- Alta Equipment Group Q1 Earnings Call Highlights
May 9, 2026
Alta Equipment Group logo
Key Points
Interested in Alta Equipment Group Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Alta Equipment Group said first-quarter revenue fell 3% year over year to $410.5 million and adjusted EBITDA came in at $28.1 million, hurt by unusually harsh winter weather and customers pulling equipment purchases into the prior quarter. Management said Material Handling bookings are improving, with March the strongest booking month since June 2023 and bookings up more than 20% in Alta’s markets, signaling a potential second-half recovery. Alta cut full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance by $5 million to a range of $167.5 million to $182.5 million, while still expecting stronger cash flow and leverage to fall below its 4.5x target by year-end.
Massive Upside Forecasted In Alta Equipment Group
Alta Equipment Group (NYSE:ALTG) reported lower first-quarter revenue and adjusted EBITDA as management said harsh winter weather and a pull-forward of equipment purchases into the prior quarter weighed on activity, while the company maintained that underlying demand trends remain healthy.
Chairman and CEO Ryan Greenawalt said total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 was $410.5 million, down 3% year over year, while adjusted EBITDA was $28.1 million. Chief Financial Officer Tony Colucci said revenue declined 2.1% on an organic basis, primarily due to lower new and used equipment sales.
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Greenawalt said the quarter was affected by two factors the company views as “discrete” rather than reflective of weaker demand. First, he said fourth-quarter equipment sales were “exceptionally strong” as customers accelerated purchases before year-end to capture tax benefits from new legislation. Second, unusually harsh winter conditions across Alta’s Midwest and Northeast markets constrained field service activity, parts demand and rental utilization, particularly in January.
Material Handling Bookings Show Signs of Recovery
Alta’s Material Handling segment generated $150.5 million in revenue, down about 4.7% from a year earlier. Greenawalt said the decline was driven mainly by new and used equipment sales, consistent with broader softness in the lift truck industry over the past 18 months.
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Management pointed to improving forward indicators in the segment. Greenawalt said March was the strongest single booking month for Material Handling since June 2023, while Colucci said bookings increased more than 20% in Alta’s markets during the quarter. Greenawalt also cited a recent turn positive in the ISM Purchasing Managers Index after two years of contraction, calling it a leading indicator for the lift truck industry.
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In response to a question from B. Riley Securities analyst Liam Burke, Colucci said the improvement was not limited to automotive. He said bookings were broad-based across regions and end markets, including distribution, food and beverage, automotive, manufacturing, energy and utilities, and some defense activity.
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Colucci said Alta expects the first quarter to be “far and away” the low point for equipment sales this year, citing improving bookings, backlog and momentum exiting the quarter. He also said the company expects a strong second half in Material Handling, in line with commentary from Hyster-Yale, though he noted Alta’s revenue recognition follows a lag from production and shipment to dealer preparation and delivery.
Construction Segment Holds Steady as Season Starts Late
The Construction Equipment segment generated $244.3 million in revenue, essentially flat from the prior year. Greenawalt said underlying demand remains stable, with strong quoting activity across Alta’s markets. He noted particular strength in heavy earthmoving equipment in Florida and said the company recently opened a branch in Fort Pierce to serve growing demand.
Greenawalt said Alta’s construction business is tied to fully funded state and federal infrastructure spending. He cited growing state Department of Transportation budgets in the company’s geographies and said Federal Highway Administration funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act remains in an early to mid-deployment stage, with most spending expected in coming years.
Colucci said the northern construction season had a delayed start due to weather, with some deliveries that might normally occur in March shifting into April or later. He said the company expects the first quarter to be the low point for construction, as it typically is, and that the inflection could be stronger given the winter conditions.
Rental Fleet Optimization Remains a Priority
Alta continued to reduce and reposition its rental fleet during the quarter. Greenawalt said rental fleet gross book value declined by about $59.5 million year over year to $524.6 million. He described the reduction as intentional capital management rather than a sign of demand weakness.
Colucci said rental activity is improving as the construction season begins, noting that April saw an incremental $25 million of fleet on rent compared with March. However, he said the company is focused on returns on capital rather than “low ROI EBITDA” and will continue to right-size the fleet.
During the Q&A session, Colucci said Alta completed about $30 million of rental disposals in the first quarter and was ahead of its plan. He said the company may still have “another 30 or so” to go at current rental revenue levels and expects to get there by year-end. Alta’s original plan was to bring the rental fleet below $500 million by year-end, he said, and that target remains intact.
