Blue Bird Corporation (DE:4RB)
NASDAQ:4RB
Earnings Data
Report Date
Aug 12, 2026After Close (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q3)Consensus EPS Forecast
1.09Last Year’s EPS
1.02Same Quarter Last Year
Strong Buy
Based on 6 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call was predominantly positive: management reported record Q2 adjusted EBITDA, record free cash flow and liquidity, raised full-year and long-term outlooks, closed a strategic MicroBird acquisition, and secured an $80 million DOE MES grant for a new plant. Challenges discussed were modest and largely manageable in the near term—slight YoY revenue/unit shortfalls driven by production days, lower Q2 EV deliveries (albeit with a strong EV backlog), tariff/policy volatility, near-term cost pressures, and production capacity constraints until the new plant comes online. Overall, the positives (records, upgraded guidance, M&A, grant funding and strong cash generation) significantly outweigh the manageable lowlights.Company Guidance
Consistent Outperformance vs. Guidance
Beat guidance on all metrics for the 14th consecutive quarter; Q2 and first-half results exceeded prior guidance across revenue, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.
Record Q2 Adjusted EBITDA and Strong Margins
Q2 adjusted EBITDA was a record $51.0 million (14.4% margin), approximately $1.6–2.0 million higher than prior year and ~70 basis points improvement year-over-year.
Strong Free Cash Flow and Liquidity
Q2 adjusted free cash flow was a record $40 million (up $21 million YoY); first-half free cash flow was $71 million (up $30 million YoY). Ending liquidity a record $418 million with cash of $276 million and $5 million less debt YoY.
Healthy Unit Sales and Backlog
Sold 2,148 buses in Q2; backlog approximately 3,600 units (within the company's stated 'sweet spot' of 3,000–4,000), providing one-to-two quarters of production visibility.
Improved Pricing and Bus ASP
Average bus revenue per unit increased by $6,145 to $151,000, a 4.3% year-over-year increase (tariff recovery excluded pricing also up YoY).
Alt Power Leadership and EV Backlog
Alt-powered buses comprised 41% of unit sales in Q2. Sold 201 EVs in Q2 (~just under 10% of unit volume) and have an EV backlog of over 900 units (about 25% of total backlog), extending into 2027.
Parts Revenue Strength
Parts sales were $28 million for Q2, up due to an aging fleet, supply-chain-driven pricing actions, and throughput improvements.
Strategic M&A and DOE Support
Closed acquisition of remaining 50% of MicroBird JV (adds two plants and ~950 employees, EcoTube EV tech, expands TAM into Buy America shuttle market). DOE MES grant of $80 million reconfirmed to support new plant investment.
Raised Full-Year and Multi-Year Outlook
Updated fiscal 2026 guidance (post-MicroBird) raised to $1.725B–$1.775B revenue and $245M adjusted EBITDA guidance midpoint (year range $235M–$255M); FCF guidance $100M–$125M. Long-term targets increased toward ~$2.5B revenue and $325M–$375M+ adjusted EBITDA.
Share Buyback Execution
Executed a $5 million tranche of a new $100 million buyback program with $90 million remaining.
DE:4RB Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
DE:4RB Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
May 06, 2026 | €55.14 | €64.78 | +17.48% |
Feb 04, 2026 | €43.00 | €41.80 | -2.79% |
Nov 24, 2025 | €45.40 | €47.60 | +4.85% |
Aug 06, 2025 | €36.40 | €39.20 | +7.69% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does Blue Bird Corporation (DE:4RB) report earnings?
Blue Bird Corporation (DE:4RB) is schdueled to report earning on Aug 12, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
What is Blue Bird Corporation (DE:4RB) earnings time?
Blue Bird Corporation (DE:4RB) earnings time is at Aug 12, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is the P/E ratio of Blue Bird Corporation stock?
The P/E ratio of Blue Bird is N/A.
What is DE:4RB EPS forecast?
DE:4RB EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q3) is 1.09.
