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Spirax Group (GB:SPX)
LSE:SPX

Spirax Group (SPX) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:SPX

Spirax Group

(LSE:SPX)

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Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
7,512.00 p
â–²(15.13% Upside)
Action:DowngradedDate:03/12/26
The score is led by solid but moderating fundamentals (stable revenue, still-healthy operating profitability, but weaker margins/returns and higher leverage) and a supportive earnings outlook with restructuring savings. Offsetting this are weak technical momentum signals and a premium valuation that leaves less margin for error.
Positive Factors
Recurring aftermarket and diversified model
Spirax's mix of engineered products, packaged systems and consumable-driven sales (notably Watson-Marlow tubing/consumables) creates a recurring revenue stream tied to installed bases. This improves revenue visibility, supports margins, and cushions cyclical new-equipment volatility over the medium term.
Material restructuring savings
GBP 35m of recurring cost savings materially lowers the structural cost base, improving operating leverage and cash conversion. Sustained savings strengthen margins, free up cash for reinvestment in sales, R&D and digital systems, and enhance resilience versus macro shocks over 2–6 months and beyond.
Solid core EBITDA margins
Despite pressure on net and EBIT margins, robust EBITDA margins indicate the group's core engineered-product economics remain healthy. This underlying profitability supports steady cash generation, funds capex and dividends, and provides a cushion while management executes margin-restoration plans.
Negative Factors
Rising financial leverage
Higher debt-to-equity reduces balance-sheet flexibility and raises interest and refinancing risk. With leverage now materially above 2021 levels, Spirax has less capacity for opportunistic investment or to absorb earnings shocks, making medium‑term execution and deleveraging priorities.
Sustained margin compression
A multi-year decline in margins signals structural pressures—cost inflation, mix shifts or weaker pricing power—that erode returns. Lower margins reduce cash flow buffers, constrain ROE improvement, and make it harder to deleverage or fund strategic initiatives without restoring pricing or efficiency gains.
Cooling cash conversion and working-capital drag
Declining free cash flow and OCF below net income point to tighter cash conversion, likely from working-capital build or timing. This reduces internally available funding for capex/dividends and increases reliance on debt, worsening leverage dynamics and constraining strategic flexibility over the medium term.

Spirax Group (SPX) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Spirax Group Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSpirax-Sarco Engineering plc provides engineered solutions for the users of industrial and commercial steam systems, electrical heating and temperature management systems, and pumps and fluid path technologies. It offers industrial and commercial steam systems, including condensate management, controls, and thermal energy management products and solutions for heating and curing, cleaning and sterilizing, hot water generation, space heating, and humidification; electrical process heating and temperature management solutions, such as industrial heaters and systems, heat tracing, and various component technologies for industrial processes, heaters, and systems; and peristaltic and niche pumps and associated fluid path technologies, including pumps, tubing, and specialty filling systems and products for single-use applications. The company serves food, beverage, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, oil, gas, chemical, healthcare, power generation, buildings, mining and precious metal processing, water and wastewater, and pulp and paper, as well as original equipment manufacturers. The company sells its products directly, as well as through distributors. It operates in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; the Asia Pacific; and the Americas. Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Cheltenham, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneySpirax Group makes money primarily by selling engineered products, packaged systems, and related services through its three operating businesses. (1) Spirax Sarco generates revenue from steam system components (e.g., steam traps, valves, regulators), steam system packages (e.g., heat transfer and control assemblies), and energy-efficiency/steam system optimization solutions; earnings are supported by aftermarket demand for replacement parts, maintenance, and upgrades tied to customers’ ongoing steam operations and compliance/energy-saving initiatives. (2) Chromalox earns revenue from electric heating products and systems (industrial heaters, heat tracing, control panels, and temperature-management solutions), including engineered-to-order projects for process heating and safety-critical applications; revenue is driven by both new equipment/projects and ongoing needs for controls, replacement, and system expansions. (3) Watson-Marlow generates revenue from peristaltic pumps and pumping systems, as well as recurring sales of consumables such as tubing, hoses, and fluid-path components that require periodic replacement; this creates a meaningful repeat-purchase aftermarket stream alongside initial equipment sales. Across the group, revenue is delivered through a mix of direct sales and distribution channels, with value-added engineering/application support and service activity that helps win specifications, supports installed base penetration, and contributes to repeat business. Specific details on significant partnerships are null.

