Harte Hanks Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Harte Hanks (NASDAQ:HHS) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $37.3 million, down 10.3% year over year, with an operating loss of $768 thousand and net loss of $0.6 million ($0.08 per share).
Q1 2026 EBITDA was $0.3 million and adjusted EBITDA was $0.7 million. The company ended the quarter with $4.5 million in cash, $24.3 million in undrawn credit capacity, and no debt, while advancing a sector-focused growth strategy.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Q1 2026 EBITDA positive at $0.3 million
- Adjusted EBITDA of $0.7 million in Q1 2026
- Ended Q1 2026 with $4.5 million in cash
- $24.3 million available credit line capacity and no outstanding debt
- Customer Care EBITDA of $0.9 million in Q1 2026
- Fulfillment & Logistics EBITDA of $1.2 million; Revenue Solutions EBITDA of $1.0 million
Negative
- Total Q1 2026 revenue down 10.3% year over year to $37.3 million
- Operating loss widened to $768 thousand from $40 thousand
- Net loss increased to $0.6 million or $0.08 per share
- Q1 2026 EBITDA declined to $0.3 million from $1.0 million
- Adjusted EBITDA fell to $0.7 million from $1.8 million
- Fulfillment & Logistics revenue down 16.6% year over year
- Customer Care EBITDA down 56.8% versus prior year quarter
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Two peers (STRR, PLAG) appeared on the momentum scanner, both moving down -4.52% and -0.57%, with a sector median move of about -2.5%, suggesting broader sector pressure alongside HHS’s modest -0.53% move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10 | Q3 2025 earnings | Negative | -0.7% | Revenue fell and company swung from net income to a net loss. |
| Aug 07 | Q2 2025 earnings | Neutral | +3.7% | Revenue declined with small net loss but operational discipline remained mixed. |
| May 14 | Q1 2025 earnings | Neutral | +0.0% | Moderate revenue decline and small loss with stable balance sheet. |
| Mar 17 | FY 2024 results | Negative | -12.4% | Revenue declines and large net loss driven by pension charges. |
| Nov 14 | Q3 2024 earnings | Neutral | -9.2% | Slight revenue growth but weaker profitability and lower net income. |
Earnings releases have often coincided with negative share reactions, with an average move of about -3.74% and occasional sharp drops on weaker results.
Over the past several quarters, Harte Hanks’ earnings updates have highlighted persistent revenue contraction and intermittent losses, balanced by positive EBITDA and a debt-free balance sheet. Prior reports noted revenue declines across all segments in 2024 and 2025, ongoing Project Elevate cost reductions, and cash balances generally between $4.8M–$9.9M with $24M of credit capacity. Price reactions to these earnings items have averaged about -3.74%, indicating that investors have often focused on the revenue and profitability pressure despite operational improvements.
Historical Comparison
In the past five earnings releases, HHS saw an average move of -3.74%, often reacting negatively to revenue pressure and modest losses, similar to the mixed Q1 2026 profile.
Recent earnings show a consistent pattern of revenue declines across segments, offset by cost reductions, positive but smaller EBITDA, and maintenance of a debt‑free balance sheet with ample credit capacity.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights continued revenue pressure, with Q1 2026 sales at $37.3M and a net loss of $0.6M, but also underscores a debt‑free balance sheet and positive EBITDA of $0.3M. Investors may track whether segment revenues stabilize after declines in Fulfillment & Logistics and Revenue Solutions and whether Adjusted EBITDA of $0.7M can be sustained. Historical earnings events have averaged moves of about -3.74%, making future revenue trends and cost controls key watchpoints.
Key Terms
ebitda financial
adjusted ebitda financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Advances Sector-Aligned Growth Strategy While Maintaining Strong Balance Sheet and Positive EBITDA
CHELMSFORD, MA / ACCESS Newswire / May 14, 2026 / Harte Hanks, Inc. (NASDAQ:HHS), a leading global customer experience company focused on bringing companies closer to customers for over 100 years, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Despite revenue pressure in the first quarter, the Company continued to drive operational progress and secure strategic new business wins across key industries. Harte Hanks ended the quarter with a strong balance sheet positioning the Company to execute on its growth strategy, building momentum to deliver positive EBITDA throughout 2026.
