Red Cat Reports Q1 2026; Q1 Revenue Growth of 849% Y/Y; Q1 Gross Margins Increase of 64.8 Percent Points Y/Y; Gross Margins Increase 199% Sequentially From Q4 2025
Rhea-AI Summary
Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $15.5 million, up 849% year-over-year, and gross profit of $2.0 million with gross margin of 12.7% versus (52.1)% a year earlier. Cash was $131.9 million and inventory totaled $62.7 million at March 31, 2026. The company announced new international orders, two strategic partnerships, and acquisitions of Apium Swarm Robotics and planned acquisition of Quaze Technologies pending Investment Canada Act clearance.
Positive
- Revenue +849% year-over-year to $15.5M
- Gross margin improved to 12.7% from (52.1)% Y/Y
- Secured NATO and Asia-Pacific allied Black Widow orders
- Acquired Apium Swarm Robotics; agreed to acquire Quaze Technologies
- Target annual revenue set at $150M–$180M
Negative
- Cash declined from $167.9M to $131.9M since Dec 31, 2025
- Inventory and prepaid inventory rose to $62.7M from $30.4M
- Quaze acquisition pending regulatory clearance under Investment Canada Act
News Market Reaction – RCAT
In the May 8 session, RCAT gained 0.10%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -2.9% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 10 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16 | Earnings call notice | Positive | +5.2% | Announced date and webcast details for upcoming Q1 2026 earnings release. |
| Jan 13 | Prelim revenue update | Positive | +9.4% | Preliminary Q4 and full-year 2025 revenue showing sharp year-over-year growth. |
| Aug 14 | Q2 2025 results | Positive | -10.3% | Q2 2025 results and major U.S. Army contract for Black Widow systems. |
| May 14 | Q1 2025 results | Positive | -2.4% | Q1 2025 earnings, cash update, and reiterated strong 2025 revenue guidance. |
| Mar 31 | 2024 transition results | Positive | +8.7% | Transition-period results, financing, and guidance tied to key defense programs. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Earnings and earnings-related updates have generally been received positively, but with mixed reactions: three past events saw gains while two drew selling despite constructive operational updates.
Across recent earnings and earnings-related updates, Red Cat has highlighted rapid revenue growth, expanding defense contracts, and increasing cash and inventory balances. Events on Mar 31, 2025, May 14, 2025, and Jan 13, 2026 underscored strong guidance and preliminary revenue surges, with mixed share-price responses. The Apr 16, 2026 earnings-call scheduling headline drew a positive move. Today’s Q1 2026 results, with sharply higher revenue and margins, extend this pattern of scaling operations and defense focus.
Key Terms
nato support and procurement agency regulatory
uncrewed surface vessels technical
isr technical
uav technical
investment canada act regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
SALT LAKE CITY, May 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) ("Red Cat" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security, reports its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights
Total revenue was
Gross profit was
Business Highlights
- Secured new orders for Black Widow™ drones from a NATO ally. The contract was facilitated through NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
- Secured new orders for Black Widow™ drones from an Asia-Pacific ally. This is the second Asia-Pacific ally to recently order Black Widow systems for military use.
- Entered a strategic partnership with Spetstechnoexport (STE), a state-owned enterprise under Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, to accelerate collaboration on next-generation unmanned and robotic systems between Red Cat and Ukraine starting with next generation uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
- Acquired Apium Swarm Robotics, Inc., a California-based developer of distributed control systems for autonomous swarming drones and USVs.
- Announced Red Cat's definitive agreement to acquire Quaze Technologies, Inc., a Canadian-based wireless power solutions company, removing restraints of traditional power sources to automation. This acquisition is pending clearance pursuant to the Investment Canada Act, which is anticipated to be completed in May 2026.
- Announced manufacturing agreement between its maritime division, Blue Ops, and HADDY, to increase manufacturing of VARIANT 7 with large-scale robotic 3D printing and distributed manufacturing in specific theaters.
