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UL Solutions 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: 1 raised, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 7.5% to $758 million: Revenue was $758 million against $705 million a year earlier, up 7.5%. Organic growth was 5.7%. Source
  • Industrial led growth and margin gains: Industrial revenue was $375 million, up 10.3%, with organic growth of 8.2%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 32.8%, against 30.0%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin up 320 basis points: Adjusted EBITDA was $197 million, up 22.4%, at a 26.0% margin against 22.8%. The company attributed the expansion to higher revenue and operating leverage, led by Industrial and Consumer. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose to $219 million: Net cash from operations was $219 million against $154 million. The company linked the rise to improved business performance and timing of certain working capital items. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $150 million: Free cash flow was $150 million against $103 million, after capital expenditures. Source
  • Revolver repayments cut debt to $360 million: Total debt was $360 million before issuance costs, down from year-end after $134 million of net revolver repayments. Cash ended at $258 million, against $295 million. Source
  • Portfolio focused on TIC and software: Management said the portfolio is focused on TIC and Risk & Compliance software. About 45% of the Eurofins E&E purchase price is expected to come from portfolio management activities. Source

“I’m thrilled to report that our first quarter results extended our track record of strong performance including revenue growth, solid cash flow generation and impressive margin expansion”

Jennifer Scanlon, President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue reduction from expense reduction initiative SourceFull-year 2026approximately 1%Kept
Adjusted EBITDA margin SourceFull-year 2026approximately 27.0%Raised from between 26.5% and 27.0%
Effective tax rate SourceFull-year 2026approximately 26%Kept
Capital expenditures (percent of revenue) SourceFull-year 2026between 7% and 8% of revenueKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance strengthened. Source
  • New: Agreement to acquire Eurofins' electrical and electronics business, at an enterprise value of about €575 million, announced April 13, 2026. Source
  • New: Agreement to sell the approximately 28% stake in DQS Holding GmbH, with about €105 million expected in cash, part held in escrow. Source
  • Ended: Employee Health and Safety software sale closed April 1, 2026, for a preliminary cash price of about $202 million. Source
  • New: Advisory moved from the Software and Advisory segment into Industrial. The remaining segment is named Risk & Compliance Software, and corporate costs are reallocated across segments. Source

Headline results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 7.5% to $758 million: Revenue was $758 million against $705 million a year earlier, up 7.5%. Organic growth was 5.7%. Source
  • Net income rose 36.6% on operating leverage: Net income was $97 million, up 36.6%. Net income margin was 12.8%, up 270 basis points, which the company attributes to higher revenue and operating leverage. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $0.45: Diluted EPS was $0.45 against $0.33. Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.50 against $0.37, a rise of $0.13. Source
  • Certification services and testing drove growth: Management attributed organic growth to ongoing certification services and certification testing demand. Source

Segment results and margins

  • Industrial led growth and margin gains: Industrial revenue was $375 million, up 10.3%, with organic growth of 8.2%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 32.8%, against 30.0%. Source
  • Consumer revenue rose 4.6%: Consumer revenue was $318 million, up 4.6%, with organic growth of 3.0%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.3%, against 14.5%. Source
  • Risk & Compliance Software margin up: Risk & Compliance Software revenue was $65 million, up 6.6%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 29.2%, against 24.6%. Source

“Our financial performance reflects the quality of our revenue growth and our ongoing commitment to optimize our cost structure”

Ryan Robinson, Chief Financial Officer

Service category revenue mix

  • Ongoing certification services reached $265 million: Ongoing certification services were $265 million, up from $245 million. Certification testing was $211 million, up from $189 million. Source
  • Software and other testing lines grew: Non-certification testing and other services were $209 million, up from $203 million. Software was $73 million, up from $68 million. Source

Costs, operating income and margin

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin up 320 basis points: Adjusted EBITDA was $197 million, up 22.4%, at a 26.0% margin against 22.8%. The company attributed the expansion to higher revenue and operating leverage, led by Industrial and Consumer. Source
  • Cost lines rose with revenue: Cost of revenue was $377 million against $365 million, and SG&A was $243 million against $232 million. Operating income was $138 million against $109 million. Source
  • No restructuring expense this quarter: The restructuring line was nil in the first quarter of 2026. It was shown as (1) in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Interest expense fell; tax expense rose: Interest expense was $8 million against $12 million. Income tax expense was $32 million against $23 million, on pre-tax income of $129 million against $94 million. Source

“Our approach to align strategically with global megatrends continues to deliver shareholder value, and our strong balance sheet provides ample capacity to take advantage of additional opportunities for growth and relevance”

Jennifer Scanlon, President and CEO

Cash flow, capital and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow rose to $219 million: Net cash from operations was $219 million against $154 million. The company linked the rise to improved business performance and timing of certain working capital items. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $150 million: Free cash flow was $150 million against $103 million, after capital expenditures. Source
  • Capital spending rose to $69 million: Capital expenditures were $69 million against $51 million. Management described them as investments to meet increased demand and drive greater productivity. Source
  • Revolver repayments cut debt to $360 million: Total debt was $360 million before issuance costs, down from year-end after $134 million of net revolver repayments. Cash ended at $258 million, against $295 million. Source
  • Receivables rose to $497 million: Accounts receivable were $497 million against $422 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Returns to shareholders

  • Dividend of $0.145 per share paid: The company paid $0.145 per share, or $29 million, in the quarter. Source
  • Non-controlling dividends rose to $20 million: Dividends to non-controlling interests were $20 million, against $17 million. Employee taxes on settlement of stock-based compensation were $9 million. Source

Portfolio moves and strategy

  • Portfolio focused on TIC and software: Management said the portfolio is focused on TIC and Risk & Compliance software. About 45% of the Eurofins E&E purchase price is expected to come from portfolio management activities. Source
  • Eurofins deal funded from cash and revolver: The Eurofins transaction is to be funded through existing cash and the revolving credit facility. Source
  • Active portfolio management named as focus: The CFO named active portfolio management an important focus, which the company expects to enhance its testing, inspection and certification capabilities. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 May 2026

  • Eurofins E&E deal expected to close: Closing is subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • DQS stake sale expected to complete: Completion of the DQS sale is expected in the second half of 2026, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Geopolitical uncertainty may lead customers to modify, delay or cancel plans to purchase the company's services. Source
  • External: Management said it cannot determine the future negative impact of reduced or delayed customer testing from geopolitical uncertainty. Source
  • Operational: Management said the 2026 results it expects may be affected by implementation of the Restructuring Plan. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said first-quarter organic growth exceeded its expectations. 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.