FTI Consulting Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $983.3M, up 9.5% year-over-year, and GAAP EPS of $1.90, up 9.2% from $1.74. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $96.8M (9.8% margin). The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance: $3.94B–$4.10B revenue and $8.90–$9.60 EPS. Cash used in operations was $310.0M; share repurchases totaled $126.8M with ~$364.9M remaining authorization.
Positive
- Revenue +9.5% YoY to $983.3M in Q1 2026
- EPS +9.2% YoY to $1.90 in Q1 2026
- Corporate Finance revenue +19.2% to $409.5M; segment operating income rose to $85.2M
- Reaffirmed 2026 guidance: $3.94B–$4.10B revenue and $8.90–$9.60 EPS
- $126.8M share repurchases in Q1 with ~$364.9M remaining authorization
Negative
- Adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 9.8% from 12.8% (≈300 bps decrease)
- Net income down to $57.6M from $61.8M year-ago quarter
- Economic Consulting operating loss of $7.3M versus $12.1M income prior year
- Net debt (total debt less cash) increased to $556.7M from $8.9M year-ago
News Market Reaction – FCN
In the Apr 30 session, FCN declined 0.02%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +5.8% during that session.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26 | Q4/FY 2025 earnings | Positive | +5.1% | Record 2025 revenues and EPS with improved Adjusted EBITDA and 2026 guidance introduction. |
| Oct 23 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -1.3% | Record Q3 revenues and EPS plus guidance raise despite later share price decline. |
| Jul 24 | Q2 2025 earnings | Negative | +3.5% | Slight revenue and EPS declines offset by strong buybacks and updated full-year guidance. |
| Apr 24 | Q1 2025 earnings | Neutral | -3.9% | Revenue decline and special charge with higher Adjusted EBITDA and expanded repurchases. |
| Feb 20 | Q4/FY 2024 earnings | Negative | -14.3% | Weak Q4 results and restructuring charges despite record full-year revenues and EPS growth. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Earnings reactions have been inconsistent: 2 of the last 5 earnings reports aligned with the news tone, while 3 showed price moves that diverged from the underlying fundamentals or guidance.
Over the past five earnings cycles, FTI Consulting has consistently delivered high revenue levels, including record full-year results in 2024 and 2025. Guidance has generally pointed to continued growth, with 2026 targets of $3.94–4.10 billion in revenue and EPS of $8.90–9.60. However, quarterly performance has sometimes been mixed, with periods of revenue or EPS pressure in specific segments and workforce reduction charges. The current Q1 2026 announcement, featuring solid revenue growth and reaffirmed 2026 guidance, follows this pattern of strong topline but variable profitability.
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
sg&a financial
fx financial
m&a financial
adjusted segment ebitda financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- First Quarter 2026 Revenues of
$983.3 Million , Up9.5% Compared to$898.3 Million in Prior Year Quarter - First Quarter 2026 EPS of
$1.90 , Up9.2% Compared to EPS of$1.74 in Prior Year Quarter - Company Reaffirms Full Year 2026 Guidance
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today released financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
First quarter 2026 revenues of
First quarter 2026 EPS of
Steven H. Gunby, CEO and Chairman of FTI Consulting, commented, “We delivered strong revenue growth this quarter, which, notwithstanding a higher than expected tax rate and SG&A expenses, translated into solid bottom-line results. The continued powerful growth of our business, now over many years, underscores the importance of the expertise, judgment and credibility our experts offer our clients when they are facing their most complex and high-stakes challenges and opportunities, particularly in the complicated and disrupted world we face today.”
