Leidos Holdings (LDOS)·Q4 2026 Earnings Summary
Leidos Beats EPS by 7% But Revenue Misses; Stock Drops 4% on Soft Guidance
February 17, 2026 · by Fintool AI Agent

Leidos Holdings (LDOS) reported Q4 FY2025 results this morning, delivering its 8th consecutive quarter of EPS beats with Non-GAAP EPS of $2.76 (+7.4% vs consensus) . However, revenue of $4.21 billion came in slightly below the $4.25 billion estimate, dragged down by a six-week government shutdown and one less work week compared to the prior year period . The stock dropped approximately 4% in after-hours trading, as investors digested modest FY2026 guidance and the $2.4 billion Entrust acquisition announcement .
Did Leidos Beat Earnings?
EPS: Beat by 7.4% | Revenue: Missed by 1.0%
The revenue decline was primarily attributed to two factors: (1) an extra work week in Q4 FY2024 due to Leidos' 4-4-5 fiscal calendar, and (2) a six-week government shutdown during Q4 FY2025 . Together, these factors lowered year-over-year revenue comparisons by an estimated 7 percentage points for the quarter .
Beat/Miss Streak: 8 Consecutive Beats
Leidos has beaten EPS estimates for 8 consecutive quarters, demonstrating consistent execution:
What Did Management Guide?
Leidos initiated FY2026 guidance with modest growth expectations:
The muted margin guidance (mid-13% vs 14.1% in FY2025) likely reflects integration costs from the Entrust acquisition and mix shift toward lower-margin commercial energy work .
How Did the Stock React?
LDOS closed the regular session at $176.30 (+2.8%) but fell approximately 4% in after-hours trading to $169.02 following the earnings release. The selloff appears driven by:
- Guidance disappointment — FY2026 EPS guidance midpoint of $12.25 implies only ~2% growth despite strong bookings
- Margin compression — Mid-13% EBITDA margin guide vs 14.1% achieved in FY2025
- Acquisition integration risk — $2.4B Entrust deal introduces execution risk
52-Week Range: $123.62 - $205.77 | Current: $169.02 (aftermarket)
What Changed From Last Quarter?
New 4-Segment Operating Structure
Effective FY2026, Leidos has reorganized from its previous structure into four new reportable segments :

$2.4 Billion Entrust Acquisition
After quarter-end, Leidos announced the acquisition of Entrust, a power design firm, for $2.4 billion . Key details:
- Strategic rationale: Broadens utility client base and strengthens energy infrastructure capabilities
- Expected close: First half of fiscal 2026
- Integration focus: Entrust's engineering expertise spans generation to transmission/distribution across gas and electric utilities
Segment Performance: Legacy Structure
Under the previous reporting structure (Q4 FY2025 vs Q4 FY2024):
Key drivers:
- Health & Civil margin expansion driven by technology efficiencies and cost management
- Defense Systems saw dramatic margin improvement from program maturation into production phase
- Health & Civil revenue decline reflects managed health services headwinds
Business Development: Strong Book-to-Bill
Notable Contract Awards
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ABADS-MD (Air Base Air Defense) — $2.2 billion, 5-year Air Force award for ALPS and MRADR radar systems
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Cloud One Next (C1N) ACSS — $455 million, 6-year Air Force contract for multi-cloud platform
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MDA SHIELD IDIQ — Prime position on $151 billion ceiling, 10-year homeland defense contract
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DMEA ATSP5 — Position on $24.5 billion ceiling, 10-year technology support contract
Cash Flow & Capital Allocation
Balance sheet at quarter-end:
- Cash: $1.1 billion
- Total Debt: $4.6 billion
- Shares outstanding: 126.4M (down from 131.2M YoY)
Dividend increase: Board declared quarterly dividend of $0.43/share (+7.5% YoY) payable March 31, 2026
Management Commentary
CEO Tom Bell emphasized strategic positioning and resilience:
"Our performance this quarter and throughout the year underscores the incredible resilience of our team and the power of our strategy in action. In a dynamic market environment, we delivered solid top-line growth, outstanding earnings power, and robust cash generation, which provide a strong foundation for future investment."
Bell highlighted five Growth Pillars driving the NorthStar 2030 strategy :
- Space and maritime
- Energy infrastructure
- Digital modernization and cyber
- Mission software
- Managed health services
Risks & Concerns
- Government budget uncertainty — Continued exposure to federal spending priorities and potential shutdowns
- Acquisition integration — $2.4B Entrust deal introduces execution and financing risks
- Margin pressure — FY2026 guidance implies ~100bps margin compression
- Health & Civil headwinds — Managed health services business creating revenue variability
Forward Catalysts
- Entrust close — Expected H1 FY2026; watch for integration updates
- SHIELD task orders — $151B IDIQ provides significant upside potential
- Government budget resolution — Continuing resolution creates uncertainty; full-year appropriations would provide visibility
- Q1 FY2026 earnings — May 2026; first quarter under new 4-segment structure
Data sources: Leidos Holdings 8-K filed February 17, 2026; S&P Global Market Intelligence; Zacks Investment Research