tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Dauch Corporation (DCH)
NYSE:DCH

Dauch Corporation (DCH) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
604 Followers

Top Page

DCH

Dauch Corporation

(NYSE:DCH)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$9.00
▲(23.63% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by mixed financial performance (resilient cash flow and improving leverage offset by volatile, loss-making profitability) and a constructive technical uptrend. Earnings-call guidance and synergy plans support the outlook, but acquisition-related debt, interest, and near-term cash outlays temper confidence, while valuation is only average for the underlying earnings volatility.
Positive Factors
Cash Generation Resilience
Dauch consistently generated positive operating and free cash flow, delivering $213M adjusted FCF in 2025 despite a GAAP loss. Durable cash generation underpins the company's ability to fund capex, service debt, and finance integration costs, providing financial flexibility while synergies and margins ramp.
Transformational Acquisition Expands Scale
The Dauch/Dowlais combination materially expands product breadth, metal-forming capabilities and geographic footprint, strengthening OEM relationships and diversification. Increased scale should support longer-term share wins, cross-selling and procurement leverage that sustainably improve competitive positioning and margins.
Improving Net Leverage Trend
Reported net leverage improved year-over-year, reflecting progress on deleveraging before the acquisition close. A declining leverage trajectory enhances financial flexibility to absorb integration costs and fund synergies, lowering refinancing risk and enabling prioritized investment in growth initiatives over the medium term.
Negative Factors
Volatile, Weak GAAP Profitability
Reported GAAP profitability swung materially into a larger loss in 2025, signalling thin and inconsistent underlying margins. Persistent volatility in net income and weakened operating margins complicate reinvestment plans, challenge return generation for shareholders, and raise sensitivity to cyclical OEM demand.
Large Near-Term Cash Outlays
Management expects substantial one-time cash payments to execute restructuring and capture synergies in 2026. These near-term drains materially reduce free cash available for other uses, increase liquidity risk if benefits are delayed, and make quarter-to-quarter cash generation more dependent on successful integration execution.
Substantial Gross Debt Post-Closing
A large gross debt load after closing elevates interest expense and refinancing exposure, limiting operating flexibility until synergies and cash generation reduce net debt. High absolute leverage heightens vulnerability to interest-rate moves and cyclical auto demand, making timely execution of cost savings critical to long-term stability.

Dauch Corporation (DCH) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Dauch Corporation Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionDauch Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, and manufactures driveline and metal forming technologies that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. It operates through two segments, Driveline and Metal Forming segments. The Driveline segment offers front and rear axles, driveshafts, differential assemblies, clutch modules, balance shaft systems, disconnecting driveline technology, and electric and hybrid driveline products and systems for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossover vehicles, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles. The Metal Forming segment provides range of products, such as engine, transmission, driveline, and safety-critical components for traditional internal combustion engine and electric vehicle architectures, including light vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway vehicles, as well as products for industrial markets. It operates in North America, Asia, Europe, and South America. The company was formerly known as American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Dauch Corporation in January 2026. Dauch Corporation was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.
How the Company Makes MoneyAmerican Axle generates revenue primarily through contracts with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive industry. The company earns money by supplying critical components and systems that are integral to vehicle performance and safety. Key revenue streams include the sale of driveline and drivetrain products, which are often sold as part of long-term contracts with major automakers. Additionally, AAM benefits from aftermarket sales of replacement parts and components. Significant partnerships with major automotive brands facilitate steady revenue, while ongoing investments in technology and innovation help to maintain competitiveness and adapt to changing market demands, such as the shift towards electric vehicles.

