WILMINGTON, Mass., March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Symbotic Inc. (Nasdaq: SYM), a leader in A.I.-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, is proud to have been named to Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026. This year’s list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. Symbotic earned the #9 ranking in the Robotics & Engineering category. This marks the second time it has been recognized as part of Fast Company’s ...

Investors interested in Technology Services stocks are likely familiar with Vontier Corporation (VNT) and Symbotic Inc. (SYM) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with posit ...

WILMINGTON, Mass., March 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Symbotic Inc. (Nasdaq: SYM), a leader in A.I.-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, today announced it has been ranked #9 on The Boston Globe’s 2026 list of New England’s Fastest-Growing Companies, marking the second consecutive year the company has been recognized for its momentum. Developed by The Boston Globe in partnership with Statista, the award program recognizes 50 New England-based companies with the strongest revenue growth between ...

Group 1 - Symbotic Inc. has been upgraded to "Overweight" by KeyBanc with a price target of $70, indicating a positive outlook based on recent cost-saving improvements and a significant order backlog of approximately $22.3 billion [2][7] - The company is expected to benefit from expansion into new verticals such as frozen and perishable goods, micro fulfillment, healthcare, and apparel, with further advancements anticipated as it deploys next-generation storage systems in Q4 2026 [3][4] - In Q1 2026, Symbotic reported revenue of $630 million, a 29% year-over-year increase, and a net income of $13 million, a turnaround from a net loss of $17 million in Q1 2025, with expectations of continued growth and profitability [4] Group 2 - The company is focused on developing automation technologies to enhance operational efficiencies in modern warehouses, positioning itself as a key player in the automation sector [5]

Core Viewpoint - Vontier Corporation (VNT) is currently viewed as a better value opportunity compared to Symbotic Inc. (SYM) based on various financial metrics and analyst outlooks [1]. Group 1: Zacks Rank and Analyst Outlook - Vontier Corporation has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while Symbotic Inc. has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3]. - The improving analyst outlook for VNT suggests a more favorable investment environment compared to SYM [3][7]. Group 2: Valuation Metrics - VNT has a forward P/E ratio of 11.61, significantly lower than SYM's forward P/E of 110.83, indicating that VNT may be undervalued [5]. - The PEG ratio for VNT is 1.52, while SYM's PEG ratio is 3.69, further suggesting that VNT offers better value considering expected earnings growth [5]. - VNT's P/B ratio stands at 4.48, compared to SYM's P/B of 33.23, reinforcing the notion that VNT is more attractively priced relative to its book value [6]. Group 3: Value Grades - VNT has received a Value grade of A, while SYM has a Value grade of D, highlighting the disparity in perceived value between the two companies [6].

Core Insights - Symbotic Inc. reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings, with earnings per share of 39 cents, significantly exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 8 cents, compared to a loss of 3 cents per share in the same quarter last year [2] - Revenues reached $630 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.2% and reflecting a 29% year-over-year increase, driven by system deployments and a growing e-commerce micro-fulfillment program [3] - The company achieved its first double-digit adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.6%, amounting to $66.9 million, a 274% increase from $17.9 million year-over-year, attributed to effective cost management and improved system margins [3] Financial Performance - Gross margin expanded to 21.2% from 16.6% year-over-year, with adjusted gross margin reaching 23.4%, up 570 basis points from 17.7% [4] - Systems revenues increased by 27% to $590.3 million, supported by 57 systems in deployment compared to 44 in the previous year, and successful execution of the Walmart Master Automation Agreement [4] - Software maintenance revenues surged by 97% to $10.9 million, driven by a larger installed base of operational systems, while operations services revenues rose by 68% to $28.8 million [5] Future Guidance - For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, management projects revenues between $650 million and $670 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be in the range of $70 million to $75 million [8] - Research and development expenses are anticipated to increase as resources shift back from paid development to operating expenses [8] Market Position and Estimates - The consensus estimate for Symbotic has seen a significant upward revision of 437.5% over the past month, indicating positive investor sentiment [9] - The company holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [12] Industry Context - Symbotic operates within the Zacks Technology Services industry, where Trane Technologies, a peer, reported revenues of $5.14 billion with a year-over-year increase of 5.5% [13] - Trane Technologies has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of C, indicating a stable outlook within the industry [14]

Core Insights - The industrial automation sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), with an anticipated annual growth rate of 17% through 2035, potentially reaching a market value of over $375 billion [2] Company Overview - Symbotic specializes in AI-powered robotics for warehouses, primarily serving high-volume consumer goods operations, with Walmart as its largest customer [3][4] - The company generated over $2.2 billion in revenue last fiscal year, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 26% [11] Market Potential - Despite Walmart being a major customer, Symbotic has opportunities in various sectors beyond retail, including manufacturing, logistics, farming, and waste management [5][6] - The retail sector, where Walmart operates, accounts for less than one-tenth of the total U.S. GDP, indicating substantial growth potential for Symbotic in other industries [5] Competitive Landscape - Symbotic is not the only player in the AI robotics space; other companies like Agility, 1X, Apptronik, and Boston Dynamics are also developing humanoid robots [8] - Competitors such as Teradyne and UiPath are focusing on practical automation solutions, but Symbotic's proven technology gives it a competitive edge [10][11] Financial Outlook - Projected revenue growth for Symbotic is around 24% for the current year and 28% for the next year, which may lead the company to profitability [11] - The stock has shown no net progress since August of the previous year, but there is potential for sustained growth as profits increase [13]

