Tetra Tech Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 12 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Fourth-quarter net revenue growth excluding disasters: Fourth-quarter net revenue was $1,152.9 million against $1,163.3 million a year earlier. Excluding episodic disaster response, net revenue increased 5%. Source
- Fourth quarter against prior guidance ranges: The third-quarter release guided fourth-quarter net revenue to $1.12 billion to $1.17 billion and EPS to $0.45 to $0.48. Reported diluted EPS was $0.51 and adjusted EPS $0.49.
- Backlog grew 13% year-over-year: Backlog rose about $180 million from the third-quarter release figure, and the company reports it up 13% from a year earlier. Source
- Adjusted EBITDA margin up 90 basis points: Management said fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin rose 90 basis points year-over-year, the same increase it cited for fiscal 2026. Source
- Operating cash flow up 14%: Cash flows generated from operations rose 14% year-over-year in fiscal 2026. Net cash provided by operating activities was $523.0 million against $457.7 million. Source
- New fiscal 2027 ranges introduced: Fiscal 2027 and first-quarter fiscal 2027 EPS and net revenue ranges appear in this release for the first time; no earlier range was given for those periods. Source
“We completed fiscal year 2026 with a strong fourth quarter driven by our global commercial and government businesses.”
Roger Argus, Chief Executive Officer
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenue Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $1.04 billion to $1.08 billion | New |
| EPS Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $0.36 to $0.38 | New |
| EPS Source | fiscal year 2027 | $1.65 to $1.80 | New |
| Net revenue Source | fiscal year 2027 | $4.425 billion to $4.625 billion | New |
What changed from last quarter
- New guidance: First-quarter fiscal 2027 EPS and net revenue ranges given for the first time in this release. Source
- New guidance: Fiscal 2027 EPS and net revenue ranges given for the first time in this release. Source
- Ended: The fiscal 2026 net revenue range from the third-quarter release has closed.
- New: The recent key wins list was replaced with a new set of awards. Source
Fourth quarter and fiscal year results
- Fourth-quarter net revenue growth excluding disasters: Fourth-quarter net revenue was $1,152.9 million against $1,163.3 million a year earlier. Excluding episodic disaster response, net revenue increased 5%. Source
- Fourth-quarter operating income and adjusted EBITDA: Fourth-quarter operating income was $188.4 million against $181.3 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA was $194.5 million against $185.9 million. Source
- Fiscal 2026 revenue and net revenue: Fiscal 2026 revenue was $5.08 billion against $5.44 billion in fiscal 2025. Net revenue was $4.35 billion, with growth of 7% excluding USAID / DOS and episodic disaster response. Source
- Fiscal 2026 operating income and EPS: Fiscal 2026 operating income was $618.9 million against $408.4 million in fiscal 2025. Fiscal 2025 included a $115.0 million legal contingency charge and a $92.4 million goodwill impairment. Diluted EPS was $1.69 against $0.93. Source
- Fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA and margin: Adjusted EBITDA was $660.0 million against $661.7 million in fiscal 2025. Management said margin rose 90 basis points year-over-year. Source
- Fourth quarter against prior guidance ranges: The third-quarter release guided fourth-quarter net revenue to $1.12 billion to $1.17 billion and EPS to $0.45 to $0.48. Reported diluted EPS was $0.51 and adjusted EPS $0.49.
Backlog and key contract wins
- Backlog grew 13% year-over-year: Backlog rose about $180 million from the third-quarter release figure, and the company reports it up 13% from a year earlier. Source
- Key client programs added backlog: Management attributed the backlog increase of more than $530 million from last year to key client programs, including water supply, coastal and defense work. Source
- NASA logistics award led key wins: The largest listed award was a multiple-award blanket purchase agreement for NASA enterprise logistics services. A $145 million U.S. Navy contract and a $141 million U.S. EPA contract followed. Source
- Most wins from U.S. federal agencies: Of the listed wins, seven are with U.S. federal agencies, including NASA, the Navy, EPA, NOAA, USACE Europe District and Millennium Challenge Corporation. One is with LA Metro. Source
“This strong momentum in backlog gives us confidence in continued revenue growth and further margin expansion.”
