Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. provides hand tools, power tools, outdoor products, and related accessories across the United States, Canada, Other Americas, Europe, and Asia. Its Tools & Outdoor segment offers professional-grade corded and cordless electric power tools and equipment, pneumatic tools and fasteners, household power tools, hand-held vacuums, small appliances, layout and demolition tools, drill and screwdriver bits, abrasives, saw blades, storage solutions, and electric and gas-powered lawn and garden products, sold under brands including DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, CUB CADET, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, and HUSTLER through retailers, third-party distributors, independent dealers, and a direct sales force. Its Industrial segment provides threaded fasteners, blind rivets and tools, blind inserts and tools, drawn arc weld studs and systems, engineered plastic and mechanical fasteners, self-piercing riveting systems, precision nut running systems, micro fasteners, high-strength structural fasteners, axel swage, latches, heat shields, pins, couplings, fittings, and other engineered products, sold through a direct sales force and third-party distributors to the automotive, manufacturing, electronics, construction, aerospace, and other industries. The company has a strategic partnership with I4F Licensing Nv, was formerly known as The Stanley Works, changed its name to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. in March 2010, was founded in 1843, and is headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut.
Stanley Black & Decker: Earnings Beat, Debt Paydown, Dividend Streak
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Aerospace strength and CAM divestiture Stanley Black & Decker's aerospace business grew 31% organically, lifting Engineered Fastening revenue. It sold its CAM unit for $1.8 billion, using proceeds to cut debt and fund a new $500 million buyback. This reduces leverage and sharpens focus, supporting the stock.
This is a major strategic move that improves the balance sheet and growth outlook, directly affecting SWK's value.
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Q2 earnings beat and raised guidance Q2 profit jumped to $351.3 million, or $1.57 adjusted EPS, beating estimates. Management raised full-year EPS guidance to $5.20-$5.80 and free cash flow to $600-$800 million, citing tariff refunds and productivity. Strong results and outlook boost investor confidence.
Earnings beat and guidance raise are key drivers of stock price and show improving financial health.
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Debt reduction and dividend increase The company paid down $1.7 billion of debt in Q2, cutting leverage. It also raised its dividend for the 58th straight year, nearing Dividend King status. Lower debt and a growing dividend make the stock more attractive to income and value investors.
Debt reduction and dividend growth are fundamental positives that can drive the stock higher over time.
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Potential benefit from rising interest rates Bank of America named Stanley Black & Decker as a dividend stock that could benefit if the Fed raises rates to fight inflation. Higher rates may support dividend payers, but also raise borrowing costs. The net effect is uncertain, but the mention highlights its income appeal.
This is a new external view that could influence investor sentiment, though its impact is less direct than company-specific news.
Q3 2026
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Stanley Black & Decker: Earnings Beat, Debt Paydown, Dividend Streak
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Aerospace strength and CAM divestiture Stanley Black & Decker's aerospace business grew 31% organically, lifting Engineered Fastening revenue. It sold its CAM unit for $1.8 billion, using proceeds to cut debt and fund a new $500 million buyback. This reduces leverage and sharpens focus, supporting the stock.
This is a major strategic move that improves the balance sheet and growth outlook, directly affecting SWK's value.
▲
Q2 earnings beat and raised guidance Q2 profit jumped to $351.3 million, or $1.57 adjusted EPS, beating estimates. Management raised full-year EPS guidance to $5.20-$5.80 and free cash flow to $600-$800 million, citing tariff refunds and productivity. Strong results and outlook boost investor confidence.
Earnings beat and guidance raise are key drivers of stock price and show improving financial health.
▲
Debt reduction and dividend increase The company paid down $1.7 billion of debt in Q2, cutting leverage. It also raised its dividend for the 58th straight year, nearing Dividend King status. Lower debt and a growing dividend make the stock more attractive to income and value investors.
Debt reduction and dividend growth are fundamental positives that can drive the stock higher over time.
▲
Potential benefit from rising interest rates Bank of America named Stanley Black & Decker as a dividend stock that could benefit if the Fed raises rates to fight inflation. Higher rates may support dividend payers, but also raise borrowing costs. The net effect is uncertain, but the mention highlights its income appeal.
This is a new external view that could influence investor sentiment, though its impact is less direct than company-specific news.
