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Netscout Systems Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 10 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter revenue slightly lower: Service revenue rose and product revenue fell against the prior-year quarter, leaving total revenue slightly lower. Source
  • Full-year revenue grew: Both product and service revenue rose for the full year, supporting the annual revenue growth management described. Source
  • Product backlog higher year on year: Prior-year product backlog was about $33 million, including $25.1 million of fulfillable backlog. Source
  • Omnis AI Insights extended to carriers: The extension applies Omnis AI Insights to carriers, turning raw network data into AI-ready smart data for AI agents. Source
  • Non-GAAP margin higher for the year: Non-GAAP operating margin was 21.6% in the fourth quarter, compared with 23.1% a year earlier. Source
  • Cash and investments increased: Balances include short and long-term marketable securities and investments as well as cash and cash equivalents. Source

“We delivered strong fiscal year 2026 top- and bottom-line results, fueled by revenue growth across both our Cybersecurity and Service Assurance offerings, as we successfully navigate a dynamic macro environment.”

Anil Singhal, NETSCOUT’s President & Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFiscal year 2027$885.0 million to $915.0 millionNew
GAAP net income per share (diluted) SourceFiscal year 2027$1.55 to $1.70New
Non-GAAP net income per share (diluted) SourceFiscal year 2027$2.65 to $2.80New
GAAP net income SourceFiscal year 2027~$115 million to ~$126 millionNew
Non-GAAP net income SourceFiscal year 2027~$197 million to ~$208 millionNew
Average weighted diluted shares SourceFiscal year 2027~74 million to ~75 millionNew
Acquired DDoS business revenue SourceFiscal year 2027approximately $20 million annualized revenueNew
Amortization of intangible assets SourceFiscal year 2027~$44 millionNew
Share-based compensation expense SourceFiscal year 2027~$57 millionNew
Business development and integration expenses SourceFiscal year 2027Less than $1 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Company began a fiscal 2027 guidance set covering revenue, GAAP and non-GAAP EPS and reconciling items. Source
  • New: Acquisition of the DDoS protection business assets from DigiCert closed on May 1, 2026. Source

Fiscal 2026 and fourth-quarter results

  • Fourth-quarter revenue slightly lower: Service revenue rose and product revenue fell against the prior-year quarter, leaving total revenue slightly lower. Source
  • Full-year revenue grew: Both product and service revenue rose for the full year, supporting the annual revenue growth management described. Source
  • Operating income positive after prior loss: Fiscal 2026 GAAP income from operations was $109.8 million, a 12.8% margin, against the prior year’s goodwill-driven loss. Source
  • Full-year GAAP earnings per share positive: Fiscal 2026 non-GAAP net income was $182.0 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, compared with $2.22 a year earlier. Source

Product, service and backlog mix

  • Service share of revenue rose: Prior-year quarter service revenue was $115.5 million, about 56% of total revenue. Source
  • Product revenue lower in quarter: Prior-year quarter product revenue was $89.5 million, about 44% of total revenue. Source
  • Full-year product revenue higher: Service revenue for fiscal 2026 was $489.3 million, up from $462.8 million in fiscal 2025. Source
  • Product backlog higher year on year: Prior-year product backlog was about $33 million, including $25.1 million of fulfillable backlog. Source

“Looking ahead, we are excited about the year in front of us and are leaning into this momentum.”

Anil Singhal, NETSCOUT’s President & Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • Omnis AI Insights extended to carriers: The extension applies Omnis AI Insights to carriers, turning raw network data into AI-ready smart data for AI agents. Source
  • DDoS threat report released: The report, built from passive internet vantage points, says hyper-scale coordinated threat activity continues to outpace global mitigation efforts. Source
  • Customer base described as large organizations: Management describes its customers as large enterprises, service providers and public sector bodies, served with deep packet inspection technology. Source

Margins and costs

  • Quarterly GAAP margin little changed: Fiscal 2026 GAAP operating margin was 12.8%, compared with a negative 44.7% in fiscal 2025. Source
  • Non-GAAP margin higher for the year: Non-GAAP operating margin was 21.6% in the fourth quarter, compared with 23.1% a year earlier. Source
  • Quarterly adjusted EBITDA lower: Fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA was $228.1 million, or 26.5% of total revenue, against $208.4 million a year earlier. Source
  • Quarterly EPS flat year on year: Non-GAAP net income was $38.5 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared with $38.0 million, or $0.52, a year earlier. Source
  • Restructuring and executive costs excluded: Restructuring charges and executive transition costs were excluded from non-GAAP results; restructuring was $20.5 million in fiscal 2025. Source

“We are committed to executing our strategy and driving continued innovation, sustained revenue growth, and further operating margin expansion.”

Anil Singhal, NETSCOUT’s President & Chief Executive Officer

Cash, balance sheet and buybacks

  • Cash and investments increased: Balances include short and long-term marketable securities and investments as well as cash and cash equivalents. Source
  • Revolving credit facility undrawn: No borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility at the fiscal year-end date. Source
  • Fourth-quarter share repurchases: Fourth-quarter buyback activity is reported separately from the full-year total. Source
  • Full-year share repurchases: Repurchases were carried out through the company’s share repurchase program during fiscal 2026. Source

Strategy and growth priorities

  • Innovation and margin expansion pledged: Management said it will keep executing on innovation, revenue growth and margin expansion. Source
  • AI-ready platform tied to customer AI work: Management links its cybersecurity and network observability expertise, with its AI-ready data platform, to customers’ AI and digital transformation work. Source
  • Momentum carried into the new year: Management said the company is leaning into momentum from the year as it looks ahead. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said the key strategic objectives for the year were achieved. 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.