"During the first quarter, we continued aligning Harte Hanks around priority sectors where our experience, trust, and focus on measurable outcomes can create the greatest client value," said David Fisher, President of Harte Hanks. "By combining our deep customer experience expertise with sector knowledge and technology-enabled delivery, we are building a more focused, scalable company positioned to help clients acquire, serve, and retain customers more effectively. While revenue remained pressured by legacy offerings and market headwinds, we advanced our shift toward higher-value services and ended the quarter with a strong balance sheet, positioning Harte Hanks to execute on its growth strategy and build momentum toward positive EBITDA throughout 2026."
First Quarter Highlights
The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of
$4.5 million at March 31, 2026.Total revenues for Q1 2026 were
$37.3 million , down10.3% compared to$41.6 million in Q1 2025.Operating loss was
$768 thousand compared to a loss of$40 thousand in the same quarter in the prior year.Net loss was
$0.6 million , or$0.08 per basic and diluted share, compared to net loss of$0.4 million , or$0.05 per basic and diluted share, in the prior year quarter.The first quarter of 2026 had EBITDA of
$0.3 million compared to EBITDA of$1.0 million in the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes stock-based compensation and restructuring charges, was$0.7 million for Q1 2026 and$1.8 million for the same quarter in 2025.
Segment Highlights
Customer Care,
$12.9 million in revenue,35% of total - Segment revenue for the quarter decreased$0.1 million or1.1% versus the prior year and EBITDA totaled$0.9 million for the quarter, a decline of56.8% compared to the same period in the prior year.Fulfillment & Logistics Services,
$16.5 million in revenue,44% of total - Segment revenue for the quarter decreased$3.3 million or16.6% versus the prior year quarter and EBITDA totaled$1.2 million , a decline of28.9% .Revenue Solutions,
$7.9 million in revenue,21% of total - Segment revenue for the quarter decreased$0.9 million or9.9% compared to the prior year quarter and EBITDA for the first quarter totaled$1.0 million vs.$1.1 million for the first quarter of 2025.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Harte Hanks ended the quarter with
About Harte Hanks:
Harte Hanks (NASDAQ: HHS) is a leading global customer experience company whose mission is to partner with clients to provide them with CX strategy, data-driven analytics and actionable insights combined with seamless program execution to better understand, attract and engage their customers.
Using its unparalleled resources and award-winning talent in the areas of Customer Care, Fulfillment and Logistics, and Revenue Solutions, Harte Hanks has a proven track record of driving results for some of the world's premier brands, including GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, Samsung, Pfizer, HBO Max, Volvo, Ford, FedEx, Abbott and IBM among others. Headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Harte Hanks has over 2,100 employees in offices across the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
For more information, visit hartehanks.com
As used herein, "Harte Hanks" or "the Company" refers to Harte Hanks, Inc. and/or its applicable operating subsidiaries, as the context may require. Harte Hanks' logo and name are trademarks of Harte Hanks, Inc.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Our press release and related earnings conference call contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. All such statements are qualified by this cautionary note, provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements other than historical facts are forward-looking and may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "seeks," "could," "intends," or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on current information, expectations and estimates and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In that event, our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially adversely affected and investors in our securities could lose part or all of their investments. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors include: (a) local, national and international economic and business conditions, including (i) market conditions that may adversely impact marketing expenditures, and (ii) the impact of economic environments and competitive pressures on the financial condition, marketing expenditures and activities of our clients and prospects; (iii) the demand for our products and services by clients and prospective clients, including (iv) the willingness of existing clients to maintain or increase their spending on products and services that are or remain profitable for us, and (vi) our ability to predict changes in client needs and preferences; (b) economic and other business factors that impact the industry verticals we serve, including competition, inflation and consolidation of current and prospective clients, vendors and partners in these verticals; (c) our ability to manage and timely adjust our facilities, capacity, workforce and cost structure to effectively serve our clients; (d) our ability to improve our processes and to provide new products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner though development, license, partnership or acquisition; (e) our ability to protect our facilities against security breaches and other interruptions and to protect sensitive personal information of our clients and their customers; (f) our ability to respond to increasing concern, regulation and legal action over consumer privacy issues, including changing requirements for collection, processing and use of information; (g) the impact of privacy and other regulations, including restrictions on unsolicited marketing communications and other consumer protection laws; (h) fluctuations in fuel prices, paper prices, postal rates and postal delivery schedules; (i) the number of shares, if any, that we may repurchase in connection with our repurchase program; (j) unanticipated developments regarding litigation or other contingent liabilities; (k) our ability to complete reorganizations, including cost-saving initiatives; and (l) other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 which was filed on March 17, 2026. The forward-looking statements in this press release and our related earnings conference call are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, the Company may use certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance in order to provide investors with a better understanding of operating results and underlying trends to assess the Company's performance and liquidity in this press release and our related earnings conference call. We have presented herein a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measure "Adjusted Operating Income" as a useful measure to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's financial results because it facilitates a period-to-period comparison of Operating Income excluding stock-based compensation, severance, and restructuring. The most directly comparable measure for this non-GAAP financial measure is Operating Income (Loss).
