Astronics Corporation (ATRO Quick QuoteATRO - Free Report) used its second-quarter 2026 earnings call to indicate margin gains. The company’s chairman, president and CEO Peter Gundermann framed the second half around volume leverage, margin improvement and a U.S. Army radio test ramp. The company raised 2026 revenue guidance to $1.02 billion to $1.04 billion and expects another third-quarter sales record. Record bookings of $306.2 million lifted backlog to $780.6 million, strengthening visibility into the outlook.

The company reported adjusted earnings per share of 70 cents in the second quarter. Revenues of $260 million topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $245 million.

Astronics Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Astronics Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Astronics Corporation Quote

ATRO Raises the Revenue Bar

Gundermann said Astronics entered the second half with strong momentum after setting several records. The revised annual forecast would take sales above $1 billion for the first time.

Vice president and CFO Nancy Hedges expects third-quarter sales of $265 million to $275 million, with fourth-quarter revenues improving modestly from there. About 82% of quarter-end backlog should convert to revenues within 12 months.

Hedges maintained 2026 capital spending guidance of $40 million to $45 million, largely for the Seattle consolidation. She also expects positive free cash flow for the rest of the year.

Astronics Sees More Margin Runway

Gundermann identified four margin levers: volume, pricing, workforce efficiency and simplification. Adjusted EBITDA margin reached 19.8% in the second quarter, with further improvement still targeted.

During Q&A, Gundermann said Astronics is roughly 75% to 80% through its major pricing reset. Remaining long-term contracts are expected to be renegotiated over the next 12 to 18 months.

Hedges said the 33.4% gross margin included a $2 million tariff refund worth about 70 basis points. Tariffs run $3 million to $4 million quarterly at current volumes before mitigation, while another $6 million to $8 million of refunds is expected, with timing uncertain.

ATRO Puts the Army Test Ramp in Focus

Test Systems received a $44.7 million U.S. Army order for full-rate production of the TS-4549/T Radio Test Sets program. Gundermann expects a larger contribution as production builds through the second half.

Hedges said the second quarter included about $4.1 million of revenues at no margin, mainly for dedicated raw materials tied to radio test programs. That margin is expected to be recognized as production progresses through 2026.

A CJS Securities analyst asked about the ramp. Gundermann said full-run-rate production should be reached as the fourth quarter ends, after which Test Systems margins should approach Aerospace levels, though not necessarily a 20% EBITDA margin.

Astronics Details Broader Demand Drivers

Gundermann tied stronger bookings to aircraft production, passenger connectivity, flight-critical power, premium seat motion systems and defense testing. Aerospace bookings were $243.1 million, including a $27.4 million MV-75 FLRAA development booking.

Hedges said Aerospace sales rose 22.6% to $237.3 million. Inflight Entertainment & Connectivity grew 19%, Flight Critical Electrical Power advanced 49.4% and Seat Motion sales more than doubled.

A Craig-Hallum analyst asked about emerging aircraft. Gundermann said eVTOL and autonomous-aircraft opportunities remain active, especially in power generation, but are not a large part of the 2026 forecast and should have a bigger role in 2027 planning.

ATRO Q&A Adds Color on LEO, M&A and Labor

Responding to CJS Securities, Gundermann described the GEO-to-LEO connectivity shift as a near-term disruption for a GEO business he pegged at about $60 million annualized. He said the LEO opportunity can more than offset that pressure.

A Truist Securities analyst asked about BMA and acquisitions. Gundermann said BMA remains less profitable than the broader Aerospace business. Internal growth remains the first priority even as Astronics sees a steady flow of M&A opportunities.

On labor, Gundermann told Truist that hiring is no longer a major issue, though retention remains challenging in some production roles. He said labor availability is better than at any point in the past three to four years.

Astronics Keeps Execution at the Center

Gundermann remained focused on converting demand into higher sales, margins and cash generation, repeatedly emphasizing volume growth and operating execution as the core drivers.

The second-half agenda centers on scaling the Army test program, sustaining Aerospace profitability, completing the Seattle consolidation and continuing selective pricing and efficiency work.

ATRO's Zacks Signals Remain Mixed

ATRO sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reflecting favorable earnings-estimate revision trends. Its Growth Score of B is supportive under the Style Score framework, while Value Score of D, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of D are less favorable. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Zacks Style Scores complement the rank, with A or B grades generally preferred alongside a favorable Zacks Rank. The current mix combines a strong rank with uneven style characteristics. The Zacks Rank can change as estimates are revised after the just-reported results.