Hexcel (HXL) Q4 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates

Hexcel (HXL) reported $491.3 million in revenue for the quarter ended December 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 3.7%. EPS of $0.52 for the same period compares to $0.52 a year ago.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +2.7% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $478.38 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.50, the EPS surprise was +4.31%.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.Here is how Hexcel performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:Net Sales- Commercial Aerospace- Composite Materials: $257.9 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $246.71 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +10.3%.Net Sales- Defense, Space & Other- Composite Materials: $136.6 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $129.02 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +24%.Net Sales- Commercial Aerospace- Engineered Products: $41.6 million versus $46.92 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -6.5% change.Net Sales- Engineered products: $98.5 million compared to the $101.09 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -0.2% year over year.Net Sales- Defense, Space & Other- Engineered Products: $55.2 million versus $54.17 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +4% change.Net Sales- Composite Materials: $415.1 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $375.72 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +5%.Net Sales- Defense, Space & Other- Total: $191.8 million compared to the $183.59 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +17.5% year over year.Net Sales- Commercial Aerospace- Total: $299.5 million versus $292.24 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +7.6% change.Operating income- Composite Materials: $85.2 million versus $39.49 million estimated by three analysts on average.Operating income- Corporate & Other: $-31.8 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $-3.22 million.Operating income- Engineered Products: $8 million versus $16.67 million estimated by three analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Hexcel here>>>Shares of Hexcel have returned +7.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.#1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA)The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow.One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.See This Stock Now for Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hexcel Corporation (HXL): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks