Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:FELE) Poised To Extend Margin Expansion Into 2026

Franklin Electric shows constructive operational momentum supported by cash generation and a policy of returning capital, with technicals signaling a cautious short-term recovery that could test medium-term resistance.

Recent News

On January 26, 2026 the company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share, payable February 19, 2026 (record date February 5), a 5.7% increase versus the prior quarterly payout. Market coverage reiterated the dividend raise and the company’s commitment to disciplined capital allocation.

Technical Analysis

Directional indicators: ADX at 27.87 indicates a strong trend environment; both DI+ and DI- are trending lower, with DI- remaining above DI+ (32.22 vs. 16.99), which signals waning bearish pressure and a transitionary phase that can support near-term upside against the current valuation backdrop.

MACD: MACD shows a dip & reversal, indicating early bullish momentum as the oscillator turns up from recent lows; MACD remains negative at -2.05 and below the signal line (-1.85), so momentum recovery has begun but lacks confirmation from a signal-line crossover.

MRO: MRO sits at -34.07 (negative), implying the price trades below the target and therefore carries potential upward adjustment; however, the MRO trend registered a peak & reversal, signaling recent waning momentum that tempers that upside potential.

RSI and short-term momentum: RSI at 47.29 has completed a dip & reversal and trends upward into a neutral band, supporting a measured bullish bias in the near term while leaving room before overbought conditions emerge.

Price structure and moving averages: Last close $93.38 sits just above the 12-day EMA ($92.93) and the 20-day average ($92.96) — both showing dip & reversal — but below the 50-day ($98.64) and 200-day ($95.23) averages. Price remains inside the Bollinger band range (lower ~$90.36; upper ~$95.56), with the SuperTrend upper band near $96.49 acting as the nearest technical ceiling for a sustained move higher.

Volume and volatility: Recent volume (≈292k) tracks slightly below the 10-day average (≈302k) while 42-day volatility (3%) remains modest; the technical picture favors controlled consolidation with a bias toward re-test of the $95–$97 resistance zone if momentum continues to recover.

 


Fundamental Analysis

Top-line and margins: Total revenue $506.9M for the period with YoY revenue growth of 49.67% and QoQ revenue change of 12.21%, reflecting a strong year-over-year cadence and sequential improvement. Operating income (EBIT) $51,182,000 yields an EBIT margin of 10.10%. EBIT margin rose ~16.58% YoY and expanded ~117.35% QoQ, indicating meaningful margin recovery versus prior periods; that margin, however, sits below the industry peer mean of 19.80% and the industry peer median of 24.86%.

Profitability and returns: Return on equity registers 2.97% while return on assets measures 1.99%; both improved sequentially but remain below comparable industry peer means. Net income $39,250,000 and diluted EPS $0.87 missed consensus by about 2.25% (estimate $0.89), matching the slight downside in reported per-share results.

Cash flow and balance sheet: Operating cash flow $104.19M and free cash flow $88.67M produce a free cash flow yield of 2.01%, which sits above the industry peer mean of 0.86% and supports the company’s capital return policy. Cash conversion ratio near 82.47% and a current ratio of 2.79 provide working capital flexibility; cash & short-term investments $99.66M versus net debt $67.35M leave net leverage modest (debt-to-equity ~17.69%).

Capital allocation and payout: Dividend payout ratio stands near 32.65% with dividend coverage ~3.06; the recently declared quarterly dividend increase to $0.28 (payment Feb 19, 2026) aligns with cash generation and reflects continued emphasis on shareholder returns. WMDST values the stock as under-valued based on cash generation and relative valuation metrics.

Valuation context: Trailing P/E of 114.95 contrasts with a forward P/E near 74.58 (forward EPS $1.281), while price-to-book at 3.34 ranks below the industry peer mean of 5.12. The enterprise-to-revenue and free-cash metrics point to a mixed signal set: elevated trailing multiples coexist with above-average free cash flow yield, supporting the WMDST under-valued assessment when balanced against margin improvement and cash conversion strength.

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: 71.167
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: 0.011
 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: 0.371
median: 0.221
FELE: 0.177
low: 0.014
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: 9.542
mean: 5.125
median: 4.457
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: 106.534
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: 23.703
median: 23.703
mean: 18.479
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: 2.074
FELE: 1.882
mean: 1.835
median: 1.772
low: 1.094
 Inventory Turnover 0.598
Inventory Turnover Ratio QoQ -8.44 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio YoY -6.253 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 1.499
median: 1.131
mean: 1.09
FELE: 0.598
low: 0.36
 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: 86.995
low: 28.845
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: 5.298
FELE: 2.786
mean: 1.598
low: 1.062
median: 1.062
 Quick Ratio 1.179
Quick Ratio QoQ 5.581 %
Quick Ratio YoY 6.467 %
Quick Ratio IPRWA high: 4.1
FELE: 1.179
mean: 1.047
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: 21.707
median: 21.707
FELE: 20.142
mean: 17.474
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: 11.833 %
median: 5.59 %
mean: 2.047 %
FELE: -12.869 %
low: -19.126 %
 Earnings Growth -33.077 %
Earnings Growth QoQ 4235.125 %
Earnings Growth YoY -14.001 %
Earnings Growth IPRWA high: 30.263 %
mean: -3.086 %
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: 48.422 %
mean: 36.466 %
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: 25.304 %
median: 24.863 %
mean: 19.802 %
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: 25.304 %
median: 25.294 %
mean: 20.228 %
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: 0.856 %
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: -4.443 %
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: 3.583 %
mean: 2.527 %
median: 2.472 %
FELE: 1.991 %
low: -12.999 %
 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: 0.046
median: 0.037
FELE: 0.03
low: -0.707
 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: 3.499 %
median: 3.236 %
FELE: 2.794 %
low: -14.79 %

Six-Week Outlook

Near-term price action should track technical recovery signals: if MACD momentum continues to improve and RSI holds above the recent reversal, expect controlled upward probing toward the SuperTrend and upper Bollinger levels in the $95–$97 area; failure to sustain momentum would likely revisit support near the 20-day band and the lower Bollinger line (~$90.36). Watch liquidity and volume for conviction; positive fundamental catalysts would reinforce the current valuation narrative, while softness in cash conversion or margin mix could reassert pressure on multiples.

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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