As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q2. Today, we are looking at hvac and water systems stocks, starting with Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR).
Many HVAC and water systems companies sell essential, non-discretionary infrastructure for buildings. Since the useful lives of these water heaters and vents are fairly standard, these companies have a portion of predictable replacement revenue. In the last decade, trends in energy efficiency and clean water are driving innovation that is leading to incremental demand. On the other hand, new installations for these companies are at the whim of residential and commercial construction volumes, which tend to be cyclical and can be impacted heavily by economic factors such as interest rates.
The 9 hvac and water systems stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 14.3% below.
In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 3.9% on average since the latest earnings results.
Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR)
Founded by the inventor of air conditioning, Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR) manufactures heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration products.
Carrier Global reported revenues of $6.11 billion, up 3% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
"We delivered another quarter of strong financial performance," said Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin.
Carrier Global delivered the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 23.6% since reporting and currently trades at $61.34.
Is now the time to buy Carrier Global? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q2: Northwest Pipe (NASDAQ:NWPX)
Playing a large role in the Integrated Pipeline (IPL) project in Texas to deliver ~350 million gallons of water per day, Northwest Pipe (NASDAQ:NWPX) is a manufacturer of pipeline systems for water infrastructure.
Northwest Pipe reported revenues of $133.2 million, up 2.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 10.1%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.
Northwest Pipe scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 24.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $53.23.
Is now the time to buy Northwest Pipe? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q2: CSW (NASDAQ:CSW)
With over two centuries of combined operations manufacturing and supplying, CSW (NASDAQ:CSW) offers special chemicals, coatings, sealants, and lubricants for various industries.
CSW reported revenues of $263.6 million, up 16.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5.2%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.
CSW delivered the fastest revenue growth but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 2.9% since the results and currently trades at $260.88.
Read our full analysis of CSW’s results here.
Advanced Drainage (NYSE:WMS)
Originally started as a farm water drainage company, Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS) provides clean water management solutions to communities across America.
Advanced Drainage reported revenues of $829.9 million, up 1.8% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 3.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
The stock is up 27.2% since reporting and currently trades at $144.66.
Read our full, actionable report on Advanced Drainage here, it’s free.
Lennox (NYSE:LII)
Based in Texas and founded over a century ago, Lennox (NYSE:LII) is a climate control solutions company offering heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) goods.
Lennox reported revenues of $1.50 billion, up 3.4% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. It was a stunning quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
The stock is down 12.6% since reporting and currently trades at $541.74.
Read our full, actionable report on Lennox here, it’s free.
Market Update
Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.
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