moore: Great. Tony, team, thank you for all the comments. Best of luck.
Tony Thene: Thank you, sir.
Speaker #8: Great, Tony, team. Thank you for all the comments. Best of luck.
Operator: Next question comes from the line of Andre Madrid with BTIG. Your line is open.
Speaker #3: Thank you sir .
Speaker #1: The next question comes from the line of Andrea Madrid with BTIG. Your line is open.
Andre Madrid: Hey, good morning.
Tony Thene: Good morning, sir.
Speaker #9: Hey good morning .
John Huyette: As we look at the LTAs signed in the quarter, I mean, are any of these first-time customers on an LTA basis? And I mean, how should we expect the mix of LTAs to trend in the quarters and years to come? Well, it's going to be, there's not a trend. They're all at different times. It seems like we're always working on some type of LTA. And to answer the first part of your question, these are longer-term customers, so not new. Got it. Got it. And then we've been hearing a lot of chatter from recent conversations with customers about potentially exploring capacity expansion that they help fund. I mean, is that something that you guys would ever look into? Maybe if something became more than just chatter, then I could comment on that. So we have already made our position known.
Andre Madrid: As we look at the LTAs signed in the quarter, I mean, are any of these first-time customers on an LTA basis? And I mean, how should we expect the mix of LTAs to trend in the quarters and years to come?
Speaker #3: morning Good sir .
Speaker #9: As as we look at the LTA sign in the quarter , I mean , are any of first time these customers on an LTA mean , how should And I basis ?
Speaker #9: We expect the mix of LTAs to trend in the quarters and years to come.
Tony Thene: Well, it's going to be, there's not a trend. They're all at different times. It seems like we're always working on some type of LTA. And to answer the first part of your question, these are longer-term customers, so not new.
Speaker #3: it's going Well , to be there's not a there's not a trend . They're they're all at at different times . It seems like we're always on working on some type of LTA and , and to answer the first part of your question , these were these are longer term customers .
Andre Madrid: Got it. Got it. And then we've been hearing a lot of chatter from recent conversations with customers about potentially exploring capacity expansion that they help fund. I mean, is that something that you guys would ever look into?
Speaker #3: So not not new .
Speaker #9: Got it . Got it . And then we've been hearing a lot of chatter from recent conversations with customers about , you know , potentially exploring capacity expansion that they help fund .
Speaker #9: I mean, is that something that you guys would ever look into?
Tony Thene: Maybe if something became more than just chatter, then I could comment on that. So we have already made our position known.
Speaker #3: something Maybe if became more than just chatter that could that could on comment that . So we we have already made our position known .
John Huyette: We have gone out there and announced capacity expansion in a very professional manner. We've told you exactly what the pounds will be. We've told you exactly when it will come online. We've told you exactly what the equipment will be. And we've told you exactly what the impact will be, not only to Carpenter Technology's financials, but the overall supply-demand dynamic. So we've been very, very clear and professional on what that would be. So we've told you already how we would react, and we were able and willing to fund that 100% ourselves. Got it. Got it. That's clear. And then if I could sneak one more in, I mean, can you just maybe break down a little more clearly where the orders are exactly coming from? I mean, jet engine versus airframe, OEM versus MRO. Is there a split that you can provide?
We have gone out there and announced capacity expansion in a very professional manner. We've told you exactly what the pounds will be. We've told you exactly when it will come online. We've told you exactly what the equipment will be. And we've told you exactly what the impact will be, not only to Carpenter Technology's financials, but the overall supply-demand dynamic. So we've been very, very clear and professional on what that would be. So we've told you already how we would react, and we were able and willing to fund that 100% ourselves.
Speaker #3: We have gone out their and announced capacity expansion in a very professional manner . We pounds will exactly told you what the be .
Speaker #3: We've told you exactly when it will come, told you online. We've said exactly what the equipment will be, and we've told you exactly what the impact will be.
Speaker #3: Not only to Carpenter financials , the overall but supply , supply , demand dynamic . So we've been very , very clear and professional on what that would be .
Speaker #3: So we've told you already how we would react . And we were able and willing to fund that 100% ourself .
Andre Madrid: Got it. Got it. That's clear. And then if I could sneak one more in, I mean, can you just maybe break down a little more clearly where the orders are exactly coming from? I mean, jet engine versus airframe, OEM versus MRO. Is there a split that you can provide?
