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Helios Technologies (HLIO)
NYSE:HLIO

Helios Technologies (HLIO) AI Stock Analysis

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HLIO

Helios Technologies

(NYSE:HLIO)

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Outperform 70 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
$82.00
▲(15.43% Upside)
Action:UpgradedDate:03/03/26
HLIO scores well on improving financial resilience (stronger balance sheet and higher free cash flow) and a constructive price trend, reinforced by upbeat turnaround commentary and Q1 guidance. The biggest offset is valuation: the very high P/E and low dividend yield meaningfully cap the overall score.
Positive Factors
Balance-sheet deleveraging
Sharp deleveraging materially reduces financial risk and increases strategic flexibility. With a much stronger capital structure the company can withstand demand cyclicality, fund targeted M&A or capex, and sustain dividends/repurchases without stressing liquidity over the medium term.
Improving cash generation
Consistent, rising OCF and FCF provide a durable funding source for operations and capital allocation. Strong FCF conversion (~0.8x of net income) supports debt paydown, shareholder returns and reinvestment in higher‑value products, underpinning long-term financial resilience.
Commercial execution & new wins
A tangible pipeline of new business and successful product launches signals improving market traction. Winning higher‑value engineered solutions and stronger Electronics performance should lift revenue mix and support more sustainable margins over several quarters.
Negative Factors
Compressed profitability
A halving of net margin versus prior cycle and modest ROE (~5.2%) indicate weakened earnings power. Even with better cash flow and balance sheet, persistently lower profitability limits reinvestment capacity, return generation, and the durability of shareholder distributions long term.
Distribution-channel visibility
Heavy reliance on distributors reduces forward order transparency and raises execution risk: channel inventory swings or slower dealer restocking can delay revenue recognition and complicate working-capital management, making growth and margin forecasting persistently uncertain.
Tariff & supply-chain pressures
Ongoing tariffs, semiconductor constraints and rising input costs are structural headwinds in global industrial supply chains. If pricing lags or components remain constrained, margin recovery may be limited and product delivery schedules and cost structures could be disrupted for multiple quarters.

Helios Technologies (HLIO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Helios Technologies Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHelios Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells solutions for the hydraulics and electronics markets in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Hydraulics and Electronics. The Hydraulics segment offers cartridge valve technology products to control rates and direction of fluid flow, and to regulate and control pressures for industrial and mobile applications; quick release coupling solutions for the agriculture, construction equipment, and industrial markets; and hydraulic system design that provides engineered solutions for machine users, manufacturers, or designers. This segment sells its products under the Sun Hydraulics, Faster, and Custom Fluidpower brands. The Electronics segment offers displays, controls, and instrumentation products for off-highway, recreational and commercial marine, power sports and specialty vehicles, agriculture and water pumping, power generation, health and wellness, and engine-driven industrial equipment markets. This segment sells its products under the Enovation Controls, Murphy, and Balboa Water Group brands. It sells its hydraulic products primarily through value-add distributors, as well as directly to original equipment manufacturers; and electronic products to original equipment manufacturer customers. The company was formerly known as Sun Hydraulics Corporation and changed its name to Helios Technologies, Inc. in June 2019. Helios Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida.
How the Company Makes MoneyHelios Technologies generates revenue primarily through the sale of its hydraulic and electronic control products. The company has established a robust revenue model that includes direct sales to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors, as well as aftermarket sales for maintenance and replacement parts. Key revenue streams consist of product sales, engineering services, and customized solutions tailored to specific customer needs. Additionally, Helios Technologies benefits from strategic partnerships with major industry players, which enhance its market presence and distribution capabilities. The company's focus on innovation and technology development also contributes to its earnings by allowing it to command premium pricing for its advanced products.

