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Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corp (NYSE:ZWS) presented its second quarter 2025 financial results on July 30, showcasing robust performance with significant sales growth and margin expansion despite ongoing tariff challenges. The company’s stock experienced a slight decline of 1.59% to $45.18 in aftermarket trading following the earnings release, according to available market data.
Executive Summary
Zurn Elkay reported second quarter sales of $445 million, representing an 8% year-over-year increase driven entirely by core sales growth. The company achieved an adjusted EBITDA of $118 million with a margin of 26.5%, marking a 120 basis point improvement compared to the same period last year.
"Our approach to our outlook this year will be to take things a quarter at a time," noted CEO Ted Adams during the earnings call, highlighting the company’s cautious yet confident approach to navigating the current economic environment.
As shown in the following comprehensive financial results table:
Year-to-date performance has been similarly strong, with sales reaching $833 million (6% increase) and adjusted EBITDA of $216 million (11% increase), representing a margin of 25.9%. The company has maintained its growth trajectory while successfully managing various market challenges.
Financial Performance Highlights
A key achievement for Zurn Elkay in Q2 was generating $102 million in free cash flow, marking the first time the company has exceeded the $100 million threshold in a single quarter. This robust cash generation has enabled significant shareholder returns through share repurchases, with $33 million (approximately 1 million shares) bought back in Q2 and $110 million (3.2 million shares) in the first half of 2025.
The company’s balance sheet continues to strengthen, with net debt leverage ratio decreasing to 0.7x, down from 0.9x in June 2024 and 1.4x in December 2022. This represents the lowest leverage since becoming a public company, providing financial flexibility for future growth initiatives.
As illustrated in the following chart showing the company’s improving leverage position and free cash flow generation:
CFO David Polly expressed confidence in the company’s financial trajectory, stating, "We’re firmly on track and in some areas ahead of schedule to deliver on our commitment."
Strategic Initiatives
Zurn Elkay highlighted several strategic developments during the presentation, including the launch of Elkay Pro Filtration, a next-generation drinking water innovation designed to provide reliable, sustainable performance with high-capacity filtration capabilities.
The new filtration system features maintenance improvements and connected functionality, positioning the company to capitalize on growing demand for advanced water solutions.
The following image showcases the new Elkay Pro Filtration system:
Another significant strategic focus has been navigating the challenging tariff environment. The company expects a $35-45 million tariff cost impact in 2025 based on the current tariff structure but is successfully implementing price increases to offset these costs. Additionally, Zurn Elkay is actively reducing its China direct material spend, which is on track to fall below $30 million (2-3% of COGS) by the end of 2026.
Sustainability Focus
Zurn Elkay emphasized its commitment to sustainability, reporting that 86% of its revenue comes from products with sustainable attributes. The company’s products have saved 16.6 billion gallons of water and delivered 1.2 billion gallons of safer, cleaner filtered water through its filters year-to-date in 2025.
Additional sustainability achievements include 570,000 kWh of annual electricity savings from projects completed in 2025, $1.4 million in total philanthropic giving, and the prevention of 9.6 billion single-use plastic water bottles.
The following image details the company’s sustainability impact:
These sustainability initiatives not only align with global environmental priorities but also represent a competitive advantage in markets increasingly focused on ESG performance.
Outlook & Guidance
Looking ahead, Zurn Elkay provided guidance for both Q3 and full-year 2025. For the third quarter, the company expects core sales growth and adjusted EBITDA margin similar to Q2 levels, with interest expense of approximately $7 million and an adjusted tax rate of 27.0-28.0%.
For the full year 2025, Zurn Elkay forecasts:
- Core sales growth of at least 5%
- Adjusted EBITDA of $420-430 million
- Free cash flow of $300 million
- Interest expense of approximately $29 million
- Adjusted tax rate of 26.5-27.5%
The following slide details the company’s outlook:
Market Context
Despite the strong financial performance, Zurn Elkay’s stock experienced a slight decline in aftermarket trading following the earnings release. According to available data, the stock has delivered impressive momentum with a 56% return over the past six months, potentially leading some investors to take profits.
The company maintains a "GOOD" financial health score, with multiple analysts recently revising their earnings expectations upward. With a current debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 2.71, Zurn Elkay demonstrates solid financial stability.
Analyst targets for the stock range from $43 to $53 per share, with the company trading at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 22.8x, suggesting the stock may be trading above its fair value despite the strong operational performance.
As Zurn Elkay continues to execute on its strategic initiatives while navigating supply chain challenges and tariff impacts, investors will be closely monitoring whether the company can maintain its growth trajectory and margin expansion in the coming quarters.
Full presentation:
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