The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measure "EBITDA" as a supplemental measure of operating performance in order to provide an improved understanding of underlying performance trends. The Company defines "EBITDA" as Net Income (Loss) adjusted to exclude income tax expense, other expense (income), net, and depreciation and amortization expense. The Company defines "Adjusted EBITDA" as EBITDA adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation, severance, and restructuring. The most directly comparable measure for EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is Net Income (Loss). We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are an important performance metric because it facilitates the analysis of our results, exclusive of certain non-cash items, including items which do not directly correlate to our business operations; however, we urge investors to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP EBITDA to the comparable GAAP Net Income (Loss), which is included in this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company's financial performance.
The use of non-GAAP measures does not serve as a substitute and should not be construed as a substitute for GAAP performance but should provide supplemental information concerning our performance that our investors and we find useful. The Company evaluates its operating performance based on several measures, including these non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures in this press release and earnings conference call presentations are useful supplemental financial measures of operating performance for investors because they facilitate investors' ability to evaluate the operational strength of the Company's business. However, there are limitations to the use of these non-GAAP measures, including that they may not be calculated the same by other companies in our industry limiting their use as a tool to compare results. Any supplemental non-GAAP financial measures referred to herein are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and they should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for the most comparable GAAP financial measures.
Investor Relations Contact:
David Garrison
Investor.Relations@hartehanks.com
Harte Hanks, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
In thousands, except per share amounts | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
Revenue | $ | 37,264 | $ | 41,561 | ||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Labor | 19,810 | 19,799 | ||||||
Production and distribution | 11,339 | 14,057 | ||||||
Advertising, selling, general and administrative | 5,641 | 5,844 | ||||||
Restructuring expenses | 160 | 838 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 1,082 | 1,063 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 38,032 | 41,601 | ||||||
Operating loss | (768 | ) | (40 | ) | ||||
Other expenses, net | ||||||||
Interest expense, net | 69 | 53 | ||||||
Other expense, net | 161 | 514 | ||||||
Total other expense, net | 230 | 567 | ||||||
Loss before income taxes | (998 | ) | (607 | ) | ||||
Income tax benefit | (370 | ) | (215 | ) | ||||
Net loss | (628 | ) | (392 | ) | ||||
Loss per common share | ||||||||
Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||
Weighted average shares used to compute loss per share | ||||||||
Basic and Diluted | 7,416 | 7,360 | ||||||
Comprehensive loss, net of tax: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (628 | ) | $ | (392 | ) | ||
Adjustment to pension liability, net | 74 | 165 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (78 | ) | 36 | |||||
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax | (4 | ) | 201 | |||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | (632 | ) | $ | (191 | ) | ||
Harte Hanks, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
In thousands | March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 4,538 | $ | 5,587 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 26,116 | 27,841 | ||||||
Unbilled accounts receivable | 8,052 | 6,728 | ||||||
Contract assets | 133 | 321 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 3,015 | 2,363 | ||||||
Prepaid income taxes and income tax receivable | 1,864 | 1,431 | ||||||
Other current assets | 2,063 | 2,046 | ||||||
Total current assets | 45,781 | 46,317 | ||||||
Net property, plant and equipment | 7,791 | 8,386 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 18,945 | 19,247 | ||||||
Financing lease right-of-use assets | 562 | 607 | ||||||
Other assets | 17,326 | 17,269 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 90,405 | $ | 91,826 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 11,092 | $ | 13,096 | ||||
Accrued expense | 6,102 | 5,915 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and related expenses | 3,323 | 2,749 | ||||||
Deferred revenue and customer advances | 2,572 | 813 | ||||||
Customer postage and program deposits | 849 | 868 | ||||||
Other current liabilities | 2,823 | 3,180 | ||||||
Current portion of lease liabilities | 3,965 | 3,543 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 30,726 | 30,164 | ||||||
Pension liabilities - Qualified plans | 3,708 | 4,106 | ||||||
Pension liabilities - Nonqualified plan | 16,778 | 16,995 | ||||||
Lease liabilities, net of current portion | 18,050 | 18,861 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 1,040 | 1,174 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 70,302 | 71,300 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity | ||||||||
Common stock | 12,221 | 12,221 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 108,216 | 109,558 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 813,184 | 813,812 | ||||||
Less treasury stock | (898,534 | ) | (900,085 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (14,984 | ) | (14,980 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders' equity | $ | 20,103 | $ | 20,526 | ||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 90,405 | $ | 91,826 | ||||
Harte Hanks, Inc.
