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Intuitive Machines to Post Q3 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?

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Key Takeaways

  • Intuitive Machines expects strong revenues from satellite manufacturing, lunar missions and NASA services.
  • Q3 sales are estimated to surge 364% to $243.3 million, while loss is projected at 12 cents per share.
  • Higher production, acquisition and R&D costs may offset gross profit gains and pressure profitability.

Intuitive Machines, Inc. (LUNR - Free Report) is slated to report third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 12, before market open. The company delivered a negative earnings surprise of 128.57% in the last reported quarter.

Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.

Key Factors to Consider

In the third quarter, strong revenue generation from satellite manufacturing, lunar missions, data analytics and data transmission services for NASA and other commercial and government contractors is expected to have boosted Intuitive Machines' top-line performance.

In particular, continued execution across satellite manufacturing programs, including the production of satellites for the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 tracking layers, is expected to have supported revenues. Additionally, progress on the Near Space Network Services (NSNS) program, ongoing lunar mission activities and the delivery of communication satellites for commercial customers are likely to have contributed to LUNR's third-quarter top-line performance.

Strong revenue generation, along with higher gross profit earned through growing contributions from the satellite manufacturing business and continued focus on cost management and efficient program execution, is likely to have boosted LUNR's third-quarter bottom-line performance.

However, higher selling, general and administrative expenses due to continued investments in infrastructure, increased production capacity, inventory purchases and integration costs related to recent acquisitions are likely to hurt the third-quarter results. Additionally, elevated research and development expenses related to lunar lander upgrades, the expansion of the company's satellite architecture and the development of future communications and navigation services are likely to have weighed on profitability.

Intuitive Machines, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Intuitive Machines, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Intuitive Machines, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Intuitive Machines, Inc. Quote

Q3 Estimates for LUNR

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LUNR’s third-quarter sales is pegged at $243.3 million, which indicates growth of 364% from the prior-year quarter’s figure.

The consensus estimate for loss is pegged at 12 cents per share, which indicates a deterioration from the year-ago quarter’s loss of six cents.

What the Zacks Model Unveils for LUNR Stock

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for LUNR this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat, which is not the case here, as you will see below.

LUNR’s Earnings ESP: LUNR has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

LUNR’s Zacks Rank: Currently, LUNR carries a Zacks Rank of 3.

Recent Defense Releases

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $7.89 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.22 by 9.3%. The bottom line also increased 2.9% from the year-ago quarter’s level of $7.67.

NOC’s total sales of $11.12 billion in the third quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.06 billion by 0.6%. The top line also improved 6.7% from $10.42 billion reported in the year-ago quarter.

Hexcel Corporation (HXL - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share, which improved 35.1% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 37 cents. The bottom line also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 48 cents by 4.2%.

The company’s net sales totaled $496.4 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $500 million by 0.8%. The top line, however, witnessed an improvement of 8.8% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $456.2 million.

RTX Corporation’s (RTX - Free Report) third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $2.26 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.78 by 27%. The bottom line improved 32.9% from the year-ago quarter’s level of $1.70.

Revenues rose 11.1% year over year to $24.97 billion and beat the consensus mark of $24.01 billion by 4%. Growth was supported by higher commercial aftermarket and defense demand.

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