Brady Corporation (BRC +0.14%) rose by almost 17% by 2 p.m today on the release of its stellar third quarter 2026 earnings report. Clearly, the company has excellent trading momentum because management raised its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) guidance from a range of $4.95 to $5.15 to a new range of $5.20 to $5.30 while maintaining its underlying assumptions for tax rates and depreciation and amortization expenses.
Why Brady raised guidance
The reason for the guidance hike? If you don't know it, you might be able to guess it. It largely comes down to data centers. The labeling, printing, and identification (barcode and RFID) products company might seem like a strange candidate for an under-the-radar AI stock. Still, the reality is that correctly labeling critical infrastructure in data centers is essential to ensuring their ongoing operation.
NYSE: BRC
Key Data Points
As CEO, Russell Shaller noted on the earnings call, wire and identification make up 20% of Brady's revenue in the Americas and Asia, and the business's sales were up 19% in the quarter, helping drive organic sales in the Americas and Asia up 10.4%. Ultimately, total company sales rose 8.2% in the quarter.
Image source: Getty Images.
Where next for Brady
The excellent momentum in its core business is good news ahead of its agreed acquisition of Honeywell's Productivity Solutions and Services (PSS) business for $1.4 billion. The deal will add Brady's strength in labeling and printing to PSS's expertise in mobile computing and barcode scanners. It's an exciting move that allows Brady's management to expand its customer base, generate $25 million in annual cost synergies, and unlock the full value of a leading player in the ID market.
