BC
BRINKS CO (BCO)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 delivered revenue of $1.335B (+6% YoY) and non-GAAP EPS of $2.08; performance was above the midpoint of prior guidance, with record Q3 operating profit and EBITDA margins . Versus consensus, revenue modestly beat and EPS matched the Street (see Estimates Context).
- AMS/DRS organic growth accelerated to 19%, now 27% of TTM revenue mix; mix and productivity drove margin expansion, while free cash flow improved 30% YoY to ~$175M .
- Leverage fell to 2.9x, share count reduced 5% YTD through repurchases (~1.7M shares at ~$89), and Q4 non-GAAP guidance was set at revenue $1.33–$1.38B, adjusted EBITDA $267–$287M, EPS $2.28–$2.68 .
- Near-term stock catalysts: continued AMS/DRS onboarding and channel expansion, North America margin trajectory toward a 20% EBITDA target, and disciplined capital returns (buybacks/dividend) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
- What Went Well
- AMS/DRS growth accelerated to 19% QoQ, contributing to margin expansion; “Third quarter EBITDA margins were 19%, up 180 bps from the prior year” (CEO) .
- Free cash flow strength: ~$175M in Q3, +30% YoY; DSOs improved by five days and capital intensity decreased (CFO/CEO) .
- North America margin progress with mix shift and productivity; management targets at least 20% EBITDA margin midterm (CEO) .
- What Went Wrong
- Latin America operating profit declined YoY (-6%), with currency pressures (including Argentina highly inflationary effects) impacting results .
- GAAP EPS ($0.86) remains materially below non-GAAP EPS ($2.08) due to adjusting items (Argentina, acquisition amortization, transformation, DOJ/FinCEN), highlighting ongoing non-GAAP reliance .
- Ongoing legal and regulatory matters (e.g., Chile antitrust) and currency volatility continue to add uncertainty to GAAP comparability and guidance reconciliation .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024):
Selected KPIs:
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Third quarter EBITDA margins were 19%, up 180 bps from the prior year… With AMS/DRS now accounting for 28% of total revenue in the quarter… we are expecting continued margin progress going forward.” — Mark Eubanks, CEO .
- “In Q3, we delivered $175 million of free cash flow… DSOs improved by five days.” — Mark Eubanks, CEO .
- “We are targeting to be at least 20% EBITDA margin in [North America] over the midterm.” — Mark Eubanks, CEO .
- “Adjusted EBITDA… was $253 million and margin of 19%… above the midpoint of our guidance.” — Kurt McMaken, CFO .
- “We… remain on track to allocate at least 50% of our total free cash flow towards shareholder returns in the full year.” — Mark Eubanks, CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- AMS/DRS outlook: Pipeline and conversions accelerating; one-third of DRS signings from existing CIT customers; balanced growth across regions (CEO) .
- Incentives/channels: Expanded incentive comp tying >1,000 managers and salesforce to AMS/DRS growth; evolving partnerships and white-label bank channels to drive adoption (CEO) .
- North America margins: Sustained progression driven by AMS/DRS mix, disciplined pricing, operational excellence; midterm ≥20% EBITDA margin target (CEO) .
- Free cash flow conversion/DSO: 40–45% framework affirmed; DSO improvements from mix and focus; DPO and capex efficiency also contributing (CFO) .
- Bank consolidation: Net positive for AMS given synergy potential; short-term CVM footprint rationalizations possible; strategic alignment with consolidators underway (CEO) .
Estimates Context
Values with * are retrieved from S&P Global.
Implications:
- Q3 EPS matched consensus while revenue modestly beat; prior quarters showed consistent beats on both EPS and revenue, suggesting estimates may need to reflect sustained margin progress from AMS/DRS mix and productivity. Adjusted EBITDA performance likewise tracked toward the upper half of guidance ranges .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- AMS/DRS is driving mix-led margin expansion and recurring revenue durability; continued onboarding and channel partnerships are catalysts for sustained mid- to high-teens organic growth .
- North America margin trajectory remains favorable, with management targeting ≥20% EBITDA midterm; watch incremental margins and mix shift pacing .
- Strong Q3 free cash flow and working-capital execution underpin 40–45% conversion framework; TTM conversion at ~50% suggests near-term cash return capacity .
- Capital allocation remains shareholder-friendly (5% share count reduction YTD, leverage 2.9x within 2–3x target), supporting EPS accretion and multiple support .
- Currency and Argentina accounting adjustments continue to affect GAAP comparability; focus on non-GAAP trends and constant currency disclosures for operational performance .
- Q4 guidance implies sustained mid-single-digit organic growth and ~20% adjusted EBITDA margin; potential upside if AMS/DRS momentum persists and FX remains supportive .
- Medium-term thesis: execution of Brink’s Business System, AMS/DRS penetration (2–3x TAM expansion), and back-office SG&A efficiencies can compound margins and cash generation .
Appendix: Source Documents
- Q3 2025 8-K earnings release and slides .
- Q3 2025 earnings call transcript .
- Q2 2025 8-K earnings release and slides .
- Q1 2025 8-K earnings release and slides .