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Kimball Electronics (KE)
NASDAQ:KE

Kimball Electronics (KE) AI Stock Analysis

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KE

Kimball Electronics

(NASDAQ:KE)

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Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$28.00
▲(9.85% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/07/26
The score is driven primarily by mixed financial performance (thin margins and slightly declining TTM revenue, but solid recent free cash flow and improved leverage). The latest earnings call is a positive offset due to raised FY2026 guidance and improving margins/cash flow, while weak technical momentum and a relatively high P/E for the company’s current profitability keep the overall score in the low 60s.
Positive Factors
Diversified end-market exposure with Medical growth
Sustained Medical growth provides durable, higher-margin revenue less correlated with automotive cycles. Multi-region contributions (NA, Europe, Asia) and four consecutive quarters of medical expansion support steadier topline and reduce overall end-market concentration risk over a multi-quarter horizon.
Consistent cash generation and stronger liquidity
A multi-quarter streak of positive operating cash flow and sizeable available liquidity improves financial flexibility for capex, working-capital cycles, and strategic actions. Reduced borrowings and lower interest expense further lower refinancing risk and support long-term investment and shareholder returns.
Strategic capacity expansion and solutions repositioning
Adding a large U.S. medical CMO facility and repositioning toward 'solutions' strengthens end-to-end offerings and domestic capacity, improving competitive positioning in medical CMO. This structural move supports customer stickiness, new program wins, and longer-term margin expansion as ramps complete.
Negative Factors
Thin margins and modest profitability
Low gross and net margins leave limited buffer against input cost inflation or pricing pressure in contract manufacturing. Sustained thin profitability constrains reinvestment and return generation, meaning small adverse swings could materially reduce earnings over several quarters.
High exposure to cyclical Automotive market
Nearly half of sales tied to Automotive amplifies revenue cyclicality and program risk. Program transfers, tariff sensitivity, and regional softness (China, North America) can produce sustained revenue declines that offset gains in other verticals and challenge capacity utilization and fixed-cost absorption.
Historical cash-flow volatility and working-capital sensitivity
Although recent FCF is strong, past negative cash cycles demonstrate sensitivity to working capital and demand swings. This volatility limits forecasting confidence for capex, M&A or buybacks and increases execution risk during facility ramps or industry slowdowns.

Kimball Electronics (KE) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Kimball Electronics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKimball Electronics, Inc. provides contract electronics manufacturing services and diversified manufacturing services to customers in the automotive, medical, industrial, and public safety end markets. The company's manufacturing services include design services and support, supply chain services and support, and rapid prototyping and product introduction support services, as well as product design, and process validation and qualification services. Its manufacturing services also comprise industrialization and automation of manufacturing processes; reliability testing, including testing of products under a series of environmental conditions; production and testing of printed circuit board assemblies; assembly, production, and packaging of medical devices and disposables, and other non-electronic products; drug delivery devices and solutions with and without electronics; design engineering and manufacturing of automation equipment, test and inspection equipment, and precision molded plastics; software design services; and product life cycle management services. The company operates in the United States, China, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Thailand, and Vietnam. Kimball Electronics, Inc. was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Jasper, Indiana.
How the Company Makes MoneyKimball Electronics generates revenue primarily through its contract manufacturing services, where it partners with clients to design, produce, and assemble electronic components and systems. Key revenue streams include the production of electronic assemblies for sectors like automotive and medical devices, which often involve long-term contracts with customers. Additionally, KE benefits from economies of scale and operational efficiencies in its manufacturing processes. Significant partnerships with major OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and continuous investment in technology and innovation further enhance its revenue potential, allowing the company to meet diverse client needs and adapt to changing market demands.

