Hyster-Yale (HY) Q1 Loss Of US$1.71 EPS Extends Margin Concerns For Bulls
Hyster-Yale, Inc. Class A HY | 0.00 |
Hyster-Yale (HY) opened Q1 2026 with revenue of US$795.2 million and a basic EPS loss of US$1.71, while over the trailing 12 months revenue totaled US$3.7 billion with a basic EPS loss of US$5.59. Over recent quarters, the company has seen revenue move from US$910.4 million and EPS of US$0.49 in Q1 2025 to US$923.2 million and an EPS loss of US$2.96 in Q4 2025, before landing at the latest Q1 2026 levels. For investors, these results keep the focus squarely on how quickly margins can stabilize from loss-making territory.
See our full analysis for Hyster-Yale.With the headline figures on the table, the next step is to see how these results line up with the most widely held narratives about Hyster-Yale and where the numbers start to challenge those storylines.
TTM loss of US$99.2 million keeps margin pressure in focus
- Over the last twelve months, Hyster-Yale booked US$3.7b in revenue but recorded a net loss of US$99.2 million, compared with a loss of US$60.1 million on US$3.8b of revenue in the prior twelve month snapshot.
- Analysts' bullish view centers on earnings turning around, with forecasts calling for revenue growth of 4.1% a year and earnings growth of about 65.21% a year as the company moves from a US$60.1 million loss toward positive earnings.
- This growth story leans on margins improving from about a 1.6% loss today to a 0.6% profit margin in roughly three years, even though the latest trailing twelve month numbers are still firmly in loss-making territory.
- What stands out for a bullish case is that these margin assumptions follow a period where the company has reduced losses at an average rate of about 30.2% a year over five years. However, the most recent trailing twelve month snapshot still shows a sizeable loss, so the timing of that improvement matters a lot.
Bulls argue that the current loss profile is a temporary phase on the way to the margin recovery they expect, and they point to the forecasted move into positive earnings as the key turning point for the story, but the size of the recent trailing loss makes the path to that outcome important to track. 🐂 Hyster-Yale Bull Case
US$36.89 share price versus US$114.60 DCF fair value
- Hyster-Yale trades at US$36.89 with a P/S ratio of about 0.2x, while the provided DCF fair value is US$114.60 and peers in the US Machinery industry trade around 2.1x sales and 3.0x for the peer set cited.
- Analysts' consensus view highlights a tension between this apparent discount and the company’s modest 4.1% forecast revenue growth, suggesting that the low P/S multiple and the gap to the DCF fair value are being weighed against slower growth than the broader US market benchmark of 11.3% a year.
- On one hand, trading at roughly a fifth to a tenth of peer P/S multiples heavily supports arguments that the stock is priced cheaply on current sales, especially when set against the DCF fair value of US$114.60.
- On the other hand, consensus commentary points out that a slower forecast revenue growth rate and current losses may justify some of that discount until the forecasted earnings inflection and margin improvements begin to show up in reported numbers.
Dividend and debt coverage remain key risk flags
- The stock currently carries a 3.9% dividend yield, yet that payout is not covered by earnings or free cash flow and debt is described as not well covered by operating cash flow.
- Bears focus on these coverage gaps, arguing that an underfunded dividend and weak cash flow support for debt could weigh on the business if losses like the US$99.2 million trailing twelve month result persist.
- Critics highlight that paying a 3.9% dividend while booking a loss across the last year may compete with other cash needs, especially when operating cash flow is not described as strong enough to comfortably support debt.
- This cautious view is reinforced by the fact that, even with forecasts for earnings growth, the latest snapshot still shows loss-making operations, so bears see a risk that either leverage, the dividend, or both could come under pressure if profitability does not improve as expected.
Skeptics warn that until cash flows fully support both debt and the 3.9% dividend, the downside risks tied to balance sheet pressure could offset some of the apparent upside from the stock’s low P/S multiple. 🐻 Hyster-Yale Bear Case
Next Steps
To see how these results tie into long-term growth, risks, and valuation, check out the full range of community narratives for Hyster-Yale on Simply Wall St. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio so you'll be alerted when the story evolves.
Mixed signals on value and risk so far? Take a closer look at the figures yourself and weigh the trade off between potential upside and balance sheet pressure, then size up the 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs.
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Hyster-Yale is working through a US$99.2 million trailing loss, weak dividend and debt coverage, and relies heavily on forecasts for future margin repair.
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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.