News & notes movingSWK
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Hyster-Yale Q2 Revenue Falls 15% to $812.9 Million, Beats Estimates
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling reported second-quarter revenues of $812.9 million, down 15% year on year but exceeding analysts' expectations by 1%, in what was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts' EPS estimates. The result was the slowest revenue growth among the 9 professional tools and equipment stocks tracked, a group whose revenues as a whole beat analysts' consensus estimates by 2.1% while next quarter's revenue guidance came in 14.3% above. Kennametal posted the group's best quarter, with revenues of $736.6 million, up 42.6% year on year and 1.3% ahead of expectations, alongside the fastest revenue growth and highest full-year guidance raise in the group. Lincoln Electric reported revenues of $1.22 billion, up 12% year on year and 4.6% above expectations, though it significantly missed analysts' organic revenue estimates, while Stanley Black & Decker reported revenues of $3.96 billion, flat year on year and in line with expectations, marking the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. Snap-on reported revenues of $1.33 billion, up 4.2% year on year and 1.1% above expectations. On average, shares of the group are down 9.1% since the latest earnings results; Hyster-Yale is down 9% since reporting and currently trades at $31.98.
Stanley Black & Decker to Sell Excel Industries to Bad Boy Mowers
Stanley Black & Decker has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Excel Industries, the unit that includes the Hustler Turf Equipment brand, to Bad Boy Mowers. Excel Industries is expected to generate approximately $300 million of fiscal 2026 revenue, though the purchase price and expected proceeds were not disclosed. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, and until closing Excel Industries will remain in continuing operations rather than being classified as a discontinued operation. Stanley Black & Decker said it does not expect the deal to dilute adjusted EPS, a company-defined non-GAAP measure that excludes certain gains and charges including divestiture-related items, restructuring, footprint actions, and gains or losses on business sales. The sale advances the company's portfolio-simplification strategy, following the second-quarter sale of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing that reduced debt by $1.7 billion, and Stanley Black & Decker acquired Excel Industries for approximately $373.7 million, net of cash acquired, in November 2021. The company plans to keep investing in its Outdoor business, with a remaining portfolio that includes DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and BLACK+DECKER.
SWK · Capital · Positive Stanley Black & Decker agrees to sell Excel Industries, advancing its portfolio-simplification strategy without diluting adjusted EPS.
Excel Industries · Capital · Neutral Excel Industries is the unit being sold to Bad Boy Mowers, but the purchase price and proceeds were not disclosed.
Bad Boy Mowers · Capital · Neutral Bad Boy Mowers is the buyer of Excel Industries, but terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Stanley Black & Decker to Close Maryland Factory, Lay Off 55
Stanley Black & Decker Inc., the world's largest tool company with $15.13 billion in revenue in 2025, plans to close its underperforming Hampstead, Maryland, factory and lay off 55 workers, according to a WARN notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor on August 19. Layoffs begin October 23, 2026, and continue through the facility's closure by March 26, 2027. The company cited a steady decline in volume for materials produced at the site, which was built in 1951 and once employed 3,800 workers. Stanley Black & Decker will offer affected employees options for employment at other U.S. facilities, severance, and job placement support. The closure follows similar moves by other retailers and manufacturers, including Walgreens closing about 100 stores in 2026 and Raley's closing seven locations.
Stanley Black & Decker Beats Q2 Estimates, Raises 2026 Outlook
Stanley Black & Decker reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.57 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20 by 30.8% and up from $1.08 a year ago, while net sales of $3.96 billion edged past expectations and rose 0.4% year over year. The company raised its full-year 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to $5.20-$5.80 per share from $4.90-$5.70 and lifted its free cash flow forecast to $600-$800 million from $500-$700 million, citing tariff refunds and productivity gains. Within its segments, Tools & Outdoor revenues grew 3% to $3.56 billion, while Engineered Fastening revenues fell 18% to $396.4 million due to the divestiture of the Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing business, though organic revenues rose 3% excluding that impact. Gross margin expanded 600 basis points to 33.0%, and adjusted EBITDA jumped 40.1% to $445.7 million, with free cash flow surging to $698.2 million from $134.7 million. The company also repurchased about $250 million of shares and paid $124.3 million in dividends during the quarter.
Stanley Black & Decker Announces $1 Billion US Investment Through 2028
Stanley Black & Decker announced plans to invest US$1.00 billion in the U.S. through 2028, splitting funds between research and development for next-generation tools and strengthening domestic manufacturing, while also committing US$60.00 million to its DEWALT Grow the Trades workforce training initiative through 2030. The investment supports the innovation and manufacturing side of the company's narrative, but does not remove near-term risk of flat organic revenue and pressure in big retail channels. The company completed a multi-year cost reduction program in late 2025, delivering US$2.10 billion in pre-tax run-rate savings. Stanley Black & Decker's narrative projects $16.4 billion revenue and $1.1 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 2.5% yearly revenue growth and about a $479.5 million earnings increase from $620.5 million today.
