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Ducommun Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Record quarterly revenue: Net revenue was $227.0 million, up from $214.4 million in the third quarter of 2025, an increase the company described as 6%. Prior-year figure is as restated in the 10-K/A. Source
  • Commercial aerospace drove growth: Commercial aerospace end-use revenue rose $21.1 million on higher rates across large aircraft, business jets, rotary-wing and commercial electronics, partly offset by a $9.2 million decline in military and space. Source
  • Net income swung to a profit: Net income was $13.9 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, against a net loss of $60.8 million a year earlier. The prior year included $99.7 million of litigation settlement and related costs. Source
  • Electronic Systems revenue and margin rose: Electronic Systems revenue was $129.6 million, up from $125.3 million, and segment operating income was $28.7 million, or 22.2% of revenue, against 18.6% a year earlier. Source
  • Structural Systems revenue rose, margin fell: Structural Systems revenue was $97.4 million, up from $89.2 million, while segment operating income was $11.9 million, or 12.3% of revenue, against 13.7%. The company attributed the decline to unfavorable product mix. Source
  • Single-aisle programs ramping: Management cited the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320 as drivers of the 28% year-over-year commercial aerospace increase, which it said is nearing a $100 million quarterly run rate. Source
  • Record gross margin of 28.9%: Gross margin was 28.9% against 27.5%, up 140 bps, which the company attributed to higher manufacturing volume, facility consolidation synergies and strategic pricing, partly offset by unfavorable product mix. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin edged up: Adjusted EBITDA was $39.7 million, or 17.5% of revenue, against $37.4 million, or 17.4%, a 10 bps increase. Source
  • Record RPO of $1.3 billion: Remaining performance obligations reached $1.3 billion, up from $1.16 billion at July 4, 2026 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Defense book-to-bill at 2.2x: Military and space bookings were $263.5 million against $118.6 million of revenue, a non-GAAP book-to-bill of 2.2x, compared with 1.5x a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash flow increased: Net cash provided by operations was $32.7 million, against $18.1 million, driven by higher net income, contract liabilities and accrued liabilities, partly offset by higher contract assets and receivables. Source
  • VISION 2032 Plan targets set: Management said the VISION 2027 goals are close, citing record revenue, gross margin and RPO, and that the VISION 2032 Plan sets targets of $1.6 to $1.7 billion revenue, 40% engineered product mix, 20% aftermarket mix and 23% Adjusted EBITDA margin. Source
  • Prior-year litigation charge absent: The prior-year third quarter included $99.7 million of litigation settlement and related costs, which did not recur. This accounts for most of the year-over-year change in operating income and CG&A. Source

“Another excellent quarter for Ducommun in 2026. With record revenue and gross margins in Q3, we continued to make great progress towards accomplishing our VISION 2027 goals”

Stephen G. Oswald, chairman, president and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Annual revenue target (VISION 2032 Plan) SourceVISION 2032 (year not stated in the release as a single date)$1.6 to $1.7 billion
Engineered product mix (VISION 2032 Plan) SourceVISION 203240%
Aftermarket mix (VISION 2032 Plan) SourceVISION 203220%
Adjusted EBITDA margin (VISION 2032 Plan) SourceVISION 203223%
Adjusted EBITDA margin (VISION 2027) SourceEnd of 202718%

What changed from last quarter

  • New: VISION 2032 Plan launched at Investor Day in New York on September 17, with revenue, mix and margin targets. Source
  • New: Adjusted EBITDA definition now also excludes pension plan settlement loss and compensation clawback is shown as a reconciling item; litigation settlement line is shown in the reconciliation of prior periods. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Record quarterly revenue: Net revenue was $227.0 million, up from $214.4 million in the third quarter of 2025, an increase the company described as 6%. Prior-year figure is as restated in the 10-K/A. Source
  • Commercial aerospace drove growth: Commercial aerospace end-use revenue rose $21.1 million on higher rates across large aircraft, business jets, rotary-wing and commercial electronics, partly offset by a $9.2 million decline in military and space. Source
  • Net income swung to a profit: Net income was $13.9 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, against a net loss of $60.8 million a year earlier. The prior year included $99.7 million of litigation settlement and related costs. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS flat year over year: Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS was $1.21 against $1.22 in the third quarter of 2025, and non-GAAP adjusted net income was $18.8 million in both periods. Source
  • Nine-month results improved: Nine-month net revenue was $660.5 million against $607.7 million, and nine-month net income was $44.2 million against a net loss of $46.7 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • Electronic Systems revenue and margin rose: Electronic Systems revenue was $129.6 million, up from $125.3 million, and segment operating income was $28.7 million, or 22.2% of revenue, against 18.6% a year earlier. Source
  • Structural Systems revenue rose, margin fell: Structural Systems revenue was $97.4 million, up from $89.2 million, while segment operating income was $11.9 million, or 12.3% of revenue, against 13.7%. The company attributed the decline to unfavorable product mix. Source
  • Defense revenue dipped on program timing: Military and space revenue was $9.2 million lower, attributed to lower rates on ground vehicle, rotary-wing and radar platforms, partly offset by missiles and fixed-wing aircraft. Source

