Motorola Solutions stock gets higher 2026 outlook after strong Q3

Motorola Solutions reported stronger-than-expected momentum for the third quarter on November 4, 2026, and lifted its full-year outlook again. In its earnings release, the safety and security technology company said sales rose 12% from a year earlier to 3.4 billion US dollars.

Demand Supports Higher Guidance

Growth was broad-based. Products and Systems Integration sales increased 12%, while Software and Services sales rose 13%. Motorola Solutions said expansion in North America and international markets supported the quarter, with acquisitions contributing 211 million US dollars and foreign-exchange tailwinds adding 11 million US dollars.

Chief Executive Greg Brown said demand remained exceptionally strong across the company's safety and security portfolio. Record third-quarter orders pushed ending backlog to 16.6 billion US dollars, an increase of 14%, or 2.1 billion US dollars, from the year-earlier quarter. Products and Systems Integration backlog increased 18%, while Software and Services backlog gained 13%.

Adjusted Results Outpace Reported Earnings

GAAP earnings per share came in at 3.06 US dollars, while non-GAAP earnings per share reached 4.69 US dollars. Non-GAAP operating margin widened by 200 basis points to 32.5%. GAAP operating margin, however, fell to 23.0% from 25.6% a year earlier, primarily because of a higher contingent earnout adjustment tied to Silvus' performance. The difference underscores the effect of acquisition-related and other highlighted items on reported earnings.

Cash generation was weaker in the quarter. Operating cash flow declined to 662 million US dollars from 799 million US dollars, and free cash flow fell to 589 million US dollars from 733 million US dollars. Motorola Solutions attributed the declines mainly to higher tax and interest payments, partly offset by higher earnings excluding non-cash charges.

Acquisitions Add New Capabilities

The company completed its 1.3 billion US dollar acquisition of D-Fend Solutions, a counter-drone technology provider. It also acquired DeepNeuronic for 29 million US dollars, adding artificial-intelligence software that turns live camera feeds into real-time operational insights. Motorola Solutions financed the D-Fend transaction primarily with new long-term senior notes and also announced a 2 billion US dollar increase to its share-repurchase authorization.

Full-Year Targets Move Higher

Motorola Solutions now expects 2026 revenue of 13.050 billion US dollars, compared with prior guidance of 12.975 billion US dollars. Its non-GAAP earnings-per-share outlook moved to a range of 17.94 to 17.99 US dollars from 17.62 to 17.72 US dollars. The company also raised its full-year operating-cash-flow expectation to 3.050 billion US dollars.

For the fourth quarter, management expects revenue growth of approximately 13% from the year-earlier period and non-GAAP earnings per share of 5.47 to 5.52 US dollars. Investors will therefore focus on whether the order pipeline converts into revenue while supply-chain costs, memory prices and tariffs remain risks to margins.

Motorola Solutions stock traded at 473.10 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 14:19 CET on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Motorola Solutions stock belongs to the US equity market, where investors also track developments through the S&P 500.

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