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Kbr, 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: 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell on EUCOM runoff: Revenues were $1.9 billion, down $95 million or 5%, mainly from the expected runoff of EUCOM contingency scope. Source
  • Operating income down 11%: Operating income was $180 million, a 9.4% margin against 10.0% a year earlier, with gross profit lower on revenue and services mix. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA held flat: Adjusted EBITDA was $251 million, in line with the prior year, and its margin rose to 13.1% from 12.3%. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell on JV interest: Adjusted EPS was $0.96, down 5%, as higher interest at unconsolidated joint ventures outweighed fewer adjusted shares from repurchases. Source
  • Backlog and options $23.2 billion: Backlog and options were $23.2 billion at quarter end, essentially unchanged from January 2, 2026; MTS was $18.5 billion and STS $4.7 billion. Source
  • Spin-off of MTS targeted January 2027: Management is separating Mission Technology Solutions into a separate U.S. public company, targeted for January 4, 2027, subject to Board approval. Source
  • Full-year guidance reaffirmed: Consolidated fiscal 2026 guidance was reaffirmed; standalone guidance for each business will follow in connection with the spin-off. Source

“KBR delivered a solid start to the year, reflecting disciplined execution and resilient operations in a dynamic environment,”

Stuart Bradie, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenues Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year, consolidated)$7.90B - $8.36BKept
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year, consolidated)$980M - $1,040MKept
Adjusted EPS Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year, consolidated)$3.87 - $4.22Kept
Adjusted operating cash flows Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year, consolidated)$560M - $600MKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Consolidated fiscal 2026 guidance reaffirmed; the four ranges are the same as in the prior release. Source
  • New: Spin-off completion target moved to January 4, 2027, from the second half of 2026 stated in the prior release. Source
  • New: Adjusted EBITDA now adds back KBR's share of JV interest, tax, D&A and acquisition costs from this quarter onward. Source
  • New: Sustainable Technology Solutions made a strategic investment in UK-based Applied Computing, which gives KBR board representation. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue fell on EUCOM runoff: Revenues were $1.9 billion, down $95 million or 5%, mainly from the expected runoff of EUCOM contingency scope. Source
  • Operating income down 11%: Operating income was $180 million, a 9.4% margin against 10.0% a year earlier, with gross profit lower on revenue and services mix. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS lower: Net income attributable to KBR was $102 million, down 12%; diluted EPS of $0.80 was partly offset by fewer diluted shares after open market repurchases. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA held flat: Adjusted EBITDA was $251 million, in line with the prior year, and its margin rose to 13.1% from 12.3%. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell on JV interest: Adjusted EPS was $0.96, down 5%, as higher interest at unconsolidated joint ventures outweighed fewer adjusted shares from repurchases. Source

Segments and regions

  • MTS revenue fell on U.S. defense runoff: Mission Technology Solutions revenue was $1.3 billion, down 6%, mainly from U.S. Defense and Intelligence declines tied to the EUCOM contingency runoff. Source
  • Australia growth partly offset declines: Growth in International Government Clients, especially Australia, partly offset the U.S. declines; NASA funding restrictions reduced Federal Civilian revenue. Source
  • MTS margin rose on mix: MTS operating income was $111 million, down 2%, with margin rising to 8.6%; Adjusted EBITDA was $138 million, down 1%. Source
  • STS revenue down as U.S. projects end: STS revenue was $627 million, down 2%, as U.S. projects neared completion; Middle East ramp-up from recent awards partly offset this. Source
  • STS operating income down on services mix: STS operating income was $113 million, down 11%, with margin of 18.0%; Adjusted EBITDA of $137 million was up 1%, a 21.9% margin. Source

“Demand across our core markets remains durable, supported by clear pipeline visibility, and we are continuing to execute on our planned spin transaction, which we believe will sharpen strategic focus and create long‑term value for shareholders.”

