GET DAILY SIGNALSinTest Corporation (INTT) Delivers +34% Revenue Growth in Q3 2026
Key Takeaways
- inTest Corporation (INTT) reported third quarter 2026 revenue of $35.1 million, up 34% from $26.2 million a year earlier and at the high end of the company's guidance range.
- Net earnings reached $1.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $0.9 million, or $0.08 per share, in the prior-year quarter.
- Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.18 exceeded analyst estimates, while gross margin expanded 580 basis points year-over-year to 47.7%.
- Quarterly orders hit a record $49.4 million, up 31% year-over-year, driving a record backlog of $59.7 million.
- Management issued fourth quarter 2026 revenue guidance of $34 million to $36 million, with gross margin of approximately 45%.
Earnings Context and Why It Matters
inTest Corporation (INTT) supplies test and process technology used across the front-end and back-end of semiconductor manufacturing, as well as in markets such as Auto/EV, Defense/Aerospace, Industrial, Life Sciences, and Safety/Security. Its quarterly results offer investors a direct read on capital equipment demand and order momentum across the broader semiconductor cycle. The third quarter of 2026 marked the company's third consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth above 25%, supported by a favorable product mix and strengthening back-end semiconductor orders. With record bookings and backlog, this report provides critical insight into whether inTest can sustain its margin recovery and revenue trajectory heading into 2027. I also checked this using Tickeron’s AI Screener to see how the stock compares to others in the industry.
Reported Results
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, inTest Corporation (INTT) reported revenue of $35.1 million, a 34% increase from $26.2 million in the prior-year period. Gross profit rose 52% to $16.7 million, with gross margin of 47.7%, up 580 basis points year-over-year and 720 basis points sequentially, driven primarily by favorable product mix.
Net earnings totaled $1.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $0.9 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, a year earlier. Adjusted EPS, which adds back tax-affected acquired intangible amortization and restructuring charges, was $0.18 per diluted share, exceeding analyst estimates. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) reached $4.4 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.6%.
Order activity was a standout. Total orders came in at a record $49.4 million, up 31% year-over-year, while backlog rose to a record $59.7 million at quarter end. Management issued fourth quarter 2026 guidance for revenue of $34 million to $36 million, gross margin of approximately 45%, and operating expenses of $14.2 million to $14.7 million.
Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment
inTest Corporation (INTT)'s results highlighted a meaningful inflection in profitability, with net margin expanding to 5.3% and gross margin climbing to 47.7%. Back-end semiconductor orders reached a record $23.9 million, nearly four times the year-ago level, while Auto/EV orders more than doubled sequentially as new model releases returned to a normal schedule. Defense/Aerospace orders grew 43% versus the second quarter, and Industrial orders rose 9%. Investors appear focused on whether the record backlog and continued order momentum can translate into sustained revenue growth, even as management flagged a higher effective tax rate of approximately 30% in the quarter and modest expense increases expected in the fourth quarter.
Forward Outlook and Key Factors to Monitor
Looking ahead, inTest Corporation (INTT) enters the fourth quarter with improved visibility. Management noted that a record backlog, roughly 60% of which is expected to ship in 2027, combined with third quarter semiconductor orders converting largely in the first half, supports a solid start to next year.
Several factors will shape the coming quarters. First, product mix matters: the third quarter benefited from an unusually favorable mix, and fourth quarter guidance implies gross margin moderating to approximately 45%. Second, cost discipline will be tested as the company fills open leadership positions and begins planning for 2027, which management expects to drive modest expense increases.
Investors should also monitor order durability across key end markets, including the continued strength in back-end semiconductor orders and whether Auto/EV demand sustains its sequential recovery. Finally, inTest plans to provide full-year 2027 guidance alongside its fourth quarter results, making that upcoming release a key catalyst for evaluating the company's longer-term trajectory. From what I see, this is important because it sets the stage for 2027 visibility.
Using AI Tools for Deeper Analysis
When reviewing reports like this one, I often rely on Tickeron’s AI Screener to quickly filter semiconductor and capital equipment names by fundamentals, technical patterns, and performance metrics. It helps surface comparable setups and streamline idea generation without replacing my own judgment on the numbers and end-market trends.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Contributor
Sergey Savastiouk, Ph.D. has a degree in Applied Mathematics from Moscow University and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, investor, manager, and mathematician. His professional expertise is in applied mathematics, mathematical modeling, system and pattern analysis, and software and hardware system integration. He has served as the CEO of several hi-tech start-up companies and nonprofit organizations, which has given him proven capabilities in business strategy for high-tech start-up companies, market assessment, company formation, team building, product development, marketing, and sales. He has published numerous articles in journals and magazines on related fields. As a retail investor, he spent 15 years developing his proprietary trading and quantitative algorithms (now Tickeron’s A.I.), which brought him significant returns in trading the stock market. His current work and goal in founding Tickeron is to bring professional, sophisticated stock market analysis capabilities to retail investors via an easy-to-use interface.
Aroon Indicator for INTT shows an upward move is likely
INTT's Aroon Indicator triggered a bullish signal on November 05, 2026. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor detected that the AroonUp green line is above 70 while the AroonDown red line is below 30. When the up indicator moves above 70 and the down indicator remains below 30, it is a sign that the stock could be setting up for a bullish move. Traders may want to buy the stock or look to buy calls options. A.I.dvisor looked at 206 similar instances where the Aroon Indicator showed a similar pattern. In 184 of the 206 cases, the stock moved higher in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move higher at 89%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 50 of 66 cases where INTT's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 76%.
INTT moved above its 50-day moving average on November 06, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for INTT crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 06, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 8 of 11 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
Following a +3.96% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where INTT advanced for three days, in 212 of 287 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for INTT moved out of overbought territory on October 29, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 32 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 25 of the 32 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 78%.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 05, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on INTT as a result. In 79 of 107 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 74%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for INTT turned negative on November 03, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 40 of the 47 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 85%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where INTT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 80%.
INTT broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 27, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 50 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. INTT’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 89 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 89 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. INTT’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 76, placing this stock worse than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 91 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.592) is normal, around the industry mean (5.670). P/E Ratio (191.000) is within average values for comparable stocks, (68.795). INTT's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.030) is slightly lower than the industry average of (0.801). Dividend Yield (0.024) settles around the average of (0.009) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.041) is also within normal values, averaging (27.897).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 91 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
Notable companies
Industry description
Market Cap
High and low price notable news
Volume
Fundamental Analysis Ratings
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
Advertisement
General Information
a manufacturer of mechanical, thermal and electrical products
Industry ElectronicProductionEquipment