Perpetual Ltd boosted its A. O. Smith stake to 141,606 shares, worth $9.29 million, as the company beat earnings estimates and reaffirmed 2025 guidance.

Perpetual Ltd increased its stake in A. O. Smith Corp by 34.8%, now holding 141,606 shares valued at about $9.29 million. The company reported second-quarter earnings of $1.07 per share, beating expectations by $0.10, with revenue of $1.01 billion, slightly above estimates despite a 1.3% year-over-year decline. A. O. Smith maintains a 13.68% net margin and 28.42% return on equity, reaffirming its 2025 EPS guidance of $3.70 to $3.90. The stock has a consensus “Hold” rating and a target price of $77.43, with a current price around $73.06. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.34, yielding 1.9% annually, and has a market cap of $10.24 billion.