Spirax Group Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 12, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted solid organic growth and profitability, driven by strong performance in biopharm and semicon, effective restructuring, and strategic sales initiatives. However, challenges in China and Korea, along with legacy order impacts and currency headwinds, posed significant hurdles. Despite these challenges, the group's strategic initiatives and restructuring efforts have positioned it well for future growth.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Organic Sales and Operating Profit Growth
The group achieved an organic sales growth of 3% and an organic operating profit increase of 7%, with a group margin of 19.3%, 70 basis points higher organically.
Strong Demand in Biopharm and Semicon
Biopharm orders grew over 10%, supporting strong demand alongside double-digit growth in semicon demand.
Successful Restructuring Efforts
The restructuring program is on track to deliver annual savings of GBP 35 million, improving cash conversion to 61%.
Double-Digit Growth in ETS
ETS achieved 10% organic growth, with significant improvements in process heating and semicon demand.
Strategic MRO and Solutions Sales Growth
STS and Watson-Marlow experienced strong MRO and solutions sales growth, with Watson-Marlow orders exceeding sales, supporting future growth.
Negative Updates
Challenges in China and Korea
Sales in China and Korea were down 9% due to weakness in large project demand, influenced by macroeconomic challenges and political instability.
Legacy Orders Affecting Margins
Legacy orders in ETS, which were not repriced for inflation, moderated margins despite strong sales growth.
Currency Impact on Financial Performance
Currency movements negatively impacted sales by 3% and operating profit by 7%.
Company Guidance
During the call, Spirax Group provided guidance for the second half of 2025, emphasizing organic growth and operational improvements amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. The group achieved a 3% organic sales growth, outpacing industrial production (IP) growth, with adjusted operating profit increasing by 7%, leading to a group margin of 19.3%. The first half saw strong demand in the biopharm and semicon sectors, with ETS achieving 10% organic growth and Watson-Marlow 2%. Cash conversion improved to 61%, and the restructuring program is on track to deliver GBP 35 million in annual savings. Despite headwinds in China and Korea, Spirax remains confident in its outlook, maintaining guidance for mid-single-digit organic growth in adjusted operating profit for the full year. The company plans to continue investments in commercial sales, new product development, and digital systems, with CapEx guidance set at 4% to 5% of sales.

Spirax Group Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Revenue has been broadly stable with modest recent growth, and EBITDA margins remain solid, but multi-year profitability has weakened (notably lower net and EBIT margins). Leverage has risen meaningfully versus 2021, reducing flexibility, while free cash flow remains positive but has cooled recently with some working-capital drag implied by weaker operating cash flow coverage.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Revenue has been broadly stable with modest growth recently (2025 up ~2.6% after a slight decline in 2024), but profitability has softened versus earlier years: net margin fell from ~17.4% (2021) to ~9.6% (2025) and EBIT margin has drifted down from ~24.1% (2021) to ~17.9% (2025). EBITDA margin remains solid (~23–29% range), suggesting the core earnings engine is still healthy, but the overall margin trajectory points to rising costs and/or weaker pricing power.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
Leverage has increased meaningfully since 2021: debt-to-equity moved from ~0.46 (2021) to ~0.84 (2025), which reduces balance-sheet flexibility. Return on equity remains positive and decent but is trending lower (from ~23% in 2021 to ~13% in 2025), consistent with the margin compression seen on the income statement. Asset base and equity look stable, but the higher debt load is a key risk if earnings weaken further.
Cash Flow
64
Positive
Cash generation remains positive, with free cash flow of ~£212m in 2025, but momentum has cooled: free cash flow fell ~14.7% in 2025 after growth in 2024 and a strong rebound in 2023. Cash conversion is generally reasonable (free cash flow running at ~65–82% of net income over 2023–2025), though operating cash flow has been less than net income in recent years (coverage ~0.46–0.66 in 2023–2025), which can signal working-capital drag and makes cash durability a watch item.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.70B1.67B1.68B1.61B1.34B
Gross Profit305.30M333.90M1.28B576.70M492.30M
EBITDA407.50M378.30M390.60M402.10M392.00M
Net Income163.40M191.20M183.60M224.70M234.60M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.66B2.65B2.71B2.78B1.86B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments369.00M334.20M359.70M328.90M274.60M
Total Debt1.02B1.03B1.12B1.08B465.20M
Total Liabilities1.44B1.44B1.55B1.62B853.20M
Stockholders Equity1.22B1.21B1.16B1.17B1.01B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow211.80M238.50M193.20M113.70M204.20M
Operating Cash Flow259.60M312.80M298.60M231.20M268.30M
Investing Cash Flow-75.30M-65.30M-95.70M-576.60M-62.10M
Financing Cash Flow-178.00M-215.00M-219.20M362.20M-204.80M

