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Mueller Water Products (MWA)
NYSE:MWA

Mueller Water Products (MWA) AI Stock Analysis

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MWA

Mueller Water Products

(NYSE:MWA)

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Outperform 79 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$32.00
▲(14.57% Upside)
Score is driven primarily by strong financial performance (notable margin expansion and improving leverage) and a constructive earnings update with raised FY2026 guidance and solid cash generation. Technicals are supportive with a clear uptrend, though momentum is getting stretched. Valuation is the main constraint given a ~22.6 P/E and ~1% yield.
Positive Factors
Margin Expansion & Profitability
Sustained multi-year margin expansion and stronger net margins indicate durable pricing power and operational leverage. Higher profitability improves return on equity and cash flow generation, supporting reinvestment and resilience through industry cycles rather than relying on one-off gains.
Strong Cash Generation & Liquidity
Robust cash flow and sizable liquidity give the company flexibility to fund capex, restructure operations, pay down debt, or pursue acquisitions. The lack of near-term maturities reduces refinancing risk and provides a multi-year runway to execute strategic improvements and absorb cyclical downturns.
Operational Efficiency Gains
Realized manufacturing efficiencies and targeted capex create a lower-cost structural footprint and higher incremental margins. These changes can permanently reduce unit costs, improve capacity for specialty products, and sustain margin gains as pricing actions and operational changes fully phase in.
Negative Factors
Tariff and Inflation Headwinds
Sustained tariffs and elevated input inflation are structural cost risks for a brass- and metals-intensive business. They can erode margins if price realization lags or volumes weaken, force continual price increases that pressure demand, and complicate long-term margin modeling and contract competitiveness.
WMS Segment Profitability Pressure
A material margin pullback in the WMS segment signals operational or mix problems particular to that business. Persistent inefficiencies, higher SG&A, unfavorable FX or tariff exposure in one segment can cap consolidated margin progress and require continued investments or restructuring to restore profitability.
Variable Cash Conversion
Inconsistent cash conversion raises forecast risk and constrains long-term financial planning. Variable working capital and episodic negative FCF years reduce the predictability of funds available for dividends, buybacks, or acquisitions, increasing sensitivity to downturns despite recent strong quarters.

Mueller Water Products (MWA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Mueller Water Products Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMueller Water Products Inc. manufactures and markets products and services used in the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water in North America and internationally. Its products and services are used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries. It operates through two segments, Infrastructure and Technologies. The company's Infrastructure segment manufactures and sells valves for water and gas systems, including iron gate, butterfly, tapping, check, knife, plug, automatic control, and ball valves; and dry-barrel and wet-barrel fire hydrants and service brass products, as well as a line of pipe repair products, such as clamps and couplings used to repair leaks. This segment offers its products under Canada Valve, Centurion, Ez-Max, Hydro Gate, Hydro-Guard, HYMAX, HYMAX VERSA, Jones, Krausz, Milliken, Mueller, Pratt, Pratt Industrial, Repamax, Repaflex, and Singer brands. Its Technologies segment offers residential and commercial water metering, water leak detection and pipe condition assessment products, systems, and services. It offers products under Echologics, Echoshore, ePulse, Hersey, LeakFinderRT, LeakFinderST, LeakListener, LeakTuner, Mi.Echo, Mi.Data, Mi.Hydrant, Mi.Net, Mueller Systems, and Sentryx brands. The company was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
How the Company Makes MoneyMueller Water Products generates revenue through the sale of its wide range of water and wastewater products, including valves, hydrants, and metering technologies. The company primarily sells its products to municipalities and water utilities, which are often funded through government contracts and projects. Key revenue streams include direct sales through its distribution network, as well as partnerships with various municipal and industrial clients. Additionally, the company benefits from ongoing maintenance contracts and the provision of smart water management solutions, which enhance its earnings stability. Strategic partnerships with other infrastructure firms and active participation in government projects also contribute to its overall revenue growth.

