nLIGHT, Inc. Q1 2026 Earnings Recap

nLIGHT, Inc. delivered a substantial beat on both revenue and margins, driving a 3.7% stock gain as the market rewarded its strong top-line growth and record-adjusted EBITDA.

Key Takeaways

• Q1 revenue reached $80 million, up 55% year over year, led by aerospace and defense sales growing 69% to $55 million.
• Product gross margin expanded significantly to a record 44%, up from 33% a year ago, demonstrating operational leverage.
• Adjusted EBITDA set a new quarterly record at $14 million, reflecting disciplined cost control alongside revenue growth.
• The company raised over $190 million in a follow-on equity offering, boosting cash reserves to approximately $330 million for scaling manufacturing and R&D.
• Continued progress in directed energy programs, including production-ready Hades high-energy lasers and multi-megawatt system development, supports a positive long-term growth outlook.