NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2026 Results
First Quarter Results
- Total revenues of
$45.6 million , compared to$50.0 million in the same quarter of 2025 - Net loss of
$(0.4) million and loss per share of$(0.14) , compared to net income of$4.1 million and diluted earnings per share of$1.51 in the same quarter of 2025 - Adjusted EBITDA of
$5.6 million , compared to$8.2 million in the same quarter of 2025 - Cash flows from operating activities of
$1.3 million and free cash flow of$0.7 million , increases compared to$(1.6) million and$(2.1) million , respectively, in the first quarter of 2025. $34.5 million in cash and$7.2 million of total debt as ofMarch 31, 2026
Review and Outlook
NCS’s Chief Executive Officer,
While our revenue for the quarter declined compared to the year ago period, coming in below the guided range, our adjusted gross margin for the quarter met the midpoint of the guided range. We reduced our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the first quarter of 2026, which included ResMetrics, as compared to the first quarter of 2025, validating our financial discipline. We generated Adjusted EBITDA of
With our asset-light business model, relatively fixed SG&A, and disciplined capital allocation, we generated free cash flow after distributions in the first quarter of the year, which is typically a period of cash consumption. This
Our team continued to advance key strategic initiatives during the quarter, reaching additional ResMetrics integration milestones and benefitting from growing adoption of Repeat Precision solutions, driven by positive field trial results and the effectiveness of new products, including our differentiated StageSaver composite and
Looking ahead, we remain confident in our full year 2026 outlook and believe we are well positioned to execute our long-term growth strategy. We are seeing increased customer engagement across our
In closing, I want to thank our employees, our customers, and our shareholders for their dedication and trust. Our customer commitment is unwavering, and our strategic priorities are anchored by the delivery of long-term value for shareholders.”
Financial Review
Total revenues were
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, total revenues decreased by 10%, primarily reflecting a 17% decline in
Gross profit was
SG&A expenses totaled
Other income was $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $0.9 million for the first quarter of 2025. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to more royalty income from licensees and higher scrap sales.
Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2026 increased
Net loss was $(0.4) million, or $(0.14) per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 compared to net income of
Adjusted EBITDA was
Cash flow from operating activities for the three months ended
Liquidity and Capital Expenditures
As of March 31, 2026, NCS had
Net working capital, calculated as working capital, less cash and excluding the current maturities of long-term debt, was $62.9 million and
NCS incurred capital expenditures, net of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment, of
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Less Distributions to
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2026 results and latest earnings guidance on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. Central Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time). The conference call will be available via a live audio webcast. Participants who wish to ask questions may register for the call here to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN. If you wish to join the conference call but do not plan to ask questions, you may join the listen-only webcast here. The live webcast can also be accessed by visiting the Investors section of the Company’s website at ir.ncsmultistage.com. It is recommended that participants join at least 10 minutes prior to the event start.
The replay will be available in the Investors section of the Company’s website shortly after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately seven days.
About
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following: declines in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and production activity in
Contact
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(281) 453-2222
IR@ncsmultistage.com
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) |
||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||
| Product sales | $ | 32,583 | $ | 35,066 | ||||
| Services | 13,054 | 14,939 | ||||||
| Total revenues | 45,637 | 50,005 | ||||||
| Cost of sales | ||||||||
| Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below | 19,729 | 20,352 | ||||||
| Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below | 7,737 | 7,798 | ||||||
| Total cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below | 27,466 | 28,150 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 15,728 | 16,195 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 1,293 | 1,204 | ||||||
| Amortization | 302 | 167 | ||||||
| Income from operations | 848 | 4,289 | ||||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (26 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||
| Other income, net | 1,863 | 883 | ||||||
| Foreign currency exchange loss, net | (110 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||
| Total other income | 1,727 | 838 | ||||||
| Income before income tax | 2,575 | 5,127 | ||||||
| Income tax expense | 834 | 673 | ||||||
| Net income | 1,741 | 4,454 | ||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | 2,112 | 398 | ||||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to |
$ | (371 | ) | $ | 4,056 | |||
| (Loss) earnings per common share | ||||||||
| Basic (loss) earnings per common share attributable to |
$ | (0.14 | ) | $ | 1.58 | |||
| Diluted (loss) earnings per common share attributable to |
$ | (0.14 | ) | $ | 1.51 | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Basic | 2,629 | 2,568 | ||||||
| Diluted | 2,629 | 2,686 | ||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) |