Kimball Electronics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 04, 2026
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 12, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Balanced but cautiously optimistic. The company delivered clear progress on strategic initiatives — notably strong Medical growth (+15% YoY), improved gross and operating margins (+160 bps gross margin improvement; adjusted operating income up to 4.5% of sales), positive operating cash flow for eight consecutive quarters, reduced net debt versus prior year and raised FY26 revenue and margin guidance. Offsetting these positives are a 5% decline in consolidated sales, a material 13% decline in Automotive (48% of sales), near-term margin drag from the Indianapolis CMO ramp, and an unusually high Q2 tax rate. Given the combination of sustainable Medical momentum, raised guidance and improved margins and liquidity, tempered by near-term headwinds in Automotive/Industrial and facility ramp costs, the call skews positive overall.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Medical Vertical Strong Growth
Medical sales of $96.0M in Q2, up 15% year-over-year and representing 28% of company sales; fourth consecutive quarter of YoY revenue growth in Medical with growth driven by Poland and Thailand and balanced contributions across North America, Europe and Asia.
Raised Full-Year Guidance
Fiscal 2026 net sales guidance raised to $1.40B–$1.46B (prior: $1.35B–$1.45B) driven by Medical strength and Automotive program ramps in Europe; adjusted operating income guidance increased to 4.2%–4.5% of net sales (prior: 4.0%–4.25%).
Gross Margin and Operating Margin Improvement
Q2 gross margin rate improved to 8.2% from 6.6% in prior-year period, a +160 basis point improvement; adjusted operating income of $15.3M, or 4.5% of net sales, versus $13.3M or 3.7% last year.
Positive Operating Cash Flow and Strong Liquidity
Operating cash flow in Q2 was $6.9M — the eighth consecutive quarter of positive cash from operations. Cash and cash equivalents of $77.9M and combined short-term liquidity (cash + unused credit) of $363M at quarter end.
Lower Interest Expense and Reduced Debt
Other expense improved to $3.8M from $4.8M a year ago with interest expense down ~50% YoY. Total borrowings of $154M were down ~$51M (~25%) compared to a year ago.
Inventory and Working Capital Progress
Inventory decreased to $281.7M, down $24.5M (8%) year-over-year. Cash conversion days were 91 days, a 16-day improvement versus Q2 FY25 despite an 8-day increase from the prior quarter; management expects continuing focus and improvement.
Strategic Investments and New CMO Capacity
Grand opening of a 300,000 sq ft medical CMO facility in Indianapolis (adds U.S. capacity for single-use surgical instruments, drug delivery devices and plastic injection molding). Company is rebranding to "Kimball Solutions" to reflect expanded capabilities and pursuing disciplined M&A to expand customers and capabilities.
Shareholder Returns
Repurchased $4.3M of stock in Q2 (149,000 shares); since program inception $109.5M returned to shareholders (6.8M shares) with $10.5M remaining on the repurchase authorization.
Negative Updates
Overall Sales Decline
Consolidated net sales of $341.3M in Q2, down 5% year-over-year. Sequentially sales fell just over 6% versus Q1, driven primarily by weakness in the Industrial vertical.
Automotive Revenue Pressure
Automotive sales of $162M, down 13% year-over-year and representing 48% of company sales. Decline driven by lower North American sales due to an electronic braking program transferred out of Reynosa and tariff-related pressures; continued softness in China partially contributed.
Industrial End-Market Weakness
Industrial sales of $83M, down 5% year-over-year and 24% of company sales; decline concentrated in North America with lower demand for HVAC systems (partially offset by smart meter rebound in Europe).
Adjusted Net Income Slightly Lower
Adjusted net income of $6.9M ($0.28 diluted EPS) versus $7.4M ($0.29) in prior-year period — a modest decline in profitability on a reported adjusted net income basis.
Quarterly Tax Rate Spike
Effective tax rate unusually high at 47.9% in Q2 versus 1.2% last year due to a provision to tax return adjustment and valuation allowance adjustment related to expected sale of the Tampa facility; full-year tax rate still expected in the high 20s to low 30s.
Near-Term Margin Drag from New Facility
Management expects the Indianapolis CMO facility to be a near-term drag on margins for 2–3 quarters due to running both facilities, higher depreciation and ramp costs, despite longer-term margin upside potential in the CMO business.
Regional Softness and Operating Risks
Continued softness in China, sensitivity to tariffs and U.S. policy (tax subsidies) could pressure North American Automotive and Industrial demand; management is monitoring FY27 risks and tariff impacts.
Company Guidance
Management raised fiscal 2026 guidance to net sales of $1.40–$1.46 billion (up from $1.35–$1.45B previously) and now expects adjusted operating income of 4.2%–4.5% of sales (prior 4.0%–4.25%); capital expenditures remain guided at $50–$60 million and the full‑year effective tax rate is expected in the high‑20s to low‑30s. They cited Q2 results of $341.3 million in sales (Medical $96M, Automotive $162M, Industrial $83M), eight consecutive quarters of positive operating cash flow, cash and cash equivalents of $77.9M, borrowings of $154M, total near‑term liquidity of $363M, cash conversion days of 91 (16‑day improvement YoY), inventory of $281.7M (down 8% YoY), and $10.5M remaining on the share‑repurchase authorization, while noting the Indianapolis CMO grand opening and other strategic investments will add near‑term depreciation and expense that will partially offset the benefits of higher sales.

