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Wesco International (WCC)
NYSE:WCC

Wesco International (WCC) AI Stock Analysis

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WCC

Wesco International

(NYSE:WCC)

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Neutral 66 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$319.00
▲(7.28% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/25/26
The score is driven primarily by mixed fundamentals: strong balance-sheet improvement is offset by a pronounced TTM cash-flow deterioration and some margin pressure. The latest earnings call meaningfully supports the outlook with guidance for stronger 2026 growth and a large free-cash-flow rebound. Technicals are moderately positive (uptrend vs. key moving averages) while valuation is middling given a ~22 P/E and low yield.
Positive Factors
Stronger balance sheet
Material deleveraging and steady equity growth strengthen financial flexibility, lowering refinancing and liquidity risk. A stronger capital base supports investment in digital transformation, opportunistic buybacks and dividend increases while providing resilience across business cycles.
Data-center & CSS secular growth
Rapid data-center and CSS growth represents a durable, higher-margin end-market exposure. Large, recurring project revenues and expanding backlog improve visibility and support outsized segment profitability versus legacy distribution lines over multiple quarters.
Clear 2026 cash & margin improvement plan
Management provided a specific path to materially better cash conversion, margin expansion and disciplined capital allocation (debt paydown, buybacks, dividend hike). Clear targets improve accountability and, if executed, would sustainably enhance balance-sheet optionality.
Negative Factors
Sharp free-cash-flow drop
A steep FCF decline driven by receivables and inventory accumulation reduces near-term financial flexibility and raises execution risk for 2026 targets. Given historical FCF volatility, hitting projected cash conversion will require sustained working-capital discipline across quarters.
Gross margin pressure
Margin compression from project/product mix and competitive pricing in certain end markets is structurally significant for a distributor with thin margins. Persistent mix shifts or aggressive competitor pricing could constrain EBITDA expansion despite revenue growth.
UBS/public-power and broadband cyclicality
Exposure to cyclical utilities and broadband segments produces uneven recovery timing and margin volatility. While other segments offset some weakness, prolonged normalization in public power or broadband could sustain revenue and cash-flow headwinds over multiple quarters.

Wesco International (WCC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Wesco International Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWESCO International, Inc. provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). The EES segment supplies products and supply chain solutions, including electrical equipment and supplies, automation and connected devices, security, lighting, wire and cable, and safety, as well as maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. This segment also offers contractor solutions, direct and indirect manufacturing supply chain optimization programs, lighting and renewables advisory services, and digital and automation solutions. The CSS segment operates in the network infrastructure and security markets. This segment sells products directly to end-users or through various channels, including data communications contractors, security, network, professional audio/visual, and systems integrators. It also provides safety and energy management solutions. The UBS segment offers products and services to investor-owned utilities; public power companies; and service and wireless providers, broadband operators, and contractors. This segment's products include wire and cable, transformers, transmission and distribution hardware, switches, protective devices, connectors, conduits, pole line hardware, racks, cabinets, safety and MRO products, and point-to-point wireless devices. This segment also offers various service solutions, including fiber project management, high and medium voltage project design and support, pre-wired meters and capacitor banks, meter testing and metering infrastructure installation, personal protective equipment dielectric testing, and tool repair, as well as emergency response, storage yard, materials, and logistics management. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
How the Company Makes MoneyWesco International generates revenue primarily through the sale of a broad range of electrical and industrial products to customers in various industries. The company operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model, catering to contractors, industrial manufacturers, and government entities. Key revenue streams include the sale of electrical and electronic equipment, lighting products, safety gear, and communication systems. Additionally, Wesco earns income from services such as inventory management, logistics, and supply chain optimization, which provide customers with tailored solutions to streamline their operations. Strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers in the electrical and industrial sectors further enhance Wesco's product offerings and competitive positioning, contributing significantly to its revenue generation.

