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1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

Mercury Systems, Inc., a technology company, manufactures and sells components, products, modules, and subsystems for aerospace and defense industries in the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.Its products and solutions are deployed in approximately 300 programs with 25 defense contractors and commercial aviation customers.The company offers components, including power amplifiers and limiters, switches, oscillators, filters, equalizers, digital and analog converters, chips, monolithic microwave integrated circuits, and memory and storage devices; modules and sub-assemblies, such as embedded processing modules and boards, switched fabric boards, digital receiver boards, multi-chip modules, integrated radio frequency and microwave multi-function assemblies, tuners, and transceivers, as well as graphics and video processing, and Ethernet and input-output boards; and integrated subsystems.


It also designs and develops digital radio frequency memory units for various modern electronic warfare applications; radar environment simulation and test systems for defense and intelligence applications; and signals intelligence payloads and EO/IR technologies for small UAV platforms, as well as onboard UAV processor systems for real-time wide area motion imagery.The company was formerly known as Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.and changed its name to Mercury Systems, Inc.


in November 2012.Mercury Systems, Inc.was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts.

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1.b. Last Insights on MRCY

Mercury Systems' recent performance was driven by strong Q3 earnings, meeting estimates and reflecting benefits of a broad program portfolio and solid backlog momentum. The company's fiscal Q3 results highlighted its ability to execute on its strategic growth initiatives, including the acquisition of Star Lab to advance its leadership position in secure processing. Additionally, the strategic supply agreement with Cicor Group will support European defense applications, further solidifying Mercury's position in the market.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. Mercury Systems' Q1 FY '26 Earnings: A Strong Start to the Year

Mercury Systems reported a robust first quarter, with revenue of $225 million, up 10.2% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.8%, up 530 basis points year-over-year. The company's earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.26, significantly beating estimates of $0.08. The strong EPS performance was driven by the company's continued focus on operational excellence, with adjusted EBITDA of $35.6 million. The results demonstrate the company's ability to deliver on its priorities, including performance excellence, driving organic growth, expanding margins, and improving free cash flow.

Publication Date: Nov -19

📋 Highlights
  • Record Backlog & Bookings:: Achieved $250M bookings (1.11 book-to-bill) and $1.4B record backlog, driving 10.2% YoY revenue growth to $225M.
  • EBITDA Margin Expansion:: Adjusted EBITDA surged 66% YoY to $35.6M, with margins up 530 bps to 15.8%, reflecting operational efficiency.
  • Phoenix Capacity Expansion:: Adding 50,000 sq ft of automated manufacturing space in Q3 FY26 to support Common Processing Architecture (CPA) production ramps.
  • Gross Margin Progress:: 260 bps YoY improvement in gross margin, targeting low-to-mid 20% range via automation, backlog margin optimization, and efficiency gains.
  • Free Cash Flow Momentum:: $4.4M free cash outflow (improved by $16.5M YoY) and $135.6M generated over last 4 quarters, with 50% conversion target over time.

Bookings and Backlog

The company's bookings of $250 million and a 1.11 book-to-bill resulted in a record backlog of $1.4 billion. This strong backlog provides visibility into future revenue growth, with the company expecting to bring online over 50,000 square feet of factory space in Q3 of FY '26 to support ramped production for its Common Processing Architecture programs. As David Farnsworth noted, "The Phoenix capacity gives us additional flexibility to flex up and scale up efficiently on other programs."

Margin Expansion and Cash Flow

Mercury Systems' gross margins are up 260 basis points year-over-year, and the company expects to reach its target profile of low to mid-20s through improvements in backlog margin, automation, and efficiency. The company's free cash flow conversion rate is expected to be at 50% over the long run. With a current EV/EBITDA ratio of 64.78, investors are pricing in significant growth expectations. The company's P/S Ratio of 4.38 also suggests that investors are expecting strong revenue growth, with analysts estimating next year's revenue growth at 7.9%.

Outlook and Valuation

The company's guidance for FY '26 remains unchanged, with expected annual revenue growth of low single digits. The first half of the year is expected to be relatively flat year-over-year, with volume increasing sequentially as the company moves through the second half. With a ROE of -2.25% and a Net Debt / EBITDA ratio of 4.98, the company's leverage is a concern. However, the recent amendment to its revolving credit facility, which extends the maturity date by 5 years, provides continued access to a strong source of liquidity.

