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IDEXX Laboratories Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 16 raised, 2 lowered, 2 new, 10 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 14%, 11% organic: Revenue of $1,141 million was up 14% as reported and 11% organic, with Companion Animal Group growth of 15% reported and 12% organic. Source
  • EPS up 17%, 15% comparable: Diluted EPS of $3.47 rose 17% as reported and 15% comparable; currency added $0.14, share-based compensation tax benefits added $0.09, and an equity investment loss reduced it by $0.05. Source
  • VetLab consumables up 20%: IDEXX VetLab consumables rose 20% reported and 15% organic, which management tied to testing utilization gains, recent launches, a 12% larger premium instrument base and net price gains. Source
  • 1,100 inVue Dx placements: Capital instrument revenue rose 33% reported and 28% organic, with benefits from 1,100 inVue Dx placements in the quarter. Source
  • Gross margin up 90 bps: Gross margin was 63.4%, up 90 basis points as reported and comparable, which management attributed to recurring revenue volume, productivity and net price, offset by inflation and investments. Source
  • U.S. visit pressure eased modestly: Management said U.S. growth was aided by a modest easing of clinical visit pressures and increased diagnostic frequency; U.S. CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue rose 10.7%. Source
  • Operating cash flow $266 million: Operating cash flow was $266.2 million, up from $238.0 million; free cash flow was $234.3 million after $32.0 million of capital expenditures. Source
  • CEO transition under way: Chief Executive Officer Jay Mazelsky said he is transitioning from the CEO role and will keep working with Mike Erickson on long-term growth. Source

“Excellent commercial execution delivered exceptional first quarter results and positions IDEXX for continued strength through 2026”

Jay Mazelsky, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefull year 2026$4,675 million - $4,760 millionRaised from $4,632 million - $4,720 million
Reported revenue growth Sourcefull year 20268.6% - 10.6%Raised from 7.6% - 9.6%
Organic revenue growth Sourcefull year 20267.7% - 9.7%Raised from 7.0% - 9.0%
CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue reported growth Sourcefull year 20269.6% - 11.6%Raised from 8.6% - 10.6%
CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue organic growth Sourcefull year 20268.7% - 10.7%Raised from 8.0% - 10.0%
Reported operating margin Sourcefull year 202632.1% - 32.5%Raised from 32.0% - 32.5%
Reported operating margin expansion Sourcefull year 202650 bps - 90 bpsRaised from 40 bps - 90 bps
Comparable operating margin expansion Sourcefull year 202650 bps - 90 bpsRaised from 30 bps - 80 bps
Diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$14.45 - $14.90Raised from $14.29 - $14.80
Reported EPS growth Sourcefull year 202611% - 14%Raised from 9% - 13%
Comparable EPS growth Sourcefull year 202611% - 15%Raised from 10% - 14%
Net interest expense Sourcefull year 2026~ $34Kept
Share-based compensation tax benefit Sourcefull year 2026~ $15Kept
Share-based compensation tax rate benefit Sourcefull year 2026~ 1.0%Kept
Effective tax rate Sourcefull year 2026~ 21.4%Raised from ~ 21.3%
Share-based compensation EPS impact Sourcefull year 2026~ $0.19Kept
Reduction in average shares outstanding Sourcefull year 20261% - 2%Kept
Operating cash flow as % of net income Sourcefull year 2026105% - 115%Kept
Free cash flow as % of net income Sourcefull year 202685% - 95%Kept
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026~ $180Kept
Currency impact on revenue growth Sourcefull year 2026~0.9%Raised from ~0.6%
Currency impact on EPS Sourcefull year 2026~ $0.27Raised from ~ $0.22
Currency impact on operating margin Sourcefull year 2026~ 30 bpsKept
Second quarter organic growth currency adjustment Sourcesecond quarter 2026~60 basis pointsNew
Second quarter comparable margin expansion currency adjustment Sourcesecond quarter 2026~10 basis pointsNew
Euro, British pound and Canadian dollar rate assumptions Source2026euro $1.16; British pound $1.33; Canadian dollar $0.72Kept
Australian dollar rate assumption Source2026$0.70Raised from $0.66
Japanese yen rate assumption Source2026¥160Raised from ¥157
Chinese renminbi rate assumption Source2026¥6.90Lowered from ¥7.05
Brazilian real rate assumption Source2026R$5.15Lowered from R$5.45

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 revenue range raised by $42 million at midpoint to $4,675 million - $4,760 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 EPS range raised to $14.45 - $14.90 from $14.29 - $14.80. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year reported operating margin range moved to 32.1% - 32.5%, and margin expansion range raised to 50 - 90 basis points. Source
  • New guidance: Second quarter 2026 projections now include currency adjustments of about 60 basis points to organic revenue growth. Source
  • New: Chief Executive Officer Jay Mazelsky said he is transitioning from the CEO role; the document names Mike Erickson as someone he will keep working with. Source
  • New: IDEXX inVue Dx FNA began a controlled launch, with broader access planned over the rest of the year. Source
  • New: IDEXX Cancer Dx completed a recent international launch, in addition to growing U.S. adoption. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 14%, 11% organic: Revenue of $1,141 million was up 14% as reported and 11% organic, with Companion Animal Group growth of 15% reported and 12% organic. Source
  • EPS up 17%, 15% comparable: Diluted EPS of $3.47 rose 17% as reported and 15% comparable; currency added $0.14, share-based compensation tax benefits added $0.09, and an equity investment loss reduced it by $0.05. Source
  • Operating margin 31.8%, up 10 bps: Operating margin was 31.8%, up 10 basis points as reported and 100 basis points comparable; comparable figures exclude currency and the prior-year $8.6 million litigation item. Source
  • Currency added to EPS growth: Currency changes added 4.6% to EPS growth and 40 basis points to operating margin growth, according to the constant currency analysis. Source
  • Net income up 15%: Net income attributable to stockholders was $278.4 million, up from $242.7 million, with diluted shares of 80.2 million against 81.9 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • CAG revenue and recurring growth: CAG revenue reached $1,054 million, up 15% reported and 12% organic; CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue was $920 million, up 14% reported and 11% organic. Source
  • International grew faster than U.S.: International CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue grew 21% reported and 12% organic; U.S. grew 11% reported and organic, which management said outpaced sector growth levels. Source
  • Water revenue growth: Water revenue rose 11% as reported and 7% organic, with organic growth in the U.S. and Latin America. Source
  • LPD revenue growth: Livestock, Poultry and Dairy revenue rose 14% as reported and 7% organic, led by growth across core product categories. Source

