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CoreCivic, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 3 lowered, 1 narrowed, 1 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 28.2% to $744.1 million: Total revenue was $744.1 million in the third quarter, up 28.2% from the prior year quarter. Source
  • Normalized FFO per share rose to $0.75: Normalized FFO was $69.9 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, against $52.1 million, or $0.48. Management said the same factors as Adjusted EBITDA affected this measure. Source
  • Full-year guidance ranges changed: Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, FFO and normalized FFO per share, and adjusted EBITDA ranges were raised. Net income and diluted EPS ranges were lowered. Source
  • Residential occupancy reached 84.0%: Residential occupancy was 84.0% in the third quarter, up from 76.7% in the prior year quarter. Source
  • Four facilities sold to DHS for $2.2 billion: The company sold four detention facilities with 7,187 beds for $2.2 billion gross, recording an aggregate gain of about $1.8 billion. Source
  • Leverage fell to (0.1)x: Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA on a trailing twelve-month basis was (0.1)x, compared with 2.5x a year earlier, after more than $700 million of debt was repaid. Source
  • $500 million ASR executed in August: The company paid $500.0 million under the ASR and received 12.4 million shares, based on 80% of the amount divided by the $32.27 closing price on August 7, 2026. Source
  • Swindle stepped down; Mayberry named CEO: Patrick Swindle stepped down as President and CEO for health reasons and resigned from the board. The board appointed Lucibeth Mayberry in his place on September 24, 2026. Source

“driven by increased demand for our services from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including higher utilization of recently activated facilities”

Lucibeth Mayberry, CoreCivic’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income SourceFull year 2026$1.461 billion to $1.467 billionLowered from $1.492 billion to $1.511 billion
Adjusted net income SourceFull year 2026$165.0 million to $171.0 millionRaised from $157.0 million to $165.0 million
Diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$15.42 to $15.48Lowered from $15.62 to $15.82
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$1.74 to $1.80Raised from $1.64 to $1.73
FFO per diluted share SourceFull year 2026$2.85 to $2.92Raised from $2.66 to $2.75
Normalized FFO per diluted share SourceFull year 2026$2.78 to $2.85Raised from $2.68 to $2.77
EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$2.221 billion to $2.224 billionNarrowed from $2.216 billion to $2.236 billion
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$442.5 million to $445.5 millionRaised from $434.5 million to $439.5 million
Maintenance capital expenditures, real estate SourceDuring 2026$30.0 million to $35.0 millionKept
Maintenance capital expenditures, other assets and IT SourceDuring 2026$35.0 million to $40.0 millionKept
Other capital investments SourceDuring 2026$12.0 millionLowered from $15.0 million
Capital expenditures for activating idled facilities SourceDuring 2026$35.0 million to $40.0 millionKept
Appleton Facility annual revenue SourceOnce fully activatedapproximately $75.0 millionKept
Four activating facilities annual revenue SourceOnce fully activatedapproximately $320.0 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 net income and diluted EPS ranges were lowered from the prior ranges. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, FFO and normalized FFO per share, and adjusted EBITDA ranges were raised from the prior ranges. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Other capital investments guidance was reduced from $15.0 million to $12.0 million. Source
  • New guidance: Annual revenue of about $320.0 million was given for the four facilities being activated, with no prior figure. Source
  • New: Four detention facilities were sold for $2.2 billion gross proceeds, with an aggregate gain of about $1.8 billion. Source
  • Ended: Company ownership of the four facilities ended with the sales to the Department of Homeland Security; the company expects to keep managing them. Source
  • New: A $500.0 million accelerated share repurchase agreement was entered into on August 10, 2026. Source
  • New: The board increased the share repurchase authorization by $500.0 million on November 3, 2026, bringing the aggregate to $1.7 billion. Source
  • New: Mr. Swindle's tenure as CEO is described: he was CEO from January 1, 2026, after serving as President and Chief Operating Officer from January 1, 2025. Source
  • New: The 4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2027 were redeemed in full on August 12, 2026. Source
  • New: The facility formerly named the Prairie Correctional Facility is now called the Appleton Facility. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 28.2% to $744.1 million: Total revenue was $744.1 million in the third quarter, up 28.2% from the prior year quarter. Source
  • Net income lifted by facility sale gain: Net income was $1,344.1 million, or $14.49 per diluted share, against $26.3 million, or $0.24, a year earlier. Special items, including the gain, were excluded from adjusted figures. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS rose to $0.49: Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.49 against $0.24, with adjusted net income of $45.7 million compared with $26.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Normalized FFO per share rose to $0.75: Normalized FFO was $69.9 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, against $52.1 million, or $0.48. Management said the same factors as Adjusted EBITDA affected this measure. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 32.6% to $117.8 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $117.8 million. General and administrative expense rose on higher incentive compensation, executive transition costs and technology spending. Source
  • Full-year guidance ranges changed: Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, FFO and normalized FFO per share, and adjusted EBITDA ranges were raised. Net income and diluted EPS ranges were lowered. Source

Segments and facility activity

  • Residential margin held near prior level: Residential operating margin was 22.3% against 22.5%, as occupancy rose mainly at four facilities still activating, which had not reached fully activated margins. Source
  • Four activating facilities earned $19.9 million: The four facilities being activated generated net operating income, defined as revenue less operating expenses, of $19.9 million in the quarter. Source
  • Services segment income rose to $9.6 million: CoreCivic Services net operating income was $9.6 million, mainly from the CSP acquisition, which serves over 600 correctional facilities across 32 states. Source

“Our balance sheet has improved meaningfully and provides us significant flexibility with both our capital allocation strategy and growth plans.”

