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LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES INC (LPTH)·Q4 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Revenue rose 41.4% YoY to $12.21M with Assemblies & Modules up 203%; slight revenue beat vs S&P consensus, but gross margin compressed to 22.0% on ~$0.5M inventory reserve, driving wider net loss and larger EBITDA loss vs expectations . Q4 revenue $12.21M vs S&P $12.20M*; GM 22.0% vs S&P 31.86%; EPS (GAAP) $(0.16); S&P Primary EPS actual −$0.071 vs −$0.043* est. Values retrieved from S&P Global.
- Orders accelerated: $18.2M IR camera PO (CY26) and $22.1M follow-on (CY27) lifted total to $40.3M; backlog was $37.4M at June 30 but ~“around $90M” by the call; ~57–60% expected to ship in FY26, remainder into FY27/28 .
- G5 integration tracking well; contributed $4.2M to Q4 revenue; two cooled camera lines redesigned to BlackDiamond glass to mitigate Germanium risk and improve supply resiliency .
- Margin outlook: CFO targets c.30% “adjusted” gross margin currently, ~35% within 1–2 quarters and ~40% midterm as mix shifts to higher-ASP systems; management expects adjusted EBITDA to turn positive at a higher revenue level and suggested consensus revenue should be raised ~10% based on updated backlog visibility .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Record backlog and large multi-year orders: “orders total over $40 million for deliveries… in 2026 and 2027”; backlog “around $90 million,” with more than two-thirds in systems/subsystems .
- Strategic differentiation: Germanium-free redesigns using proprietary BlackDiamond glass reduce supply-chain risk and resonate with defense/industrial customers; two high-end cooled cameras have been redesigned .
- Product/segment mix: Assemblies & Modules revenue up 203% YoY in Q4; IR components +63% YoY; company moving “up the value chain” into complete camera systems .
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What Went Wrong
- Margin compression: Q4 gross margin fell to 22.0% (vs 29.2% LY) due to ~$0.5M inventory reserves (visible components) and mix; below S&P gross margin consensus (31.86%*) . Values retrieved from S&P Global.
- Elevated OpEx and non-cash charges: Q4 OpEx up 52% YoY (integration of G5, marketing, NPD materials, $1.4M increase in acquisition liabilities fair value); non-cash mark-to-market and acquisition-related items widened net loss .
- EBITDA below expectations: Adjusted EBITDA loss $(2.0)M vs S&P EBITDA consensus −$0.17M*; mix and one-time items pressured profitability in the quarter . Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Financial Results
Reported results and trajectory
Reported vs S&P consensus (Q4 FY2025)
Values retrieved from S&P Global (asterisked). Note: S&P “Primary EPS” and EBITDA definitions may differ from company GAAP or non-GAAP.
Segment/Product Mix (Q4 FY2025 vs Q4 FY2024)
KPIs and balance sheet
Guidance Changes
The company did not provide formal quantitative guidance; management offered qualitative outlook and targets.
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Our backlog today is around $90 million… With more than two thirds of this backlog in systems and subsystems, it is clear that the strategy is working.”
- “We are actively redesigning G5’s product line to implement our proprietary BlackDiamond material in place of Germanium… we recently announced the first two camera redesigns that now utilize our materials.”
- Gross margin path: “Right now on an adjusted basis… close to 30. I think we can step up to 35 pretty quickly in a quarter or two… in the longer run… 40% midterm.”
- Profitability context: “I would expect that we would be [adjusted EBITDA] positive on that higher level of revenue,” and “consensus on revenue would have to be raised by about 10%.”
- Strategic positioning: “The path forward is straightforward – continue to convert the market’s Germanium supply chain angst into BlackDiamond-based camera sales – moving up the value chain.”
Q&A Highlights
- G5 contribution and backlog mix: G5 contributed $4.2M to Q4 revenue; ~two-thirds of backlog is cameras/assemblies .
- Backlog conversion: ~57%–60% of ~$90M backlog expected to ship in FY26; balance in FY27/28 .
- Gross margin cadence: Adjusted GM near 30% now; targeted ~35% in 1–2 quarters and ~40% midterm as mix shifts; Q4 GM depressed by ~$0.5M inventory reserve and one-time items .
- Expense normalization: Q4 OpEx included several one-time items (M&A, IT/cybersecurity, marketing) and G5 integration costs .
- Program updates: SPEIR approaching LRIP; Border CTSC orders broadened to additional prime; CUAS programs expanding .
Estimates Context
- Q4 FY2025 vs S&P: Revenue beat by ~$0.01M; Primary EPS actual −$0.071 missed vs −$0.043 est; gross margin 22.0% vs 31.86% est; EBITDA actual −$1.17M below −$0.17M est. Differences reflect mix, inventory reserves, and non-cash acquisition-related items. Values retrieved from S&P Global.
- FY2025 vs S&P: Revenue in line ($37.20M actual vs $37.20M est*); Primary EPS −0.254* vs −0.235* est; GM 27.23% vs 30.48%; EBITDA −$4.91M vs −$3.94M*. Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Backlog-driven inflection: ~$90M backlog with multi-year visibility, majority in higher-ASP camera systems; ~57–60% slated for FY26 shipment supports revenue step-up .
- Margin recovery catalyst: Mix shift to cooled/uncooled cameras and assemblies underpins GM trajectory toward ~35% near-term and ~40% midterm; watch conversion pace and mix .
- Supply-chain advantage: Germanium-free BlackDiamond designs are a durable differentiator amid China export restrictions; two cooled camera lines already redesigned .
- Execution focus: Near-term headwinds (inventory reserves, integration, non-cash items) masked underlying mix benefits; normalization plus backlog conversion should tighten the EBITDA bridge .
- Program milestones: Monitor SPEIR LRIP, Border CTSC IDIQ pull-through across primes, and CUAS deployments; large orders ($40.3M CY26/27) validate demand .
- G5 earn-out discipline: First 12-month earn-out requires ~$21M revenue with 20% EBITDA at G5; management indicates on track, reinforcing profitability focus at subsystem/system tier .
- Estimate revisions: Management’s comment to lift revenue consensus ~10% suggests upside to Street top-line; near-term beats will likely hinge on shipment phasing and margin mix .
References: Q4 FY2025 8-K and press release ; Q4 earnings call transcript ; Q3 FY2025 press release/8-K ; Q2 FY2025 press release/8-K ; $18.2M and $22.1M orders press releases .