Nextracker Q1 FY26 presentation: 20% revenue growth amid strategic AI acquisitions

Published 30/07/2025, 08:24
Nextracker Q1 FY26 presentation: 20% revenue growth amid strategic AI acquisitions

Introduction & Market Context

Nextracker Inc. (NASDAQ:NXT) delivered strong financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, as detailed in its shareholder presentation released on July 29, 2025. The solar tracking technology leader reported significant year-over-year growth across key metrics while advancing its strategic expansion into complementary technologies through targeted acquisitions.

Following the earnings announcement, Nextracker’s stock experienced a modest 0.21% increase in aftermarket trading to $65.55, reflecting positive investor sentiment toward the company’s performance and strategic direction. The stock has demonstrated strong momentum over the past six months, delivering a 31.8% return and approaching its 52-week high of $67.87.

Quarterly Performance Highlights

Nextracker reported Q1 FY26 revenue of $864 million, representing a 20% increase from $720 million in the same period last year. This significantly exceeded analyst expectations of $632.94 million by 36.51%. The company’s adjusted EBITDA grew 23% year-over-year to $215 million, with margins expanding to 25%.

As shown in the following financial highlights:

The company’s adjusted diluted earnings per share reached $1.16, up from $0.93 in Q1 FY25 and substantially surpassing the forecasted $0.61 by 90.16%. Adjusted gross margin held steady at 33%, while operating expenses were maintained at approximately 8% of total revenue.

Geographic revenue diversification continues to be a key strength for Nextracker, with international markets now representing 31% of total revenue and growing at 27% year-over-year. The U.S. market accounted for 69% of revenue in the quarter.

The detailed quarterly results demonstrate consistent improvement across multiple financial metrics:

Despite the strong overall performance, adjusted free cash flow declined 41% year-over-year to $70 million, partly due to the company’s significant investments in acquisitions totaling $87 million during the quarter. Nextracker maintained a robust financial position with $743 million in cash and cash equivalents, no debt, and total liquidity of nearly $1.7 billion.

The company’s balance sheet and cash flow metrics reveal its strong financial foundation:

Strategic Initiatives

A central theme in Nextracker’s Q1 presentation was its strategic evolution from a pure solar tracker company to a broader solar technology platform. The company highlighted several acquisitions aimed at incorporating complementary technologies around its core tracker systems.

Recent strategic moves include the acquisition of Bentek, a significant initiative in robotics and AI, and the acquisitions of SenseHawk, Amir Robotics, and Onsight Technology. To lead this expansion, Nextracker appointed Dr. Francesco Borrelli as Chief AI and Robotics Officer.

CEO Dan Shugar emphasized this strategic direction in the earnings call, stating, "We’re scaling our platform to address this rapidly expanding opportunity." The company views these investments as critical to maintaining its competitive edge and expanding its addressable market.

Competitive Industry Position

Nextracker continues to strengthen its market leadership position, achieving the #1 global market share for the tenth consecutive year and increasing its share from 23% to 26%. The company also commands the leading position in Europe, highlighting the 550 MW "Oricheio PPC Ptolemaida" solar PV park in Greece as a showcase project.

The broader market opportunity remains robust, with solar contributing more than twice as much incremental electricity supply as the next leading energy source in 2024. In the United States, solar accounted for more than 80% of new generation capacity placed in service during the year.

This chart from the presentation illustrates solar’s dominant position in new global electricity generation:

However, Nextracker acknowledged challenges in the U.S. policy environment, noting volatility throughout 2025. The passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (HR 1) in July 2025 resolved some policy uncertainty, though further clarification is needed regarding "safe harbor" rules following actions by the presidential administration.

Forward-Looking Statements

Based on its strong Q1 performance, Nextracker raised its full-year guidance for fiscal 2026. The company now expects revenue between $3.2 billion and $3.45 billion, with adjusted EBITDA ranging from $750 million to $810 million, and adjusted diluted EPS between $3.96 and $4.27 per share.

The updated outlook compared to previous guidance shows meaningful increases across all key metrics:

This guidance assumes the current U.S. policy environment remains in effect. The company’s backlog exceeds $4.75 billion, providing strong visibility into future revenue. Nextracker also announced plans for a capital markets day on November 12, 2025, where it will likely provide more details on its long-term strategy and financial targets.

President Howard Wenger highlighted the competitiveness of solar power during the earnings call, noting, "Solar power is now $15 per megawatt hour, 1.5¢ per kilowatt hour," underscoring the technology’s economic advantages even amid policy uncertainties.

Despite the overall positive outlook, investors should monitor potential risks including U.S. policy uncertainties, market saturation in the solar industry, and potential supply chain disruptions that could affect manufacturing and distribution.

Full presentation:

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.