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    ABM
    Earnings call· Apr 2026(Q2 FY26)

    ABM INDUSTRIES INC /DE/ Q2 FY26 earnings call ABM

    Jun 5, 2026 Source

    Executive summary

    ABM Industries Q2 FY26 — record $1.2B first-half bookings and strongest organic growth since 2022

    ABM delivered an unusually strong top line this quarter, led by Technical Solutions and semiconductor-driven M&D, while margin lagged because ATS mix skewed toward lower-margin, equipment-heavy 'turning-the-wrenches' project work and WGNSTAR amortization weighed on M&D — both of which management frames as timing that reverses as design/engineering mix and volume ramp in the back half. The offset to the growth story is B&I, where deliberate client exits (notably TfL) and West Coast office weakness will keep the segment flat-to-slightly-positive for the year even as its margins flex up. Management's forward stance is deleveraging-first (below 3x by year-end) with M&A sequenced into late FY26/early FY27, and it kept full-year adjusted EPS unchanged while absorbing higher interest costs and, notably, folding volatile prior-year self-insurance adjustments into guidance to 'de-risk' Q4. The setup rests on a back-half margin step-up that has not yet been demonstrated.

    Highlights

    5
    • Organic revenue growth of 6.1% — the strongest since Q3 2022 — drove total revenue up 8.4% YoY to a Q2-record $2.3B (2.3% from the WGNSTAR acquisition)

    • Record first-half new sales bookings of $1.2B

    • Technical Solutions revenue +27% (22% organic), Aviation +20%, and M&D +17% (7% organic + 9% WGNSTAR)

    • Adjusted EPS of $0.90 (vs $0.86) and adjusted EBITDA of $131.7M, up $5.8M YoY

    • First-half free cash flow of $71.2M versus negative $107.8M a year ago — a ~$180M improvement — and segment operating margin up 20bps sequentially to 7.3%

    Concerns

    5
    • Segment operating margin fell 60bps YoY to 7.3% and adjusted net income slipped to $52.9M from $54.1M

    • B&I was flat organically; the TfL (large U.K.) client exit is a ~300bps growth drag on B&I in the back half amid West Coast CRE softness

    • Aviation operating margin dropped to 5.3% from 6.3% on weather costs, TSA-driven disruptions, contract scope changes and Heathrow ramp-up costs

    • Leverage rose to 3.2x (above 3x) after WGNSTAR, and the FY26 interest-expense forecast was raised to ~$110M on higher rates

    • FY26 adjusted EPS guidance was only maintained at $3.85–$4.15 despite the strong first half

    Guidance & targets

    13
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Adjusted EPS
    $3.85 to $4.15
    high materiality
    High
    Organic revenue growth
    3% to 4%, toward the higher end
    high materiality
    High
    Total revenue growth
    high end of 4% to 5% range
    medium materiality
    High
    Segment operating margin
    toward the low end of 7.8% to 8%
    high materiality
    Medium
    Interest expense
    approximately $110 million
    medium materiality
    Medium
    Effective tax rate
    29% to 30% normalized
    low materiality
    Medium
    Free cash flow
    approximately $250 million
    high materiality
    High
    Leverage
    below 3x total debt to pro forma adjusted EBITDA
    high materiality
    High
    B&I revenue growth
    flat to maybe slightly positive full year; moderate/decelerate in back half
    medium materiality
    Medium
    Segment outlook — Technical Solutions
    strong second half on higher volume and improved (design/engineering) mix
    high materiality
    Medium
    Segment outlook — Aviation
    organic growth strong but moderating from Q2
    medium materiality
    Medium
    Segment outlook — Education
    solid; margin to improve in Q3 (seasonally strong)
    low materiality
    Medium
    Semiconductor market growth
    double-digit growth continuing 'for a while'
    medium materiality
    Medium