Mueller Water Products Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 04, 2026
(Q1-2026)
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% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 11, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed a positive tone driven by strong first-quarter financial performance (record net sales, margins, adjusted EBITDA and EPS), robust cash generation, improved leverage and a raised full-year outlook. Operational actions — notably manufacturing efficiencies from foundry changes and recent price increases — supported margin expansion. Headwinds remain from higher tariffs (notably on brass), inflation, certain volume declines (service brass, natural gas, residential), and segment-specific pressures in WMS that compressed margins. On balance, the company’s operational improvements, liquidity, and raised guidance outweigh the challenges, though management flagged ongoing tariff and inflation effects that will require continued mitigation.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly Results
Net sales increased 4.6% to $318.2M; gross profit rose 16.3% to $119.8M; gross margin expanded 380 bps to 37.6%. Company reported first-quarter records for net sales, gross margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin.
Adjusted EBITDA and Margins Expansion
Adjusted EBITDA reached a first-quarter record of $72.1M, up 13.5% year-over-year; adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 180 bps to 22.7%. Trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA was $335M or 23.2% of net sales, a 90 bps improvement.
Profitability and EPS Improvement
Adjusted operating income increased 14.5% to $60.0M with adjusted operating margin up 170 bps to 18.9%. Adjusted net income per diluted share rose 16% to $0.29, a first-quarter record.
Strong Cash Generation and Balance Sheet Flexibility
Net cash provided by operating activities was $61.2M (+$7.1M YoY); free cash flow of $44M (96% of adjusted net income). Ended quarter with $460M cash, $452M total debt, no maturities until June 2029, and $623M total liquidity (including $164M ABL availability).
Raised Full-Year Guidance
Company raised FY2026 guidance: consolidated net sales growth now expected to be 2.8%–4.2% (midpoint +$20M), and increased adjusted EBITDA guidance by $10M at midpoint to $355M–$360M. Midpoint implies adjusted EBITDA margin >24% (greater than 100 bps YoY improvement).
Segment Win — WFS Margin Surge
WFS adjusted operating income increased 28% to $49.4M; adjusted EBITDA grew 26.4% to $56.5M. WFS adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 710 bps to 32.7%, setting a new quarterly record, driven by manufacturing efficiencies and pricing.
Operational Improvements and Strategic Investments
Manufacturing efficiencies (benefits from closure of legacy brass foundry) contributed materially to margin expansion. Capital expenditures of $17.2M in the quarter reflect investment in iron foundries; company reaffirmed FY CapEx guidance of $60M–$65M to drive capacity and further efficiencies.
Commercial Momentum in Specialty and Hydrants
Volume growth in specialty valves and hydrants contributed to results; company expects project-related specialty valve work to grow mid- to high-single-digits and municipal repair & replacement to grow low- to mid-single-digits, offsetting residential weakness.
Negative Updates
Tariff and Inflation Headwinds
Higher tariffs (primarily brass) and inflationary pressures weighed on costs. Company estimates approximately a 3% impact from tariffs in guidance and noted tariffs more than doubled typical low-single-digit inflation rates.
WMS Segment Profitability Pressure
WMS net sales rose 12% to $145.2M, but adjusted operating income decreased 11.2% to $24.5M and adjusted EBITDA declined 9.5% to $29.5M. WMS adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 480 bps to 20.3% due to increased tariffs, manufacturing inefficiencies, higher SG&A and unfavorable foreign currency.
Volume Softness in Key Areas
Slightly lower volumes overall versus prior year with specific volume declines in service brass, natural gas distribution and repair products. Residential construction exposure expected to decline high single-digits, pressuring certain product lines.
Increased SG&A and Operational Charges
Total SG&A for the quarter increased $5.9M YoY to $59.8M driven by higher personnel costs, inflationary pressures and unfavorable FX. Operating income included $3.3M of strategic reorganization and other charges excluded from adjusted results.
Manufacturing Inefficiencies in WMS Near-Term
WMS experienced manufacturing inefficiencies that, together with tariffs and SG&A increases, outweighed pricing benefits in the quarter, contributing to margin contraction despite top-line growth.
Company Guidance
Mueller raised fiscal 2026 guidance, increasing consolidated net‑sales midpoint by $20 million to imply growth of 2.8%–4.2% year‑over‑year and raising adjusted EBITDA by $10 million at the midpoint to a new range of $355M–$360M (implying >24% adjusted EBITDA margin at the midpoint, +100+ bps y/y). Management expects second‑half adjusted EBITDA margin to exceed first half as recently announced price actions phase in (main benefit in fiscal Q3), with price realization in the low‑ to mid‑single digits, slightly positive volumes at the midpoint, an incorporated ~3% tariff headwind net of efficiencies, capital expenditures reaffirmed at $60M–$65M, and free cash flow to exceed 85% of adjusted net income. Supporting Q1 performance and balance‑sheet strength: Q1 net sales $318.2M (+4.6%), gross margin 37.6% (+380 bps), adjusted operating margin 18.9%, adjusted EBITDA $72.1M (22.7% margin) and LTM adjusted EBITDA $335M (23.2% of sales), Q1 free cash flow $44M (96% of adjusted net income), capex YTD $17.2M, total debt $452M, cash $460M, total liquidity $623M (ABL availability $164M), no debt maturities until June 2029 and $450M of 4.0% senior notes.

