Rotork PLC (LSE:ROR)) shares fell 12.5% to 321p despite the engineer reporting full-year results broadly in line with expectations.
The sell-off appeared to reflect a subdued outlook and perhaps some disappointment with the net cash position, which came in at £65.3 million, which was below some analyst estimates.
Broker Panmure Liberum said it was expecting around £89 million, as a larger-than-expected working capital outflow to support growing revenues offset strong cash conversion of 101% and £38.4 million of share buybacks completed in the second half.
But Peel Hunt analyst Harry Philips said 2025 EBITA was better than consensus and net cash was better than his £46 million estimate.
"The outlook is a little subdued, particularly around Oil & Gas, where it highlights project delays in midstream through the end of the year, with two projects in particular, totalling £6 million."
As a consequence, 2026 guidance for the division is stable, underpinned by the Target Segments and Rotork Services divisions, with Rotork expecting its CPI and Water & Power arms to also see good momentum.
"Current consensus for 2026 is EBITA of £203 million; we forecast £205 million, but, reflecting on the outlook statement, we may revise this down to mid-£190 million," said Philips.
"We see this as a moment in time, and if the weakness anticipated today comes through, we would be buyers of the stock."