Core Insights - Steris reported Q1 FY2026 earnings, showing solid year-over-year growth but falling short of analyst expectations for both revenue and adjusted EPS [1][2] - Revenue (GAAP) was $1,391.1 million, below the estimate of $1,447.8 million, while adjusted EPS was $2.34 compared to the consensus estimate of $2.47 [1][2] - Increased tariffs and higher employee benefit costs offset foreign currency gains, leading to an unchanged adjusted earnings outlook despite a raised revenue forecast [1][9] Financial Performance - Non-GAAP EPS for Q1 FY26 was $2.34, a 15.3% increase from $2.03 in Q1 FY25 [2] - GAAP revenue increased by 8.7% year-over-year, from $1,279.5 million in Q1 FY25 to $1,391.1 million [2] - Free cash flow (non-GAAP) rose by 66.8% to $326.5 million compared to $195.7 million in Q1 FY25 [2] Segment Performance - The Healthcare segment generated $974.7 million in revenue, an 8.2% increase from $901.2 million in Q1 FY25 [2][5] - The Applied Sterilization Technologies (AST) segment saw a 12.6% revenue increase, driven by a 12% growth in services and a 46% increase in capital equipment sales [5] - Life Sciences revenue grew by 5.2%, supported by a 53.8% rise in backlog compared to Q1 FY25, indicating strong future demand [5] Operational Developments - Income from operations (GAAP) increased by 32.6% year-over-year, driven by higher pricing and operational productivity [6] - Cash flow from operations rose to $420.0 million, a 38% increase from $303.7 million in Q1 FY25 [6] - Inventory increased by $59.9 million, indicating investments for future growth [6] Strategic Focus - Steris is focusing on expanding its service business and managing global supply chain challenges [4] - The company emphasizes compliance with healthcare regulations and innovation in sterilization technologies [4] - Management raised the revenue growth forecast for FY2026 from 6-7% to 8-9%, driven by favorable foreign currency shifts [9] Cost Challenges - Tariff-related costs are projected to rise from $30 million to $45 million annually, impacting profitability [7] - Labor and employee healthcare costs continue to increase, affecting overall margins [7] - R&D expenses increased to $26.4 million, reflecting ongoing investment in future offerings [7]