NextPlat Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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May 14, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • Positive Sentiment: NextPlat said its turnaround is largely complete, with Q1 showing record-level gross margins, lower operating expenses, and a clear path to improving profitability in the second half of 2026.
  • Positive Sentiment: The healthcare segment posted a major improvement, with gross margin rising to 39% from about 20% a year ago and the segment generating positive operating income for the quarter.
  • Positive Sentiment: The company secured five new 340B pharmacy service agreements in the quarter, a record, and expects those customers to begin contributing to revenue in the third quarter after onboarding.
  • Positive Sentiment: Management highlighted new growth initiatives, including a nationwide fulfillment partnership and a planned e-commerce healthcare site that will sell prescription drugs, GLP-1 products, and OTC items, expected to launch before the end of Q2.
  • Neutral Sentiment: Quarterly revenue declined year over year to about $10 million, though the company said the mix is shifting toward higher-margin contract and fulfillment revenue, while e-commerce remained steady at about $3.2 million.
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Earnings Conference Call
NextPlat Q1 2026
00:00 / 00:00

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Operator

Welcome to the NextPlat first quarter 2026 earnings conference call. Certain statements made during this conference call constitute forward-looking statements. These statements include the capabilities and success of the company's business and any of its products, services, or solutions. The words believe, forecast, project, intend, expect, plan, should, would, and similar expressions in all statements which are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, any of which could cause the company to not achieve some or all of its goals or the company's previously reported actual results, performance, finance, or operating, including those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Operator

More detailed information about the company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the SEC. Copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The company assumes no and hereby disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements made during this conference call. Joining us on the call today are David Phipps, Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Ferrio, Chief Financial Officer, and Birute Norkute, Vice President of Healthcare Operations. I will now turn the meeting over to David Phipps for opening remarks.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

Good morning, welcome to NextPlat's first quarter 2026 results conference call. Thank you for joining us. On today's call, we will discuss our first quarter results and highlight many of the improvements now being delivered in our business because of our turnaround efforts. In addition to discussing the results of the quarter, we will also share with you some insights into what we expect for the remainder of 2026, specifically the progress we are making on achieving our growth and profitability goals. As is customary, I will begin today's call by briefly recapping the results of the first quarter. I will turn the call over to Birute Norkute, our Vice President of Healthcare Operations, to discuss that segment in more detail, and then turn the call over to Amanda Ferrio, our Chief Financial Officer, to review our financial results.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

Following that, I will make closing remarks and then conclude the conference call by responding to questions that were submitted by our shareholders. Let me start by commenting on our Nasdaq listing status. On April 27th, we announced that we regained our compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid requirement as a result of us completing a required reverse split. As I indicated on our last call, this was not something we wanted to do. It was required to maintain our listing on Nasdaq, which we believed was in the best interest of our shareholders. With that behind us, instead of looking back, we are now 100% focused on delivering on the promise we see of a bright future for our company, as evidenced by our significantly improved Q1 operating results announced today.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

These improvements are the direct result of our efforts to turn the business around and position it for long-term profitable growth. As you can see, we now have a fundamentally improved business featuring dramatic margin expansion, supported by a leaner operating structure and an expanding domestic and international new business pipeline. With the turnaround largely complete, we are now looking to add scale and expand the scope of our business, in particular in our healthcare operations. This is highlighted by our expansion into all 50 states from our current base in Florida and other developments which we intend to announce shortly. I will discuss these and other critical developments in a minute. Looking at the first quarter, the positive trends established late last year, and as outlined in our previous guidance announcement, have continued. The business is now beginning to deliver tangible financial results.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

This is especially visible in terms of improved profitability, as reflected by a consolidated gross margin percentage, which is now at record levels. This is largely driven by a dramatic improvement in our healthcare business, which represented about 68% of our revenue in the first quarter. As we previously indicated, our efforts here were focused on new business development, targeting higher margin, 340B covered entities and long-term care facilities, securing medication fulfillment contracts, re-engagement with former clients, and improving customer service. Initiated late last year, these efforts are now delivering sustainable margin improvement and are expected to support revenue growth later this year. This is a major contributor to our ability to achieve operational profitability in the latter half of 2026.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

As evidenced by our first quarter results, the combination of new higher margin revenue and a greatly streamlined and cost-efficient operating structure means that we have created a clear path to meaningful reductions in operating losses in the second half of the year. At this point, I'd like to now review our business and provide some additional insights, which I believe will be helpful for investors in measuring our progress. In our healthcare segment, we are pleased to report the following improvements in operations during the first quarter. Revenue continues to be down on a year-over-year basis, as expected, our focus on attracting and supporting the needs of contracted 340B entities, long-term care providers, and other healthcare facility operators is delivering bottom-line improvements. Furthermore, momentum in this segment is building, having secured new 340B pharmacy service agreements with five new entities, a single quarter record.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

