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VSE (VSEC)·Q4 2025 Earnings Summary

VSE Announces $2B Acquisition, Beats Q4 Estimates as Stock Surges 4% After-Hours

January 29, 2026 · by Fintool AI Agent

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VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) unveiled a transformative day for shareholders on January 29, 2026: preliminary Q4 2025 results that beat consensus estimates and a blockbuster $2.025 billion acquisition of Precision Aviation Group (PAG) that will more than double the company's aviation aftermarket footprint.

The stock responded emphatically—after closing down 2.6% at $206.02 in regular hours (before the announcement), shares surged 3.7% to $213.57 in after-hours trading as investors digested the deal's strategic implications.

Did VSE Beat Earnings in Q4 2025?

Yes—VSE beat on both revenue and EBITDA. The company released preliminary Q4 2025 estimates that exceeded Wall Street expectations:

MetricQ4 2025 PreliminaryConsensusSurprise
Revenue$290-304M (midpoint: $297M) $283M+4.8%
Adjusted EBITDA$45-53M (midpoint: $49M) $44M+11%
Operating Income$27-34M N/A

For full-year 2025, VSE expects consolidated revenue of $1,101-1,115 million and adjusted EBITDA of $176-184 million, both representing significant year-over-year growth. The company also confirmed positive free cash flow for FY 2025, marking a sequential quarterly improvement.

This marks VSE's fifth consecutive earnings beat, extending a streak that began in Q4 2024.

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What Is the Precision Aviation Group Acquisition?

The headline news: VSE is acquiring Precision Aviation Group (PAG) for a total consideration of $2.025 billion—a deal that represents approximately 42% of VSE's current $4.8B market cap.

PAG Acquisition Structure

Deal Structure

ComponentAmountDetails
Cash Consideration$1.75BFunded via new debt facility
Stock Consideration$275MNewly issued Class B shares of acquisition subsidiary
EarnoutUp to $125MContingent on FY 2026 profitability targets
Total$2.025BSubject to customary adjustments

Financing

VSE secured a $1.95 billion debt commitment from financial institutions to fund the cash portion and backstop existing credit facilities. This significantly leverages the balance sheet—VSE ended Q3 2025 with a 2.0x adjusted net leverage ratio and total net debt of $347M.

Key Terms

  • Expected Close: By July 29, 2026 (may extend 3 months pending regulatory approvals)
  • Regulatory Requirements: Hart-Scott-Rodino Act clearance plus foreign investment approvals from Australia and UK
  • Seller: GenNx360 Capital Partners (private equity)
  • Lock-Up: Seller subject to 6/12/18-month staggered lock-up on stock consideration

Who Is Precision Aviation Group?

PAG (d/b/a Precision Aviation Group) is a portfolio company of GenNx360 Capital Partners. While specific revenue and EBITDA figures weren't disclosed in the 8-K, the deal multiple and strategic rationale suggest PAG is a substantial aviation aftermarket business that will significantly expand VSE's distribution and MRO platform.

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What Changed From Last Quarter?

The Q3 2025 earnings call on October 27, 2025 already signaled VSE's aggressive M&A posture—the company announced the $350 million Aero3 acquisition during that call. CEO John Cuomo explicitly stated that "2026 M&A and organic pipelines remain robust."

Key Shifts

MetricQ3 2025Q4 2025EChange
Quarterly Revenue$283M $297M (midpoint) +5%
Adj EBITDA Margin16.7% ~16.5% (implied) Slightly lower (seasonal)
Net Leverage2.0x Pro forma ~4-5x (est.)Significant increase
M&A ActivityAero3 ($350M) announced PAG ($2.025B) announced 6x larger deal

The PAG deal dwarfs the Aero3 acquisition announced just 3 months ago. This suggests management is moving aggressively to consolidate the aviation aftermarket while financing remains available.

How Did the Stock React?

VSEC has been on a remarkable run:

PeriodStock PricePerformance
52-Week Low$91.55
52-Week High$218.25
Prior Close (Jan 28)$211.48
Regular Close (Jan 29)$206.02-2.6% (pre-announcement)
After-Hours (Jan 29)$213.57+3.7% from close

The after-hours surge of +3.7% signals the market views the PAG acquisition favorably, despite the significant leverage increase. The stock is now up approximately 125% from its 52-week low.

Beat/Miss Streak

VSE has beaten estimates in 5 consecutive quarters:

QuarterEPS ActualEPS EstSurprise
Q4 2024$0.90$0.72+25%
Q1 2025$0.78$0.58+35%
Q2 2025$0.97$0.70+38%
Q3 2025$0.99$0.84+18%
Q4 2025ETBD$0.83Expected beat

Values from S&P Global

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What Are the Risks?

Leverage Concerns

The $1.95B debt commitment will dramatically increase VSE's leverage. From 2.0x adjusted net leverage at Q3 2025 end, pro forma leverage could reach 4-5x EBITDA depending on PAG's contribution.

Integration Execution

VSE is now managing three major integrations simultaneously:

  1. Kellstrom (acquired 2024)—still capturing synergies
  2. Aero3 ($350M)—expected to close Q4 2025
  3. PAG ($2.025B)—expected to close July 2026

Regulatory Risk

The deal requires HSR clearance plus foreign investment approvals from Australia and the UK, adding execution risk and timeline uncertainty.

Macroeconomic Sensitivity

The 8-K's risk factors explicitly cite tariff impacts, global economic conditions, and supply chain disruptions as ongoing concerns.

Forward Catalysts

  1. Aero3 Closing (Q4 2025): The $350M wheel-and-brake acquisition should close shortly, adding ~$120M revenue at 20%+ EBITDA margins

  2. PAG Closing (July 2026): The transformative $2B deal will reshape VSE's revenue and earnings profile

  3. FY 2025 10-K: Full audited results and 2026 guidance expected in late February/early March

  4. Synergy Realization: Management has consistently exceeded synergy targets on prior deals

  5. OEM License Program: Transition to OEM licensed manufacturing expected complete in 2026

Key Takeaways

  • Preliminary Q4 beat: Revenue ~5% above consensus, EBITDA ~11% above
  • Transformative M&A: $2.025B PAG acquisition is largest in company history
  • Leverage up: Expect significant balance sheet expansion
  • After-hours surge: +3.7% suggests market approval of strategy
  • Track record strong: 5 consecutive quarters of beats; successful integration history

Note: These are preliminary, unaudited results. Final Q4 2025 figures will be published in VSE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025.


Data sourced from VSE Corporation 8-K filed January 29, 2026, Q3 2025 earnings call transcript, and S&P Global estimates.