Harvard Bioscience Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Harvard Bioscience (Nasdaq: HBIO) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $20.8M, down from $21.8M in Q1 2025, with gross margin improving to 59% from 56%.
Net loss narrowed to $3.4M from $50.3M, adjusted EBITDA was $0.8M, and full-year 2026 guidance was reaffirmed.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Q1 2026 gross margin increased to 59% from 56% year over year
- Q1 2026 net loss reduced to $3.4M from $50.3M in 2025
- Q1 2026 adjusted EBITDA remained positive at $0.8M
- Company reaffirmed 2026 guidance for 2–4% revenue growth
- 2026 adjusted gross margin guidance maintained at 58–60%
- 2026 adjusted EBITDA growth guided between 6–10%
- Q2 2026 adjusted EBITDA guided between $1.0M and $2.0M
- Manufacturing consolidation progressing on schedule, expected to deliver efficiencies and cost savings
Negative
- Q1 2026 revenue declined to $20.8M from $21.8M year over year
- Q1 2026 reported a net loss of $3.4M
- Operating cash flow in Q1 2026 was -$0.7M versus $3.0M a year earlier
News Market Reaction – HBIO
On the day this news was published, HBIO declined 20.91%, reflecting a significant negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -4.3% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 7 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $7M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $26.02M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HBIO was down 0.8% pre-earnings while several medical instrument peers like MHUA (-27.18%) and RVP (-3.47%) were also lower, suggesting stock-specific plus generally weak sentiment rather than a coordinated sector rally.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 12 | Q4/FY25 earnings | Positive | -2.6% | Reported Q4 and FY25 results with guidance for 2026 growth and margins. |
| Feb 10 | Prelim Q4 results | Positive | +13.4% | Preliminary Q4 beat on revenue and margins with positive 2026 outlook. |
| Nov 06 | Q3 2025 earnings | Neutral | -7.3% | Q3 2025 results with modest loss and guidance for Q4 revenue and margins. |
| Aug 11 | Q2 2025 earnings | Neutral | -9.3% | Q2 2025 results with lower revenue but margin and cash flow improvements. |
| May 12 | Q1 2025 earnings | Negative | +11.8% | Q1 2025 revenue decline and large goodwill-driven net loss reported. |
Earnings-related headlines have often seen negative next-day moves even when results or outlook were constructive, with only one positive reaction out of five recent earnings events.
Over the past year, Harvard Bioscience’s earnings updates have emphasized revenue around the $20–24M quarterly level, gross margins near the high-50% range, and a strategic focus on higher-margin platforms and refinancing the balance sheet. Several quarters highlighted goodwill impairment driving large GAAP losses but steadier adjusted EBITDA. Management has consistently guided for modest 2–4% revenue growth and 58–60% adjusted gross margin, which this Q1 2026 report reaffirms.
Historical Comparison
Across five recent earnings-related releases, HBIO’s average next-day move was about 1.21%, with reactions often skewing negative even when updates highlighted margin strength or strategic progress.
Earnings releases have traced a shift toward higher-margin platforms, recurring revenue expansion, and debt refinancing, while working through goodwill impairments and manufacturing consolidation ahead of 2026 growth targets.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective S-3 resale registration dated Jan 30, 2026 covers up to 9,500,000 shares for selling securityholders, including shares underlying a Term C convertible loan and warrants. Harvard Bioscience itself is not selling shares under this filing and would only receive up to $1.0 million if the warrants are exercised for cash.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock dropped -20.9% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite reaffirmed 2026 guidance and Q1 2026 gross margin of 59% would fit a pattern where prior earnings headlines often saw downside moves. The year-over-year revenue decline from $21.8M to $20.8M, continued net losses, and the overhang of a resale registration covering up to 9,500,000 shares could all contribute to skepticism about the pace of the turnaround.
Key Terms
gross margin financial
adjusted EBITDA financial
non-GAAP financial
goodwill impairment financial
webcast technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- First Quarter 2026 Revenues of
$20.8M and Gross Margin of59% - Consolidation of Manufacturing Operations Progressing on Schedule
- Reaffirms Full Year 2026 Financial Guidance
HOLLISTON, Mass., May 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: HBIO) (the “Company” or “Harvard Bioscience”) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
“First quarter revenues were in line with our expectations and gross margin expanded year-over-year, while we remained profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis,” said John Duke, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are encouraged by the adoption rates of our NPI portfolio – specifically the MeshMEA™ organoid platform, and our BTX® Electroporation and SoHo™ Telemetry systems – which are deepening our reach into the biopharma sector. This shift toward a higher-margin product mix is expected to put us on a path toward consistent 60+% margin and higher recurring revenue. Additionally, our manufacturing consolidation is on track and is expected to yield significant efficiencies and cost savings. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on operational efficiency and believe we remain well positioned for our next phase of growth. We’re reaffirming our full year guidance, which anticipates high margin NPI sales growth driving bottom line growth in the second half of the year.”
