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ICON Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results

July 29, 2026 4:15 PM

Highlights

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), a world-leading clinical research organization, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.

CEO, Mr. Barry Balfe commented, “ICON's second quarter results reflect measured progress, as disciplined cost management offset anticipated operational headwinds. While revenue and net bookings benefited from higher pass-through activity, strong strategic wins and new customer acquisition supported a direct fee book-to-bill ratio of 1.2x, underscoring the strength of our focused commercial strategy and diversified, scaled platform.

We are reaffirming our 2026 financial outlook, which reflects both opportunities and risks over the balance of the year. While second-half performance remains subject to variability in factors such as pass-through activity, the underlying fundamentals of our business remain solid, supported by our diversified portfolio, operational agility and disciplined cost management. Strong cash generation continues to support our capital allocation priorities, including investing in strategic growth opportunities and returning capital to shareholders.”

Second Quarter 2026 Results

In quarter two 2026, gross bookings were $3,681 million, an increase of 24.1% on quarter two 2025, with cancellations of $562 million. This resulted in net business wins of $3,120 million and a book-to-bill of 1.51. Backlog as at June 30, 2026 was $23.4 billion.

Revenue for the second quarter was $2,063.5 million. This represents an increase of 1.2% on quarter two 2025, an increase of 0.4% on a constant currency basis.

GAAP net income was $72.6 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $0.94 in quarter two 2026, compared to diluted earnings per share of $2.56 in quarter two 2025. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $198.4 million, resulting in adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.56 compared to $3.52 per share in quarter two 2025.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $327.2 million or 15.9% of revenue, a decrease of 21.7% on quarter two 2025.

The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in quarter two 2026 was 18.4%.

Free cash flow was $238.9 million in the quarter. Cash generated from operating activities for the quarter was $281.3 million. During the quarter, $42.4 million was spent on capital expenditure. $7.4 million of Term Loan B payments were made during the quarter and there were net cash outflows on the disposal of a subsidiary undertaking of $55.5 million. At June 30, 2026, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $928.4 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $765.2 million at March 31, 2026 and $390.4 million at June 30, 2025. Net debt as at June 30, 2026 was $2.5 billion.

Year to date 2026 Results

Gross business wins year to date were $6,944 million and cancellations were $945 million. This resulted in net business wins of $5,999 million and a book-to-bill of 1.46.

Revenue year to date was $4,097.5 million. This represents a year on year increase of 1.1% or a decrease of 0.8% on a constant currency basis.

GAAP net income year to date was $177.3 million, resulting in $2.29 diluted earnings per share. Year to date adjusted net income was $391.3 million, resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $5.06 compared to $6.79 per share for the equivalent prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA year to date was $645.0 million or 15.7% of revenue, a year on year decrease of 20.9%.

The effective tax rate on adjusted net income year to date was 17.8%.

Conference Call Details

ICON will hold a conference call on July 30, 2026 at 08:00 EDT [13:00 Ireland & UK]. This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our website at http://investor.iconplc.com. A recording will also be available on the website for 90 days following the call. In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under “Investors”. This calendar will be updated regularly.

Other Information

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: anticipated financial results for 2026; contracted revenue; the Company's expectations regarding business momentum, market opportunity, demand trends, growth, and commercial performance; and the Company's expectations with respect to its long-term value creation and competitive positioning. You can identify many forward-looking statements by words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “focused,” “guidance,” “intends,” “look,” “may,” “opportunities,” “plans,” “positions,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions and the negatives of such expressions. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements are based on management's current expectations and information currently available, including current economic and industry conditions. The forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such risks or uncertainties materialize, our results could be materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, dependence on the pharmaceutical industry and certain clients, the need to regularly win projects and then to execute them efficiently and correctly, the challenges presented by rapid growth, competition and the continuing consolidation of the industry, the impact of market conditions on demand for the Company's services, risks related to the Company's ability to execute on its commercial strategy and maintain relationships with large pharmaceutical customers, and risks relating to the Company's strategic partnerships, the dependence on certain key executives, changes in the regulatory environment, exchange rate fluctuations, inflation and rising labor costs. Please also refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed on May 27, 2026 for a discussion of some of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results. The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share and free cash flow. Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation, foreign currency gains and losses, restructuring, transaction, integration related and other adjustments, fair value movement on investments in equity, loss of disposal of subsidiary undertaking, goodwill impairment and impairment of non-financial assets. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude amortization, stock-based compensation, foreign currency gains and losses, restructuring, transaction, integration related and other adjustments, transaction-related financing costs, fair value movement on investments in equity, goodwill impairment, impairment of non-financial assets, loss of disposal of subsidiary undertaking and their related taxation effect. Free cash flow reflects cash generated from operating activities less capital expenditure. While non-GAAP financial measures are not superior to or a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, ICON believes certain non-GAAP information is useful to investors for historical comparison purposes.