||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 34,458 | $ | 36,725 | ||||
| Accounts receivable—trade, net | 35,798 | 40,507 | ||||||
| Inventories, net | 40,780 | 39,011 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,698 | 2,031 | ||||||
| Other current receivables | 4,258 | 3,644 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 116,992 | 121,918 | ||||||
| Noncurrent assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 19,266 | 19,849 | ||||||
| 16,387 | 16,387 | |||||||
| Identifiable intangibles, net | 5,686 | 5,989 | ||||||
| Operating lease assets | 4,472 | 4,817 | ||||||
| Deposits and other assets | 524 | 586 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 11,256 | 11,653 | ||||||
| Total noncurrent assets | 57,591 | 59,281 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 174,583 | $ | 181,199 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable—trade | $ | 10,567 | $ | 8,517 | ||||
| Accrued expenses | 4,882 | 9,461 | ||||||
| Income taxes payable | 969 | 1,151 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 1,534 | 1,587 | ||||||
| Contingent purchase consideration | — | 1,250 | ||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 2,291 | 2,385 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities | 1,635 | 4,175 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 21,878 | 28,526 | ||||||
| Noncurrent liabilities | ||||||||
| Long-term debt, less current maturities | 4,909 | 5,259 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, long-term | 3,385 | 3,716 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 200 | 202 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 407 | 398 | ||||||
| Total noncurrent liabilities | 8,901 | 9,575 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 30,779 | 38,101 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, |
— | — | ||||||
| Common stock, |
27 | 26 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 450,379 | 449,890 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (86,583 | ) | (86,132 | ) | ||||
| Retained deficit | (235,647 | ) | (235,276 | ) | ||||
| (3,343 | ) | (2,269 | ) | |||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 124,833 | 126,239 | ||||||
| Non-controlling interest | 18,971 | 16,859 | ||||||
| Total equity | 143,804 | 143,098 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 174,583 | $ | 181,199 | ||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,741 | $ | 4,454 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,595 | 1,371 | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred loan costs | 62 | 52 | ||||||
| Share-based compensation | 1,227 | 1,445 | ||||||
| Provision for inventory obsolescence | (22 | ) | (35 | ) | ||||
| Deferred income tax expense | 377 | 1 | ||||||
| Gain on sale of property and equipment | (47 | ) | (36 | ) | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | — | 42 | ||||||
| Net foreign currency unrealized loss (gain) | 183 | (849 | ) | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable—trade | 4,524 | (6,978 | ) | |||||
| Inventories, net | (1,999 | ) | 200 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 238 | 890 | ||||||
| Accounts payable—trade | 1,963 | 3,742 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | (4,560 | ) | (3,003 | ) | ||||
| Other liabilities | (3,727 | ) | (3,273 | ) | ||||
| Income taxes receivable/payable | (275 | ) | 332 | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 1,280 | (1,645 | ) | |||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (591 | ) | (464 | ) | ||||
| Purchase and development of software and technology | (48 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | 80 | 13 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (559 | ) | (451 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Payments on finance leases | (613 | ) | (522 | ) | ||||
| Line of credit borrowings | 1,970 | 1,963 | ||||||
| Payments of line of credit borrowings | (1,970 | ) | (1,963 | ) | ||||
| Payment of contingent consideration | (1,250 | ) | — | |||||
| (1,074 | ) | (268 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (2,937 | ) | (790 | ) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (51 | ) | 3 | |||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (2,267 | ) | (2,883 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period | 36,725 | 25,880 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents end of period | $ | 34,458 | $ | 22,997 | ||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | $ | 215 | $ | — | ||||
| Assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ | 67 | $ | 244 | ||||
REVENUES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Product sales | $ | 14,209 | $ | 6,867 | ||||
| Services | 4,931 | 2,505 | ||||||
| Total |
19,140 | 9,372 | ||||||
| Product sales | 16,164 | 26,843 | ||||||
| Services | 7,047 | 10,875 | ||||||
| Total |
23,211 | 37,718 | ||||||
| Other Countries | ||||||||
| Product sales | 2,210 | 1,356 | ||||||
| Services | 1,076 | 1,559 | ||||||
| Total other countries | 3,286 | 2,915 | ||||||
| Total | ||||||||
| Product sales | 32,583 | 35,066 | ||||||
| Services | 13,054 | 14,939 | ||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 45,637 | $ | 50,005 | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Less Distributions to
However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Less Distributions to
The tables below set forth reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measures of financial performance calculated under GAAP:
NET WORKING CAPITAL
Net working capital is defined as total current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, minus total current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt. Net working capital excludes cash and cash equivalents and current maturities of long-term debt in order to evaluate the investments in working capital that we believe are required to support our business. We believe that net working capital is useful in analyzing the cash flow and working capital needs of the Company, including determining the efficiencies of our operations and our ability to readily convert assets into cash.