Stanley Black & Decker Engineered Fastening Unit Drives Growth Outlook
Stanley Black & Decker's Engineered Fastening segment posted 3% organic revenue growth in the second quarter of 2026, driven by strength in automotive and industrial markets. The automotive market generated 2% organic growth on healthy global fastener system sales, while the industrial market grew 7% year over year. For 2026, the company expects segment revenues to grow in the low-to-mid single-digit range, supported by volume leverage and operational improvements. SWK completed its multi-year global cost-reduction program in the fourth quarter of 2025, achieving roughly $2.1 billion in pre-tax run-rate savings, including $120 million in incremental savings in that quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SWK's 2026 earnings has increased 4.3% over the past 60 days, and the stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Stanley Black & Decker's 58-Year Dividend Streak Nears Dividend King Status
Stanley Black & Decker has raised its dividend for 58 consecutive years, putting it one increase away from Dividend King status. The latest hike took the quarterly payout to $0.84 per share, or $3.36 annually. In the second quarter of 2026, sales reached $4 billion, organic revenue increased 3%, gross margin rose to 33% from 27%, and the company generated $763 million in operating cash flow. Management raised its 2026 outlook to adjusted EPS of $5.20 to $5.80 and free cash flow of $600 million to $800 million. The company paid down $1.7 billion of debt during the quarter and spent $250 million on stock buybacks.
Professional tools and equipment stocks reported a very strong second quarter, with the eight companies tracked beating analysts' revenue consensus estimates by 1.8% and next quarter's revenue guidance coming in 14.3% above expectations. Stanley Black & Decker reported revenues of $3.96 billion, flat year over year and in line with expectations, while beating EPS and EBITDA estimates. Kennametal delivered the fastest revenue growth, up 42.6% year over year to $736.6 million, and raised full-year guidance the most. Lincoln Electric posted revenues of $1.22 billion, up 12% year over year, but missed organic revenue estimates. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling saw revenues decline 15% year over year to $812.9 million, the slowest growth among peers, while Hillman grew revenues 9.8% to $442.3 million and beat full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance.
Five Dividend Aristocrats Beat Q2 Earnings and Raised Guidance
Five Dividend Aristocrats posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and raised full-year guidance, according to 24/7 Wall St. American States Water crushed Q2 estimates and rewarded shareholders with an 8% dividend hike, extending its 70-year streak of consecutive increases. Coca-Cola reported $13.37 billion in revenue and $0.97 in comparable EPS, beating consensus and raising its full-year earnings growth forecast to 8% to 9%. Dover's adjusted EPS climbed 12% to $2.74, and the company raised full-year guidance for both organic revenue and adjusted earnings. Federal Realty Investment Trust posted a 96% occupancy rate and extended its record 59-year streak of annual dividend increases. Stanley Black & Decker delivered a massive earnings beat, reporting $1.57 adjusted EPS versus the $1.21 consensus.
DEWALT expands cordless carpentry lineup with new saws, sanders, and nailers
DEWALT announced a major expansion of its cordless carpentry lineup with new tools engineered for professional carpenters, remodelers, and general contractors. The new offerings include a 20V MAX XR 6-1/2 inch Plunge Track Saw, 5-inch and 6-inch Random Orbital Sanders, an Oscillating Multi-Tool, a 16GA Straight Finish Nailer, and an 18GA Brad Nailer. The 5-inch sander offers the best control with fastest material removal in its class, while the 6-inch model provides the fastest material removal with lowest vibration among cordless 6-inch random orbit sanders. The Oscillating Multi-Tool delivers the fastest cutting speed with lowest vibration versus leading competitors, and the 16GA Straight Finish Nailer is DEWALT's most compact 20V MAX 16GA straight finish nailer, capable of driving up to five nails per second. All products are now available where DEWALT products are sold.
SWK · Demand · Positive DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, expands its cordless carpentry lineup with new professional tools, likely boosting product demand.
Stanley Black & Decker Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates, Raises Full-Year Guidance
Stanley Black & Decker reported second-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst expectations and raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance. Revenue was flat year over year at $3.96 billion, meeting Wall Street estimates, while adjusted EPS of $1.57 beat the consensus of $1.21 by 29.9%. Adjusted EBITDA reached $466.4 million, exceeding the $414.8 million estimate, and operating margin expanded to 9% from 4.9% a year ago. Organic revenue rose 3%, driven by an 8% increase in power tools and positive growth across the DEWALT, STANLEY, and CRAFTSMAN brands. Management attributed the margin improvement to productivity gains, favorable product mix, and tariff refunds that added approximately 250 basis points to adjusted gross margin. The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $5.50 at the midpoint, a 3.8% increase, and plans to accelerate investments in brand activation and product innovation using the tariff-related funds.