*Adjusted diluted earnings per share to exclude amortization, stock-based compensation, foreign currency gains and losses, restructuring, transaction, integration related and other adjustments, transaction-related financing costs, fair value movement on investments in equity, goodwill impairment, impairment of non-financial assets, loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking and their related taxation effect.

Our full-year 2026 guidance adjusted diluted earnings per share measures are provided on a non-GAAP basis without a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure because the Company is unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain items contained in the measures without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

ICON plc is a world-leading clinical research organization. Offering deep operational and medical expertise we accelerate innovation, driving emerging therapies forward to improve patient outcomes. From molecule to medicine, we deliver integrated consulting, clinical development, commercialization and post-marketing solutions to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, government and public health organizations worldwide. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employed approximately 40,200 employees in 99 locations in 55 countries as at June 30, 2026. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com.

ICON/ICLR-F

ICON plc

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2026 AND JUNE 30, 2025

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,
2026

June 30,
2025

June 30,
2026

June 30,
2025

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Revenue

$

2,063,486

$

2,039,088

$

4,097,485

$

4,054,408

Costs and expenses:

Direct costs

1,584,192

1,455,758

3,140,265

2,905,016

Selling, general and administrative

194,318

205,006

394,916

403,390

Depreciation and amortization

90,767

97,718

181,098

193,676

Transaction and integration related

2,529

6,717

5,716

12,121

Restructuring

20,904

42,950

30,980

82,296

Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking

32,947

32,947

Total costs and expenses

1,925,657

1,808,149

3,785,922

3,596,499

Income from operations

137,829

230,939

311,563

457,909

Interest income

3,155

2,054

4,976

3,856

Interest expense

(48,787

)

(50,151

)

(96,784

)

(97,760

)

Income before income tax (expense) / benefit

92,197

182,842

219,755

364,005

Income tax (expense) / benefit

(19,615

)

20,674

(42,422

)

323

Net income

$

72,582

$

203,516

$

177,333

$

364,328

Net income per ordinary share:

Basic

$

0.94

$

2.57

$

2.31

$

4.56

Diluted

$

0.94

$

2.56

$

2.29

$

4.54

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:

Basic

76,845,757

79,245,448

76,712,589

79,899,091

Diluted

77,371,396

79,547,444

77,316,605

80,235,900

ICON plc

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS AT JUNE 30, 2026 AND DECEMBER 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

June 30,
2026

December 31,
2025

ASSETS

(in thousands)

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

928,385

$

647,295

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

1,458,354

1,474,898

Unbilled revenue

1,054,478

1,096,592

Other receivables

117,413

116,750

Prepayments and other current assets

114,811

105,316

Income taxes receivable

75,204

60,824

Total current assets

$

3,748,645

$

3,501,675

Non-current assets:

Property, plant and equipment, net

385,427

395,724

Goodwill

8,721,268

8,731,689

Intangible assets, net

3,146,498

3,247,118

Operating right-of-use assets

114,859

128,948

Other receivables

68,985

75,707

Deferred tax asset

107,409

106,871

Investments in equity

107,229

82,050

Total Assets

$

16,400,320

$

16,269,782

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

118,238

$

192,117

Unearned revenue

1,603,204

1,550,471

Other liabilities

916,522

904,826

Income taxes payable

16,939

18,999

Current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes

1,279,762

529,762

Total current liabilities

$

3,934,665

$

3,196,175

Non-current liabilities:

Non-current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes, net

2,110,783

2,872,616

Lease liabilities

102,790

117,122

Non-current other liabilities

77,674

72,807

Non-current income taxes payable

105,923

103,251

Deferred tax liability

690,323

714,427

Commitments and contingencies

Total Liabilities

$

7,022,158

$

7,076,398

Shareholders' Equity:

Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized,

77,154,209 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2026 and

76,567,325 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2025

6,346

6,305

Additional paid‑in capital

7,180,646

7,131,956

Other undenominated capital

1,606

1,606

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(109,820

)

(68,534

)

Retained earnings

2,299,384

2,122,051

Total Shareholders' Equity

$

9,378,162

$

9,193,384

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$

16,400,320

$

16,269,782

ICON plc

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2026 AND JUNE 30, 2025

(UNAUDITED)

Six Months Ended

June 30,
2026

June 30,
2025

(in thousands)

Cash flows provided by operating activities:

Net income

$

177,333

$

364,328

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization expense

181,098

193,676

Impairment of operating right-of-use assets and related property, plant and equipment

5,573

Reduction in carrying value of operating right-of-use assets

17,888

18,977

Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking

32,947

Amortization of financing costs and debt discount

3,048

2,971

Stock compensation expense

46,030

27,610

Deferred tax benefit

(26,142

)

