We posted our fourth quarter and full-year 2025 financial results this morning. In the fourth quarter, Axalta delivered another period of strong operational execution, solid margin performance, and record cash generation. We generated net sales of approximately $1.3 billion despite ongoing macro headwinds in North America with year-over-year growth in three of our four regions. Adjusted EBITDA was $272 million, with a margin remaining strong at 21.5%, an improvement of 50 basis points versus last year.

This marks our seventh consecutive quarter at or above our A-Plan margin target of 21%, underscoring the strength of our commercial discipline, pricing actions, and cost management. In Mobility Coatings, we delivered a record fourth-quarter performance in net sales and adjusted EBITDA, supported by new business wins and steady global production. The fourth quarter marked a record for cash generation, both in terms of operating and free cash flow. Looking at 2025, we delivered record financial results this year, and I'm extremely proud of what the team accomplished.

Adjusted EBITDA was $1.13 billion, representing a $317 million growth since 2022, with margins expanding over 500 basis points to 22%. Adjusted diluted EPS increased approximately 55% over the same period, reaching another all-time high, and free cash flow came in at $466 million, an increase of over $300 million compared to 2022. These are exceptional results that highlight our strongest financial performance on record. Our team has consistently raised the bar, reinforcing the foundation of a well-performing and resilient company.

What went well
  • Record full-year 2025 results: adjusted EBITDA of $1.128 billion, adjusted EPS of $2.49 (up 6%), and margin up 80 bps to 22% - a second straight year above the 21% A-Plan target
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $272 million at a 21.5% margin (up 50 bps year-over-year), the seventh consecutive quarter at or above the 21% A-Plan target
  • Record fourth-quarter cash generation: operating cash flow of $344 million and free cash flow of $290 million; full-year free cash flow of $466 million
  • Mobility delivered record fourth-quarter net sales of $471 million (up 1%) with adjusted EBITDA up 20% to $92 million and margin up 300 bps to 19.4%
  • Paid down about $230 million of gross debt, cutting net leverage to a record-low 2.3x; 2025 interest expense of $176 million (down nearly $30 million)
  • Delivered more than $300 million in variable cost reductions and lowered fixed costs over 6% (constant currency), with $100 million of incremental transformation benefits
  • Refinish added more than 2,800 net new body shops; Mobility secured $60 million in net new wins; safety TRIR improved 40% to 0.18
  • Announced the November 2025 merger of equals with AkzoNobel, identifying $600 million of synergy potential and targeting an investment-grade profile
  • Guided 2026 to another record: adjusted EBITDA of $1.14-1.17 billion, EPS of $2.55-2.70, free cash flow above $500 million, and net leverage below 2x
What went wrong
  • Fourth-quarter net sales declined 4% year-over-year on lower North America volumes across all businesses; gross margin down 70 bps on unfavorable geographic mix
  • Fourth-quarter net income fell to $60 million from $137 million, hurt by higher income tax expense and $21 million of AkzoNobel transaction costs
  • Performance Coatings fourth-quarter net sales down 6% to $791 million; Refinish down 7% to $509 million on low claims activity and customer working-capital management
  • Industrial fourth-quarter net sales down 5% to $282 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin down 70 bps
  • Full-year net sales declined 3% to $5,117 million on broad Performance Coatings softness
  • Adjusted EBITDA came in below guidance as December Refinish and Industrial volumes were lower than anticipated
  • North America Class 8 builds ran roughly 30% below assumptions and Industrial demand in North America and Europe was significantly weaker than expected
  • Ceased share buybacks because of the AkzoNobel merger, pivoting capital allocation to debt reduction
  • Guided to a slower start in 2026, with first-quarter revenue down mid-single digits and adjusted EBITDA of $240-250 million

More on Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

Reported 2026-02-10 · figures from the Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. Q4 2025 earnings call.

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