Curtiss-Wright (CW) opened 2026 with Q1 revenue of US$913.7 million and Basic EPS of US$3.47, while trailing twelve month revenue sat at about US$3.6 billion with EPS of US$13.73 and net income of US$511.1 million. Over the last five reported quarters, revenue has moved from US$805.6 million in Q1 2025 to US$913.7 million in Q1 2026, with Basic EPS over that span ranging between US$2.69 and US$3.71. With trailing net profit margin edging higher over the past year, these results give investors a clearer read on how current profitability supports the earnings story.

See our full analysis for Curtiss-Wright.

With the latest figures on the table, the next step is to see how these results line up with the prevailing Curtiss-Wright narratives investors have been following and where the numbers start to challenge those views.

TTM earnings power tops US$511 million

• On a trailing twelve month basis, Curtiss-Wright generated about US$3.6b in revenue and US$511.1 million in net income, with Basic EPS of US$13.73 and a net margin of 14.2% compared with 13.4% a year earlier.
• Supporters of the bullish view argue that this earnings profile lines up with a long runway of growth, yet the current numbers show a more measured picture:
  • Five year earnings growth of 16.8% per year and 18.9% over the last year sit alongside a forecast of about 11.5% annual earnings growth, so past gains have been stronger than what is now expected.
  • The latest quarter’s revenue of US$913.7 million and net income of US$128.2 million contribute to that higher margin, which fits the bullish emphasis on margin expansion, but also means future growth needs to build on an already solid base rather than a low starting point.

Bulls point to defense and nuclear projects as long term drivers of recurring growth, so if you want to see how those expectations stack up against the latest numbers in detail, check out the 🐂 Curtiss-Wright Bull Case

Premium P/E of 52.3x sets a high bar

• The stock trades on a trailing P/E of 52.3x, above both the peer average of 49.3x and the US Aerospace & Defense industry at 37.3x. The current share price of US$724.43 also sits well above the DCF fair value of about US$442.17.
• Critics in the bearish camp highlight that this valuation leaves little room for hesitation in future results, and the current data gives them some support:
  • Revenue is forecast to grow around 7% per year and earnings about 11.5% per year, which is slower than the 11.4% and 16.4% benchmarks cited for the broader US market. Investors are therefore paying a premium multiple for growth that is not projected to outpace the market.
  • With a single analyst price target reference of roughly US$749.29 and the share price already at US$724.43, the upside implied by that target is limited. This lines up with the bearish view that expectations are already built into the price.

Skeptics focus on the gap between the current share price, the P/E premium, and slower forecast growth, so if you want to see the full cautionary case set out, have a look at the 🐻 Curtiss-Wright Bear Case

Quarterly earnings track strong multi year trend

• Over the last five reported quarters, net income moved from US$101.3 million in Q1 2025 to US$128.2 million in Q1 2026, while trailing twelve month net income rose from US$404.98 million in Q4 2024 to US$511.1 million in Q1 2026.
• The consensus style narrative talks about rising defense and nuclear demand supporting long term margin gains, and the current figures partially echo that, but not without trade offs:
  • Trailing net margin at 14.2% versus 13.4% a year earlier fits the idea of gradual margin improvement, which aligns with expectations that profit margins can move higher over time.
  • At the same time, forecast revenue growth of about 7% a year is below the 11.4% US market benchmark. Even with better margins, the top line is not expected to outgrow the broader market, which matters when the stock already trades at a premium multiple.

Next Steps

To see how these results tie into long-term growth, risks, and valuation, check out the full range of community narratives for Curtiss-Wright on Simply Wall St. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio so you'll be alerted when the story evolves.

Given the mix of optimism and caution in this article, it makes sense to move quickly, review the figures yourself, and weigh the potential rewards and trade offs. To help frame that view, take a closer look at the 2 key rewards.

Explore Alternatives

Here, the weak spot is that investors are paying a premium P/E and price relative to DCF fair value, even though forecast revenue and earnings growth trail market benchmarks.

If that mix of high expectations and softer projected growth makes you uneasy, it is worth actively hunting for stronger value setups using the 51 high quality undervalued stocks.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.