DLH Reports Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Results
Rhea-AI Summary
DLH (NASDAQ: DLHC) reported fiscal Q2 ended March 31, 2026: revenue $59.3M (down 33.5% YoY), adjusted EBITDA $5.3M (9.0% margin), and free cash flow $3.8M. Debt fell to $132.7M and backlog was $442.4M (down 14%). The company noted legacy contract conversions to small‑business set‑asides and a two‑year NIH sole‑source contract extension. Management expects cost structure alignment to be complete in Q3 and accelerating cash generation in H2 fiscal 2026.
Positive
- Adjusted EBITDA of $5.3M, equal to 9.0% of revenue
- Free cash flow generation of $3.8M in the quarter
- Debt reduced to $132.7M from $136.6M prior quarter
- Two‑year sole‑source NIH clinical research support contract extension
Negative
- Revenue declined 33.5% year‑over‑year to $59.3M
- Net loss of $2.5M for the quarter
- Backlog decreased 14.0% to $442.4M
- Diluted loss per share $(0.17) versus $0.06 prior year
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
DLHC slipped 0.18% while 3 momentum-screened peers moved down (median about -2.0%) and 1 moved up, indicating earnings arrived amid broader sector pressure.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -0.7% | Announcement of Q2 FY26 release date and earnings call logistics. |
| Feb 09 | Q1 2026 earnings | Negative | -4.8% | Revenue down 24.1% YoY to $68.9M and weaker EBITDA amid contract shifts. |
| Feb 02 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -0.9% | Scheduled release and call for Q1 FY26 financial results and trends. |
| Dec 10 | Q4 2025 earnings | Negative | -3.4% | Q4 revenue decline, lower backlog, and net loss despite debt reduction. |
| Nov 20 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -0.2% | Notice of upcoming FY25 Q4 results and investor conference call details. |
Recent earnings-related announcements have generally been followed by modest share price declines, even when news was only scheduling-oriented.
Over the past six months, DLH has repeatedly reported revenue pressure tied to legacy contracts transitioning to small-business set‑aside contractors. Q1 FY26 results on Feb 9, 2026 showed revenue at $68.9M and Adjusted EBITDA of $6.5M, with a -4.79% price reaction. Fiscal 2025 Q4 results on Dec 10, 2025 also highlighted revenue and backlog declines, followed by a -3.41% move. Even simple “earnings date” notices around Q4 FY25 and Q1–Q2 FY26 drew small negative reactions, underscoring a cautious backdrop into today’s Q2 report.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a transitional quarter, with revenue down to $59.3M, a net loss of $(2.5M), and Adjusted EBITDA of $5.3M (a 9.0% margin). Backlog declined to $442.4M and debt stood at $132.7M, underscoring the importance of free cash flow, which was $3.8M in the quarter. Compared with prior results showing similar revenue pressure, investors may focus on future backlog trends, margin preservation, and debt reduction as key metrics to watch.
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
free cash flow financial
ebitda margin financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
ATLANTA, May 06, 2026 (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 second quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Q2 Highlights:
- Revenue change both year-over-year and sequentially, from the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily reflects the transition of legacy programs to small-business set-aside contractors
- Adjusted EBITDA of
$5.3 million , or9.0% of revenue, with the Company's cost scaling initiatives sustaining adjusted EBITDA margin on the current revenue volume - Free cash flow of
$3.8 million , with cash generation expected to accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2026 - Debt was reduced to
$132.7 million , from$136.6 million at the end of the first quarter, with greater reductions expected before the end of fiscal 2026 - Awarded a two-year sole source extension of the Company’s contract to provide clinical research support services to NIH
Management Discussion:
“Fiscal 2026 is a transition year for DLH, with the previously disclosed conversion of legacy contracts to small businesses continuing and expected to be complete in our third quarter. We have proactively right-sized our cost structure to align with the Technology Powered Solutions business base, successfully protecting our margins.” said Zach Parker, DLH President and Chief Executive Officer. “With a leaner operating model and improving demand from our government customers, we are positioned to capture the digital modernization, cybersecurity and AI opportunities aligned with our core capabilities. We remain focused on profitable growth and free cash flow generation to reduce debt and expand our current portfolio of solutions and services.”