Colucci said Alta is targeting dollar-weighted time utilization in the high 60% range and financial utilization, measured as rental revenue divided by average acquisition cost, in the mid-to-high 30% range.
Ecoverse Margins Expected to Improve
The Ecoverse Master Distribution segment generated $17.1 million in revenue during the quarter. Greenawalt said new equipment margins had been pressured by tariffs since early 2025, but management believes the first quarter marked the end of that compression.
Greenawalt said renegotiated OEM pricing and a recent Supreme Court ruling on tariffs are expected to help restore normal gross margins on European-sourced environmental processing equipment. Colucci later said Alta believes tariff-related margin compression in Ecoverse is largely behind it as renewed pricing agreements with OEMs and IEEPA tariff relief take hold.
Guidance Lowered After First-Quarter Shortfall
Alta lowered its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance by $5 million at both ends of the range. Colucci said the company now expects adjusted EBITDA of $167.5 million to $182.5 million for fiscal 2026. Alta also expects $100 million to $110 million of free cash flow before rent-to-sell decisioning, with both measures expected to be weighted toward the back half of the year.
Colucci said the company remains on track to be below its 4.5-times leverage target by year-end. Alta generated $20.8 million in operating cash flow in the first quarter, an improvement of $38.3 million from the prior-year quarter. Greenawalt said the improvement reflected rental fleet management, working capital discipline and lower interest expense. Interest expense declined $2.4 million year over year to $19.5 million.
Colucci said Alta maintained approximately $250 million of cash liquidity and kept net leverage effectively flat versus year-end, which he said is notable because leverage typically rises in the first quarter.
Management said several key metrics support its outlook for the balance of the year, including improving Material Handling bookings, stabilizing gross margins, a pickup in construction activity and expected improvement in Ecoverse profitability. Colucci said new and used equipment gross margins increased 240 basis points from the fourth quarter, and in response to a question from Raymond James analyst Steve Hansen, he attributed improving construction equipment margins to declining dealer inventories, reduced discounting by major OEMs and better used equipment values.
Greenawalt said Alta’s priorities for 2026 remain core business growth and product support in high-return segments, operational optimization, targeted talent development and selective mergers and acquisitions where the company sees strategic and financial fit.
About Alta Equipment Group (NYSE:ALTG)
Alta Equipment Group, Inc (NYSE: ALTG) is a North American distributor of material handling and logistics equipment. The company offers a broad lineup of forklifts, lift trucks, aerial work platforms, tow motors, pallet jacks and related attachments, serving manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and industrial facilities. Through its network of branch locations, Alta Equipment provides customers with new and used sales, short- and long-term rentals, and integrated fleet management solutions designed to support operational efficiency.
In addition to equipment sales, Alta Equipment supports customers with comprehensive after-sales services.
The article "Alta Equipment Group Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
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- Alta Equipment Group Q1 Earnings Call Highlights
May 9, 2026 · marketbeat.com
Alta Equipment Group NYSE: ALTG reported lower first-quarter revenue and adjusted EBITDA as management said harsh winter weather and a pull-forward of equipment purchases into the prior quarter weighed on activity, while the company maintained that underlying demand trends remain healthy.
- Alta Equipment Group Inc. (ALTG) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
May 9, 2026 · seekingalpha.com
Alta Equipment Group Inc. (ALTG) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
- Compared to Estimates, Alta Equipment (ALTG) Q1 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics
May 7, 2026 · zacks.com
While the top- and bottom-line numbers for Alta Equipment (ALTG) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended March 2026, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
- Alta Equipment (ALTG) Reports Q1 Loss, Misses Revenue Estimates
May 7, 2026 · zacks.com
Alta Equipment (ALTG) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.62 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.59. This compares to a loss of $0.65 per share a year ago.
- Alta Equipment Group Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
May 7, 2026 · globenewswire.com
First Quarter Financial Highlights: Total revenues decreased $12.5 million year over year to $410.5 million. On an organic basis*, revenues decreased $8.6 million year over year, or 2.1% Material Handling revenues decreased $7.4 million year over year to $150.5 million, while Construction Equipment and Master Distribution revenues decreased a combined $1.8 million year over year to $261.4 million.