"We are projecting an exciting year, with increasing revenues (our target annual revenues in the short-medium term in between
"Simultaneously, we launched Blue Ops: a platform born in combat, third-generation USV. With our manufacturing facility now fully operational, we are pairing these vessels with battle-tested payloads like the ACS Bullfrog—made famous by President Trump—and our own family of drone systems. This represents the first 'Made in the USA' integration of its kind, creating a distinct, lethal advantage for the modern war fighter."
"With 2026 shaping up to be a banner year for Red Cat, we are investing and positioning for the future. With 2027 on the horizon, Secretary of War Hegseth has signaled budget allocations of up to
Balance Sheet
- Cash at March 31, 2026 totaled
$131.9 million , compared to$167.9 million at December 31, 2025. - Inventory and prepaid inventory at March 31, 2026 totaled
$62.7 million , compared to$30.4 million at December 31, 2025.
Target revenue
- Total annual revenue for the short- to medium-term is between
$150M and$180M .
Conference Call Details
Red Cat will host a live video webinar to discuss its first quarter 2026 financial results at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time) on May 7, 2026. Participants may register in advance to join the live Video Webinar on Zoom at Red Cat's Investor Relations website at https://ir.redcatholdings.com/news-events. Log-in instructions will be available after registering for the event. An archived replay of the event will be available on Red Cat’s investor relations website beginning approximately two hours after the call concludes.
About Red Cat Holdings, Inc.
Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat develops American-made hardware and software that support military, government, and public safety operations across air, land, and sea. Its Family of Systems, led by Black Widow™, delivers unmatched tactical capabilities in small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Expanding into the maritime domain through Blue Ops, Inc., Red Cat is also innovating in uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), delivering integrated platforms designed to enhance safety and multi-domain mission effectiveness. Learn more at www.redcat.red.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Company's revenue guidance and financial outlook, expectations regarding gross margins and product diversity, anticipated timing of the Quaze Technologies acquisition, plans for manufacturing and strategic partnerships, expectations regarding future defense budget allocations, and the Company's ability to scale its operations the Company's revenue guidance and financial outlook, expectations regarding gross margins and product diversity, anticipated timing of the Quaze Technologies acquisition, plans for manufacturing and strategic partnerships, expectations regarding future defense budget allocations, and the Company's ability to scale its operations. Forward-looking statements are based on Red Cat’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2026, Red Cat's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and the other filings Red Cat makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Red Cat undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
Contact:
INVESTORS:
Ankit Hira
Solebury Strategic Communications for Red Cat Holdings, Inc.
E-mail: RCAT@soleburystrat.com
NEWS MEDIA:
Peter Moran
Phone: (347) 880-2895
Email: peter@indicatemedia.com
| RED CAT HOLDINGS, INC. | |||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Cash | $ | 131,919 | $ | 167,865 | |||
| Accounts receivable, net | 10,571 | 26,155 | |||||
| Inventory, including prepaid inventory | 62,690 | 30,394 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,482 | 2,524 | |||||
| Total current assets | 209,662 | 226,938 | |||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets, net | 44,012 | 24,590 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 14,145 | 7,797 | |||||
| Other | 1,227 | 1,227 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 12,839 | 13,125 | |||||
| Total long-term assets | 72,223 | 46,739 | |||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 281,885 | $ | 273,677 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 15,631 | $ | 8,706 | |||
| Debt obligations - short term | 350 | 350 | |||||
| Contract liabilities and deposits | 281 | 261 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 1,134 | 1,011 | |||||
| Acquisition consideration payable | 1,685 | — | |||||
| Convertible notes payable | — | 4,518 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 19,081 | 14,846 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 443 | 443 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 12,310 | 12,556 | |||||
| Acquisition consideration payable | 11,312 | — | |||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 24,065 | 12,999 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 43,146 | 27,845 | |||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 462,112 | 442,652 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (223,373 | ) | (196,820 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 238,739 | 245,832 | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 281,885 | $ | 273,677 | |||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Revenues, net | $ | 15,471 | $ | 1,630 | |||
