Micro-Cap Earnings Roundup for Week of Oct. 5, 2026
Richardson Electronics’ fiscal first-quarter sales rose 18.9%; Helen of Troy and Byrna reported tariff-refund benefits, while Resources Connection’s quarterly net loss widened to $8 million.
Richardson Electronics reported higher sales and earnings, while semiconductor-related preliminary updates carried different qualifications. For its fiscal 2027 first quarter ended August 29, 2026, Richardson’s net sales increased 18.9% to $64.9 million and net income increased 112.6% to $4.1 million. CEO Edward Richardson said performance reflected strong demand for engineered solutions serving semiconductor wafer-fabrication equipment and for distributed RF and microwave products. Gross margin rose to 34.6% from 31.0%; Richardson said an IEEPA tariff refund contributed to the quarter’s margin. Backlog reached $184.4 million, up 36.9% year over year.
InTest said it expects preliminary third-quarter 2026 orders of $48 million to $50 million, up 28% to 33% from a year earlier, and revenue at the high end of its $33 million to $35 million guidance range. CEO Rich Rogoff attributed semiconductor test demand to customer capacity expansions fueled partly by AI-driven data-center demand. InTest estimated September 30 backlog at $58 million to $60 million, compared with $45.4 million on June 30. The estimates remain subject to completion of closing procedures.
Blaize’s update supplied an exception to that growth. Blaize said it expects approximately $0.5 million in preliminary revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, and revised full-year revenue guidance to $32 million to $36 million. Blaize attributed the revision to shipment timing and working-capital management for inventory purchases. The company said its guidance rests on binding, non-cancellable NeoTensr orders and another customer order awaiting signature; it also warned that fourth-quarter customer-payment delays could adversely affect annual revenue recognition.
Helen of Troy and Byrna received tariff refunds
Helen of Troy’s fiscal 2027 second quarter ended August 31, 2026, produced net sales of $440.9 million, up 2.1%, and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.79, compared with $0.59 a year earlier. Gross margin increased to 52.2% from 44.2%. Results included $26.9 million in gross pre-tax tariff refunds, approximately $23 million of which was reinvested during the quarter, leaving an approximately $4 million net pre-tax benefit. Growth differed by segment: Home & Outdoor sales rose 9.2%, while Beauty & Wellness sales fell 4.5%.
Byrna’s fiscal third quarter ended August 31, 2026, showed why margin improvement needs a revenue qualification. Net revenue fell approximately 46% to $15.3 million from $28.2 million a year earlier. Byrna attributed the decline primarily to lower e-commerce sales and slower dealer and chain-store reorders following substantial first-quarter restocking and slower-than-expected sell-through. Gross margin reached 79%, including a one-time $2.3 million tariff refund. Excluding the refund, non-GAAP adjusted gross margin was approximately 65%, compared with the prior-year gross margin of 60%. Byrna attributed the underlying improvement to manufacturing efficiencies and higher-margin product mix.
Oil-Dri reported a different margin outcome for fiscal 2026 ended July 31: annual net sales increased 2% to $493.8 million and net income rose 6% to $57.0 million, but gross margin declined to 27.8% from 29.5%. Oil-Dri attributed the sales increase primarily to favorable product mix and the margin decline to a 4% increase in per-ton domestic cost of goods sold from higher manufacturing and freight costs. Retail & Wholesale sales rose 4%, while that segment’s operating income fell 1%.
Apogee and AngioDynamics increased sales
Apogee’s fiscal 2027 second quarter ended August 29, 2026, delivered net sales of $391.1 million, up 9.2%, and operating income of $33.5 million, compared with $26.9 million. Apogee attributed sales growth to a $16.4 million contribution from its Kalwall acquisition, pricing and favorable mix, partly offset by lower volume. Net earnings nevertheless fell 5.4% to $22.4 million. Apogee raised its fiscal 2027 adjusted diluted EPS guidance to $3.00–$3.40 from $2.70–$3.25.
AngioDynamics’ fiscal 2027 first quarter ended August 31, 2026, generated net sales of $80.9 million, up 6.9%. Med Tech sales rose 13.2% to $39.9 million, versus 1.4% growth in Med Device sales to $41.0 million. AngioDynamics said continued demand for prostate procedures primarily drove NanoKnife’s 29.0% sales increase. AngioVac sales, however, declined 5.9% year over year. The company reported a GAAP loss per share of $0.17 alongside positive adjusted EBITDA of $5.0 million.
Resources Connection’s loss widened
Resources Connection’s fiscal 2027 first quarter ended August 29, 2026, produced revenue of $98.1 million, down from $120.2 million, and a net loss of $8.0 million, compared with $2.4 million. CEO Roger Carlile attributed weaker revenue and profitability primarily to lower Consulting project volume and utilization and continued caution in client decisions. Billable hours fell 13.2%. SG&A expenses declined to $43.1 million from $47.9 million, but gross margin also fell, to 37.4% from 39.5%.
RCI Hospitality’s sales update, subject to final closing, showed uneven venue performance. Fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 club and sports-bar sales rose 0.8% to $70.4 million, while combined same-store sales fell 1.1%. Bombshells same-store sales increased 12.1%; Nightclubs same-store sales declined 2.7%. RCI attributed Bombshells’ performance to strategies and leadership implemented midyear. For the full year ended September 30, 2026, combined sales increased 2.0% to $282.2 million, while combined same-store sales declined 2.8%.