Spirax Group Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price6525.00
Price Trends
50DMA
7378.10
Negative
100DMA
7124.55
Negative
200DMA
6829.30
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-202.51
Positive
RSI
36.24
Neutral
STOCH
16.57
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:SPX, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 6525 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 7403.50, below the 50-day MA of 7378.10, and below the 200-day MA of 6829.30, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -202.51 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 36.24 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 16.57 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:SPX.

Spirax Group 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%
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%
62
Neutral
£1.08B22.488.58%3.30%-6.95%-52.08%
61
Neutral
£4.81B30.7613.88%2.46%0.10%-15.33%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:SPX
Spirax Group
6,525.00
-88.02
-1.33%
GB:BOY
Bodycote
626.00
85.07
15.73%
GB:IMI
IMI plc
2,604.00
650.58
33.30%
GB:ROR
Rotork plc
303.40
-10.88
-3.46%
GB:SMIN
Smiths Group plc
2,350.00
392.32
20.04%
GB:WEIR
Weir Group plc (The)
2,740.00
377.26
15.97%

Spirax Group Corporate Events

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Spirax Group Confirms Total Voting Rights at 73.8 Million Shares
Neutral
Mar 11, 2026

Spirax Group has confirmed that as of 11 March 2026 its issued share capital consists of 73,826,048 ordinary shares, with no shares held in treasury. This figure will serve as the denominator for shareholders when calculating whether they must disclose holdings or changes in their interests under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

The update has implications for institutional and other significant investors who monitor and report crossing of regulatory thresholds in the company’s stock. By clarifying the total voting rights, Spirax Group reinforces transparency in its capital structure, supporting orderly market disclosure and regulatory compliance for stakeholders trading its FTSE 100-listed shares.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £86.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Spirax Group Executives Increase Shareholdings Under Remuneration Plan
Positive
Mar 10, 2026

Spirax Group plc has disclosed that Group Chief Executive Officer Nimesh Patel and Group Chief Financial Officer Louisa Burdett have purchased ordinary shares in the company, in line with arrangements set out in its 2024 Annual Remuneration Report. Patel acquired 1,423 shares and Burdett 752 shares at £73.70 each on 10 March 2026, largely to meet bonus deferral requirements and, in Patel’s case, following a salary increase.

The transactions, executed on the London Stock Exchange, underscore the alignment of senior management’s interests with those of shareholders through increased equity exposure. These purchases formalize part of the executives’ variable pay structure, signaling continued adherence to the company’s remuneration policy and reinforcing governance transparency for investors monitoring insider dealing activity.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £8715.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Spirax Group Outpaces Industrial Production as Restructuring Weighs on 2025 Profit
Positive
Mar 10, 2026

Spirax Group reported 5% organic revenue growth to £1.70bn in 2025, comfortably outpacing global industrial production, with all three divisions delivering organic sales gains and improved adjusted margins that lifted the Group’s organic adjusted operating margin to 20%. Reported statutory profit fell, however, as one‑off restructuring charges weighed on operating profit and margins, even as the company improved cash conversion, cut leverage to 1.5 times EBITDA, raised returns on capital and increased its dividend.

Steam Thermal Solutions grew modestly on an organic basis but faced pressure on statutory margins, while Electric Thermal Solutions and Watson‑Marlow posted double‑digit and mid‑single‑digit organic sales growth respectively, aided by recovering semiconductor and biopharma demand. Management said a completed efficiency and simplification drive is now delivering £40m of annualised savings to support further investment, underpinning expectations of continued organic growth and margin progress in 2026 despite a volatile macroeconomic backdrop.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £10500.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Spirax Group executives receive shares under incentive plan
Neutral
Mar 9, 2026

Spirax Group has disclosed a series of small share transactions by senior executives under its employee Share Incentive Plan, in line with UK Market Abuse Regulation. Group CEO Nimesh Patel, Group HR Director James Devine, Group Sustainability Director Sarah Peers, ETS Managing Director Andrew Mines and WM Managing Director Stuart Roby each acquired two partnership shares and received two matching shares at an effective aggregated price of £37.95 per share.

