Lear reported higher third-quarter revenue and earnings, with growth in both its Seating and E-Systems businesses outpacing the broader market. The automotive supplier also said it updated its full-year 2026 outlook, although the revised guidance figures are not included in the release text provided here.
Key details
- Revenue rose 2% to $5.8 billion, from $5.7 billion a year earlier. Lear said its total growth exceeded the market by 4 percentage points, with a 4-point advantage in Seating and 2 points in E-Systems.
- Core operating earnings increased 6% to $256 million, compared with $241 million in the third quarter of 2025.
- Net income climbed 26% to $137 million. Adjusted net income, which excludes certain items, rose 23% to $185 million from $150 million.
- Earnings per share were $2.74, up 36% year over year; adjusted earnings per share rose 33% to $3.71. Lear attributed the per-share gains to higher earnings and the benefit of its share repurchase program.
- Cash flow was lower despite the earnings growth. Cash provided by operating activities fell to $329 million from $444 million, while free cash flow declined to $158 million from $307 million.
- Lear said it updated its full-year 2026 financial outlook; the revised targets are not shown in the supplied release text.
Plain-English implications
Lear’s results show modest sales growth alongside faster growth in earnings, while cash generation weakened from a year earlier. The company’s repurchases also contributed to the larger increase in earnings per share than in net income.