Q1 2026 Xylem Inc Earnings Call

April 28, 2026

Operator 2: Welcome to Xylem's Q1 2026 Results Conference Call. All participants will be in listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press Star, then one on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, please press Star and then two. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Michael Travers, Senior Director of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Operator: Welcome to Xylem's Q1 2026 Results Conference Call. All participants will be in listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press Star, then one on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, please press Star and then two. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Michael Travers, Senior Director of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press star, then 1 on your telephone keypad.

Speaker #2: To Please go ahead. to future risks and uncertainties. Such as those factors described in Xylem's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

Speaker #2: withdraw your question, please press star, and then 2. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Michael Travers, Senior Director of Investor Relations.

Michael Travers: Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Xylem's Q1 2026 Earnings Call. With me today are Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Pine, and Chief Financial Officer, Bill Grogan. They will provide their perspectives on Xylem's Q1 results and discuss the Q2 and full year 2026 outlook. Following our prepared remarks, we will address questions related to the information covered on the call. I'll ask that you please keep to one question and a follow-up, and then return to the queue.

Michael Travers: As a reminder, this call and our webcast are accompanied by a slide presentation available in the Investors section of the website. A replay of today's call will be available until midnight 12 May, will be available for playback via the Investors section of our website under the heading Investor Events. Please turn to slide 2. We will make some forward-looking statements on today's call, including references to future events or developments that we anticipate will or may occur in the future. These statements are subject to future risks and uncertainties, such as those factors described in Xylem's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Please note that the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, actual events or results could differ materially from those anticipated. Please turn to slide 3.

Speaker #2: Please note that the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly to reflect subsequent events or circumstances and actual events or results could differ materially from those anticipated.

Speaker #2: Please turn to slide 3. We have provided you with a summary of our key performance metrics, including both gap and non-gap metrics. For the purposes of today's call, all references will be on an organic and/or adjusted basis unless otherwise indicated.

Michael Travers: We have provided you with a summary of our key performance metrics, including both GAAP and non-GAAP metrics. For the purposes of today's call, all references will be on an organic and/or adjusted basis unless otherwise indicated, and non-GAAP financials have been reconciled for you and are included in the appendix section of the presentation. Now, please turn to slide 4, and I'll turn the call over to our CEO, Matthew Pine.

Speaker #2: And non-gap financials have been reconciled for you and are included in the appendix section of the presentation. Now, please turn to slide 4, and I'll turn the call over to our CEO, Matthew Pine.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Mike. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. Coming off a strong 2025 with sustained momentum, 2026 is proving resilient with a solid first quarter financial performance, despite a dynamic external environment.

Matthew Pine: Thank you, Mike. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. Coming off a strong 2025 with sustained momentum, 2026 is proving resilient with a solid Q1 financial performance despite a dynamic external environment. Demand for our mission-critical solutions were consistent with expectations. Our teams are leveraging our reduced complexity to execute with discipline, staying close to customers, as evidenced by our strong book-to-bill in the quarter, and focusing on long-term value creation. We had a strong start to the year deploying capital across the business in line with our priorities. In January, we increased our dividend by about 8%. In February, we announced a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization, executing on $581 million in Q1. This reflects our confidence in the business and our commitment to a balanced approach to capital allocation.

Matthew Pine: Thank you, Mike. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. Coming off a strong 2025 with sustained momentum, 2026 is proving resilient wi a solid Q1 financial performance despite a dynamic external environment. Demand for our mission-critical solutions were consistent with expectations. Our teams are leveraging our reduced complexity to execute with discipline, staying close to customers, as evidenced by our strong book-to-bill in the quarter, and focusing on long-term value creation. We had a strong start to the year deploying capital across the business in line with our priorities. In January, we increased our dividend by about 8%. In February, we announced a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization, executing on $581 million in Q1. This reflects our confidence in the business and our commitment to a balanced approach to capital allocation.

Speaker #3: Demand for our mission-critical solutions were consistent with leveraging our reduced complexity to execute with discipline, staying close to customers, as evidenced by our strong book-to-bill in the quarter, and focusing on long-term value creation.

Speaker #3: We had a strong start to the year deploying capital across the business in line with our priorities. In January, we increased our dividend by about 8%.

Speaker #3: In February, we announced a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization, executing on $581 million in quarter 1. This reflects our confidence in the business and our commitment to a balanced approach to capital allocation.

Speaker #3: In March, we signed an agreement to acquire a German firm that designs and manufactures highly engineered water quality instruments. The company is a leader in submersible sensors for environmental monitoring.

Matthew Pine: In March, we signed an agreement to acquire a German firm that designs and manufactures highly engineered water quality instruments. The company is a leader in submersible sensors for environmental monitoring, and the acquisition expands our role as a systems intelligence partner, supporting resilient long-cycle demand and enabling higher value digital and service solutions. I also want to highlight how our transformation is helping advance our priorities. Our self-improvement initiatives are foundational, simplifying our structure and processes to build stronger capabilities. They strengthen our resilience, enhancing our ability to mitigate macro uncertainty. That operational foundation is centered around making it easier to do business with us and building our growth engine. To that end, WSS booked our largest order ever this month, an outsourced water contract for $850 million delivered over 20 years. This isn't just a milestone, it reinforces that our strategy is delivering.

Speaker #3: In the acquisition, expands our role as a systems intelligence partner supporting resilient, long-cycle demand and enabling higher-value digital and service solutions. I also want to highlight how our transformation is helping advance our priorities.

Speaker #3: Our self-improvement initiatives are foundational, simplifying our structure and processes to build stronger capabilities. They've strengthened our resilience, enhancing our ability to mitigate macro uncertainty.

Speaker #3: That operational foundation is centered around making it easier to do business with us and building our growth engine. To that end, WSS booked our largest order ever this month and outsourced water contract for $850 million delivered over 20 years.

Speaker #3: This isn't just a milestone; it reinforces that our strategy is delivering. And we continue to make progress with our discipline approach to M&A with a solid pipeline of opportunities in place.

Matthew Pine: We continue to make progress with our disciplined approach to M&A with a solid pipeline of opportunities in place. We're progressing towards our $1 billion annual target, optimizing our portfolio and leveraging our balance sheet. Taken together, this progress shows we are well underway in our multi-year operating model transformation, strengthening our growth engine through disciplined execution and operational rigor. I'll pass it over to William Grogan to take us through the details of Q1 and updated guidance.

Speaker #3: We're progressing towards our $1 billion annual target, optimizing our portfolio and leveraging our balance sheet. Taken together, this progress shows we are well underway in our multi-year operating model transformation.

Speaker #3: Strengthening our growth engine through discipline execution and operational rigor. I'll pass it over to Bill to take us through the details of Q1 and updated guidance.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Matthew. Please turn to slide 5. We are pleased with the strong start to the year. The team stayed focused despite the volatility and delivered healthy results to build off of as we progress through the year.