Stuart Bradie, President and Chief Executive Officer

Awards and customer wins

  • Large MTS defense and logistics awards: MTS won a $510 million ceiling IDIQ for the Office of the Secretary of War, plus two LOGCAP V task orders with a combined $449 million ceiling. Source
  • Volpe Center recompete won: MTS was awarded a $200 million ceiling recompete for AI-enabled IT and systems engineering for the Department of Transportation's Volpe Center. Source
  • Saudi Aramco maintenance contract: STS won a seven-year general maintenance contract, with an optional three-year extension, from SATORP for its Jubail petrochemical complex. Source
  • First long-term ammonia catalyst deal: STS signed a 10-year catalyst supply contract with Indorama Eleme, described as KBR's first long-term catalyst agreement in the ammonia sector. Source
  • Artemis II mission support: MTS supported NASA's Artemis II mission with real-time mission operations and astronaut health monitoring from Mission Control. Source

Costs and margins

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.1% on $251 million of Adjusted EBITDA, up from 12.3% a year earlier, on lower revenue. Source
  • Equity earnings rose, SG&A fell: Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates rose to $51 million from $42 million, while selling, general and administrative expenses fell to $133 million from $140 million. Source
  • Spin-off costs rose: Spin-off, acquisition and integration costs were $16 million, against $6 million a year earlier, and are added back in Adjusted EBITDA. Source

Demand and order book

  • Backlog and options $23.2 billion: Backlog and options were $23.2 billion at quarter end, essentially unchanged from January 2, 2026; MTS was $18.5 billion and STS $4.7 billion. Source
  • Book-to-bill of 1.1x: Bookings and options were $1.9 billion, with book-to-bill of 1.0x for MTS and 1.2x for STS; both exclude UK PFIs and Plaquemines. Source
  • STS backlog increased: STS backlog rose to $4.7 billion from $4.3 billion at January 2, 2026, with book-to-bill of 1.2x for the quarter. Source

Cash, capital and returns

  • Operating cash flow rose 21%: Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $110 million, up from $91 million in the prior year quarter. Source
  • Adjusted cash flow excludes spin costs: Adjusted operating cash flow was $119 million, up 31%, after adding back $9 million of spin-off cash costs; adjusted operating cash conversion was 98%. Source
  • Liquidity near $1.0 billion: Liquidity was about $1.0 billion. Net debt was $2,222 million, up from $2,117 million at January 2, 2026, with net leverage of 2.3x. Source
  • Quarter returns of $25 million: KBR returned $25 million to shareholders: $4 million of share withholding and $21 million of regular dividends. Source

Strategy and the spin-off

  • Spin-off of MTS targeted January 2027: Management is separating Mission Technology Solutions into a separate U.S. public company, targeted for January 4, 2027, subject to Board approval. Source
  • Frazer-Nash and UK Civil Nuclear moved to STS: Frazer-Nash Consultancy and the UK Civil Nuclear portfolio moved to Sustainable Technology Solutions as fiscal 2026 perimeter changes ahead of the spin-off. Source
  • SWAT joint venture acquisition: KBR's unconsolidated joint venture, Brown & Root Industrial Services, completed the SWAT acquisition during the quarter, adding recurring services. Source

Guidance and reporting

  • Full-year guidance reaffirmed: Consolidated fiscal 2026 guidance was reaffirmed; standalone guidance for each business will follow in connection with the spin-off. Source
  • JV cost adjustment not recast: Prior periods were not recast for the new JV cost adjustment; management estimated the impact on fiscal 2025 margins at about 20 basis points. Source
  • Interest expense lower: Interest expense was $37 million, down from $41 million, offsetting part of the lower operating income in the net income line. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 May 2026

  • Standalone guidance to follow spin: Standalone fiscal 2026 guidance for each business will be provided in connection with the spin-off, with no date given. Source
  • Spin details on investor site: Additional spin-off details are available on the Investor Relations section of KBR's website. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Backlog and options Source$23.2 billion
Bookings and options Source$1.9 billion
Book-to-bill Source1.1x
MTS backlog and options Source$18.5 billion
STS backlog Source$4.7 billion

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Expected runoff of EUCOM contingency scope is the main reason revenue fell, mainly in U.S. Defense and Intelligence work. Source
  • Demand: NASA funding restrictions reduced Federal Civilian Client revenue within MTS. Source
  • Operational: Service mix across the STS portfolio reduced operating income, partly offset by higher equity earnings. Source
  • Financial: Higher interest expense at unconsolidated joint ventures reduced Adjusted EPS; net leverage rose to 2.3x. Source
  • External: Management described the operating environment as dynamic. Source
  • External: The spin-off remains subject to final Board approval and other conditions. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it is continuing to execute on the planned spin transaction. 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.