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IDEXX Laboratories Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 13 raised, 4 lowered. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 10% as reported: Revenue reached $1,217 million, up 10% as reported and 9% organic. CAG rose 9%, Water 15% and LPD 11%. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $4.27: Diluted EPS was $4.27, up 18% as reported and 15% comparable. It included $0.14 from share-based compensation tax benefits and $0.06 from currency. Source
  • Recurring revenue led CAG growth: CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue rose 11% as reported and 10% organic, the main driver of CAG growth. Source
  • Installed base passes 9,000: The IDEXX inVue Dx installed base exceeded 9,000 instruments, with over 1,600 placements in the quarter. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 64.0%: Gross margin was 64.0%, up 140 basis points as reported and 120 basis points comparable, from recurring volume, productivity and net price realization. Source
  • Operating margin reached 35.0%: Operating margin was 35.0%, up 140 basis points as reported and 110 basis points on a comparable basis. Source
  • Volume and utilization drove recurring growth: Management attributed recurring revenue growth to volume gains, innovation and expansion of diagnostics utilization. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $322.5 million: Free cash flow was $322.5 million in the quarter, against $151.6 million a year earlier. Six-month free cash flow was $556.8 million. Source

“This is the kind of durable, compounding growth we're building for the long term, helping veterinarians see more and do more for their patients while creating lasting value for our shareholders.”

Mike Erickson, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFull year 2026$4,700 million - $4,745 millionRaised from $4,675 million - $4,760 million
Reported revenue growth SourceFull year 20269.1% - 10.3%Raised from 8.6% - 10.6%
Organic revenue growth SourceFull year 20268.5% - 9.7%Raised from 7.7% - 9.7%
CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue reported growth SourceFull year 202610.1% - 11.3%Raised from 9.6% - 11.6%
CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue organic growth SourceFull year 20269.5% - 10.7%Raised from 8.7% - 10.7%
Operating margin and margin expansion SourceFull year 202632.3% - 32.5%; expansion 70 - 90 basis pointsRaised from 32.1% - 32.5%; expansion 50 - 90 basis points
Diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$14.69 - $14.94Raised from $14.45 - $14.90
Comparable EPS growth SourceFull year 202613% - 15%Raised from 11% - 15%
Reduction in average shares outstanding SourceFull year 20261.5% - 2%Raised from 1% - 2%
Operating cash flow as % of net income SourceFull year 2026110% - 120%Raised from 105% - 115%
Free cash flow as % of net income SourceFull year 202690% - 100%Raised from 85% - 95%
Net interest expense SourceFull year 2026~ $35 millionRaised from ~ $34 million
Share-based compensation tax benefit SourceFull year 2026~ $19 millionRaised from ~ $15 million
Effective tax rate SourceFull year 2026~ 21.1%Lowered from ~ 21.4%
Currency impact on revenue growth SourceFull year 2026~0.6%Lowered from ~0.9%
Currency impact on EPS SourceFull year 2026~ $0.22Lowered from ~ $0.27
Euro exchange rate assumption SourceFull year 2026$1.14Lowered from $1.16

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Updated foreign exchange estimates reduced projected 2026 revenue by $15 million, offsetting part of the midpoint increase. Source
  • Guidance kept: Projected 2026 capital expenditures stayed at about $180 million. Source
  • New: Mike Erickson is named President and Chief Executive Officer, following the CEO transition described in the first quarter release. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 10% as reported: Revenue reached $1,217 million, up 10% as reported and 9% organic. CAG rose 9%, Water 15% and LPD 11%. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $4.27: Diluted EPS was $4.27, up 18% as reported and 15% comparable. It included $0.14 from share-based compensation tax benefits and $0.06 from currency. Source
  • Operating profit rose 14%: Operating profit was $425.6 million, up 14% as reported and 12% on a comparable basis. Source
  • Recurring revenue led CAG growth: CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue rose 11% as reported and 10% organic, the main driver of CAG growth. Source

Segments and regions

  • Water revenue up 15%: Water grew 15% as reported and 13% organic, with solid organic growth in the U.S. and Europe. Source
  • LPD led by Americas: LPD grew 11% as reported and 9% organic. LPD income from operations was $2.4 million, against a loss of $0.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • International recurring revenue faster: International CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue rose 14% reported and 12% organic. The U.S. rose 10% reported and organic. Source
  • CAG margin on income rose: CAG income from operations was $393.3 million, 35.2% of CAG revenue, against 34.1% a year earlier. Source

“Exceptional commercial execution - including strong volume gains, net customer expansion, benefits from IDEXX innovation, and growth of the premium instrument installed base - drove double-digit CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue growth.”