| Operating Financial Summary | Three Months Ended | |||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| $ million | 2026 | 2025 | % Change | |||||
| Revenue | $59.3 | (33.5)% | ||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | $(0.1) | (102.0)% | ||||||
| Adjusted Income from operations | $1.0 | (80.4)% | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $(2.5) | (377.8)% | ||||||
| Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share | $(0.17) | (383.3)% | ||||||
| EBITDA | $4.2 | (55.3)% | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $5.3 | (43.6)% | ||||||
| EBITDA margin on Revenue | 7.2% | (31.4)% | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin on Revenue | 9.0% | (14.3)% | ||||||
| Cash provided by Operating Activities⁽¹⁾ | $3.8 | (73.8)% | ||||||
| Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ | $3.8 | (73.8)% | ||||||
(1) Operating cash flow and free cash flow for the quarter are derived by subtracting from this quarter's year-to-date amount the year-to-date amount reported in the Company’s prior Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Additional Financial Metrics
| March 31, 2026 | September 30, 2025 | % Change | ||||
| Debt | $132.7 | |||||
| Backlog | $442.4 | (14.0)% | ||||
Earnings Call & Webcast:
DLH management will discuss second 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, May 7, 2026. 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 855-669-9685 and entering the conference ID #6965160.
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 a world-class workforce 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 benefits of acquisitions, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, backlog, and cash flows. 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 failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of any future acquisition (including anticipated future financial operating performance and results); 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; significant delays or reductions in appropriations for our programs and broader changes in U.S. government funding and spending patterns; legislation that amends or changes discretionary spending levels or budget priorities; legal, regulatory, and political changes from the federal government that could result in economic uncertainty; 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 interim quarterly filings 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.
| DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 59,265 | $ | 89,212 | $ | 128,158 | $ | 179,994 | ||||||
| Cost of operations: | ||||||||||||||
| Contract costs | 47,490 | 71,594 | 102,885 | 144,365 | ||||||||||
| General and administrative costs | 7,530 | 8,238 | 15,291 | 16,305 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,300 | 4,265 | 8,600 | 8,572 | ||||||||||
| Total operating costs | 59,320 | 84,097 | 126,776 | 169,242 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | (55 | ) | 5,115 | 1,382 | 10,752 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 3,139 | 3,877 | 6,535 | 8,010 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | (3,194 | ) | 1,238 | (5,153 | ) | 2,742 | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes (benefit) | (659 | ) | 360 | (1,294 | ) | 750 | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (2,535 | ) | $ | 878 | $ | (3,859 | ) | $ | 1,992 | ||||
| Net income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | 0.14 | ||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | 0.14 | ||||
| Weighted average common stock outstanding | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | 14,493 | 14,386 | 14,493 | 14,386 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | 14,493 | 14,454 | 14,493 | 14,454 | ||||||||||
| DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except par value of shares) | ||||||
| March 31, 2026 | September 30, 2025 | |||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||
| Cash | $ | 131 | $ | 125 | ||
| Accounts receivable | 33,642 | 38,394 | ||||
| Other current assets | 3,013 | 4,018 | ||||
| Total current assets | 36,786 | 42,537 | ||||
| Goodwill | 138,161 | 138,161 | ||||
| Intangible assets, net | 83,638 | 91,865 | ||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 7,760 | 8,764 | ||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 9,310 | 7,947 | ||||
| Equipment and improvements, net | 942 | 1,274 | ||||
| Other long-term assets | 115 | 115 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 276,712 | $ | 290,663 | ||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 12,445 | $ | 19,246 | ||
| Accrued payroll | 7,181 | 12,153 | ||||
| Debt obligations - current, net of deferred financing costs | 19,450 | 8,067 | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities - current | 3,022 | 2,918 | ||||
| Other current liabilities | 193 | 287 | ||||
| Total current liabilities | 42,291 | 42,671 | ||||
| Long-term liabilities: | ||||||
| Debt obligations - long-term, net of deferred financing costs | 110,511 | 119,966 | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities - long-term | 12,595 | 14,022 | ||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 1,045 | 1,046 | ||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 124,151 | 135,034 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 166,442 | 177,705 | ||||
| Shareholders' equity: | ||||||
| Common stock, | 14 | 14 | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 102,905 | 101,734 | ||||
| Retained earnings | 7,351 | 11,210 | ||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 110,270 | 112,958 | ||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 276,712 | $ | 290,663 | ||
| DLH HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||
