Franklin Electric Co., Inc (NASDAQ:FELE) Raises Dividend And Eyes Margin Recovery Near-Term

Dividend acceleration and company guidance create a constructive bias, supported by improving margin dynamics and consistent cash generation. WMDST values the stock as under-valued amid mixed near-term signals.

Recent News

On January 26, 2026 the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share, payable February 19, 2026 (record date February 5, 2026), representing a 5.7% increase versus the prior quarterly payout. Public commentary around late February highlighted the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 results and management’s 2026 guidance, while independent outlets reported investor reaction to the quarterly report in mid-February.

Technical Analysis

Directional indicators show an emerging trend: ADX at 23.49 indicates trend strength has moved into the emerging zone, lending conviction to the present bias toward directionally higher prices while not yet signaling a very strong trend.

DI+ at 25.27 reversed higher (dip & reversal), while DI- at 24.71 is decreasing; that configuration reads as a bullish directional shift and supports a near-term upside bias when combined with the ADX reading.

MACD equals 0.77 and trends higher, and it sits above the signal line (-0.56); the cross above the signal line represents bullish momentum and increases the likelihood of continued positive price momentum in the weeks ahead.

MRO reads -19.69 and is increasing; the negative and rising value implies price sits below an internal target and therefore carries quantified upside potential consistent with the under-valued WMDST assessment.

RSI at 52.9 and rising shows neutral-to-positive momentum without overbought pressure, leaving room for additional appreciation before technical exhaustion.

Price sits above short-, medium- and long-term averages (price close $103.25 versus 20-day $95.18, 50-day $97.48, 200-day $95.83), reinforcing the bullish setup. The close currently trades between the 1x and 2x upper Bollinger bands, reflecting short-term strength but also leaving room for consolidation near the upper band. Volume at 292,171 exceeds the 10-day average, supporting the recent directional move. Beta ~0.94 suggests price moves with the market but with slightly lower volatility than a 1.0 benchmark.

 


Fundamental Analysis

Earnings and guidance: Reported EPS equaled $0.87 versus an estimate of $0.89, a miss of $0.02 or approximately -2.25%. Forward EPS stands at $1.28125 with a forward P/E of 74.58; the trailing P/E rounds to roughly 114.95, indicating a materially higher trailing multiple relative to forward expectations.

Revenue and margin trends: Total revenue for the period equals $506,855,000. YoY revenue growth registers approximately +49.67%, with QoQ revenue growth near +12.21%, signaling robust top-line expansion over the prior year and meaningful sequential acceleration. EBIT margin measures 10.10%; EBIT margin improved roughly +17.35% QoQ and about +16.58% YoY, showing margin recovery even though the absolute margin remains below the industry peer mean and median. Specifically, the company’s EBIT margin sits below the industry peer mean (19.79%) and industry peer median (24.863%).

Profitability and cash flow: Gross margin equals 33.84% and operating margin approximates 10.24%. Net income reached $39,250,000 and free cash flow totaled $88,674,000, producing a free cash flow yield of about 2.01%, which exceeds the industry peer mean free cash flow yield (~0.86%). Cash conversion measures remain extended (cash conversion cycle ~142 days) but improved modestly QoQ and YoY. Operating cash flow totaled $104,191,000 and cash on hand reached $99,662,000, supporting liquidity.

Balance sheet and leverage: Total debt stands at $234,010,000 with net debt near $67,349,000; debt-to-EBITDA approximates 3.45 and interest coverage exceeds 20x, indicating manageable leverage and ample interest coverage. Current ratio sits at 2.79 and quick ratio near 1.18, both supportive of short-term liquidity.

Valuation summary: WMDST values the stock as under-valued. The valuation judgement reflects above-mean free cash flow yield, modest net debt, and improving sequential margins, balanced against a high trailing P/E, a slight EPS miss, and margins that remain below the industry peer mean and median. That mix supports the WMDST under-valued designation while highlighting execution risk on margin expansion versus peers.

