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IMI PLC (GB:IMI)
LSE:IMI

IMI plc (IMI) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:IMI

IMI plc

(LSE:IMI)

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Outperform 74 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
3,152.00 p
▲(16.05% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/07/26
The score is driven primarily by strong financial performance (improving margins, de-risking balance sheet, solid earnings quality) and a generally positive earnings call with reaffirmed guidance and strong orders. This is tempered by mixed near-term technical momentum and a valuation profile that looks only moderately attractive given the ~20 P/E and low dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Margin expansion & revenue acceleration
Sustained margin expansion and a large revenue step-up indicate stronger pricing, cost discipline and scale in engineered products. Higher gross and operating margins support durable earnings power across capital projects and aftermarket sales, improving long-term profitability resilience.
Recurring aftermarket and order strength
Rising aftermarket orders and strong process automation demand show a durable revenue base beyond project cycles. Recurring service, parts and upgrades from long equipment lifecycles provide predictable margin-rich cash flows and stronger customer stickiness over the medium term.
Improved cash generation and balance sheet progress
Consistently positive free cash flow that covers a large share of earnings enhances financial flexibility to fund buybacks, dividends and reinvestment. Combined with de-risking leverage trends, this supports sustained capital returns and investment in growth initiatives.
Negative Factors
Material absolute debt remains
Although debt-to-equity has improved, the sizeable absolute debt stock maintains interest and refinancing exposure. In cyclical end markets, this can constrain flexibility for M&A or capex and increases sensitivity to rate rises or earnings volatility over the medium term.
Operating cash conversion below net income
Persistent shortfall of operating cash flow versus net income points to working-capital and timing volatility. This raises risk that earnings are less convertible to cash in downturns, pressuring the ability to sustain buybacks/dividends and increasing reliance on financing.
Operational cyber risk and segment weakness
The cyber incident and resulting operational disruption coincided with meaningful declines in Industrial Automation and Transport. Such events expose the business to one-off charges, qualification delays and ongoing operational risk that can depress segment revenue and margin recovery.

IMI plc (IMI) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

IMI plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionIMI plc, a specialist engineering company, designs, manufactures, and services engineered products worldwide. The company operates through three divisions: IMI Precision Engineering, IMI Critical Engineering, and IMI Hydronic Engineering. The IMI Precision Engineering division develops motion and fluid control technologies for industrial automation, commercial vehicle, life sciences, energy, and rail applications. This division offers actuators, air preparation products, pressure switches, and fittings; pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and vacuum motion solutions; solenoid valves, angle-seat valves, motorized valves, and systems for dust filters; miniature fluid control solutions; precise and accurate syringes, syringe pumps, and rotary valves; cab chassis, powertrain solutions, stainless steel valves and regulators, and emergency shutdown controls; and stainless steel valves and regulators, nuclear class valves, and emergency shutdown controls. It provides its products under the Norgren, Bimba, Buschjost, FAS, Herion, Kloehn, Adaptas, and Maxseal brands. The IMI Critical Engineering division offers specialized valves and actuators to the fossil power, oil and gas, petrochemical, nuclear, marine, and pharmaceutical markets under the IMI Bopp & Reuther, IMI CCI, IMI Fluid Kinetics, IMI NH, IMI Orton, IMI Remosa, IMI STI, IMI TH Jansen, IMI Thompson Valves, IMI Truflo Marine, IMI Truflo Rona, IMI PBM, and IMI Z&J brands. The IMI Hydronic Engineering division provides products for hydronic distribution systems, which deliver heating and cooling systems to the residential and commercial building sectors. This segment offers balancing and control solutions, thermostatic control systems, and pressure maintenance systems, dirt and air separators, and pressure step degassers under the IMI Pneumatex, IMI TA, IMI Flow Design, IMI Heimeier, and IMI Aero-Dynamiek brands. The company was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Birmingham, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyIMI plc generates revenue primarily through the sale of its engineering products and solutions across its three divisions. Key revenue streams include the sale of precision engineering components, which are utilized in sectors like automotive, oil and gas, and energy; hydronic products that optimize heating and cooling systems in buildings; and critical engineering solutions for high-demand industries such as aerospace and marine. Additionally, IMI benefits from long-term service agreements and aftermarket sales, which provide recurring revenue. Strategic partnerships with major industrial clients and investments in research and development further enhance its competitive edge, enabling the company to deliver innovative solutions that meet evolving market demands.

