Mueller Industries reported second-quarter 2026 net sales of $1.43 billion, up from $1.14 billion a year earlier, an increase of $290 million, or about 25.4%.
Net income rose to $249.7 million from $245.9 million, up $3.8 million, or 1.5%. Operating income increased to $310.0 million from $304.2 million, a gain of $5.8 million, or 1.9%. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.13 from $1.11, while dividends per share rose to 17.5 cents from 12.5 cents.
Copper prices were a major tailwind: COMEX copper averaged $6.16 per pound in the quarter, up 30.6% from the prior-year period. Mueller said unit volume growth across all three reporting segments, along with price increases tied to higher material costs, drove the sales increase.
The company also said second-quarter 2025 operating income included a $36.3 million insurance gain, or $28.1 million after tax. Adjusting for that item, Mueller said second-quarter 2026 operating income was up 15.7% year over year.
Cash generated from operations totaled $212.3 million in the quarter. Mueller spent $138.3 million acquiring Bison Metals Technologies LLC. At quarter-end, cash and short-term investments stood at $1.42 billion, and the current ratio was 4.8 to 1.
During the quarter, Mueller completed two acquisitions in its core metals businesses: Bison Metals Technologies on March 30 and Chicago Extruded Metals on June 12. The company said Bison delivered a record second quarter and expects both acquisitions to contribute meaningfully in the near term. Following these announcements, the company's shares moved 5.48%, and are now trading at a price of $62.20. Check out the company's full 8-K submission here.
