It’s Only Common Sense: Build Your Business on Reputation, Not Neglect
The Marketing Minute: If Your Marketing Budget Gets Cut in Half, Then What?
Nordson Corporation reported results for the fiscal first quarter ended January 31, 2026. Sales were a first quarter record of $669 million compared to the prior year’s first quarter sales of $615 million. The first quarter 2026 sales included an organic sales increase of 7% and a favorable currency translation impact of 4%, which was slightly offset by the medical contract manufacturing divestiture completed in the fourth quarter of last year.
Net income was $133 million, or $2.38 of earnings per diluted share, compared to prior year’s first quarter net income of $95 million, or $1.65 of earnings per diluted share. First quarter 2026 earnings benefited from a non-cash gain on a minority technology investment recognized during the quarter. Excluding the non-cash gain and acquisition-related amortization, first quarter adjusted earnings per diluted share were a record $2.37, a 15% increase from the prior year adjusted earnings per diluted share of $2.06.
EBITDA was also a first quarter record of $203 million or 30% of sales, an increase of 8% compared to prior year EBITDA of $188 million, or 31% of sales.
Commenting on the Company’s fiscal 2026 first quarter results, Nordson President and Chief Executive Officer Sundaram Nagarajan said, “Our proprietary technology portfolio, close to the customer business model and Ascend strategy have positioned us well to win in our inflecting end markets, particularly in the semiconductor space. We delivered organic growth in all our segments, as well as solid margin and cash flow. This strong first quarter performance has set the stage well for fiscal 2026.”
First Quarter Segment Results
Industrial Precision Solutions sales of $327 million increased 9% from the prior year, inclusive of an organic sales increase of 3% and favorable currency translation of 6%. The organic sales increase was driven by balanced growth across most product lines, with particular strength in Asia Pacific markets. EBITDA in the quarter was $110 million, or 34% of sales, compared to prior year first quarter EBITDA of $113 million.
Medical and Fluid Solutions sales of $193 million were flat compared to the prior year first quarter, inclusive of an organic sales increase of 3% and a favorable currency impact of 1%, which was offset by 4% related to the previously divested medical contract manufacturing business. The organic sales increase was driven by growth in engineered fluid solution product lines. EBITDA in the quarter was $70 million, or 36% of sales, up 9% versus the prior year first quarter EBITDA of $64 million.
Advanced Technology Solutions sales of $149 million increased 23% compared to the prior year first quarter, inclusive of an organic sales increase of 21% and favorable currency translation of 2%. The organic sales increase compared to prior year was driven by ongoing growth in electronics dispense systems and recovering demand for x-ray systems. EBITDA in the quarter was $33 million, or 22% of sales, up 43% from the prior year first quarter EBITDA of $23 million.
Outlook
The Company enters the second quarter with increased backlog, up approximately 4% over the prior year. Order entry momentum was broad-based in the quarter with particular strength in our ATS segment. These trends position the Company to deliver second quarter fiscal 2026 sales in the range of $710 to $740 million. Second quarter adjusted earnings are forecasted to be in the range of $2.70 to $2.90 per diluted share.
Based on the strong start to the year, the second quarter outlook and the current foreign exchange rate environment, the Company is increasing its full year guidance. Sales are now expected to be in the range of $2,860 to $2,980 million and adjusted earnings to be in the range of $11.00 to $11.60 per diluted share.
Reflecting on the full year outlook, Mr. Nagarajan said, “At the start of the year, we indicated that several of our key end markets had begun to inflect, and I am proud of our teams for delivering such a strong first quarter. We have growing confidence in our full year based on strengthening backlog and order entry, which is reflected in our increased annual guidance range. We remain focused on serving our customers and returning value to our shareholders.”
