Earning Preview: RBC Bearings Q4 revenue is expected to increase by 17.15%, and institutional views are cautiously positive

Earnings Agent
Jan 29

Abstract

RBC Bearings will release its quarterly results on February 05, 2026 Pre-Market. The preview consolidates the latest company forecasts and prior-quarter actuals to frame revenue, margins, and adjusted EPS trends, contextualizing core industrial and aerospace/defense demand along with expected year-over-year growth.

Market Forecast

For the current quarter, RBC Bearings’ internal forecast implies total revenue of $460.35 million, an adjusted EPS estimate of $2.86, and EBIT of $107.93 million; year-over-year growth is projected at 17.15% for revenue, 30.03% for EPS, and 26.93% for EBIT. Forecast margin specifics were not provided; however, management’s recent performance cadence suggests stable consolidated gross profit margin alongside a net profit margin shaped by mix and cost absorption. The company’s principal businesses are Industrial and Aerospace/Defense, with Industrial revenue last quarter at $256.50 million and Aerospace/Defense at $198.80 million; management commentary points to Industrial’s ongoing demand from distribution and OEM channels and Aerospace/Defense’s order stability. The most promising segment appears to be Industrial with $256.50 million last quarter and mid-teens year-over-year growth implied by the consolidated trend, supported by broader platform content and aftermarket channels.

Last Quarter Review

RBC Bearings reported revenue of $455.30 million in the prior quarter with a gross profit margin of 44.15%, net profit attributable to the parent company of $60.00 million, a net profit margin of 13.18%, and adjusted EPS of $2.88, with revenue up 14.43% year-over-year and adjusted EPS up 25.76% year-over-year. A key highlight was resilient profitability despite mix variability, reflected in the 44.15% gross margin holding near historical highs while net margin softened quarter-on-quarter. Main business revenue was led by Industrial at $256.50 million and Aerospace/Defense at $198.80 million; consolidated top-line growth suggests both segments contributed meaningfully, with Industrial showing broader distribution strength and Aerospace/Defense supported by program activity.

Current Quarter Outlook

Industrial Segment Trajectory

The Industrial segment anchors RBC Bearings’ volume scale and pricing leverage, typically absorbing cost volatility through mix and operational efficiency. This quarter’s revenue estimate of $460.35 million at the consolidated level implies continued healthy demand in general industrial rotations, distribution replenishment, and OEM production schedules. The prior quarter’s gross profit margin of 44.15% illustrates ongoing benefits from material and manufacturing productivity initiatives that likely carry into the current period. Mix within Industrial — including bearing families with higher value-add — can support margin stability even as volumes rise. A watchpoint is the quarter-on-quarter net profit margin decline to 13.18%, which suggests that while gross margin held, SG&A and interest expense or tax rate dynamics may dilute net margin; if Industrial volumes accelerate faster than cost absorption, margin expansion could be modest rather than pronounced. Inventory positioning across distribution channels is another determinant: lean inventories bolster reorder cadence, but any destocking would temper near-term growth.

Aerospace/Defense Momentum

Aerospace/Defense contributes differentiated content and tends to carry disciplined pricing and long-duration program visibility. The prior quarter’s $198.80 million in segment revenue tracks with steady military and commercial program orders, and the consolidated forecast growth rate of 17.15% suggests incremental lift from backlog conversion and aftermarket activity. Margin carry-through from this segment is typically supportive to the consolidated gross margin, complementing Industrial volume. Near-term variability can come from delivery schedules and customer phasing, yet the order stability observed last quarter reduces downside risk to current-quarter topline. If mix leans toward higher content aerospace platforms, EBIT margins could expand against last quarter’s baseline; however, the quarter-on-quarter net profit margin retreat underscores that operating expenses or financing costs must be monitored to preserve EPS leverage. With EBIT forecast at $107.93 million and EPS at $2.86, operational execution in Aerospace/Defense could be a modest tailwind for consolidated profitability.

Stock Price Drivers This Quarter

The key stock price drivers center on whether revenue meets or exceeds the $460.35 million estimate, the degree to which gross margin remains near the 44.15% level, and if net margin stabilizes after the quarter-on-quarter dip to 13.18%. An upside scenario includes Industrial reorder strength and favorable product mix that keeps gross margin resilient, while a downside scenario would feature cost inflation or an unfavorable mix shift, compressing gross-to-net conversion. EPS sensitivity is pronounced; the forecast of $2.86 benefits from the EBIT outlook, but interest expense and tax rate variance can create spread between EBIT and bottom-line results. Management commentary on inventory turns, backlog conversion in Aerospace/Defense, and price-cost dynamics will influence expectations for the next few quarters, affecting valuation multiples.

Analyst Opinions

Based on available institutional commentary within the recent period, the balance of views is cautiously positive, with the majority leaning toward a constructive near-term setup given year-over-year growth forecasts in revenue and EPS and stable gross margin trends. Analysts highlight the ability to sustain gross margins near 44.15% and deliver EPS in the vicinity of $2.86 despite mix and expense headwinds. The bullish stance emphasizes that the consolidated revenue forecast of $460.35 million and EBIT of $107.93 million indicate demand durability across Industrial and Aerospace/Defense. The prevailing view is that the company’s execution on backlog, pricing discipline, and productivity measures can offset potential net margin variability, supporting a modest beat-or-meet outcome in the upcoming print.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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