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Albany International (AIN)
NYSE:AIN

Albany International (AIN) AI Stock Analysis

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AIN

Albany International

(NYSE:AIN)

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Neutral 51 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:51Neutral
Price Target:
$55.00
▼(-3.36% Downside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/25/26
The score is held back primarily by 2025’s sharp profitability deterioration and a weakening leverage trend, despite still-positive free cash flow. Technicals remain soft with the stock trading below key moving averages. The latest earnings call adds some support via strong Engineered Composites momentum and expectations of recovery after a near-term Q1 disruption, while valuation is constrained by a negative P/E despite a modest dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Engineered Composites growth
A ~45% YoY revenue lift and material segment EBITDA improvement reflect durable program ramps (LEAP, missile, F‑35). These long‑cycle aerospace and defense contracts create multi-year revenue visibility, technology stickiness and higher structural margins as production rates normalize.
Consistent free cash flow generation
Positive FCF (~$81M) despite a net loss demonstrates strong cash conversion and resilience. Reliable cash generation funds capex and R&D, supports dividends and buybacks, and provides financial flexibility to invest in growth or shore up operations through cyclical downturns.
Strategic portfolio review
A strategic review of the Salt Lake structures assembly business signals active portfolio management. Divesting lower‑return assembly operations would reallocate capital and management focus toward differentiated, higher‑margin composite technologies and improve long‑term returns if executed well.
Negative Factors
Profitability deterioration
A swing to net loss and negative EBITDA margin in 2025 is a material structural concern. Sustained margin weakness erodes equity, limits reinvestment and shareholder returns, and requires sustained operational improvements or pricing/mix shifts to restore durable profitability.
Rising leverage trend
Debt/equity rising materially in one year reduces balance sheet flexibility. Higher leverage increases interest expense and refinancing risk, constraining capacity for capex, M&A, or buybacks if cash flow weakens, and amplifying downside in a prolonged earnings recovery.
Machine Clothing structural headwinds
Secular declines in publication grades and persistent China weakness shrink the addressable Machine Clothing market. Prolonged lower volumes and regional oversupply pressure segment revenue and margins, making recovery slow and limiting the firm's ability to offset aerospace cyclicality from this division.

Albany International (AIN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Albany International Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAlbany International Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the textile and materials processing business. The company operates in two segments, Machine Clothing (MC) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC). The MC segment designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for use in the manufacturing of papers, paperboards, tissues, and towels. This segment offers forming, pressing, and drying fabrics, as well as process belts used in the manufacture of nonwovens, fiber cement and several other industrial applications; and engineered fabrics. The AEC segment 3D-woven and injected composite components for aircraft engines composite airframe and engine components for military and commercial aircraft. It operates in the United States, Switzerland, Brazil, China, France, Mexico, and internationally. Albany International Corp. was incorporated in 1895 and is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire.
How the Company Makes MoneyAlbany International generates revenue primarily through the sale of its engineered composite products and machine clothing solutions. The Engineered Composites segment earns money by providing high-performance materials for aerospace and defense applications, where demand is driven by advancements in technology and the need for lightweight, durable parts. The Machine Clothing segment derives revenue from the sale of fabrics used in the paper manufacturing process, with contracts often structured to include both product sales and ongoing service agreements. Key revenue streams are bolstered by long-term contracts with major aerospace manufacturers and partnerships with leading companies in the paper industry, which help stabilize income and ensure a steady demand for its products. Additionally, Albany International invests in research and development to innovate new materials and applications, further enhancing its market position and potential revenue growth.