William Grogan: Thanks, Matthew. Please turn to slide 5. We are pleased with the strong start to the year. The team stayed focused despite the volatility and delivered healthy results to build off of as we progress through the year. Demand remains solid, with our ending backlog up sequentially to $4.7 billion. The book-to-bill for the quarter was above 1. Orders were flat versus last year, driven by project timing in WSS, offsetting strength in the other segments. Revenue was also flat in the quarter versus prior year, in line with expectations, as we saw impacts from our 80/20 efforts and China headwinds moderating our short-term revenue outlook. The team's operational discipline delivered quarterly EBITDA margin of 20.6%, up 20 basis points versus the prior year. The improvement was driven by productivity and price more than offsetting inflation, significant mix, and lower volume.

Speaker #2: Demand remained solid with our ending backlog up sequentially to $4.7 billion. And our book-to-bill for the quarter was above 1. Orders were flat versus last year, driven by project timing and WSS.

Speaker #2: Offsetting strength in the other segments. Revenue was also flat in the quarter versus prior year, in line with expectations, as we saw impacts from our 80/20 efforts in China headwinds moderating our short-term revenue outlook.

Speaker #2: The team's operational discipline delivered quarterly EBITDA margin of 20.6%, up 20 basis points versus the prior year. The improvement was driven by productivity and price, more than offsetting inflation, significant mix, and lower volume.

Speaker #2: We also achieved quarterly EPS of $1.12, a 9% increase over the prior year. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA increased to 0.6 times. Driven by our opportunistic share repurchases in the quarter.

William Grogan: We also achieved quarterly EPS of $1.12, a 9% increase over the prior year. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA increased to 0.6x, driven by our opportunistic share repurchases in Q1. Free cash flow was positive in Q1, driven by timing of accruals and lower payments, offset in part by restructuring costs and higher CapEx. The teams continue to make progress with our working capital efficiency metrics. Let's turn to slide 6. In Measurement & Control Solutions, book-to-bill was below 1, backlog remained flat sequentially at roughly $1.4 billion. Orders were up a robust 15%, driven by smart metering demand in water as we made progress on the projects that shifted out of Q4. We expect double-digit orders growth for water throughout the balance of the year.

Speaker #2: Free cash flow was positive in the first quarter, driven by timing of accruals and lower payments. Offset in part by restructuring costs and higher CapEx.

Speaker #2: And the team's continued to make progress with our working capital efficiency metrics. Let's turn to slide 6. In measurement and control solutions, book-to-bill was below 1, but backlog remained flat sequentially at roughly 1.4 billion.

Speaker #2: Orders were up a robust 15%, driven by smart metering demand in water, as we made progress on the projects that shifted out of Q4.

Speaker #2: We expect double-digit orders growth for water throughout the balance of the year. Revenue was up 1%, driven by energy metering demand, offset in part by softness in water meters.

William Grogan: Revenue was up 1%, driven by energy metering demand, offset in part by softness in water meters. EBITDA margin was 20.9% and was 10 basis points lower than prior year, driven by unfavorable mix and inflation, offset partly by productivity and price. We also wanted to provide an update to our international metering divestiture. Due to regulatory approval timing, we now expect the deal to close at the end of Q2, which is reflected in our updated guidance. In Water Infrastructure, orders were up 2% in the quarter, driven by strong demand in transport, supported by growth in the US and India. Revenue was down 1%, driven by softness in treatment related to walkaway actions, partly offset by strength in transport. Growth in the US was offset by declines in China and Western Europe.

Speaker #2: EBITDA margin was 20.9% and was 10 basis points lower than prior year. Driven by unfavorable mix and inflation, offset partly by productivity and price.

Speaker #2: We also wanted to provide an update to our international metering divestiture. Due to regulatory approval timing, we now expect the deal to close at the end of Q2, which is reflected in our updated guidance.

Speaker #2: In water infrastructure, orders were up 2% in the quarter, driven by strong demand in transport, supported by growth in the US and India. Revenue was down 1%, driven by softness in treatment related to walkaway actions, partly offset by strength in transport.

Speaker #2: Growth in the US was offset by declines in China and Western Europe. EBITDA margin for water infrastructure was up 120 basis points, with productivity more than offsetting inflation and mix.

William Grogan: EBITDA margin for Water Infrastructure was up 120 basis points, with productivity more than offsetting inflation and mix. In Applied Water, orders were also up 2% and book-to-bill was well above 1, lifted by large projects and data center wins. Data center orders in Q1 exceeded the full year amount for all of 2025. Revenues were flat versus the prior year, primarily driven by strength in US commercial buildings, offsetting softness in industrial and residential end markets. EBITDA margin was below expectations, but increased 10 basis points year over year, driven by productivity and price, mostly offset by inflation, volume, and mix. We are confident in the segment's strong margin expansion opportunities throughout the remainder of the year. Finally, Water Solutions and Services saw an orders decline driven by capital project timing.

Speaker #2: In applied water, orders were also up 2% and book-to-bill was well above 1. Lifted by large projects and data center wins. Data center orders in Q1 exceeded the full-year amount for all of 2025.

Speaker #2: Revenues were flat versus the prior year, primarily driven by strength in US commercial buildings offsetting softness in industrial and residential end markets. EBITDA margin was below expectations, but increased 10 basis points year over year.

Speaker #2: Driven by productivity and price, mostly offset by inflation, volume, and mix. We are confident in the segment's strong margin expansion opportunities throughout the remainder of the year.

Speaker #2: Finally, water solutions and services saw an orders decline, driven by capital project timing. Subsequently, WSS booked its largest order ever in April, an $850 million outsourced water contract with a 20-year service contract.

William Grogan: Subsequently, WSS booked its largest order ever in April, an $850 million outsourced water contract with a 20-year service contract. Revenue declined 2% year over year, driven by capital project timing and weather impacts on service branch operations, partly offset by strength in dewatering. Segment EBITDA margin was 22.1%, up 40 basis points versus the prior year, driven by price, productivity, and mix, offset by inflation, volume, and investments. Let's turn to slide 7 for our updated full year and Q2 guidance. The organic outlook is largely unchanged versus what we provided at the start of the year, with minor changes to our reported figures due to the delayed divestiture closing in MCS.

Speaker #2: Revenue declined 2% year over year, driven by capital project timing and weather impacts on service branch operations. Partly offset by strength in dewatering. Segment EBITDA margin was 22.1%, up 40 basis points versus the prior year, driven by price, productivity, and mix, offset by inflation, volume, and investments.

Speaker #2: Now let's turn to slide 7 for our updated full-year and second-quarter guidance. The organic outlook is largely unchanged versus what we provided at the start of the year.

Speaker #2: With minor changes to our reported figures due to the delayed divestiture closing in MCS. Full-year reported revenue is now expected to be $9.2 billion, to $9.3 billion.

