ICON Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

Bookings and backlog increased while quarterly revenue and adjusted earnings remained below year-earlier levels.

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Third Quarter 2026
Key Highlights

• Strong commercial performance with net business wins in the quarter of $3,150 million; a net book-to-bill of 1.56x and closing backlog of $24.5 billion, up 4.8% sequentially.
• Revenue of $2,024.8 million and adjusted EBITDA of $336.9 million, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.6%.
• GAAP net income of $122.1 million or $1.58 diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income of $205.8 million or $2.66 adjusted diluted earnings per share, an increase of 3.9% on quarter two 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share.
• Generated free cash flow of $302.4 million, supporting continued investment in the business and return of capital to shareholders.
• $400.0 million worth of stock repurchased in quarter three at an average price of $170 per share.
• Board of Directors approved an increase in the share buyback authorization bringing the total value of authorized share repurchases to $750.0 million to be opportunistically deployed.
• Updating 2026 full-year financial guidance issued with revenue expected in the range of $8,100 - $8,200 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share* expected in the range of $10.35 - $10.65.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), a world-leading clinical research organization, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.

Chief Executive Officer Commentary

“I am pleased with ICON’s third quarter results, which demonstrated continued financial, operational, and commercial execution. Adjusted EBITDA grew 3% sequentially, reflecting improved business mix and strong cost discipline, while sustained commercial excellence supported another quarter of exceptional bookings performance. I am particularly pleased that our AI-enabled digital platform continues to resonate with customers, many of whom choose ICON because of its impact on productivity, predictability and speed.

We remained focused on disciplined capital allocation, returning $400 million to shareholders through share repurchases in the third quarter, while continuing to invest in the capabilities that are driving future growth.

Our updated full-year financial guidance reflects sustained operational progress and higher pass-through activity. Together, strong commercial performance, disciplined execution and ongoing strategic investments reinforce our confidence in delivering revenue growth, significant earnings progression, and shareholder value creation in 2027 and beyond.”

— Barry Balfe, Chief Executive Officer

Third Quarter 2026 Results

In quarter three 2026, gross bookings were $3,789 million, an increase of 26.9% on quarter three 2025, with cancellations of $639 million. This resulted in net business wins of $3,150 million and a book-to-bill of 1.56x. Backlog as at September 30, 2026 was $24.5 billion.

Revenue for the third quarter was $2,024.8 million. This represents a decrease of 2.9% on quarter three 2025, or a decrease of 2.5% on a constant currency basis.

GAAP net income was $122.1 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $1.58 in quarter three 2026, compared to diluted earnings per share of $(3.67) in quarter three 2025. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $205.8 million, resulting in adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.66 compared to $3.20 per share in quarter three 2025.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $336.9 million or 16.6% of revenue, a decrease of 13.1% on quarter three 2025.

The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in quarter three 2026 was 18.6%.

Free cash flow was $302.4 million in the quarter. Cash generated from operating activities for the quarter was $340.4 million. During the quarter, $38.0 million was spent on capital expenditure. $400.0 million worth of stock was repurchased at an average price of $170 per share. In August 2026, ICON completed a successful investment grade bond issuance of $2.15 billion. The Company applied the net proceeds from the issuance to repay all the outstanding Senior Secured Term Loan of $900 million, redeem in full the outstanding May 2027 Notes of $750 million and repay all outstanding borrowings under the Bridge Secured Credit Facility of $500 million. At September 30, 2026, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $809.0 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $928.4 million at June 30, 2026 and $468.9 million at September 30, 2025. Net debt as at September 30, 2026 was $2.6 billion.

Year to Date 2026 Results

Gross business wins year to date were $10,733 million and cancellations were $1,584 million. This resulted in net business wins of $9,149 million and a book-to-bill of 1.49x.

Revenue year to date was $6,122.2 million. This represents a year on year decrease of 0.3% or a decrease of 1.4% on a constant currency basis.

GAAP net income year to date was $299.5 million, resulting in $3.87 diluted earnings per share. Year to date adjusted net income was $597.2 million, resulting in adjusted diluted earnings per share of $7.72 compared to $9.99 per share for the equivalent prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA year to date was $981.9 million or 16.0% of revenue, a year on year decrease of 18.4%.

The effective tax rate on adjusted net income year to date was 18.1%.

Earnings Conference Call

ICON will hold a conference call on October 28, 2026 at 08:00 EDT [12:00 Ireland & UK]. This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our website at https://investor.iconplc.com. A recording will also be available on the website for 90 days following the call. In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under “Investors”. This calendar will be updated regularly.

