DLH Reports Fiscal 2025 Fourth Quarter Results
Rhea-AI Summary
DLH Holdings (NASDAQ: DLHC) reported fiscal Q4 results for the period ended September 30, 2025, showing mixed performance as budgetary priorities affected revenue. Revenue was $81.2M, down (15.8)% year-over-year. The company delivered EBITDA $6.6M and free cash flow $10.7M. DLH reduced debt to $131.6M (down 14.9% year-over-year) and reported backlog of $514.3M (down 25.5%). Net loss was $(0.9)M and diluted EPS was $(0.06). Management cited continued investments in new business and scaling initiatives and scheduled an earnings webcast for December 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET.
Positive
- Free cash flow of $10.7M in Q4
- Debt reduced to $131.6M (14.9% lower YoY)
- National Security revenue growth of 8.8% in Q4
Negative
- Total revenue down 15.8% YoY to $81.2M
- Backlog decreased 25.5% YoY to $514.3M
- EBITDA declined 38.3% YoY to $6.6M and EBITDA margin fell to 8.1%
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers show mixed moves today: notable gainers like TISI (+4.96%) and WFCF (+2.41%) alongside decliners such as NTIP (-4.11%) and SST (-2.97%), suggesting company-specific rather than sector-driven dynamics for DLHC.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 20 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -0.2% | Announcement of timing for fiscal Q4 2025 earnings release and call. |
| Oct 22 | Security certification | Positive | -0.2% | CMMC Level 2 cybersecurity certification supporting future DoD contract bids. |
| Aug 14 | Contract award | Positive | +6.7% | Up to <b>$46.9M</b> NIH IT and cybersecurity task order over three years. |
| Aug 06 | Quarterly earnings | Negative | -0.2% | Q3 2025 revenue and net income declined year-over-year despite solid EBITDA. |
| Jul 28 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -0.8% | Scheduling of fiscal Q3 2025 results release and investor conference call. |
Recent news often produced modest price moves, generally aligning with the tone of operational updates, with a stronger positive reaction to a sizable NIH contract award.
Over the last six months, DLH has combined contract wins, operational updates, and certifications with a focus on deleveraging. The August 2025 NIH task order worth up to $46.9 million coincided with a 6.72% gain, while Q3 2025 results showing revenue decline and debt reduction saw a small negative move. Multiple insider purchases around $5.50 and continued backlog and debt disclosures frame today’s Q4 2025 earnings, which highlight weaker revenue but stronger cash generation and lower debt.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a mixed Q4 2025, with revenue down to $81.2 million and diluted EPS at ($0.06), but free cash flow improving to $10.7 million and debt reduced to $131.6 million. Backlog declined to $514.3 million, underscoring future revenue visibility as a key watch item. Investors may track upcoming contract activity, margin trends, and management’s deleveraging progress, alongside prior catalysts like the $46.9 million NIH task order and recent regulatory disclosures.
Key Terms
ebitda financial
free cash flow financial
backlog financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
ATLANTA, Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DLH Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: DLHC) (“DLH” or the “Company”), a leading provider of digital transformation and cybersecurity, systems engineering and integration, and science research and development, today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Q4 Highlights:
- Revenue performance mixed as budgetary priorities continue to come into focus; solid revenue growth of
8.8% in National Security contract portfolio this quarter as compared to fiscal 2024 Q4. - Delivered EBITDA of
$6.6 million as investment in new business continued and company executed scaling initiatives at the end of the quarter and into fiscal 2026 - Free cash flow of
$10.7 million driven by strong customer collections - Debt reduced to
$131.6 million as deleveraging strategy continued
"I am incredibly proud of the robust foundations we have built. We've transformed DLH into a federal health and national security leader by organizing around three technology-driven pillars. Despite facing near-term market headwinds that have impacted revenue, our strategy, which utilizes proprietary advanced tools and commercial best practices, provides us the capability and agility to effectively navigate today's environment and drive long-term value," said Zach Parker, DLH President and Chief Executive Officer.
"We generated
| Operating Financial Summary | |||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||
| $ million | 2025 | 2024 | % Change | ||
| Revenue | $81.2 | (15.8)% | |||
| Income from operations | $2.3 | (64.1)% | |||
| Net (loss) income | $(0.9) | (139.1)% | |||
| Diluted Earnings Per Share | $(0.06) | (137.5)% | |||
| EBITDA | $6.6 | (38.3)% | |||
| EBITDA margin on Revenue | 8.1% | (27.0)% | |||
| Cash provided by Operating Activities | $10.7 | (13.7)% | |||
| Free Cash Flow | $10.7 | (12.3)% | |||
| Additional Financial Metrics | |||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | % Change | |||
| Debt | $131.6 | (14.9)% | |||
| Backlog | $514.3 | (25.5)% | |||
Earnings Webcast:
DLH management will discuss third quarter results and provide a general business update, including current competitive conditions and strategies, during a conference call beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time tomorrow, December 11, 2025. Interested parties may listen to the conference call by dialing 888-347-5290 or 412-317-5256. Presentation materials will also be posted on the Investor Relations section of the DLH website prior to the commencement of the conference call.
