Sign in

You're signed outSign in or to get full access.

GC

GRAHAM CORP (GHM)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q3 FY2025 delivered solid execution: revenue $47.0 million (+7.3% y/y), gross margin 24.8% (+260 bps y/y), adjusted EBITDA $4.0 million (8.6% margin, +180 bps y/y), and diluted EPS $0.14; adjusted diluted EPS $0.18 .
  • Backlog ended at $384.7 million (down 5.5% q/q given order lumpiness) with YTD book-to-bill ~1.0x; orders were $24.8 million, with aftermarket orders strong and defense anchoring long-term visibility .
  • Guidance refined: FY2025 gross margin raised to 24–25% (from 23–24%), SG&A lifted to 18–19% (from 17–18%) reflecting investments; revenue ($200–$210M), adjusted EBITDA ($18–$21M), ETR (20–22%), and capex increased to $15–$19M maintained/updated .
  • Leadership transition announced: CEO Dan Thoren to Executive Chairman (June 10, 2025); Matt Malone appointed President & COO (Feb 5, 2025), expected to become CEO in June—company reiterated sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance alongside succession plan, which may serve as a stock narrative catalyst (continuity + execution focus) .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Margin expansion on favorable mix and execution: gross margin +260 bps to 24.8% with adjusted EBITDA margin +180 bps to 8.6%; management highlighted “robust demand” and “solid execution” across markets .
  • Strategic initiatives advancing: cryogenic propellant test facility on track for mid-2025 initial testing; Batavia defense manufacturing expansion progressing and on schedule .
  • Strong balance sheet and liquidity: $30.0M cash, no debt, $43M revolver availability; nine‑month operating cash flow $27.9M, supporting growth investments and resilience .

Quotes:

  • “Our strong performance… reflects continually improving execution across our business… driving margin expansion through improved product mix and operational efficiency.” — CEO Dan Thoren .
  • “Construction of the Graham facility is progressing well and remains on schedule… This expansion will significantly enhance our manufacturing capabilities and capacity for naval defense work.” — Matt Malone .

What Went Wrong

  • Orders declined q/q to $24.8M due to lumpiness and outsized defense orders in prior periods; backlog down 5.5% sequentially to $384.7M .
  • SG&A up to $9.7M (20.6% of sales) on ERP, R&D, and talent investments; BN supplemental performance bonus weighed on reported SG&A and margins .
  • Refining sales fell q/q on project timing (Q3 is seasonally lower due to holidays/vacations) and international softness, partly offset by aftermarket strength .

Financial Results

Quarterly Trend (Q1 FY25 → Q3 FY25)

MetricQ1 FY25Q2 FY25Q3 FY25
Net sales ($USD Millions)$50.0 $53.6 $47.0
Gross margin (%)24.8% 23.9% 24.8%
Operating margin (%)N/AN/A4.7%
Net income ($USD Millions)$3.0 $3.3 $1.6
Diluted EPS ($USD)$0.27 $0.30 $0.14
Adjusted net income ($USD Millions)$3.6 $3.4 $2.0
Adjusted diluted EPS ($USD)$0.33 $0.31 $0.18
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$5.1 $5.6 $4.0
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)10.3% 10.5% 8.6%

Notes: Q3 FY25 financials benefited ~50 bps in gross margin from BlueForge grant recognition; BN supplemental bonus expensed in SG&A through FY2026; adjusted metrics exclude specified items per non-GAAP definitions .

Year-over-Year Comparison (Q3 FY24 vs Q3 FY25)

MetricQ3 FY24Q3 FY25
Net sales ($USD Millions)$43.8 $47.0
Gross margin (%)22.2% 24.8%
Operating margin (%)2.1% 4.7%
Net income ($USD Millions)$0.17 $1.59
Diluted EPS ($USD)$0.02 $0.14
Adjusted net income ($USD Millions)$1.45 $1.97
Adjusted diluted EPS ($USD)$0.13 $0.18
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$2.97 $4.03
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)6.8% 8.6%

Segment Sales Breakdown (by Market)

Market ($USD Millions)Q1 FY25Q2 FY25Q3 FY25
Defense$29.09 $30.90 $27.02
Refining$8.24 $8.42 $6.42
Chemical/Petrochemical$4.78 $5.42 $6.79
Space$3.95 $3.42 $3.82
Other$3.89 $5.41 $2.98
Total$49.95 $53.56 $47.04

KPIs

KPIQ1 FY25Q2 FY25Q3 FY25
Orders ($USD Millions)$55.8 $63.7 $24.8
Backlog ($USD Millions)$396.8 $407.0 $384.7
Book-to-Bill (x)1.1 1.2 0.5

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Net SalesFY2025$200–$210M $200–$210M Maintained
Gross Margin % of SalesFY202523–24% 24–25% Raised
SG&A (incl. amortization) % of SalesFY202517–18% 18–19% Raised
Adjusted EBITDAFY2025$18–$21M (raised from $16.5–$19.5M in Q1) $18–$21M Maintained
Effective Tax RateFY202520–22% 20–22% Maintained
Capital ExpendituresFY2025$13–$18M $15–$19M Raised