    Segment performance

    6
    SegmentRevenueYoYQoQMargin
    Business & Industry (B&I)
    Flat revenue reflects U.K. market strength offset by the mid-quarter exit of a large U.K.-based client (TfL) and other client exits, particularly on the West Coast. Margin decline reflects contract-mix shifts and increased sales-resource investment. Sequential margin movement is internally inconsistent in the transcript: prepared remarks state margin 'improved 10 basis points sequentially,' while in Q&A Scott Salmirs said B&I margins 'were up 30 basis points between Q1 and Q2' — both are captured as stated. Full-year B&I guided flat to slightly positive with margins expected to flex up in the back half.
    Operating margin: 7.6%Back-half growth impact from TfL exit: ~300 bps
    $1.0 billionessentially flatOperating profit $76.7M; margin 7.6% (vs $83M and 8.2% last year)
    Aviation
    Growth supported by healthy travel demand and the ramp of new contract wins, particularly the new Heathrow contract. Profit and margin were pressured by incremental weather-related costs, certain contract scope changes, TSA-driven operational disruptions and Heathrow ramp-up costs. Back-half organic growth to remain strong but moderate as ABM anniversaries large Q3 FY25 contracts; management is watching rising fuel costs' effect on airline clients and softer international volumes.
    Operating margin: 5.3%
    $310.8 million+20%Operating profit $16.3M; margin 5.3% (vs $16.5M and 6.3% last year)
    Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D)
    Strong organic growth driven by recent contract wins (particularly technology sector) and client expansions, complemented by WGNSTAR. Margin declined YoY on the mix of new contracts secured last year and $4M of incremental WGNSTAR amortization; ex-amortization margin of 9.6% is management's view of underlying earnings power. Margin rose 20bps sequentially as anticipated. Semiconductor is the key driver — revenue doubled YoY with high double-digit organic growth.
    Organic growth: 7%WGNSTAR (acquisition) growth contribution: 9%Operating margin: 8.8% (9.6% ex-amortization)Incremental WGNSTAR amortization: $4M
    $463.8 million+17%Operating profit $40.6M; margin 8.8% (vs $39.9M and 10% last year); ex-incremental-amortization margin 9.6%
    Education
    Revenue growth primarily driven by escalations. Margin expansion driven by enhanced labor efficiency and effective escalation management. New wins include a large ABM Performance Solutions contract from Detroit Public Schools ($25M, fully online in Q4) and a scope expansion with the University of Miami. Margin expected to improve further in the seasonally strong Q3.
    Operating margin: 7.0% (+100 bps YoY)Operating profit growth: +19%
    $232.2 million+2%Operating profit $16.4M (+19%); margin 7.0% (+100 bps)
    Technical Solutions (ATS)
    Growth reflected robust data-center activity plus strong battery energy storage and HVAC project work, and significant new microgrid business with a major big-box retailer. Profit rose on volume growth, but margin was flat as service mix skewed toward lower-margin equipment-intensive infrastructure projects rather than higher-margin design/engineering, plus ongoing growth investments. Mix and margin expected to improve in the back half per historical cadence.
    Organic growth: 22%Acquisition growth contribution: 6%Operating margin: 6.3%
    $267.3 million+27%Operating profit $16.8M; margin 6.3% (vs $13.4M and 6.4% last year)
    Total / Consolidated
    Consolidated organic growth of 6.1% was the strongest since Q3 2022, led by Technical Solutions and Aviation. Segment margin down 60bps YoY on last year's M&D/B&I contract onboarding and WGNSTAR amortization, but up 20bps sequentially; healthy sequential margin improvement expected in Q3 and Q4.
    Organic growth: 6.1% (strongest since Q3 2022)Segment operating margin: 7.3%Adjusted EBITDA: $131.7M
    $2.3 billion+8.4% (6.1% organic + 2.3% acquisitions)Segment operating margin 7.3% (+20 bps QoQ, -60 bps YoY); adjusted EBITDA $131.7M (+$5.8M)

    Operational metrics

    13
    Organic revenue growth
    6.1%strongest since Q3 2022
    Q2 FY26

    Led by Technical Solutions and Aviation; full-year organic guide 3-4%, now toward higher end.

    Acquisition revenue contribution
    2.3%
    Q2 FY26

    Component of the 8.4% total YoY revenue growth.

    Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)
    $0.90vs $0.86 prior-year Q2
    Q2 FY26

    GAAP diluted EPS was $0.73 vs $0.67 (in filings).

    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)
    $52.9Mvs $54.1M prior-year Q2
    Q2 FY26

    Non-GAAP measure; declined YoY despite revenue growth.

    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
    $131.7M+$5.8M YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Non-GAAP; EBITDA margin not stated as a percentage.

    Segment operating margin
    7.3%+20 bps QoQ; -60 bps YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Company-level non-GAAP margin; healthy sequential improvement expected in Q3 and Q4.

    Total liquidity
    $614M
    as of quarter-end (Apr 30, 2026)

    Includes undrawn facilities; supports deleveraging and flexibility.

    Leverage ratio (total debt to pro forma adjusted EBITDA)
    3.2xabove 3x; target below 3x by fiscal year-end
    as of quarter-end (Apr 30, 2026)

    WGNSTAR acquisition pushed leverage above 3x; deleveraging is the near-term capital priority.

    Share buyback remaining authorization
    $89M
    as of quarter-end (Apr 30, 2026)

    Per-share results boosted by recent repurchase activity; near-term priority is debt repayment over buybacks.

    Interest expense
    $28.1M+$4.2M YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Full-year interest expense now forecast ~$110M on higher rates (see guidance); to be offset by cost actions.