Cash Position and Capital Allocation
Net cash used in operating activities of
During the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the Company repurchased 787,098 shares of its common stock at an average price per share of
Cash and cash equivalents of
First Quarter 2026 Segment Results
Corporate Finance
Revenues in the Corporate Finance segment increased
Forensic and Litigation Consulting
Revenues in the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment increased
Economic Consulting
Revenues in the Economic Consulting segment decreased
Technology
Revenues in the Technology segment increased
Strategic Communications
Revenues in the Strategic Communications segment increased
2026 Guidance
The Company is reaffirming its full year 2026 revenue guidance range of between
First Quarter 2026 Conference Call
FTI Consulting will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss first quarter 2026 financial results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The call can be accessed live and will be available for replay over the internet for 90 days by logging onto the Company’s investor relations website here.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation, with more than 8,100 employees located in 32 countries and territories as of March 31, 2026. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consulting’s services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalized and independently managed. The Company generated
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we sometimes use information derived from consolidated and segment financial information that may not be presented in our financial statements or prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Certain of these financial measures are considered not in conformity with GAAP ("non-GAAP financial measures") under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules. Specifically, we have referred to the following non-GAAP financial measures:
- Adjusted Segment EBITDA
- Adjusted EBITDA
- Adjusted EBITDA Margin
- Adjusted Net Income
- Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share
We have included the definition of Segment Operating Income (Loss), which is a GAAP financial measure, below in order to more fully define the components of certain non-GAAP financial measures in the accompanying analysis of financial information. We define Segment Operating Income (Loss) as a segment’s share of consolidated operating income. We use Segment Operating Income (Loss) for the purpose of calculating Adjusted Segment EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted Segment EBITDA as Segment Operating Income (Loss) before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges and goodwill impairment charges. We use Adjusted Segment EBITDA as a basis to internally evaluate the financial performance of our segments because we believe it reflects core operating performance and provides an indicator of the segment’s ability to generate cash.
We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as consolidated net income before income tax provision, other non-operating income (expense), depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, gain or loss on sale of a business and losses on early extinguishment of debt. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with a more complete understanding of our operating results, including underlying trends. Many of our competitors use alternative measures of operating performance. Non-GAAP financial measures are used by investors, financial analysts, rating agencies and others to value and compare the financial performance of companies in our industry. Therefore, we also believe that our non-GAAP financial measures, considered along with corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with useful supplemental information.
We define Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share ("Adjusted EPS"), which are non-GAAP financial measures, as net income and EPS, respectively, excluding the impact of remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration, special charges, goodwill impairment charges, the gain or loss on sale of a business and losses on early extinguishment of debt. We use Adjusted Net Income for the purpose of calculating Adjusted EPS. Management uses Adjusted EPS to assess total Company operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results and GAAP financial measures, provide management and investors with useful supplemental information on our business operating results, including underlying trends.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable with other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, the information contained in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the financial tables accompanying this press release.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including among other things, statements about future events, anticipated growth, industry prospects, business trends, our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans, future revenues or performance, financing needs, and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often contain words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “commits,” “aspires,” “forecasts,” “future,” “goal,” “seeks” and variations of such words or similar expressions. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results or outcomes, and the timing of our results or outcomes, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements expressed or implied by this press release. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can provide no assurance that these expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements relate to future events, results and outcomes and are inherently uncertain. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results or outcomes, and the timing of our results and outcomes, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this press release include those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2026 as well as in other information that we file with the SEC from time to time. All forward-looking statements are presented as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included herein. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement for any reason.