William Grogan: Full year reported revenue is now expected to be $9.2 billion to $9.3 billion, up from the prior guide of $9.1 to $9.2 billion, which delivers revenue growth of 2% to 3%. Organic revenue growth of 2% to 4% remains unchanged versus prior guidance. EBITDA margin is expected to remain at 22.9% to 23.3%. This represents 70 basis points to 110 basis points of expansion versus the prior year, driven by productivity and price more than offsetting inflation as well as investments in the business. Benefits from our simplification efforts will help mitigate mix pressure from MCS. Also, there's no material impact to our projected results from recently announced changes in tariffs.

Speaker #2: Up from the prior guide of $9.1 to $9.2 billion. Which delivers revenue growth of 2 to 3 percent. While organic revenue growth of 2 to 4 percent remains unchanged versus prior guidance.

Speaker #2: EBITDA margin is expected to remain at 22.9 to 23.3 percent. This represents 70 basis points to 110 basis points of expansion versus the prior year.

Speaker #2: Driven by productivity and price, more than offsetting inflation, as well as investments in the business. And benefits from our simplification efforts will help mitigate mixed pressure from MCS.

Speaker #2: Also, there's no material impact to our projected results from recently announced changes in tariffs. Despite the benefit from share repurchases, we've chosen to keep our EPS range unchanged at $5.35 to $5.60, reflecting a prudent approach to guidance and an uncertain macro environment, and not a change to our outlook for the year.

William Grogan: Despite the benefit from share repurchases, we've chosen to keep our EPS range unchanged at $5.35 to $5.60, reflecting a prudent approach to guidance in an uncertain macro environment and not a change to our outlook for the year. Cash flow generation started strong this year. We remain committed to low double-digit free cash flow margin in our long-term financial framework, and we will make additional progress in 2026. Now drilling down on Q2. We anticipate revenue growth will be in the 2% to 3% range on a reported basis and roughly 1% organically. We expect Q2 EBITDA margin to be approximately 22% to 22.5%, which is up 20 to 70 basis points, driven by price realization, productivity gains, and higher volumes.

Speaker #2: Cash flow generation started strong this year. We remain committed to a low double-digit free cash flow margin in our long-term financial framework, and we'll make additional progress in 2026.

Speaker #2: Now drilling down on the second quarter. We anticipate revenue growth will be in the 2 to 3 percent range on a reported basis, and roughly 1% organically.

Speaker #2: We expect second-quarter EBITDA margin to be approximately 22% to 22.5%, which is up 20 to 70 basis points, driven by price realization, productivity gains, and higher volumes.

Speaker #2: Second-quarter MCS EBITDA margin will be down year over year, driven again by the impacts from energy. However, we expect it to improve sequentially from the first quarter, and return to margin expansion in the second half.

William Grogan: Q2 MCS EBITDA margin will be down year-over-year, driven again by the impacts from energy. However, we expect it to improve sequentially from the Q1 and return to margin expansion in the H2. These results will yield Q2 EPS of $1.31 to $1.36. We started the year with strong demand in a position of strength. Our balanced outlook reflects our strong commercial position, the durability of our portfolio, and benefits from our simplification efforts. While we also continue to monitor broader market conditions and volatility, including the Middle East conflict, changes in tariffs, and other inflationary pressures, along with fluctuations in currency and interest rates, overall, our expectations for the year remain positive and we build on our strong momentum. With that, please turn to slide 8, and I'll turn the call back over to Matthew for closing comments.

Speaker #2: These results will yield second-quarter EPS of $1.31 to $1.36. We started the year with strong demand in a position of strength. Our balanced outlook reflects our strong commercial position.

Speaker #2: The durability of our portfolio and benefits from our simplification efforts. While we also continue to monitor broader market conditions and volatility, including the Middle East conflict, changes in tariffs, and other inflationary pressures, along with fluctuations in currency and interest rates, overall our expectations for the year remain positive and we build on our strong momentum.

Speaker #2: With that, please turn to slide 8 and I'll turn the call back over to Matthew for closing comments.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Bill. I want to return to the core purpose of our company, to empower our customers and communities to build a more water-secure world.

Matthew Pine: Thanks, Bill. I want to return to the core purpose of our company: to empower our customers and communities to build a more water-secure world. We've been very intentional about putting customers and communities at the center of our strategy. In one place you can clearly see that progress is in sustainability. Xylem's 2025 sustainability report was posted to our website on 24 April 2025. The report reflects the fundamental truth about our business. Long-term success is driven by disciplined execution applied in service of a clear purpose that delivers meaningful outcomes for the communities we serve. Looking back at 2025, that alignment delivered concrete, measurable results. In partnership with our colleagues, customers, and communities, we've achieved our sustainability goals we set in 2019 around water reuse, pollution prevention, and stewardship.

Speaker #3: We've been very intentional about putting customers and communities at the center of our strategy. In one place you can clearly see that progress is in sustainability.

Speaker #3: Xylem's 2025 Sustainability Report was posted to our website on April 24th. The report reflects the fundamental truth about our business: long-term success is driven by disciplined execution, applied in service of a clear purpose, that delivers meaningful outcomes for the communities we serve.

Speaker #3: Looking back at 2025, that alignment delivered concrete, measurable results. In partnership with our colleagues, customers, and communities, we've achieved our sustainability goals we set in 2019 around water reuse, pollution prevention, and stewardship.

Speaker #3: Looking ahead, we are building on that progress through our 2030 sustainability agenda, which is focused on longer-term, systematic impact around three signature priorities: decarbonizing the water sector, strengthening water stewardship, and expanding access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Matthew Pine: Looking ahead, we're building on that progress through our 2030 sustainability agenda, which is focused on longer-term systematic impact around three signature priorities: Decarbonizing the water sector, strengthening water stewardship, and expanding access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Sustaining this progress means continuing to evolve Xylem to a position for what comes next, especially for our customers as we leverage the simplicity we've created through the first phase of our transformation. That's why I'm pleased to share two updates to the executive leadership team. To further strengthen how we serve our customers across our global footprint, Snehal Desai is assuming a more focused role as Chief Growth and Commercial Officer. In this role, Snehal will lead our enterprise growth strategy and execution, doubling down on commercial excellence, customer focus, and consistent delivery of scale.

Speaker #3: Sustaining this progress means continuing to evolve Xylem so we're positioned for what comes next. Especially for our customers, as we leverage the simplicity we've created through the first phase of our transformation.

Speaker #3: That's why I'm pleased to share two updates to the executive leadership team. To further strengthen how we serve our customers across our global footprint, Snehall decides, assuming a more focused role, as chief growth and commercial officer.

Speaker #3: In this role, Snehall will lead our enterprise growth strategy and execution, doubling down on commercial excellence, customer focus, and consistent delivery of scale. At the same time, to accelerate innovation that directly translates into customer value, Savan Zamir has been appointed to a newly created role as chief innovation and products officer.

Matthew Pine: At the same time, to accelerate innovation that directly translates into customer value, Sivan Zamir has been appointed to a newly created role as Chief Innovation and Products Officer. Sivan will build the capabilities required to bring differentiated solutions to market faster. This leadership update, along with our purpose-forward culture, operational rigor, and disciplined capital deployment, accelerates Xylem's growth engine and positions us to deliver exceptional long-term value creation. Now let's open up the call for your questions.

