CEO Norman Schwartz Reaffirms Bio-Rad’s 2026 Outlook Despite Life Science Headwinds

06 August 2026 | Thursday | Company results

Clinical Diagnostics growth and more than 20% digital PCR instrument revenue growth helped offset Life Science softness as Bio-Rad maintained its full-year guidance.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIO.B), a global leader in life science research and clinical diagnostics products, announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Second-quarter reported revenue was flat year-over-year, with growth in Clinical Diagnostics offset by continued softness in Life Science. Despite Life Science headwinds, our digital PCR instrument revenue grew more than 20%. EMEA returned to growth, aided by Middle East channel restocking amid continued volatility in the region. During the quarter, we generated $99 million in operating cash flow, and repurchased approximately $32 million of shares. We are reaffirming our full-year outlook, and remain focused on the discipline we believe will drive growth, durable margin expansion, and long-term shareholder value creation.”

Financial Results Highlights

GAAP Results

 

Q2 2026

Q2 2025

Net sales (millions)

$

651.0

 

$

651.6

 

Gross margin

 

53.1

%

 

53.0

%

Income from operations (millions)

$

72.6

 

$

77.1

 

Net income (millions)

$

371.4

 

$

317.8

 

Income per diluted share

$

13.85

 

$

11.67

 

Net cash from operations (millions)

$

98.7

 

$

116.5

 

 

Non-GAAP Results

 

Q2 2026

Q2 2025

Net sales (millions)

$

651.0

 

$

651.6

 

Gross margin

 

53.9

%

 

53.7

%

Income from operations (millions)

$

81.1

 

$

88.6

 

Net income (millions)

$

70.2

 

$

71.0

 

Income per diluted share

$

2.62

 

$

2.61

 

Free cash flow (millions)

$

66.7

 

$

70.8

 

The non-GAAP financial measures shown in the table above and discussed below exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading “Use of Non-GAAP Reporting”. A reconciliation between historical GAAP operating results and non-GAAP operating results is provided following the financial statements that are part of this press release.

Second-Quarter 2026 Results

Second-quarter 2026 total net sales were $651.0 million compared to $651.6 million reported for the second quarter of 2025, essentially flat. On a currency-neutral basis, sales decreased 1.9 percent compared to the same period in 2025, driven by lower sales in Life Science segment.

Life Science segment net sales for the second quarter were $252.0 million, a decrease of 4.1 percent compared to the same period in 2025. On a currency-neutral basis, Life Science segment sales decreased 5.1 percent compared to the same period in 2025. The currency-neutral year-over-year sales decrease was primarily driven by ongoing challenges in the academic research market.

Clinical Diagnostics segment net sales for the second quarter were $399.0 million, an increase of 2.6 percent compared to the same period in 2025. On a currency-neutral basis, Clinical Diagnostics segment sales increased 0.3 percent compared to the same period in 2025. The currency-neutral year-over-year sales increase was primarily driven by growth in quality systems, diabetes and blood typing products, partially offset by lower sales of infectious disease products.

During the second quarter of 2026, the Company recognized a change in the fair market value of its investment in Sartorius AG, which substantially contributed to a net income of $371.4 million, or $13.85 per share, on a diluted basis, compared to a net income of $317.8 million, or $11.67 per share, on a diluted basis, reported for the same period in 2025.

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2026 was 31.5 percent, compared to 23.2 percent for the same period in 2025. The effective tax rate reported in these periods was primarily affected by the change in fair market value of our equity securities, shifts in the geographical mix of earnings and enactment of new tax legislation during the period.

The non-GAAP effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2026 was 18.3 percent, compared to 22.7 percent for the same period in 2025. The lower rate in 2026 was driven by geographical mix of earnings.

Full-Year 2026 Financial Outlook

For the full-year 2026, the Company continues to expect non-GAAP, currency-neutral revenue to be in the range of a decline of approximately 3.0 percent to growth of approximately 0.5 percent, and an estimated non-GAAP operating margin of approximately 10.0 to 12.0 percent.

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