nLIGHT Inc
Q1 2026 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: −1.65%.
Did LASR Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results
nLIGHT, Inc. delivered a standout first quarter for fiscal 2026, posting non-GAAP earnings of $0.22 per diluted share against a consensus estimate of $0.08, a beat of 160.66%, while revenue of $80.18 million topped expectations by 11.15% and climbed 55.2% year-over-year. The driving force behind the outperformance was unmistakably the company's Aerospace and Defense segment, where revenue surged 68.6% to $55.13 million, with defense product revenue nearly doubling to a record $33.10 million as demand for high-power directed energy laser systems accelerated. Gross margin expanded sharply to 33.1% from 26.7% a year ago, reflecting improved product mix and operating scale, while adjusted EBITDA reached $13.83 million compared to just $116,000 in Q1 2025. The company also swung to GAAP net income of $645,000, compared to a net loss of $8.09 million a year prior. Strategic expansion of in-region defense production capabilities, including new facilities supporting NATO-aligned programs, underscores nLIGHT's intent to convert its defense pipeline into durable revenue. For Q2 2026, management guided revenue of $75 million to $81 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $8 million to $12 million.
- Record Aerospace & Defense product revenues of $33.1 million, nearly doubling year-over-year
- Strong growth across all three end markets (A&D, Industrial, Microfabrication)
- Gross margin expansion to 33.1% from 26.7% year-over-year
- Products segment gross margin improvement to 43.6% from 33.5%
- Adjusted EBITDA surged to $13.8 million from $0.1 million year-over-year
“Our first quarter results represent another strong quarter of execution for nLIGHT with total revenue, gross margin, and Adjusted EBITDA all above our expectations. Our results were again driven by strength in our A&D markets with record defense product revenue nearly doubling year-over-year.”
NLIGHT CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
For Q2 2026, nLIGHT expects revenues of $75 million to $81 million, with the midpoint of $78 million comprising approximately $58 million in Products revenue and approximately $20 million in Advanced Development revenue. Overall gross margin is expected to be 29% to 33%, with Products gross margin of 37% to 41% and Advanced Development gross margin of approximately 8%. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $8 million to $12 million. The company remains encouraged by its pipeline of directed energy opportunities, including follow-on production content, platform upgrades, and new prototype programs positioning it for continued growth over the next several years.
LASR YoY Financials
LASR Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.