Strong first-quarter performance reinforces confidence in FY 2026 guidance
Book-to-bill of 1.15x is third consecutive quarter above 1.1x
Highlights
For the three months ended March 31, 2026:
-- Revenues of $636.5 million
-- Book-to-bill ratio of 1.15x, resulting in 1.05x book-to-bill for the
trailing 12 months
-- GAAP net loss of $(23.6) million, or $(0.25) per diluted share
-- Adjusted EBITDA of $47.0 million
-- Adjusted net income of $15.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share
-- Full-year guidance affirmed
DURHAM, N.C., May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) (the "Company"), a leading global contract research organization ("CRO"), today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
"We started the year strong, focused on delivering for our clients with excellence and making advances in our strategic journey back to growth and margin expansion," said Anshul Thakral, CEO of Fortrea. "Our performance was in line with our expectations for the year, which enables us to invest further in solutions and in our people. Our commercial traction across biotech and large pharma clients underscores we are on the right track. The recent launch of Fortrea Intelligent Technology demonstrates our commitment to outcomes-based innovation that spans the R&D ecosystem. Our collaborative approach and disciplined execution power our progress as a leading CRO."
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Revenue for the first quarter was $636.5 million, compared to $651.3 million in the first quarter of 2025.
First quarter GAAP net loss was $23.6 million and diluted loss per share was $0.25, compared to first quarter of 2025 GAAP net loss of $562.9 million and diluted loss per share of $6.25, inclusive of a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $488.8 million. First quarter adjusted net income was $15.2 million and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.16 compared to first quarter of 2025 adjusted net income of $1.9 million and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.02. First quarter adjusted EBITDA was $47.0 million, compared to first quarter of 2025 adjusted EBITDA of $30.3 million.
Backlog as of March 31, 2026 was $7,846 million, and the book-to-bill ratio for the quarter was 1.15x.
2026 Financial Guidance
The Company reiterated its guidance for the full year 2026, targeting revenues in the range of $2,550 million to $2,650 million and adjusted EBITDA in the range of $190 million to $220 million.
Earnings Call and Replay
Fortrea will host a conference call at 8:00 am ET on May 5, 2026, to review its first quarter financial results and conduct a question-and-answer session. To participate in the earnings call, participants should register online at the Fortrea Investor Relations website. To avoid potential delays, please join at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call can also be accessed through the following earnings webcast link. A replay of the live conference call will be available shortly after the conclusion of the event and accessible on the events and presentations section of the Fortrea website. A supplemental slide presentation will also be available on the Investor Relations website prior to the start of the call.
About Fortrea
Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) is a leading global provider of clinical development solutions to the life sciences industry. We partner with emerging and large biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostic companies to drive healthcare innovation that accelerates life changing therapies to patients. Fortrea provides phase I-IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology and consulting services. Fortrea's solutions leverage three decades of experience spanning more than 20 therapeutic areas, a passion for scientific rigor, exceptional insights and a strong investigator site network. Our talented and diverse team working in about 100 countries is scaled to deliver focused and agile solutions to clients globally. Learn more about how Fortrea is streamlining drug development at Fortrea.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X and Bluesky.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, the Company's 2026 financial guidance. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "guidance," "expect," "assume," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "forecast," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "target," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from the Company's expectations due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's dependence on third parties generally to provide services critical to its businesses; the Company's ability to successfully implement the Company's business strategies and execute the Company's long-term value creation strategy; risks and expenses associated with the Company's international operations, tariff policies, trade sanctions and other trade restrictions and currency fluctuations; the Company's customer or therapeutic area concentrations; the Company's adoption and use of technology within its business and the risks that the Company may not be able to capture the anticipated benefits of such technology or that such technology may have negative effects; the outcome and impact of pending or future litigation; any further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment, particularly within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, or further changes in government regulations and funding, which could lead to defaults or cancellations by the Company's customers; the risk that the Company's backlog and net new business may not grow to the extent anticipated over a specified period of time or be indicative of the Company's future revenues and that the Company might not realize all of the anticipated future revenue reflected in the Company's backlog; the Company's ability to generate sufficient net new business awards, or if net new business awards are delayed, terminated, reduced in scope, or fail to go to contract; if the Company underprices its contracts, overruns its cost estimates, or fails to receive approval for, or experiences delays in documentation of change orders; and other factors described from time to time in documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). For a further discussion of the risks relating to the Company's business, see the "Risk Factors" Section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC, as such factors may be amended or updated from time to time in the Company's subsequent periodic and other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in the Company's filings with the SEC. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data. All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release and the Company does not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release includes information based on financial measures that are not recognized under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Basic and Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow. Non-GAAP financial measures are presented only as a supplement to the Company's financial statements based on GAAP. Non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance understanding of the Company's financial performance, but none of these non-GAAP financial measures are recognized terms under GAAP, and non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Company's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.