These entities are now onboarding a process which usually takes about 90 days to complete before they can start directing prescriptions for us for fulfillment. As such, we believe these new customers will start contributing to our revenue during the third quarter. The contributions for our medication fulfillment contracts continue to surpass expectations as we filled an average of 7,500 prescriptions per month to the contract facilities in Florida. The service fees we recognize from these fulfillments are driving significant bottom-line profit improvement each month. In terms of retail, although we remain focused on expanding our contracted services, over the past few months we have seen some improvement in this segment of our business. As we are now demonstrating, a well-managed retail pharmacy operation combined with strong margin discipline, operational efficiency, and strategic customer relationships can continue to generate attractive margins and meaningful profitability.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

Birute will comment a bit more on this in just a minute. Finally, as I mentioned earlier, we are now actively expanding the scale and scope of our business, currently through our newly created nationwide partnership. We are now moving quickly to leverage our relationships with current and potential customers and preparing for the launch of a new online e-commerce healthcare website, which will feature an array of popular prescription medications such as GLP-1s and over-the-counter products, including our Florida Sunshine brand premium vitamins and supplements. The new site is expected to go live before the end of the second quarter. Additionally, I can say we're working on other developments here, which we believe will quickly add more scale to our PharmCo operations in the state of Florida, which we hope to announce very soon. In our e-commerce segment, here are the most recent highlights.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

We continue to see strong global demand for satellite connectivity products during Q1, generating sales from customers in more than 130 countries. Several European government and military orders received during the quarter have helped to build a strong business pipeline for the coming years, supported by the award of multiple multi-year contracts. These orders, together with the recent growth in demand for satellite-enabled IoT products offered by our partners such as Iridium and Globalstar, have driven IoT sales and recurring revenue to record highs. At this point, I would like to now turn the call over to Birute for her updates.

Birute Norkute
Birute Norkute
VP of Healthcare Operations at NextPlat

Thank you, David. As David mentioned, during the first quarter, we continued executing on the operational restructuring and strategic repositioning of our healthcare business with a strong focus on improving margin quality, operational efficiency, and long-term scalability. While overall retail prescription volume during the quarter declined compared to the prior year period, we significantly improved the profitability and quality of our pharmacy operations. Gross margin within the pharmacy business improved to an impressive 39% compared to approximately 20% in the prior year period. This improvement was driven by optimization of payer and product mix, stronger gross profit per retail prescription, and increasing contributions from higher margin 340B relationships and contracted medication fulfillment services. Additionally, beginning January first, 2026, the federally implemented Medicare Maximum Fair Price program impacted reimbursement economics on certain Medicare prescriptions.

Birute Norkute
Birute Norkute
VP of Healthcare Operations at NextPlat

While this government program was not company-specific, the updated reimbursement framework favorably affected margins on certain therapies that historically generated lower profitability under prior pricing structures, contributing to overall improvement in pharmacy gross profit during the quarter. Importantly, these results demonstrate that well-managed pharmacy operations, combined with strong margin discipline, operational efficiency, and strategic customer relationships, can continue to generate attractive margins and meaningful profitability. We believe this operating model supports our long-term expansion strategy, including selective acquisitions in strategic markets where we can expand our geographic footprint, strengthen local relationships, and further support covered entities and healthcare providers. We are also continuing to invest in future growth initiatives across both our 340B and long-term care verticals, including expansion of our sales and account management teams to support additional business development opportunities throughout Florida and other strategic markets.

Birute Norkute
Birute Norkute
VP of Healthcare Operations at NextPlat

Another important strategic development during the quarter was entering in nationwide fulfillment partnership designed to support our expansion beyond Florida. While the operational rollout and supporting infrastructure are still in development, we believe this relationship creates an important foundation for future national growth. Over time, we expect the platform to support broader prescription access, cash pay opportunities, e-commerce initiatives, and future offerings in high-demand therapeutic categories, including GLP-1 therapies. Overall, we believe the operational improvements implemented over the last several quarters have created a substantially more efficient and scalable healthcare platform, positioning us for sustained margins and growth as additional customers and partnerships come online through 2026. That concludes my remarks. Back to you, David.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