Helios Technologies Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Net Sales by Segment
Net Sales by Segment
Breaks down revenue by business area so you can see where demand is coming from and how fast each segment is growing. For Helios, this highlights exposure to OEM cycles versus steadier aftermarket sales and shows concentration risks or opportunities across end markets and geographies.
Chart InsightsElectronics is now the primary growth and margin driver—recent quarters show a clear rebound into higher volumes and a better mix that management credits for margin expansion—while Hydraulics, though recovering revenue, is more cyclical and is absorbing higher SG&A and a one‑time goodwill hit that compresses operating income. The combined sales momentum underpins management’s deleveraging and portfolio moves, but Hydraulics’ cost/impairment dynamics remain the key execution risk to sustained margin gains.
Data provided by:The Fly

Helios Technologies Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Mar 02, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 11, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed a clear operational turnaround with strong Q4 and full-year improvements: accelerating sales (pro forma), sustained margin expansion, record cash generation, meaningful debt reduction, and concrete commercial wins and product initiatives. Management acknowledged ongoing macro and supply-chain risks (tariffs, chip constraints, geopolitical events) and a conservative 2026 guide to balance near-term visibility limits and tougher comps. Overall, positive operational momentum and financial discipline outweighed transitory and macro headwinds.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Quarterly and Annual Revenue Growth
Q4 sales of $211M, up 17% YoY; on a pro forma basis (excluding CFP divestiture) Q4 sales up 29%. Full year 2025 sales of $839M, up 4% reported and up 6% pro forma — the company's first full-year top-line growth in three years.
Segment Strength — Hydraulics and Electronics
Hydraulics Q4 sales up 10% (27% pro forma) with gross margin expanding to 34.1% (+440 bps). Electronics Q4 sales up 31% with gross profit up 40% and gross margin expansion of +220 bps.
Margin Expansion and Profitability
Four consecutive quarters of gross margin expansion; Q4 gross margin 33.6% (+350 bps YoY). Q4 adjusted EBITDA margin 20.1% (up 270 bps YoY); Q4 operating margin 12.2% (+480 bps YoY) and adjusted operating margin 16.4% (+310 bps YoY).
Earnings Per Share Improvement
Q4 diluted EPS $0.58 (more than 4x prior year); Q4 diluted non-GAAP EPS $0.81 (+145% YoY). Full year diluted EPS $1.45 (+24%) and diluted non-GAAP EPS $2.56 (+22%).
Record Cash Generation and Improved Liquidity
Record cash from operations of $46M in Q4 and $127M for the year; second consecutive year of record free cash flow. Available liquidity exceeded total debt by year-end.
Balance Sheet Deleveraging and Capital Returns
Used proceeds and cash to pay down $82M of debt in 2025; net debt/EBITDA of 1.8x (pro forma). Initiated share repurchase program and repurchased 330,000 shares YTD for $13.6M; maintained 116th consecutive quarterly dividend.
Commercial Execution and New Business Wins
Returned to growth by executing go-to-market initiatives and accelerating product launches; management cited over $50M of new business wins and broad-based order acceleration in H2 2025.
2026 Guidance Reflects Continued Improvement
Q1 2026 guidance: sales $218–223M (pro forma midpoint +22%), adjusted EBITDA margin 19.5%–20.5%, non-GAAP EPS $0.65–0.70 (+53% at midpoint). FY 2026 guidance: sales $820–860M (pro forma midpoint ~+6%), adjusted EBITDA margin 19.5%–21%, non-GAAP EPS $2.60–2.90.
Negative Updates
Macroeconomic Headwinds
2025 characterized as slow and uneven with persistent contraction in key indicators (PMI and Industrial Production); management cited global tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and weak consumer markets as meaningful challenges.
Tariff and Supply-Chain Pressures
Residual tariff impacts partially offset margin gains in 2025; management expects higher tariff comparisons in early 2026 and flagged potential chip/memory supply constraints and rising component costs that could pressure margins if not fully recovered via pricing.
One-Time Goodwill Impairment Reduced Reported Results
Operating income for the full year was down 19%, primarily due to a goodwill impairment charge in Q3 related to iPROD product development, which depressed reported full-year operating results.
Cautious Full-Year Growth Outlook
Although Q1 guidance is strong, FY 2026 guidance is conservative versus early-cycle recovery expectations: midpoint implies ~6% pro forma growth — management cited tougher comps, timing of recoveries, and geopolitical/supply uncertainties as reasons for caution.
End‑Market Volatility in Consumer-Exposed Segments
Electronics consumer end markets (recreational marine, U.S. spa) remain choppy or soft. Management notes dealer/retail inventory improvements but limited signs of sustained end-customer demand recovery.
Visibility Limitations in Distribution Channels
Over half of Hydraulics revenue goes through distribution, which limits near-term outward order visibility and contributes to conservative guidance and execution risk if channel dynamics shift unpredictably.
Rising Operating Costs
SG&A increased in the quarter (wages, benefits, R&D increases), though improved as a percent of sales; rising labor and input costs could continue to pressure operating leverage if volume growth slows.
Share Repurchase Pace Is Modest
Share repurchases in 2025 totaled about 1% of outstanding shares (330k shares, $13.6M); while a positive step, buybacks are modest relative to market capitalization and other capital priorities.
Company Guidance
The company guided Q1 2026 sales of $218–$223 million (midpoint $220.5M), up ~22% year‑over‑year on a pro forma basis excluding the CFP divestiture, with adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.5%–20.5% (midpoint 20.0%) and diluted non‑GAAP EPS of $0.65–$0.70 (midpoint $0.675, +53% at midpoint). For FY2026 they guided net sales of $820–$860 million (midpoint $840M) versus $839M reported in 2025 ($792M pro forma), implying ~6% pro forma growth at the midpoint, with Hydraulics sales of $510–$530M (midpoint $520M, ~+5% pro forma) and Electronics $310–$330M (midpoint $320M, ~+7%), adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.5%–21% (midpoint ~20.25%), and diluted non‑GAAP EPS $2.60–$2.90 (midpoint $2.75, ~+7% at midpoint), while noting stronger year‑over‑year growth expected in the first half and that 2025 non‑GAAP EPS included a $5.4M interest‑rate swap benefit.