(46,095

)

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

(22,905

)

34,777

Other non-cash items

5,048

15,266

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(46,728

)

15,149

Unbilled revenue

34,981

(138,521

)

Unearned revenue

107,463

25,761

Other net assets

(61,785

)

(105,031

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

448,276

414,441

Cash flows used in investing activities:

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(73,193

)

(61,185

)

Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired)

(2,537

)

Cash outflow on disposal of subsidiary undertaking (including cash sold)

(55,513

)

Proceeds from investments in equity

4,741

561

Purchase of investments in equity

(23,809

)

(12,330

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(147,774

)

(75,491

)

Cash flows used in financing activities:

Debt issue costs

(2,294

)

Drawdown of credit lines and loan facilities

50,000

Repayment of credit lines and loan facilities

(14,881

)

(64,881

)

Proceeds from exercise of equity compensation

2,710

6,498

Share issue costs

(9

)

(9

)

Repurchase of ordinary shares

(500,000

)

Share repurchase costs

(300

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(14,474

)

(508,692

)

Effect of exchange rate movements on cash

(4,938

)

21,353

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

281,090

(148,389

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

647,295

538,785

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

928,385

$

390,396

ICON plc

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2026 AND JUNE 30, 2025

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,
2026

June 30,
2025

June 30,
2026

June 30,
2025

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Adjusted EBITDA

Net income

$

72,582

$

203,516

$

177,333

$

364,328

Income tax expense / (benefit)

19,615

(20,674

)

42,422

(323

)

Net interest expense

45,632

48,097

91,808

93,904

Depreciation and amortization

90,767

97,718

181,098

193,676

Stock-based compensation expense (a)

19,436

15,433

46,418

27,727

Foreign currency losses / (gains), net (b)

670

24,015

(7,705

)

42,110

Restructuring (c)

20,904

42,950

30,980

82,296

Transaction, integration related and other (d)

24,693

6,717

56,060

12,121

Fair value movement on investments in equity (f)

(6,378

)

Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking (g)

32,947

32,947

Adjusted EBITDA

$

327,246

$

417,772

$

644,983

$

815,839

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share

Net income

$

72,582

$

203,516

$

177,333

$

364,328

Income tax expense / (benefit)

19,615

(20,674

)

42,422

(323

)

Amortization

50,108

59,057

100,387

118,003

Stock-based compensation expense (a)

19,436

15,433

46,418

27,727

Foreign currency losses / (gains), net (b)

670

24,015

(7,705

)

42,110

Restructuring (c)

20,904

42,950

30,980

82,296

Transaction, integration related and other (d)

24,693

6,717

56,060

12,121

Transaction-related financing costs (e)

2,182

1,506

3,701

2,971

Fair value movement on investments in equity (f)

(6,378

)

Loss on disposal of subsidiary undertaking (g)

32,947

32,947

Adjusted tax expense (h)

(44,737

)

(52,206

)

(84,818

)

(104,147

)

Adjusted net income

$

198,400

$

280,314

$

391,347

$

545,086

Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding

77,371,396

79,547,444

77,316,605

80,235,900

Adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share

$

2.56

$

3.52

$

5.06

$

6.79

(a)

Stock-based compensation expense represents the amount of expense related to the Company’s equity compensation programs (inclusive of employer related taxes).

(b)

Foreign currency losses / (gains), net relates to gains or losses that arise in connection with the revaluation, or settlement, of non-US dollar denominated assets and liabilities. We exclude these gains and losses from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because fluctuations from period-to-period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results.

(c)

Restructuring relates to charges incurred in connection with the Company's realignment of its workforce, with the elimination of redundant positions as well as reviewing its global office footprint and optimizing its locations to best fit the requirements of the Company.

(d)

Transaction, integration related and other costs include expenses associated with our acquisitions and any other costs incurred related to the integration of these acquisitions. Further, costs incurred in 2026 relating to the Investigation, including out of scope audit fees resulting from the impact of the investigation, and in defense of the Putative Class Action are classified within this category.

(e)

Transaction-related financing costs includes costs incurred in connection with changes to our long-term debt and amortization of financing fees. We exclude these costs from adjusted net income because they result from financing decisions rather than from decisions made related to our ongoing operations.

(f)

Fair value movement on investments in equity. We exclude these movements from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because fluctuations from period-to-period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results.

(g)

On May 8, 2026, ICON completed the disposal of Symphony Health Solutions Corporation. The Company recognized a pre-tax loss on disposal, including transaction costs, of $32.9 million. This loss is excluded from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.

(h)

Represents the tax effect of adjusted pre-tax income at our estimated effective tax rate.

Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923

Nigel Clerkin Chief Financial Officer +353 1 291 2000

Kate Haven Vice President Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923

All at ICON

http://www.iconplc.com

Source: ICON plc

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