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Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 11 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 44% on large projects: Revenue was $214.4 million, up from $148.6 million a year earlier. Large project volume added over $60.0 million, including the Base Electron project. The prior release reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $161.0 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $16.1 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $16.1 million against $4.0 million a year earlier. The prior release reported $16.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net loss widened on warrant valuation: Loss from continuing operations was $79.6 million, against $15.6 million. The change in fair value of customer warrants was $70.2 million within other expense. Source
  • Base Electron project progressing: Permitting has begun on the Base Electron project, which pairs natural gas-fired boilers with Siemens Energy steam turbines for fast-track delivery to AI data center customers. Source
  • Pipeline rose 17% to over $14.0 billion: The pipeline of uncontracted opportunities, defined as those that could proceed over the next 36 months, grew 17% from the prior release's figure of more than $12.0 billion. Source
  • Backlog stood at $2.7 billion: Backlog was $2.7 billion at quarter-end. The prior release gave $2.8 billion at December 31, 2025, including the $2.4 billion data center project. Source
  • Net debt reported at $42.4 million: Secured debt and bonds were $237.2 million against cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $194.8 million. The prior release reported net debt of $119.7 million at December 31, 2025; this measure was added in the first quarter. Source

“This quarter represents another positive step forward for B&W, as we continue to convert our global pipeline of identified project opportunities.”

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., press release

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA (core business) Sourcefull year 2026$80.0 million to $100.0 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The company reiterated its full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA target range from the core business. Source
  • New: Net debt and adjusted net income from continuing operations were added as non-GAAP measures in the first quarter. Source
  • New: The Adjusted EBITDA definition was revised, and prior period results were revised to conform, with business transition costs shown as a separate reconciling item. Source
  • New: Customer warrants were issued to Base Electron and Applied Digital in November 2025 and February 2026, as noted in the reconciliation footnote. Source
  • New: Boiler manufacturing and other long-lead items on the Base Electron project were released, and permitting has begun. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 44% on large projects: Revenue was $214.4 million, up from $148.6 million a year earlier. Large project volume added over $60.0 million, including the Base Electron project. The prior release reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $161.0 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $16.1 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $16.1 million against $4.0 million a year earlier. The prior release reported $16.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Operating loss narrowed slightly: Operating loss was $1.7 million against $1.8 million a year earlier. Total costs and expenses were $216.1 million, against $150.4 million. Source
  • Net loss widened on warrant valuation: Loss from continuing operations was $79.6 million, against $15.6 million. The change in fair value of customer warrants was $70.2 million within other expense. Source
  • Loss per share widened to $0.62: Loss per share from continuing operations was $0.62, against $0.19. Basic and diluted shares were 133.8 million, against 97.9 million. Total loss per share was $0.60. Source

Projects and customers

  • Base Electron project progressing: Permitting has begun on the Base Electron project, which pairs natural gas-fired boilers with Siemens Energy steam turbines for fast-track delivery to AI data center customers. Source
  • AI data center and hyperscaler interest: Management said it sees interest from new AI data center and hyperscaler customers, who plan to use the company's power generation solutions. Source
  • Core parts and services revenue rose: Management said core parts and services delivered the highest first-quarter revenues in recent history. Demand from consumers, industrials and AI data centers was cited as driving coal baseload generation. Source

“Global demand for our diverse technology portfolio supported by sustained momentum in our core business continues to grow while we reduce debt on our balance sheet.”

Kenneth Young, B&W’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pipeline, bookings and backlog

  • Pipeline rose 17% to over $14.0 billion: The pipeline of uncontracted opportunities, defined as those that could proceed over the next 36 months, grew 17% from the prior release's figure of more than $12.0 billion. Source
  • Bookings reached $2.5 billion: Bookings were $2.5 billion in the quarter. The release defines bookings as changes to backlog, including new business, customer cancellations or modifications, and currency revaluation. Source
  • Backlog stood at $2.7 billion: Backlog was $2.7 billion at quarter-end. The prior release gave $2.8 billion at December 31, 2025, including the $2.4 billion data center project. Source

