Nova (NASDAQ:NVMI) Releases Q1 2026 Earnings Guidance

Nova (NASDAQ:NVMI) updated its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 2.130-2.250 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 2.050. The company issued revenue guidance of $222.0 million-$232.0 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $221.9 million.

Nova Price Performance

NASDAQ:NVMI opened at $443.76 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 4.58, a quick ratio of 4.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Nova has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $507.27. The firm has a market cap of $13.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.84. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $395.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $331.57.

Nova (NASDAQ:NVMI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The semiconductor company reported $2.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.13 by $0.01. Nova had a return on equity of 24.14% and a net margin of 29.44%.The company had revenue of $222.62 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $220.43 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.94 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 14.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Nova has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 2.130-2.250 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Nova will post 7.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Nova from $370.00 to $520.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Evercore raised their price objective on shares of Nova from $290.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $520.00 target price on shares of Nova in a research note on Thursday. Evercore ISI reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $485.00 price target on shares of Nova in a report on Friday. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Nova from $380.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $426.63.

Nova News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Nova this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results modestly beat estimates — EPS $2.14 vs. $2.13 consensus and revenue $222.6M vs. $220.4M consensus; revenue was up ~14% YoY with a healthy net margin (~28.7%) and ROE (~24.1%). Nova Reports Fourth Quarter and Record Full Year 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised Q1 FY2026 guidance: EPS $2.13–$2.25 (vs. ~2.05 consensus) and revenue guidance $222M–$232M (slightly above consensus), signaling confidence in near‑term demand. Chip-gear maker Nova beats Q4 views, guides higher
• Positive Sentiment: Nova reported record full‑year results, reinforcing the company’s revenue momentum and strengthening the narrative of durable growth in its end markets. Nova Reports Fourth Quarter and Record Full Year 2025 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Deep‑dive coverage notes that market‑share gains and a favorable product mix have helped offset recent margin pressures — a mixed signal that top‑line strength may be masking cost or pricing headwinds. NVMI Q4 Deep Dive: Market Share Gains and Product Mix Offset Margin Pressures
• Neutral Sentiment: Management commentary in the earnings‑call transcript provides color on demand trends and product roadmap; useful for parsing sustainability of the beat but contains no immediate surprises. Nova Ltd. (NASDAQ: NVMI) Q4 2025 earnings call transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and volatility are concerns: NVMI trades at a high P/E (~58) and elevated beta (~1.8), which can limit upside and increase share price sensitivity if margin pressures persist or guidance slips.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nova

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its holdings in Nova by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 10,885 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $3,642,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in Nova by 75.7% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 130 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in Nova by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,368 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $449,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Nova by 9.3% in the 3rd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 967 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nova during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.99% of the company’s stock.

About Nova

Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd (NASDAQ: NVMI) develops and supplies advanced metrology and process control systems for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The company’s core product line includes spectroscopic ellipsometry and scatterometry tools designed to measure film thickness, critical dimensions, overlay alignment and other key parameters that drive yield and performance in integrated circuit fabrication.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Rehovot, Israel, Nova Measuring Instruments has established itself as a critical partner to leading semiconductor foundries and device manufacturers.