Form 8-K · Current report
A. O. Smith 8-K, filed Oct 28, 2026
- Filed
- CIK
- 0000091142
- Accession no.
- 0000091142-26-000100
Summary
A. O. Smith has entered definitive agreements with alternative asset manager CPE to sell an 81% interest in its China business, valuing the business at about $400 million cash-free, debt-free and more than $500 million including licensing economics, while retaining a 19% stake and a long-term brand license. The transaction, which would allow repatriation of roughly $80 million in cash held in China, is expected to close in the first half of 2027 subject to regulatory approvals.
Key points
- CPE will acquire an 81% equity interest in A. O. Smith (China) Investment Co., Ltd., with A. O. Smith retaining 19% and a long-term brand license.
- The transaction values the China business at approximately $400 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis, with total value including licensing economics expected to exceed $500 million.
- The structure would let A. O. Smith repatriate about $80 million in cash held in China, with after-tax proceeds and repatriated cash prioritized for share repurchases after closing.
- The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC advised A. O. Smith and Latham & Watkins LLP was its legal counsel.
Written by an AI model from the filing text. It can be incomplete or wrong; the filing on SEC.gov is the record.
Items reported
- 7.01Regulation FD Disclosure
- 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits
From the filing
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure On October 27, 2026, A. O. Smith Corporation (“the Company”) issued a news release announcing it has entered into definitive agreements with CPE, a leading alternative asset manager, to sell an 81% interest in the Company’s China business, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals. A copy of the Company's news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the Company posted slides describing the transaction to the Investors section of its website. The slides are attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.2. …
An excerpt of the text as filed with the SEC, cut for length.
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