Vertiv Raises 2026 Sales Outlook by $650 Million After Orders Grow More Than 100%
Key Facts
Vertiv reported on October 28 results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, recording sales of $4.313 billion, up 61% year over year, and raised its full-year sales guidance by $650 million at the midpoint. The company said organic orders increased by more than 100% from the same period a year earlier, while its shares rose 16% in the session when results were announced. Sales growth came from a 55% organic increase and a contribution of about 6% from acquisitions. Results also showed adjusted earnings per share rising 78% to $2.21, and GAAP diluted earnings per share increasing 91% to $1.95. The figures reflect accelerating demand for the company’s products, as Vertiv expanded its full-year revenue outlook.
The company set its 2026 net sales outlook at between $14.45 billion and $14.85 billion, with expected organic growth of 37% to 39%. Vertiv said “strong demand visibility, ongoing investments in capacity, and disciplined execution” gave it confidence to raise guidance. The new adjustment amounts to $650 million at the midpoint, linking the outlook to the company’s ability to meet demand and increase capacity. The company said data center infrastructure requirements are changing faster than ever, and its role in that expansion is growing. Chief Executive Giordano Albertazzi said, “Data center infrastructure requirements are changing faster than ever, and Vertiv’s role in this expansion is growing.”
Sales growth spanned the company’s three reported regions, with the Americas up 75%, Asia-Pacific up 50%, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa up 23% year over year. The Americas posted the fastest growth among the regions, while Asia-Pacific recorded an increase equal to half of sales compared with the corresponding period. Adjusted operating margin rose to 25.2%, an increase of 290 basis points from the third quarter of 2025. Vertiv attributed the margin improvement to operating leverage from higher sales and improved manufacturing productivity. It said the effects of those factors were partly offset by product mix and ongoing investments in growth.
Net cash from operating activities was $794 million, while adjusted free cash flow reached $652 million. The two measures rose 64% and 50%, respectively, from the third quarter of 2025. The company said free cash flow benefited from higher adjusted operating profit, while higher working capital and capital expenditures partly limited the increase. These figures add a cash flow dimension to sales and earnings growth as Vertiv continues to invest in capacity. They came alongside the company’s higher annual outlook and organic orders growth of more than 100%.
For the fourth quarter of 2026, Vertiv expects sales of $4.413 billion at the midpoint and organic sales growth of 50%. It also set expected adjusted earnings per share at $2.25 at the midpoint. These forecasts put the next quarter at the center of attention after the company raised its full-year sales range, as it continues to invest in its ability to meet demand. Management had not provided formal guidance for 2027 as of October 28, and only indicated that it expected organic sales growth to remain well above the market, according to an Investing.com report. Fourth-quarter forecasts therefore remain the closest announced time horizon for gauging the company’s performance after its third-quarter results.