MP
MOTORCAR PARTS OF AMERICA INC (MPAA)·Q2 2026 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 FY26 revenue was $221.5M, up 6.4% YoY and above consensus $208.0M; EPS was -$0.11, a significant miss versus consensus $0.38; EBITDA was $16.5M, below consensus $25.8M .*
- Gross profit reached a second-quarter record $42.7M; gross margin was 19.3% vs. 19.8% last year, pressured by $3.6M non-cash items (3.0% margin impact) and $0.7M one-time cash items (0.3%) .
- Cash from operations was $21.9M and net bank debt fell $17.7M sequentially to $56.7M; liquidity stood at ~$161M; 90,114 shares were repurchased for $1.4M .
- Management confirmed FY26 guidance (sales $800–$820M; operating income $86–$91M; D&A ~$11M), noting Q2 included a one-time $14.8M core revenue offset by deferred purchasing from a large customer (expected to normalize in H2) .
- Near-term stock drivers: revenue beat vs. estimates juxtaposed with EPS miss, strong cash generation and deleveraging, and commentary that deferred customer orders should return in H2 FY26 .*
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record Q2 gross profit ($42.7M) and strong operating cash flow ($21.9M), supporting $17.7M net debt reduction and buybacks: “generated cash of approximately $21.9 million… reduced net bank debt by $17.7 million to $56.7 million… repurchased 90,114 shares” .
- Revenue beat and product momentum: brake-related offerings gaining traction; heavy-duty and Mexico markets growing. “Our brake-related products are… picking up momentum… sales in the Mexico market are growing nicely” .
- Strategic focus and confidence: “We remain laser-focused on further efficiencies… liquidity is strong… leverage is low” .
Quotes:
- CEO: “Results for the fiscal second quarter reflect continued success at leveraging the company’s prominent position within the non-discretionary automotive aftermarket…” .
- CFO: “Operating income… increased 30.8% to $16.4 million…” .
- CEO: “We are excited about… future opportunities and that we are confirming our guidance for fiscal 2026.” .
What Went Wrong
- EPS miss driven by non-cash and one-time items: net loss -$2.1M (-$0.11) versus consensus $0.38; gross margin down 50 bps YoY due to $3.6M non-cash and $0.7M cash items .*
- Customer deferral offset one-time core revenue: $14.8M core revenue recognition reduced gross margin by 1.1% and contributed $0.643M to profitability, but a major customer delayed purchases by a similar amount; expected to recover in H2 .
- EBITDA undershot expectations: $16.5M vs. $25.8M consensus as margin pressures and FX impacts remained factors .*
Financial Results
Summary vs Prior Periods and YoY
Actual vs S&P Global Consensus (Q2 2026)
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Additional KPIs and Cash/Liquidity
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO strategic positioning: “The company’s solid financial position, cash flow generation and continued net debt reduction should continue to enhance our competitive position….” .
- Market tailwinds: “Average age of U.S. light vehicles has risen to 12.8 years… vehicles on the road 293.5 million… We expect increased replacement opportunities” .
- One-time items and guidance: “This one-time core revenue is not included in our revenue guidance” and “we are confirming our guidance for fiscal 2026” .
- Liquidity & capital allocation: “Our liquidity remains very strong, with total cash and availability of approximately $161 million” and repurchased shares in Q2 .
Q&A Highlights
- Customer deferral: Management confirmed a major customer delayed purchases offsetting the $14.8M core revenue; expects recovery in H2 FY26; excluding core revenue, performance aligns with guidance .
- Consumer deferral: Some discretionary repair deferral in the industry, but impact on MPAA limited as products are non-discretionary (start/stop) .
- Market share and industry dynamics: Brakes gaining share; commentary on industry events (First Brands) implies opportunity for reliable suppliers without specific impact quantified .
- Capital allocation: Continued willingness to repurchase shares given liquidity and perceived undervaluation; ongoing debt reduction targeted .
Estimates Context
- Revenue beat: $221.47M actual vs $208.0M consensus (+6.5%); strength aided by core realignment revenue and underlying demand .*
- EPS miss: -$0.11 actual vs $0.38 consensus; miss driven by non-cash items ($0.25/share) and one-time cash costs ($0.03/share), plus higher tax expense and FX impacts .*
- EBITDA miss: $16.48M actual vs $25.8M consensus; margin impact from non-cash items and small tariff-related cash expense .*
- Near-term estimate revisions: Street likely to lower EPS and EBITDA for FY26 while keeping sales broadly intact given guidance reaffirmation and expected H2 order normalization .*
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue momentum intact with a clear beat; expect H2 revenue tailwind as the deferred customer purchases normalize; watch order cadence updates in Q3 call .*
- EPS and EBITDA misses tied to identifiable non-cash and one-time items; monitor FX impacts and progress funding MX operations with local currency to reduce volatility .
- Strong cash generation ($21.9M CFO) and deleveraging ($56.7M net bank debt) provide flexibility for buybacks and strategic initiatives; liquidity ~$161M .
- Guidance maintained despite Q2 anomalies; FY26 sales $800–$820M and OI $86–$91M remain credible given product momentum (brakes, heavy-duty) and Mexico growth .
- Near-term trading: Potential pressure from EPS miss could be offset by cash flow/debt reduction and management’s confirmation of guidance; catalyst is H2 order recovery .
- Medium-term: Margin enhancement from scale in brakes and supply chain initiatives; continued tariff passthroughs; working capital neutralization supports FCF durability .
- Risk monitor: FX mark-to-market, tariff policy changes, and timing of customer purchasing behavior; non-GAAP adjustments remain material to reported results .
Additional Documents Read:
- Q2 FY26 8-K and press release with exhibits (financial statements, non-GAAP reconciliations) .
- Q2 FY26 earnings call transcript (prepared remarks and Q&A) .
- Q1 FY26 press release and call for trend context .
- FY25 results press release for prior-year baseline .
S&P Global consensus data used for estimates and marked with * (Revenue, EPS, EBITDA, estimate counts). Values retrieved from S&P Global.*