Helios Technologies Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Balance sheet and cash flow are clear strengths: leverage has fallen sharply (debt-to-equity ~0.12 in 2026) and operating/free cash flow improved (OCF ~$127M; FCF ~$104M, +~15% in 2026). The main constraint is weaker earnings power versus prior-cycle levels, with net margin down to ~5.8% (from ~12% in 2021) and modest ROE (~5.2%).
Income Statement
58
Neutral
Revenue has been relatively stable but choppy, with declines in 2023–2024 followed by a modest rebound in 2026 (annual revenue growth ~3.9%). Profitability is materially below earlier-cycle levels: net margin has compressed from ~12% (2021) to ~5.8% (2026), and operating profitability also appears lower versus 2021–2022. Offsetting this, gross margin has held in the low-30% range recently, suggesting pricing/cost structure remains reasonably resilient even as below-the-line profitability has weakened.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Leverage has improved significantly, with debt-to-equity falling to ~0.12 in 2026 from ~0.55–0.64 in 2023–2024, indicating a much stronger capital structure and reduced balance-sheet risk. Equity has grown over time, supporting asset backing. The main offset is that returns on equity are currently modest (~5.2% in 2026) versus stronger levels in 2021–2022, implying the balance sheet is healthier than the company’s present earnings power.
Cash Flow
74
Positive
Cash generation is solid and improving: 2026 operating cash flow (~$127M) and free cash flow (~$104M) are both higher than recent years, with free cash flow growth of ~15% in 2026. Free cash flow runs at a healthy proportion of net income (roughly 0.81x in 2026), supporting earnings quality. A watch item is that operating cash flow is less than net income in recent years (coverage <1.0), indicating some working-capital or timing drag despite strong overall free cash flow.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue839.00M805.90M835.60M885.40M869.20M
Gross Profit271.20M252.30M261.70M298.50M312.80M
EBITDA147.30M148.10M144.20M190.10M202.50M
Net Income48.40M39.00M37.50M98.40M104.60M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.51B1.51B1.59B1.46B1.42B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments73.00M44.10M32.40M43.70M28.50M
Total Debt110.90M471.20M548.50M464.80M471.30M
Total Liabilities583.00M641.00M735.80M668.80M706.30M
Stockholders Equity931.50M864.40M854.60M794.90M709.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow103.60M95.10M43.50M78.00M86.30M
Operating Cash Flow127.30M122.10M83.90M109.90M113.10M
Investing Cash Flow20.30M-30.30M-153.90M-90.80M-90.30M
Financing Cash Flow-121.90M-78.40M57.90M-6.90M-22.60M

