greeksoup/ stock research

Graham Corp.: Q2 FY2027 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2027, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 2 lowered, 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales up 6% with FlackTek: Net sales were $69.8 million, up $3.7 million or 6%. Management attributed the increase to the diversified revenue base and to FlackTek, which added $9.5 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 64% to $10.3M: Adjusted EBITDA was $10.3 million, up 64%, with margin at 14.8%, up 530 basis points. Six-month adjusted EBITDA was $19.1 million, up 45%. Source
  • Defense sales rose 12%: Defense sales rose $5.1 million, or 12%. Defense was 66% of net sales for the quarter. Source
  • Record backlog reached $561.3 million: Backlog was $561.3 million, up 12%. Defense backlog rose 10% and Space backlog rose 108%. Source
  • Gross margin widened on mix and execution: Gross margin gains came from operational improvements on new and existing programs, FlackTek, and the mix of sales. Source
  • Operating cash flow $46.7 million: Operating cash flow was $46.7 million in the quarter and $34.1 million for the six months, reflecting collection timing and customer deposits. Source
  • Sales and EBITDA guidance reaffirmed: Net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance reaffirmed, based on first-half performance and expectations for the rest of the year. Source

“We are very pleased with the progress of FlackTek’s integration and the continued execution of our strategic initiatives”

Matthew J. Malone, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceFiscal 2027$285 million to $295 millionKept
Gross margin SourceFiscal 202725.0% to 26.0% of salesRaised from 24.5% to 25.5% of sales
SG&A expense including amortization SourceFiscal 202717.5% to 18.5% of salesRaised from 16.5% to 17.5% of sales
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal 2027$35 million to $40 millionKept
Effective tax rate SourceFiscal 202718% to 20%Kept
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2027$15.0 million to $20.0 millionLowered from $18.0 million to $22.0 million
Amount excluded from adjusted EBITDA (equity-based compensation, acquisition and integration, ERP) SourceFiscal 2027$6.0 million to $7.0 millionRaised from $5.5 million to $6.5 million
SG&A non-GAAP items (equity-based compensation, acquisition and integration, ERP) SourceFiscal 2027$4.5 million to $5.5 millionRaised from $4.0 million to $5.0 million
Incremental investment in people, processes and technology SourceFiscal 2027approximately $2.5 millionKept
Backlog converting to sales SourceNext twelve months from September 30, 202630% to 35% of backlogLowered from 35% to 40% of backlog
Backlog converting to sales SourceOne to two years from September 30, 202620% to 25% of backlogKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Gross margin guidance raised to 25.0% to 26.0% of sales from 24.5% to 25.5%. Source
  • Guidance raised: SG&A guidance raised to 17.5% to 18.5% of sales from 16.5% to 17.5%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Amount excluded from adjusted EBITDA raised to $6.0 million to $7.0 million from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Capital expenditures guidance lowered to $15.0 million to $20.0 million from $18.0 million to $22.0 million. Source
  • Guidance kept: Net sales, adjusted EBITDA and effective tax rate guidance unchanged. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Share of backlog expected to convert within twelve months lowered to 30% to 35% from 35% to 40%. Source
  • New: Completed first customer test at new cryogenic testing facility and broke ground on new facility in Arvada. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales up 6% with FlackTek: Net sales were $69.8 million, up $3.7 million or 6%. Management attributed the increase to the diversified revenue base and to FlackTek, which added $9.5 million. Source
  • Gross profit up 38% on margin gain: Gross profit was $19.7 million, up 38%. Gross margin was 28.2%, up 650 basis points from 21.7% a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 64% to $10.3M: Adjusted EBITDA was $10.3 million, up 64%, with margin at 14.8%, up 530 basis points. Six-month adjusted EBITDA was $19.1 million, up 45%. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose 39% to $0.39: Net income was $4.6 million, up 50%. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.52, up 68%. Source
  • Operating income up 37%: Operating income was $5.8 million, up 37%, with operating margin at 8.4% against 6.5%. Six-month operating income rose 8% to $10.0 million. Source

Segments and markets

  • Defense sales rose 12%: Defense sales rose $5.1 million, or 12%. Defense was 66% of net sales for the quarter. Source
  • Space sales rose 59%: Space sales rose $2.4 million, or 59%, from commercialization, faster launch cadences, program ramps and FlackTek. Source
  • Energy & Process sales fell 17%: Energy & Process sales fell $3.7 million, or 17%. Growth in New Energy markets and FlackTek partly offset the decline. Source
  • Aftermarket sales held at high levels: Aftermarket sales for Energy & Process and Defense were $8.6 million, down 3% from the prior-year quarter, remaining at high levels. Source

