Columbus McKinnon rises 15.2% after stronger-than-expected quarterly results

What happened

Columbus McKinnon (CMCO) rose 15.2% on November 3, 2026, because of stronger-than-expected second-quarter fiscal 2027 results and an upward revision to full-year guidance. The company reported quarterly earnings per share of $0.61 against $0.38 expected and said net sales were up 107% year-over-year driven by the Kito Crosby acquisition. Seeking Alpha and Zacks Investment Research reported management said demand for intelligent motion products was broad-based and that Kito Crosby integration is ahead of plan.

How big was the move

The stock climbed 15.2% on the session, a move 4.3 times a typical daily move for this stock. Volume was 2.6 times its 20-day average, signalling unusually heavy trading. Over the last five sessions the stock rose 21.6%, while the S&P 500 over five sessions fell 2.0% and the Industrials sector median on the day rose 0.4%. Compared with its sector, the stock’s session performance was 14.8 percentage points better than the sector median. The stock has a beta of 1.43, so it tends to move more than the market.

The technical picture

The stock was 19.5% above its 20-day moving average and 11.5% above its 50-day moving average; it was 10.1% above its 200-day moving average. The 50-day average was below the 200-day average, a sign of a weak longer-term trend. The Relative Strength Index (14 days) was 68, which sits in a neutral range. The stock was 25.6% below the 52-week high. Over one month the stock rose 7.3%, over three months it fell 15.6%, and over one year it rose 11.8%, which is 1.2 percentage points ahead of the S&P 500. Volatility was 56% annualized over 60 days, higher than 76% of its own readings over five years.

Fundamentals and valuation

For the four quarters through September 30, 2026, the company reported revenue of $1.77 billion, which grew 80.7% from a year earlier and improved from growth of 55.2% one quarter earlier. Diluted earnings per share for the period were $-11.92; earnings per share growth from a year earlier fell 8590.0%. Gross margin was 29.8% (a year earlier: 33.7%), and operating margin was 1.3% (a year earlier: 4.1%). Free-cash-flow margin was 8.7% and return on invested capital was 1.1%. Share count over one year increased by 0.2%.

On a valuation basis the stock trades at 9.0 times expected earnings on a price to forward earnings basis and shows a free-cash-flow yield of 35.5%. PromtFinance scores rank the company within the Industrials sector as follows: Value 12 (Very weak), Growth 54 (Neutral), Quality 25 (Very weak), Momentum 61 (Neutral), Revisions 68 (Positive) and Stability 19 (Very weak). Those metrics point to rapid top-line expansion driven by acquisition but weaker profitability and balance-sheet stability.

Earnings and analyst expectations

The last report, on November 3, 2026, showed earnings per share of $0.61 against $0.38 expected, 60.5% above estimates, marking two consecutive quarters beating estimates. The average surprise over the last four reports is 38.1% above estimates and the typical two-day reaction after recent reports was that the stock rose 5.1%. Management raised the company’s full-year guidance for Net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS, citing the Kito Crosby acquisition and faster-than-expected integration progress reported by management to analysts and the press.

Eleven analysts cover the stock and the consensus rating is Buy, with 91% of share ratings Buy or Strong Buy. The consensus price target is $17.00, which is 6.3% below the closing price. The next report is scheduled for February 8, 2027. Taken together, the analyst coverage and recent upward guidance reflect a market that is rewarding the company for acquisition-driven growth even as margins and reported EPS for the trailing four quarters show strains.

What to watch

• February 8, 2027: next scheduled earnings report
• Quarterly net sales and any further statements on Kito Crosby integration and integration benefits
• Changes to guidance for Net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS in future company updates
• Movement of the 50-day average relative to the 200-day average and any change in the Relative Strength Index
• Analysts’ revision activity and any change in the consensus price target