Mueller Water Products Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong multi-year improvement in revenue and profitability, with material margin expansion and higher ROE alongside declining leverage. Main offset is cash-flow variability, including uneven free-cash-flow history and recent operating cash flow running below net income.
Income Statement
86
Very Positive
MWA shows a clear multi-year improvement in profitability and scale. Revenue rose from $1.11B (FY2021) to $1.43B (FY2025 annual), and margins expanded materially (gross margin ~29.7% in FY2023 to ~36.1% in FY2025 annual; net margin ~6.7% to ~13.4% over the same span). TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) profitability remains strong (EBIT margin ~18.9%, net margin ~13.4%). The main watch-out is that the latest growth rate shown for TTM appears unusually high versus prior years, suggesting growth may be more volatile or impacted by how the period is captured.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Leverage looks manageable and has improved over time: debt-to-equity decreased from ~0.71 (FY2022) to ~0.46 (FY2025 annual and TTM). Equity has grown steadily (about $669M in FY2022 to about $982M in FY2025 annual), supporting a stronger capital base. Returns also strengthened (return on equity ~21.2% in TTM versus ~10–14% in FY2021–FY2024), which is a positive signal. The key downside is that total debt remains sizable at roughly $451M, so the balance sheet is sound but not “debt-light.”
Cash Flow
74
Positive
Cash generation is solid with TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) operating cash flow of ~$226M and free cash flow of ~$174M. Free cash flow generally tracks earnings reasonably well (TTM free cash flow is ~78% of net income). However, cash conversion is not consistently strong across years: operating cash flow has been below net income in the most recent periods (coverage ~0.76 in FY2025 annual and TTM), and the company experienced a weak year in FY2022 with negative free cash flow. Free cash flow growth is also uneven (strong in FY2024, weaker in FY2025 annual), implying some variability in working capital and/or investment spend.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.43B1.31B1.28B1.25B1.11B
Gross Profit516.70M459.00M379.50M364.30M358.50M
EBITDA300.50M250.10M188.90M175.70M177.20M
Net Income191.70M115.90M85.50M76.60M70.40M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.84B1.64B1.50B1.50B1.52B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments431.50M309.90M160.30M146.50M227.50M
Total Debt451.60M477.50M472.10M473.70M475.50M
Total Liabilities857.20M825.80M793.50M828.80M823.10M
Stockholders Equity981.70M810.10M711.50M669.30M694.90M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow172.00M191.40M61.40M-2.40M94.00M
Operating Cash Flow219.30M238.80M109.00M52.30M156.70M
Investing Cash Flow-47.10M-47.20M-42.10M-54.90M-81.70M
Financing Cash Flow-58.30M-46.00M-48.80M-72.00M-58.80M

Mueller Water Products Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price27.93
Price Trends
50DMA
25.31
Positive
100DMA
25.14
Positive
200DMA
25.11
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.73
Negative
RSI
71.02
Negative
STOCH
60.58
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MWA, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 27.93 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.55, above the 50-day MA of 25.31, and above the 200-day MA of 25.11, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.73 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 71.02 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 60.58 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for MWA.

Mueller Water Products Risk Analysis

Mueller Water Products disclosed 36 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Mueller Water Products reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Mueller Water Products Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$4.30B21.7821.40%1.09%8.75%64.82%
79
Outperform
$10.14B23.2020.97%1.17%3.19%69.89%
77
Outperform
$10.24B31.6717.81%0.70%4.18%16.05%
66
Neutral
$6.11B197.031.58%7.81%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
60
Neutral
$7.97B-35.60-6.20%0.27%-159.24%
59
Neutral
$10.40B32.8112.38%5.52%9.03%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MWA
Mueller Water Products
27.93
0.41
1.48%
FLS
Flowserve
78.98
16.58
26.57%
GNRC
Generac Holdings
172.37
29.66
20.78%
MIDD
The Middleby
156.72
-10.39
-6.22%
WTS
Watts Water Technologies
308.80
103.31
50.27%
MIR
Mirion Technologies
23.21
6.93
42.57%

Mueller Water Products Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Mueller Water Products Highlights FY2025 Financial Performance
Positive
Nov 10, 2025

Mueller Water Products has released an updated investor presentation highlighting its financial performance and strategic initiatives. The company reported $1,430 million in net sales for FY2025 and emphasized its commitment to sustainability, having identified significant water loss savings and reduced waste. The presentation underscores Mueller’s focus on operational excellence, customer experience, and innovation to drive growth and expand margins.

The most recent analyst rating on (MWA) stock is a Hold with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Mueller Water Products stock, see the MWA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Mueller Water Products Announces CEO Retirement and Successor
Positive
Nov 6, 2025

On November 6, 2025, Mueller Water Products announced the retirement of CEO Marietta E. Zakas, effective February 9, 2026, with Paul McAndrew appointed as her successor. McAndrew, who has been with the company since 2022, will also join the Board of Directors. Zakas will serve as a Senior Advisor until December 31, 2026, ensuring a smooth transition. This leadership change is part of a strategic succession plan aimed at maintaining the company’s positive momentum and operational success. The transition is expected to have significant implications for Mueller’s future growth and stakeholder engagement.

The most recent analyst rating on (MWA) stock is a Buy with a $29.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Mueller Water Products stock, see the MWA 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 05, 2026