Dauch Corporation Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 13, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 01, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presents a constructive strategic picture: management closed a transformational acquisition that materially expands scale, product breadth and global reach, identified $300M of synergies with front‑loaded capture, and provided ambitious combined‑company 2026 guidance (sales $10.3B–$10.7B, EBITDA $1.3B–$1.4B, FCF $235M–$325M). Operationally, adjusted EBITDA margin improved and adjusted free cash flow remained positive. Offsetting these positives are a larger GAAP net loss, a year‑over‑year revenue decline in 2025, higher interest expense and significant near‑term cash outlays for restructuring and synergy implementation plus integration/accounting complexity. Management expects these headwinds to be transitional and to yield improving margins, synergies and cash flow over the next 2–3 years.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Improvement
Full-year adjusted EBITDA of $743.2M, representing a 12.7% margin, up 50 basis points from 12.2% a year ago. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $169M (12.2% of sales), a year-over-year increase versus the quarter prior (Q4 adjusted EBITDA up ~$5M, ~3.2%).
Strong Adjusted Free Cash Flow Generation
Adjusted free cash flow of $213M for FY2025 and $70.1M in the quarter. Management highlighted 'over $200M' in adjusted free cash flow for 2025 as evidence of cash generation capability (FY adjusted FCF down modestly ~7.4% from $230M in 2024).
Transformational Acquisition Closed
Acquisition of Dauch Group plc (including GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy) closed on 02/03/2026, creating a larger global driveline and metal forming supplier with a diversified product portfolio and geographic footprint.
Material Synergy Opportunity Identified
Approximately $300M of identified synergies across SG&A, purchasing and operations, with management expecting ~60% annual run rate by end of the second full year and >$100M run-rate savings by the end of year one. Synergy P&L flow-through expected to contribute $50M–$75M to adjusted EBITDA in 2026.
2026 Financial Guidance (Combined Company)
Management provided combined 2026 targets: sales $10.3B–$10.7B, adjusted EBITDA $1.3B–$1.4B, and adjusted free cash flow $235M–$325M — implying meaningful scale-up and margin expansion versus standalone 2025 results.
Net Leverage Improvement
Net debt at December 31 was $1.8B with LTM adjusted EBITDA $743M, producing a net leverage ratio of 2.5x, down from 2.8x a year earlier (improvement of 0.3x). Management expects to manage leverage while funding the acquisition.
Commercial Wins and Quality Recognition
New product award/win: supply of SmartBar product to Scout Motors (in addition to announced electric drive products). Received Cherry Automotive's Best Supplier Award (Asia) and multiple GM supplier quality excellence awards, underscoring product/quality credentials.
Adjusted EPS Slightly Improved
Full-year adjusted EPS was $0.53 in 2025 versus $0.51 in 2024 (increase of ~3.9%). Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS was $0.07 (versus a loss in the prior-year quarter).
Negative Updates
GAAP Net Loss Widened
GAAP net loss for 2025 was $75.3M or $0.63 per share, compared with a net loss of $13.7M or $0.12 per share in 2024 — a materially larger reported loss driven by non‑GAAP adjustments, transaction-related items and acquisition accounting.
Full-Year Sales Decline
Full-year sales were $5.84B in 2025 versus $6.12B in 2024, a decline of ~$280M (~4.6% YoY). Fourth-quarter sales were roughly flat (~$1.38B) year-over-year, with volume/mix headwinds and the mid-2025 sale of the India commercial vehicle axle business reducing quarterly sales by $27M.
Higher Interest Expense from Acquisition Financing
Net interest expense rose to $50.8M in 2025 from $37.3M in 2024 (increase of ~$13.5M, ~36%), primarily due to issuance of new debt in connection with the acquisition, which was held in escrow until closing.
Operating Cash Flow Decline
Net cash provided by operating activities declined to $120.5M in 2025 from $151.2M in 2024 (down ~20.3%), contributing to a modest decrease in adjusted free cash flow (213M in 2025 vs 230M in 2024).
Significant Near-Term Cash Outlays for Restructuring and Synergy Capture
Management expects 2026 cash restructuring outflows of $110M–$150M and cash costs to capture synergies of $100M–$125M. In a high-end scenario these items materially reduce free cash available (~$50M example at the high ends), indicating near-term cash pressure despite positive adjusted FCF guidance.
Substantial Gross Debt Post-Closing
Management indicated a rough day-of-closing gross debt figure around $4.2B, reflecting acquisition financing; increases leverage-related risk until synergies and cash generation reduce net debt over time.
Accounting & Integration Complexity
Significant IFRS vs US GAAP differences (e.g., JV sales gross-up, pension, lease, R&D treatments) mean combining historical figures is complex — management noted deltas in the order of tens of millions to over $100M for EBITDA comparisons, complicating near-term modeling and transparency.
Soft Q1 2026 and Timing Risks
Management flagged Q1 2026 as the weakest quarter due to customer downtime in January and only a partial quarter of Dauch contribution; purchase accounting, integration costs and restructuring will create lumpiness in 2026 results.
Company Guidance
Management’s 2026 guidance targets sales of $10.3–$10.7 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $1.3–$1.4 billion and adjusted free cash flow of $235–$325 million (with ~243 million fully diluted shares), built on regional production assumptions of ~15M North America, 17M Europe, 33M China and ~93M global units (GM large pickup/SUV ~1.3–1.4M). They expect Dauch to contribute roughly $600 million (≈12.1% margin) in 2026, forecast synergy P&L flow‑through of $50–$75 million in 2026 toward a $300 million synergy target (majority realized by end of year three and >$100M run‑rate by end of year one), and a third consecutive year of margin improvement. Modeling assumptions include variable contribution margin of 25–30%, CapEx of 4.5–5% of sales, cash pension contributions of $40–$50 million, a ~30% tax rate (taxes $150–$170M), restructuring cash outlays of $110–$150 million, synergy cash costs of $100–$125 million, equity income from the China JV of $65–$75 million, Q1 as the weakest quarter, and an estimated day‑one post‑close net debt of roughly $4.2 billion.