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
In thousands | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (628 | ) | $ | (392 | ) | ||
Income tax benefit | (370 | ) | (215 | ) | ||||
Other expense, net | 230 | 567 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 1,082 | 1,063 | ||||||
EBITDA | $ | 314 | $ | 1,023 | ||||
Stock-based compensation | 218 | (49 | ) | |||||
Restructuring expense | 160 | 838 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 692 | $ | 1,812 | ||||
Operating loss | $ | (768 | ) | $ | (40 | ) | ||
Stock-based compensation | 218 | (49 | ) | |||||
Restructuring expense | 160 | 838 | ||||||
Adjusted operating (loss) income | $ | (390 | ) | $ | 749 | |||
Adjusted operating margin (a) | (1.0 | %) | 1.8 | % | ||||
(a) Adjusted Operating Margin equals Adjusted Operating Income divided by Revenues.
Harte Hanks, Inc.
Statement of Operations by Segments (Unaudited)
In thousands
Three months ended March 31, 2026 | Revenue Solutions | Customer Care | Fulfillment & Logistics | Restructuring Expense | Unallocated Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 7,916 | $ | 12,857 | $ | 16,491 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 37,264 | ||||||||||||
Segment labor expense | 4,454 | 9,011 | 3,966 | - | 2,379 | 19,810 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other segment operating expense | 1,808 | 2,186 | 10,524 | - | 2,462 | 16,980 | ||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring expense | - | - | - | 160 | - | 160 | ||||||||||||||||||
Contribution margin (loss) | $ | 1,654 | $ | 1,660 | $ | 2,001 | $ | (160 | ) | $ | (4,841 | ) | $ | 314 | ||||||||||
Overhead allocation | 675 | 771 | 800 | - | (2,246 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 979 | $ | 889 | $ | 1,201 | $ | (160 | ) | $ | (2,595 | ) | $ | 314 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 160 | 132 | 516 | - | 274 | 1,082 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 819 | $ | 757 | $ | 685 | $ | (160 | ) | $ | (2,869 | ) | $ | (768 | ) | |||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2025 | Revenue Solutions | Customer Care | Fulfillment & Logistics | Restructuring Expense | Unallocated Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 8,782 | $ | 13,001 | $ | 19,778 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 41,561 | ||||||||||||
Segment labor expense | 4,487 | 8,016 | 4,562 | - | 2,734 | 19,799 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other segment operating expense | 2,511 | 2,100 | 12,644 | - | 2,646 | 19,901 | ||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring expense | - | - | - | 838 | - | 838 | ||||||||||||||||||
Contribution margin (loss) | $ | 1,784 | $ | 2,885 | $ | 2,572 | $ | (838 | ) | $ | (5,380 | ) | $ | 1,023 | ||||||||||
Overhead allocation | 711 | 826 | 882 | - | (2,419 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 1,073 | $ | 2,059 | $ | 1,690 | $ | (838 | ) | $ | (2,961 | ) | $ | 1,023 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 217 | 51 | 501 | - | 294 | 1,063 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 856 | $ | 2,008 | $ | 1,189 | $ | (838 | ) | $ | (3,255 | ) | $ | (40 | ) | |||||||||
SOURCE: Harte Hanks, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire