GE Vernova Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations, Stock Hits Record High on Surging Gas Turbine Demand

Gate News message, April 24 — GE Vernova (GEV.US), a major U.S. electrical equipment manufacturer, reported first-quarter 2026 results that significantly exceeded market expectations, driving its stock to an all-time high. Over the past 12 months, the company’s share price has surged approximately 220%, briefly breaking through $1,180 yesterday.

The company reported Q1 revenue of $9.339 billion, up 16% year-over-year and above the market consensus of $92 billion. Orders reached $18.3 billion, up 71% year-over-year across all business segments. Earnings per share came in at $17.44, compared to $0.91 in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) reached $896 million, significantly higher than $457 million in Q1 2025. Free cash flow exceeded $4.8 billion, surpassing the company’s full-year 2025 total. CEO Scott Strazik noted that in-hand orders grew by more than $13 billion from the previous quarter due to surging demand for power and electrification solutions.

Gas turbine backlog and capacity commitments increased to 100 gigawatts (GW) by quarter-end, up from 83 GW at year-end 2025. The company projects gas turbine order backlog will reach at least 110 GW by end of 2026. In Q1, GE Vernova delivered 25 gas turbines, mostly heavy-duty units, representing a 32% increase year-over-year. Strazik highlighted that pricing is rising faster than inflation, with current bid prices 10% to 20% higher than Q4 2025 backlog pricing, and expects “very strong” price growth in Q2.

Beyond gas turbines, nuclear equipment orders and service bookings showed significant growth. The electrical equipment and services segment achieved 86% organic order growth year-over-year, driven by strong demand for switchgear, transformers, substations, and high-voltage direct current equipment. Data center electrical equipment orders alone reached $2.4 billion in Q1, exceeding the entire prior-year total. In February, GE Vernova completed the acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in grid equipment supplier Prolec GE, further strengthening this segment. Order backlog in electrical equipment grew from $25 billion a year ago to $42.4 billion in Q1 2026.

Wind energy remained a drag on results, with segment revenue declining approximately 25% due to customer licensing delays and tariff uncertainties affecting U.S. orders.

Based on Q1 performance, GE Vernova raised its 2026 full-year guidance: revenue now expected at $44.5–$45.5 billion (previously $44.0–$45.0 billion), adjusted EBITDA margin raised to 12%–14% (from 11%–13%), and free cash flow increased to $6.5–$7.5 billion. Following the earnings release, major investment banks raised price targets. UBS lifted its target to $1,400, citing strong EBITDA performance, backlog growth, and raised guidance. Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets raised its target to $1,195 on robust product demand. JPMorgan expects continued pricing momentum in natural gas generation to drive strong order growth and margin expansion in coming years.