nVent Electric raises full-year outlook as data center demand grows
The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance to a range of $5.00 to $5.10.
nVent Electric (NVT), the electrical connection and protection provider, reported second-quarter sales of $1.5 billion. The result represented a 53% increase from the prior year, accelerating from the 30% growth recorded in the second quarter of 2025.
The trajectory of organic growth showed a sharp inflection over the last year. Organic sales grew 47% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 34% in the first quarter of 2026 and 9% in the second quarter of 2025.
Reported earnings per share rose 103% year-over-year to $1.32, compared to an 18% increase to $0.65 in the same period last year. Adjusted earnings per share were $1.45, a 69% increase from $0.86 in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted return on sales expanded 110 basis points to 21.9%.
Growth was driven primarily by the Systems Protection segment, where net sales grew 70% year-over-year to $1.07 billion. Adjusted return on sales for the segment expanded 150 basis points to 23.2%. The Electrical Connections segment saw net sales grow 21% to $399 million, though adjusted return on sales compressed 140 basis points to 27.3%.
Following the results, the company raised its full-year 2026 reported sales growth guidance to a range of 37% to 39%, up from the previous forecast of 26% to 28%. Organic sales growth guidance was similarly increased to 32% to 34% from 21% to 23%.
Free cash flow for the quarter increased 125% year-over-year to $167 million, compared to $74 million in the second quarter of 2025.
To address continued data center demand, the company announced a new manufacturing expansion for liquid cooling. Additionally, nVent is now reporting the Thermal Management business as discontinued operations following an agreement to sell the business.