Wesco International Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 10, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call emphasized strong top-line momentum driven by an exceptional data center cycle, record backlog, solid segment-level performance (particularly CSS and EES), an upgraded shareholder return profile, and a constructive 2026 outlook for revenue, margins, EPS, and materially improved free cash flow. Offsetting these positives are 2025 cash conversion weaknesses, gross margin pressure from project mix and public power competition (impacting UBS), higher interest expense from financing activity, and some seasonal/inventory-driven working capital builds. Overall, management presented a credible path to improved cash generation and margin expansion in 2026 while acknowledging near-term working capital and public power headwinds.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly and Strong Full-Year Sales
Q4 revenue of $6.1 billion, up 10% year-over-year with 9% organic growth; full-year sales of $23.5 billion, up 8% with organic sales up 9%.
Data Center Sales Surge
Q4 data center sales ~ $1.2 billion (≈ +30% YoY); full-year data center sales $4.3 billion, up approximately 50% and representing ~18% of 2025 company sales; CSS data center growth drove outsized contribution.
Business Unit Outperformance — CSS & EES
CSS: Q4 organic sales +14% (reported +16%), full-year organic +17%, CSS backlog nearly +40% YoY; CSS adjusted EBITDA margin 9.1% (+90 bps) and segment adjusted EBITDA grew ~30% in Q4. EES: Q4 organic +9%, full-year organic +8%, Q4 adjusted EBITDA +16% with margin expanding 50 bps to 8.5%.
Backlog and Demand Momentum
Company backlog up 19% YoY; CSS backlog up ~40% and UBS backlog up 23%, indicating strong near-term project visibility across segments.
2026 Outlook — Above-Market Growth and Profitability Targets
Guidance for reported sales growth of 5%–8% and organic sales 4%–7% for 2026; adjusted EBITDA margin guidance 6.6%–7.0%; adjusted diluted EPS guidance $14.50–$16.50 (midpoint ≈ +20% YoY).
Material Free Cash Flow Improvement Targeted for 2026
Management expects free cash flow of $500 million to $800 million in 2026, a substantial improvement from $54 million generated in 2025 as working capital conversion improves.
Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns
Plan to increase annual common stock dividend by >10% to $2.00 per share (~$100 million annually); continued priorities: debt reduction, disciplined share repurchases, and selective M&A.
Digital Transformation & Recognition
Deployed new tech stack pilots across SBUs with a centralized data lake and AI applications planned; Fortune inaugural AI ranking placed WESCO at #10 among Fortune 500 companies.
Leadership Continuity
Planned CFO succession: David Schulz to retire May 2026 and transition responsibilities to incoming CFO Neil Deve; structured transition to preserve continuity.
Negative Updates
Weak Free Cash Flow in 2025
Free cash flow for full-year 2025 was only $54 million, pressured by higher accounts receivable and a meaningful inventory build during a period of strong sales growth.
Gross Margin Pressure and Mix Headwinds
Full-year gross margin declined 50 basis points to 21.1% YoY, attributed to project and product mix and public power competitive pressures; company-wide adjusted EBITDA margin only modestly higher at 6.5% for the year (+10 bps).
UBS Segment Challenges — Public Power Weakness
UBS full-year reported sales declined 5% (organic -1%); Q4 UBS organic +3% but adjusted EBITDA margin down ~120 bps in Q4 (full-year UBS margin down ~90 bps), driven largely by public power softness and aggressive price competition (notably in transformers).
Broadband and Public Power Near-Term Softness
Broadband declined high single digits in Q4 YoY (difficult prior-year comp); public power customers remain inventory-normalizing and under price pressure with return to growth expected only by year-end 2026.
Higher Interest Expense and One-Time Items
Interest expense rose due to issuance of 2033 notes to fund preferred redemption; also a ~ $10 million one-time adjustment to interest on taxes payable impacted non-operating items.
Elevated SG&A (Quarterly Comparator Effect)
SG&A increased in Q4 (up ~11% YoY in dollars) driven primarily by the restoration of incentive compensation compared to a lower base in Q4 2024, temporarily reducing operating leverage.
Company Guidance
Management guided 2026 to reported sales growth of 5–8% (organic 4–7%), including a roughly one‑point benefit from FX, with ~2–5 points of volume and ~2 points of carryover pricing assumed (no M&A or workday impact); by segment they expect CSS (≈39% of revenue) to grow high‑single‑digits+ with data center up mid‑teens, EES to grow mid‑single‑digits, and UBS to grow low‑to‑mid‑single‑digits with grid services accelerating to double‑digit growth and public power returning to growth by year‑end. They forecast adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.6%–7.0%, adjusted diluted EPS of $14.50–$16.50 (midpoint ≈20% growth), and free cash flow of $500M–$800M while net working capital is expected to grow at roughly half the rate of sales (reducing NWC% and improving cash conversion). Near‑term priorities include continued tech‑enabled transformation investments, debt reduction and opportunistic buybacks, and a >10% dividend increase to $2.00/share (~$100M annualized); Q1 is expected to show high‑single‑digit reported sales growth, an improved EBITDA margin, and a Q1 tax rate of ~25%.

