Sign in
FC

Fortive Corp (FTV)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q2 2025 continuing operations delivered revenue of $1.02B (-0.4% YoY), adjusted EBITDA $288M (28.4% margin), and adjusted EPS of $0.58; consolidated adjusted EPS was $0.90 at the high-end of guidance .
  • Versus S&P Global consensus, Fortive slightly missed on adjusted EPS ($0.58 vs $0.593*) but modestly beat on revenue ($1.016B vs $1.013B*); management cited late-quarter demand deferrals tied to tariff uncertainty, constrained government spend, and healthcare reimbursement changes .
  • Guidance introduced for “new Fortive” (post-Ralliant spin): FY 2025 adjusted EPS $2.50–$2.60, with tariff impact expected to be fully mitigated by Q4; Q3 EPS modeled slightly below Q2 and Q4 meaningfully higher, aided by FX tailwinds, lower interest expense, and a low Q4 tax rate .
  • Catalysts: backlog conversion at Fluke, normalization of government procurement, stabilization in healthcare equipment capex, and clarity on tariff countermeasures; spin completion and capital redeployment (debt paydown, buybacks) support multiple/FCF narrative .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • “Pivotal” quarter: completed Ralliant spin-off and launched “new Fortive,” with consolidated adjusted EPS at the high-end of guidance and strong free cash flow generation .
  • IOS segment expanded adjusted EBITDA margin to 33.8% (+50 bps YoY) despite tariff pressures, supported by cost discipline and higher-margin software growth .
  • Management reiterated confidence: “medium-term financial framework we shared at our recent Investor Day remains firmly intact,” with tariff headwinds expected to be fully mitigated by Q4 .

What Went Wrong

  • Late-June demand deferrals reduced revenue by ~$30M below internal expectations, driven by tariff-related pricing uncertainty at Fluke and constrained state/local government spending impacting Gordian “use-it-or-lose-it” behavior .
  • Healthcare equipment capex deferrals (ASP sterilization and Fluke Health QA devices) tied to reimbursement policy changes pressured AHS revenue (-1.3% YoY, -1.9% core), though AHS software outperformed .
  • Tariffs created a ~$0.02 adjusted EPS headwind in Q2 net of countermeasures; adjusted gross margins were flat YoY as pricing and mix gains offset tariff costs .

Financial Results

Fortive Continuing Operations (YoY)

MetricQ2 2024Q2 2025
Revenue ($USD Millions)$1,020 $1,016
GAAP Net Income ($USD Millions)$112 $112
GAAP Net Income Margin (%)11.0% 11.0%
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$291 $288
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)28.6% 28.4%
GAAP Diluted EPS – Continuing Ops ($USD)$0.32 $0.33
Adjusted Diluted EPS – Continuing Ops ($USD)$0.56 $0.58

Consolidated Totals (trend; includes Precision Technologies)

MetricQ4 2024Q1 2025Q2 2025
Revenue ($USD Millions)$1,620.3 $1,474.2 $1,518.8
GAAP Diluted EPS ($USD)$0.60 $0.50 $0.49
Adjusted Diluted EPS ($USD)$1.17 $0.85 $0.90

Note: Continuing operations (new Fortive) exclude Precision Technologies (Ralliant). Consolidated figures include PT pre-spin and are not strictly comparable to continuing ops.

Segment Breakdown – Continuing Operations

SegmentMetricQ2 2024Q2 2025
IOSRevenue ($USD Millions)$697 $697
IOSGAAP Operating Margin (%)24.9% 24.5%
IOSAdjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$232 $236
IOSAdjusted EBITDA Margin (%)33.3% 33.8%
AHSRevenue ($USD Millions)$324 $320
AHSGAAP Operating Margin (%)11.0% 11.2%
AHSAdjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$86 $86
AHSAdjusted EBITDA Margin (%)26.6% 26.9%

KPIs – Continuing Operations

KPIQ2 2024Q2 2025
Operating Cash Flow ($USD Millions)$218 $205
Free Cash Flow ($USD Millions)$198 $180
TTM Operating Cash Flow ($USD Millions)$912 $1,029
TTM Free Cash Flow ($USD Millions)$826 $939
H1 2025 Share Repurchases ($USD Millions)$345
Ralliant Separation Dividend ($USD Billions)$1.15
Debt Paydown from Dividend ($USD Millions)~$725

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Adjusted Diluted EPS (Consolidated pre-spin)FY 2025$3.80–$4.00 Superseded by spin; scope changed
Adjusted Diluted EPS (Continuing Ops)FY 2025$2.50–$2.60 Introduced post-spin
Reported Revenue PhasingH2 2025Q3 broadly similar to Q4 New phasing detail
Core Revenue Growth PhasingH2 2025H2 core growth broadly in line with H1 New phasing detail
AHS Core GrowthH2 2025Similar to Q2; tougher YoY comp in Q3 New segment detail
Tariffs (gross impact)H2 2025 / Annualized$40–$55M H2; $80–$120M annualized; fully mitigated by Q4 Detailed quantification; mitigation timeline
Adjusted Effective Tax RateFY/Q3/Q4 2025FY mid-teens; Q3 high teens; Q4 single digits New detail
Interest ExpenseH2 2025Lower vs H1 due to lower debt balances New detail
Capital AllocationH2 2025Remaining Ralliant dividend for share repurchases New detail