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 198,276 | $ | 265,091 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,148,084 | 1,037,678 | ||||||
| Current portion of notes receivable | 91,370 | 87,861 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 119,159 | 126,997 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 1,556,889 | 1,517,627 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 166,209 | 169,333 | ||||||
| Operating lease assets | 193,796 | 201,492 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 1,239,835 | 1,242,777 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 12,908 | 13,547 | ||||||
| Notes receivable, net | 245,719 | 250,667 | ||||||
| Other assets | 91,174 | 95,085 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 3,506,530 | $ | 3,490,528 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other | $ | 254,298 | $ | 206,247 | ||||
| Accrued compensation | 369,346 | 712,335 | ||||||
| Billings in excess of services provided | 53,184 | 56,607 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 676,828 | 975,189 | ||||||
| Long-term debt, net | 754,257 | 365,000 | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 214,955 | 224,510 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 103,251 | 99,611 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 95,540 | 92,487 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,844,831 | 1,756,797 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, outstanding | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock, issued and outstanding — 30,145 (2026) and 30,864 (2025) | 301 | 309 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | — | 354 | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 1,801,055 | 1,862,672 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (139,657 | ) | (129,604 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 1,661,699 | 1,733,731 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 3,506,530 | $ | 3,490,528 | ||||
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | 983,345 | $ | 898,282 | |||
| Operating expenses | |||||||
| Direct cost of revenues | 676,518 | 608,928 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 222,298 | 184,335 | |||||
| Special charges | — | 25,295 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 612 | 1,017 | |||||
| 899,428 | 819,575 | ||||||
| Operating income | 83,917 | 78,707 | |||||
| Other income (expense) | |||||||
| Interest income and other | 1,074 | 2,842 | |||||
| Interest expense | (6,445 | ) | (968 | ) | |||
| (5,371 | ) | 1,874 | |||||
| Income before income tax provision | 78,546 | 80,581 | |||||
| Income tax provision | 20,915 | 18,757 | |||||
| Net income | $ | 57,631 | $ | 61,824 | |||
| Earnings per common share ― basic | $ | 1.92 | $ | 1.76 | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding ― basic | 29,984 | 35,053 | |||||
| Earnings per common share ― diluted | $ | 1.90 | $ | 1.74 | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding ― diluted | 30,329 | 35,500 | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | |||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense of | $ | (10,053 | ) | $ | 14,574 | ||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (10,053 | ) | 14,574 | ||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | 47,578 | $ | 76,398 | |||
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EPS TO ADJUSTED EPS (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 57,631 | $ | 61,824 | |||
| Add back: | |||||||
| Special charges | — | 25,295 | |||||
| Tax impact of special charges | — | (5,799 | ) | ||||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 57,631 | $ | 81,320 | |||
| EPS | $ | 1.90 | $ | 1.74 | |||
| Add back: | |||||||
| Special charges | — | 0.71 | |||||
| Tax impact of special charges | — | (0.16 | ) | ||||
| Adjusted EPS | $ | 1.90 | $ | 2.29 | |||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding ― diluted | 30,329 | 35,500 | |||||
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AND OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED SEGMENT EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 (Unaudited) | Corporate Finance | Forensic and Litigation Consulting | Economic Consulting | Technology | Strategic Communications | Unallocated Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 57,631 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income and other | (1,074 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 6,445 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 20,915 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 85,230 | $ | 23,085 | $ | (7,331 | ) | $ | 7,703 | $ | 20,838 | $ | (45,608 | ) | $ | 83,917 | ||||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | 3,105 | 1,950 | 1,449 | 4,130 | 984 | 671 | 12,289 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 315 | 229 | — | — | 68 | — | 612 | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 88,650 | $ | 25,264 | $ | (5,882 | ) | $ | 11,833 | $ | 21,890 | $ | (44,937 | ) | $ | 96,818 | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited) | Corporate Finance | Forensic and Litigation Consulting | Economic Consulting | Technology | Strategic Communications | Unallocated Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 61,824 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income and other | (2,842 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 968 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 18,757 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 40,950 | $ | 30,106 | $ | 12,089 | $ | 6,594 | $ | 8,725 | $ | (19,757 | ) | $ | 78,707 | ||||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | 2,582 | 1,713 | 1,359 | 3,070 | 841 | 580 | 10,145 | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 719 | 229 | — | — | 69 | — | 1,017 | ||||||||||||||||
