Zebra Stock Soars on Earnings. The Automation Business Is Turning. -- Barrons.com

By Al Root

Zebra Technologies reported better-than-expected first-quarter numbers and raised full-year guidance.

Business is looking up for the provider of automation technology.

Tuesday morning, Zebra reported earnings per share of $4.75, up 18.2% year over year, from sales of $1.5 billion, up 14.3% year over year. Wall Street was looking for $4.25 and $1.5 billion, respectively, according to FactSet.

First-quarter earnings per share topped Zebra's own guidance of $4.05 to $4.35 per share.

Zebra stock was up 13% in premarket trading at $245.96, while S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively.

Looking ahead, Zebra expects second-quarter earnings per share of $4.20 to $4.50. Wall Street projects $4.14.

For the full-year 2026, Zebra expects earnings per share of about $18.50 from sales of $6.1 billion. Prior guidance was for EPS of about $18.10 from sales of $6 billion. Wall Street currently projects EPS of $17.82 from sales of $6 billion.

"We are seeing continued momentum into the second quarter," said CEO Bill Burns in a news release. "Zebra's integrated portfolio of solutions is a key differentiator, enabling customers to connect data, assets, and workflows to drive visibility and productivity. As e-commerce, automation, and Physical AI trends accelerate, we are well-positioned to drive profitable growth."

Investors have been waiting for momentum to build. Zebra reported sales of $5.8 billion in 2022. Sales declined in 2023 and 2024 before rising to $5.4 billion in 2025. Sales in 2026 are expected to eclipse 2022 highs.

Zebra stock traded for about $600 in early 2022. Coming into Tuesday trading, Zebra stock was down 11% this year and down 28% over the past 12 months.

Write to Al Root at allen.root@dowjones.com

This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 12, 2026 07:26 ET (11:26 GMT)

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Zebra Stock Soars on Earnings. The Automation Business Is Turning. -- Barrons.com

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