MOST-RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT
REPORT PERIOD ENDING: 2025-12-31
REPORT DATE: 2026-02-17
NEXT REPORT DATE: 2026-05-19
CASH FLOW  Begin Period Cash Flow 102.9 M
 Operating Cash Flow 104.2 M
 Capital Expenditures -15.52 M
 Change In Working Capital 48.7 M
 Dividends Paid -12.81 M
 Cash Flow Delta -3.27 M
 End Period Cash Flow 99.7 M
 
INCOME STATEMENT REVENUE
 Total Revenue 506.9 M
 Forward Revenue 182.7 M
COSTS
 Cost Of Revenue 335.4 M
 Depreciation 16.6 M
 Depreciation and Amortization 16.6 M
 Research and Development
 Total Operating Expenses 455.0 M
PROFITABILITY
 Gross Profit 171.5 M
 EBITDA 67.8 M
 EBIT 51.2 M
 Operating Income 51.9 M
 Interest Income
 Interest Expense 2.5 M
 Net Interest Income -2.54 M
 Income Before Tax 48.6 M
 Tax Provision 9.1 M
 Tax Rate 18.684 %
 Net Income 39.2 M
 Net Income From Continuing Operations 39.6 M
EARNINGS
 EPS Estimate 0.89
 EPS Actual 0.87
 EPS Difference -0.02
 EPS Surprise -2.247 %
 Forward EPS 1.28
 
BALANCE SHEET ASSETS
 Total Assets 1.9 B
 Intangible Assets 649.8 M
 Net Tangible Assets 672.8 M
 Total Current Assets 958.6 M
 Cash and Short-Term Investments 99.7 M
 Cash 99.7 M
 Net Receivables 247.5 M
 Inventory 553.0 M
 Long-Term Investments 9.3 M
LIABILITIES
 Accounts Payable 175.0 M
 Short-Term Debt 31.8 M
 Total Current Liabilities 344.0 M
 Net Debt 67.3 M
 Total Debt 234.0 M
 Total Liabilities 617.4 M
EQUITY
 Total Equity 1.3 B
 Retained Earnings 1.1 B
VALUATION & PER-SHARE METRICS EQUITY & PER-SHARE METRICS
 Book Value Per-Share 29.94
 Shares Outstanding 44.178 M
 Revenue Per-Share 11.47
VALUATION
 Market Capitalization 4.4 B
 Enterprise Value 4.6 B
 Enterprise Multiple 67.144
Enterprise Multiple QoQ -34.346 %
Enterprise Multiple YoY -15.743 %
Enterprise Multiple IPRWA high: 81.749
median: 81.749
mean: 71.05
FELE: 67.144
low: -66.921
 EV/R 8.981
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Asset To Equity 1.47
 Asset To Liability 3.15
 Debt To Capital 0.15
 Debt To Assets 0.12
Debt To Assets QoQ -11.207 %
Debt To Assets YoY 85.984 %
Debt To Assets IPRWA high: 0.345
mean: 0.196
median: 0.146
FELE: 0.12
low: 0.002
 Debt To Equity 0.177
Debt To Equity QoQ -13.865 %
Debt To Equity YoY 90.145 %
Debt To Equity IPRWA high: 1.057
mean: 0.37
median: 0.221
FELE: 0.177
low: -0.025
PRICE-BASED VALUATION
 Price To Book (P/B) 3.34
Price To Book QoQ 3.87 %
Price To Book YoY -7.879 %
Price To Book IPRWA high: 7.309
median: 4.457
mean: 4.264
FELE: 3.34
low: -1.578
 Price To Earnings (P/E) 114.946
Price To Earnings QoQ 56.918 %
Price To Earnings YoY -17.588 %
Price To Earnings IPRWA high: 155.616
median: 119.549
FELE: 114.946
mean: 106.422
low: -59.489
 PE/G Ratio -3.475
 Price To Sales (P/S) 8.716
Price To Sales QoQ 19.631 %
Price To Sales YoY -7.777 %
Price To Sales IPRWA high: 29.146
median: 23.703
mean: 18.466
FELE: 8.716
low: 0.955
FORWARD MULTIPLES
Forward P/E 74.577
Forward PE/G -2.255
Forward P/S 24.177
EFFICIENCY OPERATIONAL
 Operating Leverage -6.944
ASSET & SALES
 Asset Turnover Ratio 0.257
Asset Turnover Ratio QoQ -11.244 %
Asset Turnover Ratio YoY -3.966 %
Asset Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 0.367
FELE: 0.257
mean: 0.179
median: 0.124
low: 0.004
 Receivables Turnover 1.882
Receivables Turnover Ratio QoQ -1.912 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio YoY -3.375 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 2.933
FELE: 1.882
mean: 1.876
median: 1.772
low: 0.513
 Inventory Turnover 0.598
Inventory Turnover Ratio QoQ -8.44 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio YoY -6.253 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 2.152
median: 1.131
mean: 1.089
FELE: 0.598
low: 0.204
 Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) 48.491
CASH CYCLE
 Cash Conversion Cycle Days (CCC) 141.626
Cash Conversion Cycle Days QoQ 2.124 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days YoY 3.149 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days IPRWA high: 342.062
FELE: 141.626
median: 91.554
mean: 87.068
low: -9.339
CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT
 Cash Conversion Ratio 0.825
 CapEx To Revenue -0.031
 CapEx To Depreciation -0.934
 
