Cadre Holdings (NYSE: CDRE) grows Q1 sales, builds record $355M backlog
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Cadre Holdings reported mixed first quarter 2026 results. Net sales rose to $155.4 million, up 19% year-over-year, driven mainly by recent acquisitions, while gross profit increased modestly to $60.2 million. However, gross margin declined to 38.7% from 43.1% and net income fell sharply to $2.0 million from $9.2 million as higher compensation, interest, transaction and related party expenses weighed on earnings.
Adjusted EBITDA edged up to $21.1 million, with margin compressing to 13.6% from 15.8%. The company highlighted a record $355 million orders backlog, up $166 million since the start of the year, helped by the blast attenuation seat contract and the TYR acquisition. Cadre closed acquisitions of TYR Tactical and Alien Gear Holsters and reaffirmed 2026 guidance for net sales of $736–$758 million and adjusted EBITDA of $136–$141 million, while declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share.
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Insights
Sales and backlog are strong, but margins and earnings weakened while leverage increased.
Cadre Holdings delivered Q1 2026 revenue of $155.4M, up 19% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA of $21.1M. A record orders backlog of $355M, up $166M since year start, reflects new defense contracts and acquisitions.
Profitability compressed: gross margin fell from 43.1% to 38.7%, and net income dropped to $2.0M from $9.2M, driven by higher operating, transaction, related party and interest expenses. Net cash used for acquisitions totaled $153.6M, while long-term debt increased to $349.6M and cash declined.
Management reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance for net sales of $736–$758M and adjusted EBITDA of $136–$141M, signaling confidence despite margin pressure. An $86.4M blast attenuation seat award and recent deals (TYR Tactical, Alien Gear Holsters) support growth, but future filings will clarify integration progress and debt-service capacity.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Adjusted EBITDA financial
orders backlog financial
blast attenuation seats technical
non-GAAP measures regulatory
contingent consideration financial
Adjusted EBITDA margin financial
Earnings Snapshot
For full-year 2026, Cadre expects net sales of $736–$758 million and adjusted EBITDA of $136–$141 million, with capital expenditures of $10–$14 million.
