Speaker #9: Got it , got it . That's clear . And then if I could sneak one more in , I can mean you just maybe break down a little bit more clearly where the orders are exactly coming from .
Speaker #9: I mean, jet engine versus airframe, OEM versus MRO. Like, is there a split that you can provide?
John Huyette: Well, I mean, orders are up across the board. I mean, I give you a couple of examples. Engines were up 30%. That's significant, right? So I mean, we have order intake increasing across all of the sub-markets. The one I called out, from a sales standpoint, you obviously saw a bit of a dip in defense from a sales standpoint, but now you see orders, I think, will start picking back up again. So we have order intake increase across all of the markets. And again, Andre, that shouldn't be a surprise. Look what you have out there. Look what Boeing, Airbus, and MRO and what all that is doing. That's increasing significantly. Of course, orders are going to have to increase also. Yeah. No, I agree completely. And I see it, though. I appreciate the color, Tony. I'll hop back in. Thanks. All right. Thank you, sir.
Tony Thene: Well, I mean, orders are up across the board. I mean, I give you a couple of examples. Engines were up 30%. That's significant, right? So I mean, we have order intake increasing across all of the sub-markets. The one I called out, from a sales standpoint, you obviously saw a bit of a dip in defense from a sales standpoint, but now you see orders, I think, will start picking back up again. So we have order intake increase across all of the markets.
Speaker #3: Well , I mean , we're having orders are up across the board . I mean , I give you a couple of examples .
Speaker #3: Engines were up 30% . That's significant , right ? So I mean , we have order intake increasing across the all of submarkets .
Speaker #3: The one I you know , called out , from from a sales standpoint , you obviously saw a bit of a dip in defense from a sales standpoint , but now you see orders , you know , I think will start picking back up again .
Speaker #3: So, you know, we have order intake increase across all of the markets. And again, you know, Andre, that shouldn't be a surprise.
And again, Andre, that shouldn't be a surprise. Look what you have out there. Look what Boeing, Airbus, and MRO and what all that is doing. That's increasing significantly. Of course, orders are going to have to increase also.
Speaker #3: Look what you have out there . Look what look what Boeing and Airbus and MRO and what all that is doing that's increasing significantly .
Andre Madrid: Yeah. No, I agree completely. And I see it, though. I appreciate the color, Tony. I'll hop back in. Thanks.
Speaker #3: Of course, orders are going to have to increase also.
Speaker #3: Of course orders are going to have to increase also .
Speaker #9: No , Yeah . I agree completely . And I see it . So I appreciate the color . Tony I'll hop back in .
Tony Thene: All right. Thank you, sir.
Speaker #3: Thanks All right . Thank you sir .
John Huyette: Our last question comes from the line of Philip Gibbs with KeyBanc Capital Markets. Your line is open. Hey, good morning. Hey, Phil. Good morning. Tim, can you give us a review of the CapEx this year again, just in terms of how much you expect to spend overall and how much of that is going to the new project and how much carries over into fiscal 2027? Yeah, Phil, I'll break that into pieces, and then you can follow up if you want to. The full-year guidance for total CapEx was $300 to 315 million. That includes the $175 to 185 million for the brownfield capacity expansion. I also said that given where we are, we spent about a little over $80 million through the first half.
Operator: Our last question comes from the line of Philip Gibbs with KeyBanc Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Speaker #1: And our next question comes from the line of Phil Gibbs with KeyBanc Capital Markets . Your line is open .
Philip Gibbs: Hey, good morning.
Operator: Hey, Phil. Good morning.
Speaker #10: Hey . Good morning .
Philip Gibbs: Tim, can you give us a review of the CapEx this year again, just in terms of how much you expect to spend overall and how much of that is going to the new project and how much carries over into fiscal 2027?
Speaker #3: Hey, Phil. Good morning.
Speaker #10: Tim, can you give us a review of the CapEx this year? Again, just in terms of how you expect it and how much that is overall to spend, where much of it is going to, and how much carries over into fiscal '27.
Tim Lain: Yeah, Phil, I'll break that into pieces, and then you can follow up if you want to. The full-year guidance for total CapEx was $300 to 315 million. That includes the $175 to 185 million for the brownfield capacity expansion. I also said that given where we are, we spent about a little over $80 million through the first half.