The Company uses non-GAAP measures in its operational and financial decision making and believes that it is useful to exclude certain items in order to focus on what it regards to be a more meaningful indicator of the underlying operating performance of the business. For example, in calculating Adjusted EBITDA, the Company excludes all the amortization of intangible assets associated with acquired customer relationships and backlog, databases, non-compete agreements and trademarks, trade names and other from non-GAAP expense and income measures, as such amounts can be significantly impacted by the timing and size of acquisitions. Although the Company excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets from the Company's non-GAAP expenses, the Company believes that it is important for investors to understand that revenue generated from such intangibles is included within revenue in determining net income attributable to the Company. Internal management reports feature non-GAAP measures which are also used to prepare strategic plans and annual budgets and review management compensation. The Company also believes that investors may find non-GAAP financial measures useful for the same reasons, although investors are cautioned that non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP disclosures.
The non-GAAP financial measures are not presented in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to the schedules attached to this release for relevant definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures contained herein to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Company's full-year 2026 guidance measures (other than revenue) 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 GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. Such items include, but are not limited to, acquisition-related expenses, restructuring and related expenses, goodwill impairment, stock-based compensation and other items not reflective of the Company's ongoing operations.
Non-GAAP measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies comparable to the Company, many of which present non-GAAP measures when reporting their results. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as an analytical tool. They are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP, are not measures of financial condition or liquidity and should not be considered as an alternative to profit or loss for the period determined in accordance with GAAP or operating cash flows determined in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, you should not consider such performance measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Company's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Fortrea Contacts
Tracy Krumme (Investors) -- 984-385-6707, tracy.krumme@fortrea.com
Sue Zaranek (Media) -- 919-943-5422, media@fortrea.com
Kate Dillon (Media) -- 646-818-9115, kdillon@prosek.com
FORTREA HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 2025
------------------------
Revenues $ 636.5 $ 651.3
Costs and
expenses:
Direct costs,
exclusive of
depreciation
and
amortization 512.9 534.8
Selling,
general and
administrative
expenses,
exclusive of
depreciation
and
amortization 100.5 121.8
Depreciation
and
amortization 19.8 19.5
Goodwill and
other asset
impairments -- 488.8
Restructuring
and other
charges 6.7 6.5
Total costs and
expenses 639.9 1,171.4
Operating loss (3.4) (520.1)
Other income
(expense):
Interest
expense (19.1) (22.3)
Foreign
exchange gain
(loss) 9.7 (5.6)
Other, net 0.5 --
Loss before
income taxes (12.3) (548.0)
Income tax
expense 11.3 14.9
Net loss $ (23.6) $ (562.9)
Earnings (loss)
per common
share
Basic and
diluted $ (0.25) $ (6.25)
FORTREA HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars and shares in millions)
(unaudited)
March 31, December 31,
2026 2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash
equivalents $ 147.5 $ 174.6
Accounts
receivable
and unbilled
services,
net 619.6 589.7
Prepaid
expenses and
other 114.4 132.9
Total
current
assets 881.5 897.2
Property, plant
and equipment,
net 157.1 149.5
Goodwill, net 950.8 960.0
Intangible assets,
net 601.7 622.0
Deferred income
taxes 6.2 6.2
Other assets, net 86.1 80.8
Total assets $ 2,683.4 $ 2,715.7
LIABILITIES AND
EQUITY
Current
liabilities:
Accounts
payable $ 70.8 $ 29.7
Accrued
expenses and
other current
liabilities 357.3 395.8
Unearned
revenue 481.3 473.8
Current
portion of
long-term
debt 10.9 4.8
Short-term
operating
lease
liabilities 8.8 9.2
Total
current
liabilities 929.1 913.3
Long-term debt,
less current
portion 1,042.6 1,048.0
Operating lease
liabilities 55.7 54.0
Deferred income
taxes and other
tax liabilities 92.3 97.6
Other liabilities 37.8 39.3
Total liabilities 2,157.5 2,152.2
Commitments and
contingent
liabilities
Equity:
Common stock,
94.6 and 93.1
shares
outstanding
at March 31,
2026 and
December 31,
2025,
respectively 0.1 0.1
Additional
paid-in
capital 2,128.0 2,116.6
Accumulated
deficit (1,406.8) (1,383.2)
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss (195.4) (170.0)
Total equity 525.9 563.5
Total liabilities
and equity $ 2,683.4 $ 2,715.7
FORTREA HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 2025
--------------------------- ---------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net loss $ (23.6) $ (562.9)
Adjustments
to reconcile
net loss to
net cash used
for operating
activities:
Depreciation
and
amortization 19.8 19.5
Stock
compensation 11.4 14.6
Credit loss
expense 3.0 4.5
Operating
lease
right-of-use
asset
expense 2.0 3.0
Operating
lease
right-of-use
asset
impairment -- 3.2
Goodwill and
other asset
impairments -- 488.8
Deferred
income
taxes (4.0) (6.6)
Unrealized
foreign
exchange
movements (8.2) 9.4
Other, net 0.4 0.3
Changes in
assets and
liabilities:
Increase in
accounts
receivable
and
unbilled
services,
net (33.7) (70.5)
Decrease in
prepaid
expenses
and other 11.4 17.6
Increase
(decrease)
in
accounts
payable 41.3 (28.4)
Increase in
deferred
revenue 6.6 10.4
Decrease in
accrued
expenses
and other (43.4) (27.1)
Net cash
used for
operating
activities (17.0) (124.2)
CASH FLOWS FROM
INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
Capital
expenditures (8.0) (2.9)
Proceeds from
sale of
business,
net -- 19.0
Net cash
(used for)
provided by
investing
activities (8.0) 16.1
CASH FLOWS FROM
FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from
revolving
credit
facilities -- 166.5
Payments on
revolving
credit
facilities -- (77.5)
Debt issuance
costs -- (0.6)
Net cash
provided by
financing
activities -- 88.4
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Effect of
exchange
rate changes
on cash and
cash
equivalents (2.1) 2.8
Net change in
cash and
cash
equivalents (27.1) (16.9)
Cash and cash
equivalents at
beginning of
period 174.6 118.5
Cash and cash
equivalents at
end of period $ 147.5 $ 101.6
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
FORTREA HOLDINGS INC.
NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION
(in millions)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
Trailing Twelve
Months Ended
March 31,
2026 2026 2025
--------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA:
Net loss $ (446.9) $ (23.6) $ (562.9)
Income tax (benefit)
expense (0.4) 11.3 14.9
Interest expense,
net 88.2 19.1 22.3
Foreign exchange
gain (loss) 11.6 (9.7) 5.6
Depreciation and
amortization (a) 78.3 19.8 19.5
Goodwill and other
asset impairments 309.1 -- 488.8
Restructuring and
other charges (b) 50.1 7.8 6.8
Stock based
compensation 71.2 11.4 14.6
Disposition-related
costs (c) 6.2 -- 3.8
One-time
spin-related costs
(d) 15.0 0.3 10.0
CEO transition
related costs 5.1 -- --
Other (e) 19.1 10.6 6.9
Adjusted EBITDA $ 206.6 $ 47.0 $ 30.3
(a) Includes amortization of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions.
(b) Restructuring and other charges represent amounts incurred in connection with the elimination of redundant positions to reduce overcapacity, align resources and facilities, and restructure certain operations.
(c) Disposition-related costs are short-term incremental costs to support the transition services agreement associated with the sale of the Enabling Services Segment.
(d) Represents one-time or incremental costs required to implement capabilities to exit the transition services agreement with the Company's former parent.
(e) Includes adjustments to estimated contingent consideration on a sale of a facility, income related to services provided under transition services agreements, settlements related to litigation initiated prior to the spinoff of the Company as a standalone company, the yield expense incurred on amounts received under the Company's Receivables Securitization Program, non-recurring business advisory consulting services and amortization of implementation costs deferred in connection with cloud computing arrangements.
FORTREA HOLDINGS INC.
NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME RECONCILIATION
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026 2025
-------------------------
Adjusted net income:
Net loss $ (23.6) $ (562.9)
Foreign exchange
(loss) gain (9.7) 5.6
Amortization (a) 14.6 14.5
Goodwill and other
asset impairments -- 488.8
Restructuring and
other charges (b) 7.8 6.8
Stock based
compensation 11.4 14.6
Disposition-related
costs (c) -- 3.8
One-time spin-related
costs (d) 0.3 10.0
Other (e) 10.6 6.9
Income tax impact of
adjustments (f) 3.8 13.8
Adjusted net income $ 15.2 $ 1.9
Basic shares 93.6 90.1
Diluted shares 98.1 91.2
Adjusted basic EPS $ 0.16 $ 0.02
Adjusted diluted EPS $ 0.16 $ 0.02
(a) Includes amortization of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions.
(b) Restructuring and other charges represent amounts incurred in connection with the elimination of redundant positions to reduce overcapacity, align resources and facilities, and restructure certain operations.
(c) Disposition-related costs are short-term incremental costs to support the transition services agreement associated with the sale of the Enabling Services Segment.
(d) Represents one-time or incremental costs required to implement capabilities to exit the Transition Services Agreement with former parent.
(e) Includes adjustments to estimated contingent consideration on a sale of a facility, income related to services provided under Transition Services Agreements, settlements related to litigation initiated prior to the Spin, the yield expense incurred on amounts received under the Company's Receivables Securitization Program, non-recurring business advisory consulting services and amortization of implementation costs deferred in connection with cloud computing arrangements.
(f) Income tax impact of adjustments represents the amount of additional tax expense that the Company estimates it would record if it used Non-GAAP results instead of GAAP results in the calculation of its provision.
FORTREA HOLDINGS INC.
NET CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH
FLOW RECONCILIATION
(in millions)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2026
Net cash used for operating
activities $ (17.0)
Capital expenditures (8.0)
Free cash flow $ (25.0)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 05, 2026 06:00 ET (10:00 GMT)