Kimball Electronics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Overall fundamentals are mixed: revenue is slightly down in TTM and margins remain thin (gross ~7.4%, net ~1.6%), limiting return potential. Offsetting this, recent cash generation is solid (TTM FCF $110M) and leverage appears improved versus prior years (debt-to-equity ~0.24–0.26).
Income Statement
58
Neutral
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue is slightly down (-1.09%) versus the prior period, extending a softer top-line trend after prior declines, which weighs on the outlook. Profitability is positive but thin: TTM gross margin is ~7.4% and net margin is ~1.6%, indicating limited room for error in a cost-sensitive manufacturing model. Earnings improved from the weaker FY2025 level (annual net margin ~1.1%) but remain well below the stronger FY2023–FY2021 period when margins were materially higher.
Balance Sheet
62
Positive
Leverage appears moderate-to-improving versus the last few fiscal years, with the debt-to-equity ratio around 0.24–0.26 in the most recent periods (TTM and FY2025), down from ~0.54 in FY2024–FY2023. Returns on equity are positive but modest recently (TTM ~4.3% and FY2025 ~3.0%) versus stronger historical levels (e.g., FY2023 ~10.7% and FY2021 ~12.8%), suggesting profitability, rather than balance sheet structure, is the main limiter. Note: the TTM snapshot lists total debt and equity as 0, so the leverage assessment relies primarily on the provided debt-to-equity and ROE figures.
Cash Flow
67
Positive
Cash generation is a relative strength: TTM operating cash flow is $124M and free cash flow is $110M, following very strong FY2025 free cash flow of $150M. That said, free cash flow growth is slightly negative in TTM (-4.76%), and the company has shown meaningful volatility historically, including negative operating and free cash flow in FY2023 and FY2022. Overall, recent cash conversion is solid, but the track record suggests sensitivity to working-capital swings and/or cycle-driven demand shifts.
BreakdownTTMJun 2025Jun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Jun 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.46B1.49B1.71B1.82B1.35B1.29B
Gross Profit114.23M104.40M140.26M156.16M104.60M118.03M
EBITDA85.15M77.97M86.07M123.42M75.80M106.24M
Net Income24.12M16.98M20.51M55.83M31.25M56.79M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.08B1.08B1.21B1.26B1.04B814.06M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments77.85M88.78M77.97M42.95M49.85M106.44M
Total Debt153.81M147.05M294.84M281.45M180.58M66.21M
Total Liabilities504.31M507.43M667.46M735.73M581.80M372.09M
Stockholders Equity579.16M569.88M540.46M523.99M453.97M441.97M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow110.30M150.26M27.14M-104.49M-157.89M90.74M
Operating Cash Flow123.95M183.94M73.22M-13.80M-83.18M130.09M
Investing Cash Flow-37.85M-14.70M-46.52M-90.47M-74.80M-38.80M
Financing Cash Flow-65.76M-160.87M8.97M99.18M103.74M-53.08M

Kimball Electronics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price25.49
Price Trends
50DMA
28.45
Negative
100DMA
28.62
Negative
200DMA
25.48
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.31
Positive
RSI
40.40
Neutral
STOCH
53.76
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KE, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 25.49 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.95, below the 50-day MA of 28.45, and above the 200-day MA of 25.48, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.31 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 40.40 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 53.76 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for KE.

Kimball Electronics Risk Analysis

Kimball Electronics disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Kimball Electronics 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

Kimball Electronics Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
82
Outperform
$171.61M16.7819.61%3.00%4.90%31.13%
69
Neutral
$1.27B33.788.33%0.35%15.93%12.72%
64
Neutral
$96.73M56.461.26%12.94%-81.09%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
61
Neutral
$617.22M26.444.32%-10.46%88.34%
54
Neutral
$265.66M-5.87-1421.39%7.06%12.25%
47
Neutral
$213.87M-160.80-0.34%-100.27%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KE
Kimball Electronics
25.49
6.95
37.49%
ESP
Espey Mfg & Electronics
58.00
33.10
132.93%
PLPC
Preformed Line Products Company
259.31
126.23
94.85%
ULBI
Ultralife
5.81
-0.69
-10.62%
SKYX
SKYX Platforms
2.02
0.49
32.03%
AIRJ
Montana Technologies
3.20
-4.12
-56.28%

Kimball Electronics Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Kimball Electronics Unveils New Indianapolis Medical Manufacturing Facility
Positive
Jan 8, 2026

On January 8, 2026, Kimball Electronics announced it will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 6, 2026, to mark the opening of its new advanced medical manufacturing and innovation facility in Indianapolis, which will serve the medical and life sciences industries and is expected to expand the company’s manufacturing capacity and local community presence. The company also revealed plans to rebrand as Kimball Solutions, Inc., beginning with a phased global rollout in July 2026 subject to necessary approvals, a move that reflects its broadened capabilities and solutions-driven strategy and is intended to reinforce its long-term commitment to innovation, comprehensive customer solutions, and growth in the EMS and CMO markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (KE) stock is a Buy with a $32.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kimball Electronics stock, see the KE Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Kimball Electronics Shareholders Re-Elect Directors at Annual Meeting
Neutral
Nov 18, 2025

At the Annual Meeting of Share Owners held on November 14, 2025, Kimball Electronics‘ Share Owners voted on several key items. The Share Owners re-elected Class II director nominees Michele A. M. Holcomb, Tom G. Vadaketh, and Holly A. Van Deursen with a high percentage of votes in favor. Deloitte & Touche, LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026, and the compensation for the company’s Named Executive Officers was approved on a non-binding, advisory basis. Additionally, the Board maintained its Committee and Chairperson appointments, with Robert J. Phillippy continuing as Chairperson.

The most recent analyst rating on (KE) stock is a Buy with a $32.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kimball Electronics stock, see the KE 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 07, 2026