3. NewsRoom

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Creative Planning Acquires 5,669 Shares of Mercury Systems Inc $MRCY

Dec -02

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HALPER SADEH LLC ENCOURAGES LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT, INC. SHAREHOLDERS TO CONTACT THE FIRM TO DISCUSS THEIR RIGHTS

Nov -30

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Jana Partners Increases Stake in Rapid7 Inc.

Nov -26

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Why Are Insiders Are Dumping Shares of Robinhood, Stryker, and Mercury Systems?

Nov -25

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. Makes New $1.62 Million Investment in Mercury Systems Inc $MRCY

Nov -17

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Jana Partners Reduces Stake in Mercury Systems Inc.

Nov -15

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Jana Partners' Strategic Move: Significant Addition of The Cooper Companies Inc

Nov -14

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Mercury Systems: Defense Electronics Stock You Don't Want To Miss As Margins Expand

Nov -11

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (3.70%)

6. Segments

Integrated Subsystems

Expected Growth: 3.5%

Mercury Systems' Integrated Subsystems segment growth is driven by increasing demand for advanced defense electronics, rising adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in military applications, and growing need for secure and reliable computing solutions. Additionally, the company's strategic acquisitions and investments in research and development are contributing to its growth.

Modules and Sub-assemblies

Expected Growth: 3.8%

Mercury Systems' Modules and Sub-assemblies segment growth of 3.8% is driven by increasing demand for advanced defense electronics, rising adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in military applications, and growing need for secure and reliable computing solutions. Additionally, the company's strategic acquisitions and investments in research and development are expected to contribute to the segment's growth.

Components

Expected Growth: 4.2%

Mercury Systems, Inc.'s 4.2% growth is driven by increasing demand for advanced defense electronics, rising adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in military applications, and growing investments in electronic warfare and cyber security. Additionally, the company's strategic acquisitions and partnerships have expanded its product portfolio and enhanced its market position.

7. Detailed Products

Sensors and Switches

Mercury Systems offers a range of sensors and switches designed for military and aerospace applications, including temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and switch modules.

RF and Microwave Solutions

Mercury Systems provides RF and microwave solutions, including amplifiers, filters, and antennas, for military and aerospace applications.

Embedded Processing

Mercury Systems offers embedded processing solutions, including single-board computers, rugged servers, and GPU-accelerated computing solutions.

Mission Computing

Mercury Systems provides mission computing solutions, including ruggedized computers, storage systems, and networking solutions.

Security and Encryption

Mercury Systems offers security and encryption solutions, including cryptographic modules, secure boot mechanisms, and trusted platform modules.

Radar and Electronic Warfare Subsystems

Mercury Systems provides radar and electronic warfare subsystems, including radar antennas, receivers, and transmitters.

8. Mercury Systems, Inc.'s Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

Mercury Systems, Inc. operates in a niche market with high barriers to entry, reducing the threat of substitutes.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

Mercury Systems, Inc. has a diverse customer base, reducing the bargaining power of individual customers.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

Mercury Systems, Inc. relies on a few key suppliers, giving them some bargaining power, but the company's size and reputation mitigate this risk.

Threat Of New Entrants

The high barriers to entry in the defense and aerospace industries, combined with Mercury Systems, Inc.'s established reputation, make it difficult for new entrants to compete.

Intensity Of Rivalry

The defense and aerospace industries are highly competitive, with many established players competing for contracts and market share.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 29.12%
Debt Cost 7.32%
Equity Weight 70.88%
Equity Cost 7.32%
WACC 7.32%
Leverage 41.08%

11. Quality Control: Mercury Systems, Inc. passed 3 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
Mercury Systems

A-Score: 4.0/10

Value: 3.3

Growth: 3.7

Quality: 3.2

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 10.0

Volatility: 3.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Intuitive Machines

A-Score: 3.9/10

Value: 8.0

Growth: 1.8

Quality: 4.4

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 8.5

Volatility: 1.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Astronics

A-Score: 3.9/10

Value: 3.5

Growth: 4.0

Quality: 3.3

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 9.5

Volatility: 3.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Sky Harbour

A-Score: 3.9/10

Value: 6.6

Growth: 3.6

Quality: 4.8

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 4.0

Volatility: 4.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Terran Orbital

A-Score: 3.9/10

Value: 9.6

Growth: 3.2

Quality: 5.0

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 5.0

Volatility: 0.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
V2X

A-Score: 3.8/10

Value: 6.3

Growth: 4.0

Quality: 6.1

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 2.0

Volatility: 4.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

70.58$

Current Price

70.58$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows