A.O. Smith

AOS

Market cap $9.91B

AOS expands its water management portfolio with the $470 million acquisition of Leonard Valve, boosting digital and thermostatic mixing offerings.

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) will release its fourth quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, Jan. 29, and has scheduled an investor conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m.

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global water technology company A. O. Smith Corporation (the "Company" or "A.

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leonard Valve Company ("Leonard Valve" or the "Company"), a leading provider of water temperature and flow control solutions, and Bessemer Investors LLC ("Bessemer"), a New York-based investment firm, today announced that Bessemer has completed the sale of Leonard Valve to A. O. Smith Corporation ("A.

AOS gains from North America strength, expands via acquisitions and boosts shareholder returns, but faces China softness and rising costs.

The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat ETF (NOBL) underperformed SPY in 2025, gaining 7.2% versus SPY's 18.42%. Despite average underperformance, select Aristocrats like CAH (+74.18%), ALB (+66.90%), and CHRW (+61.22%) delivered strong double-digit returns. Dividend growth for the Aristocrats slowed to 5.52% in 2025, down from 5.78% in 2024, with 68 of 69 raising payouts.

The market appears expensive, with historical precedent for long periods of low returns after peaks. Consensus expects 15% S&P 500 earnings growth and rising margins, driven by AI innovation, supporting a steady long-term outlook. Analyst forecasts for 2026 should be viewed skeptically, as actual outcomes often diverge from consensus projections.

A. O. Smith is rated Buy, with risk/reward attractive as growth and margins are set to accelerate from FY26. North America drives ~75% of revenue; interest rate cuts and housing recovery should fuel market share gains and sales growth. Margin expansion is supported by pricing, cost control, mix shift to high-efficiency products, and accretive acquisitions like Leonard Valve.

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia wins the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, becoming the program's first honoree after a record-setting, standout season.

AOS rides strong North American heater demand and strategic acquisitions, though China weakness and rising costs pose challenges.