Carrier profit hit by residential slump as data center orders explode 500%

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Carrier profit hit by residential slump as data center orders explode 500%
Carrier profit hit by residential slump as data center orders explode 500%
Heidi Cuthbert
Written by Heidi Cuthbert
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Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR) reported first-quarter 2026 results that beat Wall Street expectations on the top and bottom lines, despite significant headwinds in the residential HVAC sector.

The Florida-based company posted net sales of $5.34 billion, a 2% increase year-over-year, as a staggering 500% surge in data center orders bolstered its commercial segment.

While revenue grew, the company’s GAAP operating profit fell 59% to $259 million, impacted by higher restructuring costs and a continued downturn in the "Climate Solutions Americas" residential segment, where sales dropped approximately 12%.

On an adjusted basis, operating profit was $594 million, down 30% from the prior year.

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.57, declining 12% year-over-year but comfortably exceeding the analyst consensus of $0.51.

The standout narrative for the quarter was the explosive growth in infrastructure cooling.

Carrier’s Commercial HVAC orders jumped 35%, driven almost entirely by the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers.

Management noted that the current backlog now fully covers the company’s expected data center sales for the remainder of 2026.

Looking ahead, Carrier reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting total revenue of approximately $22 billion and adjusted EPS of roughly $2.80.

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