| Six Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (3,859 | ) | $ | 1,992 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8,600 | 8,572 | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs charged to interest expense | 857 | 880 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 1,264 | 725 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | (1,363 | ) | 1,530 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 4,752 | (1,864 | ) | |||||
| Other assets | 1,958 | (638 | ) | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (6,801 | ) | (7,927 | ) | ||||
| Accrued payroll | (4,972 | ) | (402 | ) | ||||
| Other liabilities | (1,420 | ) | 97 | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (984 | ) | 2,965 | |||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchase of equipment and improvements | (39 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (39 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from revolving line of credit | 112,030 | 117,850 | ||||||
| Repayments of revolving line of credit | (109,408 | ) | (116,008 | ) | ||||
| Repayments of debt obligations | (1,500 | ) | (4,750 | ) | ||||
| Payments of deferred financing costs | — | (202 | ) | |||||
| Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of restricted stock units | (93 | ) | — | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 1,029 | (3,110 | ) | |||||
| Net change in cash | 6 | (146 | ) | |||||
| Cash - beginning of period | 125 | 342 | ||||||
| Cash - end of period | $ | 131 | $ | 196 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for interest | $ | 5,276 | $ | 7,165 | ||||
| Cash paid during the period for income taxes | $ | 724 | $ | 508 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity | ||||||||
| Common stock surrendered for the settlement of restricted stock units | $ | 93 | $ | — | ||||
| Lease liability recognized to acquire a right-of-use asset | $ | — | $ | 1,377 | ||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses Adjusted Income from Operations, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA as a percent of revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of revenue as supplemental non-GAAP measures of performance. The Company uses Free Cash Flow as a supplemental non-GAAP liquidity measure. We define the measures as follows:
Adjusted Income from Operations represents income from operations before the costs associated with scaling general and administrative costs to revenue volume, referred to below as cost scaling initiatives.
EBITDA represents net income before income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization; Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization and the costs associated with scaling general and administrative costs to revenue volume.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of revenue are calculated by dividing EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA, respectively, for the measurement period 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.
Adjusted Income from Operations, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA as a percent of revenue, and Adjusted 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.
Adjusted Income from Operations, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA as a percent of revenue, Adjusted 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 Measures to Adjusted Income from Operations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted Income from Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from Operations | $ | (55 | ) | $ | 5,115 | $ | (5,170 | ) | $ | 1,382 | $ | 10,752 | $ | (9,370 | ) | |||||||||
| Cost scaling initiatives⁽¹⁾ | 1,082 | — | 1,082 | 1,890 | — | 1,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted Income from Operations | $ | 1,027 | $ | 5,115 | $ | (4,088 | ) | $ | 3,272 | $ | 10,752 | $ | (7,480 | ) | ||||||||||
| EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (2,535 | ) | $ | 878 | $ | (3,413 | ) | $ | (3,859 | ) | $ | 1,992 | $ | (5,851 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,300 | 4,265 | 35 | 8,600 | 8,572 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 3,139 | 3,877 | (738 | ) | 6,535 | 8,010 | (1,474 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes (benefit) | (659 | ) | 360 | (1,019 | ) | (1,294 | ) | 750 | (2,044 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 4,245 | $ | 9,380 | $ | (5,135 | ) | $ | 9,982 | $ | 19,324 | $ | (9,342 | ) | ||||||||||
| Cost scaling initiatives⁽¹⁾ | 1,082 | — | 1,082 | 1,890 | — | 1,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 5,327 | $ | 9,380 | $ | (4,053 | ) | $ | 11,872 | $ | 19,324 | $ | (7,452 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) as a % of revenue | (4.3) % | 1.0 | % | (3.0) % | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA as a % of revenue | 7.2 | % | 10.5 | % | 7.8 | % | 10.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue | 9.0 | % | 10.5 | % | 9.3 | % | 10.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 59,265 | $ | 89,212 | $ | 128,158 | $ | 179,994 | ||||||||||||||||
(1) Cost scaling initiatives consist of expenses incurred by the Company in scaling its business to align with its current contract volume resulting from the previously disclosed conversion of programs for which the Company previously served as prime contractor to small business contractors.
| Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 3,786 | $ | 14,502 | $ | (10,716 | ) | $ | (984 | ) | $ | 2,965 | $ | (3,949 | ) | |||||||
| Less: Purchases of equipment and improvements | — | — | — | (39 | ) | (1 | ) | (38 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ | $ | 3,786 | $ | 14,502 | $ | (10,716 | ) | $ | (1,023 | ) | $ | 2,964 | $ | (3,987 | ) | |||||||
(1) Operating cash flow and free cash flow for the quarter are derived by subtracting from this quarter's year-to-date amount the year-to-date amount reported in the Company’s prior Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