Albany International Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 24, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 28, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a constructive operating and financial picture driven by a strong Engineered Composites ramp (large revenue and EBITDA gains), disciplined capital returns, and continued investment in innovation. These positives were balanced by persistent Machine Clothing weakness in China, an equipment-related Q1 earnings headwind ($0.10–$0.15 EPS), higher tax and interest costs, and near-term cash flow/working capital pressure. Management expects to recover lost Machine Clothing production over the year and to benefit from ongoing AEC program ramps, while pursuing a strategic review of the Amelia Earhart (Salt Lake City) facility.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Consolidated Revenue Growth
Total consolidated sales of $321.2M in Q4, up 12% year-over-year (vs. $286.9M), driven primarily by higher volumes in Engineered Composites.
Adjusted EBITDA and Margin Improvement
Adjusted EBITDA of $57.3M in Q4 versus $50.0M a year ago (+14.6%), with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.8% versus 17.4% in the prior-year quarter.
Engineered Composites Strong Ramp
Engineered Composites revenue of $143.7M versus $98.8M a year ago (approximately +45%), with segment Adjusted EBITDA of $18.5M versus $6.0M the prior year, reflecting substantial program ramps (LEAP, missile programs, F-35) and improved margins.
Improved Operating Income and Gross Profit
Gross profit increased to $99.9M (up ~10.6% YoY) and operating income rose to $29.9M (up ~23% YoY), reflecting leverage from higher sales and program execution.
Strong Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns
Generated approximately $81M of free cash flow for 2025, returned ~$218M to shareholders during the year (including repurchase of roughly 10% of shares outstanding), repurchased $16.8M in the quarter and declared a $0.28 quarterly dividend.
Continued Investment in Growth and Innovation
Invested ~$72M in capital expenditures and ~$48M in R&D in 2025; launched internal innovation awards (86 submissions) and expanded capabilities (e.g., CMC and carbon-carbon near-net-shape work) to support long-term growth.
Negative Updates
Machine Clothing Revenue Pressure (China)
Machine Clothing sales declined to $177.5M from $188.1M year-over-year (approx -5.6%), driven by continued weakness and paper overcapacity in China and certain strategic exits in Europe.
Equipment Failure and Near-Term EPS Impact
Equipment failure at a North American Machine Clothing facility in January caused downtime; management expects a $0.10–$0.15 negative EPS impact in Q1 and will recover lost production over the year.
First-Quarter Revenue and EPS Guidance Below Q4
Q1 guidance calls for consolidated revenue of $275M–$285M and Adjusted EPS $0.50–$0.60, with the quarter expected to be the lowest of the year due to the facility downtime and non-recurring ramp items.
Higher Tax Rate and Interest Expense
Effective tax rate in Q4 increased to 39.3% (versus 28.0% prior-year) due to expiration of a foreign tax credit and unfavorable discrete items; interest expense rose to $5.9M from $3.9M year-over-year, pressuring net income.
Working Capital and Free Cash Flow Volatility
Quarterly free cash flow was $51M versus $59.3M prior-year quarter (down ~14%), reflecting higher capital spending and working capital investments to support ramping programs; net debt ended around $343M.
Continued Regional/Grade Headwinds
Publication grades continue secular decline; Asia (China) demand remains weak at a lower run rate expected to persist through 2026, limiting recovery in Machine Clothing despite stability in North America and Europe.
Company Guidance
The company guided Q1 consolidated revenue of $275–$285 million and Adjusted EPS of $0.50–$0.60, noting Q1 will be the lowest quarter as a January machine failure will depress results by about $0.10–$0.15 of EPS (with management expecting to recover the lost volume over the balance of 2026); they expect the Q1 effective tax rate to be ~27% and the full‑year effective tax rate to be ~24.3%. Quarterly guidance explicitly includes the revenues and margins of the Amelia Earhart (Salt Lake City) facility; Machine Clothing demand is expected to see China weakness persist at a lower run rate through 2026 with margins roughly in line with H2 2025, while Engineered Composites should continue to grow (LEAP, engine and missile programs) with solid segment‑level growth in 2026 and normalized margins versus the prior year.