Roger Argus, Chief Executive Officer
Service lines and client demand
- Resilient infrastructure design growing globally: Management said its resilient infrastructure design services are growing globally, with new contracts for water supply, coastal infrastructure and defense modernization. Source
- Rising demand for water service technical work: Management said demand is increasing for its differentiated technical services for water and environmental programs, including digital automation for associated facilities. Source
- Emergency response and geospatial awards: Other listed awards include $63 million for emergency preparedness and response services for U.S. EPA and $49 million for geospatial and engineering services for NOAA. Source
Segment net revenue
- GSG net revenue declined year-over-year: GSG net revenue was $512.6 million in the fourth quarter against $540.5 million a year earlier. Fiscal 2026 GSG net revenue was $1,877.5 million against $2,324.9 million. Source
- CIG net revenue increased year-over-year: CIG net revenue was $640.3 million in the fourth quarter against $622.9 million. Fiscal 2026 CIG net revenue was $2,470.8 million against $2,292.5 million. Source
- GSG revenue before subcontractor costs: GSG revenue before subcontractor costs was $627.8 million in the fourth quarter against $628.9 million a year earlier. Fiscal 2026 was $2,311.1 million against $2,828.6 million. Source
“The strength of our balance sheet and consistent cash flow generation position us to continue to invest in organic growth and strategic acquisitions.”
Steve Burdick, Chief Financial Officer
Margins and costs
- Fourth-quarter SG&A lower year-over-year: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $84.4 million in the fourth quarter against $102.7 million a year earlier. Gross profit was $265.9 million against $274.1 million. Source
- Adjusted EBITDA margin up 90 basis points: Management said fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin rose 90 basis points year-over-year, the same increase it cited for fiscal 2026. Source
- Gain on divested business and contingent adjustments: Fiscal 2026 other non-operating income included a $12.4 million gain on sale of a divested business, excluded from adjusted EBITDA. Contingent consideration adjustments added $14.4 million. Source
Cash flow and shareholder returns
- Operating cash flow up 14%: Cash flows generated from operations rose 14% year-over-year in fiscal 2026. Net cash provided by operating activities was $523.0 million against $457.7 million. Source
- Fourth-quarter buybacks and fiscal total: The company repurchased $100 million of common stock in the fourth quarter. Fiscal 2026 repurchases of common stock totaled $302.0 million against $250.0 million in fiscal 2025. Source
- Remaining buyback authorization: Remaining capacity under the share repurchase program was $798 million at fiscal year-end, compared with $398 million at the end of the third quarter. Source
- Quarterly dividend up 11%: The Board approved a $0.072 quarterly dividend per share, an 11% increase year-over-year, marking the 46th consecutive double-digit increase. Source
Acquisitions and balance sheet
- Acquisition payments nearly doubled: Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, were $191.9 million in fiscal 2026 against $97.3 million. Capital expenditures were $20.5 million against $18.6 million. Source
- Cash and long-term debt both higher: Cash and cash equivalents were $235.1 million at fiscal year-end against $167.5 million. Long-term debt was $892.0 million against $763.4 million. Source
- Goodwill up, deferred tax assets down: Goodwill was $2,225.0 million against $2,049.9 million a year earlier. Deferred tax assets were $40.6 million against $106.2 million. Source
Fiscal 2027 guidance
- New fiscal 2027 ranges introduced: Fiscal 2027 and first-quarter fiscal 2027 EPS and net revenue ranges appear in this release for the first time; no earlier range was given for those periods. Source
- Guidance excludes transactions not yet completed: Management said the ranges do not include transactions that may be completed, or developments that become evident after the release date. Source
- Net revenue guidance reconciliation unavailable: The company said a reconciliation of net revenue guidance to the closest GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts. Source
Coming up, as management said on 12 November 2026
- Dividend payment and record dates: The quarterly dividend is payable December 11, 2026 to holders of record as of December 2, 2026. Source
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Backlog Source | $4.67 billion, up 13% year-over-year |
Risks management discussed
- External: Episodic disaster response affects reported net revenue, and management presents net revenue growth both reported and excluding it. Source
- Regulatory: Revenue from USAID and DOS is excluded from the fiscal-year net revenue growth comparison that management presents. 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.