greeksoup/ stock research

Comfort Systems USA Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 23 April 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose to $2.87 billion: Revenue was $2.87 billion, up from $1.83 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Diluted EPS more than doubled: Net income was $370.4 million, or $10.51 per diluted share, against $169.3 million, or $4.75 per diluted share, a year earlier. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 26.3%: Gross profit was $754.4 million, or 26.3% of revenue, against $403.4 million, or 22.0%, a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 18.3%: Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined in the release, was $524.4 million, or 18.3% of revenue, against $242.7 million, or 13.3%. Source
  • Backlog reached $12.45 billion: Backlog was $12.45 billion at March 31, 2026, against $11.94 billion at December 31, 2025 and $6.89 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash inflow of $388.8 million: Operating activities produced $388.8 million, against an outflow of $88.0 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Free cash flow was $242.2 million: Free cash flow was $242,229 thousand, against negative $109,063 thousand a year earlier. Source

“Comfort Systems USA is achieving unprecedented results for our shareholders, including organic revenue growth this quarter of 51% compared to the same quarter of last year”

Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Dividends per share were $0.700 for the quarter, against $0.600 in the prior release for the fourth quarter of 2025. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose to $2.87 billion: Revenue was $2.87 billion, up from $1.83 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Diluted EPS more than doubled: Net income was $370.4 million, or $10.51 per diluted share, against $169.3 million, or $4.75 per diluted share, a year earlier. Source
  • Operating income rose to 17.0%: Operating income was $485,718 thousand, or 17.0% of revenue, against $209,098 thousand, or 11.4%, a year earlier. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin rose to 26.3%: Gross profit was $754.4 million, or 26.3% of revenue, against $403.4 million, or 22.0%, a year earlier. Source
  • SG&A fell as a share of revenue: SG&A was $269.0 million, or 9.4% of revenue, against $194.9 million, or 10.6% a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 18.3%: Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined in the release, was $524.4 million, or 18.3% of revenue, against $242.7 million, or 13.3%. Source
  • Earn-out fair value charge increased: Changes in the fair value of contingent earn-out obligations were a charge of $10.4 million, against $3.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Tax provision rose with pre-tax income: The provision for income taxes was $111.8 million, against $38.7 million, on income before income taxes of $482.1 million. Source
  • Interest income rose: Interest income, net was $6.3 million, or 0.2% of revenue, against $2.6 million, or 0.1% a year earlier. Source

“Considering recent bookings, underlying persistent demand, and our strong pipelines, we are optimistic about our prospects for the next several quarters.”

Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer

Demand and the order book

  • Backlog reached $12.45 billion: Backlog was $12.45 billion at March 31, 2026, against $11.94 billion at December 31, 2025 and $6.89 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Billed receivables rose from year-end: Billed accounts receivable, net were $2,805,270 thousand, against $2,577,858 thousand at December 31, 2025. Unbilled receivables were $137,070 thousand. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Operating cash inflow of $388.8 million: Operating activities produced $388.8 million, against an outflow of $88.0 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Free cash flow was $242.2 million: Free cash flow was $242,229 thousand, against negative $109,063 thousand a year earlier. Source
  • Cash balance rose to $1.05 billion: Cash and cash equivalents were $1,050,164 thousand at March 31, 2026, against $981,898 thousand at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Long-term debt declined: Long-term debt was $39,054 thousand, against $139,063 thousand at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Investing and financing outflows: Investing activities used $184,001 thousand and financing activities used $136,561 thousand in the quarter. Source
  • Equity grew to $2.82 billion: Total stockholders’ equity was $2,815,048 thousand, against $2,448,774 thousand at December 31, 2025. Source

Capital spending and share count

  • Purchases of property and equipment rose: Purchases of property and equipment were $147,473 thousand, against $22,208 thousand a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted share count declined: The diluted share count used for EPS was 35,251 thousand, against 35,605 thousand a year earlier. Source

Footprint and operations

  • 197 locations in 143 cities: The company operated 197 locations in 143 cities, against 190 locations in 142 cities in the prior release. Source
  • Management credited growing teams: Management credited its growing teams across the United States for results and for outcomes for customers and communities. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Backlog Source$12.45 billion
Same-store backlog Source$12.21 billion
Locations Source197 locations in 143 cities

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management said burn rates increased during the quarter, even as backlog rose. 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.