The Eastern Company (EML) AI Stock Analysis
EML AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchThe Eastern Company designs, manufactures, and distributes engineered solutions and industrial hardware across global markets. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated revenue of $234.4M with a net profit margin of 3.4%. While quarterly revenue fell 11.9% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026, quarterly earnings expanded 67.7%.
- Market cap
- $146.3M
- Revenue (TTM)
- $234.4M
- P/E
- 21.1x fwd 9.6x
- 1Y return
- 15.7% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- —
Bull case
- Quarterly earnings expanded by 67.7% year-over-year in the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026.
- The stock trades at a forward P/E of 9.6x, below the median of 17.2x for its US-listed Industrials peers.
- The company has maintained continuous dividend payments for 42 consecutive years with a current yield of 1.81%.
Bear case
- Quarterly revenue fell 11.9% year-over-year in the latest quarter, following an 8.7% revenue decline in FY2025.
- Five-year stock returns of 8.2% significantly lagged the S&P 500 return of 83.0%.
- The dividend payout ratio stands at 80.1%, with a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 0.0%.
What Eastern does
The Eastern Company specializes in designing, manufacturing, and distributing engineered solutions for industrial markets globally, with a strong presence in the United States. Its product offerings include turnkey returnable packaging solutions for vehicle assembly, aircraft production, and durable goods. Eastern also provides blow mold tooling products for plastic packaging, consumer goods packaging, and pharmaceutical production. Additionally, it supplies rotary latches, compression latches, hinges, camlocks, and padlocks for industrial applications, alongside custom electromechanical systems for original equipment manufacturers. The company further develops proprietary vision technology and aftermarket components tailored for the heavy-duty truck market.
Growth and profitability
Annual revenue rose from $246.5M in FY2021 to $279.3M in FY2022, before decreasing to $258.9M in FY2023. In FY2024, revenue climbed to $272.8M, but the company reported a net loss of -$8.5M with an operating margin of 7.4%. In FY2025, revenue declined 8.7% to $249.0M, while net income recovered to $5.1M and net margin was 2.1%. Between FY2020 and FY2025, revenue experienced a 5-year compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 11.9% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings grew 67.7%, bringing trailing twelve month revenue to $234.4M.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, The Eastern Company had $15.1M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $61.5M, leaving net debt at $46.4M. Liquidity is supported by a current ratio of 2.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, against $130.0M in shareholders' equity. In FY2025, operating cash flow was $8.9M and free cash flow was $4.9M. Cash deployment in FY2025 included $4.0M in capital expenditures, $3.7M in share buybacks, and $2.7M in dividends paid.
Valuation and performance
At $24.31 per share on October 16, 2026, The Eastern Company carried a market capitalization of $146.3M and an enterprise value of $199.7M. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 21.1x and a forward P/E of 9.6x, compared to medians of 24.8x and 17.2x for its US-listed Industrials peers. Its enterprise value to EBITDA multiple is 10.2x, below the peer median of 13.9x. Over the past year, the stock returned 15.7%, trailing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%. Over five years, the stock gained 8.2% versus 83.0% for the index.
EML dividend
The Eastern Company pays an annual forward dividend of $0.44 per share, representing a dividend yield of 1.81% as of October 16, 2026. The dividend is distributed quarterly with a payout ratio of 80.1%. While Eastern has maintained consecutive dividend payments for 42 years, its 5-year annualized dividend growth rate is 0.0%. Its most recent ex-dividend date was August 14, 2026.
What analysts expect
The Eastern Company beat earnings per share estimates in 2 of the last 4 quarters. Its next earnings report is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The company holds a trailing twelve month EPS of $1.15 and a forward P/E of 9.6x. Institutional ownership accounts for 76.6% of shares, insider ownership stands at 8.1%, and short interest represents 2.8% of the float.
Key risks and what to watch
- Trailing twelve month operating margin of 2.6% is well below the US-listed Industrials peer median of 11.7%.
- Net debt stands at $46.4M relative to $15.1M in cash and short-term investments.
- Earnings have demonstrated volatility, including a net loss of -$8.5M reported in FY2024.
- Free cash flow fell to $4.9M in FY2025 from $10.8M in FY2024.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this EML AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of The Eastern Company (EML). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: EML income statement, EML balance sheet, EML key metrics, EML chart. See the EML stock overview for the latest quote and news.
EML AI stock analysis FAQ
What does The Eastern Company do?
The Eastern Company designs, manufactures, and distributes industrial engineered solutions such as returnable packaging, blow mold tooling, latches, hinges, and locks. It also provides vision technology and aftermarket parts for heavy-duty trucks and original equipment manufacturers.
What is The Eastern Company's dividend yield?
As of October 16, 2026, the company offers an annual forward dividend of $0.44 per share, which equates to a 1.81% dividend yield. It has paid dividends for 42 consecutive years with a payout ratio of 80.1%.
How is EML valued compared to sector peers?
EML trades at a trailing P/E of 21.1x and forward P/E of 9.6x, compared to 24.8x and 17.2x for the median of its US-listed Industrials peers. Its EV to EBITDA ratio is 10.2x against a peer median of 13.9x.
What are The Eastern Company's debt and liquidity figures?
As of June 30, 2026, the company held $15.1M in cash and short-term investments and $61.5M in total debt, resulting in net debt of $46.4M. Its current ratio was 2.80 and debt-to-equity ratio was 0.47.