moneyheap
AME · Analysis updated Nov 10, 2026, 6:00 PM ET
Why is AMETEK, Inc. (AME) stock moving?
AMETEK reported record Q3 2026 results on Nov 3: Electronic Instruments sales rose 16% to a record $1.44B, Electromechanical sales rose 20% to $778M, adjusted operating margin reached 26.8% (up 60 bps), and operating cash flow rose 27% to a record $560.6M. Management raised FY26 guidance, now calling for mid-teens sales growth including the completed Indicor Instrumentation acquisition. Despite the beat, the stock fell from a $248.58 close on Nov 3 to $222.99 on Nov 5 (about -10%) on heavy volume of 2.5M-2.8M shares, then recovered to $238.31 by Nov 10. Post-earnings price targets are mostly above the current price: RBC $308 (Outperform), Redburn $285, Mizuho $275 (Outperform, lowered), Citi $270 (Neutral, raised), and Baird $272 (lowered from $280), an average near $282 or roughly 18% above the Nov 10 close. Other items are routine or minor: a $0.34 quarterly dividend, a director's personal-reason resignation (Nov 6), SVP promotions effective Jan 1, 2027, a quantum microscope objective launch by subsidiary Special Optics, and a mixed shelf registration filed Nov 10 with terms undisclosed, which could bring future issuance. Net: the fundamental news flow is strong, but the market has not yet rewarded it, and the shelf filing and lowered targets add some caution.
News behind the analysis
- AMETEK Announces Record Third Quarter 2026 Results and Raises Full Year GuidanceAMETEK reported record Q3 2026 results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, and raised its full-year 2026 guidance.
- AMETEK Sees FY26 Sales Up Mid-Teens PercentThe raised FY26 outlook calls for sales growth in the mid-teens percent range, with adjusted EPS guidance including the expected Indicor Instrumentation contribution.
- AMETEK Q3 Operating Cash Flow Up 27% To Record $560.6M; Free Cash Flow Conversion 124%Q3 operating cash flow rose 27% to a record $560.6M, with free cash flow conversion at 124%.
- AMETEK Completes Acquisition Of Indicor InstrumentationAMETEK closed its acquisition of Indicor Instrumentation, which is now included in the raised full-year guidance.
- RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on AMETEK, Raises Price Target to $308RBC kept its Outperform rating and raised its price target to $308 after the third-quarter report.
- Citigroup Maintains Neutral on AMETEK, Raises Price Target to $270Citigroup kept its Neutral rating and raised its price target to $270, up from $263.
- Mizuho Maintains Outperform on AMETEK, Lowers Price Target to $275Mizuho kept its Outperform rating but lowered its price target to $275 after the quarterly results.
- Baird Adjusts AMETEK Price Target to $272 From $280Baird lowered its price target for AMETEK to $272 from $280.
- AMETEK Declares Regular Quarterly DividendAMETEK declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share for the fourth quarter of 2026.
- Ametek Files Prospectus For Offering Mixed Shelf; Terms UndisclosedAMETEK filed a prospectus for a mixed shelf offering, with no terms disclosed yet.
About Ametek, Inc.
AMETEK is a Pennsylvania-based maker of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices used in areas like aerospace, medical, power, process industries and research. It is known for growing mostly by steadily buying niche, high-margin instrument businesses, including the large Indicor Instrumentation deal in 2026, and for operating margins of roughly 27%.
How it makes money
AMETEK sells specialized products to industrial customers through two segments. Electronic Instruments (EIG) makes analytical, test, measurement and monitoring instruments and brings in roughly two-thirds of sales at higher margins. Electromechanical (EMG) makes precision motors, motion-control parts, specialty metals and aerospace components, making up roughly one-third of sales. Total sales in 2026 are running at about $8–9 billion a year, with about half coming from outside the US. Growth comes from both organic sales and acquisitions. The company took on more debt in 2026 to pay for acquisitions.
What usually moves AME
- Industrial and process-automation demand
- Aerospace and defense spending
- Acquisition activity and integration
- Order growth and backlog
- Margin execution and debt levels