Products and customers

  • Single-aisle programs ramping: Management cited the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320 as drivers of the 28% year-over-year commercial aerospace increase, which it said is nearing a $100 million quarterly run rate. Source
  • Missile programs grew: Management cited growth on the Tomahawk, MIR and TOW missile platforms and on the F-15 fixed-wing platform, offset by timing of orders on ground vehicles, Blackhawk and Apache, and select radar programs. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Record gross margin of 28.9%: Gross margin was 28.9% against 27.5%, up 140 bps, which the company attributed to higher manufacturing volume, facility consolidation synergies and strategic pricing, partly offset by unfavorable product mix. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin edged up: Adjusted EBITDA was $39.7 million, or 17.5% of revenue, against $37.4 million, or 17.4%, a 10 bps increase. Source
  • SG&A rose on compensation: SG&A expense rose $5.8 million year over year, and the company cited higher compensation and benefits of $1.9 million and professional services fees of $1.1 million. Source
  • Pension settlement loss recorded: A pension plan settlement loss of $3.9 million was recorded in the quarter, against none in the prior-year period. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Record RPO of $1.3 billion: Remaining performance obligations reached $1.3 billion, up from $1.16 billion at July 4, 2026 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Defense book-to-bill at 2.2x: Military and space bookings were $263.5 million against $118.6 million of revenue, a non-GAAP book-to-bill of 2.2x, compared with 1.5x a year earlier. Source
  • Commercial book-to-bill fell to 0.8x: Commercial bookings were $81.7 million against $97.2 million of revenue, a book-to-bill of 0.8x, compared with 1.8x in the third quarter of 2025. Source

Capital, cash and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow increased: Net cash provided by operations was $32.7 million, against $18.1 million, driven by higher net income, contract liabilities and accrued liabilities, partly offset by higher contract assets and receivables. Source
  • Capital expenditures increased: Capital expenditures were $5.6 million in the quarter against $2.4 million, and $11.9 million for the nine months against $10.7 million. Source
  • Debt balance reduced: Long-term debt less current portion was $245.2 million at October 3, 2026, down from $298.8 million at December 31, 2025. Cash was $39.2 million. Source
  • Interest expense rose on debt: Interest expense was $3.1 million against $2.9 million, which the company attributed to a higher outstanding debt balance, partly offset by lower interest rates. Source

Strategy and investment

  • VISION 2032 Plan targets set: Management said the VISION 2027 goals are close, citing record revenue, gross margin and RPO, and that the VISION 2032 Plan sets targets of $1.6 to $1.7 billion revenue, 40% engineered product mix, 20% aftermarket mix and 23% Adjusted EBITDA margin. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA nearing 18% goal: Management said Adjusted EBITDA margin was close to the 18% VISION 2027 goal due by the end of 2027, and set the VISION 2032 margin target at 23%. Source

Litigation and other items

  • Prior-year litigation charge absent: The prior-year third quarter included $99.7 million of litigation settlement and related costs, which did not recur. This accounts for most of the year-over-year change in operating income and CG&A. Source
  • Compensation clawback in nine months: A compensation clawback of $3.9 million was recorded in the first half and included as a reduction to SG&A and to non-GAAP adjustments for the nine months. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Defense momentum expected in 2027: Management expects momentum in the defense business to continue in 2027. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Defense revenue declined on timing of orders and production for ground vehicles, Blackhawk and Apache rotary-wing aircraft and select radar programs. Source
  • Demand: Commercial book-to-bill was 0.8x this quarter against 1.8x a year earlier. Source
  • Operational: Unfavorable product mix reduced Structural Systems segment margin. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management described the company as close to the 18% goal, with the quarter at 17.5%. 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.