AI
ACCURAY INC (ARAY)·Q1 2026 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Soft quarter with mixed results: revenue $93.9M (-7% YoY) modestly above consensus, but EPS of -$0.18 missed; gross margin fell to 28.3% on weak product mix, tariffs, and a one-time obsolescence charge . Versus estimates: Revenue beat by ~$2.6M while EPS missed by ~$0.13; EBITDA also missed consensus as mix/tariffs weighed (details below)*.
- Services remained resilient and is the strategic focus: service revenue grew 7% YoY to $56.8M with contract revenue +10% YoY; management emphasized pricing and cost-to-serve actions to expand service margins over time .
- Orders/backlog softened near term: gross orders $39.6M (book-to-bill 1.1) and backlog $395.7M, both below recent run-rate, reflecting delays in EMEA/China; management expects more shipments/order conversion in 2H (40%/60% revenue split) and maintained FY26 guidance (Revenue $471–$485M; Adj. EBITDA $31–$35M) .
- New CEO set a transformation agenda: targets high single-digit adjusted EBITDA margin run-rate within 12 months and double-digit medium-term; Q2 product margin headwinds likely persist before improving in 2H as mix skews to developed markets .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Service growth and pricing gains: service revenue +7% YoY to $56.8M with contract revenue +10% YoY; pricing actions “are taking effect” .
- Product launch momentum: introduced Accuray Stellar (premium helical solution) at ASTRO with “overwhelmingly positive” reception; strong inbound interest from existing and new customers .
- Clear transformation roadmap and margin ambition: CEO La Neve aims for high single-digit adj. EBITDA margin run-rate within 12 months and double-digit over time; reaffirmed FY26 guidance despite a slow start .
Selected quote:
- “In the near term… we expect to reach a high single-digit adjusted EBITDA margin… within 12 months. [We] will enable us to expand… to double digits over the medium to long term.” — Steve La Neve, CEO
What Went Wrong
- Product shortfall and gross margin compression: product revenue $37.2M (-23% YoY) and product GM 20.3% vs. 32.9% prior year due to geography/product mix (-7.8 pts), tariffs (-3 pts; ~$1.1M), and a one-time obsolescence charge (-1.7 pts; ~$0.7M) .
- Orders and backlog below expectations: gross orders ~$40M were “lower than expectation” due to timing in China/the Americas; backlog fell to ~$395.7M (≈16% below prior-year Q1) .
- Profitability under pressure: adjusted EBITDA loss of $4.1M vs. $3.1M profit a year ago, reflecting weaker product mix and tariff costs; restructuring/post-financing costs raised OpEx (though guidance maintained) .
Financial Results
Core P&L vs prior quarters (oldest → newest)
Notes: Q1 2026 YoY: revenue -7%, product -23%, service +7% per the release .
Revenue mix
KPIs and balance sheet items
Additional Q1 2026 margin context: product GM 20.3% (vs. 32.9% prior-year) and service GM 33.5% (down 1.4 pts YoY) per CFO; net JV margin deferral ~$1.1M implies pro forma GM 29.4% .
Guidance Changes
Color: Management expects Q2 product margin headwinds to persist, improving in 2H as mix shifts to developed markets; potential tariff mitigation via duty drawback and exploring foreign trade zone status remains ongoing .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Strategy & margin ambition: “We expect to reach a high single-digit adjusted EBITDA margin… within 12 months… [and] expand… to double digits over the medium to long term” — Steve La Neve, CEO .
- Product/market momentum: “Stellar represents our commitment to adaptive radiotherapy… reception at ASTRO was overwhelmingly positive… strong interest from existing and new customers” — Ali Pervaiz, CFO .
- Mix/tariff impact on margins: Product GM fell to 20.3%; mix (-7.8 pts), tariffs (~$1.1M; -3 pts), and obsolescence (-1.7 pts) were key drivers — Ali Pervaiz .
- Phasing: “We do expect first half revenue to be closer to about 40%… and second half… about 60%” — Ali Pervaiz .
Q&A Highlights
- Capital equipment demand: Regional variability; EMEA/China slower; U.S. stable; APAC growing .
- Orders and backlog quality: Gross orders
$40M below expectations on timing; cancellation of one unit ($2M) to maintain backlog quality; age-outs not out of norm . - Tariff mitigation: Duty drawback active; FTZ under evaluation; situation remains fluid .
- Phasing and margins: 40%/60% revenue split H1/H2; product gross margin pressure to persist in Q2 given emerging market mix, improving in 2H as mix shifts to developed markets; service growth/margin expansion to continue .
Estimates Context
- Company-reported adjusted EBITDA was -$4.11M (non-GAAP) .
- Management reaffirmed FY26 guidance ($471–$485M revenue; $31–$35M adjusted EBITDA) despite a slower start, implying a 2H-weighted year .
Values marked with * are retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Services is the ballast: Durable 7% YoY growth with pricing power and cost actions; strategic pivot toward service should support margin resilience through macro/tariff volatility .
- Product headwinds near term; 2H setup improving: EMEA/China softness and emerging market mix depress Q2, but management expects developed market mix and backlog execution to improve margins/revenue in 2H (40/60 split) .
- Tariff risk monitored with mitigations: Duty drawback and potential FTZ designation are tangible levers; near-term P&L still absorbs some tariff costs .
- Transformation catalyst under new CEO: Explicit adj. EBITDA margin targets (high single-digit run-rate in 12 months) and double-digit longer-term potential could be a medium-term re-rating catalyst if execution follows .
- Orders/backlog watch: Q1 orders/backlog dipped; tracking gross orders trajectory and China/EMEA timing will be key for confidence in 2H ramp (book-to-bill 1.1; backlog $395.7M) .
- Estimate resets: EPS/EBITDA miss vs consensus likely drives near-term pressure, but reaffirmed FY26 guide and 2H skew can anchor models; expect consensus to recalibrate phasing/GM assumptions*.
- Tactical: Near-term, sentiment hinges on Q2 margin/mix trajectory and tariff headlines; medium-term, proof points on Stellar uptake, service margin expansion, and transformation milestones are likely stock catalysts .
Additional Detail
- Q1 2026 headline results: revenue $93.9M (-7% YoY), product $37.2M (-23% YoY), service $56.8M (+7% YoY), GM 28.3%, adj. EBITDA $(4.1)M, net loss $(21.7)M, EPS $(0.18), gross orders $39.6M, book-to-bill 1.1, backlog $395.7M .
- Margin drivers: product GM 20.3% vs. 32.9% PY; mix (-7.8 pts), tariffs (~$1.1M; -3 pts), obsolescence (-1.7 pts) .
- Cash: cash/cash equivalents/ST restricted $63.9M, up $5.9M q/q on primary working capital; inventory $155.5M as manufacturing ramps; A/R $54.4M .
- Guidance maintained: FY26 revenue $471–$485M; adj. EBITDA $31–$35M; H1/H2 revenue ~40%/60% as product demand shifts to 2H; Q2 headwinds expected to persist before improving .
Footnotes: Values marked with * are retrieved from S&P Global.