- ALTA EQUIPMENT GROUP ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS
May 7, 2026
FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS: TOTAL REVENUES DECREASED $12.5 MILLION YEAR OVER YEAR TO $410.5 MILLION. ON AN ORGANIC BASIS*, REVENUES DECREASED $8.6 MILLION YEAR OVER YEAR, OR 2.1% MATERIAL HANDLING REVENUES DECREASED $7.4 MILLION YEAR OVER YEAR TO $150.5 MILLION, WHILE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MASTER DISTRIBUTION REVENUES DECREASED A COMBINED $1.8 MILLION YEAR OVER YEAR TO $261.4 MILLION.
- 1 Industrials Stock with Exciting Potential and 2 We Brush Off
May 4, 2026
Even if they go mostly unnoticed, industrial businesses are the backbone of our country. They are also bound to benefit from a friendlier regulatory environment with the Trump administration, and this excitement has led to a six-month gain of 16.3% for the sector - higher than the S&P 500’s 6.4% return.
Nevertheless, investors must be mindful as the cycle can unexpectedly turn. When this inevitably happens, only the elite companies will survive and ultimately thrive. On that note, here is one resilient industrials stock at the top of our wish list and two we’re steering clear of.
Two Industrials Stocks to Sell:
Alta (ALTG)
Market Cap: $259.6 million
Founded in 1984, Alta Equipment Group (NYSE:ALTG) is a provider of industrial and construction equipment and services across the Midwest and Northeast United States.
Why Do We Pass on ALTG?
Sales tumbled by 1.1% annually over the last two years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model Short cash runway increases the probability of a capital raise that dilutes existing shareholders
Alta’s stock price of $7.90 implies a valuation ratio of 6.3x forward EV-to-EBITDA. If you’re considering ALTG for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
D.R. Horton (DHI)
Market Cap: $42.53 billion
One of the largest homebuilding companies in the U.S., D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI) builds a variety of new construction homes across multiple markets.
Why Do We Avoid DHI?
Demand cratered as it couldn’t win new orders over the past two years, leading to an average 7.6% decline in its backlog Earnings per share have dipped by 14.8% annually over the past two years, which is concerning because stock prices follow EPS over the long term Diminishing returns on capital suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up
D.R. Horton is trading at $149.65 per share, or 13.9x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including DHI in your portfolio, it’s free.
One Industrials Stock to Buy:
First Solar (FSLR)
Market Cap: $22.75 billion
Headquartered in Arizona, First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) specializes in manufacturing solar panels and providing photovoltaic solar energy solutions.
Why Are We Backing FSLR?
Market share has increased this cycle as its 23.3% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional Free cash flow profile has moved into positive territory over the last five years, showing the company is at an important crossroads Returns on capital are growing as management capitalizes on its market opportunities
Story Continues
At $212.46 per share, First Solar trades at 10.5x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
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- Alta Equipment Group Announces Date of First Quarter 2026 Financial Results Release, Conference Call and Webcast
Apr 30, 2026 · globenewswire.com
LIVONIA, Mich., April 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alta Equipment Group Inc. (NYSE: ALTG) (“Alta” or “the Company”), a leading provider of premium material handling, construction and environmental processing equipment and related services, today announced that it will report its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, after the U.S. markets close on Thursday, May 7, 2026. In conjunction with this announcement, Alta management will host a conference call and webcast that afternoon at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss and answer questions about the Company's financial results. Prior to the conference call and webcast, Alta will issue a press release and supplementary presentation slides reporting these results on the Investors portion of the Company's website, https://investors.altaequipment.com.
- ALTA EQUIPMENT GROUP ANNOUNCES DATE OF FIRST QUARTER 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS RELEASE, CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Apr 30, 2026
LIVONIA, MICH., APRIL 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALTA EQUIPMENT GROUP INC. (NYSE: ALTG) (“ALTA” OR “THE COMPANY”), A LEADING PROVIDER OF PREMIUM MATERIAL HANDLING, CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL REPORT ITS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2026, AFTER THE U.S. MARKETS CLOSE ON THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, ALTA MANAGEMENT WILL HOST A CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST THAT AFTERNOON AT 5:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME TO DISCUSS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL RESULTS. PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST, ALTA WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE AND SUPPLEMENTARY PRESENTATION SLIDES REPORTING THESE RESULTS ON THE INVESTORS PORTION OF THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE, HTTPS://INVESTORS.ALTAEQUIPMENT.COM.
