Crane Holdings Co. (NYSE: CR) reported fourth-quarter 2025 financial results that exceeded Wall Street expectations, driven by sustained strength in its aerospace and defense businesses. Despite the earnings beat, the industrial manufacturer’s shares fell approximately 2% on Tuesday as investors assessed a cautious 2026 outlook and the immediate margin dilution associated with a billion-dollar acquisition spree.
Strategic Rebranding and Executive Succession
The company concurrently announced a definitive shift in its executive leadership and corporate structure. Alejandro (Alex) Alcala, currently the Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Max Mitchell as President and Chief Executive Officer on April 27, 2026. Mitchell, who has led the company since 2014, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
This transition follows the January 1, 2026, completion of the acquisition of the Precision Sensors & Instrumentation (PSI) product line from Baker Hughes for $1.15 billion. The deal includes the Druck, Panametrics, and Reuter-Stokes brands. Highlighting this shift, Crane has rebranded its primary growth segment from Aerospace & Electronics to Aerospace & Advanced Technologies. The company also announced the acquisition of optek-Danulat, a German optical sensing provider, further signaling a pivot toward high-margin instrumentation.
Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Financial Performance
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Crane reported net sales of $581 million, a 6.8% increase over the same period in 2024. This growth was largely organic, with core sales rising 5.4% behind robust demand in defense and commercial aviation. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $1.53, surpassing the analyst consensus of $1.41 and representing a 21% increase year-over-year.
Summary of Q4 2025 Key Metrics
| Metric | Q4 2025 Result | Year-Over-Year Change |
| Net Sales | $581.0 Million | +6.8% |
| Adjusted EPS | $1.53 | +21.4% |
| Adjusted Operating Margin | 19.2% | +150 bps |
| Core Order Growth | 2.4% | — |
For the full year 2025, Crane reported record sales and a 24% increase in adjusted EPS. The aerospace segment ended the year with a record backlog of $1.08 billion, an increase of nearly 15% from 2024. However, the Process Flow Technologies segment showed signs of slowing, as industrial demand in certain global markets remained sluggish, leading to a decline in segment backlog.
2026 Outlook and Growth Drivers
Crane management provided an initial 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $6.55 to $6.75, representing approximately 10% growth at the midpoint. While the company expects total sales to rise in the low-to-mid 20% range due to recent acquisitions, core sales growth is projected to be a more modest 4% to 6%.
Financial Impact: Management noted that the contribution from the new acquisitions in 2026 would be largely offset by increased interest expenses related to the $1.15 billion in debt used to fund the deals.
The company expects its 2026 segment operating margin to be approximately 22.5%, a slight compression from the 23.7% comparable margin in 2025. This projected dip reflects the initial dilutive impact of the newly acquired businesses before anticipated cost synergies and deleveraging take effect in 2027. To support shareholder returns during this transition, Crane raised its annual dividend by 11%.
Sector and Macroeconomic Context
Crane’s performance mirrors a broader trend within the industrial sector where aerospace and defense remain resilient despite fluctuating global manufacturing activity. The record backlog in its newly renamed Aerospace & Advanced Technologies segment aligns with a broader recovery in commercial aerospace production and elevated global defense spending.
However, the company remains sensitive to macroeconomic factors, including borrowing costs and industrial capital expenditure cycles. By expanding into advanced sensing and instrumentation, Crane is attempting to diversify its portfolio into high-growth, technology-driven niches. Investors are closely monitoring the company’s ability to integrate its recent acquisitions while maintaining its historically conservative capital structure, as debt levels have risen following the PSI transaction.