Company Reports Q1 Revenue of $153.1M, Exceeding Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 23 2026
0mins
Reports Q1 revenue $153.1M, consensus $147.4M. "We started 2026 delivering strong first quarter revenues and non-GAAP diluted EPS which was at or above the high-end of our guided ranges," commented Jeffrey Niew, CEO. "We are executing on our strategy, continuing to leverage our unique technologies, creating custom products through our customer application intimacy, and then scaling into production with our world-class operational capabilities. Our end markets of Medtech, Defense, Industrial and Electrification are also benefiting from strong secular growth trends. With this powerful combination, our revenue grew 16% on a year-over-year basis in the first quarter, exceeding our five-year annual organic growth target. Our revenue growth was complemented by substantial gross margin expansion resulting in significant year-over-year EPS growth. We have numerous new design wins ramping across multiple end markets and a very healthy backlog of existing orders, positioning us well to continue to deliver year over year organic revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth in 2026 above the high-end of our annual growth targets as presented in our May 2025 investor day."
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Analyst Views on KN
Wall Street analysts forecast KN stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 39.360
Low
23.00
Averages
27.00
High
30.00
Current: 39.360
Low
23.00
Averages
27.00
High
30.00
About KN
Knowles Corporation is a manufacturer of specialty electronic components. The Company is engaged in manufacturing high-performance capacitors, radio frequency (RF) and microwave filters, advanced medtech microphones, balanced armature speakers, and miniaturization products. The Company’s segments include Precision Devices (PD) and MedTech & Specialty Audio (MSA). Its PD segment is specialized in the design and delivery of high-performance capacitor products and RF solutions primarily serving the defense, medtech, electrification, and industrial markets. Its MSA segment designs and manufactures balanced armature speakers and microphones used in applications that serve the hearing health and premium audio markets. The Company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and to their contract manufacturers and suppliers and through distributors worldwide.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Rising Demand for Business Services: As Treasury yields decline, CFOs are more inclined to greenlight consulting, staffing, and outsourcing contracts, which is expected to accelerate contract awards and drive revenue growth for related firms, enhancing market activity.
- Knowles Stock Performance: Knowles shares rose 2.6%, marking a 67% increase year-to-date and reaching a new 52-week high, despite challenges with negative cash flow, indicating market optimism about its future performance and long-term value recognition by investors.
- Investor Sentiment Fluctuation: Although Knowles reported a 15.8% revenue increase and a 50% rise in earnings per share in Q1, concerns over negative cash flow led to market volatility, highlighting investor sensitivity to the company's financial health.
See More
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- Knowles Company Risks: With a market cap of $3.13 billion, Knowles has seen a 5.2% annual decline in sales over the past five years, indicating significant challenges in key markets, while its earnings per share have only grown by 5.2% annually, lagging behind sector averages.
- DXC Technology Dilemma: DXC, valued at $1.34 billion, has experienced a lack of organic revenue growth over the past two years, with sales expected to decline again in the next 12 months, reflecting management's struggles in capital allocation, currently trading at $8.31 per share with a forward P/E of 3.4x.
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See More
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- Strong Performance: Knowles reported a 16% year-over-year revenue increase to $153.1 million in the latest quarter, with non-GAAP diluted EPS rising 50% to $0.27, driven by robust demand in industrial, medtech, and defense sectors.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Despite Knowles' stock price surging 110% over the past year, Anchor Capital's investment suggests that the market may still underestimate the company's potential in fast-growing sectors like defense and electrification.
See More
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- New Investment Disclosure: Anchor Capital disclosed a new position in Knowles (NYSE:KN) by acquiring 189,817 shares in Q1 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $4.80 million, indicating confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- Position Value Increase: By quarter-end, the value of Knowles' position rose to $4.87 million, reflecting positive impacts from market price changes and trading activity, suggesting investor optimism regarding its business outlook.
- Strong Performance: Knowles reported a 16% year-over-year revenue increase to $153.1 million in the latest quarter, while non-GAAP diluted EPS surged 50% to $0.27, demonstrating robust demand across industrial, medtech, and defense markets.
- Outstanding Market Performance: Knowles' stock price surged 110% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 25% increase, highlighting its competitive edge and investment appeal in rapidly growing markets.
See More
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Stock Sale Announcement: Officer Jeffrey Snieow intends to sell 142.86K shares of its common stock on May 5, with a total market value of approximately $4.75 million.
Reduction in Shareholding: Jeffrey Snieow has reduced his shareholding in Knowles (KNUS) by 75,000 shares since February 6, 2026, with a total value of approximately $1.99 million.
See More
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- Profitability Improvement: The non-GAAP EPS of $0.27 exceeded analyst estimates of $0.24, reflecting a 13.7% increase and showcasing the company's successful strategies in cost management and market demand.
- Optimistic Future Guidance: The company provided a revenue guidance of $157 million for Q2 CY2026, above analyst estimates of $153.5 million, demonstrating management's confidence in robust order strength, particularly in defense and energy sectors.
- Strong Market Demand: Knowles experienced sustained growth in defense, industrial, and MedTech markets, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.19, indicating the company's competitive edge and ongoing growth potential in key markets.
See More