Costs and warrant effects

  • Cost of operations and SG&A rose: Cost of operations was $171.0 million against $120.8 million. SG&A was $44.4 million against $28.3 million, and R&D costs were $0.8 million against $0.3 million. Source
  • Stock-based compensation climbed: Stock-based compensation was $13.2 million against $0.8 million a year earlier. The company adds it back in calculating Adjusted EBITDA. Source
  • Warrant amortization reduces revenue: Amortization of the cost of customer warrants is reported as a reduction in revenue. The cash flow statement shows $1.1 million of warrant amortization in the quarter. Source
  • Interest expense fell: Interest expense was $4.4 million against $11.0 million a year earlier. Interest income was $0.6 million against $0.2 million. Source

“We are excited about the progress to date and remain optimistic that we will continue to execute on our existing pipeline while maintaining viability for future expansion as we move forward.”

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., press release

Cash, debt and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow was $17.8 million: Net cash provided by operating activities was $17.8 million, compared with net cash used of $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net debt reported at $42.4 million: Secured debt and bonds were $237.2 million against cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $194.8 million. The prior release reported net debt of $119.7 million at December 31, 2025; this measure was added in the first quarter. Source
  • Paid $15.0 million of 2026 bonds: The company paid off $15.0 million of bonds due in December 2026 during the quarter. The cash flow statement shows the payment as a buyback of Senior Notes due 2026. Source
  • Common stock issuance and dividends: Net proceeds from common stock issuance were $34.1 million, against $5.2 million. Preferred stock dividends paid were $3.7 million, and employee tax withholding on stock compensation was $6.2 million. Source
  • Capital spending rose to $7.1 million: Purchases of property, plant and equipment were $7.1 million, against $4.3 million a year earlier. Proceeds from sale of business and assets were $3.6 million. Source
  • Customer warrant liability increased: Customer warrants were carried at $142.8 million, against $8.3 million at December 31, 2025. Total stockholders' deficit was $172.1 million, against $131.5 million. Source

Strategy and market conditions

  • Collaborations tied to AI power demand: Management said collaborations, including the Base Electron engagement, alongside rising AI data center power demand, have set the course for future growth. Source
  • Costs and liquidity actively managed: Management said it actively manages costs and its liquidity position to add flexibility while still supporting customers and their specific needs. Source
  • Macroeconomic conditions monitored: Management continues to adapt to inflation, interest rate changes, currency volatility, tariffs, geopolitical conflicts including Ukraine and the Middle East, and shipping disruptions. Their duration cannot be predicted. Source

Non-GAAP measures and definitions

  • Adjusted net income excludes warrant costs: Adjusted net income from continuing operations excludes non-cash warrant and stock costs. Management says the measure reflects the impact of recent stock price growth on customer warrant and stock-based compensation costs. Source
  • Net debt definition excludes items: Net debt excludes sale-leaseback transactions, forgivable and other loans, and unamortized financing fees and premium. Management says this gives a better view of debt that must be repaid, less cash. Source
  • Bookings and backlog defined: Bookings and backlog measure remaining performance obligations under sales contracts. Backlog excludes unconsolidated joint venture orders and is affected by currency changes each period. Source

Coming up, as management said on 11 May 2026

  • Onsite construction preparation: Management said it is preparing for onsite construction on the Base Electron project to progress as planned. Source
  • December 2026 bonds to be repaid: Management expects to pay off the remaining December 2026 bonds in full during 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total global pipeline Sourcemore than $14.0 billion, up 17%
Bookings Source$2.5 billion, up 1,971% compared with Q1 2025
Backlog Source$2.7 billion, up 483% compared with Q1 2025

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Cost increases, delays and disruptions from market conditions have affected, and could continue to affect, the ability to meet customer demands. Source
  • Demand: Customers may delay projects or cancel orders because of external market, economic or other factors beyond the company's control, which could affect pipeline conversion. Source
  • Financial: Customer warrant values are measured at quarter-end against the grant-date valuation, and the variance is reported as expense. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said manufacturing of boilers, steam turbines and long-lead components on the Base Electron project continues as planned. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it continues to pay down December 2026 bonds on the open market and plans to pay them off in a timely fashion. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.