CAPITAL, LIQUIDITY & COVERAGE CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Total Capital 1.5 B
 Net Invested Capital 1.5 B
 Invested Capital 1.5 B
 Net Tangible Assets 672.8 M
 Net Working Capital 614.6 M
LIQUIDITY
 Cash Ratio 0.29
 Current Ratio 2.786
Current Ratio QoQ 9.834 %
Current Ratio YoY 25.339 %
Current Ratio IPRWA high: 16.218
FELE: 2.786
mean: 1.697
low: 1.062
median: 1.062
 Quick Ratio 1.179
Quick Ratio QoQ 5.581 %
Quick Ratio YoY 6.467 %
Quick Ratio IPRWA high: 13.927
FELE: 1.179
mean: 1.141
low: 0.673
median: 0.673
COVERAGE & LEVERAGE
 Debt To EBITDA 3.452
 Cost Of Debt 0.819 %
 Interest Coverage Ratio 20.142
Interest Coverage Ratio QoQ 160.528 %
Interest Coverage Ratio YoY -35.897 %
Interest Coverage Ratio IPRWA high: 61.651
median: 21.707
FELE: 20.142
mean: 17.579
low: -37.803
 Operating Cash Flow Ratio 0.305
TIMING / LIQUIDITY
 Days Payables Outstanding (DPO) 44.123
DIVIDENDS
 Dividend Coverage Ratio 3.063
 Dividend Payout Ratio 0.327
 Dividend Rate 0.29
 Dividend Yield 0.003
PERFORMANCE GROWTH
 Asset Growth Rate -2.653 %
 Revenue Growth -12.869 %
Revenue Growth QoQ 1221.253 %
Revenue Growth YoY 49.674 %
Revenue Growth IPRWA high: 33.477 %
median: 5.59 %
mean: 2.087 %
FELE: -12.869 %
low: -33.18 %
 Earnings Growth -33.077 %
Earnings Growth QoQ 4235.125 %
Earnings Growth YoY -14.001 %
Earnings Growth IPRWA high: 137.864 %
mean: -2.272 %
median: -8.466 %
FELE: -33.077 %
low: -55.556 %
MARGINS
 Gross Margin 33.835 %
Gross Margin QoQ -5.692 %
Gross Margin YoY 0.068 %
Gross Margin IPRWA high: 67.596 %
mean: 36.5 %
median: 36.049 %
FELE: 33.835 %
low: -20.898 %
 EBIT Margin 10.098 %
EBIT Margin QoQ 117.348 %
EBIT Margin YoY 16.578 %
EBIT Margin IPRWA high: 27.289 %
median: 24.863 %
mean: 19.79 %
FELE: 10.098 %
low: -50.815 %
 Return On Sales (ROS) 10.239 %
Return On Sales QoQ -30.119 %
Return On Sales YoY 18.206 %
Return On Sales IPRWA high: 27.289 %
median: 25.294 %
mean: 20.215 %
FELE: 10.239 %
low: -42.371 %
CASH FLOW
 Free Cash Flow (FCF) 88.7 M
 Free Cash Flow Yield 2.007 %
Free Cash Flow Yield QoQ -6.825 %
Free Cash Flow Yield YoY -5.464 %
Free Cash Flow Yield IPRWA high: 3.828 %
FELE: 2.007 %
median: 1.113 %
mean: 0.855 %
low: -9.584 %
 Free Cash Growth -2.86 %
Free Cash Growth QoQ -102.219 %
Free Cash Growth YoY -66.667 %
Free Cash Growth IPRWA high: 199.541 %
median: 25.554 %
FELE: -2.86 %
mean: -4.599 %
low: -318.157 %
 Free Cash To Net Income 2.259
 Cash Flow Margin 20.699 %
 Cash Flow To Earnings 2.673
VALUE & RETURNS
 Economic Value Added 0.04
 Return On Assets (ROA) 1.991 %
Return On Assets QoQ 138.729 %
Return On Assets YoY 7.332 %
Return On Assets IPRWA high: 6.193 %
mean: 2.53 %
median: 2.472 %
FELE: 1.991 %
low: -23.865 %
 Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) 3.198 %
 Return On Equity (ROE) 0.03
Return On Equity QoQ 133.701 %
Return On Equity YoY 11.663 %
Return On Equity IPRWA high: 0.251
mean: 0.047
median: 0.037
FELE: 0.03
low: -0.087
 DuPont ROE 2.973 %
 Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) 2.794 %
Return On Invested Capital QoQ 115.254 %
Return On Invested Capital YoY -108.103 %
Return On Invested Capital IPRWA high: 5.302 %
mean: 3.498 %
median: 3.236 %
FELE: 2.794 %
low: -14.79 %