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Working capital | $ | 95,114 | $ | 93,392 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | (34,458 | ) | (36,725 | ) | ||||
| Current maturities of long term debt | 2,291 | 2,385 | ||||||
| Net working capital | $ | 62,947 | $ | 59,052 | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
FREE CASH FLOW AND FREE CASH FLOW LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and equipment (inclusive of the purchase and development of software and technology) plus proceeds from sales of property and equipment, as presented in our consolidated statement of cash flows. We define free cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interest as free cash flow less amounts reported in the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows as distributions to non-controlling interest. We believe free cash flow is useful because it provides information to investors regarding the cash that was available in the period that was in excess of our needs to fund our capital expenditures and other investment needs. We believe that free cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interest is useful because it provides information to investors regarding the cash that was available in the period that was in excess of our needs to fund our capital expenditures, other investment needs, and cash distributions to our joint venture partner.
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 1,280 | $ | (1,645 | ) | |||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (591 | ) | (464 | ) | ||||
| Purchase and development of software and technology | (48 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | 80 | 13 | ||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 721 | $ | (2,096 | ) | |||
| Distributions to non-controlling interest | — | — | ||||||
| Free cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interest | $ | 721 | $ | (2,096 | ) | |||
ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT AND ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN
Adjusted gross profit is defined as total revenues minus cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense, which we present as a separate line item in our statement of operations. Adjusted gross margin represents adjusted gross profit as a percentage of total revenues.
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 45,637 | $ | 50,005 | ||||
| Total cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense | 27,466 | 28,150 | ||||||
| Total depreciation and amortization associated with cost of sales | 800 | 715 | ||||||
| Gross Profit | $ | 17,371 | $ | 21,140 | ||||
| Gross Margin | 38 | % | 42 | % | ||||
| Exclude total depreciation and amortization associated with cost of sales | (800 | ) | (715 | ) | ||||
| Adjusted Gross Profit | $ | 18,171 | $ | 21,855 | ||||
| Adjusted Gross Margin | 40 | % | 44 | % | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
EBITDA, ADJUSTED EBITDA, ADJUSTED EBITDA MARGIN, AND ADJUSTED EBITDA LESS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, net, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to exclude certain items which we believe are not reflective of ongoing operating performance or which, in the case of share-based compensation, is non-cash in nature. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues. Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation is defined as Adjusted EBITDA minus share-based compensation expense. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure that excludes costs that do not reflect the Company's ongoing operating performance, legal proceedings for intellectual property as further described below, and certain costs associated with our capital structure. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation presents our financial performance in a manner that is comparable to the presentation provided by many of our peers.
We periodically incur legal costs associated with the assertion of, or defense of, intellectual property, which we exclude from our definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, unless we believe that settlement will occur prior to any material legal spend (included in the table below as “Professional Fees”). Although these costs may recur between periods, depending on legal matters then outstanding or in process, we believe the timing of when these costs are incurred does not typically match the settlement or recoveries associated with such matters, and therefore, can distort our operating results. Similarly, we exclude from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation the one-time settlement or recovery payment associated with these excluded legal matters when realized but would not exclude any go forward royalties or payments, if applicable. We expect to continue to incur these legal costs for current matters under appeal and for any future cases that may go to trial, provided that the amount will vary by period.
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,741 | $ | 4,454 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 834 | 673 | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | 26 | 42 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 1,293 | 1,204 | ||||||
| Amortization | 302 | 167 | ||||||
| EBITDA | 4,196 | 6,540 | ||||||
| Share-based compensation (a) | 490 | 552 | ||||||
| Professional fees (b) | 560 | 989 | ||||||
| Foreign currency exchange loss (c) | 110 | 3 | ||||||
| Other (d) | 233 | 130 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 5,589 | $ | 8,214 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 12 | % | 16 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation | $ | 5,099 | $ | 7,662 | ||||
___________________
| (a) | Represents non-cash compensation charges related to share-based compensation granted to our officers, employees and directors. |
| (b) | Represents non-capitalizable costs of professional services primarily incurred or reversed in connection with our legal proceedings associated with the assertion of, or defense of, intellectual property as further described above as well as the cost incurred for the evaluation of actual and potential strategic transactions. |
| (c) | Represents realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses primarily due to movement in the foreign currency exchange rates during the applicable periods. |
| (d) | Represents the impact of a research and development subsidy that is included in income tax expense in accordance with GAAP along with other charges and credits. |
Source: NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.