Speaker #3: Savan will build the capabilities required to bring differentiated solutions to market faster. This leadership update, along with our purpose-forward culture, operational rigor, and disciplined capital deployment, accelerates Xylem's growth engine and positions us to deliver exceptional long-term value creation.

Speaker #3: And now let's open up the call for your questions.

Speaker #1: We will now begin the question and answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then 1 on your telephone keypad. If you are using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys.

Operator 2: We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star then one on your telephone keypad. If you are using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. To withdraw your question, please press star and then two. Our first question comes from Deane Dray with RBC Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Operator: We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star then one on your telephone keypad. If you are using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. To withdraw your question, please press star and then two. Our first question comes from Deane Dray with RBC Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: To withdraw your question, please press star and then 2. Our first question comes from Dean Dre with RBC Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Hey, can we get I'd love to hear more about this outsource contract and congratulations because this is exactly the way you've positioned WSS to build out services.

Deane Dray: Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Hey, can we get I'd love to hear more about this outsource contract. Congratulations, this is exactly the way you've positioned WSS to build out services. Anything about the customer? You know, anything on the economics? Is there a pipeline for more of these types of outsourced contracts?

Speaker #4: So, anything about the customer, anything on the economics, and is there a pipeline for more of these types of outsource contracts?

Speaker #3: Yeah. So for sure, there's more pipeline. And I've pushed the team every day on that topic, Dean. Thanks for the question. I can't name the actual customer, but it is an existing customer of ours, and it's in the specialty chemical vertical.

Matthew Pine: Yeah. For sure there's more pipeline, and I push the team every day on that topic, Deane. Thanks for the question. I can't name the actual customer, but it is an existing customer of ours, and it's in the specialty chemical vertical. You know, we're providing processed water for cooling and also boiler feed water, in their manufacturing process. It's a great example of our technical know-how on the front end of a capital build, along with our ability to provide a long-term service tail, which is really great for the next 20 years for our business. Maybe I'll have Bill walk you a little bit through some of the numbers.

Speaker #3: We're providing process water for cooling, and also boiler feed water in their manufacturing process. So it's a great example of our technical know-how. On the front end of a capital build, along with our ability to provide a long-term service tail, which is really great for the next 20 years for our business.

Speaker #3: So maybe I'll have Bill walk you a little bit through some of the numbers.

Speaker #5: Yeah, Dean. So out of the 850 million, it's about 75% service and 25% capital. Right? We'll realize about 10% of the contract value this year, with a balance of the capital build next year, and look to flow water in 2028 to start the service tail.

William Grogan: Yeah, Deane. Out of the $850 million, it's about 75% service and 25% capital. Right, we'll realize about 10% of the contract value this year, with the balance of the capital bill the next year and look to flow water in 2028 to start the service tail.

Speaker #1: Really good to hear. And then just the second question, Matthew, I'd like to tell you to start it off with using the word resilient.

Deane Dray: Really good to hear. Just a second question, Matthew, I liked how you started off with using the word resilient. Can you give us a sense of the municipal demand outlook at this stage of the year and anything on the macro? I mean, there's nervousness about project activity, you know, away from municipal, just, you know, the approval process on projects. Any color there would be helpful. Thanks.

Speaker #1: Can you give us a sense of the municipal demand outlook at this stage of the year and anything on the macro? I mean, there's nervousness about project activity, away from municipal, but just the approval process on projects.

Speaker #1: Any color there would be helpful. Thanks.

Speaker #3: Okay. Yeah, I would say that the overall utility demand remains resilient. Like I said in some of the opening remarks, I was with about 15 utility CEOs across all parts of the US, specifically, a few weeks back.

Matthew Pine: Yeah, I would say that the overall utility demand remains resilient, like I said in some of the opening remarks. I was with about 15 utility CEOs across all parts of the US specifically a few weeks back, and, you know, we spent a lot of time together, the full day. These are large municipalities across the US, and there was really no indication of any meaningful funding pullbacks or project delays, you know, outside of some of the normal things you would expect to see. For our business in Q1, US utility orders, and this is based on the MCS and the WI segments, which are really a proxy for utility orders, we were up double digits in the US. Our revenue was up mid-teens.

Speaker #3: And we spent a lot of time together the full day. And these are large municipalities across the U.S. And there was really no indication of any meaningful funding pullbacks or project delays outside of some of the normal things you would expect to see.

Speaker #3: For our business, in Q1, U.S. utility orders—and this is based on the MCS and the WI segments, which are really a proxy for utility orders.

Speaker #3: We were up double digits in the US. Our revenue was up mid-teens. So I would tell you right there that shows the resilience of the utility demand in the US.

Matthew Pine: You know, I would tell you right there that shows the resilience of the utility demand in the US. If you kind of pull the lens back and look at those two segments I talked about, overall, Water Infrastructure was up 2% in orders, you know, supported by transport, the US and India. You've heard us talk a lot about China and we've signaled that in the past, and we were down 30% year over year in China. That's really a big part of the drag. In Europe, specifically Western Europe, there's short-term noise with our 80/20 initiatives. In Measurement & Control Solutions, you heard William Grogan talk in the opening comments, orders were up 15% for Measurement & Control Solutions, driven by large water orders, primarily in the southeast of the US and solid energy activity.

Speaker #3: If you kind of pull the lens back and look at those two segments I talked about, overall, WI was up 2% in orders. Supported by transport, the US and India.

Speaker #3: And you've heard us talk a lot about China. And we've signaled that in the past. And we were down 30% year over year in China.

Speaker #3: So that's really the big part of the drag. And then in Europe, specifically Western Europe, they're short-term noise with our 80/20 initiatives. And MCS, you heard Bill talk in the opening comments, orders were up 15% for MCS.

Speaker #3: Driven by large water orders, primarily in the southeast of the US. And solid energy activity. So all in all, Dean, there remain significant demand for our solutions.

Matthew Pine: All in all, Deane, you know, there remains significant demand for our solutions. You know, we're dealing with an aging infrastructure in the developed parts of the world, Western Europe and the US. It has to be addressed. If you look at what the US Army Corps of Engineers says about our infrastructure, they give us a C minus to a D plus, depending on which part of the infrastructure you're looking at in water, drinking water, wastewater, and storm water. You know, we talk about $1.5 trillion needed over the next decade just in the US to maintain those poor ratings. You know, from my perspective and, you know, from the customer's perspective, things are still pretty robust.

Speaker #3: We're dealing with an aging infrastructure in the developed parts of the world—Western Europe and the US. It has to be addressed. If you look at what the US Army Corps of Engineers says about our infrastructure, they give us a C-minus to a D-plus, depending on which part of the infrastructure you're looking at—in water, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater.