IDEXX Laboratories Inc., press release

Products and customers

  • VetLab consumables up 15%: VetLab consumables grew 15% as reported and 14% organic, supported by testing utilization gains, recent launches, net new customers and net price gains. Source
  • Installed base passes 9,000: The IDEXX inVue Dx installed base exceeded 9,000 instruments, with over 1,600 placements in the quarter. Source
  • Instrument revenue fell on comparison: CAG Diagnostics capital instrument revenue fell 19% as reported and 20% organic, lapping the Q2 2025 broad inVue Dx launch. Source
  • Rapid assay flat on Catalyst test: Rapid assay revenue rose 1%, with net price benefits. Adoption of the Catalyst Pancreatic Lipase Test shifted some testing across modalities, with that volume effect easing. Source
  • Software and imaging up 12%: Veterinary software, services and diagnostic imaging grew 12%, with cloud-native software and installed base growth. Source
  • Reference lab revenue up 11%: Reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services grew 11% reported and 10% organic on higher testing volumes and net new customers. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin rose to 64.0%: Gross margin was 64.0%, up 140 basis points as reported and 120 basis points comparable, from recurring volume, productivity and net price realization. Source
  • Operating margin reached 35.0%: Operating margin was 35.0%, up 140 basis points as reported and 110 basis points on a comparable basis. Source
  • Operating expenses rose 10%: Operating expenses rose 10% as reported and 9% on a comparable basis. Source
  • Investment areas named: Expense growth supported commercial capabilities, the innovation agenda and enabling information technology investments. Source
  • Currency added to profit growth: Currency changes added 1.6% to operating profit growth, 30 basis points to operating margin growth and 1.7% to EPS growth. Source

Demand and utilization

  • Volume and utilization drove recurring growth: Management attributed recurring revenue growth to volume gains, innovation and expansion of diagnostics utilization. Source
  • Premium installed base up 11%: The global premium instrument installed base expanded 11%, cited alongside net price gains as drivers of VetLab consumables growth. Source
  • Record imaging installations: Diagnostic imaging systems had another record quarter of installations, led by ImageVue DR50 Plus. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Free cash flow reached $322.5 million: Free cash flow was $322.5 million in the quarter, against $151.6 million a year earlier. Six-month free cash flow was $556.8 million. Source
  • Operating cash flow increased: Operating cash flow was $347.2 million in the quarter, against $185.7 million, and $613.4 million for six months. Source
  • Open-market buybacks of $332 million: The company repurchased 582,000 shares in the open market for $332.0 million in the quarter, at an average $570.72 per share. Source
  • Line of credit balance rose: The line of credit was $519.0 million at June 30, 2026, up from $398.0 million at December 31, 2025, with cash of $196.9 million. Source
  • Capital spending lower: Purchases of property and equipment were $24.6 million in the quarter, against $34.1 million, and $56.6 million for six months. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Technology for Life strategy cited: Management tied results to the Technology for Life strategy, with continued innovation across the Catalyst, Fecal Dx and inVue Dx platforms. Source

Leadership and workforce

  • Erickson now leads as CEO: Mike Erickson is named President and CEO in this release. The first quarter release had described Jay Mazelsky transitioning from the CEO role. Source
  • About 11,000 employees: IDEXX reports about 11,000 employees and offers products and services in more than 175 countries and territories. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 August 2026

  • Investor Day on August 13: IDEXX will host its 2026 Investor Day from 8:00 am to about 12:00 pm ET, with a live webcast and slides at the investor site. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Research and development expense, quarter Source$65.4 million (5.4% of revenue)
IDEXX VetLab consumables revenue, quarter Source$430.3 million
Rapid assay products revenue, quarter Source$101.6 million
Reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services revenue, quarter Source$406.7 million

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Adoption of the Catalyst Pancreatic Lipase Test has shifted some testing across modalities, affecting rapid assay volume. Source
  • External: Management cited a stronger U.S. dollar as a $15 million reduction to projected 2026 revenues. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The first quarter release said early customer response to the controlled FNA launch supported broader access later in the year. The second quarter release does not state progress.

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.