About ICON plc

ICON plc is a world-leading clinical research organization. Offering deep operational and medical expertise we accelerate innovation, driving emerging therapies forward to improve patient outcomes. From molecule to medicine, we deliver integrated consulting, clinical development, commercialization and post-marketing solutions to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, government and public health organizations worldwide. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employed approximately 40,250 employees in 98 locations in 55 countries as at September 30, 2026. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com.

Other Information

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: anticipated financial results for 2026, 2027 and beyond; contracted revenue; the Company's expectations regarding business momentum, market opportunity, demand trends, growth, and commercial performance; and the Company's expectations with respect to its long-term value creation and competitive positioning. You can identify many forward-looking statements by words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “focused,” “guidance,” “intends,” “look,” “may,” “opportunities,” “plans,” “positions,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions and the negatives of such expressions. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements are based on management's current expectations and information currently available, including current economic and industry conditions. The forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such risks or uncertainties materialize, our results could be materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, dependence on the pharmaceutical industry and certain clients, the need to regularly win projects and then to execute them efficiently and correctly, the challenges presented by rapid growth, competition and the continuing consolidation of the industry, the impact of market conditions on demand for the Company's services, risks related to the Company's ability to execute on its commercial strategy and maintain relationships with large pharmaceutical customers, and risks relating to the Company's strategic partnerships, the dependence on certain key executives, changes in the regulatory environment, exchange rate fluctuations, inflation and rising labor costs. Please also refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed on May 27, 2026 for a discussion of some of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results. The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and free cash flow. Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation, foreign currency gains and losses, restructuring and related costs, transaction, integration related and other adjustments, gain on investments, loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking, goodwill impairment and impairment of non-financial assets. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, foreign currency gains and losses, restructuring and related costs, transaction, integration related and other adjustments, transaction-related financing costs, gain on investments, goodwill impairment, impairment of non-financial assets, loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking and their related taxation effect. Free cash flow reflects cash generated from operating activities less capital expenditure. While non-GAAP financial measures are not superior to or a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, ICON believes certain non-GAAP information is useful to investors for historical comparison purposes.

*Adjusted diluted earnings per share to exclude amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, foreign currency gains and losses, restructuring and related costs, transaction, integration related and other adjustments, transaction-related financing costs, gain on investments, goodwill impairment, impairment of non-financial assets, loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking and their related taxation effect.

Our full-year 2026 guidance adjusted diluted earnings per share measures are provided on a non-GAAP basis without a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure because the Company is unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain items contained in the measures without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

ICON plc CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2026				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2026				September 30, 2025
	(in thousands except share and per share data)
Revenue		$	2,024,757			$	2,084,415			$	6,122,242			$	6,138,823
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs			1,532,925				1,538,951				4,673,190				4,443,967
Selling, general and administrative			196,850				197,049				591,766				600,439
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets			94,422				99,030				275,520				292,706
Transaction and integration related			233				7,020				5,949				19,141
Restructuring			1,486				—				32,466				82,296
Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking			—				—				32,947				—
Goodwill impairment			—				364,248				—				364,248
Impairment of non-financial assets			—				101,027				—				101,027
Total costs and expenses			1,825,916				2,307,325				5,611,838				5,903,824
Income / (loss) from operations			198,841				(222,910	)			510,404				234,999
Interest income			5,612				1,761				10,588				5,617
Interest expense			(66,175	)			(50,243	)			(162,959	)			(148,003	)
Income / (loss) before income tax expense			138,278				(271,392	)			358,033				92,613
Income tax expense			(32,446	)			(12,791	)			(74,868	)			(12,468	)
Income / (loss) before share of net gains from equity method investments			105,832				(284,183	)			283,165				80,145
Share of net gains from equity method investments			16,298				—				16,298				—
Net income / (loss)		$	122,130			$	(284,183	)		$	299,463			$	80,145
Net income / (loss) per Ordinary Share:
Basic		$	1.59			$	(3.67	)		$	3.90			$	1.01
Diluted		$	1.58			$	(3.67	)		$	3.87			$	1.01
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:
Basic			76,932,640				77,373,534				76,785,939				79,057,239
Diluted			77,404,061				77,373,534				77,345,757				79,518,086