    Semiconductor market presence
    60+ clients; 300+ sitessemiconductor revenue doubled YoY
    Q2 FY26

    WGNSTAR extends ABM from outside-the-fab into inside-the-fab work; double-digit growth expected to continue.

    Semiconductor + data center share of revenue
    7%
    current (Q2 FY26)

    Result of a multi-year strategic initiative; combines two 'micro groups.'

    Prior fiscal year organic revenue growth
    3.8%analyst-stated, not disputed by management
    FY25 (prior fiscal year)

    Referenced by an analyst as the comparison base for accelerating organic growth; management did not dispute.

    Industry KPIs

    3
    MetricValueDetails
    Volume6.1% consolidated organic growth%
    EBITDA margin$131.7M adjusted EBITDAUSD
    M a rollup spendWGNSTAR closed (~$8-9M acquisition costs); pipeline monitored

    Orderbook & backlog

    1
    New sales bookings (first half FY26)$1.2 billionfirst half FY26 (through Apr 30, 2026)

    a new record for ABM

    Majority characterized as strategic (vs defensive) wins across Sunbelt, data centers and semiconductors; ABM historically updates first-half bookings in Q2.

    Deals & partnerships

    9
    WGNSTARacquisition~$8-9M acquisition costs (purchase price not stated)

    Semiconductor fabrication-services acquisition; integration described as going 'really, really well' and contributing meaningfully; combined with ABM's outside-the-fab presence to create a seamless provider.

    RavenVoltacquisition (prior) — final earn-out~$30M final earn-out payment

    The final RavenVolt earn-out payment of roughly $30M is one of the items excluded from the free cash flow outlook.

    Detroit Public Schoolscustomer contract$25M

    Large ABM Performance Solutions contract; cited as proof point of Education's win momentum.

    University of Miamicustomer contract (scope expansion)

    Expanded scope with a long-standing and important Education client.

    Heathrow Airportcustomer contract

    New Aviation contract driving segment growth alongside broad travel demand.

    Nation's largest bank (unnamed) — NYCcustomer contract

    Selected last year to service the bank's new New York City headquarters; a B&I flight-to-quality win.

    Another leading commercial bank (unnamed)customer contract

    Recently signed a significant new facilities contract; cited as evidence of the office recovery and client confidence.

    Major big-box retailer (unnamed)customer contract

    New microgrid business booked in Q2; a second large retailer relationship on top of a legacy multi-year microgrid customer, with expected multi-phase runway.

    Orlando International, Miami International, LaGuardia Terminal Bcustomer contract (aviation wins)

    Recent Aviation wins cited as reflecting the airport-modernization pipeline.

    Risks & headwinds

    8
    B&I client exits and West Coast commercial real estate softnessback half of FY26 (full run-rate impact)

    TfL exit ~300 bps of B&I back-half growth impact; West Coast vacancy rates 2-3x worse than NYC

    Mitigation: Deliberate exits of sub-threshold accounts; operating margins expected to flex up; management views the pressure as episodic and unsustainable

    Rising fuel costs pressuring airline clients / softer international aviation volumesnear-term, being monitored

    not quantified ('hasn't been incredibly material yet')

    Mitigation: Flexible labor model and largely non-discretionary services allow ABM to ride through cycles

    Higher interest rates raising interest expenseFY26

    FY26 interest expense forecast raised to ~$110M; Q2 interest expense $28.1M (+$4.2M YoY)

    Mitigation: Additional cost actions planned to offset; deleveraging below 3x by year-end

    Aviation margin pressure from weather, TSA disruptions, scope changes and Heathrow rampQ2 FY26

    Aviation margin fell to 5.3% from 6.3% YoY; operating profit $16.3M vs $16.5M

    Mitigation: Ramp costs expected to normalize; strong underlying travel demand

    WGNSTAR amortization drag on M&D marginongoing

    $4M incremental amortization; M&D margin 8.8% vs 9.6% ex-amortization (vs 10% prior year)

    Mitigation: Ex-amortization margin of 9.6% cited as underlying earnings power; strong semiconductor growth

    Elevated leverage post-WGNSTARthrough end of FY26

    3.2x total debt to pro forma adjusted EBITDA (above 3x); total indebtedness $1.9B

    Mitigation: Near-term priority on debt repayment using back-half cash flow to reach below 3x by year-end

    Prior-year self-insurance adjustment volatilityFY26 (now baked into guidance)

    $23M unfavorable prior-year adjustment last year; ~$0.20+ EPS hit in Q4 FY25

    Mitigation: Operational investments (return-to-work, timely claims closing, aggressive settlement, driver-behavior programs) to improve predictability; impact now contemplated within the $3.85–$4.15 guide

    Broader macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertaintyongoing

    not quantified

    Mitigation: Diversified, largely non-discretionary end markets; flexible labor model; disciplined capital allocation

    Q&A highlights

    8

    Were there large battery-storage projects driving the 22% ATS organic growth, and what explains the margin trajectory?