Wesco International Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Balance sheet strength is a clear positive (material deleveraging in TTM and steadily rising equity), but operating performance has softened from prior peaks with TTM margin compression and net income below 2022–2024 levels. The biggest drag is cash flow: TTM shows a sharp step-down in operating and free cash flow versus the prior year and historical volatility, which lowers confidence in near-term cash conversion.
Income Statement
66
Positive
Revenue expanded meaningfully from 2020–2023, but growth turned slightly negative in 2024 and then re-accelerated in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). Profitability is solid for a distributor, with net margins improving sharply versus 2020, though margins have compressed in TTM versus 2022–2024 (notably lower gross and operating margins). Net income also softened from 2022–2024 and remained below prior peaks in TTM, suggesting the earnings profile is currently less favorable than the recent high-water mark.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Leverage improved dramatically in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), with very low debt relative to equity versus the prior multi-year pattern of roughly 1.1–1.6x. Equity has steadily grown since 2020, supporting a stronger capital base. Returns on equity have been consistently healthy (low-to-mid teens recently), though down from the 2022 peak, indicating profitability is good but not as strong as it was at the cycle high.
Cash Flow
38
Negative
Cash generation is the key weak spot. Operating cash flow and free cash flow were strong in 2023–2024, but TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) shows a sharp drop in both operating cash flow and free cash flow, with free cash flow down materially versus the prior year. While free cash flow still covers a meaningful portion of net income in TTM, the steep deterioration and historical volatility (including negative free cash flow in 2022) reduce confidence in near-term cash conversion.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue23.51B21.82B22.39B21.42B18.22B
Gross Profit4.77B4.71B4.84B4.66B3.79B
EBITDA1.44B1.50B1.56B1.61B1.05B
Net Income640.20M717.60M765.50M860.50M465.40M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets16.49B15.06B15.06B14.81B12.62B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments604.80M702.60M524.10M527.30M212.58M
Total Debt7.48B5.68B5.96B5.93B5.13B
Total Liabilities11.47B10.10B10.03B10.36B8.84B
Stockholders Equity5.03B4.97B5.04B4.45B3.78B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow25.20M1.01B400.90M-88.37M12.39M
Operating Cash Flow125.00M1.10B493.20M11.04M67.14M
Investing Cash Flow-140.70M40.40M-89.60M-283.57M2.54M
Financing Cash Flow-92.70M-928.30M-403.90M584.03M-310.78M

Wesco International Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price297.36
Price Trends
50DMA
278.92
Positive
100DMA
261.24
Positive
200DMA
228.94
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
4.20
Positive
RSI
53.14
Neutral
STOCH
34.21
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WCC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 297.36 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 298.16, above the 50-day MA of 278.92, and above the 200-day MA of 228.94, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 4.20 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 53.14 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 34.21 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WCC.

Wesco International Risk Analysis

Wesco International disclosed 30 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Wesco International 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

Wesco International Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$53.37B31.7048.10%0.86%4.83%-3.60%
76
Outperform
£51.20B26.4732.90%1.35%4.92%18.72%
75
Outperform
$52.20B41.5633.30%2.10%6.92%5.98%
72
Outperform
$10.53B26.8622.02%0.70%4.03%5.93%
66
Neutral
$14.39B22.6712.91%0.72%5.28%1.97%
64
Neutral
$5.23B25.5914.84%3.96%-1.35%-22.24%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WCC
Wesco International
297.36
117.81
65.61%
AIT
Applied Industrial Technologies
280.76
37.48
15.41%
FAST
Fastenal Company
44.63
8.45
23.34%
MSM
MSC Industrial
93.07
18.06
24.08%
GWW
WW Grainger
1,117.18
117.95
11.80%
FERG
Ferguson PLC
260.66
87.57
50.59%