Lucibeth Mayberry, CoreCivic’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Federal customers and occupancy

  • Residential occupancy reached 84.0%: Residential occupancy was 84.0% in the third quarter, up from 76.7% in the prior year quarter. Source
  • Federal customers were 53% of revenue: Federal customers in Residential generated 53% of total revenue, down from 55%. Federal revenue rose $71.3 million, or 22.2%, mainly on ICE-contract occupancy and per diem increases. Source
  • Other populations rose across portfolio: Higher federal and state populations across the rest of the Residential portfolio also contributed to the per-share increases the company reported. Source

Facility sales and continuing management

  • Four facilities sold to DHS for $2.2 billion: The company sold four detention facilities with 7,187 beds for $2.2 billion gross, recording an aggregate gain of about $1.8 billion. Source
  • Net proceeds of about $1.6 billion: After about $0.5 billion of federal and state income taxes and transaction costs, net proceeds from the facility sales were about $1.6 billion. Source
  • Company keeps managing sold facilities: The company expects to keep managing the four sold facilities under existing ICE management contracts. Source
  • Remaining contract terms run to 2031: The California City and Midwest contracts expire in August 2027. Otay Mesa expires in December 2029 with a five-year extension option. Appleton expires in August 2031. Source
  • More ICE sale talks at preliminary stage: The company is in preliminary discussions with ICE about buying additional detention facilities, and states that no further sales can be assured. Source

“As I assume this role, I remain committed to executing our strategy, which remains unchanged, delivering high-quality services for our government partners and generating long-term shareholder value.”

Lucibeth Mayberry, CoreCivic’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Capital, debt and share repurchases

  • Leverage fell to (0.1)x: Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA on a trailing twelve-month basis was (0.1)x, compared with 2.5x a year earlier, after more than $700 million of debt was repaid. Source
  • Debt paid down to $629.6 million: The revolver's $270.0 million balance, the term loans and the 2027 notes were repaid, including a make-whole premium on the notes. Total debt was $629.6 million at September 30. Source
  • $500 million ASR executed in August: The company paid $500.0 million under the ASR and received 12.4 million shares, based on 80% of the amount divided by the $32.27 closing price on August 7, 2026. Source
  • Repurchase authorization raised to $1.7 billion: On November 3, 2026 the board raised the program by $500.0 million, to $1.7 billion in aggregate. About $755.8 million remained available before any further ASR settlements. Source
  • Lower interest and fewer shares: Interest expense, net, fell to $7.0 million from $16.6 million. Weighted average diluted shares fell 13.8%, mainly from the buyback program. Source
  • Cash rose to $547.2 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $547.2 million at September 30, 2026, against $97.9 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Strategy and investment

  • New awards refilled idle facilities: Occupancy gains at previously idle facilities came from new contract awards at West Tennessee, California City, Diamondback and Midwest, two of which were sold to DHS. Source
  • Appleton contract pays fixed plus per diem: The Appleton Facility contract, awarded August 3 and commenced August 11, runs five years and pays a fixed monthly amount plus a per diem based on detainee populations. Source
  • Capital spent to prepare idle facilities: The company is spending capital to prepare idle facilities to quickly accept residential populations, including for potential future activations. Source

Leadership transition

  • Swindle stepped down; Mayberry named CEO: Patrick Swindle stepped down as President and CEO for health reasons and resigned from the board. The board appointed Lucibeth Mayberry in his place on September 24, 2026. Source
  • Mayberry previously chief strategy officer: Mayberry had served as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, and was appointed to fill the board seat Swindle vacated. Source
  • Settlement pay tied to executive transition: Settlement compensation linked to the executive transition was $6.4 million and is excluded from adjusted measures as a special item. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Appleton detainees arrive in Q4 2026: The company expects to begin receiving detainees at the Appleton Facility in the fourth quarter of 2026, with activation complete in the second quarter of 2027. Source
  • ASR final settlement before mid-2027: Final settlement of the accelerated share repurchase is scheduled before the end of the second quarter of 2027. Source
  • Sold facilities' contract terms to change: The company expects the management contracts for the sold facilities to be modified to reflect the change in ownership. Source
  • Investor materials posted November 17: Written materials for investor presentations will be on the company website beginning on or about November 17, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
FFO per diluted share Source$0.84 (Q3 2026) vs $0.48 (Q3 2025)
Normalized FFO per diluted share Source$0.75 (Q3 2026) vs $0.48 (Q3 2025)
Occupancy (Residential) Source84.0% (Q3 2026) vs 76.7% (Q3 2025)
Dispositions Source$2.2 billion gross proceeds, four facilities, 7,187 beds
Leverage (net debt to Adjusted EBITDA, trailing twelve months) Source(0.1)x (Sept 30, 2026) vs 2.5x (Sept 30, 2025)
Acquisitions SourceCSP acquired April 1, 2026

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: ICE may end its contracts for non-appropriation of funds or for convenience, so continued management of the sold facilities is not assured. Source
  • Operational: Management contracts for the four sold facilities have not yet been modified to reflect the change in ownership, and the guidance reflects an estimate of that effect. Source
  • Financial: At ASR settlement the company could be required to deliver shares or make a cash payment, depending on the settlement terms. Source
  • Financial: Future repurchases are subject to restricted payment limits in the company's debt agreements. Source
  • Operational: The chief executive change followed a health-related step-down, which the company described as a significant leadership transition. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The company states the sales of California City and Otay Mesa, announced earlier, were completed on July 2, 2026. Source
  • Met: The company states that, as previously announced, part of the sale proceeds was used in the third quarter to repay the Bank Credit Facility balances. Source
  • Met: The company states the new Appleton Facility contract commenced on August 11, 2026, as planned for a five-year term. Source
  • Not stated: The company says it continued activating four previously idle facilities and entered a new management contract for the Appleton Facility. 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.