    A couple of large battery energy storage projects contributed; they are equipment- and infrastructure-heavy, carrying lower margins. Management explained ATS work has two phases — higher-margin design/engineering versus lower-margin 'turning the wrenches' execution — and Q2 was heavily weighted to execution, with margins expected to ramp in the back half as design/engineering mix returns.

    when you look at the mix for this quarter when you look at margin, we were heavily weighted towards the turning of the wrenches part. And we think in the back half... you'll see the margins ramp

    asked by Timothy Mulrooney · answered by Scott Salmirs / David Orr

    3 min read5 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Financial Results & Profitability

    Revenue grew 8.4% YoY to a Q2-record $2.3B, comprising 6.1% organic growth and 2.3% from acquisitions (primarily WGNSTAR). GAAP net income was $43.1M, or $0.73 per diluted share, up from $42.2M and $0.67 a year ago, with per-share results boosted by recent share repurchases. Adjusted net income was $52.9M ($0.90 per diluted share) versus $54.1M ($0.86) last year, the decline reflecting higher interest and amortization expense partly offset by lower tax and corporate costs. Adjusted EBITDA rose $5.8M to $131.7M. Segment operating margin was 7.3%, up 20bps sequentially but down 60bps YoY, pressured by contracts that came online last year in M&D and B&I and by WGNSTAR-related amortization.

    02

    Business & Industry and the West Coast / Office Recovery

    B&I revenue was essentially flat at $1.0B, with U.K. strength offset by the mid-quarter exit of a large U.K.-based client (TfL) and other client exits, particularly on the West Coast. Management framed the West Coast weakness — vacancy rates in L.A., San Francisco and Seattle running '2 or 3x worse than New York City' — as episodic and tied to competitors making uneconomic pricing decisions ABM won't match. Nationally, U.S. office leasing is approaching 2019 levels, net absorption turned significantly positive (strongest since 2020), and the construction pipeline is nearly 90% below its 2020 peak, favoring the prime assets where ABM concentrates. Recent wins include the new headquarters of the nation's largest bank and a facilities contract with another leading commercial bank.

    03

    Semiconductor / M&D and the WGNSTAR Integration

    M&D grew 17% to $463.8M (7% organic plus 9% from WGNSTAR), driven by technology-sector wins and client expansions. Management cited over $645B of announced U.S. semiconductor investment across 140-plus projects since 2020. WGNSTAR extends ABM from outside-the-fab services into inside-the-fab work; combined, semiconductor revenue doubled YoY with high double-digit organic growth in Q2 and tens of millions of dollars of new business secured. ABM now serves 60+ semiconductor clients across 300+ sites, is in 75% of U.S./European fab makers, and works with 7 of the ~10 large OEMs. Semiconductors plus data centers together represent about 7% of total ABM revenue.

    04

    Technical Solutions — Energy, Microgrids and Data Centers

    ATS revenue rose 27% to $267.3M (22% organic, 6% acquisitions), on robust data-center activity and strong battery energy storage and HVAC project work; U.S. battery-storage installations were up 52% in 2025 and AI is accelerating data-center construction at a double-digit pace. Q2 mix skewed toward equipment-intensive infrastructure projects (the lower-margin 'turning the wrenches' phase) rather than higher-margin design/engineering, holding margin at 6.3% versus 6.4% despite profit rising to $16.8M from $13.4M. A significant new microgrid contract with a major big-box retailer supports a stronger, better-mixed second half, and management sees a multiyear growth cycle across energy resiliency, electrification and AI infrastructure.

    05

    Aviation, Education and Cash / Balance Sheet

    Aviation revenue grew 20% to $310.8M on healthy travel demand (TSA throughput near 3M passengers/day) and the new Heathrow contract, though margin fell to 5.3% from 6.3% on weather costs, TSA-driven disruptions, scope changes and Heathrow ramp costs; wins at Orlando, Miami and LaGuardia Terminal B build the pipeline. Education rose 2% to $232.2M with operating profit up 19% and margin up 100bps to 7% on labor efficiency and escalation management, aided by a $25M Detroit Public Schools ABM Performance Solutions contract (fully online in Q4) and a University of Miami expansion. The balance sheet showed total indebtedness of $1.9B (including $23M standby letters of credit), 3.2x leverage, and $614M liquidity (including $95M cash); H1 free cash flow swung to positive $71.2M from negative $107.8M, a ~$180M improvement on working-capital management and ERP stabilization.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.