IMI plc Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 01, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jul 31, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call highlighted IMI's solid performance in the face of challenges, including organic growth in sales and profits, strong order intake, and effective recovery from a cyber attack. However, it also noted the negative impact of the cyber incident, declines in specific divisions, and ongoing challenges in certain markets.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Organic Sales and Profit Growth
IMI achieved 2% organic sales growth and 5% organic adjusted operating profit growth in the first half of 2025, with adjusted operating margins rising by 30 basis points.
Strong Order Intake and Dividend Increase
The company delivered outstanding GBP 64 million of orders through the Growth Hub and completed a GBP 200 million share buyback, raising the interim dividend by 10%.
Resilience Post-Cyber Attack
IMI quickly recovered from a significant cyber attack, limiting the impact to temporary operational disruption and achieving 6% organic revenue growth in the second quarter.
Growth in Aftermarket and Process Automation
Aftermarket organic orders increased by 10% and Process Automation had an excellent first half, with order intake up 7% organically.
Commitment to Shareholder Returns
IMI has returned over GBP 1 billion to shareholders since 2019 and is on track to deliver GBP 1 billion of free cash flow over the next three years.
Negative Updates
Impact of Cyber Attack
The company recognized a one-off exceptional charge of $25.4 million related to IT system recovery and infrastructure upgrades following a cyber attack.
Decline in Industrial Automation and Transport Revenue
Industrial Automation's organic revenue was 4% lower due to the cyber incident and softer industrial activity, while Transport revenue declined by 9% organically.
Challenges in Life Sciences & Fluid Control
Fluid Control sales were impacted by the cyber incident, and Life Science & Fluid Control organic revenue decreased by 5% compared to the prior period.
Company Guidance
During the call, IMI reconfirmed its guidance for 2025, expecting to achieve its fourth consecutive year of mid-single-digit organic revenue growth. The company anticipates full-year adjusted basic earnings per share (EPS) to range between 129p and 136p. The adjusted operating margin is projected to be around 20%, with the interest charge slightly higher than prior guidance. The tax rate is expected to increase to approximately 25%, while the weighted average number of shares is predicted to reduce to 249 million at year-end. Despite currency fluctuations presenting a 1.5% headwind to profits, IMI remains on track to deliver on its financial targets, supported by strong order books in Process Automation, Climate, and Industrial Automation sectors.

IMI plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong overall fundamentals: revenue and profitability improved with higher net and operating margins, and leverage has declined meaningfully with ROE remaining strong. The main offsets are uneven operating cash conversion versus net income and the sustainability risk of the unusually large 2025 revenue step-up.
Income Statement
86
Very Positive
Revenue expanded strongly over the period, accelerating to ~39% growth in 2025 after modest growth in 2024. Profitability improved steadily: net margin rose from ~9.3% (2020) to ~13.5% (2025), and operating profitability also strengthened with higher EBIT and EBITDA margins. Gross margin has remained solid and fairly stable in the mid‑40% range, though it dipped slightly in 2024 vs. 2023 before recovering. Key watchout is that the 2025 revenue jump is unusually large versus prior years, which can be harder to sustain.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Leverage has improved meaningfully: debt-to-equity declined from ~1.04 (2022) to ~0.58 (2025), driven by lower debt and higher equity. Returns remain strong, with return on equity consistently above ~21% and reaching ~28% in 2025, indicating effective profitability relative to the capital base. The main weakness is that absolute debt remains material (over ~£0.6bn in 2025), so financial flexibility is better than a few years ago but still not “low leverage” for the sector.
Cash Flow
74
Positive
Cash generation is healthy with operating cash flow and free cash flow trending upward overall, and 2025 free cash flow up ~18% year over year. Free cash flow consistently covers a large portion of earnings (roughly 73%–84% across the years), which supports earnings quality and shareholder returns. However, operating cash flow has been below net income in every year shown (coverage ~0.32–0.54), suggesting working-capital or timing headwinds and introducing some volatility risk despite solid free cash flow.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.30B2.21B2.20B2.05B1.87B
Gross Profit1.07B1.04B1.01B900.40M836.20M
EBITDA519.00M473.90M457.60M431.40M358.60M
Net Income309.90M248.50M237.30M226.30M196.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.48B2.49B2.47B2.52B2.17B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments114.90M150.00M108.20M135.00M97.50M
Total Debt643.70M695.50M745.10M945.00M717.40M
Total Liabilities1.37B1.41B1.44B1.61B1.39B
Stockholders Equity1.11B1.09B1.03B905.60M779.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow300.90M280.10M283.30M193.20M199.60M
Operating Cash Flow399.50M371.60M363.20M264.50M257.10M
Investing Cash Flow-81.80M-58.00M-69.10M-278.00M-234.40M
Financing Cash Flow-308.60M-276.20M-276.40M24.50M-109.40M

IMI plc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price2716.00
Price Trends
50DMA
2767.12
Negative
100DMA
2606.88
Positive
200DMA
2407.30
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-25.50
Positive
RSI
45.15
Neutral
STOCH
25.40
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:IMI, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 2716 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2792.60, below the 50-day MA of 2767.12, and above the 200-day MA of 2407.30, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -25.50 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 45.15 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 25.40 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GB:IMI.