Speaker #3: So we talk about 1.5 trillion dollars needed over the next decade just in the US to maintain those poor ratings. So from my perspective and from the customer's perspective, things are still pretty robust.

Speaker #1: Appreciate that. Thank you.

Deane Dray: Appreciate that. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Matthew Pine: Thank you.

Speaker #1: And the next question comes from Andy Kaplowitz with Citigroup. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: The next question comes from Andrew Kaplowitz with Citigroup. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Andrew Kaplowitz with Citigroup. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Hey, good morning, everyone.

Andrew Kaplowitz: Hey, good morning, everyone.

Speaker #3: Good morning, everyone.

William Grogan: Morning, Andrew.

Andrew Kaplowitz: Matthew, morning. Can you give us a little more color on what you're seeing in terms of price versus inflation across the company? I know you mentioned Applied Water, Q1 margin was generally fine across the portfolio, but for instance, you know, you thought Applied Water got back to 20% and you did acknowledge you recorded a bit lower than you expected. Maybe just talk about conviction staying ahead of inflation and getting that uptick in margin trajectory that you expect for the rest of the year.

Speaker #6: Good morning. Can you give us a little more calm what you're seeing in terms of price versus inflation across the company? And I know you mentioned applied water, Q1 margin was generally fine across the portfolio.

Speaker #6: But for instance, you thought applied water would get back to 20%. And you did acknowledge you recorded a bit lower than you expected. So maybe just talk about conviction staying ahead of inflation and getting that uptick in margin trajectory that you expect for the rest of the year.

Speaker #5: Yeah. I think for the broader portfolio, we're still price cost positive from a price of material cost, including the tariff piece. Again, I think the teams have been extremely proactive.

William Grogan: Yeah. I think for the broader portfolio, we're still price cost positive from a price and material cost, including the tariff piece. Again, I think the teams have been extremely proactive and have built up a solid skill set to understand the levers, timing, and process to capture the incremental value to offset inbound inflation. Obviously, we've seen it here with the escalation with Iran and fuel prices increasing, you know, where we've seen immediate fuel surcharges go into place to offset that. I think we're confident that we can stay ahead of inflation through price as our first lever, and the teams continue to work on sourcing actions as a secondary lever. For Applied Water specifically, as we said in the call, I think, you know, the performance was below our expectations.

Speaker #5: And I've built up a solid skill set to understand the levers, timing, and process to capture the incremental value to offset inbound inflation. Obviously, we've seen it here with the escalation with Iran and fuel prices increasing.

Speaker #5: Where we've seen immediate fuel surcharges go into place to offset that. So I think we're confident that we can stay ahead of inflation through.

Speaker #5: Prices are first lever. And the teams continue to work on sourcing actions as a secondary lever. For applied water specifically, as we said in the call, I think the performance was below our expectations.

Speaker #5: But I think primarily that was more of mixed within the sales on the gross margin line. I think we're confident that they're going to get back above 20%.

William Grogan: I think primarily that was more of mix within the sales on the gross margin line. You know, I think we're confident that they're gonna get back above 20% as we look at the balance here relative to the cost actions they've taken, mix normalizing. Some of these data center projects that Matthew highlighted in the opening comments will start to play at a little bit higher margin, and they'll sequentially improve through the balance of the year.

Speaker #5: As we look at the balance year, relative to the cost actions they've taken, mixed normalizing. Some of these data center projects that Matthew highlighted in the opening comments will start to play at a little bit higher margin.

Speaker #5: And they'll sequentially improve through the balance of the year.

Speaker #6: Bill, that's helpful. And then maybe the same kind of question on organic growth for the year. You obviously need an uptick in growth in the second half.

Andrew Kaplowitz: Bill, that's helpful. Maybe the same kind of question on organic growth for the year. You obviously need an uptick in growth in H2 to meet your forecast. It seems like you made progress on booking those five to 10 projects that you've been most focused on in MCS. Maybe give us a little more color there. It's nice to hear about the big capital project in WSS, but do you need capital recovery at all in WSS to make your original, I think it was mid-single digit organic growth for that segment?

Speaker #6: To meet your forecast, it seems like you made progress on booking those 5 to 10 projects that you've been most focused on in MCS.

Speaker #6: Maybe give us a little more color there. And then, it's nice to hear about the big capital project in WSS. But do you need a capital recovery at all in WSS to make your original?

Speaker #6: I think it was mid-single-digit organic growth for that segment.

Speaker #5: Yeah, no, I think, again, we've seen the things that we needed to see happen here in the first quarter, relative to strong MCS orders and some of those projects that were delayed start.

William Grogan: No, I, I think again, we've seen the things, you know, that we needed to see happen here in Q1 relative to strong MCS orders and some of those projects that were delayed start. Now we got the orders that they're going to play out through the balance of the year. We still need to have a couple more orders hit for us to reach our H2, but relative to conversations with the team, that looks positive, right? The book and ship for MCS was actually up 9%, so there's a lot of traction and progress there as inventory within the channel is at back to normalized levels. I think from a broader Xylem perspective, the ramp in H2, you know, we're going to see a significant ramp in volume here from Q1.

Speaker #5: Now we got the orders that they're going to play out through the balance of the year. We still need to have a couple more orders hit for us to reach our back half.

Speaker #5: But relative to conversations with the team, that looks positive, right? The book and ship for MCS was actually up 9%. So there's a lot of traction and progress there, as inventory within the channel is back to normalized levels.

Speaker #5: I think, from a broader Xylem perspective, the ramp in the second half—we're going to see a significant ramp in volume here from the first quarter.

William Grogan: That's part of our normal seasonality. If you look at Q3, it's basically the same revenue dollar sequentially, and we go from a 1% growth to a 5%. Then we'll see the normal seasonal ramp in Q4 relative to Water Infrastructure to get us to another mid-single-digit number. So I think relative to normal seasonality and the orders we've need to seen, win, have progressed and give us confidence in our back half figures at this point in time.

Speaker #5: That's part of our normal seasonality. If you look at the third quarter, it's basically the same revenue dollars sequentially. And we go from a 1% growth to a 5%.

Speaker #5: And then we'll see the normal seasonal ramp in the fourth quarter relative to water infrastructure to get us to another mid-single digit number. So I think relative to normal seasonality and the orders we need to see win, have progressed and give us confidence in our back half figures at this point in time.

Speaker #6: Appreciate the cover.

Andrew Kaplowitz: Appreciate the color.

Speaker #1: And the next question comes from Mike Halloran with Baird. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: The next question comes from Michael Halloran with Baird. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Michael Halloran with Baird. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: Hey, morning, everyone.

Michael Halloran: Hey, morning, everyone.

Speaker #3: Morning.

William Grogan: Morning.

Speaker #7: Mike.

Michael Halloran: Mike, could you just touch on the capital allocation piece? You know, one, good to see the magnitude of buyback in the Q. What, what's the intent look like from here? Stock stays in and around where it is now. Do you see yourself being as aggressive as we move through the year? Well, I'll leave that as the first question, sorry.