First Quarter 2026 Results
For the first quarter of 2026, the Company reported revenues of
Net loss for the first quarter of 2026 was
This press release includes certain financial information presented on an adjusted, or non-GAAP, basis. For additional information on the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release, see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Second Quarter 2026 Guidance
The Company’s Q2 outlook reflects year-over-year revenue growth in the mid-single digit range at the midpoint of guidance, margin expansion as NPI adoption scales, and continued profitability on an adjusted EBITDA basis. We expect:
- Revenue between
$20.5 million and$22.5 million - Adjusted gross margin between
57% and59% - Adjusted EBITDA between
$1.0 and$2.0 million
Full Year 2026 Guidance
The Company is reaffirming its full-year guidance and anticipates a ramp in revenue in the second half of the year, driven by expected sales growth in our higher margin NPI pipeline, which includes products for organoids and electroporation. The Company continues to expect:
- Revenue growth between
2% and4% - Adjusted gross margin between
58% and60% - Adjusted EBITDA growth between
6% and10%
Webcast and Conference Call Details
In conjunction with this announcement, Harvard Bioscience will be hosting a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A presentation that will be referenced during the webcast will be posted to the Company’s Investor Relations website shortly before the webcast begins.
Analysts who would like to join the call and ask a question must register here. Once registered, you will receive the dial-in numbers and a unique PIN number.
Participants who would like to join the audio-only webcast should go to our events and presentations on the investor website here.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
In this press release we have included non-GAAP financial information, including one or more of adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted operating margin, adjusted gross margin, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, diluted adjusted earnings (loss) per share, and net debt. We believe that this non-GAAP financial information provides investors with an enhanced understanding of the underlying operations of our business. For the periods presented, these non-GAAP financial measures have excluded certain expenses and income resulting from items that we do not believe are reflective of the underlying operations of the business. Items excluded include stock-based compensation, amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, restructuring charges, other operating expenses, goodwill impairment, interest and other expense, net, loss on pension settlement, loss on equity securities, income taxes, and the tax impact of reconciling items. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial information is important in comparing current results with prior period results and is useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing the Company’s operating performance.
Historical non-GAAP financial information included herein is accompanied by a reconciliation to the nearest corresponding GAAP measure, which is included below.
The non-GAAP financial information provided in this press release should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, the financial information provided and presented in accordance with GAAP and may be different from other companies’ non-GAAP financial information.
About Harvard Bioscience
Harvard Bioscience, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and seller of technologies, products and services that enable fundamental advances in life science applications, including research, drug and therapy discovery, bio-production and preclinical testing for pharmaceutical and therapy development. Our customers range from renowned academic institutions and government laboratories to the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract research organizations. With operations in the United States, Europe, and China, we sell through a combination of direct and distribution channels to customers around the world.
For more information, please visit our website at www.harvardbioscience.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “believe” and similar expressions or statements that do not relate to historical matters. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, information concerning expected future financial and operational performance including revenues, adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, gross margin, cash and debt position, balance sheet, growth, adoption and the introduction of new products, the strength of the Company’s market position, business model and anticipated macroeconomic conditions. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve known and unknown uncertainties, risks, assumptions, and contingencies, many of which are outside the Company’s control. Risks and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those described in its forward-looking statements include those described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.