Stanley Black & Decker raises quarterly dividend to $0.84 per share
Stanley Black & Decker announced that its Board of Directors approved a $0.01 increase in its quarterly cash dividend, bringing it to $0.84 per common share. The dividend is payable on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The company, a global leader in tools and outdoor solutions, employs approximately 43,500 people and owns brands including DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, and Cub Cadet.
Bank of America Urges Fed to Raise Rates Now as Core Inflation Stays Elevated
Bank of America says the Federal Reserve should start raising interest rates soon because underlying inflation remains meaningfully above the 2% target. The bank's Global Research Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that even after excluding temporary factors, core PCE inflation would still be 2.5%, little changed from a year ago. The team argues that persistently elevated core inflation and a stable labor market call for tighter monetary policy rather than an extended pause. The report highlights four dividend-paying stocks that could benefit if rates rise: U.S. Bancorp in financials, Enterprise Products Partners in energy, Bristol Myers Squibb in healthcare, and Stanley Black & Decker in industrials.
StockStory picks Altria as S&P 500 winner, flags Stanley Black & Decker and Mettler-Toledo as risky
StockStory highlights Altria as a standout S&P 500 stock with competitive advantages, while naming Stanley Black & Decker and Mettler-Toledo as two to avoid. Altria, known for its Marlboro brand, boasts a best-in-class gross margin of 87.7% and an operating margin of 52.7% that has been rising, reflecting a highly efficient business model and strong free cash flow generation. In contrast, Stanley Black & Decker has seen no organic revenue growth over the past two years, flat projected sales, and a 15.4% annual decline in earnings per share over five years. Mettler-Toledo faces soft organic revenue growth, estimated sales growth of just 4.7% for the next 12 months, and diminishing returns on capital. Altria trades at 12.7 times forward earnings, while Stanley Black & Decker and Mettler-Toledo trade at 16 times and 27.1 times forward earnings, respectively.
MO · Capital · Positive StockStory picks Altria as S&P 500 winner, highlighting strong margins and free cash flow, and undervalued forward P/E of 12.7.
MTD · Capital · Negative StockStory flags Mettler-Toledo as risky due to soft organic revenue growth, low projected sales growth, and diminishing returns on capital.
SWK · Capital · Negative StockStory flags Stanley Black & Decker as risky due to no organic revenue growth, flat projected sales, and declining EPS.
Stanley Black & Decker Gains from Aerospace Strength, Divests CAM for $1.8 Billion
Stanley Black & Decker reported 31% organic growth in its aerospace business during the first quarter of 2026, driving a 7% organic revenue increase in its Engineered Fastening segment. The company completed the sale of its Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing business to Howmet Aerospace for $1.8 billion, generating approximately $1.57 billion in net proceeds used to reduce debt. Stanley Black also approved a new $500 million share repurchase program and paid $126 million in dividends. However, soft retail demand for power tools and a highly leveraged balance sheet with $4.7 billion in long-term debt remain concerns.
StockStory names Omnicom and ATI as mid-cap buys, flags Stanley Black & Decker as risky
StockStory highlights two mid-cap stocks with strong growth potential and one to avoid. Omnicom Group is cited for its 15.4% annual revenue growth over the past two years, a massive $19.82 billion revenue base, and a 6.8 percentage point expansion in free cash flow margin over five years. ATI is noted for 11.1% annual revenue growth over five years, earnings per share growth boosted by share buybacks, and a 21.7 percentage point increase in free cash flow margin. Stanley Black & Decker is flagged as risky due to flat projected sales, a 15.4% annual decline in earnings per share over five years, and subdued demand.
Professional Tools and Equipment Stocks Post Strong Q1, Nordson Leads Guidance Raise
Professional tools and equipment stocks delivered a strong first quarter, with the 10 companies tracked by this publication collectively beating revenue estimates by 1.9% and issuing next-quarter guidance 1% above expectations. Nordson reported revenues of $740.8 million, up 8.5% year on year and exceeding estimates by 1.8%, while achieving the highest guidance raise among its peers despite a significant miss on organic revenue estimates. Kennametal posted the fastest revenue growth, with sales of $592.6 million up 21.8% year on year and beating estimates by 4.8%, though its stock fell 6.5% after the results. Stanley Black & Decker topped expectations with revenues of $3.85 billion, up 2.7% year on year, and its shares rose 18.5%. Hillman was the weakest performer, with revenues of $370.1 million missing estimates by 0.7% and its stock declining 3.8%.
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