Companies /Consumer Cyclical
Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc
NYSE: BFAM Personal Services

Bright Horizons (BFAM) Q3 2026 Earnings

Reported Oct 29, 2026, 4:13pm ET · SEC source
$1.80
Beat +2.40%
EPS · est. $1.76 Adjusted

Adjusted EPS excludes a $290.0 million goodwill impairment (primarily Australia), a $4.0 million long-lived asset impairment, and $23.4 million of incremental general liability reserve expense for certain safeguarding matters. The GAAP diluted loss per share was $4.76.

$841.5M
Miss −0.19%
Revenue · est. $843.1M
5 quarters
Consecutive EPS beats

How Did BFAM Stock React to Q3 2026 Earnings?

% change · around the report
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 29Oct 30report 4:13pm ETearnings−1.3%−14.1%
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 29Oct 30earnings−1.3%−14.1%
BFAM −14.1%S&P 500 −1.3%
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 29Oct 30report 4:13pm ETearnings−2.1%−14.1%
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 29Oct 30earnings−2.1%−14.1%
BFAM −14.1%NASDAQ −2.1%
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 28Nov 4report 4:13pm ETearnings+0.4%−12.1%
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 28Nov 4earnings+0.4%−12.1%
BFAM −12.1%S&P 500 +0.4%
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 28Nov 4report 4:13pm ETearnings−1.9%−12.1%
−16%−8%0+8%Oct 28Nov 4earnings−1.9%−12.1%
BFAM −12.1%NASDAQ −1.9%
−17.92%
Day of report
−1.22%
Next session

Did BFAM Beat Earnings? Q3 2026 Results

Yes. Bright Horizons reported Q3 2026 earnings of $1.80 a share on Oct 29, 2026, beating the $1.76 consensus estimate by 2.4%. Revenue was $841.5M against a $843.1M estimate.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions posted a mixed but fundamentally resilient third quarter of 2026, beating adjusted earnings expectations for the fourth consecutive quarter while falling just short on the top line. The company reported adjusted diluted EPS of $1.80, clearing the $1.76 consensus by 2.40%, even as revenue of $841.47 million trailed estimates by 0.19%, though it still represented 5.0% growth year over year. The headline GAAP picture was far grimmer, with a diluted loss per share of $4.76, driven almost entirely by a $290.00 million goodwill impairment tied to revised long-term cash flow projections for its Australia operations, alongside $4.00 million in long-lived asset impairments and $23.40 million in incremental general liability reserve expense related to certain safeguarding matters. On the operational side, back-up care remained the clear growth engine, expanding 13% and generating $101.23 million in segment operating income, partially offsetting pressure from full service center closures. With analysts at multiple firms having trimmed price targets ahead of the print, Bright Horizons offered some forward reassurance, guiding for roughly $3.07 billion in full-year revenue and diluted adjusted EPS of $4.98 to $5.03.

Key Takeaways
  • Revenue growth driven primarily by back-up care, which grew 13%
  • Back-up care segment income from operations of $101.2 million, up from $95.3 million
  • Higher service levels and back-up care contributions lifted adjusted EBITDA 5% to $163.3 million
  • Adjusted income from operations up 5% to $130.2 million
  • Lower diluted share count from buybacks lifted adjusted EPS 15% to $1.80, even as adjusted net income fell 3%
  • Revenue reduced by full service centers closed over the last 12 months
  • Higher interest expense and a higher adjusted effective tax rate (about 28% vs. about 27%) weighed on adjusted net income
  • $290.0 million goodwill impairment in international full service operations, primarily Australia

“Our third quarter results reflect the strength of our diversified portfolio, with revenue up 5%, including 13% growth in back-up care.”

Bright Horizons CEO, on the earnings call

What Is Bright Horizons's Outlook?

Bright Horizons revised its fiscal 2026 guidance. It now expects revenue of approximately $3.07 billion and diluted adjusted EPS of $4.98 to $5.03. The company said it would give more outlook detail on its earnings call. It does not provide a GAAP EPS reconciliation for the outlook, citing unpredictable items such as impairments, tax effects, lease termination costs and legal outcomes.

BFAM YoY Financials

Q3 2026 vs Q3 2025 · SEC filings Q3 2025 Q3 2026
$0$300.0M$600.0M$900.0M$801.3M$841.5MRevenue$215.6M$204.8MGross Profit
$0$300.0M$600.0M$900.0MRevenueGross Profit
BFAM income statement, Q3 2026 versus Q3 2025
Metric Q3 2026 Q3 2025 Year over year
Revenue $841.5M $801.3M +5.0%
Gross Profit $204.8M $215.6M −5.0%

BFAM Revenue by Segment

Full service center-based child care$522.0M+1.3%
Back-up care$286.4M+13.0%
Educational advisory services$33.1M−2.4%

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.