Cooper Standard posts higher second-quarter sales as earnings decline

Northville, Michigan – Cooper Standard has reported higher second quarter sales but lower earnings as higher raw material costs, inflation and tariffs outweighed favourable currency effects.

For the three months ended 30 June, sales increased 2.2% year-on-year to $721 million (€625 million), while adjusted earnings (EBITDA) fell 14.2% to $54 million, from $62.8 million a year earlier, the automotive supplier reported 6 Aug.

The decline in earnings was primarily driven by “higher material costs, general inflationary pressures, unfavourable volume and mix, and increased customs duties and tariffs,” the US group said.

The cost increases were partially offset by continuing supply chain optimisation and lean manufacturing savings, Cooper Standard added.

"While higher oil prices drove inflationary pressures on our costs in the second quarter as we had anticipated, we expect to recover most of those incremental costs in the second half of the year,” said chairman and CEO Jeffrey Edwards.

Breaking down performance across segments, Cooper Standard’s sealing systems business saw sales decline by 2.9% year-on-year to $354 million, while adjusted earnings fell 35.2% to $26 million.

The decline reflected weaker volume and product mix, which reduced sales by $18.6 million, partly offset by a $8.2-million benefit from favourable foreign exchange.

Segment earnings were also hit by a $12.3 million negative impact of lower volumes, and $3 million impact of higher costs, partially offset by a positive currency impact.

The fluid handling systems segment delivered stronger performance, with sales rising 7% to $345 million and adjusted earnings increasing 3.3% to $27.9 million.

Sales growth was driven mainly by stronger volumes and mix, which added $20.9 million, alongside a $2 million foreign exchange benefit.

Earnings improved as favourable volume and mix more than offset adverse currency effects and higher costs.

During the quarter, Cooper Standard said it secured $118.4 million in net new business awards representing anticipated future annualised sales, including $36.6 million linked to battery electric and full-hybrid vehicle platforms.

Looking ahead, Edwards said the supplier remains "on track to achieve our sales and profitability targets for the full year."

The supplier said it expects full-year sales and adjusted earnings to remain in line with its original 2026 business plan.

As previously reported by ERJ, the The US supplier expects to deliver sales of between $2.7 and $2.9 billion for the full year, against $2.74 billion reported in 2025.

Adjusted earnings is expected to come in between $260 and $300 million, compared to $210 million reported last year.