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Knowles Corporation (KN)
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Knowles (KN) AI Stock Analysis

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KN

Knowles

(NYSE:KN)

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Outperform 70 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
$25.00
▲(9.75% Upside)
Knowles Corporation demonstrates strong operational efficiency and positive earnings call outcomes, which are significant strengths. However, the high P/E ratio and overbought technical indicators suggest caution. The company's stable financial position and positive earnings guidance are promising, but the lack of revenue growth and high valuation are key risks.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective sales strategies, particularly in the MedTech & Specialty Audio and Precision Devices segments.
Cash Flow Performance
Strong cash flow performance enhances financial flexibility, allowing the company to invest in growth opportunities and maintain shareholder returns through activities like share repurchases.
Segment Growth
Growth in key segments like MedTech & Specialty Audio underscores the company's ability to capitalize on industry trends and expand its market presence.
Negative Factors
Gross Margin Pressure
Declining gross margins can impact profitability, suggesting challenges in cost management and pricing power, which may affect long-term financial performance.
R&D and SG&A Expense Increases
Increasing R&D and SG&A expenses could pressure margins if not matched by revenue growth, potentially impacting future profitability and operational efficiency.
Negative Revenue Growth
Negative revenue growth indicates potential market or operational challenges, which could hinder the company's ability to sustain long-term growth and competitiveness.

Knowles (KN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Knowles Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKnowles Corporation (KN) is a leading provider of advanced micro-acoustic microphones, balanced armature speakers, and other audio solutions. The company operates primarily in the consumer electronics, mobile communications, and industrial markets, offering innovative products that enhance audio performance in various devices. Knowles is recognized for its cutting-edge technology in sound capture and reproduction, catering to manufacturers of smartphones, wearables, and other electronic devices.
How the Company Makes MoneyKnowles generates revenue through the sale of its audio components, particularly its MEMS microphones and speakers, which are integral to smartphones, tablets, and other consumer electronics. The company maintains key partnerships with major technology companies, allowing it to secure long-term contracts and a stable customer base. Additionally, Knowles benefits from a diversified product portfolio that includes both high-end and cost-effective audio solutions, enabling it to capture a wide market segment. The company's revenue model is primarily based on direct sales to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and ODMs (original design manufacturers), along with licensing agreements for its proprietary technologies.

Knowles Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 24, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a strong financial performance with significant revenue growth and increased EPS, driven by positive trends in the MedTech & Specialty Audio and Precision Devices segments. Despite some gross margin pressures and increased expenses, the company demonstrated strong cash flow and robust order activity. Overall, the positive highlights significantly outweighed the lowlights.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Q2 2025 revenue was $146 million, representing an 8% increase year-over-year and exceeding the high end of the guidance range.
EPS Increase
Earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 2025 was $0.24, up 20% year-over-year and above the midpoint of the guidance range.
Cash Flow Performance
Cash from operations was $36 million, exceeding the high end of the guidance range.
MedTech & Specialty Audio Segment Growth
Revenue for this segment was $67 million, up 13% sequentially and 10% year-over-year.
Precision Devices Segment Growth
Revenue for this segment was $79 million, up 8% sequentially and 6% year-over-year.
Bookings and Order Activity
Third consecutive quarter with positive bookings trends, with a book-to-bill ratio over 1.15 in the Precision Devices segment.
Share Repurchase Program
Repurchased $30 million in shares during Q2, funded by strong cash generation from operations.
Negative Updates
Gross Margin Pressure
Overall gross margins were 44.3%, with Q2 MedTech & Specialty Audio segment gross margins at 50.6%, down 280 basis points year-over-year due to unfavorable product mix and higher factory costs.
R&D and SG&A Expense Increases
R&D expenses were $9 million, slightly up from Q2 2024, and SG&A expenses were $28 million, up $2 million due to annual merit increases and higher incentive compensation costs.
Company Guidance
During the Q2 2025 earnings call, Knowles Corporation provided guidance that indicated strong performance and growth prospects. The company reported revenue of $146 million, an 8% year-over-year increase, and EPS of $0.24, up 20% from the previous year. Cash from operations was robust at $36 million, surpassing the high end of the guided range. For Q3 2025, Knowles expects revenues between $144 million and $154 million, with projected EPS ranging from $0.29 to $0.33. The company anticipates continued revenue growth in its MedTech & Specialty Audio and Precision Devices segments, driven by strong demand and new design wins. Knowles is also focused on expanding its specialty film production line and introducing new products like its inductor line to drive future growth. Despite market uncertainties, the company is optimistic about its organic growth potential and plans to continue share repurchases while maintaining manageable debt levels.