A digital recording of the conference call will be available for replay two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed on the DLH Investor Relations website or by dialing 877-344-7529 and entering the conference ID #7526746.
About DLH:
DLH (NASDAQ: DLHC) enhances technology, public health, and cyber security readiness missions through science, technology, cyber, and engineering solutions and services. Our experts solve some of the most complex and critical missions faced by federal customers, leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cloud-based applications, telehealth systems, and more. With over 2,300 employees dedicated to the idea that “Your Mission is Our Passion,” DLH brings a unique combination of government sector experience, proven methodology, and unwavering commitment to innovative solutions to improve the lives of millions. For more information, visit www.DLHcorp.com.
Contact Information:
Investor Relations
Chris Witty
(646) 438-9385
cwitty@darrowir.com
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or DLH`s future financial performance. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances or that are not statements of historical fact (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions) should be considered forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or DLH’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among others, statements regarding estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings and cash flow. These statements reflect our belief and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements made in this release due to a variety of factors, including: the risk that we will not realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions (including anticipated future financial performance and results); the diversion of management’s attention from normal daily operations of the business and the challenges of managing larger and more widespread operations; the inability to retain employees and customers; contract awards in connection with re-competes for present business and/or competition for new business; our ability to manage our debt obligations; compliance with bank financial and other covenants; changes in client budgetary priorities; government contract procurement (such as bid and award protests, small business set asides, loss of work due to organizational conflicts of interest, etc.) and termination risks; the impact of inflation and higher interest rates; and other risks described in our SEC filings. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 as well as subsequent reports filed thereafter. The forward-looking statements contained herein are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry and business.
Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and may become outdated over time. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
| DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in thousands except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 81,160 | $ | 96,386 | $ | 344,497 | $ | 395,937 | ||||||
| Cost of Operations | ||||||||||||||
| Contract costs | 67,319 | 77,492 | 279,333 | 318,447 | ||||||||||
| General and administrative costs | 7,263 | 8,234 | 31,199 | 35,538 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,299 | 4,284 | 17,179 | 17,052 | ||||||||||
| Total operating costs | 78,881 | 90,010 | 327,711 | 371,037 | ||||||||||
| Income from operations | 2,279 | 6,376 | 16,786 | 24,900 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | 3,481 | 4,162 | 15,031 | 17,153 | ||||||||||
| (Loss) Income before provision for income taxes | (1,202 | ) | 2,214 | 1,755 | 7,747 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | (282 | ) | (81 | ) | 393 | 350 | ||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (920 | ) | $ | 2,295 | $ | 1,362 | $ | 7,397 | |||||
| Net (loss) income per share | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.52 | |||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.51 | |||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | 14,388 | 14,198 | 14,387 | 14,169 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | 14,457 | 14,378 | 14,458 | 14,405 | ||||||||||
| DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands except par value of shares) | ||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | |||||
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||
| Cash | $ | 125 | $ | 342 | ||
| Accounts receivable | 38,394 | 49,849 | ||||
| Other current assets | 4,018 | 2,766 | ||||
| Total current assets | 42,537 | 52,957 | ||||
| Goodwill | 138,161 | 138,161 | ||||
| Intangible assets, net | 91,865 | 108,321 | ||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 8,764 | 6,681 | ||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 7,947 | 6,245 | ||||
| Equipment and improvements, net | 1,274 | 1,830 | ||||
| Other long-term assets | 115 | 186 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 290,663 | $ | 314,381 | ||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 19,246 | $ | 25,290 | ||
| Accrued payroll | 12,153 | 12,848 | ||||
| Debt obligations - current, net of deferred financing costs | 8,067 | 12,058 | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities - current | 2,918 | 2,652 | ||||
| Other current liabilities | 287 | 394 | ||||
| Total current liabilities | 42,671 | 53,242 | ||||
| Long-term liabilities: | ||||||
| Debt obligations - long-term, net of deferred financing costs | 119,966 | 137,316 | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities - long-term | 14,022 | 12,789 | ||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 1,046 | 902 | ||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 135,034 | 151,007 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 177,705 | 204,249 | ||||
| Shareholders' equity: | ||||||
| Common stock, | 14 | 14 | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 101,734 | 100,270 | ||||