Helios Technologies Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price71.04
Price Trends
50DMA
65.05
Positive
100DMA
59.41
Positive
200DMA
50.73
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.30
Positive
RSI
62.32
Neutral
STOCH
44.05
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HLIO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 71.04 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 72.76, above the 50-day MA of 65.05, and above the 200-day MA of 50.73, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.30 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 62.32 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 44.05 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for HLIO.

Helios Technologies Risk Analysis

Helios Technologies disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Helios Technologies reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Helios Technologies Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
70
Outperform
$2.35B48.993.75%0.64%-1.46%-10.03%
69
Neutral
$1.68B31.6713.45%1.49%3.19%31.51%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
60
Neutral
$1.77B25.235.67%1.48%18.01%39.01%
58
Neutral
$1.40B11.59118.50%54.78%122.61%
53
Neutral
$1.11B26.307.17%1.59%-2.24%-48.77%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HLIO
Helios Technologies
71.04
35.21
98.29%
CYD
China Yuchai International
43.84
24.42
125.78%
GRC
Gorman-Rupp Company
63.86
26.98
73.17%
TNC
Tennant Co
61.99
-18.50
-22.99%
PSIX
Power Solutions
60.91
31.99
110.62%

Helios Technologies Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Helios Technologies Enhances Executive Severance to Support Stability
Positive
Feb 26, 2026

On February 23, 2026, Helios Technologies’ Compensation Committee approved an amended and restated executive officer severance agreement with Sean Bagan, updating a prior agreement originally dated December 31, 2024. Under the revised terms, the company significantly enhances Bagan’s protections in the event of an involuntary termination of employment by extending his base-salary continuation period to 24 months from 12 months, underscoring Helios’s commitment to executive retention and leadership stability.

The expanded severance benefit may strengthen the company’s ability to retain key financial leadership in a competitive market for executive talent. It also signals to investors and other stakeholders that Helios is prioritizing continuity in its senior management ranks, which can be particularly important during periods of strategic change or evolving market conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (HLIO) stock is a Hold with a $70.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Helios Technologies stock, see the HLIO Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
Helios Technologies Extends Long-Running Quarterly Dividend Streak
Positive
Dec 19, 2025

On December 18, 2025, Helios Technologies announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share, marking the company’s 116th consecutive cash dividend and extending a track record of more than 28 years of uninterrupted quarterly payouts since the first quarter of 1997. The dividend, payable on January 21, 2026 to shareholders of record as of January 7, 2026, underscores Helios’s continued emphasis on shareholder returns and signals ongoing financial stability, with approximately 33.1 million common shares outstanding at the time of the announcement.

The most recent analyst rating on (HLIO) stock is a Hold with a $58.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Helios Technologies stock, see the HLIO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Helios Technologies Appoints New Electronics Segment President
Positive
Dec 8, 2025

On December 8, 2025, Helios Technologies announced the appointment of Billy Aldridge as President of its Electronics Segment, effective January 4, 2026. This strategic move comes as the company seeks to capitalize on a successful go-to-market strategy and record performance at Enovation Controls. Aldridge’s leadership is expected to enhance customer engagement and drive strategic growth, supporting Helios’ long-term objectives.

The most recent analyst rating on (HLIO) stock is a Hold with a $59.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Helios Technologies stock, see the HLIO 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 03, 2026