Speaker #8: You just touched on the capital allocation piece. One, good to see the magnitude of buyback in the quarter. What's the intent look like from here?

Speaker #8: Stock stays in and around where it is now. Do you see yourself being as aggressive as we move through the year? And then, well, I'll leave that as the first question.

Speaker #8: Sorry.

Speaker #3: Yeah, I'll take that, Mike. We continue to buy in April, and we'll reassess the balance of Q2 after this month. And we're kind of looking at a couple of ways.

William Grogan: Yeah, I'll take that, Mike. You know, we continue to buy in April, you know, we'll reassess the balance of Q2 after this month. You know, we're kind of looking at a couple ways. One is, you know, managing kind of our leverage between half a turn and a turn, you know, net debt to EBITDA. You know, obviously, we also wanna balance that with taking advantage of stock dislocation. We'll reassess it here at the end of the month as we get into the meat of Q2. You know, we've got a real healthy balance sheet, and we'll continue to deploy capital across our whole framework over the course of the year.

Speaker #3: One is managing kind of our leverage between half a turn and a turn. Net debt to EBITDA. And then obviously, we also want to balance that with taking advantage of stock dislocation.

Speaker #3: So we'll reassess it here at the end of the month as we get into the meat of Q2. But we've got a real healthy balance sheet.

Speaker #3: And we'll continue to deploy capital across our whole framework over the course of the year.

Speaker #7: Makes sense. And then maybe just talk about what the optionality looks like in terms of pipeline, actionability, etc. And then maybe just give a little bit more context on why the tucking you made, on the analytic side, made sense to you all.

Michael Halloran: Makes sense. Then maybe just talk about what the optionality looks like in terms of pipeline, actionability, et cetera. Then maybe just give a little bit more context on why the tuck-in you made on the analytics side made sense for you all.

Speaker #3: Yeah. I think in my opening remarks, and I've said this in the past, we talk about $1 billion of capital deployment towards M&A. To help us get to the kind of mid-teens EPS growth that we outlined at our investor day back in 2024.

Matthew Pine: Yeah, I think, you know, in my opening remarks, and I've said this in the past, we talk about $1 billion of capital deployment towards M&A, you know, to help us get to the kind of mid-teen EPS growth that we outlined at our Investor Day back in 2024. We're still tracking for that. You know, you've heard me talk a lot about our improved internal process, where before we were a bit more top-down, a bit lumpy in terms of our execution on M&A, bigger targets. Now we're much more focused in the segments with the segment presidents really owning it, working bottom up. Because of that work over the past couple years, we have a very strong pipeline and across all of our segments.

Speaker #3: So we're still tracking for that. You've heard me talk a lot about our improved internal process where before we were a bit more top-down, a bit lumpy in terms of our execution on M&A.

Speaker #3: Bigger targets now where it's much more focused in the segments with the segment presidents really owning it, working bottom up. And because of that work over the past couple of years, we have a very strong pipeline.

Speaker #3: And across all of our segments. So I think that gives us a lot of confidence that we'll be more consistent over time. With capital deployment.

William Grogan: I think that gives us a lot of confidence that we'll be more consistent over time with capital deployment. What was the second part of your question?

Speaker #3: What was the second part of your question? Oh, the tucking. Sorry. Yeah, the recent deal we did. Yeah, the recent deal we did sign.

Michael Halloran: The deal, the tuck-in.

Michael Halloran: Oh, the tuck-in.

Michael Halloran: Yeah.

Michael Halloran: Sorry. The recent deal we just signed. It's a, you know, like I said on the prepared remarks, First of all, we have confidentiality provisions with the seller, so we're unable to share the target's name or a lot of the transaction details outside the purchase price. That was $219 million.

Speaker #3: So it's a, like I said, on the prepared remarks, we signed a, first of all, we have confidentiality provisions with the seller. So we're unable to share the target's name or a lot of the transaction details.

Speaker #3: Outside of the purchase price that was $219 million. But it's really a highly engineered water quality instruments business. It strengthens our position in high-margin optical sensing and process applications.

Matthew Pine: It's, you know, really a highly engineered water quality instruments business. It strengthens our position in high margin optical sensing and process applications across clean water, wastewater environment, and industry. I think for us, you know, we expect pretty significant revenue synergies. Although it's a small to medium bolt-on, we do expect significant revenue synergies through leveraging, you know, our industrial and utility customer base. I think from that perspective, it makes a lot of sense as we continue to grow our analytics part of our business.

Speaker #3: Across clean water, wastewater environment, and industry. And I think for us, we expect pretty significant revenue synergies. Although it's a small to medium bolt-on, we do expect significant revenue synergies through leveraging our industrial and utility customer base.

Speaker #3: And so I think from that perspective, it makes a lot of sense. As we continue to grow our analytics part of our business.

Speaker #7: Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.

Michael Halloran: Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Matthew Pine: Thank you.

Speaker #1: And the next question comes from Jacob Levinson with Mellis Research. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: The next question comes from Jake Levinson with Melius Research. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Jake Levinson with Melius Research. Please go ahead.

Speaker #9: Hey, good morning, everyone.

Jake Levinson: Hey, good morning, everyone.

Speaker #7: Good morning, Jake.

Matthew Pine: Morning, Jake.

Speaker #5: Hey, Jake.

William Grogan: Hey, Jake.

Jake Levinson: Just on Measurement and Control, it looks like things are stabilizing a little bit there. The order book looks pretty solid. Can you maybe just mark to market where we are in the cycle across electric and water? I know there's not necessarily synchronized right now, it seems like there's a refresh cycle going on in electric and maybe that's coming in water. How do you see that playing out this year and maybe into 2027?

Speaker #9: Just on measurement and control, it looks like things are stabilizing a little bit there. The order book looks pretty solid. Can you maybe just mark to market where we are in the cycle across electric and water?

Speaker #9: Because I know there's not necessarily synchronized right now, but it seems like there's a refresh cycle going on in electric and maybe that's coming in water.

Speaker #9: But how do you see that playing out this year and maybe into '27?

Speaker #3: Yeah, I mean, just at the high level, if you go back to kind of 2008 and '09 with the America Reinvestment Recovery Act, kind of great recession.

Matthew Pine: Yeah. I mean, just at the high level, if you go back to kind of 2008 and 2009 with the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, kind of great recession and the utilities on the electric side did a major push on AMI. You started to see a refresh there over the past, probably last year into this year and the next coming couple of years. Water was probably anywhere from 5 to 7 years behind that initial wave of AMI deployments. You know, as we're moving through the next, you know, 2 to 3 years of electric refreshes, we'll start to, as we exit this decade going into 2030, start to see a pickup in the refresh of water.

Speaker #3: And the utilities on the electric side did a major push on AMI. And so you started to see a refresh there over the past, probably last year into this year and the next coming couple of years.

Speaker #3: Water was probably anywhere from 5 to 7 years behind. That initial wave of AMI deployments. And so as we're moving through the next two to three years, of electric refreshes, we'll start to, as we exit this decade going into 2030, start to see a pickup in the refresh of water.