ICON plc CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 AND DECEMBER 31, 2025
	(Unaudited)				(Audited)
	September 30, 2026				December 31, 2025
ASSETS	(in thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	808,984			$	647,295
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses		1,510,045				1,474,898
Unbilled revenue		1,023,170				1,096,592
Other receivables		100,669				116,750
Prepayments and other current assets		116,521				105,316
Income taxes receivable		81,990				60,824
Total current assets	$	3,641,379			$	3,501,675
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net		375,265				395,724
Goodwill		8,721,911				8,731,689
Intangible assets, net		3,100,266				3,247,118
Operating right-of-use assets		103,064				128,948
Other receivables		73,658				75,707
Deferred tax asset		105,538				106,871
Investments in equity		121,251				82,050
Total Assets	$	16,242,332			$	16,269,782
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	86,003			$	192,117
Unearned revenue		1,727,355				1,550,471
Other liabilities		936,745				904,826
Income taxes payable		18,553				18,999
Current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes		—				529,762
Total current liabilities	$	2,768,656			$	3,196,175
Non-current liabilities:
Non-current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes, net		3,379,107				2,872,616
Lease liabilities		97,144				117,122
Non-current other liabilities		79,362				72,807
Non-current income taxes payable		109,800				103,251
Deferred tax liability		680,944				714,427
Commitments and contingencies		—				—
Total Liabilities	$	7,115,013			$	7,076,398
Shareholders' Equity:
Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized,
74,916,724 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2026 and
76,567,325 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2025		6,189				6,305
Additional paid‑in capital		7,208,291				7,131,956
Other undenominated capital		1,771				1,606
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(110,352	)			(68,534	)
Retained earnings		2,021,420				2,122,051
Total Shareholders' Equity	$	9,127,319			$	9,193,384
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	16,242,332			$	16,269,782

ICON plc CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 (UNAUDITED)
	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2026				September 30, 2025
	(in thousands)
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$	299,463			$	80,145
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets		275,520				292,706
Goodwill impairment		—				364,248
Impairment of non-financial assets		—				101,027
Impairment of operating right-of-use assets and related property, plant and equipment		—				5,573
Reduction in carrying value of operating right-of-use assets		34,596				29,473
Share of net gains from equity method investments		(16,298	)			—
Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking		32,947				—
Amortization of financing costs		8,108				4,470
Loss on extinguishment of debt		12,233				—
Share-based compensation expense		63,319				72,529
Deferred tax benefit		(32,986	)			(114,257	)
Unrealized foreign exchange movements		(24,963	)			24,661
Other non-cash items		4,195				20,561
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(99,754	)			(8,212	)
Unbilled revenue		64,474				(157,162	)
Unearned revenue		235,605				64,542
Other net assets		(63,045	)			21,739
Net cash provided by operating activities		793,414				802,043
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(111,183	)			(114,885	)
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired)		—				(2,537	)
Cash outflow on disposal of subsidiary undertaking (including cash sold)		(57,142	)			—
Proceeds from investments in equity		2,908				2,114
Purchase of investments in equity		(32,939	)			(16,286	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(198,356	)			(131,594	)
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Debt issuance costs		(16,679	)			—
Early repayment fee		(7,841	)			—
Drawdown of credit lines and loan facilities		2,650,000				50,000
Repayment of credit lines and loan facilities		(2,666,688	)			(72,321	)
Proceeds from shares issued under equity compensation plans		13,080				7,319
Share issuance costs		(15	)			(14	)
Repurchase of ordinary shares		(400,000	)			(750,000	)
Share repurchase costs		(94	)			(450	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(428,237	)			(765,466	)
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash		(5,132	)			25,120
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		161,689				(69,897	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		647,295				538,785
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		808,984				468,888

ICON plc RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2026				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2026				September 30, 2025
	(in thousands except share and per share data)
Adjusted EBITDA
Net income / (loss)	$	122,130			$	(284,183	)		$	299,463			$	80,145
Income tax expense		32,446				12,791				74,868				12,468
Net interest expense		60,563				48,482				152,371				142,386
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets		94,422				99,030				275,520				292,706
Stock-based compensation expense (a)		18,006				46,191				64,424				73,918
Foreign currency losses / (gains), net (b)		6,553				(6,860	)			(1,152	)			35,250
Restructuring and related costs (c)		10,720				—				41,700				82,296
Transaction, integration related and other (d)		10,664				7,020				66,724				19,141
Gain on investments (f)		(18,631	)			—				(25,009	)			—
Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking (g)		—				—				32,947				—
Goodwill impairment (h)		—				364,248				—				364,248
Impairment of non-financial assets (i)		—				101,027				—				101,027
Adjusted EBITDA	$	336,873			$	387,746			$	981,856			$	1,203,585
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share
Net income / (loss)	$	122,130			$	(284,183	)		$	299,463			$	80,145
Income tax expense		32,446				12,791				74,868				12,468
Amortization of intangible assets		46,244				58,688				146,631				176,691
Stock-based compensation expense (a)		18,006				46,191				64,424				73,918
Foreign currency losses / (gains), net (b)		6,553				(6,860	)			(1,152	)			35,250
Restructuring and related costs (c)		18,136				—				49,116				82,296
Transaction, integration related and other (d)		10,664				7,020				66,724				19,141
Transaction-related financing costs (e)		17,322				1,499				21,023				4,470
Gain on investments (f)		(18,631	)			—				(25,009	)			—
Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking (g)		—				—				32,947				—
Goodwill impairment (h)		—				364,248				—				364,248
Impairment of non-financial assets (i)		—				101,027				—				101,027
Adjusted tax expense (j)		(47,034	)			(50,771	)			(131,852	)			(154,918	)
Adjusted net income	$	205,836			$	249,650			$	597,183			$	794,736
Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding		77,404,061				78,082,459				77,345,757				79,518,086
Adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share	$	2.66			$	3.20			$	7.72			$	9.99