| Special charges | 11,696 | 5,475 | 983 | 1,928 | 3,268 | 1,945 | 25,295 | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 55,947 | $ | 37,523 | $ | 14,431 | $ | 11,592 | $ | 12,903 | $ | (17,232 | ) | $ | 115,164 | ||||||||
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT | |||||||||||||||||
Segment Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA Margin | Utilization | Average Billable Rate | Billable Headcount | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | (at period end) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Finance | $ | 409,502 | $ | 88,650 | 21.6 | % | 62 | % | $ | 545 | 2,342 | ||||||
| Forensic and Litigation Consulting | 192,878 | 25,264 | 13.1 | % | 57 | % | $ | 451 | 1,543 | ||||||||
| Economic Consulting | 175,648 | (5,882 | ) | (3.3 | %) | 61 | % | $ | 577 | 1,000 | |||||||
| Technology (1) | 102,323 | 11,833 | 11.6 | % | N/M | N/M | 665 | ||||||||||
| Strategic Communications (1) | 102,994 | 21,890 | 21.3 | % | N/M | N/M | 917 | ||||||||||
| $ | 983,345 | $ | 141,755 | 14.4 | % | 6,467 | |||||||||||
| Unallocated Corporate | (44,937 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 96,818 | 9.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Finance | $ | 343,645 | $ | 55,947 | 16.3 | % | 57 | % | $ | 493 | 2,249 | ||||||
| Forensic and Litigation Consulting | 190,602 | 37,523 | 19.7 | % | 59 | % | $ | 430 | 1,509 | ||||||||
| Economic Consulting | 179,861 | 14,431 | 8.0 | % | 62 | % | $ | 541 | 1,019 | ||||||||
| Technology (1) | 97,156 | 11,592 | 11.9 | % | N/M | N/M | 681 | ||||||||||
| Strategic Communications (1) | 87,018 | 12,903 | 14.8 | % | N/M | N/M | 937 | ||||||||||
| $ | 898,282 | $ | 132,396 | 14.7 | % | 6,395 | |||||||||||
| Unallocated Corporate | (17,232 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 115,164 | 12.8 | % | |||||||||||||
____________
| N/M | Not meaningful |
| (1) | The majority of the Technology and Strategic Communications segments' revenues are not generated based on billable hours. Accordingly, utilization and average billable rate metrics are not presented as they are not meaningful as a segment-wide metric. |
| FTI CONSULTING, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 57,631 | $ | 61,824 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | 12,289 | 10,145 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 612 | 1,017 | |||||
| Amortization of notes receivable | 23,099 | 9,930 | |||||
| Provision for expected credit losses | 7,283 | 7,214 | |||||
| Share-based compensation | 10,608 | 9,753 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 2,933 | 8,889 | |||||
| Other | 232 | 275 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, billed and unbilled | (123,341 | ) | (74,890 | ) | |||
| Notes receivable, net of repayments | (22,564 | ) | (162,003 | ) | |||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 5,275 | (4,445 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other | 36,268 | 7,653 | |||||
| Income taxes | 7,922 | (30,198 | ) | ||||
| Accrued compensation | (325,018 | ) | (310,495 | ) | |||
| Billings in excess of services provided | (3,252 | ) | 121 | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (310,023 | ) | (465,210 | ) | |||
| Investing activities | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment and other | (10,618 | ) | (17,803 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (10,618 | ) | (17,803 | ) | |||
| Financing activities | |||||||
| Borrowings under revolving line of credit | 590,000 | 235,000 | |||||
| Repayments under revolving line of credit | (500,000 | ) | (75,000 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from issuance of term loan | 300,000 | — | |||||
| Purchase and retirement of common stock | (126,827 | ) | (182,641 | ) | |||
| Share-based compensation tax withholdings | (5,954 | ) | (11,576 | ) | |||
| Deposits and other | 1,279 | 1,916 | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 258,498 | (32,301 | ) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (4,672 | ) | 5,942 | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (66,815 | ) | (509,372 | ) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 265,091 | 660,493 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 198,276 | $ | 151,121 | |||
FTI Consulting, Inc.
555 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
+1.202.312.9100
Investor & Media Contact:
Mollie Hawkes
+1.617.747.1791
mollie.hawkes@fticonsulting.com