Wesco International Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Wesco International Refinances Debt With New Senior Notes
Positive
Feb 25, 2026

On February 24, 2026, Wesco International announced that its subsidiary, Wesco Distribution, had launched and priced a private offering of $650 million in 5.250% senior notes due 2031 and $850 million in 5.500% senior notes due 2034, increasing the 2034 tranche from a previously planned $650 million. The unsecured, unsubordinated notes will be guaranteed by Wesco and its subsidiary Anixter Inc. and will be sold only to qualified institutional buyers in the U.S. and certain non-U.S. investors under standard private placement exemptions.

Wesco Distribution plans to use the net proceeds, together with borrowings and temporary repayments under its receivables securitization facility and asset-based revolving credit facility, to redeem all of its outstanding 7.250% senior notes due 2028 on or after June 15, 2026 and to reduce borrowings under its ABL facility. The transaction effectively refinances higher-cost 2028 debt with longer-dated notes, which is expected to optimize Wesco’s capital structure and extend its debt maturity profile, potentially lowering interest expense and improving financial flexibility for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (WCC) stock is a Buy with a $313.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wesco International stock, see the WCC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Wesco International Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition
Neutral
Feb 17, 2026

Wesco International, Inc. announced a planned chief financial officer transition in February 2026, reflecting an orderly leadership change in its finance organization. The company reported that David S. Schulz remained Executive Vice President and CFO until a mutually agreed transition date, after which he would shift into an advisory role prior to retirement.

The effective date of the CFO handover to Indraneel “Neel” Dev was February 16, 2026, marking his assumption of the Executive Vice President and CFO roles. Schulz will continue as Executive Vice President and special advisor to the CEO until his retirement on May 31, 2026, providing continuity in financial leadership during the transition period.

The most recent analyst rating on (WCC) stock is a Buy with a $313.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wesco International stock, see the WCC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Wesco International Posts Record 2025 Results, Raises Dividend
Positive
Feb 10, 2026

Wesco International reported record fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on February 10, 2026, with quarterly net sales up 10.3% year on year to $6.1 billion and full-year sales rising 7.8% to $23.5 billion, including strong data center growth and a 19% increase in backlog. While earnings growth was mixed and free cash flow fell sharply due to higher working capital investment, management highlighted strong performance in the CSS and EES segments, challenges in UBS, ongoing digitalization and AI initiatives, a 2026 outlook calling for mid- to high-single-digit organic growth and margin expansion, and plans to lift the annual dividend by over 10% to $2.00 per share, signaling confidence in continued market outperformance.

The most recent analyst rating on (WCC) stock is a Buy with a $304.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wesco International stock, see the WCC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Wesco International Announces CFO Transition and New Appointment
Positive
Feb 10, 2026

On February 10, 2026, Wesco International Inc. announced that long-serving Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dave Schulz plans to retire effective May 31, 2026, after nearly a decade in the role. Schulz will remain CFO until an agreed date in February 2026 and then serve as executive vice president and special advisor to the CEO, with the company emphasizing that his decision was not due to any disagreement over its operations or policies.

To ensure continuity, Wesco said Indraneel “Neel” Dev will join as executive vice president and chief financial officer in February 2026, bringing senior finance experience from Congruex, Lumen Technologies and other telecom and infrastructure firms. His appointment, backed by a substantial mix of salary, cash bonus, equity incentives and severance protections, signals Wesco’s intent to reinforce its financial leadership as it pursues growth initiatives and value creation for shareholders during the CFO transition.

The most recent analyst rating on (WCC) stock is a Buy with a $304.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wesco International stock, see the WCC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Wesco International Elects New Independent Directors
Positive
Dec 8, 2025

On December 5, 2025, Wesco International‘s Board of Directors elected Michael L. Carter and David C. Wajsgras as independent directors, effective January 1, 2026. This change aligns with the company’s ongoing board refreshment strategy, as two current directors, Bobby Griffin and Steve Raymund, will retire in May 2026. The new appointments bring extensive expertise in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and global industrial sectors, which are expected to support Wesco’s strategic execution and long-term value creation for customers and shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (WCC) stock is a Buy with a $293.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wesco International stock, see the WCC 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 25, 2026