IMI plc Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
£6.39B20.0224.91%1.29%-0.32%-3.96%
71
Outperform
£1.82B15.4333.12%1.01%24.42%103.25%
67
Neutral
£2.49B23.5720.10%2.04%1.93%-15.07%
66
Neutral
£7.28B15.9213.46%1.93%-6.93%18.57%
64
Neutral
£7.06B29.7413.42%1.26%-1.97%40.55%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
61
Neutral
£4.81B30.7613.88%2.46%0.10%-15.33%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:IMI
IMI plc
2,604.00
650.58
33.30%
GB:GDWN
Goodwin
24,200.00
17,738.51
274.53%
GB:ROR
Rotork plc
303.40
-10.88
-3.46%
GB:SMIN
Smiths Group plc
2,350.00
392.32
20.04%
GB:SPX
Spirax Group
6,525.00
-88.02
-1.33%
GB:WEIR
Weir Group plc (The)
2,740.00
377.26
15.97%

IMI plc Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial Disclosures
IMI lifts margins, boosts payouts with £500m buyback after fifth year of organic growth
Positive
Mar 6, 2026

IMI plc reported its fifth consecutive year of mid-single digit organic revenue growth in 2025, with organic sales up 5% and organic adjusted operating profit up 8%, lifting adjusted operating margin to 20%. Statutory profit before tax rose 27%, free cash flow grew to £290m, and return on invested capital improved to 14.0%, underscoring continued profitable expansion.

The board proposed a 10% increase in the final dividend and launched a £500m share buyback, reflecting strong cash generation and a disciplined capital allocation strategy aimed at enhancing shareholder returns. For 2026, IMI guides to a sixth year of mid-single digit organic revenue growth, flat to slightly higher margins, and continued strength in Automation and Climate Control, signalling confidence in its ability to compound earnings growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMI) stock is a Buy with a £3208.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IMI plc stock, see the GB:IMI Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
IMI Updates Voting Rights and Share Capital Structure
Neutral
Mar 2, 2026

IMI plc reported that its issued share capital comprises 259,658,154 ordinary shares, of which 12,648,836 are held in treasury, leaving 247,009,318 shares carrying voting rights. The company highlighted that this voting rights figure serves as the key denominator for shareholders when assessing whether they must disclose holdings or changes in holdings under the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMI) stock is a Buy with a £3208.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IMI plc stock, see the GB:IMI Stock Forecast page.

Other
IMI Executives Boost Holdings Through Employee Share Plan
Positive
Feb 11, 2026

IMI plc has disclosed that its chief executive officer Roy Twite, chief financial officer Luke Grant and chief people officer Elizabeth Rose have each purchased small amounts of IMI ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange. The acquisitions, made on 10 February 2026 at a price of £28.54 per share through the company’s Employee Share Ownership Plan, marginally increase senior management’s equity exposure and may be read by investors as a modest signal of confidence and alignment with shareholders, though the transactions are limited in size.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMI) stock is a Buy with a £3208.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IMI plc stock, see the GB:IMI Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
IMI Updates Total Voting Rights and Share Capital
Neutral
Feb 2, 2026

IMI plc has reported that its issued share capital stands at 259,656,939 ordinary shares, of which 12,648,836 are held in treasury, leaving 247,008,103 shares carrying voting rights. The company highlighted that this total voting rights figure serves as the reference point for shareholders when assessing whether they must disclose holdings or changes in their stake under the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, underscoring ongoing regulatory compliance and transparency in its shareholder reporting.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMI) stock is a Hold with a £3024.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IMI plc stock, see the GB:IMI Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
IMI Executives Add to Holdings Through Employee Share Plan
Positive
Jan 14, 2026

IMI plc has disclosed that three senior executives — Chief Executive Officer Roy Twite, Chief Financial Officer Luke Grant and Chief People Officer Elizabeth Rose — have each purchased small tranches of IMI ordinary shares through the company’s Employee Share Ownership Plan. The transactions, executed on 13 January 2026 at a price of £26.18 per share and reported under Market Abuse Regulation requirements, modestly increase the leadership team’s direct equity stakes and underscore ongoing alignment between management and shareholders through structured share purchase schemes.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMI) stock is a Hold with a £2500.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IMI plc stock, see the GB:IMI Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
IMI plc Confirms Total Voting Rights at Year-End 2025
Neutral
Jan 2, 2026

IMI plc reported that as of 31 December 2025 its issued share capital comprised 259,654,876 ordinary shares, of which 12,648,836 are held in treasury. This leaves a total of 247,006,040 voting rights in the company, a key reference figure shareholders must use to assess whether they are required to disclose holdings or changes in holdings under UK Financial Conduct Authority disclosure and transparency rules.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMI) stock is a Hold with a £2500.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IMI plc stock, see the GB:IMI Stock Forecast page.

Other
IMI plc Executives Participate in Share Ownership Plan
Positive
Dec 10, 2025

IMI plc, a company involved in the manufacturing and engineering sector, has announced transactions by its senior management as part of the IMI Employee Share Ownership Plan. The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief People Officer have each purchased shares at a price of £24.76 per share on the London Stock Exchange. This move reflects the company’s commitment to aligning management interests with those of shareholders, potentially enhancing stakeholder confidence.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMI) stock is a Buy with a £2772.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IMI plc stock, see the GB:IMI 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: Mar 07, 2026