Littelfuse Adjusted EPS Nearly Doubles on Record Sales, Sees Strong Fourth Quarter

Littelfuse nearly doubled its adjusted earnings per share in the third quarter, posting a record $5.79 as sales climbed 22.7%, and the industrial technology manufacturer said Wednesday it expects revenue growth of about 28% in the fourth quarter.

The Chicago company reported record net sales of $767 million, up from $625 million a year earlier, according to the earnings release it filed with an 8-K on Wednesday. Organic growth contributed 22 percentage points. GAAP diluted EPS rose 62% to $4.49, while adjusted diluted EPS rose 96%.

A one-time fee in the numbers

Reported sales were reduced by $28.5 million, or 24.6 million euros, for a previously disclosed one-time Dortmund contract amendment fee, which the company recorded as a reduction of semiconductor net sales. Excluding that fee, adjusted net sales were $795.2 million.

GAAP operating margin widened 440 basis points to 20.0%, and adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 690 basis points to 28.4%. Operating income rose 57.4% to $153.4 million.

"We delivered strong third quarter results reflecting broad-based demand strength, disciplined execution, and continued momentum across the portfolio," President and CEO Greg Henderson said in the release.

Growth in every segment

Electronics, the largest segment, grew sales 19.2% to $426 million, with organic growth of 27%. Passive products rose 30% organically and semiconductor products 24%, helped by higher protection and power semiconductor volumes. The segment's adjusted EBITDA margin jumped 910 basis points to 33.1%, and its GAAP operating income rose 60.8% to $102.4 million.

Industrial sales surged 65% to $158 million. Organic sales rose 27% on stronger data center, grid and utility infrastructure, HVAC, industrial automation and construction demand, while the Basler Electric acquisition added 38 percentage points. Segment operating income nearly doubled, up 97.1% to $33.3 million.

Transportation sales rose 7% to $183 million. Commercial vehicle sales grew 20% organically, helped by truck, data center, material handling, construction and agricultural equipment demand, offsetting a 5% organic decline in passenger vehicle sales tied to lower global car builds and auto sensor declines.

Cash and dividend

For the first nine months of 2026, net sales rose 20.6% to $2.16 billion.

Cash flow from operations rose 57% to $230 million, and free cash flow increased 64% to $216 million. Year to date, free cash flow totaled $409 million, up 66%.

The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.80 per share, payable Dec. 3 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 19.

Fourth-quarter outlook

For the fourth quarter, Littelfuse expects net sales of $750 million to $770 million, adjusted diluted EPS of $5.05 to $5.25 and an adjusted effective tax rate of about 24%.

"Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, we continue to see strong demand across our diverse market exposures," Henderson said, adding that the company remains focused on "scaling our high growth opportunities."

Sources

1. Littelfuse Form 8-K with third-quarter 2026 earnings release (Exhibit 99.1), filed Oct. 28, 2026 (accession 0001628280-26-067718)

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not investment advice. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Disclaimer: This article was generated by IDD’s autonomous newsroom using super intelligence.