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q4’24, Q1’25)Current Period (Q2’25)Trend
Tariffs/MacroBroad macro/tariff inclusion in guidance; updated FY’25 outlook Late-June demand deferrals; ~$0.02 EPS headwind; H2 tariff impact quantified and mitigation plan to Q4 Heightened near term; mitigation underway
Government SpendNot a focal negativeState/local “use-it-or-lose-it” procurement weakened in June; Gordian impacted Temporary headwind
Healthcare PolicyNot highlighted as a headwindReimbursement changes led to capex deferrals (ASP, Fluke Health) Temporary headwind; signs of recovery
AI/Tech InitiativesFBS-driven innovation; portfolio strength AI-enabled customer workflows (Provation); Fluke innovation awards; ARR growth Strengthening
Regional TrendsPOS strength and steady demand NA double-digit POS; Western Europe/APAC flattish; China bottoming Mixed; NA strong
Supply Chain/CostsMargin expansion and execution Pricing and cost actions offset tariff pressure; backlog build at Fluke Resilient
R&D/CommercialStrong execution across segments AHS reinvestment into R&D/S&M; IOS commercial wins; LatAm double-digit growth Ongoing investment
Capital AllocationGuidance and repurchases Debt paydown (~$725M); buybacks with remaining dividend; bolt-on M&A discipline Active, disciplined

Management Commentary

  • CEO: “The second quarter of 2025 was pivotal for Fortive… we completed our spin-off of Ralliant… Despite uncertainty related to trade, healthcare and government spending policy… we delivered strong earnings and free cash flow… The medium-term financial framework… remains firmly intact.”
  • CFO: “We finished the month approximately $30 million below our expectations… Adjusted gross margins roughly flat YoY… tariff costs created a roughly $0.02 headwind to EPS.”
  • CFO: “We now expect the gross tariff impact… approximately $40–$55M in the second half of 2025… $80–$120M annualized… Assuming tariff conditions continue… we expect gross tariffs to be mitigated fully by the fourth quarter.”
  • CEO: “Our new leadership team is focused on executing our Fortive Accelerated strategy… disciplined capital allocation… build investor trust.”

Q&A Highlights

  • Phasing and EPS cadence: Q3 EPS slightly below Q2, Q4 meaningfully higher due to fully-phased tariff countermeasures, FX tailwinds, lower interest, and a single-digit Q4 tax rate .
  • Segment dynamics: IOS backlog expected to burn over H2; AHS growth similar to Q2 given tougher comps; government procurement normalizing but timing uncertain .
  • Regional outlook: NA strong POS; Western Europe/APAC flattish; China showing signs of bottoming as tariff clarity improves .
  • Capital allocation: ~$1.15B dividend from Ralliant used for ~$725M debt paydown; remaining for buybacks; bolt-on M&A “open for business” with elevated strategic/financial scrutiny .
  • Cost structure: ~50% of stranded costs already addressed; further efficiency initiatives to reallocate dollars to highest use .

Estimates Context

MetricQ4 2024Q1 2025Q2 2025
Adjusted EPS (Actual $USD)$1.17 $0.85 $0.58
Adjusted EPS Consensus Mean ($USD)0.851*0.593*
Revenue (Actual $USD Millions)1,620.3 1,474.2 1,016.4 (continuing ops)
Revenue Consensus Mean ($USD Millions)1,492.8*1,013.3*

Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

  • Q2 2025: Adjusted EPS slight miss; revenue modest beat. Q1 2025: Adjusted EPS in line; revenue below consensus (consolidated scope). Q3 context: management expects Q3 EPS below Q2 and Q4 stronger; S&P currently indicated Q3 actual EPS at $0.68 vs consensus $0.569* and revenue $1.027B vs $1.007B*, post-quarter reporting. Values retrieved from S&P Global.* [GetEstimates]

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Backlog normalization and policy clarity are near-term swing factors: expect Fluke backlog burn and improved Gordian activity as “use-it-or-lose-it” dynamics normalize; watch hospital capex resumptions post-reimbursement clarity .
  • Tariff headwinds quantified and mitigation plan credible: pricing, supply chain shifts, and productivity initiatives set to fully offset by Q4—supportive of margin/EPS recovery trajectory .
  • New Fortive’s FCF/margin profile remains intact: TTM FCF up 14% YoY to $939M; IOS margin expansion and AHS software resilience underpin quality of earnings .
  • Capital redeployment strengthens equity case: dividend from Ralliant used to delever; remaining proceeds for buybacks; disciplined bolt-on M&A to enhance growth/recurrence without overpaying .
  • Guidance simplification: annual adjusted EPS framework with detailed phasing aids modeling; expect Q4 strength on FX, tax, and interest tailwinds .
  • Segment mix supports durability: software and recurring revenue contributions offset hardware cyclicality in both IOS and AHS, supporting medium-term margin expansion .
  • Monitor regional cadence: NA remains robust; Western Europe/APAC flattish; China stabilization could provide incremental tailwind if tariff clarity persists .

Appendix: Additional Relevant Q2 2025 Press Releases

  • Ralliant spin-off completion and new CEO appointment; commentary on late-quarter demand pressures and consolidated adjusted EPS near mid-point of guidance .
  • Q2 2025 earnings press release: summary financials and continuing-ops framing; FY 2025 adjusted EPS guidance for new Fortive .