“Initial customer response to the controlled launch of IDEXX inVue Dx FNA has been very encouraging and supports broadening access over the remainder of the year.”

Jay Mazelsky, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • VetLab consumables up 20%: IDEXX VetLab consumables rose 20% reported and 15% organic, which management tied to testing utilization gains, recent launches, a 12% larger premium instrument base and net price gains. Source
  • 1,100 inVue Dx placements: Capital instrument revenue rose 33% reported and 28% organic, with benefits from 1,100 inVue Dx placements in the quarter. Source
  • Rapid assay flat organically: Rapid assay product revenue rose 1% reported and was flat organically, with net price gains offset by volume effects from the Catalyst Pancreatic Lipase Test. Source
  • Reference laboratory growth: Reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services rose 12% reported and 10% organic, with higher testing volumes and net new customer gains. Source
  • Imaging and software growth: Veterinary software, services and diagnostic imaging revenue rose 12% reported and 11% organic, led by cloud-native software and record diagnostic imaging installations. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin up 90 bps: Gross margin was 63.4%, up 90 basis points as reported and comparable, which management attributed to recurring revenue volume, productivity and net price, offset by inflation and investments. Source
  • Operating expenses up 17%: Operating expenses rose 17% reported and 11% comparable, including a $5 million equity investment loss and lapping a prior-year accrual benefit of about $9 million. Source
  • Spending on commercial and R&D: Expense growth came from commercial capabilities, higher R&D spend for the innovation agenda, Veterinary Software and Services investment, and higher employee benefit and incentive costs. Source

“As I transition from the CEO role, IDEXX remains well-positioned for continued success, and I look forward to continuing to work with Mike Erickson to drive long-term sustained growth in the business.”

Jay Mazelsky, President and Chief Executive Officer

Clinical visits and customer demand

  • U.S. visit pressure eased modestly: Management said U.S. growth was aided by a modest easing of clinical visit pressures and increased diagnostic frequency; U.S. CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue rose 10.7%. Source
  • Customer gains drove recurring growth: Management cited net customer gains, volume gains, innovation benefits and a larger premium installed base as drivers of double-digit CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue growth. Source
  • Catalyst test shifting rapid assay volume: Rapid assay volume continues to be affected as the Catalyst Pancreatic Lipase Test shifts some testing across modalities. Source

Cash, debt and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow $266 million: Operating cash flow was $266.2 million, up from $238.0 million; free cash flow was $234.3 million after $32.0 million of capital expenditures. Source
  • Buybacks and share count: The company repurchased 605 thousand shares for $371.4 million total cost, against 945 thousand shares for $415.3 million a year earlier. Source
  • Credit line borrowings increased: Line of credit borrowings reached $530.0 million from $398.0 million at December 31, 2025; cash and cash equivalents were $200.5 million. Source
  • Capital spending $32 million: Purchases of property and equipment were $32.0 million, compared with $30.0 million a year earlier. Source

Innovation and investment

  • R&D spend rose slightly: Research and development expense was $65.8 million, or 5.8% of revenue, against $59.1 million, or 5.9%, a year earlier. Source
  • Software business investment: Operating expense growth included further investment in the Veterinary Software and Services business. Source

Leadership and governance

  • CEO transition under way: Chief Executive Officer Jay Mazelsky said he is transitioning from the CEO role and will keep working with Mike Erickson on long-term growth. Source
  • Annual meeting on May 12: The company will hold its 2026 annual meeting virtually on May 12, 2026, and will publish answers to shareholder questions afterward. Source
  • Workforce and reach: The company employs about 11,000 people and serves customers in more than 175 countries and territories. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 May 2026

  • Broader inVue Dx FNA access: Management expects access to the inVue Dx FNA to broaden over the remainder of the year after the controlled launch. Source
  • Shareholder meeting May 12: The 2026 annual meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2026, held virtually, with shareholder questions taken live and answers published afterward. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
IDEXX VetLab consumables revenue Source$412,582 thousand, up 19.7% reported
Rapid assay products revenue Source$84,938 thousand, up 1.1% reported
Research and development expense Source$65,788 thousand, 5.8% of revenue
InVue Dx instrument placements Source1,100 in the quarter
IDEXX Cancer Dx launch Sourcerecent international launch

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: U.S. clinical visit pressure eased only modestly, per management, and remains a factor in U.S. growth. Source
  • Demand: Rapid assay volume continues to be affected as the Catalyst Pancreatic Lipase Test shifts testing across modalities. Source
  • Financial: A $5 million loss on an equity investment reduced first quarter EPS by $0.05 and is also reflected in the full-year EPS range. 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.