📊 CW Key Takeaways
Is Curtiss Wright Corp. (CW) a Good Investment?
Curtiss Wright demonstrates strong earnings growth (22% EPS expansion) and solid profit margins, but this growth is contradicted by negative operating cash flow (-$5.7M) and negative free cash flow (-$17.5M), raising quality-of-earnings concerns. Combined with critically low returns on capital (4.9% ROE, 2.4% ROA), the company is not efficiently deploying its $2.6B equity base, warranting a cautious stance despite positive revenue momentum.
Curtiss-Wright shows high-quality fundamental performance with double-digit revenue, net income, and EPS growth alongside strong profitability. Cash generation is robust, with free cash flow materially supporting operations and capital needs, while leverage and interest burden remain well controlled. The main question is whether the company can sustain this growth and margin profile through industrial and defense cycle variability.
Why Buy Curtiss Wright Corp. Stock? CW Key Strengths
- Accelerating earnings growth: 19.6% net income and 22% EPS growth YoY demonstrating operational leverage
- Healthy profitability margins: 36.3% gross margin, 17.5% operating margin, and 14% net margin are solid for industrial machinery sector
- Strong debt service capacity: 16.0x interest coverage ratio with moderate 0.36x debt-to-equity leverage indicates financial stability
- Strong profitability profile with 37.2% gross margin, 18.1% operating margin, and 13.8% net margin
- High-quality growth as revenue rose 12.1% while net income grew 19.6% and diluted EPS increased 22.0%
- Solid financial health with 15.8% free cash flow margin, 20.3x interest coverage, and modest 0.38x debt-to-equity
CW Stock Risks: Curtiss Wright Corp. Investment Risks
- Critical cash flow deterioration: Negative operating cash flow (-$5.7M) and free cash flow (-$17.5M) despite positive earnings suggests working capital problems, accounting quality issues, or unsustainable earnings trends
- Severely depressed capital returns: 4.9% ROE and 2.4% ROA indicate the company is not generating acceptable returns on $2.6B in shareholder equity, implying inefficient capital allocation
- Liquidity pressure risk: Negative free cash flow combined with $957.6M long-term debt and 1.05x quick ratio creates vulnerability if operating cash flow does not reverse
- Current ratio of 1.44x and quick ratio of 1.00x are adequate but not especially conservative if working capital needs rise
- Long-term debt of $957.88M is manageable now but could become more restrictive if earnings weaken
- Growth may be exposed to end-market cyclicality and the risk that margin expansion normalizes after a strong period
Key Metrics to Watch
- Operating cash flow and working capital trends - critical to diagnose cash generation deterioration and validate earnings quality
- Return on equity trajectory - must improve from current 4.9% to demonstrate capital efficiency
- Free cash flow sustainability - must turn positive to support debt obligations and organic growth
- Free cash flow conversion versus net income
- Operating margin and revenue growth sustainability
Curtiss Wright Corp. (CW) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
Curtiss Wright Corp. presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.
CW Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
CW vs Industrial Sector: How Curtiss Wright Corp. Compares
How Curtiss Wright Corp. compares to Industrial sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Curtiss Wright Corp. Stock Overvalued? CW Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Curtiss Wright Corp. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Industrial sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Curtiss Wright Corp. Balance Sheet: CW Debt, Cash & Liquidity
CW Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Curtiss Wright Corp.'s revenue has grown significantly by 23% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $9.20 reflects profitable operations.
CW Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
CW Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $805.6M | $101.3M | $2.68 |
| Q3 2025 | $798.9M | $111.2M | $2.89 |
| Q2 2025 | $784.8M | $99.5M | $2.58 |
| Q1 2025 | $713.2M | $76.5M | $1.99 |
| Q3 2024 | $724.3M | $96.8M | $2.51 |
| Q2 2024 | $704.4M | $81.0M | $2.10 |
| Q1 2024 | $630.9M | $56.8M | $1.48 |
| Q3 2023 | $630.5M | $73.8M | $1.91 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Curtiss Wright Corp. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
CW SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Curtiss Wright Corp. (CIK: 0000026324)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about CW
What is the AI rating for CW?
Curtiss Wright Corp. (CW) has a Combined AI Rating of BUY from Claude (HOLD) and ChatGPT (BUY) with 76% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are CW's key strengths?
Claude: Accelerating earnings growth: 19.6% net income and 22% EPS growth YoY demonstrating operational leverage. Healthy profitability margins: 36.3% gross margin, 17.5% operating margin, and 14% net margin are solid for industrial machinery sector. ChatGPT: Strong profitability profile with 37.2% gross margin, 18.1% operating margin, and 13.8% net margin. High-quality growth as revenue rose 12.1% while net income grew 19.6% and diluted EPS increased 22.0%.
What are the risks of investing in CW?
Claude: Critical cash flow deterioration: Negative operating cash flow (-$5.7M) and free cash flow (-$17.5M) despite positive earnings suggests working capital problems, accounting quality issues, or unsustainable earnings trends. Severely depressed capital returns: 4.9% ROE and 2.4% ROA indicate the company is not generating acceptable returns on $2.6B in shareholder equity, implying inefficient capital allocation. ChatGPT: Current ratio of 1.44x and quick ratio of 1.00x are adequate but not especially conservative if working capital needs rise. Long-term debt of $957.88M is manageable now but could become more restrictive if earnings weaken.
What is CW's revenue and growth?
Curtiss Wright Corp. reported revenue of $913.7M.
Does CW pay dividends?
Curtiss Wright Corp. pays dividends, with $34.7M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find CW SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Curtiss Wright Corp. (CIK: 0000026324) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is CW's EPS?
Curtiss Wright Corp. has a diluted EPS of $3.46.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is CW a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in May 2026, Curtiss Wright Corp. has a BUY rating with 76% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.
Is CW stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for CW: ROE of 4.9% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 14.0% (sector avg: 10%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy CW stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Curtiss Wright Corp. a combined BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is CW's free cash flow?
Curtiss Wright Corp.'s operating cash flow is $-5.7M, with capital expenditures of $11.8M. FCF margin is -1.9%.
How does CW compare to other Industrial stocks?
Vs Industrial sector averages: Net margin 14.0% (avg: 10%), ROE 4.9% (avg: 15%), current ratio 1.52 (avg: 1.8).