Dauch Corporation Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Overall fundamentals are mixed: cash flow is relatively resilient (positive operating cash flow and free cash flow even in 2025), and leverage appears to have improved, but profitability is thin and volatile with a return to losses in 2025 and weaker operating margins versus 2024.
Income Statement
42
Neutral
Revenue has grown over the last several years (with a strong rebound after 2020), but the most recent year shows some slippage: 2025 revenue was down versus 2024 despite still being above earlier periods. Profitability is thin and volatile—net income swung from a modest profit in 2024 to a loss in 2025, and net margins remain near break-even. Gross margin has been fairly steady (~12%), but operating performance appears inconsistent (EBIT/EBITDA margins weakened materially in 2025 versus 2024), indicating execution and cost pressure risk.
Balance Sheet
58
Neutral
Leverage risk looks improved in 2025, with debt-to-equity falling sharply versus prior years and total debt reported far lower than 2021–2024 levels. That said, the company’s equity base is still modest relative to assets, and returns on equity have been inconsistent, turning negative in 2025 following a positive 2024. Overall, the balance sheet trend is moving in the right direction on leverage, but profitability and the sharp year-to-year balance sheet shift warrant caution.
Cash Flow
64
Positive
Cash generation is a relative strength: operating cash flow and free cash flow are positive across the periods provided, including 2025 despite a net loss. However, free cash flow declined in 2025 (negative growth), and cash flow coverage of obligations appears only moderate based on the provided coverage ratio levels. In short, cash flow is resilient, but the recent downshift in free cash flow reduces flexibility if earnings remain pressured.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.84B6.12B6.08B5.80B5.16B
Gross Profit704.50M741.40M624.30M704.90M722.70M
EBITDA695.50M718.50M664.40M732.90M740.70M
Net Income-19.70M35.00M-33.60M64.30M5.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.67B5.06B5.36B5.47B5.64B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments708.90M552.90M519.90M511.50M530.20M
Total Debt135.20M2.74B2.89B3.13B3.23B
Total Liabilities6.03B4.50B4.75B4.84B5.18B
Stockholders Equity640.00M562.80M604.90M627.30M457.80M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow155.10M207.40M201.50M277.50M357.20M
Operating Cash Flow411.60M455.40M396.10M448.90M538.40M
Investing Cash Flow-169.60M-254.80M-184.50M-243.00M-161.10M
Financing Cash Flow1.40B-156.20M-205.50M-217.20M-401.40M

Dauch Corporation Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price7.28
Price Trends
50DMA
7.32
Negative
100DMA
6.73
Positive
200DMA
5.81
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.15
Positive
RSI
41.34
Neutral
STOCH
35.54
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DCH, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 7.28 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 8.16, below the 50-day MA of 7.32, and above the 200-day MA of 5.81, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.15 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 41.34 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 35.54 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for DCH.

Dauch Corporation Risk Analysis

Dauch Corporation disclosed 43 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Dauch Corporation 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

Dauch Corporation Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$2.84B9.3623.16%0.57%-4.03%-39.51%
71
Outperform
$4.01B13.111.49%-1.09%56.16%
62
Neutral
$12.94B48.845.05%1.24%0.08%-83.69%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
61
Neutral
$1.72B-42.89-3.28%-6.02%42.35%
55
Neutral
$2.03B-7.09-16.78%-1.04%-1510.41%
53
Neutral
$3.84B74.40-4.82%1.70%-18.23%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DCH
Dauch Corporation
7.12
1.27
21.71%
BWA
BorgWarner
61.72
32.49
111.15%
DAN
Dana Incorporated
34.77
18.75
117.04%
VC
Visteon
106.14
17.43
19.64%
ADNT
Adient
25.65
8.59
50.35%
GTX
Garrett Motion
20.59
11.46
125.52%

Dauch Corporation Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Dauch Corporation Expands Leadership Team and Executive Incentives
Positive
Feb 10, 2026

On February 5, 2026, Dauch strengthened its leadership bench by appointing Fiona MacAulay and Simon Mackenzie Smith as independent directors and naming former GKN Automotive chief executive Markus Bannert as vice president of metal forming. The company also granted Bannert a sizable performance stock unit inducement award on February 5, 2026, tied to ambitious share-price targets through March 31, 2029, underscoring its drive to align executive incentives with long-term shareholder value and support integration following its business combination with Dowlais Group plc.

The most recent analyst rating on (DCH) stock is a Buy with a $9.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Dauch Corporation stock, see the DCH 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 14, 2026