Knowles Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Knowles presents a stable financial profile with strong operational efficiency and a solid balance sheet. Despite challenges in revenue growth, the company maintains healthy profit margins and cash flow metrics, suggesting resilience. The conservative leverage and strong equity position provide a buffer against market fluctuations.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Knowles has shown a mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM data reveals a gross profit margin of 42.21%, which is healthy and indicates efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin is relatively low at 4.69%, reflecting challenges in converting revenue into profit. The revenue growth rate has been negative, with a decline of 9.46% in the TTM period, indicating potential market or operational challenges. Despite this, the EBIT and EBITDA margins are strong at 52.58% and 51.07%, respectively, suggesting robust operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet of Knowles shows a stable financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, indicating a conservative approach to leveraging. The return on equity is modest at 3.48%, suggesting moderate profitability from shareholders' investments. The equity ratio stands at 68.56%, reflecting a strong equity base relative to total assets, which enhances financial stability.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
Cash flow analysis indicates a positive trajectory with a free cash flow growth rate of 9.61% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.75, demonstrating a solid ability to generate cash from operations relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high at 0.87, indicating efficient cash conversion from profits.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue563.10M553.50M707.60M764.70M868.10M764.30M
Gross Profit237.70M234.80M283.40M276.30M359.50M271.20M
EBITDA287.60M51.80M98.90M-360.00M184.90M110.50M
Net Income26.40M-239.50M72.40M-430.10M150.40M2.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.09B1.12B1.46B1.18B1.73B1.65B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments103.20M130.10M87.30M48.20M68.90M147.80M
Total Debt210.90M213.00M286.70M60.60M96.10M194.00M
Total Liabilities342.20M362.20M428.70M191.00M272.10M351.40M
Stockholders Equity746.10M756.00M1.03B992.90M1.46B1.30B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow109.50M116.50M105.50M54.20M133.50M96.20M
Operating Cash Flow125.60M130.10M122.70M86.30M182.10M128.10M
Investing Cash Flow36.00M45.20M-141.60M-32.70M-129.60M-35.10M
Financing Cash Flow-142.50M-132.00M58.20M-73.20M-131.40M-23.90M

Knowles Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price22.78
Price Trends
50DMA
20.35
Positive
100DMA
18.67
Positive
200DMA
18.18
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.58
Negative
RSI
71.50
Negative
STOCH
77.75
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KN, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 22.78 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 21.62, above the 50-day MA of 20.35, and above the 200-day MA of 18.18, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.58 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 71.50 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 77.75 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KN.

Knowles Risk Analysis

Knowles disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Knowles 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

Knowles Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
1.35B33.426.87%-2.37%147.46%
78
Outperform
1.14B17.9315.38%24.14%16.17%
70
Outperform
$1.91B81.973.60%-28.85%
70
Outperform
830.51M13.6112.18%0.76%0.00%
65
Neutral
2.72B80.344.46%8.39%0.00%
56
Neutral
702.06M-7.25-64.24%3.52%81.33%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KN
Knowles
22.78
5.26
30.02%
ADTN
Adtran
9.58
3.84
66.90%
DGII
Digi International
38.11
11.18
41.52%
HLIT
Harmonic
10.49
-3.56
-25.34%
NTGR
Netgear
29.32
9.05
44.65%
VIAV
Viavi Solutions
12.34
3.96
47.26%

Knowles Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsShareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knowles Announces Investor Update Meeting on May 13
Positive
May 13, 2025

Knowles Corporation announced an investor update meeting scheduled for May 13, 2025, to discuss its business and financial outlook. The company is repositioning its portfolio towards higher-margin products and markets, including MedTech, Defense, and Industrial sectors, and aims for significant revenue and EBITDA growth over the next five years. The strategic shift involves divestitures and acquisitions, enhancing its market position and financial performance, which is expected to create value for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (KN) stock is a Buy with a $25.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Knowles stock, see the KN 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: Sep 19, 2025