Itron Inc provides solutions that measure, manage, and analyze energy and water use... Show more
Itron, a provider of smart grid, metering, and utility-focused software and services, has been reshaping its business toward higher-margin recurring revenue even as hardware segments faced headwinds. The third quarter of 2026 marked a return to year-over-year revenue growth after recent softness, driven by the Outcomes segment and the newly formed Resiliency Solutions segment. For investors, the report matters less for headline growth and more for margin execution: adjusted gross margin expanded to 41.3%, and management demonstrated the "earnings leverage" of its stronger operating model. With the utility industry investing in grid modernization and distributed intelligence, Itron's ability to convert modest revenue gains into record profitability and a raised full-year EPS outlook underscores why this quarter is a key signal for the company's trajectory.
For the three months ended September 30, 2026, Itron reported total revenue of $599.3 million, up 3% from $581.6 million in the prior-year quarter. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) net income rose to $71 million, or $1.61 per diluted share, compared with $66 million, or $1.41 per share, a year earlier.
On a non-GAAP basis, diluted EPS was $1.94, up from $1.54 a year ago and roughly 24% above consensus estimates near $1.56. Non-GAAP operating income increased 20% to $107 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached a record $115 million. Adjusted gross margin expanded 350 basis points to 41.3%.
By segment, Device Solutions revenue was $102 million and Networked Solutions revenue was $390 million, each down about 1% on a constant-currency basis. Outcomes revenue grew 9% to $92 million, and Resiliency Solutions contributed $16 million. Annual recurring revenue rose approximately 25% to $423 million, and quarterly bookings of $482 million were up 27% year over year. Free cash flow was $96 million, down from $113 million a year earlier due to higher working capital, tax payments, and lower interest income.
For the fourth quarter, Itron guided revenue of $621 million to $636 million and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.70 to $1.80. The company narrowed full-year revenue guidance to $2.37 billion to $2.385 billion and raised full-year non-GAAP EPS guidance to $6.72 to $6.82.
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Itron's results were generally well received, with the earnings beat driven by stronger-than-expected profitability rather than dramatic top-line growth. The non-GAAP EPS of $1.94 came in well above consensus, while adjusted EBITDA also exceeded expectations, reinforcing the narrative of margin discipline and operating leverage. Sentiment was tempered somewhat by fourth-quarter revenue guidance, whose midpoint sat slightly below analyst consensus, and by lower free cash flow compared with the prior-year period. Still, the raised full-year EPS outlook and record adjusted EBITDA signaled confidence to investors, positioning the quarter as one where quality of earnings and recurring revenue momentum outweighed modest revenue growth.
Looking ahead, investors should track several themes tied to Itron's shift toward software and recurring revenue. The company guided to fourth-quarter revenue of $621 million to $636 million, implying roughly 10% growth at the midpoint, and raised its full-year non-GAAP EPS target. Whether Itron can sustain that margin expansion while revenue re-accelerates will be a central question.
Annual recurring revenue growth — which accelerated to about 25% — and the scaling of Grid Edge Intelligence, including more than 19.4 million distributed intelligence-enabled endpoints shipped, are important indicators of the company's transition toward higher-quality, more predictable income.
Investors should also monitor bookings and backlog, which totaled $4.3 billion, as well as supply-chain costs for memory and selected components, which management noted are rising. The integration of the Resiliency Solutions segment, formed from the Urbint and Locusview acquisitions, will be another area to watch as Itron expands its portfolio of asset-lifecycle and safety applications for utilities.
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a manufacturer of measuring equipment for electricity, gas and water
Industry ElectronicEquipmentInstruments