| Retained earnings | 11,210 | 9,848 | ||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 112,958 | 110,132 | ||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 290,663 | $ | 314,381 | ||
| DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands except par value of shares) | ||||||||
| Year Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,362 | $ | 7,397 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 17,179 | 17,052 | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs charged to interest expense | 1,742 | 1,839 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 1,464 | 1,898 | ||||||
| Deferred taxes, net | (1,702 | ) | (3,175 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 11,455 | 9,270 | ||||||
| Other assets | (3,190 | ) | 3,276 | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (6,043 | ) | (4,414 | ) | ||||
| Accrued payroll | (697 | ) | (946 | ) | ||||
| Other liabilities | 1,646 | (4,831 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 23,216 | 27,366 | ||||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchase of equipment and improvements | (241 | ) | (836 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (241 | ) | (836 | ) | ||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from revolving line of credit | 253,181 | 361,720 | ||||||
| Repayment of revolving line of credit | (257,171 | ) | (359,208 | ) | ||||
| Repayments of debt obligations | (19,000 | ) | (27,313 | ) | ||||
| Payments of deferred financing costs | (202 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and warrants | — | 261 | ||||||
| Payment of tax obligations resulting from net exercise of stock options | — | (1,863 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (23,192 | ) | (26,403 | ) | ||||
| Net change in cash | (217 | ) | 127 | |||||
| Cash - beginning of year | 342 | 215 | ||||||
| Cash - end of year | $ | 125 | $ | 342 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information | ||||||||
| Cash paid during the year for interest | $ | 13,505 | $ | 16,043 | ||||
| Cash paid during the year for income taxes | $ | 2,053 | $ | 3,264 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activity | ||||||||
| Common stock surrendered for the exercise of stock options | - | $ | 2,822 | |||||
| Lease liability recognized to acquire a right-of-use asset | $ | 4,187 | 839 | |||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses EBITDA, EBITDA as a percent of revenue as supplemental non-GAAP measures of performance. The Company uses Free Cash Flow as a supplement non-GAAP liquidity measure. We define the measures as the following:
EBITDA is net (loss) income excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense and provision for income taxes
EBITDA as a percent of revenue is EBITDA for the measurement period divided by revenue for the same period.
Free cash flow is net cash provided by operating activities less the impact of purchases of equipment and improvements.
EBITDA and EBITDA as a percent of revenue are non-GAAP measures of performance and are used by management to conduct and evaluate its business during its review of operating results for the periods presented. Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, is used by management to assess our ability to generate cash from our business operations and plan for future operating and capital actions.
Management and the Company's Board utilize these non-GAAP measures to make decisions about the use of the Company's resources, analyze performance between periods, develop internal projections and measure management performance. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in evaluating the Company's ongoing operating and financial results and understanding how such results compare with the Company's historical performance.
EBITDA, EBITDA as a percent of revenue, and free cash flow are not recognized measurements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and when analyzing our performance and liquidity investors should (i) evaluate adjustments in our reconciliation to the nearest GAAP financial measures and (ii) use non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as an alternative to, measures of our operating results, as defined under GAAP.
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Twelve Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (920 | ) | $ | 2,295 | $ | (3,215 | ) | $ | 1,362 | $ | 7,397 | $ | (6,035 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,299 | 4,284 | 15 | 17,179 | 17,052 | 127 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 3,481 | 4,162 | (681 | ) | 15,031 | 17,153 | (2,122 | ) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | (282 | ) | (81 | ) | (201 | ) | 393 | 350 | 43 | |||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 6,578 | $ | 10,660 | $ | (4,082 | ) | $ | 33,965 | $ | 41,952 | $ | (7,987 | ) | ||||
| Net (loss) income as a % of revenue | (1.1)% | 2.4 | % | (3.5)% | 0.4 | % | 1.9 | % | (1.5)% | |||||||||
| EBITDA as a % of revenue | 8.1 | % | 11.1 | % | (3.0)% | 9.9 | % | 10.6 | % | (1)% | ||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 81,160 | $ | 96,386 | $ | (15,226 | ) | $ | 344,497 | $ | 395,937 | $ | (51,440 | ) | ||||
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Twelve Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 10,681 | $ | 12,435 | $ | (1,754 | ) | $ | 23,216 | $ | 27,366 | $ | (4,150 | ) | ||||
| Less: Purchases of equipment and improvements | (27 | ) | (209 | ) | 182 | (241 | ) | (836 | ) | 595 | ||||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | 10,654 | $ | 12,226 | $ | (1,572 | ) | $ | 22,975 | $ | 26,530 | $ | (3,555 | ) | ||||
FAQ
What were DLH Holdings (DLHC) fiscal Q4 2025 revenue and EPS figures?
How much free cash flow did DLH (DLHC) generate in fiscal Q4 2025?
How did DLH (DLHC) change its debt level in fiscal 2025?
What happened to DLH (DLHC) backlog and why does it matter to investors?
When and how can investors listen to DLH (DLHC) discuss Q4 results?
Which DLH business area showed growth in Q4 2025?