Investor Inquiries:
Mark Frost
Chief Financial Officer
(508) 893-3120
investors@harvardbioscience.com
| HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC. | |||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations | |||||||
| (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Revenues | $ | 20,755 | $ | 21,774 | |||
| Cost of revenues | 8,511 | 9,590 | |||||
| Gross profit | 12,244 | 12,184 | |||||
| Sales and marketing expenses | 5,335 | 4,971 | |||||
| General and administrative expenses | 4,702 | 5,185 | |||||
| Research and development expenses | 2,326 | 2,321 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 820 | 1,160 | |||||
| Goodwill impairment | - | 47,951 | |||||
| Other operating expenses | 235 | 264 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 13,418 | 61,852 | |||||
| Operating loss | (1,174 | ) | (49,668 | ) | |||
| Other expense: | |||||||
| Interest expense | (1,728 | ) | (933 | ) | |||
| Other expense, net | (405 | ) | (193 | ) | |||
| Total other expense | (2,133 | ) | (1,126 | ) | |||
| Loss before income taxes | (3,307 | ) | (50,794 | ) | |||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 117 | (454 | ) | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,424 | ) | $ | (50,340 | ) | |
| Loss per share: | |||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per share * | $ | (0.77 | ) | $ | (11.42 | ) | |
| Weighted-average common shares: | |||||||
| Basic and diluted * | 4,473 | 4,410 | |||||
| * Retroactively presented to reflect 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective on March 13, 2026. | |||||||
| HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC. | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||
| (Unaudited, in thousands) | |||||
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||
| Assets | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7,098 | $ | 8,614 | |
| Accounts receivable, net | 14,572 | 16,043 | |||
| Inventories | 22,205 | 20,805 | |||
| Other current assets | 3,604 | 2,763 | |||
| Total current assets | 47,479 | 48,225 | |||
| Property, plant and equipment | 4,869 | 4,787 | |||
| Goodwill and other intangibles | 16,278 | 17,198 | |||
| Other long-term assets | 9,312 | 9,861 | |||
| Total assets | $ | 77,938 | $ | 80,071 | |
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |||||
| Other current liabilities | 23,863 | 21,960 | |||
| Total current liabilities | 23,863 | 21,960 | |||
| Long-term debt, net | 36,211 | 35,870 | |||
| Other long-term liabilities | 7,818 | 8,507 | |||
| Stockholders’ equity | 10,046 | 13,734 | |||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 77,938 | $ | 80,071 | |
| HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC. | |||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows | |||||||
| (Unaudited, in thousands) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,424 | ) | $ | (50,340 | ) | |
| Adjustments to operating cash flows | 1,968 | 49,814 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | 794 | 3,512 | |||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (662 | ) | 2,986 | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | (426 | ) | (513 | ) | |||
| Acquisition of intangible assets | (194 | ) | (170 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (620 | ) | (683 | ) | |||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
| Repayment of term debt | - | (1,000 | ) | ||||
| Payment of debt issuance costs | (129 | ) | (129 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and purchases | 150 | - | |||||
| Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards | (30 | ) | (75 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (9 | ) | (1,204 | ) | |||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (225 | ) | 339 | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (1,516 | ) | 1,438 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period | 8,614 | 4,108 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period | $ | 7,098 | $ | 5,546 | |||
| HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC. | |||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data and percentages) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||
| GAAP operating loss | $ | (1,174 | ) | $ | (49,668 | ) | |
| Stock-based compensation | 257 | 600 | |||||
| Acquired asset amortization | 820 | 1,160 | |||||
| Goodwill impairment | - | 47,951 | |||||
| Other operating expenses (1) | 235 | 264 | |||||
| Other adjustments | 93 | 12 | |||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 231 | $ | 319 | |||
| Operating margin | (5.7 | %) | (228.1 | %) | |||
| Adjusted operating margin | 1.1 | % | 1.5 | % | |||
| GAAP net loss | $ | (3,424 | ) | $ | (50,340 | ) | |
| Stock-based compensation | 257 | 600 | |||||
| Acquired asset amortization | 820 | 1,160 | |||||
| Goodwill impairment | - | 47,951 | |||||
| Other operating expenses (1) | 235 | 264 | |||||
| Other adjustments | 93 | 12 | |||||
| Income taxes | 525 | (199 | ) | ||||
| Adjusted net loss | (1,494 | ) | (552 | ) | |||
| Depreciation & amortization | 536 | 495 | |||||
| Interest and other expense, net (2) | 2,133 | 1,126 | |||||
| Adjusted income taxes (3) | (408 | ) | (255 | ) | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 767 | $ | 814 | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 3.7 | % | 3.7 | % | |||
| Diluted loss per share (GAAP) * | $ | (0.77 | ) | $ | (11.42 | ) | |
| Diluted adjusted loss per share * | $ | (0.33 | ) | $ | (1.25 | ) | |
| Weighted-average common shares: | |||||||
| Diluted GAAP * | 4,473 | 4,410 | |||||
| Diluted Adjusted * | 4,473 | 4,410 | |||||
| March 31, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Debt, including unamortized deferred financing costs | $ | 36,211 | $ | 35,958 | |||
| Unamortized deferred financing costs | 3,789 | 392 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | (7,098 | ) | (5,546 | ) | |||
| Net debt | $ | 32,902 | $ | 30,804 | |||
| * Retroactively presented to reflect 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective on March 13, 2026. | |||||||
| (1) Other operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 includes | |||||||
| (2) Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was | |||||||
| (3) Adjusted income taxes includes the tax effect of adjusting for the reconciling items using the tax rates in the jurisdictions in which the reconciling items arise. | |||||||