(a)	Stock-based compensation expense represents the amount of expense related to the Company’s equity compensation programs (inclusive of employer related taxes).
(b)	Foreign currency losses / (gains), net relates to gains or losses that arise in connection with the revaluation, or settlement, of non-US dollar denominated assets and liabilities. We exclude these gains and losses from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because fluctuations from period-to-period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results.
(c)	Restructuring and related costs relate to charges incurred in connection with the Company's realignment of its workforce, with the elimination of redundant positions as well as reviewing its global office footprint and optimizing its locations to best fit the requirements of the Company. Costs relating to accelerated amortization of operating right-of-use assets and related contract costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Costs related to an accelerated depreciation charge on related property, plant and equipment was recorded within depreciation and amortization of intangible assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and, accordingly, is reflected in the depreciation and amortization of intangible assets adjustment within Adjusted EBITDA, while being included within the restructuring and related costs adjustment in Adjusted Net Income.
(d)	Transaction, integration related and other costs include expenses associated with our acquisitions and any other costs incurred related to the integration of these acquisitions. Further, costs incurred in 2026 relating to the Investigation, including out of scope audit fees resulting from the impact of the investigation, and in defense of the Putative Class Action are classified within this category. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.
(e)	Transaction-related financing costs include costs incurred in connection with changes to our long-term debt and amortization of financing fees including the loss on extinguishment of debt. We exclude these costs from adjusted net income because they result from financing decisions rather than from decisions made related to our ongoing operations.
(f)	Gain on investments relates to Net Asset Value (NAV) movement on investments in equity recorded within the income statement and share of net gains from equity method investments. We exclude these movements from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because fluctuations from period-to-period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results.
(g)	On May 8, 2026, ICON completed the disposal of Symphony Health Solutions Corporation. The Company recognized a pre-tax loss on disposal, including transaction costs, of $32.9 million. This loss is excluded from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.
(h)	Goodwill impairment relates to an impairment of goodwill allocated to the Company's Data Solutions reporting unit.
(i)	Impairment of non-financial assets relates to an impairment of the carrying amount of the property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of the Company's Data Solutions reporting unit.
(j)	Represents the tax effect of adjusted pre-tax income at our estimated effective tax rate.

ICON plc

ICON/ICLR-F

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261027115066/en/

Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923
Nigel Clerkin Chief Financial Officer | +353 1 291 2000
Kate Haven Vice President Investor Relations | +1 888 381 7923
All at ICON | Source: ICON plc | ICON/ICLR-F

Source: ICON plc

Key Terms

book-to-bill financial

The book-to-bill ratio compares new orders a company has received (bookings) to the products or services it has invoiced or shipped (billings) over the same period. It matters to investors because a ratio above 1 means demand is outpacing fulfillment and the company may grow revenue or build backlog, while a ratio below 1 suggests slowing demand and possible future revenue weakness — think of it as new customer orders versus what the company actually sold.

constant currency financial

Constant currency is a way of measuring financial results that removes the effects of changes in currency exchange rates. It allows for a clearer comparison of a company's performance over time by showing what the numbers would look like if exchange rates had stayed the same. This helps investors understand whether growth comes from actual business improvements or just currency fluctuations.

investment grade financial

A credit rating label assigned to bonds or borrowers that signals relatively low risk of default; think of it as a strong health check for a company's or government's ability to repay debt. It matters to investors because investment-grade status typically means lower interest costs for the borrower, greater eligibility for conservative funds and pension portfolios, and generally more stable returns compared with higher-risk, non-investment-grade debt.

View in glossary

net debt financial

Net debt is the total amount a company owes after subtracting the cash and assets it has that can be used to pay off that debt. It shows how much debt is truly a burden, helping investors understand if a company is financially healthy or heavily borrowed. Think of it like calculating how much money you owe after using your savings to pay part of it.

View in glossary