Thank you, Birute. At this point, I'll turn the call over to Amanda to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended March 31st, 2026.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

Thank you, David. Good morning, everyone. Before I begin, I want to reinforce David's comments regarding the operational and financial progress we are seeing across the company. The initiatives implemented throughout 2025 are translating into measurable improvements in margins, operating efficiency, and overall financial performance. Our focus entering 2026 has been very clear: stabilize the business, improve profitability, reduce operating losses, and position the company for more consistent and scalable earnings. Based on our first quarter results, we believe we are making meaningful progress toward those objectives. For the first quarter of 2026, total net revenues were approximately $10 million, compared to approximately $14 million in the prior year period and approximately $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

While year-over-year revenue comparisons continue to reflect the operational restructuring and evolving reimbursement dynamics within our healthcare business, we believe the more important trend is the sequential improvement we are seeing in margins and operating leverage. Within healthcare operations, first quarter revenue was approximately $7 million, compared to approximately $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. The composition of healthcare revenue continued to shift toward higher value and more sustainable revenue streams, including 340B contract services and medication fulfillment services. Pharmacy contract revenue increased to approximately $1.9 million during the quarter, compared to approximately $1.6 million in the fourth quarter and approximately $1.4 million in the prior year period. This continued growth in 340B-related and contract pharmacy services supports improved margins and greater revenue visibility.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

At the same time, while retail prescription revenue trends began to stabilize further during the quarter following the operational changes implemented throughout 2025. While retail prescription revenue remains below prior year levels, profitability improved due to higher gross profit per prescription, reflecting changes in dispensing mix, continued margin discipline, and reimbursement changes associated with the Medicare Maximum Fair Price program. Our e-commerce operations continued to perform steadily and remained an important contributor to the overall business. E-commerce revenue was approximately $3.2 million during the quarter, compared to approximately $3 million in the prior year period. Although revenue moderated sequentially from the seasonally strong fourth quarter, the business continues to benefit from stable demand across satellite communications, recurring airtime services, and global e-commerce channels.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

We continue to see healthy customer activity in both enterprise and government-related markets, and we believe this segment remains well-positioned to provide consistent cash flow generation and long-term growth opportunities. Turning to profitability, consolidated gross profit for the quarter was approximately $3.4 million, compared to approximately $2.9 million in the prior year period and approximately $2.4 million in the fourth quarter. Gross margin improved significantly to approximately 35% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to approximately 21% in the first quarter of 2025 and approximately 18% in the fourth quarter of 2025. This represents one of the strongest quarterly gross margin performances in the company's history and reflects the benefits of our strategy to improve revenue quality and overall operating efficiency. Operating expenses continue to improve as we maintain disciplined cost controls across the business.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

Total operating expenses favorably decreased to approximately $4.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to approximately $4.9 million in the prior-year period and $5.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Salaries and wages decreased to approximately $2.4 million, compared to approximately $2.7 million in the prior-year period and approximately $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Selling, general, and administrative expenses also remained well-controlled. These improvements reflect the benefits of the cost optimization initiatives and operational restructuring actions implemented throughout 2025. As a result of the combined improvement in gross profit and operating efficiency, operating loss improved substantially.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

Operating loss for the first quarter of 2026 was approximately $1.1 million, compared to approximately $2.1 million in the prior year period and approximately $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. From a segment perspective, it is important to note that our healthcare operations generated positive segment operating income during the quarter of approximately $24,000, compared to a segment operating loss of approximately $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and approximately $0.9 million in the prior year period. This represents a major milestone in the repositioning of the healthcare business and validates the progress we are making in improving overall operating performance. On the balance sheet, we ended the quarter with approximately $11 million in cash and working capital of approximately $14 million.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

While cash usage during the quarter reflected ongoing working capital investment and timing related to receivables, we continue to maintain a healthy liquidity position and a conservative balance sheet with no meaningful debt, which we believe provides flexibility to support growth initiatives, strategic opportunities, and continued operational execution. In addition, subsequent to quarter end, we've regained full compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement following the completion of our reverse stock split in April. Finally, as disclosed in our filing earlier this week, we established an at-the-market equity program with H.C. Wainwright to provide additional financial flexibility to support potential future growth initiatives, including possible joint ventures or acquisitions. Currently, we do not have any specific plans for the use of this program. Looking ahead, our priorities for the remainder of 2026 remain centered on the following.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

Continuing to expand contract-based healthcare and fulfillment services, sustaining gross margins and improving operating leverage, maintaining disciplined expense management, supporting growth organically through recurring and contract-based revenue streams while also evaluating strategic opportunities such as possible joint ventures or acquisitions, improving cash flow performance and positioning the company for sustained profitability. While the macro environment and reimbursement landscape remain dynamic, we believe the actions we have taken over the past year have materially strengthened the foundation of the business. Most importantly, we believe the sequential financial improvements we are now seeing, specifically in gross margin expansion, healthcare segment profitability, and reduced operating losses, provides encouraging evidence that the operational and strategic initiatives implemented over the past year are beginning to deliver measurable financial results. We remain focused on disciplined execution, operational efficiency, and driving long-term shareholder value.