Six-Week Outlook

Near-term price bias favors continuation of the recent upward momentum. Technical convergence—MACD above its signal line, DI+ recovery and an emerging ADX—supports a bullish probability skew; the negative but rising MRO adds measured upside potential relative to internal targets. Key near-term technical support lies near the super trend lower at $96.56 and the Ichimoku component cluster at roughly $100.86; failure below those levels would increase the chance of consolidation. Conversely, sustained momentum and volume could carry price toward the upper range of analyst targets noted in market commentary. Liquidity and strong interest coverage mitigate macro risk, but margin metrics remaining below the industry peer mean present the principal fundamental constraint on sustained re-rating over the next six weeks.

About Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:FELE) designs, manufactures, and distributes advanced water and fuel pumping systems globally. Founded in 1944 and based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the company operates through three primary segments: Water Systems, Fueling Systems, and Distribution. The Water Systems segment develops submersible motors, pumps, electronic controls, and water treatment systems, addressing residential, agricultural, and industrial applications. These products facilitate efficient water management for clean water and wastewater needs across diverse sectors. In the Fueling Systems segment, Franklin Electric provides a wide range of products including pumps, pipes, and electronic controls, targeting fueling applications. This segment also supports energy markets by delivering solutions for power reliability and utility infrastructure monitoring. The Distribution segment enhances market access for Franklin Electric’s products, offering presale support and detailed specifications to contractors. The company’s distribution network encompasses wholesale and retail distributors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and specialty distributors. Franklin Electric maintains a focus on quality and innovation, delivering dependable and sustainable pumping solutions to industries worldwide.



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