Management reiterated broader guidance during leadership transition announcement, aligning with the updated ranges above .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q1 FY25)Previous Mentions (Q2 FY25)Current Period (Q3 FY25)Trend
Defense programs & Navy supply chainBacklog ~$400M; BlueForge grant; strategic Navy programs; component→subsystem vision Record backlog $407M; potential to capture work amid shipyard challenges Backlog $385M; customers urging accelerated schedules; proposals for continued supplier development funding Strong long-term visibility; near-term lumpiness; capacity expansion to support growth
Cryogenic testing facilityAnnounced project pipeline; engineering collaboration with P3 Florida facility plan with 2–3 year payback, >20% IRR Initial testing expected mid-2025; facility progressing Execution on schedule; capability expansion
NextGen steam ejector nozzleR&D focus on energy efficiency; aftermarket database build Launch at Gulf Coast refinery; ~$270k annual utility savings; $50M TAM estimate Second order received; strong domestic interest; international inquiries (China/India) Early commercialization; growing pipeline
Orders/book-to-billOrders $55.8M; book-to-bill 1.1x Orders $63.7M; book-to-bill 1.2x Orders $24.8M; YTD book-to-bill ~1.0x; target 1.1x annually Lumpy but healthy over multi-quarter horizon
SG&A & investmentsERP, R&D, BN bonus; capex 5–7% of revenue Investments elevate SG&A; capex raised; ROI >20% SG&A 20.6% of sales; capex raised to $15–$19M; major projects on time/on budget Opex elevated by strategic build-out

Management Commentary

  • “The long-term demand environment is extremely favorable… enabling us to capture additional opportunities while furthering Graham’s global reach.” — CEO Dan Thoren .
  • “This 29,000‑square‑foot expansion will significantly enhance our manufacturing capabilities and capacity for naval defense work… on schedule for completion in June.” — Matt Malone .
  • “We always set… a book‑to‑bill of 1.1x, which means that we’re continually growing our backlog and our sales.” — Dan Thoren .

Q&A Highlights

  • Defense/Navy cadence: Customers urged Graham to “not get sidetracked by the noise… we have ships to build,” with discussions on expanding capacity and deliveries .
  • Aftermarket drivers: Strong energy/chemical aftermarket; NextGen nozzle attracting international interest; second order domestic confirmed .
  • Book-to-bill target and planning: Aim for 1.1x to support 8–10% organic growth; planning recruits/facilities to improve deliveries .
  • Supplier development funding: Government intends to continue BlueForge-type funding; Graham has proposals “shovel‑ready” and training programs in place .
  • Orders lumpiness context: Defense orders down y/y due to prior year’s ~$100M quarter; not a concern given long-term contracts .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global consensus EPS and revenue estimates were not retrievable in this session due to service limits; as a result, we cannot determine beat/miss versus Wall Street consensus for Q3 FY2025. Values unavailable from S&P Global at this time.
  • Directionally, management raised FY2025 gross margin guidance and maintained revenue and adjusted EBITDA ranges, which often prompts analysts to reassess margin and EBITDA assumptions pending full model updates .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Execution remains strong with sustained margin expansion and disciplined growth investments; adjusted EBITDA up 36% y/y in Q3 and 47% implied growth in FY2025 guidance midpoint .
  • Defense anchors multi-year visibility (80% of backlog), while space backlog rose 59% y/y; Batavia expansion and BlueForge-supported training bolster capacity and talent .
  • Order lumpiness is inherent; YTD book-to-bill ~1.0x with target 1.1x annually to support 8–10% organic growth—monitor quarterly cadence but focus on multi-quarter trajectory .
  • Balance sheet provides strategic flexibility: $30M cash, no debt, $43M revolver availability; nine‑month operating cash flow $27.9M funds capex and potential M&A .
  • Product innovation is gaining traction: NextGen nozzle early wins and international interest; cryogenic test facility adds capability and optionality across space/defense/new energy .
  • Guidance quality improved: gross margin range raised; SG&A elevated for strategic build—watch conversion of backlog to sales (45–50% next 12 months) and mix effects on margins .
  • Leadership succession plan signals continuity in strategy and execution with Dan Thoren as Executive Chairman and Matt Malone ascending to CEO in June 2025 .

Appendix: Non-GAAP and KPI Disclosures

  • Adjusted EBITDA excludes interest, taxes, D&A, equity-based comp, ERP costs, acquisition-related items; Adjusted net income applies normalized tax rate and adds back acquisition-related items and amortization; Barber‑Nichols supplemental performance bonus no longer excluded from adjusted metrics beginning Q4 FY2024 .
  • KPIs (orders, backlog, book‑to‑bill) are operational measures used by management; see disclosures in press release for definitions .