Speaker #4: Yeah . Phil , I'll break that into pieces . And then and then you can follow up if you want to . The full year guidance for total CapEx was 300 to 315 million .
Speaker #4: That includes the 175 , hundred and 75 to 185 million for for the brownfield capacity expansion . I also said that , you know , given where we are , we spend about a little over $80 million through the first half .
John Huyette: We said that we expect the Brownfield capacity expansion spending to increase pretty rapidly in the second half as activity ramps up. There's a fair amount of assumptions there. Look, it's a big capital project, complex. The timing of those capital expenditures may vary. I mean, we're making assumptions about progress payments, when the equipment gets delivered, payment terms. So we'll provide an update in the next quarter, but I mean, the guidance out there still holds true for now. And that's incorporated into our free cash flow guidance. Thank you. And Tony, any of the LTAs that you've signed, have they been with PowerGen manufacturers at all? Well, the three that I mentioned on the call here were all aerospace. But none of the prior five, for example, that you mentioned last quarter?
We said that we expect the Brownfield capacity expansion spending to increase pretty rapidly in the second half as activity ramps up. There's a fair amount of assumptions there. Look, it's a big capital project, complex. The timing of those capital expenditures may vary. I mean, we're making assumptions about progress payments, when the equipment gets delivered, payment terms. So we'll provide an update in the next quarter, but I mean, the guidance out there still holds true for now. And that's incorporated into our free cash flow guidance.
Speaker #4: We said that we expect the brownfield capacity expansion spending to increase pretty rapidly in the second half as activity ramps up. There's a lot.
Speaker #4: There's a fair amount of assumptions there . Look , it's a big capital project complex . The timing of capital those expenditures may vary .
Speaker #4: we're making I mean , assumptions about progress payments delivered when the equipment gets , payment terms we'll . we'll So provide an update in the next quarter .
Speaker #4: But I mean , the guidance out there still holds true for now . And that's incorporated into our free cash flow guidance .
Philip Gibbs: Thank you. And Tony, any of the LTAs that you've signed, have they been with PowerGen manufacturers at all?
Speaker #10: Thank you . And Tony , any of the ltas that you've signed , have they have they been with with PowerGen manufacturers at all ?
Tony Thene: Well, the three that I mentioned on the call here were all aerospace.
Speaker #3: Well , the three that I mentioned on the call here were all aerospace .
Philip Gibbs: But none of the prior five, for example, that you mentioned last quarter?
Speaker #10: But none of the prior five, for example, that you mentioned last quarter.
John Huyette: Traditionally, that's not been an area that's been LTAs for us, but it's an area I think it was to Josh's question earlier. It's an area that we're now exploring that the customers in that sub-market would like to enter into an LTA, and that could be something that we're interested in as well. But traditionally, that has not been for us because of the size. It's been relatively small to the rest of the business. It's becoming obviously much bigger now. And then lastly, I know it's a small business for you all relative to, excuse me, relative to SAO and PEP, but what surprised you just relative to the outcome? Because I know you expected to do better. I know you had mentioned, I know you had mentioned outright medical, but usually, you have pretty good visibility within a given quarter, so.
Tony Thene: Traditionally, that's not been an area that's been LTAs for us, but it's an area I think it was to Josh's question earlier. It's an area that we're now exploring that the customers in that sub-market would like to enter into an LTA, and that could be something that we're interested in as well. But traditionally, that has not been for us because of the size. It's been relatively small to the rest of the business. It's becoming obviously much bigger now.
Speaker #3: Traditionally . Traditionally that's not been an area that's been ltas for us , but it's an area I think it was to Josh's question earlier .
Speaker #3: It's an area that we're now exploring that the customers in that , in that submarket would like to enter into an LTA , and that could be something that we're interested in as well .
Speaker #3: But traditionally that has not been for us because of the size has been relatively small to the rest of the business . It's becoming obviously much , much bigger now .
Philip Gibbs: And then lastly, I know it's a small business for you all relative to, excuse me, relative to SAO and PEP, but what surprised you just relative to the outcome? Because I know you expected to do better. I know you had mentioned, I know you had mentioned outright medical, but usually, you have pretty good visibility within a given quarter, so.
Speaker #3: .
Speaker #10: And then lastly , I know it's a small business for you all relative to say , excuse me , relative to Sao and PAP , but what what surprised you ?
Speaker #10: Just just relative to the outcome . Because I know you expected to do better . I know you had mentioned . No , you had mentioned outright medical , but usually you have pretty good visibility within a given given quarter .