“Based on our first-half performance and expectations for the remainder of the year, we are reaffirming our full-year fiscal 2027 guidance of net sales and adjusted EBITDA”

Christopher J. Thome, Chief Financial Officer

Demand and order book

  • Orders fell; book-to-bill 1.1x: Orders were $73.7 million, against $83.2 million a year earlier. Book-to-bill was 1.1x for the quarter and 1.2x for the six months. Source
  • Record backlog reached $561.3 million: Backlog was $561.3 million, up 12%. Defense backlog rose 10% and Space backlog rose 108%. Source
  • Space orders covered sales 1.7x: Space orders were $10.6 million in the quarter, or 1.7 times Space sales. Six-month Space orders were 2.0 times Space sales. Source
  • Aftermarket orders rose 91%: Aftermarket orders for Energy & Process and Defense rose 91% to $18.3 million in the quarter. Source
  • Defense is 83% of backlog: About 83% of backlog is Defense, which the company says provides stability and visibility for future revenue. Source

Margins and costs

  • Gross margin widened on mix and execution: Gross margin gains came from operational improvements on new and existing programs, FlackTek, and the mix of sales. Source
  • Prior-year material receipts lowered margin: Management cited a high level of material receipts in the prior-year quarter, which carry a lower profit margin, as a factor in the comparison. Source
  • SG&A rose 34% on FlackTek and integration: SG&A including amortization rose $3.4 million, or 34%. Acquisition and integration costs added $0.7 million; FlackTek SG&A added $2.3 million. Source
  • Investment adds $2.5 million of cost: Ongoing investment in people, processes and technology is expected to add about $2.5 million in fiscal 2027. A prior-year $1.1 million Barber-Nichols bonus was not repeated. Source

“We believe these investments position us to capitalize on expanding opportunities in Space and Defense, as well as emerging high-growth markets such as advanced defense systems and small modular reactors, while advancing toward our long-term financial targets.”

Matthew J. Malone, President and Chief Executive Officer

Cash, balance sheet and capital

  • Operating cash flow $46.7 million: Operating cash flow was $46.7 million in the quarter and $34.1 million for the six months, reflecting collection timing and customer deposits. Source
  • Cash rose to $71.4 million: Cash was $71.4 million at September 30, up from $27.0 million at June 30 and $6.6 million at March 31, 2026. Source
  • No debt; $74.7M revolver available: No debt was outstanding at quarter end, and $74.7 million was available under the revolving credit facility. Source
  • Capex $2.2 million in quarter: Net capital expenditures were $2.2 million in the quarter and $4.9 million for six months, supporting growth and productivity initiatives. Source

Strategy and growth markets

  • Three-year framework introduced in June: A three-year financial framework was introduced at the June 2026 Investor Day. The Q2 release says the company is advancing toward its long-term financial targets.
  • Space and Defense named as target areas: Management named Space, Defense, advanced defense systems and small modular reactors as areas its investments target. Source
  • FlackTek integration progressing: Management cited progress on the FlackTek integration and continued execution of strategic initiatives. Source

Reasons for guidance changes

  • Gross margin range updated on mix: Gross margin guidance was updated based on mix and better execution. Source
  • SG&A range updated on deal costs: SG&A guidance was updated for higher acquisition and integration related expenses. Source
  • Capex range updated on project timing: Capital expenditure guidance was updated for the timing of major projects. Source
  • Sales and EBITDA guidance reaffirmed: Net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance reaffirmed, based on first-half performance and expectations for the rest of the year. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Orders Source$73.7 million
Backlog Source$561.3 million
Book-to-bill ratio Source1.1x
Defense orders Source$41.8 million
Space market orders Source$10.6 million
Defense share of backlog Source83%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Order timing can be uneven, since large capital projects and multi-year Defense orders can vary significantly in size. Source
  • External: Large capital project investment in Energy & Process softened, which the company linked to geopolitical uncertainties. Source
  • Operational: About $10.0 million of lower material receipts in the quarter partly offset Defense sales growth. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Six-month book-to-bill of 1.2x was described as ahead of the annual target of 1.1x. Source
  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the full-year net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance given earlier in the year, without a status term. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it is advancing toward long-term financial targets; no status was given. 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.