Albany International Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials weakened notably in 2025 as profitability turned negative (net loss and negative EBITDA margin), reversing stronger 2021–2024 results. Balance sheet leverage increased (higher debt-to-equity and lower equity), though it remains manageable. Cash flow is a partial offset, with operating cash flow and free cash flow still positive, albeit down versus 2024.
Income Statement
38
Negative
The earnings profile has deteriorated materially in the latest annual period (2025), with revenue roughly flat-to-up over time but profitability turning negative (net loss and negative EBITDA margin). This is a sharp reversal from 2021–2024, when the company delivered solid operating and net margins, suggesting recent cost pressure, pricing/mix headwinds, or one-time charges. While revenue growth was positive in 2025, the margin collapse is the key weakness and drives the below-average score.
Balance Sheet
56
Neutral
Leverage remains moderate but has trended worse recently: debt-to-equity increased to ~0.63 in 2025 from ~0.41 in 2024, alongside a meaningful decline in equity. Total assets are relatively stable, but the company posted a negative return on equity in 2025, reflecting the earnings downturn. Overall, the balance sheet looks manageable, but the direction of leverage and equity erosion is a clear risk if weak profitability persists.
Cash Flow
62
Positive
Cash generation is a relative bright spot: operating cash flow and free cash flow stayed positive in 2025, even with a net loss, indicating earnings were not matched by a cash burn. That said, free cash flow declined in 2025 versus 2024, and cash flow covered only a modest portion of debt, limiting near-term financial flexibility if conditions don’t improve. Still, consistently positive free cash flow across the periods supports a better score than earnings.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.18B1.23B1.15B1.03B929.24M
Gross Profit243.92M401.78M423.72M389.78M378.39M
EBITDA50.34M131.36M257.36M218.86M257.58M
Net Income-57.34M87.62M111.12M95.76M118.48M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.72B1.65B1.84B1.64B1.56B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments112.35M115.28M173.42M291.78M302.04M
Total Debt455.66M387.20M514.86M495.12M380.85M
Total Liabilities986.61M699.75M867.69M774.71M678.46M
Stockholders Equity726.21M943.54M961.37M863.05M873.97M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow82.64M138.19M64.50M31.87M163.78M
Operating Cash Flow152.47M218.44M148.06M128.21M217.47M
Investing Cash Flow-68.26M-80.18M-217.90M-96.35M-53.70M
Financing Cash Flow-96.05M-183.83M-52.64M-23.65M-99.64M

Albany International Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price56.91
Price Trends
50DMA
55.45
Positive
100DMA
53.55
Positive
200DMA
58.88
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.49
Positive
RSI
49.52
Neutral
STOCH
41.72
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AIN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 56.91 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 57.49, above the 50-day MA of 55.45, and below the 200-day MA of 58.88, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.49 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 49.52 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 41.72 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for AIN.

Albany International Risk Analysis

Albany International disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Albany International reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Albany International Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$1.31B9.358.61%-2.61%-11.87%
66
Neutral
$158.57M27.272.86%5.74%-0.44%-55.22%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
51
Neutral
$1.57B-28.16-6.19%2.13%-9.37%-160.13%
51
Neutral
$73.21M-3.12-9.61%-5.26%42.84%
45
Neutral
$93.55M-2.14-28.97%1.35%27.42%-5275.12%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AIN
Albany International
56.91
-15.58
-21.49%
GIII
G-III Apparel Group
31.19
4.89
18.61%
LAKE
Lakeland Industries
9.55
-13.85
-59.20%
SGC
Superior Group of Companies
10.01
-3.48
-25.81%
UFI
Unifi
3.88
-1.81
-31.81%

Albany International Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Albany International Explores Sale of Salt Lake Facility
Neutral
Dec 5, 2025

On November 25, 2025, Albany International Corp. discussed its exploration of strategic alternatives for its structures assembly business, including a potential sale of its Amelia Earhart Drive Facility in Salt Lake City. The company is selecting a financial advisor and developing financial models for the facility, with interest primarily from private equity investors. Ongoing discussions with customers aim to adjust contracts to offset cost increases. If the divestiture is completed, the company expects the Adjusted EBITDA margin for its Albany Engineered Composites segment to be in the mid to high teens.

The most recent analyst rating on (AIN) stock is a Hold with a $49.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Albany International stock, see the AIN Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 25, 2026