-Fiscal First Half Net Income Increases 35%-
-Backlog Increased 50% Sequentially Reflecting New Order Momentum-
-Updates FY26 Guidance Reflecting Improved Outlook, Anticipating Modest Revenue Growth with Increasing Demand in the Medical Device Market-
-Conference Call Today at 10:30 am ET-
MILTON, N.Y., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sono-Tek Corporation (NASDAQ:SOTK), the leading developer and manufacturer of ultrasonic coating systems, today reported financial results for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2026, ended August 31, 2025.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Highlights
Net Sales for the quarter increased to $5.163 million compared to $5.162 million year over year and increased sequentially compared to $5.13 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
Gross profit for the quarter increased 3% year over year to $2.6 million compared with $2.5 million.
Net income for the quarter increased 24% to $424 thousand, or $0.03 per share, compared with $341 thousand, or $0.02 per share.
First Half Fiscal 2026 Highlights
Record first half fiscal 2026 revenue increased year over year to $10.30 million compared to $10.19 million.
Gross profit increased 6% year over year to $5.3 million compared with $5.0 million, primarily due to product mix and favorable warranty expenses in the current period.
Net income increased 35% year over year to $909 thousand, or $0.06 per share, compared with $672 thousand, or $0.04 per share.
Balance Sheet, Backlog and Guidance for Fiscal Year 2026
As of August 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $10.6 million with no outstanding debt.
Total equipment and service-related backlog remains strong at $11.21 million compared to $11.6 million at the end of Q2 FY2025 and increased 50% compared to $7.48 million at the end of Q1 FY2026, reflecting new order momentum from the medical market.
For the full fiscal year, the Company is updating its guidance reflecting an improved outlook anticipating modest revenue growth, balancing a cautious view as the market adjusts to recent shifts in governmental clean energy and tariff policies with a positive offset from growing demand in the medical device market.
Dr. Christopher L. Coccio, Executive Chairman, stated, "We are pleased to report continued growth and profitability in line with our guidance with the continuing trend of over $5 million in quarterly revenue for the past six quarters. Importantly, we remain solidly profitable with strong margins and effective cost controls. Based on projected shipments for the second half of our fiscal year 2026, we are raising guidance slightly, now anticipating modest revenue growth, taking into consideration evolving governmental clean energy incentives and tariff policies which each may affect the initiation and timing of customer orders. Despite the evolving landscape in the clean energy industry, we have successfully offset it with our diversification strategy into other sectors such as the medical device industry. It is gratifying to see the promising demand in the medical device industry that we projected coming to fruition with our recently announced $5 million dollar order for multiple state-of-the-art MediCoat systems designed for high-precision, scalable manufacturing in addition to our most recent order of over $2.8 million from another major medical device manufacturer. With a healthy balance sheet, solid backlog and strong customer demand, we remain laser focused on execution and look forward to building on our recent success."
Steve Harshbarger, CEO & President of Sono-Tek stated, "We continue to see the success of our growth strategies with customers moving into complex large-scale production systems with significantly higher average selling prices "ASPs". Customer demand and momentum remain strong, and it is validating to see the growing adoption of Sono-Tek's advanced coating platforms by leading medical device manufacturers worldwide. We are well positioned with our strong balance sheet and backlog to navigate potential short-term demand shifts that may result from changes in tariff policies and clean energy incentives. We remain focused on our long-term growth strategy and look forward to continued revenue growth and profitability over the long term."
Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results
(Narrative compares with prior-year period unless otherwise noted) ($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended August 31,
Change
2025
2024
$
%
Net Sales
$
5,163
$
5,162
1
0%
Gross Profit
$
2,590
$
2,516
74
3%
Gross Margin
50%
49%
Operating Income
$
421
$
286
135
47%
Operating Margin
8%
6%
Net Income
$
424
$
341
83
24%
Net Margin
8%
7%
Net Sales: $5.163 million, a slight increase from the $5.162 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter with sales over $5 million.
Gross Profit: $2.6 million, up 3% from the prior year second quarter of $2.5 million. Gross margin increased to 50% from 49%, mainly due to a favorable product mix of high ASP systems, reflecting further maturation of our product offerings, with reduced costs and favorable warranty expenses in the current period.
Operating Income: Increased 47% to $421 thousand compared to $286 thousand in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, due to an increase in gross profit combined with lower operating expenses.
Net Income: Increased 24% to $424 thousand, up from $341 thousand in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, reflecting a combination of higher gross profit and lower operating expenses.
Other Income: Interest and dividend income decreased slightly to $82 thousand for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 from $85 thousand in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.
Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Product and Market Sales Overview
Product Categories: In-Line Coating Systems (previously referred to as Integrated Coating Systems) sales decreased by $493 thousand, or 24%, to $1.53 million, primarily driven by a customer-requested delivery delay in the clean energy sector. Multi-Axis Coating Systems increased by $99 thousand, or 5%, to $2.03 million. Fluxing sales increased by $46 thousand or 39% to $165 thousand, reflecting increased demand from Asia. OEM sales increased by $189 thousand, or 92%, to $394 thousand driven by strong fluxer OEMs and two new OEM's. Spare parts, Services and Other sales increased by $160 thousand, or 18% to $1.04 million.
During the current reporting period, the Company updated the title of its product category previously referred to as "Integrated Coating Systems" to "In-Line Coating Systems." We made this change to provide greater clarity in describing this segment of our business. The definition and contents of this category remain unchanged.
In-Line Coating Systems include Sono-Tek products that are typically stationary platforms with minimal motion control and may occasionally incorporate a simple axis of movement such as a rotation fixture. These systems are commonly installed over moving substrates such as conveyors or webs, which may be provided either by Sono-Tek or by the customer. They often employ multiple ultrasonic nozzles to provide uniform coverage over larger areas in continuous production environments. In-Line Coating Systems are unlike our Multi-Axis Coating Systems, which commonly utilize XYZ motion platforms or 6+ axis robotic configurations.
End Markets: The Medical market increased by 150% y-o-y or $602 thousand to $1.00 million, led by balloon coating systems shipped to the U.S., Europe, and China. Alternative/Clean Energy decreased slightly by 3% y-o-y or $65 thousand, to $2.43 million, supported by a strong clean energy backlog going into FY 2026. The Electronics market declined slightly by 1% y-o-y, down $22 thousand to $1.46 million. The Industrial market declined 68% or $517 thousand to $238 thousand, influenced by a large FY 2025 European glass coating order that did not repeat.
Geography: US/Canada sales decreased 22% y-o-y, or $775 thousand, driven by slowing momentum in the US clean energy industry. Offsetting the US sales decline, sales in Asia increased 153% y-o-y, or $562 thousand, with major growth in China and other parts of Asia. EMEA sales increased 25%, or $288 thousand while Latin American sales were down $74 thousand.
First Half Fiscal Year 2026 Overview(Narrative compares with prior-year period unless otherwise noted) ($ in thousands)
Six Months Ended August 31,
Change
2025
2024
$
%
Net Sales
$
10,295
$
10,193
102
1%
Gross Profit
$
5,254
$
4,971
283
6%
Gross Margin
51%
49%
Operating Income
$
905
$
524
381
73%
Operating Margin
9%
5%
Net Income
$
909
$
672
237
35%
Net Margin
9%
7%
Net Sales: $10.30 million, an increase from $10.19 million in the first half of fiscal year 2025.
Gross Profit: $5.3 million, up 6% from the first half of fiscal year 2025 of $5 million. Gross margin increased to 51% from 49%, mainly primarily due to product mix and favorable warranty expenses in the current period.
Operating Income: Increased 73% to $905 thousand compared to $524 thousand in the first half of fiscal year 2025, due to an increase in gross profit combined with lower operating expenses.
Net Income: Increased 35% to $909 thousand, up from $672 thousand in the first half of fiscal year 2025, reflecting a combination of higher gross profit and lower operating expenses.
Other Income: Interest and dividend income decreased slightly to $224 thousand for the first half of fiscal year 2026 compared to $228 thousand for the first half of fiscal year 2025.
First Half Fiscal Year 2026 Product and Market Sales Overview
Product Categories: In-Line Coating Systems (previously referred to as Integrated Coating Systems) sales increased by $1.82 million, or 65%, to $4.58 million, driven by shipments of six high-ASP systems to a major solar customer totaling $4.42 million. Fluxing sales increased by $64 thousand or 25% driven by strength in Asia. Multi-Axis Coating Systems declined $1.89 million, or 41%, to $2.71 million following a strong FY2025 for semiconductor systems that did not repeat, and slower clean energy activity in FY2026. OEM sales were down slightly by $13 thousand or 2% and Spare Parts, Services and Other sales were up $126 thousand, a 6% increase.
End Markets: The Medical market rose by 44% or $553 thousand, supported by strong balloon coating systems shipped to the U.S., Europe, and China, and increased stent coating activity in Europe. Alternative/Clean Energy rose 19% y-o-y, up $901 thousand, driven by the shipment of six high ASP solar coating systems. The Electronics market declined 21% y-o-y, down $646 thousand following strong FY2025 semiconductor sales, and FY2026 customer timing for similar machines. The Industrial market declined 67% or $711 thousand, ...