| Cost of goods sold | 13,506 | 2,480 | |||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 1,965 | (850 | ) | ||||
| Operating Expenses: | |||||||
| Research and development | 7,972 | 3,433 | |||||
| Sales and marketing | 4,577 | 3,315 | |||||
| General and administrative | 16,718 | 4,880 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 29,267 | 11,628 | |||||
| Operating loss | (27,302 | ) | (12,478 | ) | |||
| Interest income, net | (1,295 | ) | (55 | ) | |||
| Other expense, net | 541 | 10,700 | |||||
| Total other (income) expense, net | $ | (754 | ) | $ | 10,645 | ||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | (26,548 | ) | (23,123 | ) | |||
| Income tax expense | 5 | — | |||||
| Net loss | $ | (26,553 | ) | $ | (23,123 | ) | |
| Loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 120,846 | 85,506 | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
| Three months ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (26,553 | ) | $ | (23,123 | ) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations: | |||||||
| Stock based compensation | 4,817 | 1,599 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | 812 | 588 | |||||
| Convertible notes payable fair value adjustment | 867 | 10,700 | |||||
| Gain on extinguishment of convertible notes payable | (326 | ) | — | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions | |||||||
| Accounts receivable | 15,584 | (1,065 | ) | ||||
| Inventory | (27,078 | ) | (904 | ) | |||
| Prepaid inventory | (5,218 | ) | (2,611 | ) | |||
| Prepaid expenses and other | (1,958 | ) | (519 | ) | |||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities | 163 | 13 | |||||
| Contract liabilities and deposits | 20 | (7 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable | 5,623 | (531 | ) | ||||
| Accrued expenses | 1,302 | (47 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (31,945 | ) | (15,907 | ) | |||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (6,783 | ) | (273 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (6,783 | ) | (273 | ) | |||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable | — | 15,000 | |||||
| Debt issuance costs | — | (567 | ) | ||||
| Payments of taxes withheld upon vesting of employee stock awards | (239 | ) | — | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 240 | 316 | |||||
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 2,781 | — | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 2,782 | 14,749 | |||||
| Net decrease in Cash | (35,946 | ) | (1,431 | ) | |||
| Cash, beginning of period | 167,865 | 9,154 | |||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | 131,919 | $ | 7,723 | |||
| Reconciliation of Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (26,553 | ) | $ | (23,123 | ) | |
| Adjustments: | |||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | 5 | — | |||||
| Interest (income) expense, net | (1,295 | ) | (55 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 812 | 588 | |||||
| Other (income) expense, net(1) | 541 | 10,700 | |||||
| Impairment loss(2) | — | — | |||||
| Restructuring costs(3) | — | 27 | |||||
| Stock based compensation | 4,817 | 1,599 | |||||
| Non-routine legal expenses(4) | 126 | 41 | |||||
| Other adjustment items(5) | — | — | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (21,547 | ) | $ | (10,223 | ) | |
(1) Other (income) expense, net. Represents convertible note payable fair value adjustment, gain on extinguishment of convertible notes payable, and other income, net.
(2) Impairment loss. Represents an impairment charge to goodwill and or intangible assets.
(3) Restructuring costs. Represents restructuring costs incurred for cost reduction actions which may include employee termination costs, facility shut-down related costs, costs for unused, excess or exited facilities.
(4) Non-routine legal expenses. Represents external legal expenses incurred in connection with pending legal settlements and other legal related matters.
(5) Other adjustment items. Represents other adjustments that are non-recurring and outside the normal course of operations that do not readily fall into any other categories.
Notice Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains Non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA (which excludes, among other things, income tax expenses (benefits), net interest (income) expenses, depreciation and amortization, other expenses (income), impairment losses, restructuring related items, stock based compensation expense, non-routine legal expenses, and any other one-time adjustments. The Company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating the Company’s performance, capital resources and cash flow. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, and investors should carefully evaluate the Company’s financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those financial results. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures as reported by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies. As appropriate, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and information reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP are included in this news release.
