CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW) posts strong Q1 2026 results and lifts full-year outlook
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
CoreCivic reported a strong first quarter of 2026, boosted by facility activations and higher federal and state populations. Total revenue rose to $614.7 million, up 25.8% from a year earlier. Net income increased to $37.9 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, with Adjusted Diluted EPS at $0.40.
Profitability improved, with Adjusted EBITDA reaching $110.1 million, up 36.0%, and Normalized FFO per diluted share rising to $0.65. The company repurchased 2.3 million shares for $44.7 million, and leverage stood at 2.8x net debt to Adjusted EBITDA.
CoreCivic completed a roughly $148.0 million acquisition of Clinical Solutions Pharmacy, expects it to add $0.03–$0.05 per share in 2026, and raised full-year 2026 guidance for net income, EPS, FFO and Adjusted EBITDA. Updated guidance incorporates the CSP acquisition and the Midwest Regional Reception Center activation, while acknowledging a recent decrease in nationwide ICE populations.
Positive
- Strong earnings growth and margin expansion: Q1 2026 revenue rose 25.8% to $614.7 million, net income increased 51.0% to $37.9 million, Adjusted Diluted EPS grew 73.9% to $0.40, and Adjusted EBITDA climbed 36.0% to $110.1 million.
- Guidance raised with added growth drivers: 2026 net income, EPS, FFO and Adjusted EBITDA guidance were all increased, reflecting contributions from facility activations and the Clinical Solutions Pharmacy acquisition, which is expected to add $0.03–$0.05 per share in 2026.
Negative
- None.
Insights
CoreCivic delivered strong Q1 growth, did an accretive acquisition, and nudged 2026 guidance higher.
CoreCivic posted Q1 2026 revenue of $614.7 million, up 25.8%, with net income of $37.9 million and Diluted EPS of $0.38. Non-GAAP metrics were also robust: Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.40, Adjusted EBITDA reached $110.1 million, and Normalized FFO per share was $0.65.
The company is leaning into growth via activations and M&A. ICE revenue almost doubled to $261.3 million, helped by four previously idle facilities and the Farmville Detention Center. Subsequent to quarter-end, CoreCivic acquired Clinical Solutions Pharmacy for about $148.0 million, expecting a $0.03–$0.05 per-share contribution in 2026, and added a $100.0 million Incremental Term Loan maturing in 2027.
Updated full-year 2026 guidance now calls for net income of $147.8–$157.8 million, Adjusted Diluted EPS of $1.53–$1.63, and Adjusted EBITDA of $453.8–$461.8 million, modestly above prior ranges. Management notes a recent decline in nationwide ICE populations tied to DHS enforcement redeployments but characterizes this as temporary, while planning $115.0–$130.0 million of capital expenditures including funds for activating additional facilities.
8-K Event Classification
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Key Terms
Adjusted EBITDA financial
Normalized Funds From Operations financial
Incremental Term Loan financial
earn-out financial
Special Use Permit (SUP) regulatory
Funds From Operations (FFO) financial
Earnings Snapshot
For full-year 2026, CoreCivic guides to net income of $147.8–$157.8 million, Adjusted Net Income of $149.5–$159.5 million, Diluted EPS of $1.51–$1.61, Adjusted Diluted EPS of $1.53–$1.63, FFO per diluted share of $2.58–$2.68, Normalized FFO per diluted share of $2.60–$2.70, EBITDA of $451.3–$459.3 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $453.8–$461.8 million.