The transactions, executed on 5 March on the London Stock Exchange, marginally increase management’s equity exposure but do not materially alter the company’s share capital. They underline ongoing use of all-employee share plans to strengthen alignment between leadership and investors, and demonstrate continued regulatory transparency around dealings by persons discharging managerial responsibilities.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £10500.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Spirax Group Executives Take New Non-Executive Roles at SEGRO and Victrex
Positive
Feb 10, 2026

Spirax Group has expanded the external board responsibilities of two of its senior leaders, while maintaining their existing positions within the company. Chief Financial Officer Louisa Burdett will join SEGRO as a non-executive director from 1 May 2026, and non-executive director and remuneration committee chair Maria Antoniou will take a non-executive role at Victrex from 1 September 2026.

The appointments underscore Spirax Group’s connections across the UK’s blue-chip industrial and property sectors and may broaden the board’s strategic insights as the company pursues growth in thermal energy, electrification and decarbonisation solutions. The decision to retain both executives in their Spirax roles suggests continuity in governance and financial leadership, while potentially enhancing the group’s external perspective and industry influence.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £80.20 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Spirax Group Executives Acquire Shares Under Employee Incentive Plan
Neutral
Feb 6, 2026

Spirax Group plc has disclosed a series of routine share transactions by senior executives under its employee Share Incentive Plan, in line with UK Market Abuse Regulation requirements. On 5 February 2026, Group CEO Nimesh Patel, Group HR Director James Devine, Group Sustainability Director Sarah Peers and managing directors Andrew Mines (ETS) and Stuart Roby (WM) each acquired two partnership shares and were granted two matching shares in the company at an effective aggregated price of £36.84 per share, based on a market price of £73.7489 for the purchased shares. The filings underscore ongoing use of share-based compensation to reinforce management’s equity stake in the business and maintain regulatory transparency for investors.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £80.20 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Spirax Group CFO Louisa Burdett Steps Down from RS Group Board
Neutral
Feb 2, 2026

Spirax Group has announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Louisa Burdett, has stepped down from the Board of Directors of RS Group plc, effective 31 January 2026, while continuing in her executive role at Spirax Group. The move comes as Spirax continues to position itself as a key player in enabling industrial decarbonisation through proprietary electrification and thermal solutions, reinforcing its strategic focus on net zero-aligned technologies and maintaining governance structures that support its long-term growth and stakeholder value proposition.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £80.20 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Spirax Group Executives Receive Shares Under Employee Incentive Plan
Neutral
Jan 6, 2026

Spirax Group plc has disclosed a series of routine transactions by senior executives under its employee Share Incentive Plan, in line with UK Market Abuse Regulation requirements. Group Chief Executive Officer Nimesh Patel, Group HR Director James Devine, Group Sustainability Director Sarah Peers, ETS Managing Director Andrew Mines and WM Managing Director Stuart Roby each acquired two partnership shares and received two matching shares in the company on 5 January 2026, at an effective aggregated price of £34.30 per share, with trades conducted on the London Stock Exchange. The relatively small volumes indicate standard participation in a broad-based share plan rather than any material change in ownership, underscoring the company’s continued use of equity-based compensation to reinforce alignment between leadership and shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £7645.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyDelistings and Listing Changes
Spirax Group Sets 19 December Admission for 200,000-Share Block Listing
Neutral
Dec 18, 2025

Spirax Group PLC has corrected a previous announcement to confirm that 200,000 new ordinary shares will be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market on 19 December 2025 under a block listing. The shares, which will be issued from time to time to the company’s Employee Benefit Trust for use in its Performance Share Plan and Employee Share Ownership Plan, will rank pari passu with existing stock, supporting ongoing employee incentive schemes without immediately altering the group’s operational strategy or market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £7645.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyDelistings and Listing Changes
Spirax Group Seeks Block Listing of 200,000 Shares for Employee Incentive Plans
Positive
Dec 18, 2025

Spirax Group PLC has applied to the London Stock Exchange for a block listing of 200,000 new ordinary shares to be admitted to trading on the Main Market, with admission expected to become effective on 18 December 2025. The shares will be issued periodically to the company’s Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy awards under the Spirax Group Performance Share Plan and Employee Share Ownership Plan, and will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares, underscoring the Group’s ongoing use of equity-based incentives to align employees with shareholder interests and support long-term value creation.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:SPX) stock is a Buy with a £7645.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Spirax Group stock, see the GB:SPX 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 12, 2026