John Huyette: You mean your—yeah, you're speaking specifically of that sub-market inside of medical? Oh, I'm just saying in general for the segment. I know you expected to do better a few months ago, and you usually have very good interquarter visibility. So I'm just saying kind of what surprised you. Yeah, in the PEP segment. Correct? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah. Listen, I think that's a fair question. I think we do usually have pretty good visibility. This one on medical distribution, quite frankly, has been a little elusive for us to get a handle around that, quite frankly. I think that's a fair comment. But a good point is that the order intake for that specific sub-market was the highest in January it had been in any month in 2025. So, Phil, I'm hoping that on that for the PEP segment, that's hit the bottom.
Tony Thene: You mean your—yeah, you're speaking specifically of that sub-market inside of medical?
Speaker #10: So .
Speaker #3: You mean your you're speaking ? Yeah . You're speaking specifically of that , that submarket inside of medical .
Philip Gibbs: Oh, I'm just saying in general for the segment. I know you expected to do better a few months ago, and you usually have very good interquarter visibility. So I'm just saying kind of what surprised you.
Speaker #10: saying in general for I'm just the segment , you I know you expected to to do better a few months ago usually have and you very good intra visibility .
Tony Thene: Yeah, in the PEP segment. Correct?
Philip Gibbs: Yes.
Tony Thene: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah. Listen, I think that's a fair question. I think we do usually have pretty good visibility. This one on medical distribution, quite frankly, has been a little elusive for us to get a handle around that, quite frankly. I think that's a fair comment. But a good point is that the order intake for that specific sub-market was the highest in January it had been in any month in 2025. So, Phil, I'm hoping that on that for the PEP segment, that's hit the bottom.
Speaker #10: So I’m just saying, kind of, what surprised you.
Speaker #3: Yeah. In the PEP segment. Correct.
Speaker #7: Yes .
Speaker #3: Yeah . mean , yeah , I Yeah . I listen , I think that's a fair question . I think we do usually have pretty good visibility .
Speaker #3: This one on medical distribution , quite frankly , has been a little elusive for us to get a handle around that . Quite frankly I think that's a fair comment .
Speaker #3: But a good point is that, you know, the order intake for that specific submarket was the highest in January that it had been in any month in 2025.
Speaker #3: So , Phil , I'm hoping that on that for for the pep segment . That's that's hit the bottom you can . But as see with our guidance , we're still remaining fairly fairly cautious in that area .
John Huyette: But as you can see with our guidance, we're still remaining fairly cautious in that area. And as you said, again, it doesn't impact our overall guidance, but it's important to us to do the best we can as far as forecasting what we think PEP can do as well. So a little bit of a little bit of conservatism maybe, or a little bit of let's wait and see to make sure we can get it. Thank you so much. Yeah. Thanks, Phil. That concludes the question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to John Huyette for closing remarks. Thank you, Operator. And thank you, everyone, for joining us today for our fiscal year 2026 second quarter conference call. Have a great rest of your day. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you all for joining in. You may now disconnect.
But as you can see with our guidance, we're still remaining fairly cautious in that area. And as you said, again, it doesn't impact our overall guidance, but it's important to us to do the best we can as far as forecasting what we think PEP can do as well. So a little bit of a little bit of conservatism maybe, or a little bit of let's wait and see to make sure we can get it.
Speaker #3: And as you said again , doesn't impact our overall guidance . But it's important to us to to best we do the can as far as forecasting what we think Pep can do as well .
Speaker #3: So a little bit of a little bit of of , you know maybe or , conservatism a little bit let's wait and see to of make sure we can get it .
Philip Gibbs: Thank you so much.
Tony Thene: Yeah. Thanks, Phil.
Operator: That concludes the question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to John Huyette for closing remarks.
Speaker #10: Thank you so much .
Speaker #3: Phil, yeah. Thanks.
Speaker #1: the concludes That question and answer session . I would like to turn the call back over to John Hewitt for closing remarks .
John Huyette: Thank you, Operator. And thank you, everyone, for joining us today for our fiscal year 2026 second quarter conference call. Have a great rest of your day.
Speaker #2: Thank you . Operator . And thank you , everyone , for joining us today our for fiscal year 2026 second quarter conference call .
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you all for joining in. You may now disconnect.