Amanda Ferrio
Amanda Ferrio
CFO at NextPlat

I encourage you to review our financial statements and disclosures in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for additional details. That concludes my remarks. Back to you, David.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

Thank you, Amanda. Before we turn to investor questions, I'd like to make some closing remarks and provide some insights into what we see over the remainder of 2026. Looking at where NextPlat is today, our team is pleased with the execution of our turnaround, implementing the majority of our planned initiatives. Based upon our steady sequential operational improvements, it's clear that we have not only stabilized the business, but we have put it on a well-defined growth and profitability path. Although there is always more work to be done, we believe we now have a foundation that can support the large growth opportunities we see ahead of us. We see several milestones ahead of us in 2026. For our healthcare customers, providers, and patients, we intend to continue expanding the reach of our offerings across the U.S. through new online and physical channels.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

In e-commerce, we intend to continue expanding our reach through launching new online marketplaces with a wider array of connectivity and consumer product offerings for consumers, enterprises, and governments. For our investors, we are committed to delivering improved operating results, top and bottom line, and communicating the progress we are making on creating shareholder value based upon solid fundamentals. In conclusion, 2026 represents the start of an exciting new chapter for NextPlat, and we wish to thank our shareholders for their continued support. At this point, we can now conduct the Q&A portion of today's call. We have again asked investors and shareholders to submit their questions in advance, and we would like to thank all of you who did. Question number one. There remain challenges in the retail pharmacy business. Do you still see opportunities in this segment? The short answer is yes.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

As Biruté indicated, we firmly believe that well-managed retail pharmacy operations, ones that combine high-touch services with strong margin discipline, operational efficiency, and strategic customer relationships, can generate attractive margins and meaningful profitability, as we are now demonstrating in our PharmcoRx operations. This is certainly true in less dense or more rural areas where there isn't a significant presence of larger retail chains, and as such is a large opportunity we are very actively exploring, which can allow us to quickly and profitably expand the scale and scope of our retail business. Question number two. Can you comment on the turnaround? Are you still working on improvements? If so, what are they, or is it largely complete? As you can see from our results, our plan over the last 9 months has been successful, resulting in significant improvements in nearly all of our operational metrics.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

While this effort is largely complete, we intend to build upon this progress by remaining very focused on prudent expense control and on generating high-quality revenue. We are shifting our focus more towards driving growth in the business and leveraging the strong financial foundation we have now established, including adequate cash and no meaningful debt. That is why we are actively exploring ways to add scale to our business, as I previously indicated, and I expect to have more to report on these efforts shortly. Question number three. Can you comment on why the company filed an ATM agreement when you clearly have cash on the balance sheet and no debt? Now that our turnaround is largely complete, as I previously indicated, and we are turning our attention towards growth, we have seen a number of opportunities to expand our business through joint ventures and M&A.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

As such, we believe an ATM can provide us with more flexibility in how we pursue these opportunities. As Amanda said earlier, at this point in time, we do not have any immediate plans to access the ATM, and I would add, wouldn't consider it at these current levels. Question number four. Does the company have any update on the status of the ongoing lawsuit? As of today, we do not have any specific update we can provide. We are continuing to work with counsel to resolve the final remaining legal matter as quickly as possible while protecting the long-term interests of our shareholders. The matter remains in the hands of counsel and our insurance company. That was the final question that we received from investors. Thank you all again for submitting them.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

Please remember that you can submit your questions at our investor relations email, which is investors@nextplat.com, or with our IR contact listed on our press releases, Michael Glickman at mike@mwgco.net. That concludes our earnings conference call. We look forward to continuing to share with you our progress in the weeks and months ahead. Have a nice rest of your day.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

David Phipps
David Phipps
CEO at NextPlat

Thank you.

Executives
    • Amanda Ferrio
      Amanda Ferrio
      CFO
    • Birute Norkute
      Birute Norkute
      VP of Healthcare Operations
    • David Phipps
      David Phipps
      CEO
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