GE Vernova Falls 6% Despite Beat, Raise and $9B Trench Deal; Vertiv Holdings Soars 13%, Eaton and Quanta Services Tick Up
π GE Vernova stock dropped 6% despite a record $197 billion backlog and a raised 2026 outlook.
π° Q3 revenue reached $12.64 billion, up 27%, with adjusted EPS of $4.81 beating consensus estimates.
π Orders surged to $29.3 billion, representing a 96% organic increase from the prior year.
π Management raised 2026 free cash flow guidance significantly to a range of $16-17 billion.
πΈ The company doubled its share repurchase authorization following strong cash generation.
π€ GE Vernova agreed to acquire Trench Group for $9 billion to expand high-voltage grid capabilities.
β³ The Trench acquisition is expected to close in late 2027 after regulatory approvals.
π° The deal will be funded with a mix of cash and debt, adding leverage to the balance sheet.
π Wind and turbine segments remain loss-making, contrasting with strong grid performance.
π Vertiv Holdings surged 13% on its own beat, highlighting divergent investor sentiment in the sector.
- GE Vernova reported a blowout Q3 with revenue of $12.64 billion and adjusted EPS of $4.81, both beating Wall Street consensus estimates.
- The company booked $29.3 billion in third-quarter orders, a 96% organic increase that drove the backlog to a record $197 billion.
- Management raised 2026 free cash flow guidance to $16-17 billion and revenue expectations to $46.5-47.5 billion.
- The board doubled the share repurchase authorization, signaling confidence in strong cash generation capabilities.
- GE Vernova agreed to acquire Trench Group for $9 billion, adding a global leader in high-voltage grid equipment.
- Shares fell 6% despite positive results, suggesting investors are concerned about the company's current valuation of 30% year-to-date.
- The $9 billion Trench acquisition will be funded half with debt, increasing leverage before synergies materialize in late 2027.
- The deal price represents a large multiple of 13x projected EBITDA, raising questions about valuation discipline for the acquisition.