Curtiss-Wright's (NYSE:CW) Q3 2026: beats on revenue

What happened

Curtiss-Wright reported Q3 2026 revenue of $952.6 million, up 9.6% year on year and 1.8% above analysts’ consensus. Adjusted earnings per share were $3.94, 4.8% above estimates. It raised its full-year revenue midpoint to $3.82 billion and adjusted earnings-per-share midpoint to $15.50.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

Revenue and earnings above forecasts, alongside higher full-year guidance, suggest stronger near-term performance and could support expectations for future sales. However, free cash flow margin—the share of revenue left as cash after spending—fell to 16.5% from 20.2%, indicating less cash generation relative to sales.

Analyst inference

The results present a mixed operating picture: revenue grew and operating margin—the share of sales remaining after operating costs—held at 19.7%, while free cash flow margin declined. That contrast matters because weaker cash generation can limit funds for investment or share repurchases.

Analyst inference

What to watch

1. Track whether later quarterly revenue and adjusted earnings remain consistent with the raised full-year midpoints of $3.82 billion and $15.50 per share. Analyst inference
2. Watch for updates on free cash flow margin, which fell to 16.5% from 20.2%; sustained weakness could leave less cash for investment or repurchases. Analyst inference
3. Management said it was on track for near-record 2026 share repurchases; follow-through could affect the cash available for internal investment and shares outstanding. Analyst inference

Evidence

• stockstory.org