Core Insights - Symbotic (SYM) is positioned within a long-term warehouse automation cycle, benefiting from multi-year contracts that enhance revenue visibility and allow for product expansion into related areas [1] - The stock is currently valued at approximately 11 times forward sales, which necessitates a careful evaluation of operational momentum, execution timelines, customer concentration, and high investment spending [1] Valuation Metrics - SYM's forward 12-month price/sales ratio stands at 10.52X, significantly higher than the Zacks sub-industry average of 2.56X, the sector average of 3.42X, and the S&P 500 average of 5.25X [2] - This valuation is above SYM's historical median of 10.06X over the past five years, which has fluctuated between 22.17X and 0.61X [2] Stock Performance - SYM's stock has experienced a 25.2% decline over the past three months, underperforming compared to the Zacks Technology Services industry, but has increased by 136.7% over the past year [3] - The long-term performance remains strong, with SYM outperforming its industry over the past year [3] Financial Performance - In Q1 of fiscal 2026, SYM reported adjusted earnings per share of 39 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 8 cents, with revenue reaching $630 million, a 29% year-over-year increase [8] - Gross margin improved to 21.2% from 16.6%, and adjusted gross margin rose to 23.4%, reflecting a 570 basis point increase year-over-year [9] - Adjusted EBITDA was $66.9 million, up from $17.9 million, marking the first double-digit adjusted EBITDA margin [9] Revenue Growth and Guidance - Recurring revenue streams strengthened, with software maintenance revenue increasing by 97% to $10.9 million and operations services revenue rising by 68% to $28.8 million [10] - For Q2 of fiscal 2026, management has guided revenue expectations between $650 million and $670 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $70 million to $75 million [11] Operational Efficiency - The average installation-to-acceptance timing has improved to approximately 10 months, which can accelerate higher-margin software and services revenue [12] Risks and Challenges - Key risks include project timing, customer concentration, and potential delays that could affect revenue recognition and margin variability [13] - Increased research and development expenses may pressure near-term EBITDA progression, despite long-term economic improvements [14] Investment Considerations - A neutral long-term view is suggested, with the bull case relying on maintaining execution pace, scaling recurring revenue, and improving service efficiency [15] - Investors are advised to monitor for signs of slipping approvals and uneven development contributions that could impact reported results [16] - A balanced approach to SYM is recommended, with consideration for diversified industrial and logistics operators as alternatives for exposure to automation spending [17]

Core Insights - Symbotic (SYM) is experiencing a long-term demand for warehouse automation driven by retailers and wholesalers, supported by multi-year contracts that enhance revenue visibility and growth potential [1][2][3] Group 1: Automation Demand and Growth - Warehouse automation is a significant growth driver for Symbotic, which utilizes integrated robotics and AI-powered software for efficient warehouse operations [2] - The company has reported substantial remaining performance obligations from multi-site projects, indicating a steady revenue path over the next one to five years [3] - Symbotic is diversifying its offerings beyond core warehouse automation into advanced storage solutions, in-store systems, and dock automation technology, leveraging existing expertise [4][5] Group 2: New Platforms and Innovations - SymMicro is transitioning from development to installations, with customer-funded projects contributing to revenue, indicating a potential for future growth [6][7] - The new storage system design enhances customer economics by increasing storage capacity and installation speed, particularly beneficial in space-constrained environments [8][10] - The company is also expanding geographically, with plans for its first site in Mexico to go live within 12 months, providing additional growth avenues [13] Group 3: Technology Upgrades - Symbotic's partnership with Nyobolt aims to enhance its autonomous mobile robots with advanced battery technology, offering improved energy capacity and reliability [14] Group 4: Financial Outlook - The growth potential is bolstered by new platforms and geographic expansion, with upward revisions in earnings estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 [15][16]

Core Insights - Symbotic is experiencing growth due to increasing demand for warehouse automation and a rising number of installed systems, leading to more stable revenue streams over time [1][2] Revenue Breakdown - Symbotic's revenue is categorized into three main segments: systems (94%), software maintenance and support (1%), and operations services (4%) for fiscal 2025 [2] - The majority of revenue comes from systems, while software and services revenue is expected to grow as more sites become operational [3] Recurring Revenue Growth - In Q1 fiscal 2026, software maintenance revenue increased by 97% year over year to $10.9 million, attributed to a larger installed base of operational systems [4] - Operations services revenue rose by 68% to $28.8 million, with management anticipating further margin improvements due to a shortened acceptance timeline [5] Backlog and Future Growth - Symbotic ended Q1 fiscal 2026 with $22.3 billion in remaining performance obligations, with 13% expected to convert to revenue in the next 12 months and 62% over the following 13 to 60 months [6] - This backlog supports long-term growth planning, although quarterly results may still vary based on project milestones and customer readiness [7] Margin Improvement - The company reported a gross margin of 21.2%, up from 16.6% a year ago, and an adjusted EBITDA of $66.9 million, reflecting a 274% year-over-year increase [8][9] Growth Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects revenue growth from approximately $2.76 billion in fiscal 2026 to around $3.65 billion in fiscal 2027, driven by multi-site deployments and automation agreements with Walmart [10] - The company is also working on the SymMicro initiative, which is expected to contribute significantly to revenue in the near future [10] Earnings Performance - Symbotic has a decent earnings surprise history, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 159.9% [11]