Speaker #3: So that's a little bit of history and some of the timing as we think about energy and the refreshes going on now. And then as we get into the end of the decade, we'll start to see a turn and a pickup on the water refresh side.

Matthew Pine: That's a little bit of history and some of the timing as we think about, you know, energy and the refreshes going on now. As we get into the end of the decade, we'll start to see a turn and a pickup on the water refresh side.

Speaker #9: Okay. That's helpful. And just on China, I think I heard you mention it was down 30% this quarter. Have we bottomed in that market yet?

Jake Levinson: Okay, that's helpful. Just on China, I think I heard you mention it was down 30% this quarter. Have we bottomed in that market yet and it's just a function of the comps today? I guess just relatedly, how much of that 30% is the market versus some of the work you're doing to reposition that business?

Speaker #9: And it's just a function of the comps today? And I guess just relatedly, how much of that 30% is the market versus some of the work you're doing to reposition that business?

Speaker #5: Yeah, I think we'd probably say it is bottoming out, kind of bouncing at the bottom here, right? With the team making some progress in some of their focused efforts, with areas where we actually have more differentiation, and we're doubling down and focusing.

William Grogan: Yeah, I think we'd probably say it is bottoming out, kind of bouncing at the bottom here, right with the team making some progress in some of their focused efforts, with areas where we actually have more differentiation, and we're doubling down and focusing. Relative to the. Yeah, I think we've highlighted about a third is market, a third is kind of actions that our competitors are taking, and then a third is, you know, kind of us actively walking away from business. I think, you know, for the total Xylem, most of the pressure is here in Q1 and Q2, that comp gets easier.

Speaker #5: Relative to that, yeah, I think we've highlighted about a third is market, a third is kind of actions that our competitors are taking, and then a third is kind of us actively walking away from business.

Speaker #5: So I think for the total xylem most of the pressure is here in the first and second quarter. And that comp gets easier. We said for the full year, it was about 1% headwind for sales.

William Grogan: You know, we said for the full year is about 1% headwind for sales, but that equates to, again, on the H1, about 2% since it's primarily concentrated in Q1 and Q2.

Speaker #5: But that equates to, again, on the first half of the year, about 2% since it's primarily concentrated in the first and second quarters.

Speaker #9: Okay. Great. Thank you very much. I'll pass it on.

Jake Levinson: Okay, great. Thank you very much. We'll pass it on.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Matthew Pine: Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thanks, Jake.

William Grogan: Thanks, Jake.

Speaker #1: And the next question comes from Nathan Jones with Stifel. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: The next question comes from Nathan Jones with Stifel. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Nathan Jones with Stifel. Please go ahead.

Speaker #10: Good morning, everyone. I guess I'll start with an M and TS question. Obviously, seeing some pretty good order growth over the last few quarters.

Nathan Jones: Morning, everyone.

Matthew Pine: Hey, good morning, Nate.

Nathan Jones: I guess I'll start with an MCS question. Obviously seen some pretty good order growth over the last few quarters. I mean, it's been double-digit for 4 quarters in a row, but the actual dollar level of orders has been below the level of revenue. Can you talk about, you know, how that supports growth, how we should think about growth, you know, going forward, not just this year, but as we go into 2027, 2028? What kind of order rates do you need to support growth over the next couple years?

Speaker #10: I mean, it's been double-digit for four quarters in a row. But the actual solar level of orders has been below the level of revenue.

Speaker #10: I mean, you talk about how that supports growth, how we should think about growth going forward—not just this year, but as we go into '27, '28.

Speaker #10: What kind of order rates do you need to support growth over the next couple of years?

Speaker #5: Yeah, I think long-term over the cycle as things normalize, it's that high single-digit rate. Now, relative to the lumpiness of the business and large projects come in, I think you have to look at a combination of our backlog position.

William Grogan: Yeah, I think long-term over the cycle as things normalize, you know, it's that high single-digit rate. Now, relative to the lumpiness of the business and large projects come in, I think you have to look at a combination of our backlog position, you know, in conjunction with orders, right? 'Cause you see, you know, our backlog increased sequentially, but not in the magnitude of our, what the implied book-to-bill, because the orders we received within the quarter were things of projects that we had won, that now we have kind of a go with firm commitments to start delivering within the year.

Speaker #5: In conjunction with orders, right? Because you see our backlog increased sequentially but not in the magnitude of our, what the implied book to bill, because the orders we received within the quarter were things of projects that we had won that now we have kind of a go with firm commitments to start delivering within the year.

Speaker #5: So I think it's really looking at over a kind of a rolling probably 24-month, looking at a high single-digit order growth rate with a check on our backlog growth and position as that progresses as we hit some of the replenishments that Matthew highlighted.

William Grogan: I think it's really looking at over a kind of a rolling probably 24 month looking at a high single digit order growth rate with a check on our backlog growth and position as that progresses as we hit some of the replenishments that Matthew highlighted.

Speaker #5: Okay. I guess, to follow up on margins, the business already has sequentially stronger margins in the second half. And the margin expansion in 2026 is significantly lower in the first half than the implied expansion in the second half.

Nathan Jones: Okay. I guess the follow-up's margins. You know, the business already has sequentially stronger margins in H2 and, you know, the margin expansion is, in 2026 is significantly lower in H1 than the implied expansion in H2. Can you just talk about the contributors to the accelerating margin expansion in H2 and where we should see those materialize? Thanks.

Speaker #5: So, can you just talk about the contributors to the accelerating margin expansion in the second half, and where we should see those materialize? Thanks.

Speaker #5: Yeah. No, I think it's across the portfolio, but significant expansion within MCS and water infrastructure. Primarily as mix normalizes and we shift from price-driven growth to significant volume growth, based upon some of the projects hitting within MCS.

William Grogan: Yeah, no, I think it's across the portfolio, but significant expansion within MCS and Water Infrastructure, primarily as mix normalizes and we shift from price-driven growth to significant volume growth based upon some of the projects hitting with it within MCS, within Water Infrastructure, getting past some of this walk away pressure and China pressure here in the H1. That's really, it's a volume and mix normalization, kind of leveraging the structural costs that we've taken out last year and continue to take out in the H1 of 2026.

Speaker #5: And then, within water infrastructure, getting past some of this walk-away pressure and China pressure here in the first half. So that's really—it's a volume and mix normalization, kind of leveraging the structural costs that we've taken out last year and continue to take out in the first half of 2026.

Speaker #1: Thanks. Did I get any questions?

Operator 2: Thanks. You can take any questions.

Operator: Thanks. You can take any questions.

Speaker #3: Thanks.

Matthew Pine: Thanks.

Speaker #1: And the next question comes from Brian Blair with Oppenheimer. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: The next question comes from Bryan Blair with Oppenheimer. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Bryan Blair with Oppenheimer. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Thank you. Morning, everyone.

Bryan Blair: Thank you. Morning, everyone.

