ESCO Technologies (NYSE: ESE) reported fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $339.0 million, up 14% year over year, while GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations rose 31% to $1.26 from $0.96. Adjusted EBIT margin expanded 90 basis points to 22.0%, and $409.5 million of orders lifted backlog to a record $1.54 billion, with Aerospace & Defense providing most of the revenue growth.
Core financial results
Revenue increased by approximately $42.7 million, including $20 million of organic growth and a $23 million contribution from Maritime. Adjusted earnings grew faster than revenue as higher volume and pricing supported operating leverage, although inflation, business mix, and acquisition-related charges remained headwinds.
The following quarterly figures are from continuing operations unless otherwise noted. Dollar amounts are in millions except per-share data.
| Metric | Fiscal Q3 2026 | Fiscal Q3 2025 | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $339.0 | $296.3 | +14% |
| Earnings from continuing operations | $32.7 | $24.8 | +32% |
| GAAP diluted EPS, continuing operations | $1.26 | $0.96 | +31% |
| Adjusted net earnings | $57.3 | $41.4 | +38% |
| Adjusted diluted EPS | $2.20 | $1.60 | +38% |
| Adjusted EBIT | $74.7 | $62.7 | +19% |
| Adjusted EBIT margin | 22.0% | 21.1% | +90 basis points |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $83.8 | $71.5 | +17% |
The difference between GAAP and adjusted EPS was $0.94 per share, up from $0.64 in the prior-year quarter. Fiscal Q3 2026 adjustments included $0.52 of acquisition-related amortization, $0.20 of debt-financing costs, $0.19 of costs related to the pending Megger acquisition, and $0.03 of restructuring charges.
Business and segment performance
Aerospace & Defense accounted for nearly three-quarters of ESCO’s consolidated revenue increase and posted the largest margin expansion. Utility Solutions grew more slowly because Doble’s gains were partly offset by lower NRG revenue, while Test delivered moderate revenue and adjusted profit growth.
Dollar amounts in the table are in millions.
| Segment | Q3 revenue | Revenue growth | Adjusted EBIT | Adjusted EBIT margin | Margin change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $168.2 | +23% | $50.5 | 30.0% | +120 basis points |
| Utility Solutions Group | $100.0 | +8% | $22.3 | 22.3% | -130 basis points |
| RF Test & Measurement | $70.9 | +5% | $11.6 | 16.4% | +50 basis points |
Aerospace & Defense: Organic sales increased $9.2 million, or 9%, while Maritime added $22.7 million. Commercial aerospace and Navy demand led the increase. Adjusted EBIT rose 28% as volume leverage and pricing more than offset inflation and unfavorable mix.
Utility Solutions Group: Doble revenue increased 17% on demand for protection testing, offline test equipment, and services. NRG revenue fell 29%, limiting segment profit growth and contributing to the margin decline. NRG orders also decreased 27%, which the company attributed to the expiration of U.S. renewable-energy tax credits.
RF Test & Measurement: Revenue growth came primarily from U.S. EMC test and measurement operations and medical and industrial shielding. Adjusted EBIT increased 8%, supported by volume and pricing but partly offset by inflation.
Quarterly orders totaled $409.5 million, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.21. Aerospace & Defense orders declined 66% because the prior-year period included $364.2 million of acquired Maritime backlog and several large Navy orders; despite that comparison, its book-to-bill ratio remained above 1 at 1.16. Utility Solutions and Test orders increased 20% and 42%, respectively, with Test benefiting from industrial shielding projects and EMI filters for U.S. data centers.
Profitability, cash flow, and balance sheet
ESCO’s nine-month cash flow from continuing operations improved substantially, rising to $193.4 million from $88.3 million. Total operating cash flow, however, was nearly unchanged at $134.0 million versus $132.0 million because discontinued operations used $59.3 million of cash after providing $43.7 million in the prior-year period.
The company used a net $101 million for debt repayments during the first nine months, based on $231 million of principal payments and $130 million of new borrowings. At June 30, 2026, current and long-term debt totaled $85 million, down from $186 million at September 30, 2025. Cash and cash equivalents declined to $73.2 million from $101.4 million over the same period.
Acquisitions lift sales while transaction costs widen the earnings gap
Acquisitions affected both sides of the quarter’s results. Maritime generated approximately $23 million of ESCO’s $43 million revenue increase, meaning organic operations supplied the remaining $20 million. Maritime was particularly important to Aerospace & Defense, where it added $22.7 million of quarterly revenue.
At the same time, acquisition-related amortization and costs associated with the pending Megger transaction contributed to the difference between GAAP EPS of $1.26 and adjusted EPS of $2.20. ESCO expects Megger to become part of Utility Solutions Group and continues to anticipate closing the acquisition in fiscal Q1 2027, subject to the regulatory approval process.
Earnings guidance
ESCO raised the lower end of its full-year sales outlook and increased its adjusted EPS range. The midpoint of the new adjusted EPS guidance is $0.22 above the May update and $0.70 above the initial November outlook.
| Metric | Latest guidance | Update |
|---|---|---|
| FY2026 revenue | $1.30 billion-$1.33 billion | Lower end raised; 19%-21% growth expected |
| FY2026 adjusted EPS | $8.30-$8.40 | Increased from $8.00-$8.25 in May |
| Fiscal Q4 2026 adjusted EPS | $2.55-$2.65 | Implies 10%-14% year-over-year growth |
The higher outlook is supported by broad demand and record backlog, but the expected fourth-quarter EPS growth rate is below the 38% increase reported in fiscal Q3.
Recent insider transactions
The supplied insider data shows no insider purchases during the preceding six months. The latest listed transactions with a clearly identified sale direction and reported amount occurred in November 2025; these records do not by themselves indicate insiders’ views on ESCO’s outlook.
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Price | Reported value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 26, 2025 | Bryan H. Sayler | CEO | Direct sale | $220.00 | $2,152,260 |
| Nov. 26, 2025 | Vinod M. Khilnani | Director | Direct sale | $217.33-$224.04 | $702,364 |
| Nov. 25, 2025 | Christopher L. Tucker | CFO | Direct sale | $220.15 | $1,100,750 |
Risks investors should watch
- NRG weakness: NRG revenue fell 29% and orders declined 27% following the expiration of U.S. renewable-energy tax credits. Continued weakness could offset growth elsewhere in Utility Solutions.
- Inflation and business mix: Inflation affected Aerospace & Defense and Test, while unfavorable mix also limited Aerospace & Defense profitability. Utility Solutions’ adjusted EBIT margin contracted despite higher total revenue.
- Large-order timing: Aerospace & Defense order comparisons can vary significantly because of acquired backlog and the timing of major Navy awards. Record backlog does not eliminate contract funding, production, or delivery risks.
- Megger transaction execution: The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approval and has already generated financing and transaction costs. Its closing and subsequent integration will affect ESCO’s Utility Solutions business and reported results.
Summary
ESCO’s fiscal Q3 2026 growth was led by Aerospace & Defense, with both organic demand and Maritime contributing to higher revenue. Operating leverage supported adjusted margin expansion, orders remained above sales, and continuing-operations cash flow improved over the first nine months. The raised guidance and record backlog provide visibility, while NRG weakness, inflation, large-contract timing, and completion of the Megger acquisition remain the main items to monitor.
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