09/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/28/2026 14:58
AAR reports first quarter fiscal year 2027 results
Wood Dale, Illinois, September 28, 2026 - AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) (the "Company" or "AAR"), a leading parts, repair, and software platform in the aviation aftermarket, reported today financial results for the fiscal year 2027 first quarter ended August 31, 2026.
In a separate press release issued today, AAR announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling interest in MRO Holdings. For additional information on the transaction, please refer to the transaction-specific press release and the investor presentation on the Investors section of AAR's website. Due to this agreement, AAR's previously scheduled earnings conference call has been rescheduled to 7:00 AM CT on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
FIRST QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2027 HIGHLIGHTS
(As compared to Q1 FY2026)
| · | Sales of $918 million; increased 24% |
| · | GAAP diluted EPS of $1.00 |
| · | Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.49; increased 38% |
| · | GAAP Net income of $40 million |
| · | Adjusted EBITDA of $117 million; increased 34% |
| · | Adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 11.7% to 12.7% |
"This was a very strong start to our fiscal year," said John M. Holmes, AAR's Chairman, President and CEO. "Our airline customers continue to experience strong demand for air travel, which in turn is driving strong demand for our services, as evidenced by our results this quarter. Total sales were up 24%, and we saw growth across all three core segments. In our Parts Supply segment, total growth of 31% was led by 23% organic growth in new parts Distribution on strength in both Commercial and Government end markets. Our Repair, Engineering & Software (RE&S) segment reported 31% sales growth, driven by our Airframe MRO, Component MRO, and software activities. Government Solutions was up 4% driven by strength in Mobility Systems.
"Our sales growth resulted in an adjusted EBITDA increase of 34% in the quarter and adjusted EBITDA margins of 12.7%, up 100 basis points year over year. Total adjusted EBITDA margin from the Parts Supply, RE&S, and Government Solutions segments was 13.3%.
1
"Cash from operations in the quarter was $56 million, helping to further reduce net leverage to 1.81x.
"Along with our strong fiscal first quarter earnings, we also announced an agreement to acquire a 65% controlling interest in MRO Holdings. Over the last several years, AAR has taken important steps to reshape our portfolio into an integrated Parts, Repair, and Software aviation aftermarket platform. Through the acquisition of MRO Holdings, AAR will achieve scale that significantly accelerates our strategy as heavy maintenance helps drive revenue to all other areas of the company. Further, the transaction structure allows us to partner with a proven team that brings decades of experience in a strategically important region while also providing the financial flexibility to continue to pursue AAR's broader strategy. This acquisition is highly strategic for AAR and marks a significant step in our long-term growth plan."
Holmes concluded, "Our strategy has been successful over the last several years as we have delivered above-market growth and consistent margin expansion. The acquisition of MRO Holdings will further propel this growth and drive a meaningful step-up in our margin profile. The strategy, portfolio, and combination add to the strength and resilience of our aftermarket platform. Given our solid first quarter results and continued demand for our solutions, we remain confident in our ability to deliver another year of strong performance in fiscal 2027."
FIRST QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2027 RESULTS
Consolidated first quarter sales increased 24% to $918.0 million, compared to $739.6 million in the same quarter last year. Sales to commercial customers increased 28%, or $147.5 million, primarily due to the acquisition contributions combined with continued above-market Commercial Distribution sales. Sales to government customers increased 14%, or $30.9, over the same period last year, primarily due to increased volumes in our new parts distribution activities. Sales to commercial customers were 73% of consolidated sales, compared to 71% in the prior year quarter.
The Company reported net income of $40.1 million, or $1.00 per diluted share. For the first quarter of the prior year, the Company reported net income of $34.4 million, or $0.95 per diluted share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 were $1.49, compared to $1.08 in the first quarter of the prior year.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $107.0 million in the current quarter, compared to $71.8 million in the prior year quarter. Acquisition, amortization, and integration expenses were $19.6 million in the quarter, compared to $4.4 million in the prior year quarter.
2
Operating margins were 7.9% in the quarter, compared to 8.8% in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating margin increased to 10.6% in the current year quarter from 9.7% in the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of growth in our Parts Supply segment and increased profitability in our Government Solutions segment.
Net interest expense for the quarter was $16.2 million, compared to $18.5 million last year. Average diluted share count increased from 35.9 million shares in the prior year quarter to 39.9 million shares in the current year quarter.
Cash flow provided by operating activities was $55.8 million during the current quarter, compared to $44.9 million of cash used in the prior year quarter. As of August 31, 2026, net debt was $780.5 million and net leverage was 1.81x.
SECOND QUARTER AND FULL YEAR FISCAL 2027 GUIDANCE
The Company is providing the following guidance for the second quarter and full year fiscal 2027. This guidance does not include any impact of the MRO Holdings acquisition:
|
Second quarter FY 2027 As of September 28, 2026 |
|
| Sales growth (ex. LCP)1 | 14% - 16% |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (ex. LCP)2 | 13.0% - 13.4% |
1 Reflects total sales growth excluding the Legacy Commercial Programs segment
2 Reflects Adjusted EBITDA margin excluding the Legacy Commercial Programs segment
| Full year FY 2027 | ||
| As of September 28, 2026 | Prior (as of July 28, 2026) | |
| Sales growth (ex. LCP)1 | Low teens | Low double-digits to low teens |
3
Conference call information
On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. Central Time, AAR will hold a conference call to discuss the quarterly results and the announced acquisition of MRO Holdings. A listen-only webcast and slides can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ogsm2rh7. Participants may join via phone by registering at https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIe2a403237161465d99fb8af7cc93b3e8. Once registered, participants will receive a dial-in number and a unique PIN that will allow them to access the call.
A replay of the conference call will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call at the webcast link and will remain available for approximately one year.
The slides are also available on AAR's website at https://www.aarcorp.com/en/investors/.
About AAR
AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply; Repair, Engineering, and Software; and Government Solutions. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com/.
Contact: Chris Tillett - Investor Relations | +1-630-227-5830 | [email protected]