Speaker #9: Good morning.

Matthew Pine: Good morning.

Speaker #10: Good morning.

William Grogan: Morning.

Bryan Blair: To follow up on Nathan's question, I guess to ask a little more directly. You know, given, you know, current visibility with MCS inclusive of, you know, mixed expectations and the pending divestiture, how should we think about, you know, margin cadence through the back half? You know, more importantly, what's a realistic exit rates or equivalently jumping off point for 2027 margin?

Speaker #9: To follow up on Nathan's question, I guess to ask a little more directly, given current visibility with MCS inclusive of mixed expectations and the pending divestiture, how should we think about margin cadence through the back half and more importantly, the what's a realistic exit rate or equivalently jumping off point for 27 margin?

Speaker #5: Yeah, I think as we said in the prepared remarks, MCS will sequentially increase and exit the year, post the international metrology divestiture, well in excess of 25% EBITDA margins.

William Grogan: Yeah. I think as we said in the prepared remarks, MCS will sequentially increase and exit the year post the international metering divestiture well in excess of 25% EBITDA margins. You know, I think that's the base rate going into next year with, again, the water balance of sale normalizing and then the actions the team are taking on continued profitability improvements within the gas and electric business.

Speaker #5: I think that's the base rate going into next year with, again, the water balance of sale normalizing, and then the actions the team are taking on continued profitability improvements within the gas and electric business.

Speaker #1: That's very encouraging. And we know your consolidated organic sales outlook is unchanged. It doesn't sound like the moving parts within that have meaningfully shifted.

Bryan Blair: That's very encouraging. We know your consolidated organic sales outlook is unchanged, it doesn't sound like the moving parts within that have meaningfully shifted. If we think about the segment expectations that you outlined last quarter, are there any shifts that you would call out? Particularly curious about MCS and WSS, just given the moving parts for those segments.

Speaker #1: But if we think about the segment expectations that you outlined last quarter, are there any shifts that you would call out, particularly curious about MCS and WSS, just given the moving parts for those segments?

Speaker #5: No, no. No major changes to the organic guide in aggregate and no major changes to the makeup between the segments.

William Grogan: No. No. No, no major changes to the organic guide in aggregate and no major changes to the makeup between the segments.

Speaker #1: Understood. Thank you again.

Bryan Blair: Understood. Thank you again.

Speaker #3: Thanks.

Speaker #5: Thanks, Brian.

William Grogan: Thanks, Bryan.

Speaker #1: And the next question comes from William Griffin with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: The next question comes from William Grippin with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from William Grippin with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Speaker #11: Thanks for the time. Good morning. Just wanted to come back to your comments on sort of price cost and really specifically kind of drilling into potential supply chain impacts here on material costs as sort of global supply chains continue to be disrupted.

William Grippin: Thanks for the time. Good morning. Just wanted to come back to your comments on sort of price cost and really specifically kind of drilling into, you know, potential supply chain impacts here on material costs as global supply chains continue to be disrupted. I know you've got some locked in, you know, sort of fixed price arrangements for materials. Could you elaborate a bit on, you know, how long do those last? How much does that insulate your business? And, you know, what is your sort of visibility to managing any increase in raw materials costs post any of the fixed price arrangements?

Speaker #11: I know you've got some locked-in sort of fixed price arrangements for materials, but could you elaborate a bit on how long do those last?

Speaker #11: How much does that insulate your business in what is your sort of visibility to managing any increase in raw materials costs post any of the fixed price arrangements?

Speaker #5: I think we have some forward fixed contracts, but that's limited on some of our raw commodity exposures. I think our supply chain team does a phenomenal job at looking for alternate sources and competitive bids.

William Grogan: I think we have some forward fixed contracts, but that's limited on some of our raw commodity exposures. I think our supply chain team does a phenomenal job at looking for alternate sources and competitive bids to help mitigate just increase in prices through dynamic supply chain management. Again, our first and forward lever on this is incremental pricing. Again, the practice the team has had post-COVID supply chain challenges, inflationary drivers, now with tariffs and then now potential increased inflation due to rising fuel costs and the ripple effect that that has across the industrial supply chain. I think we're confident that we can continue to offset that.

Speaker #5: To help mitigate just increases in prices through dynamic supply chain management. But again, our first and forward lever on this is incremental pricing. Again, the practice the team has had post-COVID—supply chain challenges, inflationary drivers, now with tariffs, and then now potential increased inflation due to rising fuel costs and the ripple effect that that has across the industrial supply chain.

Speaker #5: I think we're confident that we can continue to offset that. The magnitude could compress margins slightly, as we're not getting incremental flow-through of 40% on that on those types of price increases.

William Grogan: The magnitude could compress margins slightly, you know, as we're not getting incremental, you know, flow through of 40% on that, on those types of price increases. Relative to dollar for dollar, right now our expectations are that we could manage. Obviously, we'll see. You know, the next 4 weeks I think will be critical to see what happens with the conflict and if the strait opens up. Again, relative to the actions that we've taken internally, I think we're as prepared as we can be, overall in the nimbleness of our new organizational construct.

Speaker #5: But relative to dollar-for-dollar right now, our expectations are that we can manage. Obviously, we'll see in the next four weeks—I think that will be critical to see what happens with the conflict and if the strait opens up.

Speaker #5: But again, relative to the actions that we've taken internally, I think we're as prepared as we can be, given the nimbleness of our new organizational construct.

Speaker #1: I appreciate that. And then just wanted to follow up on 80/20. I know you had previously talked about 2026 being sort of the peak of walk-away.

William Grippin: I appreciate that. Then just wanted to follow up on 80/20. I know you had previously talked about 2026 being sort of the peak of walk away. I think that was a 200 basis point offset to the organic growth guidance. Could you just talk about the cadence or timing of that walk away? Is that primarily in H1 or evenly spread throughout the year?

Speaker #1: I think that was a 200 basis point offset to the organic growth guidance. Could you just talk about the cadence or timing of that walk-away?

Speaker #1: Is that primarily in the first half or evenly spread throughout the year?

Speaker #5: No, I think it's more weighted to the first two to three quarters of the year. There's some longer-tail stuff within the treatment business within water infrastructure that'll maybe extend past that.

William Grogan: I think it's more weighted to the first 2 to 3 quarters of the year. There's some longer tail stuff within the treatment business within Water Infrastructure that'll maybe extend past that. We're more heavily weighted here in H1.

Speaker #5: But we're more heavily weighted here in the first half of the year.

Speaker #1: Got it. Appreciate the time. Thank you.

William Grippin: Got it. Appreciate the time. Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thanks, Will.

William Grogan: Thanks, Will.

Speaker #3: Thank you. We'll wrap up there. Thanks for your questions, and thank you to everyone who joined today.

Matthew Pine: Thank you. We'll wrap up there. Thanks for your questions, and thank you to everyone who joined today.

Operator 2: The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.

Operator: The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.

Q1 2026 Xylem Inc Earnings Call

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